The purpose of this feature is to promote music investment and assist with some music discovery. Back in May, I was thinking this would be a monthly thing. Of course, I haven’t done it again since then. Even in COVID times, the summer in the Pacific Northwest makes it impossible for me to focus on anything other than trying to be outside. But thanks to changing seasons and a little help from climate disaster (AKA wildfires) I’m getting back on the horse. Let’s see if we can make it two months in a row!
Investing in music is important to me. What are you going to do if the streaming services all crash? Also, we need to support the people that are creating the art that we love to listen to so much. Even more so in these uncertain economic times. If you have the means please buy some music from the bands you like.
SMASH THAT PRE-ORDER
Terms – Asbestos Mouth
Label: SKiN GRAFT RECORDS
Release: 10/2/2020
Terms combines Danny Piechocki (drums) and Christopher Trull (guitar and bass) creating a cure for the common doldrums. We are super excited to present the premier of “He Hid His Lies In The Bags Under His Eyes” off of their outstanding debut full length Asbestos Mouth. This is on the heels of their early quarantine EP that was released on the first Bandcamp Friday, Hoarder of Operations. The full length album is a wild and frantic affair; brimming to the gills with mesmerizing drums accompanied by grooves that either exacerbate or alleviate the feeling that everything is about to spin out of control. But it never does! With “He Hid His Lies In The Bags Under His Eyes” we are treated to a breath of air. This song creates space and gives the listener some time to really focus on Piechocki’s slick skills. If I were to tell you this is how the rest of the album sounds I would be lying. Each track is it’s own adventure and if you like instrumental math rock, Tera Melos, free jazz, puppies or hiking I think you will find something you dig in it. Check it out!
Digital & CD Preorder: HERE
FRESH LIST (released within the last month or so)
Old Nick – The Night Of The Ambush…
Label: Grime Stone
Release: 9/4/2020
I have been watching a lot of Joe Bob Briggs over the last month. Over that time I’ve developed an admiration for what he coined as a bubblegum slasher. Old Nick pumps out some killer lo-fi black metal that sounds like an audible representation of a throwback 80’s bubblegum slasher. However, this flick takes place in a shopping mall in Transylvania at Christmas time. I am not sure what I am hearing in here…is it a keyboard? Whatever it is, it draws imagery that the band (comprised of practitioner on drums, sentancer on guitar, and abysmal specter on vocals) is wreaking havoc amidst the holiday display of consumer capitalism. What remains to be seen is if they are the villains or the heroes in this story that should definitely be made. So get inspired horror filmmakers! Buy this album!
Digital: HERE
Reptoid – Worship False Gods
Label: Learning Curve Records
Release: 8/28/2020
I love me one-person bands. That being said, it is arguable if Reptoid is an actual human person. One-being band I guess. Worship False Gods is a punishing chunk of music that feels like if Black Pus took on a Captured! By Robots type of persona. The content in the lyrics makes one wonder if Jordon Sobolew is fortune-telling the not-to-distant future based on how things seem to be going nowadays. But like information we too commonly receive, Reptoid distorts the hell out of it with radical pedals that I sorely wish we could see happen in the live setting. Whenever concerts can happen again, Reptoid is going to be on the short-list of must-sees. Insane record. Check it!
Digital and Vinyl: HERE
MAYBE YOU MISSED? (put out within the last few years)
Chubby & The Gang – Speed Kills
Label: Static Shock Records
Release: 1/17/2020
Oh. Hell. Yes. These guys make punk that kicks so much ass. It is fast and fun for all ages. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite memories of this summer was my five year old daughter asking me if she could run around the park with my headphones in. A song from Speed Kills was on and she ran with a shit-eating grin on her face. Then she stopped and took the headphones out and I rushed over to see what was wrong. It turns out it was on shuffle and she wanted more Chubby & The Gang! Get your mitts on this records.
Digital: HERE
LATE BUT WORTH THE WAIT! (not new but new to me!)
Black Wing – …Is Doomed
Label: The Flenser
Release: 5/18/2015
Dan Barrett is most widely known in the music world for his band Have A Nice Life. Black Wing is another project that he has that only just came to my attention. The music might seem like a total departure from other work he has done. It is electronic and, dare I say, dance-y at times. It feels uplifting and full of hope (despite the dark and depressing lyrics). The liner notes reveal that this album was made during the time he was waiting for the birth of his child. He internalized a lot during that period resulting in physical and mental issues. I have significant personal experiences that mirror a lot of what Dan writes about regarding that same time in my life. It got to the point where I had to get on anxiety medication to help me not go down the rabbit hole and get lost in panic attacks on the regular. I could have used some Black Wing back there. Black Wing is what the world needs right now. Sometimes we just need to acknowledge that we aren’t in control. Black Wing helps ease into that sense of letting go and moving on. This album is my favorite of 2020…despite coming out 5 years ago!
Digital and Vinyl: HERE
I hope someone out there finds one of these albums appealing. Invest in music. Support musicians.
