Podcast, NEW YORK CITY's INDIE ROCK MAGAZINE, NEW YORK CITY ROCK MAGAZINE, NEW YORK CITY ROCK SCENE, ROCK FROM nyc, ROCK FROM NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK CITY ROCK, ROCK IN NEW YORK CITY, NYC INDIE ROCK BANDS FROM NEW YORK, BEST BANDS FROM NYC
After releasing two well-received ep's Darling is ready to unveiling their debut LP, Lights That Last Forever. Darling formed back in 2003, but aside from singer/songwriter Jeff Schneider they are a completely different band today. The trio plays their brand of indie pop and have playing in this current configuartion since 2006. The mixture of Nick Voss' rythemic bass and the driving force of Don Ogilive's drummer make this release sonically compelling. On their full-length debut the band attempts to tell a story in a way. This is very much a story about dealing with life and all of its dreams and very realities. The album opens with a "Heart Attack" and ends with the hope of coming together in "Gathered". Musically, Darling has never sounded better. Lights That Last Forever will be released oncolor vinyl, digipak, and mp3 on Sept 28th by Cardboard Sangria.
August 2010
Dreamend
So I Ate Myself, Bite by Bite
When you listen to the music of Black Moth Super Rainbow (BMSR) you can tell that it is the culmination of many different sounds and styles. The release recently by Tobacco provided an explanation of the darker and more electronic elements in the sound. Now comes the latest released from band member (and the only Chicago-based member) Dreamend aka Ryan Graveface. It’s clear while listened through So I Ate Myself, Bite by Bite (Graveface Records, 8/10/10) that Ryan supplies the more the folk-ladden, banjo-soaked moments of BMSR. This album is a pure and gentle psychedelic freakout, but it is not without an element of the darkness and derangement that you might expect from BMSR. Complete with bells, guitar, organ, and the humble and honest vocals of Graveface this album is the soundtrack to a campfire attended by zombies and other creatures.
July 2010
Hey Champ
Star
I don’t believe that Hey Champ would dislike this classification, in fact it seems like they have embraced it, but this album, the band’s debut, is pure pop. Star collects the various singles and club hits like “Cold Dust Girl” and “Neverest”, but adds new and more rock based tracks like “Shake” and “Steampunk”. While listening through this album the main comparison that came to mind was New Order, or for a more current comparison Awesome New Republic. The connection is not only sound, but in the mixture of dance pop and political themes that the band mixes in. Songs like “World=War”, “So American”, and “No Future” brings a very forceful political message while still allowing the listen to dance. I don’t feel that political messages in pop music are as unusual or jarring as they once were, but the album does, in certain points, begin to become a little weighted down by these themes. I suppose it all in what you are looking for. Do you want you dance music light of fun or do you want a line like “lay down your sword because you would be ill advised to fight anymore”? This is still an album to playing at the pool or the summer barbeque, but it walks that fine line. Overall, Star is an impressive debut and is more effective and focused than I expected give their diverse pool of remix work. I suppose we can call it dance pop with a purpose.
June 2010
Tom Schraeder & His Ego
Once Lace, Now Cotton
Sometimes I feel like the word prolific is over used, but when it is applied to the efforts and output of Tom Schraeder it seems fitting. His latest album, Once Lace, Now Cotton is available through Township Records. The album was compiled by fans, family and friends from the three records Schraeder recorded and casually (read: unofficially) released over the past year and a half: The Death of St. Thomas, Dear Brooklyn, I’m Sorry... and ...bad things aren’t necessarily not beautiful. This is also the first of three albums he will be releasing this year. Musically, this album keeps a mystical balance between simplicity and complexity. You find Tom drifting through gentle acoustic guitar based melodies and delivering subtle and occasionally cryptic lyrics and you absolutely find yourself wanting more after these brisk nine tracks are over. The album starts off with a whistle and the distance yet soft vocals of Schraeder floating over guitar and white recording noise on the track “To You, My Friend…”. Electronics begin to appear at the end of the track and lead into “When Escanaba Rests” and the musical puzzle begins. This album is clearly about the voice, and the mood stays sparse for most of the album, but there are also a few moments of sonic explorations. The most “radio-ready” pop tune on the album is “Carry On” and it works as a big ending a solid album. Once Lace, Now Cotton is an intimate collection that sets the stage for a big year from Tom Schraeder.
May 2010
Sonoi
Sonoi
The press release for Sonoi’s debut album defines their sound as experimental pop, and with an album that is diverse and complex I can see why they defaulted to that verbiage. However, this album is very accessible, melodic, and clearly driven more by pop than experiment. What adds that extra element and excitement are the layered and textured sound that the listen will find hidden throughout the album. Yes, there is cowbell and catchy rhythms, but the band does expand their sonic palette and breaks some patterns with horns and other surprising elements. A song the really brings all of this together is the albums very first track, “Red Ant”. The track begins with what sounds like flutes or horn and then transitions into a calculated guitar rhythm before giving way to Adam Busch’s creative vocals. My favorite track on the album is the mysterious and eerie “Rotativa”, it’s all instrumental and beautifully constructed. Coupled with the closing track, “Friends In Dry Places”, Sonoi becomes more closely related to the likes of The Books than anything else. Sonoi made it live debut just over two years ago at the Hideout, and since then have culled a strong local following that with this worldwide release on Low Transit Industries should begin to spread.
April 2010
My My My
Leather Silk
The latest album from My My My, Leather Silk, looks and reads like an under produced classic porn movie from the ‘80’s. It’s complete with cheesy actors named “Big Baddy Cosgrove”, “Captain Sage Bronson”, “Silky”, “Terrycloth Jones”, and so on. However, when you put the album it is a completely different experience. This is power pop at its finest. Filled with finely tuned electronics, sweeping guitar riffs, and dueling vocals provided by Russell Baylin and Sarah Snow. I would compare their current sound to that of Headlights, especially when Snow is taking the lead.There is not a lull in this album, which means you will never stop moving. The centerpiece of this ten-track album is the song “Swoon”, and in a way it sums up the album. The looping electronic open leading to a gritty guitar riff and atmospheric keyboards, but it is the interplay of Baylin and Snow that will make you “Swoon”. My My My have far surpassed their 2008 effort, Little Cat Plays the Alpha Rave, and Leather Silk should make them one of the more sought after Chicago bands of 2010.
November
2009
Emmanuel
Shall
Come To Thee “Noel”
I don’t know if this is right to assume but
I have always felt that the beauty of music is that
is can transcend all of the boundaries we choose to
place around ourselves. Music has the power to push
beyond religion and race, it can move across oceans,
through wars and be passed down through generations.
It is timeless and when done properly one of the most
powerful force in the world. This is why when I received
an album masterfully composed by Matthew Prins, and
filled with traditional Christmas music I didn’t
think twice about bringing it to The Deli. Yes there
is a religious message in each of these tracks, but
if that is not your focus this Holiday season it is
my belief that the shear elegance and grace in the
compositions that Prins has put together will allow
you to give this album a chance. What I found most
enjoyable about this album was the diverse arrangements
filled with harp, bells, piano, guitar, and more,
and they do not really on the organ as most traditional
recording do. Prins approaches each song, from “O
Come, All Ye Faithful” to “Carol of The
Bells”, from such a fresh and intelligent prospective
that it will make this album stand out in your collection.
- website
October
2009
New
Canyons “Strife,
Struggle, & Fire”
The latest
album from the electro-emo band
New Canyons begins with a single
piano painting an almost ominous
picture as cold and repetitive
strings float over the top and
the “intro” begins
to build. Only lasting a minute
and a half, the intro to “Strife,
Struggle, & Fire” subtly
prepares the listener for the
dark and chilling sounds ahead.
However, as “Dressed to
Kill” kicks in for the second
track the tempo is slightly more
upbeat, but the mood remains sullen.
New Canyons, through out their
album, build complex but enjoyable
electronic rhythms that consistently
shift, grow and retract, giving
the album a fuller sound than
I was anticipating. This is much
more than bedroom pop, New Canyons
have a sound build for stadiums
and songs like “Heart Transparency”,
“We Could Drive”,
and “Life Support”
sound as radio ready as anything
I’ve heard lately. This
is really the perfect collection
to match the chill in air with
cold pulsing basslines, glitches,
and soaring guitar solo. The album
was available for free download
through the month of September,
and is currently available through
cd
baby. - website
September
2009
Essex
Channel “Love is Proximity”
With
all that is going in this country
and with our economy it brought
a smile to my face when I received
a cd of love songs. Travis Lee
Wiggins is the driving force behind
the prolific Essex Channel, and
over the last several years he
has been storing away his best
love songs for what is now known
as Love is Proximity. This collection
is a testament to staying positive,
and it is a state of mind that
has netted Wiggins over 43 tracks
for inclusion. These tracks will
be released over the next six
months resulting in four albums
worth of love. Musically, Essex
Channel captures both a sense
of dense orchestration and the
intimate sound of bedroom recordings.
By using horns, strings, banjo,
harmonica, and more, Wiggins keeps
every track fresh and moving.
The first single from Love is
Proximity is called innocent romp
called “Skinny Dipping”,
and it will soon be a raucous
and vivid music video. This album,
the first of four, will be released
on September 29th through Wiggins
own Sweet Goodness Records. -
website
August
2009
Marbin “Self Titled”
Newcomers
to the Chicago scene, Marbin combine
the ambient feel of subtler electronic
music with the controlled freedom
of jazz. Dani Rabin and Danny
Markovitch got there start in
Israel, but have found a new energy
and hopefully a new audience here
in the city. Through the ten tracks
on this self-titled release Marbin
explores traditions and find new
chains of thought and sound. This
is music for reflection and meditation,
but it is also the sound of a
cool summer evening. It is a refreshing
break from the perpetual sounds
of indie pop and hip-hop that
fills the streets. Rabin and Markovitch
have truly made an album that
is exciting and relaxing all over
the course of forty minutes. Take
a minute to view the day through
a more reflective and jazz-filled
lens. - website
July
2009
Soft
Speaker “Conditions”
Has the
phrase indie-pop been overused
yet? Is it offensive to say that
a band plays indie-pop? Maybe
we default to that label when
we can clearly define a sound.
In their bio, Soft Speaker uses
the word psychedelic to describe
the band, but when I hear the
synths and harmonies, begin tapping
my feet, and can almost instantly
hum along, I cry indie-pop! Alright,
enough with the titles, Conditions
in the latest release from the
quintet known as Soft Speaker.
Now it may just be the fact that
I grew up as the biggest Dinosaur
Jr. fan on my block, but I find
myself hearing their influence
more and more in younger bands,
and Soft Speaker is no exception.
From the raging guitar solo in
the opening seconds of “Mercury
Park” to the fuzz and feedback
of “Danger Red”, this
albums driving force is the complex
and inventive guitar play. Yet,
the solos are restrained enough
to allow the rhythm, the melodies,
and even the handclaps to keep
the songs moving and for the most
part danceable. In just seven
songs, Soft Speaker manages to
balance raging guitar solos, alt-country
ballads, and an electrified remix
track. Conditions clearly sets
the stage for bigger things in
the near future for this eclectic
four piece. - website
June
2009
Tortoise “Beacons of Ancestorship”
Tortoise,
the five-piece instrumental rock
ensemble from Chicago, is at it
again with their most recent full-length
album entitled, Beacons of Ancestorship.
After a long break from producing
new material, the band’s
new offering makes difficult the
art of categorization. If I were
forced to pigeonhole such an act
into a genre, it would be something
like, “experimental-intergalactic-post
rock-industrial-hip hop”…
or something like that. If you
lack the ability to listen to
an entire album without getting
bored, this may be what you need
to cure the ailment. Beacons of
Ancestorship opens with “High
Class Slim Came Floatin’
In,” which harkens back
to an improvisational hip-hop
style, much like ropeadope Records’
The Detroit Experiment back in
2003. Tortoise establishes the
fact that you have no idea where
the next minute will take you,
so you might as well sit back
and enjoy this musical Choose-Your-Own-Adventure.
Another track that stuck out was
“Gigantes,” which
brings a bit of an Eastern flavor,
and keeps a spicy tempo throughout.
The closer of the album really
caught my attention. “Chateroak
Foundation” establishes
a slow-going guitar riff and then
turns it on its head when the
beat comes in. Definitely give
that one a listen! All in all,
instrumental rock is not entirely
my cup of tea. However, I was
pleasantly surprised while listening
to Tortoise’s Beacons of
Ancestorship. The band really
puts a spotlight on their versatility
and their ability to master a
handful of genres to weave them
together to an enjoyable hour
or so of music. - website
– Paul Balsom.
May
2009
I
Fight Dragons “Cool is Just a Number”
You might
think that a band that utilizes
Nintendo controllers on stage
and in the studio might boarder
on gimmicky. However, I Fight
Dragons have managed to combine
these classic sounds with a near
overwhelming sense of pop and
rock. When you listen to the bands
debut ep, what takes center stage
is their unique take on pop music
and not just their use of Nintendo
gear. Through songs like “The
Faster The Treadmill” and
“Money” it is the
solid foundation of is driving
this sextet of superheroes into
the spotlight. What I am try to
say is that despite the fact that
they consider themselves a”
nerd-centric NES-influenced dork
combo” this band is actually
so much more. So while they revel
in their NES controllers, Power
Pads, and Zapper Guns, you can
marvel at their guitars, bass,
and drums. Cool is Just a Number
is available for free download
at IFD’s website.
April
2009
Nathan
Xander “The Fear”
On The
Fear, Nathan Xander takes a bold
and reaching step to transform
himself from a barroom/coffeehouse
singer into a main stage commodity.
The rich textures of his voice
power through the chords, be it
acoustic or electric, and conjure
memories of smoke and sawdust.
Although he lives and plays in
one of the largest cities in the
country, the fear is that he won’t
be heard, he won’t be known,
he won’t loved. As its core,
The Fear is root rock, and big
chunk of Americana. This album
is honest and filled with heart,
fear, ad ultimately faith. What
will draw new listeners to this
collection is that faith, especially
during these times. As we all
begin to dig deeper, think harder
about how we live and how we spend,
the decision to purchase an album
maybe difficult. Yet, purely independent
artists like Xander with stripped
down and simple stories should
be the first to get our support.
Search for the self-released albums
and spend what you can. Let them
know that you are here for them
and that they have nothing to
fear. - website.
March
2009
Helicopters
“Sizing Up The Distance”
With
a claim to fame as prestigious
as winning the 2007 Lollapalooza
Battle of the Bands, the Helicopters
clearly entered the studio with
one goal in mind… leave
nothing on the board. While recording
their latest album “Sizing
Up The Distance”, Jason
Caldeira, Brian Fifield, Dave
Moran utilized an impressive range
of musical styles. From the surprising
indie pop of “Emergency”
to the slinky electro beat of
“Iran” to the folk
undertones of “Scraps of
Bread” to the near funk
and grooves of “Still Silhouettes”,
this album covers all the bases
and excels in every genre. If
forced to compare the variety
of sounds found on “Sizing
Up The Distance” to other
bands I would have to say this
is Duran Duran meets Ben Gibbard.
The title of the album implies
that there is a distance the band
is facing, but with each spin
of this disc, with each live performance,
with each glowing review, the
distance between unknown and stardom
grows smaller. FlyCasual Records
re-releasing this album on April
28th with five digital bonus tracks.
So, take another look at Helicopters
and enjoy the diversity. -website
Febuary
2009
Camera "Fire & Science"
For all
that I hated about a band like
She Wants Revenge it somehow seems
refreshing when delivered by Chicago
veterans Camera. Perhaps it helps
that they have been a mainstay
in the local clubs since 2003,
but on their newest EP, Fire &
Science they channel the darkness
of Ian Curtis, but filter it through
a contagious pop groove. It’s
the gloss and energy of a band
like Friendly Fires tempered with
a sense of paranoia and near depression.
Utilizing the talents of Ryan
Aylward, manipulator of low-frequency
oscillations; David Sylvian, the
voice of opposed reason; and Joseph
Scro, pursuer of rhythm both in
life and the artificial alike.
When they combine their talents
the result is a pure eruption
of energy, and now that they have
begun recording a full-length
album is on the horizon. For a
band in it’s ninth year
of existence the next step has
never been closer, and the future
has never been brighter. -website
January
2009
Anti-Crew "Foundation"
EP
If anyone
compares Chicago act Anti-Crew
to Linkin Park just because they
rap and have guitars, I will personally
punch them in the face. Unlike
the power pop band, Anti-Crew
has talent and doesn’t rely
on screaming and minimal DJ skills
to scrape by. Foundation is the
band’s first album in Chicago
and with a whole band and might
I say, a little makes a big difference.
In its seven tracks the EP creates
a fuller, well-rounded sound than
Anti-Crew last two albums. The
talent of Flare and DJ Eternal
that started in Kansas City is
only enhanced by the addition
of a live band. The track “One
Time” cannot be done the
old Anti-Crew way. A simple pre-recorded
track would not do. The dueling
guitar riff in the beginning and
the funky bass line make the song
the catchy thing that it is. Flare
and DJ Eternal’s songwriting
seems to have gotten better too,
without sacrificing the playfulness
that makes Anti-Crew entertaining.
“Matt and Jeff’s Bogus
Journey” is hilarious, telling
the classic story of two guys
after one girl, but still has
a great drumbeat. And the opener
“Sky High ‘08”
has a great hip hop sound with
an equally great guitar part.
If Foundation shows anything it’s
that Anti-Crew has learned how
to exercise balance within their
music, a skill that will only
help them in the future. –
Amy Dittmeierwebsite
December
2008
Inchworm "Sheep in
Wolf’s Clothing"
Under
the graphically intense
cover of the third release
from Chicago’s Inchworm
is a collection of six
folk tinged roots rock
tunes. Through out the
album, in sound and lyric,
Matthew Baugher, Brian
Morrissey, Mike Holtz,
Dan Ingenthron, and Amos
Lieberman called for a
return to a simpler time.
They also demand an attentive
ear as they ramble their
way through folk melodies
with a flare for a jazzier
aesthetic. Inchworm formed
in 2003 and over the last
five years they have released
two albums and cultivated
a classic sound in the
bars and clubs across
the city. “Sheep
in Wolf’s Clothing”
speaks to the heart of
that sound and the heart
of the city. As the weather
turns brisk and the pace
becomes manic, Inchworm
asks you to slow down
and look a little deeper.
- website
November
2008
Radius "Neighborhood
Suicide"
I
know this goes back a
few months, but their
has not been an album
released this year that
encompass Chicago life
like Neighborhood Suicide
by sample-based artist
Radius. While Chicago
hip hop as a whole is
all over the place right
now, Ramon Norwood (a.k.a.
Radius) is able to find
his center in the soulful
sounds that have been
flowing from this city
for years. The beats filling
his debut album are dense,
gorgeous and always funky,
and in a way, tell the
story of his life and
journey through the city.
From Humbolt Park to Hyde
Park to Logan Square,
each stop along his journey
has its own sound, each
neighborhood has its own
beat. In the liner notes
of this, the 16th release
by Chicago’s Secret
Life of Sound label, Radius
uses words to explain
the story that his music
tells. Here is a section
from “South Chicago
(The Journey)”,
“I tried to express
that true Chicago soul
sound and natural feeling.
This project is dedicated
to my beautiful city,
which I love and feel
is still long overdue
in receiving it props!”
- Jason Behrends -
website.