Unnatural Helpers

Unnatural Helpers are a Seattle band playing classic 70's garage punk. I am trying to figure out who they remind me of, but I can't come up with it. Really it doesn't matter because these songs just rock. They blend Nuggets era garage rock with classic 70's New York punk. Both tracks are on Unnatural Helpers' latest album, Land Grab, out now on Hardly Art Records.

John Talabot

Let check in with our good friend John Talabot. Last time he had just released his debut album, ƒIN  which featured the classic "So Will Be Now...". Now he is back with two unreleased songs from the ƒIN sessions. Both tracks have a very space-y air-y quality to them. They are the perfect segway tracks between ƒIN's denser darker tracks. They are also the sort of songs that remind you why the XX would choose John Talabot as the opener for their current tour.

Vivid Youth

Vivid Youth are a twee band from Cincinnati. Their latest track is the instrumental jam "Oslo is for Lovers". Apparently  this is the unfinished version which if it is I can no wait to hear the finished product. It has the classic 80's synth-pop vibe. Vivid Youth released their debut EP back in March and you can check out on their Soundcloud now.

Heaven's Gate

When in doubt, female fronted garage rock with surf vibes can always be counted on. Brooklyn's Heaven's Gate packs everything listed above into two minute songs, that sound like they were left in a beer soaked basement for a couple extra days after the last party. Very enjoyable!

Ducktails

Nice little woozy Ducktails jam to start the work week off. You can definitely can hear the Real Estate influence in the song, but really this is its own thing. "The Flower Lane" is way, way more psychedelic, jammy and is thicker than anything on Days. A great morning fall song - it feels sunny, but still a little cold and clam. Ducktail's Flower Lane is out Jan 29, 2013 on Domino.

Italians Do It Better

The first time I ever heard about Italians Do It Better, I was a freshman at Miami University. I was kinda interested in dance music, very interested in no wave, and total uninterested in the classes I was taking. I got a couple tracks from After Dark and the first Chromatics album and instantly fell in love with it. It was the perfect soundtrack to short days and my first time in winter. This and early Lindstøm singles were what got me through.

So when I saw that Johnny Jewel remastered the original After Dark I knew I was in for a nostalgic treat. The songs are better than I remember and everything sounds great. I am beyond excited for the next volume of After Dark. In case you some how haven't heard it yet - go buy the Chromatics album. Also check out the video of Chromatics performing Chanel fashion show after the jump!

Ty Segall - Twins (Album Review)

Got home from work on Monday to find the latest Ty Segall record, Twins,  in my Inbox. I proceded to listen to it three times in a row. It is absolutely incredible. Anyway, here is a track by track break down.

Daphni

A couple of cool visuals for Dan Snaith's Daphni project. First is a trippy colorful little video for Daphni's "Pairs". Second is a little more straight forward video for the dub techno-y "Ye Ye". "Ye Ye" reminds me of some straight ahead Detroit techno goodness. While "Pairs" sounds like its come straight from the heart of Africa. Daphni's newest album, JIAOLONG, is out October 16th on Merge Records.

Times New Viking

New Times New Viking single! These guys have been relatively quiet lately, which is a bummer, but they are back. Loving the more cleaned up sound and almost twee feel of "Sleep-In". "Sleep-In" is the first taste of their new EP, Over & Over, out October 16 on Siltbreeze/Wichita records.

Girls Names

New jam from Girls Names. It's a full on kraut goth burner with a long lead in and a steady moto beat. I love the way the guitars play around the beat, definitely a good night driving tune. "The New Life" single is out November 12th on Tough Love Records.

King Tuff

Another day, another awesome King Tuff jam. This is the A side to the legends latest single for Sub-Pop. Very reminiscent of the late-Jay Retard's "Screaming Hand", only more T. Rex than MC5. The "Screaming Skull"/"Love Potion" single is out October 9th on Sub-Pop.