Mardou: Kirby Sessions

 

I am thankful for...PUNK! Which brings us to Kirby Sessions the latest EP from Cincinnati punkers Mardou. The three track EP channels artists from The Undertones to Richard Hell. In a mere seven minutes the band of Dylan McCartney, Eric Lindsay, Eric Dietrich and Aaron Watkins show all the cred of decades of the genre. End your week with the rawness that rock should be. Stream and download Kirby Sessions at the link below.

 

Future History: Lungs

 

FZB favorites Future History are back with their third album, Lungs. Hailing from Toronto, the band of Kevin Ker, Justin Dillon and Chris Dawe recorded the album in an old decrepit cabin in the backwoods of Ontario.  Assembling a myriad of old recording equipment and utilizing old furniture discovered in the cabin, the band spent months in solitude writing, summoning and capturing. What results is an astonishing folk rock album with tracks that are novellas to the changing seasons in wind and rain, the shifting of the cabin walls and creaking of surrounding trees. The band captures faint ghostly whispers and strange ominous noises, all of which create the sonic foundation upon which the songs were recorded.  Future History continue to deliver albums that capture the imagination and fuel the spirit. Watch the video for the album track Without You and then stream and buy Lungs at the link below.



crashfaster: furthur

 

Bay Area synthpop masters crashfaster are back with their new album further.  Sharing a heritage with bands like Human League, crashfaster continue forward from new wave influences to their own signature synthpop aesthetic.  For all the sheen though, there is an underlying post-punk current that adds a nice heavy counterpoint to the waves of synths. further defines its own sonic terrain with a dance  pop vibe that seduces the head rush. Watch the video for non-album track beacon and then stream and buy further at the link below.

 

 

ERAAS: Initiation

 

Initiation is the new album from Brooklyn synthpop artists ERAAS. Initiation is many things musically, but cool seems to be the best descriptor. The album shimmers like a back ally streetlight, with massive reverb vocals wrapped in lush synthpads, coupled to some nice field recording touches. ERAAS have a theatrical flair, delivering a stunning work that bring new originality and depth to the genre. Stream and buy Initiation in digital CD or Vinyl at the link below.

 



Clockwork Noise: Weathermachines

 

Very few bands nowadays dare to tread in the realm called progressive rock. Decades of both excellence and excess have made the bar for admittance high. Weathermachines, the debut album from Irish rockers Clockwork Noise confronts this challenge as a mere nuisance. The band of Robert Maguire,  Blathnaid Healy,  Dylan Nolan,  Chris O’Connor and  Michael Fenton flawlessly perform and produce music, phrased with surgical precision. The nine tracks stand as a new watermark for progressive albums. This is another must have. Watch the video for the track The Tourists and then stream and download Weathermachines at the link below.

 

Crystal Shipsss: I Had A Friend Video

FZB favorite Crystal Shipsss and our friends at Mouca Records bring you a new video for the track I Had a Friend from Crystal Shipsss' stellar album Dirty Dancer, Watch it below.

Monozid: A Splinter for the Pure

 

Leipzig post-punk band Monozid last released an LP in December 2012. That album is A Splinter for the Pure. The ten tracks are transcendent punk anthems that have a hypnotic groove and edgy power, that channels great bands from The Clash to Television to Devo. This record has stood its ground for a year now as a seminal DIY work that needs to be discovered by a wider audience.  Watch the original album trailer video below and  then stream and download A Splinter for the Pure at the link below.

 

Jesse Turits: Rumble Strips

 

NYC collective Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen have released another winner with Jesse Turits' new album, Rumble Strips. Produced by Oliver Ignatius, singer/songwriter Turits delivers twelve tracks of folk laden pop that could have been born of riding the rails. The album harkens back to a time when Colin Meloy, Jeff Mangum and Ben Gibbard were cutting their chops. The album shows a troubadour with a Dylanesque heritage, that eschews pretense and just grabs a guitar and knocks one out on an east Village street. Stream and download Rumble Strips at the link below.



 



Kurt von Stetten: Broken, But Not Undone

 

Broken, But Not Undone is the eighth full length from Boston garage savant Kurt von Steffen. With many great releases this year from the likes of genre champion Ty Segall, it is hard to think of the mantle passing. Yet, Kurt von Steffen clearly assumes the throne with this altogether perfect record. With every element perfectly placed, but retaining enough edge for a Soho street, Broken, But Not Undone is the singular must have of the fall. The release is out today on Static Motor Recordings. Stream and buy Broken, But Not Undone at the link below.

 



FZB Top Artists of 2013

Appendixes: Neon Green Fear 7"

 

Portland dreampop band Appendixes have released a new 7", Neon Green Fear. The band of Beth Morgan,  Eric Sabatino and  Devin Welch serve up two reverb drenched  tracks, with melodic guitars a lo-fi aesthetic and overtones of late night loneliness.  With an all pervading edgy vibe and some darkish use of noise, these two tracks showcase a band with huge creative potential. We can't wait to hear a full length. Watch the video for the title track and then stream and buy Neon Green Fear on limited edition vinyl or as a digital download at the links below.

  



Closet Nerd: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder EP

 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the debut EP from Northern California band Closet Nerd. This is one of those rare debuts that instantly make one sit up and take notice. The eight tracks are tight, expertly produced and radio ready pop punk anthems. Fronted by the totally engaging vocals of Genesis Helena, with superb musicianship from Colton Young,  Jesse Fioren Quintero and  Matthew "Helmet" Enriquez, Closet Nerd are destined to find a large audience. Get in on the ground floor of this one. Stream and download the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder EP at the link below.



Black Is Bright: Dust

 

Dust is the debut EP from Portland shoegaze outfit Black is Bright. The five tracks are a noise laden, lo-fi acid trip. Dense shadings, darkish textures and reverb laden vocals set way back are the hallmark of the EP. An ambient sonic aesthetic pervades the EP, with the overall effect being a cohesive rock work that engages one's imagination. Stream and buy Dust at the link below.

 



The Almighty Rhombus: Lucid Living

 

FZB favorites The Almighty Rhombus are back with their debut full length, Lucid Living. Hailing from Greater Sudbury, Canada, the band of Mike Kenny, Clayton Drake, Neil Bednis, Carter Drake and Cameron Drake, embrace a more garage rock persona for this release, without loosing their pop sensibility. The eleven tracks have a fuzzier, heavy sound, with lo-fi touches and more sophisticated production. The band has grown on this release and continue to impress. Stream and buy Lucid Living at the link below.

 



The Aquadolls: Stoked On You

 

SoCal garage band The Aquadolls have released their highly anticipated debut full length, Stoked On You. The band of Melissa Brooks, Ryan Frailich, Christian Karapetian and Kailee Westwood continue the SoCal tradition established by bands such as Bleached, Vivian Girls and Best Coast for good time, surf drenched, sun loving rock. Fronted by Brooks' vocals and featuring enough jangly guitar to satisfy even Jake Fogelnest, The Aquadolls live up to the anticipation with a sterling debut that is a must have. Stream and buy Stoked On You at the link below.

 



Alpha Male Tea Party: Real Ale and Model Rail: The Lonely Man's Guide To Not Committing Suicide

 

So we have some nice hard rock and roll to get your Monday off to a good start. Real Ale and Model Rail: The Lonely Man's Guide To Not Committing Suicide is the new EP from Liverpool band Alpha Male Tea Party. The trio of Vladimir Gluten,  Urethra Franklin,  Jacques Shiraz take the hard road (OK, pun intended) making raucous math rock. Whether you're into hard rock or not, there is always reason to allow the good stuff in, and this EP is the good stuff. This is definitely a band to get behind. Stream and buy Real Ale and Model Rail: The Lonely Man's Guide To Not Committing Suicide at the link below.

 



Anna Aaron: Stellarling

FZB favorite Anna Aaron has a new album Neuro coming out in February, 2014. We get an early taste of what looks to be a fine record with the release of the video for the track Stellarling. The video was directed by Aaron's brother Alain Meyer. Watch it below.

Decibelles: Vol De Nuit Video

Tomorrow, French outfit and FZB favorites Decibelles release the video for their new track Vol De Nuit. Darkish and engaging, the video was funded by their fans through ULULE. Watch it below.

Tender Age: Tender Age EP

 

Portland based dreampop band Tender Age have released their debut self-titled EP. Lo-fi and fuzzy, the mere three tracks give us just a glimpse of a band that holds much promise. With reverb drenched atmospheric vocals and melodic jangly guitars, Tender Age deliver an EP that is an intimate and compelling statement of arrival. We look forward to hearing much more from this band. Stream and buy the Tender Age EP at the link below.

 

Casino Sunday: Retrograde

 

Completing a stellar week of new releases we present Retrograde, the debut album from New Jersey post-punk band Casino Sunday. Brian Stabile, John Zermeno, Kim Blackbourn and Bobby Artale sound like they have played together forever. There is always something about a really tight band that transcends all others. Casino Sunday have crafted an album where everything just works, perfectly. Do yourself a favor and get this one. Stream and buy Retrograde at the link below.

 



Silver Swans: Touch

 

This week of great releases continues with Touch, the new album from FZB favorites Silver Swans. The duo of Ann Yu & Jon Waters give us ten tracks of their signature synthpop mastery. Full of sensual imagery and lush synths, the album continues Silver Swans' ascension as a truly great artistic alliance. This album ranks as one of our favorites of the year and a definite must have. Stream and buy Touch at the link below.



Absent Hours: Elsewhere

 

Today finds the release of Elsewhere, the debut EP from Australian band Absent Hours. The post-punk quartet of Alec Mallia, Jack McFarlane, Kyle Richards and Jesse Williams have a sound reminiscent of Joy Division and The National. Understated and sublime, with darkish embellishment, the five tracks feel like a lonely street late at night. Absent Hours have crafted a sound that draws one into their music in a personal and intimate way. Stream and download Elsewhere at the link below.



Tideland: Lull

 

Nov. 5th marks the release of the new full length from Virginia based post-punk band Tideland. The eight tracks are a heavy shoegaze journey into a band that isn't afraid to let power be the focus of their music. With influences from Dinosaur Jr. to Sonic Youth,  one expects superlative songwriting and music that walks the edge. Tideland delivers in droves. This is a sterling album and a must have. Check out the video below of the band doing their track Desolate live and then stream and buy Lull at the link below.

 

Made In Japan: Tame All Those Thoughts

 

Today marks the release of Tame All Those Thoughts, the new album from Australian band Made In Japan. Blending heavy elements of alt rock, with phrasing from dreampop, the nine tracks form a rich radio ready tapestry. Polished with shades of emo, Made In Japan still manage to find an edge with their music. Crisp production abound on this LP and every piece fits perfectly to create a huge sonic presence. Made in Japan is a band poised on the brink of wider success. Stream and buy Tame All Those Thoughts at the link below.