while The Little Hands of Asphalt is still sensitive and tender folk rock like on the previous release (Spit Back at Rain – also available on this site if you scroll down), this album is vastly different from the previous effort. it has a much less synthy Pulp-ish sound, and much more southern rock and Americana-influenced music. it is obvious that this kid knows his Bruce Springsteens as well as his Paul Simons. and it’s not such a bad thing at all. because this album has everything from emotional ballads to epic folk rock anthems where The Little Hands of Asphalt pushes the borders with so much going on at once that it’s magical. this is a magical release. it’s rocking perfection! so you need to give this a go, and be mesmerised by the imaginative and bright lyrics as well as the honest but far from modest music, by the always unwrapped The Little Hands of Asphalt. remember to buy his music from http://www.howisannierecords.com if you really dig this. :)
archive for March, 2009
The Little Hands of Asphalt – Leap Years
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009Benjamin Finger – Woods of Broccoli
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009ohh… this is a tough one to write about. how can I possibly explain this? it’s ambient, but at the same time not. it’s atmospheric? it’s melodic? I could just as well say “this is music”, because I do not really know how to describe this. all I can do is describe the feeling it gives me… well okay, I can’t really do that either. but let me assure you, it does provoke feelings. perhaps way too many? I think that’s why I am having trouble describing this album. it is so emotionally challenging to listen to. and that is a very powerful feature when it comes to ambient music. it creates all kinds of different moods, all at once. it really has to be heard to be believed, let alone understood. this is a true gem. get it! and buy it from http://www.howisannierecords.com if you have the funds.
Safehouses on Fire – So We Fell in Love With All of Our Pro-longed Goodbyes
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009anyone familiar with Fighterpilot or Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson should understand me when I say that this is progressive rock with a touch of ambient from How Is Annie Records. but Safethouses on Fire are not as ambient as Fighterpilot, nor as emo as YP. it has its own, very atmospheric style. the songs flow beautifully, and really dig into your brain, refusing to let go of it. you might be puzzled by this wonderful journey. and you will certainly have to listen to it several times to really fathom all its complex layers, due to the sheer amount of layers. this is deep and wild music. get into it. if you really like it, you can buy it from http://www.howisannierecords.com – which I highly recommend you to. if this is a dream, don’t let it end.
Rudi Simmons – Heart Attacks
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009Rudi Simmons album Heart Attacks sound nothing like heart attacks. it sounds more like summer. it’s a tasteful and classy take on the indie pop genre. from oompas to bare acoustic numbers, Simmons manages to create interesting atmospheres. add clever and amusing lyrics to the mix, and you have these catchy and intelligent folky melodies with words that sparkle with wisdom. it is a modest but still ingenious interpretation of pop music. it is however way too many filthy words and unconventional (or at least not-conventional-enough) melodies in here to make this a true pop album. if you ask some dumb music journalist of allmusic or such, this would probably be tagged “Adult Contemporary” (with capital letters) or “Singer-Songwriter”, or whatever made up genre is in at the moment. but whatever you choose to call this: at least give it a listen! because this is honest music that deserves a listen – your listen. and not only that, it even deserves a purchase! on CD! http://www.howisannierecords.com
The Ergs! – Acoustic LP
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009you like The Ergs!, one of the most catchy and consistent punk rock bands of all time, right? then you will love how they sound acoustically! their sweet lyrics and hypnotising riffs are intimate and more cosy than ever. this is one of the cosiest albums ever actually. and you will have to get it. it’s like those few really awesome Soul Asylum and Goo Goo Dolls tracks, only this sparkles with optimism and happiness. download this and sing a long! then go to http://www.myspace.com/theergs and support the band by purchasing some records. :)
Andrew Jackson Jihad/French Quarter – Fresh Quarter/French Jihad
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009more heartfelt and truly genuine and honest to the core folk punk from Andrew Jackson Jihad. but this time it’s mixed up with the dark, creeping tones of French Quarter and their country tinged folk. and they’ve obviously influenced AJJ, because they are sounding more Americana and country than ever. perhaps especially on the beautiful “Skipping Stone”. the bands play four tracks each, and they are – while similar enough to make this split work – very different. they create vastly different atmospheres, emotions and moods. they are however equally impressing to listen to. so get in on this timeless classic! take especially notice of the Dead Prez cover by AJJ.
Railway Ghosts – Railway Ghosts
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009if your playlist has Daniel Striped Tiger, What Price Wonderland? and various other hardcore/emo on it, you might want to step up and download this. Railway Ghosts play upbeat and semi-chaotic punk with a lot of shouting most of the time. but quite a few times they slow down in order for those skram guitars to do what they were always meant to do – twinkle. there’s quite a bit of dynamics on this record. but despite of this it still has a somewhat inherent monotone expression. this is not a bad thing at all though. it gives this a distinct sound. I mean Dinosaur Jr. are pretty fucking monotonous, but no one is going to argue with me when I say that the three first albums and Beyond are four of the most awesome albums ever, eh? so get into this South-Wales band here. get into the frantic drumming on the very mellow and pleasant drum kit, the monotone guitars and shouting, and how they manage to be both semi-chaotic and semi-catchy at the same time. this album is like flying a kite in a thunderstorm.
The Ergs! – Hindsight is 20:20 My Friend
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009if you are lacking splits, EPs and other nice non-album things by The Ergs!, you need to download this. and it’s not just a bunch of tracks from different records packed together, no no no! it’s remastered and remixed (maybe some of it is even rerecorded?) to perfection! the tracks sound better than ever here. so if you actually have those non-album tracks, you still should download this. because chances are you won’t ever listen to them again in their original forms, if you have this compilation accessible instead. it’s mindblowingly good. for those of you who don’t know these tracks or The Ergs! altogeher – get to know them! now! if you like anything even remotely punk or punk-influenced, you will love this. it doesn’t matter if you are into Sugar, blink-182, AFI, Weezer or actual punk and hardcore bands such as Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, One Last Wish or Cap’n Jazz – you will like this either way. so get it. “because you’re worth it”. no matter what you are expecting of it – this will surprise you! buy it and support the band at http://www.myspace.com/theergs
The Ergs! – It’s A Celebration, Bitches
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009a compilation like this is definitely a celebration. a celebration of one of the greatest modern punk rock bands to ever play. there’s a Nirvana cover (not a coincidence at all, seeing as how The Ergs! sound a great deal like Nirvana at times), a Joe Jackson cover, some upbeat and punky alt-country tunes, some this, some that. most of it is hardcore or Minutemen and/or Replacements influenced. one unifying factor though is all of the tracks’ awesomeness. it’s fast, it’s melodic, it’s catchy – what’s not to like really? get this! and support the band by ordering stuff from http://www.myspace.com/theergs
The Ergs! – Upstairs/Downstairs
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009Upstairs/Downstairs one of the most defining albums a band has ever released. this album sees The Ergs! succeeding in everything they attempt. from alt-country bar tales to hardcore punk to sweet ballads to noise rock to whatever, it is all fantastic! and it all fits together incredibly. you would expect an album this diverse to sound somewhat awkward, as if there were multiple bands on it rather than one powerhouse of writers. but The Ergs! flabbergasts everybody with this truly unique album. an honest, passionate and admirable effort that needs to get the attention it definitely deserves. please listen to this. I assure you that you will not regret it, ever. you should also very much consider purchasing it from the band at http://www.myspace.com/theergs