Soft Kill: Circle of Trees

 

Circle of Trees is the new album from Portland post-punk band Soft Kill. The eight tracks are a heavy blend of  influences from Joy Division to Interpol. The reverb laden vocals and powerful instrumentals are the perfect vehicle for songs that reach out and grab you. This album has a vibe and sound that is intimate and compelling. This is one to have in heavy rotation. Stream and buy Circle of Trees at the link below.
 

Televided: Robot Hearts EP

 

Robot Hearts is the debut EP from Washington State based Televided, aka Mark Shoemaker. The EP is a sci-fi themed concept from Shoemaker, who by day is a video game designer. The six tracks are a journey through space and time with imaginative synths, some heavy guitars and a compelling story of a scientist, an android and an overwhelming desire to be alone.  Masterfully performed and produced, this EP should be your day's novella. Stream and download Robot Hearts at the link below.

 



Grandpa Was A Lion: Dark Art EP

 

FZB favorites Grandpa Was A Lion are back with a new EP, Dark Art. The Brooklyn duo of  Justin D'Onofrio and  Kyle Hale serve up four tracks of melodic dreampop. Weaving their way through atmospheric vocals, with touches of heavy fuzzed guitars playing off acoustic passages and minimal synth pads, this EP is a pleasant interlude for any mood. Stream and download the Dark Art EP for free at the link below.

 



Petty Victories: Wait It Out

 

Wait It Out is the new album from Toronto dreampop duo Petty Victories, aka Colleen Dauncey and Zoe Sky Jordon. This album can be summed up in one word...stunning. The vocals and especially the harmonies these two deliver are breathtaking. Musically the album is a strong as anything we've heard of late and the production is flawless. Finally one has the songs, which are riveting, expertly crafted works. Yes, stunning is the word for this album. Stream and buy Wait It Out at the link below.

 

Travel Check: Tripping Waves Video

Travel Check had the number 1 video on our Top 10 Videos of 2012 on FZB. The band is back with another fine video for their track Tripping Waves. Check it out below.

White Blush: Juice Of My Heart Video

Watch a waitress take revenge in this cool video from FZB favorite White Blush, aka Carol Rhyu, for the track Juice Of My Heart.

There There: Like Love EP

 

Like Love is the debut EP from Phoenix, Arizona band There There. The five tracks are a deep, ethereal take on a musical journey started by the likes of Cocteau Twins and Radiohead. Now that is pretty heavy company to be in, but There There pick up the challenge and deliver a wonderful EP with tracks that completely engage one in the listening experience. Featuring the haunting vocals of Alisha Way, the EP is masterfully executed musically, with crisp production. Stream and buy Like Love at the link below.

 

Stereostar Sixty Nine:: Make Out The Target

 

 

Make Out The Target is the new EP from Metz, France electro rockers Stereostar Sixty Nine. The four tracks are a heavy mix of alt  rock and synthpop, with a theatrical stadiumesque vibe. One can't help but feel they are listening to a band poised for mega success. This is a polished and professional record, but at the same time the EP exudes spontaneity and freshness. Get in on the ground floor with this one. Stream and buy Make Out The Target at the link below.

 

Sol Cat: Sol Cat

 

Sol Cat is the self-titled debut from this Nashville indie rock band. When one thinks of Nashville, country music and monolithic major labels is what comes to mind. However, there has always been a pretty strong rock and indie scene there. Sol Cat are a product of that scene. The nine tracks are straight ahead rock n roll, with a healthy dose of "good time" rock influence. No pseudo-intellectualism, no genre bending and no pretense. Sol Cat just make good solid rock music and that should be enough for anyone. Stream and buy Sol Cat at the link below.

 

Misfit Mod: Islands & Islands

 

Islands & Islands is the debut album from Misfit Mod, aka Sarah Ann Kelleher, on Brooklyn based Stars and Letters Records. The interesting back story to this release is that Stars and Letters founder, Mark Roberts, has known the artist for years and has long appreciated the music she made, but only shared with a close circle of friends. It was his love of Misfit Mod's music and the desire to see her reach a wider audience that inspired him to start the label. Very high praise for any artist. The eleven tracks on Islands & Islands do not disappoint, delivering breathtaking vocals backed by masterfully executed minimalist synthpop. This is an artist you need to discover for yourself. Check out the video for the track, Queen Love Zero and then stream and buy Islands & Islands at the link below.

 



Awkwarium: Tampossom

 



Tampossom is the debut EP from NY instrumental group Awkwarium. Rock music, in a general sense, is a group of genre's that have always dispatched instrumental music to the far fringes. Electronic and ambient musicians have found wider acceptance, but the same is not true for guitar, bass and drum ensembles. This of coure, says nothing about the worthyness of the music. Awkwarium in particular are a very worthy band and deserve to have their music heard. Melodic and fluid, with sufficient complexity to challenge, but yet simple enough to entertain, the six tracks on Tampossom are an inviting debut. Tampossom blends rock, post-rock and jazz influences into an EP that is a fine addition to anyone's music collection. Stream and download the Tampossom EP for free at the link below.

  

The Burning Leaves: Sisterblood

 

Sisterblood is the new album from FZB favorites The Burning Leaves. This duo from the north of England makes some of the finest music you will have the privelage to hear. Melodic and compelling, with angelic vocals and virtuostic musicality. The production is flawless and every one of the nine tracks on this album immediatetly beg for more listening. This is truly a must have LP. Stream and buy Sisterblood at the link below.



 

Work Drugs: Amore

 

 

Taking Valentine's Day to heart (oh yes, pun very much intended), FZB favorites Work Drugs have released a new EP of love songs. The six tracks are light, schmaltzy tunes, with nice R&B tinges that are a perfect sound track for the day. Work Drugs always delivers and this EP is simply beautiful. Stream and buy Amore at the link below.

 



Elk Lodge: What if I told you there were two Henrys in the room?

 

What if I told your there were two Henrys in the room? is the rather overtitled debut album from Canadian garage duo Elk Lodge. The ten tracks are raw, bare, punk tinged music in the best tradition of the genre. Where bands like Japandroids take a commercial direction, Elk Lodge rather serve up nitty gritty rock music to fuel the mosh pit. Featuring just bass, drums and vocals, this is rock the way it's meant to be played. Stream and download What if I told your there were two Henrys in the room? at the link below.

 



Wayphaser: Tunnelvision

Tunnelvision is the debut EP from Australian cyberpunk band Wayphaser. The EP has been released on creative Madrid and Brighton label/collective Young Lattitudes, which is also the home of FZB favorites Tours. The seven tracks on Tunnelvision feature an upbeat synthpop sound, with a psychedelic vibe similar to Neon Indian, with shades of Depeche Mode.  Stream and download Tunnelvision at the link below.

 

The New Slave: Golden Sumer Smile EP

 

Golden Summer Smile is a three track EP from synthpop group The New Slave. With a myriad of influences ranging from pop to R&B to African harmonies, this EP glistens from start to finish. Lo-fi vocals are teamed with shimmering synth pads to create a sonic experience that engages the senses. Bright and intimate, The New Slave deliver a winner. Stream and download Golden Summer Smile for free at the link below.

 



Catholic Spray: Earth Slime

 

Earth Slime is the debut album from Paris based garage band Catholic Spray. This record has it all, lo-fi production, a strong punk aesthetic and great tracks. Catholic Spray are a band that grabs you by the balls and demands you listen. These guys take the foundation laid by the likes of Jay Reatard, Ty Segall and Cloud Nothings and build a new garage on it. This album is a must have, period.

 



City and The Sea: Action Figures EP

 

After a two year hiatus, City and The Sea are back with a new EP, Action Figures. In that two years, the Canadian band went through lineup changes and wrote a ton of songs. What has resulted is a polished alt rock EP that firmly places the band in a rock radio mold that should see the band finally achieving wider success. We don't usually review alt rock, nor even listen to it, but this EP is deserving. Stream and buy Action Figures at the link below.

 



The Rest: Always On My Mind Video

The Rest have released a video for their track Always On My Mind from the FZB reviewed album Seesaw. The video is a stunning short film directed by Karl E. Richter. Watch it below.

Caldecott: Caldecott

 

Caldecott is the self-titled debut full length from this Oakland based rock band. The twelve tracks are a retro filled cross between modern garage and surf genre's. Lo-fi production, a distinct Bay area vibe and catchy songs define this album. This is a worthy debut and signals a band that has potential to build to something special. Only time will tell. Stream and buy Caldecott at the link below.

 



Hanetration: Nae Troth EP

 

It's been a minute since we had new music from FZB favorite UK artist/producer Hanetration. His new EP, Nae Troth, is composed of a single work spanning over 22 minutes. This track is more overtly ambient and drone based than Hanetration's previous releases. It still retains the essence of this artist's unique vision on electronic music, with a soaring vibe that is transcendental in its textures. Hanetration continue to be an electronic artist that we have in heavy rotation. Stream and download the Nae Troth EP at the link below.

 

The Electric Primadonnas: Clergymen

 

Clergymen is the new album from Oklahoma psych rockers The Electric Primadonnas. The ten tracks have an almost literary quality to them, as they play out with influences from psychedelic to blues. Originality is a resource in short supply in indie music, but the "donnas" serve it up on every track. This is a band to discover and follow, as there will surely be more coming from this well of talent. Stream and buy Clergymen at the link below.

 



Dally: The Shine

 

Excellent is the one word to use in describing The Shine, the debut EP from L.A. band Dally, Lo-fi, muted, heavy, poppy, melodic and just plain cool, are all apt descripters of this EP. The five tracks on this EP have found their way into continual rotation on the FZB music machine. Stream and download The Shine at the link below, or be damned to a misspent youth.