What’s That Sound? Strange Majik – Channel T

The first time I met David Patillo aka Strange Majik was at his Lower East Side recording studio back in early 2015. We’d crossed paths because we both had radio shows (he was on the UK’s Amazing Radio back then) and I was a fan of his work as the guitar half of the blues-punk duo Dead Exs. We were meeting to discuss having him as a guest on Old Time Religion and to talk about his new (at the time) solo project as Strange Majik. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? Strange Majik – Channel T” →

The World’s Mad and I Just Wanna Listen to Panic Blooms and Sex & Food

Modern anxiety and brinksmanship have reached peak levels it seems, and two recent albums have captured our current balance of hope and worry perfectly for me.

Both released earlier this year, Black Moth Super Rainbow’s “Panic Blooms” and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s “Sex & Food” really do it for me. Each under their own power is good, but I think they’re better together. They’re the alternate soundtrack to San Junipero. They’re a Black-Eyed Soul opera in three acts.

I’ve done the work for you, if you wanna hear my impressions click “read more”-> Continue reading “The World’s Mad and I Just Wanna Listen to Panic Blooms and Sex & Food” →

06/28/2018 1

What’s That Sound? The Glucks – Run Amok

My first taste of Belgian rock duo The Glucks was at the hands of a fan of the show by the name of Lansing Rawls. He sent me a link to their 2016 LP “Youth On Stuff” and once I heard the title track I was immediately turned on by the raw breathless vitality of it. Now they’ve followed it up with the equally potent new release “Run Amok.” Continue reading “What’s That Sound? The Glucks – Run Amok” →

05/08/2018 0

What’s That Sound? White Mystery – F.Y.M.S.

It’s getting to be time for a new White Mystery album and as you can see by the album cover for F.Y.M.S. (out on 4/20, PREORDER here for DIGITAL or VINYL) they’re not fucking around. Don’t be fooled by the vivid image the title conjures, however, as this record is probably the most polished I’ve heard from the White siblings so far. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? White Mystery – F.Y.M.S.” →

03/10/2017 1

What’s That Sound? Drakkar Nowhere – s/t

It’s no secret that Brooklyn-based psych label Beyond Beyond Is Beyond is one of my absolute favorites. After stumbling upon the radio show of the same name on EVR (now on Viva Radio) a few years ago I’m not ashamed to say I was smitten. There have been few labels whose output has turned me on as consistently as BBiB. It’s remarkable, and a testament to the sharp ears of label bosses Mike & Dom.

Their latest release, the hilariously named Drakkar Nowhere’s self-titled debut, keeps that trend going. It’s a breezy culmination of varied vintage influences and tight, melodic song arrangements spiced with modern pop touches. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? Drakkar Nowhere – s/t” →

09/28/2016 0

What’s That Sound? – New Planet Trampoline – “Dark Rides & Grim Visions”

When this record hit my inbox over the summer, I had no clue as to who New Planet Trampoline were or what I was about to hear.

The record starts off without answers, fading in slowly with the vague and airy mantra of “There Is Nothing More To Say,” driving it’s point home as you’re bounced pleasantly along by a Pink-Floyd shuffle. Keyboards and harmonies plunge in right after, setting the tone for the rest of the record’s late ’60s psych-pop influence. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? – New Planet Trampoline – “Dark Rides & Grim Visions”” →

09/21/2016 0

What’s That Sound? Leaf Hound – “Growers of Mushroom” (1971)

Imagine how it would feel to discover that, among your favorite late ’60s/early ’70s groups, there was a missing album? A bulletin goes out to the world that The Who, AC/DC & Led Zeppelin members formed a supergroup that made just one wicked rock record?

That didn’t really happen. But I’ll be damned if Growers of Mushroom doesn’t come close. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? Leaf Hound – “Growers of Mushroom” (1971)” →

09/14/2016 2

What’s That Sound? Morgan Delt – “Phase Zero”

Albums can really stick with you. You’ll be doing something unremarkable and a few notes drift out of a passing car or from a fire escape and your memory triggers. Suddenly you’re transported back in time to a place and an emotion that you didn’t realize you’d forgotten. It’s as close to magic in the real world as I’ve experienced. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? Morgan Delt – “Phase Zero”” →

09/13/2016 0

What’s That Sound? The Judge – s/t

There is a huge musical movement in recent years that’s bringing back riff-based, 1970’s-style rock in a big way. It seems to have started in Europe, namely Scandinavia and other smaller pockets throughout, and is making it’s way across the United States as we speak. Heavy cock-rock guitar lines and long hair are back in, and it’s clear that many younger folks who’ve come up in the age of YouTube have been studying hard after getting a taste of their parents’ (maybe grandparents’?) old Zeppelin and Sabbath records. It’s a great thing. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? The Judge – s/t” →

09/08/2016 0

What’s That Sound? White Mystery – “Outta Control”

When I was a kid back in the ’80s and ’90s, my family owned one of those handheld cassette recorders with the handles. My sister and I, or sometimes friends, would record everything around us. We’d create little radio programs and skits and songs and such. It was silly and fun, full of inside jokes, the kind of thing young people did in in the safe space of close kinship. A level of comfortable where you didn’t care about what anyone thought or said, just fun for fun’s sake. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? White Mystery – “Outta Control”” →

09/06/2016 1

What’s That Sound? The Harlequins – “One With You”

Anyone in psychedelic music circles these days will tell you, there’s plenty of fuzz to go around. Surf riffs drenched in shaky distortion, wobbly keyboard licks and distorted vocal yelps are becoming commonplace, and personally I love it. But as has happened with past music trends from punk to grunge to you name it, standing out from the crowd while indulging in the genre du jour isn’t always easy. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? The Harlequins – “One With You”” →

09/05/2016 0

What’s That Sound? Kaleidoscope – “Bernice” (1970)

The American band Kaleidoscope was formed in southern California in 1966 and quickly became a fan favorite in the psychedelic scene due to their unique instrumentation and wild studio techniques. After three unique and acclaimed albums and a popular live career the band released their final album “Bernice” in 1970 on Epic Records. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? Kaleidoscope – “Bernice” (1970)” →

07/09/2016 0

What’s That Sound? Tin House – “s/t” (1971)

The self-titled debut from Tin House (produced by Rick Derringer) hit stores in 1971, and at first listen you could easily be fooled into thinking they were just another heavy blues band. Continue reading “What’s That Sound? Tin House – “s/t” (1971)” →