Funeral Advantage: Demo

Demo is the debut EP from Massachuesets dreampop band Funeral Advantage. The five tracks, while labeled demo, are tightly produced and the band has a limited edition cassette run as well as digital downloads. The tracks are jangly and crisp, with laid back voclas and melodic reverby guitars. Stylisticly similar to Real Estate, Funeral Advantage have a fresh and enjoyable take on the genre. Stream and download Demo for free at the link below.

 



Nights: Whisper

 

Whisper is the debut full length from Ohio indie rockers, Nights. The eleven tracks are heavy and melodic, with a dreampop vibe. Anchored somewhere between Arcade Fire and Metric, but with a stronger rock influence than the former and more of a pop sense than the latter, the music has a familiar yet original quality to it. Stream and buy Whisper at the link below.

 



Cripple and Casino: With High Regards

 

With High Regards is the new album from Croatian post-hardcore band Cripple and Casino. With a strong punk aesthetic, edgy vibe and in your face vocals, the ten tracks make for a raw and compelling record. The music coming out of Croatia and other eastern European countries is finding an energy and an authenticity that is missing from much of western music currently. Cripple and Casino are the real deal. Stream and download With High Regards at the link below.

 

It's About Human Rights

 



It's not just an issue of marriage equality. It is an issue of human rights. Conservatives and the religious right represent a fascist ideology, the ultimate denial of human rights. Wake The F**k Up and Stop Them Now!

An Anderson: Parts

 

Portland, Maine is the home to post-punk band An Anderson who have just released their debut EP, Parts. This is a band that has chosen the difficult path of making purely instrumental music in a rock format. Unlike electronic music, where instrumental artists have wide acceptance, rock listeners and music press have always dispatched instrumental artists to the fringes. It's time that instrumental music receives its due. Parts is a finely crafted musical experience with heavy melodic passages, math-rock influences and a true post-punk vibe. This is an EP to jump on. Stream and buy Parts at the link below.

 



Stupid Bitch Reject: Stupid Bitch Reject

 

Stupid Bitch Reject is the self-titled debut EP from this Paris based post-punk duo. The five tracks weave a darkish and melodic sonic vibe into a new wave inspired tapestry. Lush and atmospheric, with stunning vocals, Stupid Bitch Reject is far from that namesake. This is a debut that showcases a duo with a promising future. Stream Stupid Bitch Reject at the link below.

 



Garlands: A Sneak Peek

Regular readers of this blog will recognize the name Mikael Johnston as a FZB favorite from his (now gone) band The Swerve and as the auther of a great Op-Ed piece on the state of indie for 2013. Well Mikael is back with a new music project, Garlands, that sees him team with Lisa Light (of the Lovemakers). All we have so far is this short teaser video of them working in the studio. From what we hear though, this is going to be a great record.

Misfit Mod: Cars Video

Misfit Mod's debut album, Islands and Islands, on Stars and Letters Records is one of our heavy rotation favorites at FZB. (See the review here: http://floorshimezipperboots.blogspot.com/2013/02/misfit-mod-islands-islands.html)
Watch the cool new video for the album track Cars, directed by Ed Lust at the link below.

Balladur: Balladur

 

Balladur is a french shoegaze band that has just released their debut self-titled EP.  Dark, brooding and atmospheric, the seven tracks have the vibe of a smokey basement club on some Parisian back street. Heavy and lush, with very tasty reverb laden guitar licks, haunting vocals and minimalist beats, Balladur evoke a retro post-punk sound harking back to Joy Division and Gang of Four. This is an EP that will be playing in heavy rotation. Stream and buy Balladur at the link below.

 



So So Modern, Transpacific Express

 

Transpacific Express is the new EP from New Zealand post-punk band So So Modern. This EP takes a melodic approach with 5 tracks of lo-fi, reverby goodness. The trio of  Mark Y. Leong, Grayson Gilmour, Daniel Nagels have delivered an EP that has the perfect indie radio vibe. Glitchy synths, edgy guitars, a technically superior drummer and sterling vocals give this EP a polished under current to its raw power. Stream and buy Transpacific Express at the link below. 

 

Foe Destroyer: Foe Destroyer

 

Foe Destroyer is the self-titled debut album from the Austin based trio. This album shows a band with a stylistic range that few can match. Tripping along from novel melodies that would make Dirty Projectors take notice, to extreme lo-fi grunge, to Real Estate feeling indie pop, this is an album that delivers great music and imaginative stylings. Few bands can pull off such a diverse record and hold it together. This one is a must have. Stream and buy Foe Destroyer at the link below.

 

Crmnl Hygne: Crmnl Hygne LP

 

Crmnl Hygne is the new self-titled LP from this LA based trio. The 17 tracks are a lesson in what rock music should be today. Edgy, melodic and engaging, Crmnl Hygne take post-punk to a new level of creativity. With influences that range from Cloud Nothings to Radiohead, this album delvers a huge work of stellar rock music. This is one that you will play over and over. Stream and download Crmnl Hygne at the link below.

 



Cosmonauts: Pure Posture 7" & Wear Your Hair Like A Weapon 7"

 

SoCal garage rock stalwarts and FZB favorites Cosmonauts are back with two raucous 7" releases, Pure Posture and Wear Your Hair Like A Weapon. The four tracks contained in these releases are lo-fi, reverb laden epics that embody everything good in LA music. Raw, unpretentious and totally fuzzed out, Cosmonauts continue to be one of our favorite purveyors of garage rock. Stream and buy Pure Posture and Wear Your Hair Like A Weapon at the links below.

 



It's Mouca Records Day on FZB

 

Small DIY labels are at the heart of emerging music. To support these labels and their artists, Floorshime Zipper Boots will be having a label day on Friday from time to time. Today it's Mouca Records Day on FZB.

 

Mouca is based in both Porto, Portugal and Berlin, Germany and was founded by Augusto Lima and Charlotte Thiessen. In November 2011, Lima and Thiessen, with the help of Jorge Coelho, programmed a concert by some Berlin based artists (Mary Ocher, Alexander, De La Montaña and The Spookfish) with Porto artists (Srosh Ensemble and Torto) and some international names like Lee Ranaldo, Laetitia Sadier, Mt Eerie and Dean Wareham. The main idea for the label was hatched that night where the first connections were made between the main cities where the pricipals live.

 

The Mouca label happened one year later with the release of their good friend Daniel Golberg's project, The Spookfish. The label chose to put out mainly audio cassetes because they can produce them in small numbers, which make it affordable to do several releases a year. The artists also found them a cool way of selling their music. They can be cheap, beautiful and very portable. All of Mouca's tapes come with a unique code for the digital download.

 

Mouca has a diverse group of artists that include:

The Spookfish - "Moth/Butterfly" (K7/2012)

Daniel Goldberg is the New York based musician behind The Spookfish. His visceral lo-fi approach to the keyboards and guitar leaves one immersed in a fuzzy river of sounds somewhere between Phil Elvrum and John Fahey. The "Moth/Butterfly" is a dreamy album made of intimate, genius and lovely short songs.

 

Travis Travisan 'Existential Crisis Call Center' (K7/2013)

is the debut solo album from Travis Trevisan of Tape Deck Mountain.  It was recorded during a year stay in Austin, TX before eventually relocating to Brooklyn, NY. Existential explores lonely lo-fi folk terrains via creepy triple octave vocals, driven by slow churning classical guitars. Don't be scared away by the fidelity, the songs are quite simple and accessible to all. Musical frames of reference might include the Microphones or Beck's 'Mellow Gold'.

 

Chris Brokaw - "Avalanche" (K7/2013)

Chris Brokaw is mostly well known for beeing part of the cult bands Codeine and Come, back in the 90's but he has also been very active with his other bands The New Year, Rivulets or Pullman. Avalanche was recorded in two days on Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st in Rainier Beach, WA and was performed entirely on a Thomas Califormian 261 home organ.

 

Mouca has several compilations of their artists available to stream and download for name your own price on Bandcamp. Check out Mouca and their fine artists at the links below.



Flat Ed: Clapped Out

 

May 1st marks the release of Clapped Out, the debut album from singer/songwriter Flat Ed. The ten tracks carve out a unique musical niche, being one part Phil Ochsian troubador, one part Human League-esque electropop and one part George Martin production vibes. This is an intimate album that begs for engaged listening, rather than casual attention. There are no currently trendy cliches to grab onto, but if one is willing to let the music propel them, rich rewards of originality will be reaped. Stream and buy Clapped Out at the link below.

 

 



Fuxa: Frequencies for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Healing

 

Frequencies for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Healing is the new album from Detroit electropop band Fuxa. The eleven tracks swirl and shimmer around vocals that evoke an undeerstated Handsome Furs or Depeche Mode. Minimal beats, striking synthpads and an airy vibe lend themselves perfectly to create an intimate musical experience. Fuxa have an originality missing in much of today's retread chillwave. Stream and buy Frequencies for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Healing at the link below.

 



Wildlife: ...On The Heart

 

Toronto indie rockers Wildlife are back with their new album, ...On The Heart. The twelve tracks are raw and emotional, with an epic rock anthem quality. The production is huge, with the tracks blending a post-punk aesthetic with alt rock musicality. Towering guitars and massive drums frame vocals that are stadium made. This is a band that has grown into a real force since their very promissing debut album two years ago. Stream and buy ...On The Heart at the link below.

 



M|O|O|N : Day/Night

 

Day/Night is the new EP from Boston electronic artist/producer and FZB favorite M|O|O|N. After two previous EP's, M|O|O|N has delivered three tracks that form a more cohesive record. The tracks have a deep ethereal vibe with a driving beat and imaginative synth pads. This is an artist that is all about growth and experimentation, while delivering fine music. Stream and buy Day/Night at the link below.

 

Yukari: Echo

 

Echo is the debut album from South Korean dreampop artist/producer Yukari. Making music in the vein of Neon Indean and Washed Out, Yukari finds her own voice, with lilting vocals, heavy reverb and a more lo-fi gloss. Waves of shimmering synth pads sweep over the listener, while understated beats keep the down tempo moving. Electropop has developed from its chillwave beginnings into a  musically mature genre. Yukari adds a new original voice to the genre with this stunning debut. Stream and buy Echo at the link below.

 



Twilight Empire: Falling/Kindred Spirits

 

Falling, backed with Kindred Spirits, is the new single from Swiss post-punk band Twilight Empire. If you look back to last week's review of Veil of Light, that artist, who we now know is Michael Hofstetter, is the guitarist and principal songwriter for Twighlight Empire. The two tracks are heavy post-punk anthems with nice stylistic range and flawless execution. Taken together the two projects are an exemplary body of work and we can't wait to here more from both. Stream and buy Falling/Kindred Spirits at the link below.



Urbantramper: Tomorrow We Leave Here

 

Tomorrow We Leave Here is the new EP from New Zealand electropop band and FZB favorites Urbantramper. The trio have delivered an EP with six powerful tracks. Featuring towering bass pads and melodic synth lines wedded to stylish vocals and crisp production, this EP is a winner. This is a band that we like more with every new track. A definate must have. Stream and buy Tomorrow We Leave Hear at the link below.

 



The Wooden Wolf: 14 Ballads Op. 1

 

14 Ballads Op. 1 is the debut album from singer/songwriter The Wooden Wolf. This person is a bit of an enigma. We don't know his name, where he is from, or any backstory. All we know is that we first learned about him from a French PR firm, so he is probably European. What we do know is that the music is exceptional. The songs are deep emotional journeys into the artist's psyche. The fourteen tracks are everything an album should be; expertly performed, beautifully sung and stunningly produced. This is simply one of the best albums we've heard in a long time.  Watch a video for the track Your Drinking Shoulder below and then stream and download 14 Ballads Op.1 at the link below.

 



Dr. Skinnybones: El Valtrex Video

Here's a choice little film from our friends at the Booklyn music collective Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, for the duo Dr. Skinnybones' track El Valtrex. The film follows an outlaw couple through a post-apocalyptic wild west. Watch it below.

Veil Of Light: Veil Of Light

 

We're burried in snow and the sky is dark and overcast, so that calls for...darkwave of course. Veil Of Light is the self-titled debut EP from the Zurich based artist otherwise known by only the initial M. The five tracks are heavy and sullen, with vocals inhabiting the outer reaches of reverb. Post-punk sonics show through the gloom with melodic passages and an 80's vibe. Stream and buy Veil Of Light at the link below.