Mystic Braves - To Myself: Join the garage rock madness!

Mystic Braves' Days of Yesteryears - Taken from the band's Bandcamp

We've talked about the importance of timeless sounds before, so I'm not gonna bore you with that anymore. Here are the Mystic Braves with a fantastic testimony on that importance (if you don't know what I'm talking about, please read most of our previous entries). 

To Myself is a great song, don't judge it solely on the times running, just focus on what it is musically and what it delivers. Catchy and haunting melodies abound here, with perfectly placed keyboards, interesting chord progressions and a blasting rhythm section. That's what Rock and Roll is all about. Sometimes you just need that, a friendly reminder on how music should bear no prejudice. 

As usual, check the tune out right here, right now, in the embedded track below. Shoot us a comment and subscribe to our mailing list. Stay tuned for more Dude, the 60's are gone action!

Mac DeMarco - No Other Heart: Heartbreak's never been so cool

Mac DeMarco's Another One - Taken from Mac's Bandcamp

One of today's most prolific and beloved artists finally makes his way into our little blog. Took him long enough, though. DeMarco's minimalist style gets the spotlight here as the entire album is recorded by himself amidst relentlesss touring, showing his growth as a musician and songwriter. 

I chose this particular song because I think it gives you a clearer glimpse of what Mac is all about, specially for people that haven't heard about him ever. Combining the depth and relatability of love's issues with his cool approach to delivery, which is something he's been known for, we get No Other Heart, an endearing effort on asking for another chance, something I'm sure most of us have all gone through at some point. It features his trademark quirky, almost out of tune instrumentation and his laid back singing that's either love it or hate it, also keeping the tune short for our almost non-existent attention spans. What's not to like?

As usual, check out the song right here, right now, in the embedded track below. Also, don't forget to leave a comment, and stay tuned for more music from the cold north action!

Culver City Dub Collective - The Cave: Soothing dub for the Monday blues

Culver City Dub Collective's debut release Dos - Taken from Bandcamp

Get ready, 'cause we've got some more beachy sounds coming your way! This time, courtesy of Culver City Dub Collective's release "Dos", and the opening track for the record "The Cave". The song relies heavily on groove and melody, combining the Melodica, an unusual instrument for this kind of music, with the more traditional winds, keys, guitars, bass and drums. Some nice additional background vocals fit perfectly with the musical environment, transporting you to the rocky reefs, feeling the wind softly wheezing through your messy hair, and the sun burning your skin.

This tune is such a perfect sample of beach sounds that it was featured in the surf film Brokedown Melody. How's that for a beachy feeling?. 

There's really not a lot to say about this song except this: if you miss the beach as much as I do, then this is the sonic equivalent to actually being there. As usual, check out the song right here, right now, in the embedded track below. Leave us a comment and stay tuned for more Ew, what's that touching my feet action!

Genesis - The Lamia: Progressive genius wih a pop flair

Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

The 1970s were one of the most music-aboundant decades of all time, even rivaling current times, where the amount of readily available music is almost overwhelming. Quality is another thing, I guess when it comes to explorations in music, past times will always seem more impressive and prolific -I suppose a prophet is without honor in hiw own... time?

Peter Gabriel's Genesis was one of the most flamboyant, pompous bands in the whole Prog Rock movement, but they were also capable of adding pop sensibilites to their otherwise intrincate songs. The Lamia is a great example of that, as it combines beautifully crafted piano parts, performed by the great Tony Banks, with Gabriel's lyrics that are part of a greater concept, expanded throughout the album; superb drumming by the then-not-so-famous Phil Collins. more than appropriate bass lines, and a great solo to boot right at the end, make The Lamia a standout track in a terrific album. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get yer yayas out and check today's first pill right here, right now, in he embedded track below (If you want the original version, follow this link). Leave us a comment and stay tuned for more supernatural creatures action!

Reverberation #244 - Reverberation Radio

This week's reverberation radio features a tribute to Leon Russell (one of the greatest songwriters/session musicians of all time) and famed jazz musician (and also one of the biggest contributors to the mainstream attention of jazz, blues and bebop songs, performed by some of the biggest names in the 1970s) Mose Allison, who both passed away in the second week of November. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Listen to it here.

1. Leon Russell - Smashed
2. Mose Allison - It Didn’t Turn Out That Way
3. Mose Allison - What’s With You
4. The High Numbers - Young Man Blues
5. The Yardbirds - I’m Not Talking
6. Mose Allison - Baby Please Don’t Go
7. Mose Allison - Your Mind Is On Vacation
8. Georgie Fame - Parchman Farm
9. Mose Allison - Rollin’ Stone
10. Mose Allison - Don’t Forget To Smile
11. Mose Allison - Everybody Crying Mercy

Just to clarify, I don't have any participation in Reverberation Radio. I just love it so much I feel the need to share it with y'all.

Todd Rundgren - You Left Me Sore: The pinnacle of sophisticated pop songwriting

Todd Rundgren's 1970s mammoth of an album Something/Anything (coveralia)

I know I would probably get smacked by Fab-four fans if I said "this is the pinnacle of sophisticated pop songwriting" out loud, but I gotta say, Rundgren has nothing to be envious of. To showcase his exhilarating ability to write and perform infectious pop songs, I deliberately chose one of the live cuts from his seminal album Something/Anything. 

You Left Me Sore features that kind of sweet, smooth melodies that lift you up and hold you up there for as long as it lasts. Rundgren's sophisticated chord progression in the first half of the song is a testimony of his growth as a composer and arranger, but the real highlight -for me at least- is how simple yet effective is his arrangement for the song's chorus and outro. It really takes a lot to transform simple structuress into effective hooks, and keeping them from sounding like your run-of-the-mill campfire song, and that's only a small part of Todd's genius. 

As usual, check the song out right here, right now, in the embedded track below. Let us know what you think! Stay tuned for more quirky pop madness action!

Levitation Room - Reasons Why: More timeless sounds out of sunny California

Levitation Room - Ethos (from the band's Bandcamp)

Today's first pill comes from -to my judgment- one of the best records of 2016. Now, my list isn't really that hard to make, I've got a lot of favorite records, and those seamlessly change from month to month or even week to week, but this one has kept its status for a fair amount of time. 

As you've probably noticed, we're very fond of that kind of Rock and Roll you first heard in the 60's, mixing psychedelia with bluesy leads and jangly chord progressions. We've also discussed how for some people, this music might come across as derivative, but this isn't the case. Reasons Why sounds fresh and articulate: the overall sound of the song seems convincingly effortless in its execution, with all the right elements to transmit the vibe these guys certainly set out for. That's how you tell apart mindless copycats from passionate, talented songwriters. 

Now, to describe the song a little further, it's catchy, which is mandatory for this sort of music. It has a pretty standard form, but as it progresses, its intensity rises, peaking with a nice keyboard part that enhances the climax, leaving you breathless and eager for another spin.

As usual, check the song out right here, right now, in the embedded track below. Don't leave us a coment, we hate that, and don't stay tuned for more garage your way outta high school action!

The Reverberations - Outtasite: Hop in for the trip (back in time) of your lives!

A great album cover to boot. This is how you do things. 

The Reverberations play a style of music that some might call "retro" or "revival", but to quote Mr Nicke Andersson of The Hellacopters and Imperial State Electric fame, "I just call it timeless". That's the reason for the title of today's second pill, some people might think this is a trip back to simpler times, but I know with all my heart, because I've seen it and I've experienced it: this music has never been gone. 

The thing with this timeless style is that it is as good as the songs are catchy. If you're spitting out unmemorable tunes with a lousy vocal melody and no feel-good rock and roll attitude, then you can record as analogically possible and still not retain what makes this music so fresh and cool no matter how many times it's been done over. That of course, is not the case with this song. Clocking at a little over two and a half minutes, you could have the attention span of a mosquito and still be left with the savory lyrics in your tongue. That's what you must do right to continue to play in this style. The riff feels like home, the reverb drenched production is like a warm blanket on a cold winter night and last but not least, it reeks attitude. 

So what are you waiting for? Get down or get out. Go ahead and play the track in the embedded track below. Also, don't forget to leave a comment!

Tame Impala - Music To Walk Home By

Tame Impala - Lonerism (last.fm)

Kevin Parker's brainchild brings you today's first pill of the day. The title suits it completely, as it is a fairly upbeat song, which is great for walking, but at the same time it has a certain relaxed vibe to it that lets you know you shouldn't be in a hurry. 

As soon as it starts with its trippy intro with loads of synths and effects, featured in many of Tame Impala's songs, you know you're in for a treat; as soon as you recover, the song then launches into a fab-four kind of vocal melody. This is definitely a highlight in almost all of Parker's songs. They're catchy, easy to sing along to and they usually have this somehow relatable lyrics about infatuation and uneasiness caused by a lover or a crush. 

The rhythm section is superb, these are elements that are always impeccably executed by Parker. In my opinion, he's a pretty underrated bass player: most of his bass lines are memorable, way more than his guitar riffs, and that's what you end up humming to, ain't that great? Same for his kinda 60s-ish, wild approach to drumming, it adds a certain intensity that some modern psychedelic bands lack. 

That's enough descrption for it, experience it yourself right here, right now in the embedded track below. Can you hear already the fun you should be having?

Washed Out - All Over Now: Dreamy landscapes in imaginary worlds

Paracosm by Washed Out (Bandcamp)

Georgia synth pop act Washed Out delivers our striking second pill of the day. All Over Now is the last song on their (it's only one dude, but you get what I say) 2013 release, the suitably named Paracosm. Now, a Paracosm is the name used to refer to imaginary worlds created by one person, or more, and it describes exactly what the album is about, but for some reason, this particular song seemed to resonate more with me. I guess it's because it conveys a certain longing, melancholy or even a farewell kind of feeling, which is only logical, this song being the album closer.

Come to think of it, that's genius. It actually makes you want to spin it around again and again, that's where the beauty lies. That special feeling of being distanced, of something done and finished, becomes unbearable once the song is over, so you're left with no choice but to go back. There's a certain uneasiness underlying the apparent soothing melodies and atmospheric synths being effectively delivered right into your soul, and that effectiveness is what makes great music. 

Now, don't wait around, check the song out right here, right now, in the embedded track below. Leave us a comment and stay tuned for more "where the hell am I?" action!

The Rolling Stones - Child Of The Moon: British hangover from psychedelic times

The back cover for the Jumpin' Jack Flash singe, featuring our first pill of the day

It's a fun task, going through the Stones' catalog. There's so many different vibes, moods, styles and tones, you'll certainly find a song that suits however you're feeling in any moment, or at least that's what I think, knowing that to some, this band might feel like a derivative mess. 

But we're not here to debate the consistency and quality of this band's numerous releases, but rather, to enjoy one of their kind of obscure pieces. Today's first pill comes straight from 1968, and it's obscure mostly because it was a B-side to one of their most successful, well-known singles -Jumpin' Jack Flash- and while the A-side was some kind of return to their roots, Child of The Moon features some traces of their psychedelic wanderings in their previous records. To many people, this is a filler song, but to me, it's a great piece that showcases the transition between these to Stones eras. 

Brian Jones plays the sax here, proving once again his proficiency in several instruments. The lyrics are some kind of love-letter to Mick Jagger's love at the time, the widely controversial Marianne Faithfull. All around a catchy song, perfect for walking down the streets, singing along. I must add, I'm particularly fond for the song's drums arrangement, to me seems like one of Charlie Watt's most out there kinda parts. Brilliant!

As usual, check out the song right here, right now, in the embedded track below. Don't forget to leave us a comment and stay tuned for more crescent-shaped smile action!

Bareto - Vacilando con Ayahuasca: Evil cumbia for your virgin ears

Bareto's Cumbia - Cool little piece of Artwork, taken from Polen Record's Bandcamp

Witness! Another tropical band providing engaging tropical sounds. Today's second pill comes courtesy of Bareto -which is Colombian slang for "Joint"- and that alone should give you an idea of the overall feel of these enthralling sounds.

Cumbia has a fairly complex background, with years and years of mixing african percussion, indigenous instruments and spanish couplets. What we have before us is an aptly named (the song title roughly translates to Having fun with ayahuasca) modern mix of the aforementioned elements (minus the vocals) with jazzy, bluesy guitar licks, abient keys and soothing winds. Perfect for dancing, dancing while stoned, dancing in the shower, dancing out drinking, chilling in the terrace of your country house (someone else's would do too), feeling the warm breeze of a nice summer evening... 

It's just a great song, use it as you please. Check it out, as usual, right here, right now, in the embedden track below. Also, leave us a comment. How would you use it? I'm curious! 

Stay tuned for more Roll up the big ol' bareto action!

Zachary James and the All Seeing Eyes - Don't Let Them Get Me: Halloween goes power pop!

Is it DIY enough for ya? - Chains B/W Don't Let Them Get Me by Zachary James and The All Seeing Eyes

Here's one of America's most promising young artists, although I'm not sure this particular project is still going on: Zachary James looks like he could've been one of the Ramones in their prime, and he sure does sound like one, but on top of that, throw in some of that jangly pop Costello-ish melodies and you get FUN. That's right, it's freaking FUN to listen to, damn it. 

Now, I have a soft spot for Halloween themed stuff, so this to me feels like home. This song features your aforementioned jangle, great vocal melodies, superb backing vocals by Alexandra Starlight, competent guitar playing and an exciting rhythm section. Did I mention FUN? I guess I did, but don't take my word for it, check out this power pop masterpiece right here, right now on the embedded track below.

Shoot us a comment! Or maybe recommend some music? I don't know, do as you please. Stay tuned for more "What's that shadow?" action!