Sound Advice- 28.February.2024
The flood of great 2024 releases continues! Today we're taking a look at the latest from Dancer, Dusty Wright, Mythical Motors, and more!
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Good morning!
Longtime readers may recall that I reviewed 100 new (to me) records last year. Because
I’m a glutton for punishmentlove music, I’m doing it again this year. This is the latest in the series.
Dancer- 10 Songs I Hate About You
Current Affairs’ Off The Tongue was one of my favorite records of 2023. One of the strengths of that record are the vocals of Gemma Fleet. Fleet also fronts Dancer and those strengths carry over here to the Glaswegian quartet’s debut long player. Occasionally Fleet shifts to spoken word, turning the tracks into something reminiscent of Dry Cleaning. Other times, like on ‘Change,” her singing recalls that of fellow Scot Clare Grogan of Altered Images fame. And occasionally, it wanders into new territory like the wild pops & yowls of ‘Make A decision.”
Those forays are supported by the solid backing of Andrew Doig (bass), Chris Taylor (Guitar), and Gavin Murdoch (drums). Doig and Murdoch provide a steady cushion for Taylor’s staccato rhythms.
Ronan Fay was behind the boards for the band’s previous two EPs, again bringing the band’s strengths to the fore. 10 Songs is equal parts jittery and in the groove. Manic and smooth. With the longer format, the band gets to stretch their legs a bit, but Everything is in balance, and everything is level—just what you need for the jagged post-punk sounds of this band to shine.
Note: Dancer are labelmates with Madison band (and friends of On Repeat) Red Pants.
Mossmen-Sunstream
Speaking of Madison, Mossmen also hail from Dane County. Like many people here (including this writer), Mossmen is largely made up of transplants and was formed in 2017 through a combination of longstanding friendships and Craigslist ads.
I’m not sure Sunstream is really psych rock... but sometimes I think that label lets people know all the things it's not, more than what it is.... if that makes sense? It prepares the listener for a 9 min opening track.
2023’s Sunstream is the band’s third record, the second recorded in their own space here in town. The record is labeled “psychedelic rock” by the label, but speaking with Seth from the band, he thinks those labels are almost a warning (my term) to prepare the listener for what they’re about to experience.
Kicking off with a 9-minute opener, Sunstream is a cohesive work, purpose-built to be listened to from start to finish in order. In a world of playlists and unlimited skips, it’s a refreshing change.
None of that would matter if the music weren’t worth the cost of admission. Luckily it is, with the jam band taking us on a wild, ~40-minute ride through the world of jam bands, woozy space rockers, and, yes, psych rock. Through the five tracks, each member takes their turn wandering off, guiding us on a sonic tangent before bringing us back to camp and rejoining the whole and tying everything back together- just as a concept record should.
Mossmen are working on new tracks and hope to have an EP out soon. I can’t wait.
Dusty Wright- Dusted Off
For his 10th record, Dusty Wright covered 9 of his favorite songs. Rather than a simple rote cover, Wright deconstructs them all, putting his spin on each. Wright covers (sorry!) a lot of artistic ground here, reinventing the work of everyone from Lou Reed to Paul Revere & The Raiders to Daytona Florida garage band The Nightcrawlers. With his unique style and smoky, laid-back vocals, he’s taken what’s old and made it new again. His style has been described as ‘Cinematic Americana,” and that certainly fits here. I’d put my spin on that and say that Dusted Off is tailor-made for a road trip through the upper Midwest or deep south.
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Mythical Motors- Upside Down World
Listening to Upside Down World, the first—and shortest—line drawn leads to Guided By Voices. Indeed, a chance meeting in 2006 between Mythical Motor’s Matt Addison and original drummer Brad Smith at a Robert Pollard show was the spark that led to the band’s formation. One can also point to the bonanza of hooks and criminally short songs as further evidence. Addison is also following the Pollard Productivity Plan, closing in on 30 (!) releases. Lead single Court of the Beekeeper would be at home on almost any GBV release.
That said, painting Mythical Motors as a GBV clone/tribute band would be a disservice. Listening to Upside Down World, I can hear echoes of Wire, Ex-Pilots, R.E.M., and (insert your favorite C86 band here), and that’s before we touch on Addison’s sharp songwriting and knack for mining a hook out of any riff. There are 14 tracks here, and all are uptempo. This is what lo-fi power pop looks like.
Saying that the worst part of the record is that it’s over too soon feels reductive, and yet it fits. This is one I found myself playing 2-3 times in a row at each session.
Also out recently:
En Attendant Ana- Magical Lies (EP)- The band’s streak of releasing quality work continues with Magical Lies. With two tracks and a 38-second interlude sandwiched between them, this is more of a single than anything. No matter. When En Attendant Ana releases something, it’s worth checking out. The title track has a magical, nostalgic feel, like you’re watching a Super 8 clip soundtracked by Saint Ettienne. The trumpets that come in in the final minute are a fitting ending. With its plaintive vocals and earnest sound, ‘Teeny Tiny Tyche’ feels like a nursery rhyme sung under the twinkling stars. Indeed, Margaux Bouchaudon sings a rhyme repeatedly to the track. And is that a clavier I hear in the mix? That's a good question and one I’ll use as an excuse to play this several more times.
Honeypuppy- Nymphet: The debut EP from Honeypuppy is alternately dreamy and distorted. The band describes it as an “off-kilter nursery rhyme,” which makes sense when you learn that frontwoman Josie Callahan was once a preschool teacher. Against a backdrop of a lot of catchy hooks and a little mayhem, Callahan tackles everything from crushes to self-doubt while the band (featuring members of Telemarket) does well to keep up with her.
Day Dreems- S/T- Pleasant pop from the 503. The Beatles influence the record from start to finish, but it’s never derivative. When asked about their production philosophy, daydreams replied, ‘I just tried to make things that sounded good to me! I’m not precious about production. I’ll use any tools that get me something that pleases my ears.’ Amen.
The Goodies- S/T (EP): Reggae/rock/soul from San Diego. A good fit for an open-air beach bar with salt in your hair and a Landshark in hand.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on any (or all) of these records! Did I get it right, or am I way off the mark?
Thanks for being here,
Kevin—
Heck yeah! Dancer and Mythical Motors! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Very cool - learned a new word - “Glaswegian”. Also now I gotta hear the cover take on Paul Revere and the Raiders!