Hallelujah the Hills - "It Still Floors Me"

The latest single from Hallelujah the Hills combines many aspects of the band. Hallelujah the Hills have always had a bit of an experimental side, as some of their releases prove. I'm You, their upcoming album, promises to be more on the rock side of their releases, but "It Still Floors Me" allows them to indulge in their artsy side. Also, singer Ryan H. Walsh wrote a book about Van Morrison's 1968 album Astral Weeks, and through that book he met John Payne, the flute/alto sax player on Astral Weeks. "It Still Floors Me" features a guest appearance from John Payne.

Walsh explains: "This is the third single from the forthcoming I'm You, titled 'It Still Floors Me.' It's a sad, aching six minutes of longing, negotiating and an insistence that time travel is real. I got to know John Payne as a book subject first, recounting the story of his happenstance involvement with one of the greatest records ever made. But after the book was published and we did some press together, it occurred to me how unlikely it was that John's playing didn't appear on more records over the years, Boston or otherwise. The students at John's school are lucky to have him as a teacher, and we were lucky to have him come down to Pawtucket, RI and play flute and alto sax on our song here (btw, that's the actual, literal same alto sax that was played on 'Slim Slow Slider'!). As John is forever a believer in the power of improvisation, he purposely only listened to the song once before his recording session. Even after months of recording, mixing and mastering this song, his playing here makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. You guessed it, it still floors me."

You can listen to "It Still Floors Me" below. I'm You, the upcoming album from Hallelujah the Hills, will be released on November 15. You can pre-order the album here. For more on Hallelujah the Hills, check out their website.

Friday Freebie: Prateek - Wolves and Bones

I know Halloween was yesterday, but we have just one more Halloween related tidbit to bring you. Boston's own Prateek has been steadily winning us over with his unique mainstream-but-just-different-enough-to-be-interesting blend of folk, so when he's going to offer us all two of our favorite things (free music and covers!), how are we to resist even if we're a day late? For Halloween he's released Wolves and Bones, a free two song EP featuring solo acoustic covers of Warren Zevon's legendary song "Werewolves of London" and "Spooky, Scary Skeletons," which I guess is a thing on the YouTube? (Sorry, I'm over forty, so...) They're two perfect choices for Halloween: Just fun songs with a spooky theme, and Prateek does them both to perfection.

You can listen to Prateek's version of "Werewolves of London" below. Wolves and Bones is available for free on Prateek's Bandcamp. If you do download the songs for free, be sure to give him a follow on Facebook.

The Queers - "Down in the Shadows"

Photo via Facebook

For Halloween, The Queers have given a brand new song to the Punk Rock Halloween II compilation. "Down in the Shadows" is one of The Queers's more melodic songs. It's more pop than punk, and I mean that in the best possible way. It's not quite as melodic as their obviously inspired by The Beach Boys ones, but more inspired by the 80's output of the Ramones. Plus, something about it reminds me of The Munsters theme, which is never a bad thing. It's ridiculously fun, which is what we really want in a Halloween song.

You can listen to "Down in the Shadows" below. Punk Rock Halloween II is available now via Bandcamp and also features songs by The Vandals, Reagan Youth, Johnny Thunders, The Virators, and more! 

Torres - "Good Scare"

Photo by Michael Lavine

Torres (aka Mackenzie Scott) has released three albums that have both worked and not worked for us, and, if the first single off her upcoming fourth album is any indication, this one might be the one that finally sucks us in completely. "Good Scare" is this beautifully powerful and epic alt-pop song. It's somehow one of Torres's most and least accessible songs at the same time. 

Scott says about the song: “Regarding ‘Good Scare,’ I guess I could say that falling in love is a lot like the Superman crawl. If you’re not familiar with Superman’s crawl, it’s a terrifying maneuver used in spelunking that’s only performed when certain passages are too narrow, so a person has to hold one arm against the body and the other above the head, all while trying to crawl forward. When you fall in love with someone, it’s scary like the Superman’s crawl, but you have no choice but to keep moving forward even though you have no idea what’s ahead of you.”

You can listen to "Good Scare" below. Silver Tongue, the upcoming album from Torres, will be out January 31 on Merge Records. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Torres, check out her Facebook and Twitter. Current tour dates are below the song.

Sat. Nov. 2 - Durham, NC @ Motorco (early & late shows) *

Mon. Nov. 4 - Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere *

Tue. Nov. 5 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live *

Wed. Nov. 6 - Somerville, MA @ Somerville Theatre *

Thu. Nov. 7 - Brooklyn, NY @ Murmrr Theatre *

Fri. Jan. 31 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Sultan Room (record release show)

Tue. March 3 - Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana

Wed. March 4 - Manchester, UK @ YES Basement

Thu. March 5 - London, UK @ Oslo

Fri. March 6 - Brussels, BE @ Botanique (Witloof Bar)

Sat. March 7 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso (Upstairs)

Mon. March 9 - Hamburg, DE @ Turmzimmer

Tue. March 10 - Copenhagen, DK @ Loppen

Wed. March 11 - Berlin, DE @ Kantine am Berghain

Thu. March 12 - Heidelberg, DE @ Karlstorbahnhof

Fri. March 13 - Zürich, CH @ Rote Fabrik

Sat. March 14 - Torino, IT @ Circolo della Musica

Mon. March 16 - Paris, FR @ Le Pop Up du Label

* = solo performance supporting Superchunk

Big D and The Kids Table - Strictly Covered

Around Halloween, lots of bands do live sets as other bands, playing as if they were the other band. Typically you'll see lots of bands playing as Misfits, Weezer, The Strokes, etc. Boston's ska punk favorites Big D and The Kids Table have decided to release an all covers album for Halloween this year. Strictly Covered has some covers that you would expect and are pretty obvious choices for Big D and The Kids Table (Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Rancid, Voodoo Glow Skulls, and two Operation Ivy covers), some less expected but that still make sense (Beastie Boys, The Dead Milkmen), and then some completely out of left field choices. These include two Boston legends in Sam Black Church and Morphine (although it is fun hearing Big D and The Kids Table's tribute to hardcore and alternative rock/jazz fusion classics) and industrial gods Ministry.

You can listen to Big D and The Kids Table's version of Morphine's "Early to Bed" below. Strictly Covered is available now via Bandcamp. For more on Big D and The Kids Table, check out their website.

Stef Chura Covers Silver Jews

Photo by Danielle Dabney

Stef Chura's Midnight is a strong contender for best album of 2019 and she's just released a cover of Silver Jews's classic "How to Rent a Room." Chura has been performing the song at live shows for a while, but after the untimely passing of David Berman earlier this year she chose to release a formal version of the song. "'How To Rent a Room' has always been one of those songs that I could never let go of," explains Chura. "Ever since the first time I heard it it’s always been one of my favorite songs and remains one that imprinted me as a young songwriter. Now, in light of his death, the lyrics take on a new and much sadder meaning. At the time they seemed conceptual, but the line 'Now there’s a lot of things that I’m gonna miss, like the thunder down country and the way water drips' is now a haunting and deeply poetic rendering of everyday minutiae and the texture of our lives that we don’t appreciate on a daily basis. The song seems nostalgic for a life he was currently living, and how important it can feel to mean something to someone. Or at least that's my interpretation." Despite the original being released in 1996, somehow Chura's cover sounds even more 90's. Not that either is specifically tied to the sound associated with that decade. Both are rambling songs that aren't quite folk. Folk-adjacent, at best. 

You can listen to Stef Chura's take on "How to Rent a Room" below. A portion of the proceeds of the song will be donated to MusiCares, a charity providing financial, health and rehabilitation resources to music people in times of need. You can get a copy here. For more on Stef Chura, check out her website. Current tour dates are below the song.


Thur. Oct. 31 - Paris, FR @ Supersonic (free show)
Sat. Nov. 2 - London, UK @ Mirrors Festival
Sun. Nov. 3 - Newcastle, UK @ Bobiks
Mon. Nov. 4 - Glasgow, UK @ The Hug & Pint
Tue. Nov. 5 | Manchester, UK @ Gullivers
Wed. Nov. 6 - Brighton, UK @ The Hope & Ruin
Thu. Nov. 7 - Bristol, UK @ Hy Brasil (free show)
Fri. Nov. 15 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick

Dead Ghosts - "Drugstore Supplies"

Vancouver's Dead Ghosts (how do we not post about them this week?) are about to release a new album, and they've released the first single, "Drugstore Supplies." The song is rooted heavily in 60's garage rock, the kind infused with organs. But they've changed that formula a bit by adding in some elements of mid 90's alternative/pop/psychedelic bands like Cornershop and The Dandy Warhols. It's a unique and familiar sound that is guaranteed to be enjoyed!

You can listen to "Drugstore Supplies" below. Automatic Changer, the new album from Dead Ghosts, will be out April 24 via Burger Records. For more on Dead Ghosts, check them out on Facebook. Current tour dates are below the song.

Oct 31 - LA - Minty Boi Presents Halloween @ El CID 

Nov 1 - Phoenix - Psyko Steve Presents  @ Lunchbox 

Nov 3 - SF - Folk YEAH Presents @ The Chapel 

Nov 4 - Portland @ Star Theatre

Nov 5 - Seattle - The Crocodile presents @The Sunset 

Nov 6 - Vancouver - MRG Presents @ The Biltmore

The Shirts and Shoes - "Wolf"

Photo by Danny DeRusso

Lowell, MA's The Shirts and Shoes describe themselves as a "rock band," and that pretty much explains it. Although, being a music blogger, we're going to feel the need to categorize them. Their latest single, "Wolf," blends a few varieties of rock. There's some heavy mid-90's post grunge alternative in there, along with a bit of a punk attitude. Plus, the whole thing is just as groovy as it is loud. It's an intriguing way to mix the familiar into its own sound.

You can watch the video for "Wolf" below. It's perfect for this week since it was shot at Haunted Overload in Lee, NH. The Shirts and Shoes are currently hard at work on their debut full length album. For more on The Shirts and Shoes, check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp.

First Listen: New Releases for 25 October

Artist: Troi Irons
Album: Lost Angels
Quick Description: Latest album from the folk-adjacent singer-songwriter.
Why You Should Listen: This defies a lot of expectations.
Overall Thoughts: I liked Troi Irons’s first album a lot. This new album is a solid shock to the system in many regards, with some truly interesting choices alongside some mainstream plays. The cynic in me wonders about the production options here, but the fan in me sees this as a bold and adventurous step forward that’s ultimately worth hearing.
Recommendation: A good listen this week.

Artist: Amy O
Album: Shell
Quick Description: Power-poppy indie rock.
Why You Should Listen: Her first album was good, this might be better.
Overall Thoughts: I thought Amy O’s previous album was pretty solid, but I am fully impressed with Shell on first listen. Guitar-centric indie pop with some great melodies? Can’t really go wrong here. It’s definitely got an indie sensibility, so if you’re looking for something a little more traditional you may be disappointed, but for me...
Recommendation: ...this just fully worked.

Artist: Anna Meredith
Album: FIBS
Quick Description: Advanced electronica.
Why You Should Listen: This is a really interesting listen.
Overall Thoughts: I somehow missed out on Anna Meredith for her first proper album, which got a ton of awards and praise. This new album from the sometimes composer definitely takes a composer pathway to some truly fascinating and compelling electronic music. I loved loved loved this album in so many ways, and I feel like future listens are going to peel back a number of unexpected layers along the way. Good for electronic music fans, but also something that might end up on year end/award lists.
Recommendation: Don’t miss out.

Artist: Kanye West
Album: JESUS IS KING
Quick Description: Kanye's long-awaited gospel-rap hybrid effort.
Why You Should Listen: This is absolutely one of the most interesting listens of the year, and will probably be a cultural touchstone for years to come.
Overall Thoughts: There’s not a lot of ways to approach this release in a vacuum. Kanye West is very clearly going through things publicly, and it’s difficult not to see the latest incarnation as either a stunt or the latest in a long-term public meltdown. Musically, this is a fascinating approach and something I am surprised at in all senses. Is it good? I don’t know if it matters or not. It does exist, however, and it’s definitely something.
Recommendation: Must be heard, regardless of where you end up on the final product.

Artist: Great Grandpa
Album: Four of Arrows
Quick Description: New album from the buzzzworthy indie act.
Why You Should Listen: It's a lane change for sure, but a welcome one.
Overall Thoughts: This is an interesting one as well. Great Grandpa had a great debut that felt raw and grungy, and this is a quieter and more introspective alt-rock affair. Not bad, and actually quite good, but different. If one completely puts aside expectations on this, it’s great, but it’s definitely going to be different if you were a fan of their prior effort.
Recommendation: Give it a listen.

Artist: Negativland
Album: True False
Quick Description: Longtime musical pranksters back with more stuff.
Why You Should Listen: Negativland is something unique and different.
Overall Thoughts: As someone who likes a good countercultural moment, I should have a lot more love for and history with Negativland, who check so many cultural boxes for me. Instead, I only know a handful of one-offs and never really bothered with a whole album. This is not a normal album by any stretch, but I really enjoyed the experience. A lot of found audio (or what comes across as such) and interesting music makes for an interesting listen.
Recommendation: I’ll probably spend the week listening to a lot more of this stuff, for better or for worse.

Artist: Claud
Album: Sideline Star
Quick Description: New release by this upbeat poppy act.
Why You Should Listen: This is probably one of the better releases of the last few months.
Overall Thoughts: This has been a highly anticipated album for me and others, and for good reason given the quality of the advance singles. The album is a great, bright listen with some higher-than-expected production value to go along with some solid songwriting. I can understand if some view her as an acquired taste of sorts, but I fell for this stuff almost immediately.
Recommendation: I hope you will, too.

Of note:

* Ian O'Neil - Ten Years of It (Via Deer Tick, feels like what Deer Tick might sound like as a more traditional singer-songwritery rock music.)
* Water From Your Eyes - Somebody Else's Song (Don’t judge on the first song. Or the second.)
* Sex Machine Octopus - Plastic Scenes (Better and more accessible than the name implies.)
* Grace Potter - Daylight
* Alison Moorer - Blood
* Little Screem - Speed Queen
* Night Flowers - Fortune Teller
* Meemo Comma - Nightmoss
* Mikal Cronin - Seeker
* Geowulf - My Resignation
* Anna of the North - Dream Girl
* King Princess - Cheap Queen
* Black Marble - Bigger Than Life
* Anamanaguchi - [USA]

7 Song Albums:

* Sarah Jaffe - SMUT

EPs:

* Slothrust- Peach EP
* Madame Gandhi - Visions
* Mourn - Mixtape


Also out:

* VERITE - New Skin
* Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars
* Tessa Violet - Bad Ideas
* Ringo Starr - What's My Name
* Goodbye June - Community Inn
* Armin van Buuren - Balance

NovaBound - "Under the Sun"

"Under the Sun," taken from NovaBound's upcoming debut album, is an odd little pop-adjacent song. It sounds like a more organic and less electronic Cornelius as it wildly shuffles tempo, sound, and styles throughout its 5:11 duration. It's not quite rock, it's not quite pop, it's not quite jazz, it's not quite electronic, but it is somehow all of these things. NovaBound explains the track this way:

""Under The Sun" is part of a break-up album called Sevenths that loosely mirrors the stages of grief during it's run-time. Here we have anger (or at least my best attempt at it being angry). I'm being judgmental towards some choices that were made but truth be told things stopped being my business very quickly. It got rather dark after the split so I offer a prayer in verse two although I can't help myself from being passive aggressive. California is actually Florida in real life, but California is a lot more catchier."

You can listen to "Under the Sun" below. Sevenths, the debut album from NovaBound, will be out November 22. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on NovaBound, check out their Twitter.