Orchestra Baobab's Pirates Choice is easily one of my all-time favorite albums, and seasonally speaking, it's the perfect compliment to a lazy summer day in the sun. Afro-cuban rhythms, floating clear-toned guitars, and beautifully harmonized words that you can't even begin to understand all wash together in a heady and calming wave of inescapable contentment.
The Futurebirds' sound is one that is always on the edge of falling apart: wild and raw. Whether dropping in front of and behind beats or channeling the wave of wild group-sung harmonies and dirty singing guitars, the Futurebirds debut is one that captures an unabashed and beautiful chaos without compromise. Hampton's Lullaby is out now via Autumn Tone Records.
Marah—one of the more sincere, rowdy and exciting roots-rock bands of the past 15 or so years—released their 10th album last month, Life Is A Problem. Usually comprised of brothers Serge and Dave Beilanko, it's the younger Dave alone that leads the band's ragged old-time, Replacements-esque charge here. And as always, he proves to be up to the task, producing perhaps the band's best effort since 2005's If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry.
Best Coast keeps it simple, and for that, we should all be thankful. Fuzzy power-pop that beams with reverb-kissed California sunshine at every turn, Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno's debut is a timely and expertly recorded addition to the lo-fi rock cannon. As many bands fight to impress with sounds both new and difficult, Cosentino's classic girl group-era longing and lyrical attention to the simple but important things in life (like weed and her cat Snacks) has helped create the most refreshing album of the summer.
In April, I posted about the summery, 1960s-tinged garage pop songs released by London's Dead Models. If Best Coast recalls West coast greats like the Beach Boys, then the Dead Models recall the immediately catchy melodies of English groups like the Dave Clark Five with a dirty early Rolling Stones bite. The band is now set to release their self-titled debut EP on August 2nd via White Noise, which you can download free for a limited time at their Bandcamp.
Murder Mystery—the New York City band behind the witty and fantastic song "Love Astronaut"—is currently offering two new singles to download. The synth-driven "I Am (If You Are)", channeling a bit of that early 1980's Madonna magic, is a bouncy pop gem that features the debut lead vocal performance from drummer Laura Coleman. Coleman's brother Jeremy, the band's charming baritone lead singer, returns to top form on the second single—the irresistibly funky bass-driven "Change My Mind." It's been a while since Murder Mystery first splashed on the scene with their 2007 debut Are You Ready For The Heartache Cause Here It Comes, but two instantaneously catchy songs later and that wait has proven to be worth it.
Soft and slow-building, from the repeated pick of an acoustic guitar to the reverb-soaked layers of vocals and tambourine, "Flash In A Bottle" by DC-via-New York City band Dead Heart Bloom is the sort of cinematic-friendly song that washes everything you see in a pleasant and surreal light. I highly recommend it, especially if you're planning any sort of road trip.
