C86, Noise PopLeave a comment

Structure – Convo

Tom

The new track by Structure reminds me of the Captain Beefheart influenced bands who recorded for Ron Johnson Records, a label which had the most artists on the C86 tape (no it wasn’t all twee despite what the internet revisionists tell you) and who released some of the nosiest pop music known to man/woman kind. Convo has that jerky, jangling post-punk guitar sound and it sounds not to dissimilar to A Witness which is a big thumbs up in my book. Crank this one up. Continue reading Structure – Convo

Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop1 Comment

Lips – Apartment

Tom

Sunday Records have compiled the two singles released by the Falmouth based band Lips last year alongside three new tracks for the band’s forthcoming self titled EP. Apartment is a searing dream pop song that soars above and beyond thanks to the vibrating guitars and graceful vocals of singer Rachel Anstis. If you didn’t get it last year get it pronto. The LIPS EP is out next month on Sunday Records. Pre-order it from here. Facebook Continue reading Lips – Apartment

indiepop, Jangle PopLeave a comment

The Claim – Journey

Tom

Fresh on the back of the re-release of their classic Boomy Tella album Medway Scene legends/veterans have announced a brand-new long player. Titled The New Industrial Ballads it’s preceded by the single Journey and to be honest it’s like they have never been away as it contains more jangles and hooks than you can shake a stick at. Upbeat central! You can pre-order The New Industrial Ballads from here. Facebook Continue reading The Claim – Journey

Alt Rock, Dream Pop, Dreampop, indiepop1 Comment

Group Photos – 33RPM EP

Tom

Manchester based Box Bedroom Rebels have collated a mix of tracks taken from Californian outfit Group Photos releases last year (Frequency, Open District) alongside some new (or previously unreleased?) recordings. The tracks are a mixture of dream/indiepop and alternative rock interspersed with snippets of instruments, electronica and droning sounds that works well, blending the tracks together nicely. Highlights are the 1980s tinged Infirmary and the high speed, jangling In The Morning that steadily increases the tempo before reaching its peak. It’s an impressive EP that doubles up as a great introduction to the band if you haven’t heard them before. … Continue reading Group Photos – 33RPM EP

indiepop, Noise Pop, Rock1 Comment

Бадди Психолли – Нойз​-​поп для начинающих

Tom

Or as the label, Pow! Pop Kids, kindly translates Noise-pop for Beginners by Buddy Psycholly. It’s more than simply noise pop though and a lot of it is very clever indie and jangle pop that’s packed with ideas. There are plenty of rock ‘n’ roll hooks for one. Opener Молодость и красота (Youth and Beauty) starts off like Tommy Roe’s Sheila before turning into an indiepop dancefloor staple. It continues on Беги (Run) which could be the sound of the forbidden Soviet rock ‘n’ roll underground. There is also surf pop in the shape of the band’s cover of The … Continue reading Бадди Психолли – Нойз​-​поп для начинающих

indiepopLeave a comment

The Reds, Pinks & Purples – I’m Worried About the New Wave (demo)/Boys in the Gang

Tom

The Reds, Pinks & Purples return with yet another new demo (did they skip one last month?) and it’s well-founded as ever. They haven’t really deviated away from their sound over their ten demos so far and that’s a good thing. What ever they have planned sounds promising as I’m Worried About the New Wave demonstrates. Talking of new wave it’s the cover of 999’s 1980 single Boys in the Gang that interests me. The band have extended it by a minute replacing the stuttering new wave guitars with some shimmering ones which works out rather well whilst Glenn Donaldson’s … Continue reading The Reds, Pinks & Purples – I’m Worried About the New Wave (demo)/Boys in the Gang

PopLeave a comment

The Room Upstairs – The Reckoning/ Nothing’s Beautiful

Tom

The Room Upstairs are an English band influenced by the likes of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Simon and Garfunkel amongst others and that can be clearly heard on this single. They have been around for a few years now with an album, a couple of EP’s and singles under their belts but this is the first release of theirs that I have heard. And it’s not bad. The aforementioned influences can be clearly heard, yet they are not replicated note for note. They lied with the title on Nothing’s Beautiful because it just is mixing baroque pop with … Continue reading The Room Upstairs – The Reckoning/ Nothing’s Beautiful

C86, indiepopLeave a comment

Bubblegum Lemonade – Our Mother’s House EP

Tom

The Our Mother’s House EP is the prequel to the forthcoming album on Matinee Recordings titled Desperately Seeking Sunshine which is out next month. The title track appears on the said long player whilst the two additional tracks Barely Regal and When Life Gives You Lemons are exclusive to this EP. Musically the band are still producing, as ever!, 1960s bubblegum pop nuggets and this EP is no exception. It’s available digitally from the label or via the band. Facebook Continue reading Bubblegum Lemonade – Our Mother’s House EP