They Called Him Zone: Crow Swan Wolf

UK duo They Called Him Zone are back with their sophomore EP, Crow Swan Wolf. Mik Davis and Steve Maloney deliver six tracks of dark synthpop/post-punk hybrid that evoke New Order and similar sounds. With atmospheric vocals, minimal beats and understated production, the tracks have a haunting sonic vibe and an edgy feel. A very solid journeyman type of record. Stream and buy Crow Swan Wolf at the link below.

The Man From Managra: Half A Century Sun

Inner Ear Records has released, Half A Century Sun, the debut album from Athens based singer/songwriter The man From Managra. With a Sound somewhere between indie rock and psych folk, the eleven tracks showcase a songwriter of depth and quality. The album is a masterful work with guest appearances by such luminaries as Blaine L. Reininger (Tuxedomoon) and Jim R. White (Dirty Three, Peaches). Warm feeling, with a soft edge and unique production qualities, this album is a definite must have. Stream and buy Half A Century Sun at the link below.

Monkey Warhol: EP 4

Minneapolis based artist/producer Monkey Warhol has been on a mission. Every 4 or so months for the past year, he has released a five track EP, each of which is a different genre. He has gone through techno, metal, indie and now comes EP for, his look at pop. Don't be fooled though, this is not the lamestream drivel that the majors feed ya. No, this is a supremely heavy interpretation of teen angst, simple beats and melodies, served up as epic rock collections, with tongue firmly in cheek. This EP is adventurous, catchy and accomplished. This is an artist that is making an important and comelling statement that you need to get behind. Stream and download EP 4 at the link below.

Super Snake: Leap of Love

Leap of Love is the latest album from New Jersey rockers Super Snake. This is an album that is hard and heavy, nothing more nothing less. Sometimes rock just needs to be brutal and Super Snake are just that, brutal. Heavy guitars, heavy bass, heavy drums and heavy vocals. Just the thing for walking up to a wall and banging your head against it as hard as you can. If you can't appreciate the totally devastating rock that is embodied on this album than we're sorry, you're just to wimpy to deserve consideration. Stream and buy Leap of Love at the link below.

Scotch Hollow: Little Tortuga

Little Tortuga is the latest album from Kansas City based band Scotch Hollow. The eleven tracks are a stunning displays of vocal prowess and instrumental virtuosity. Taking roots and blues, keeping it simple, while delivering depth of performance that would rival Challenger Deep, this is a band for which the term formidable is a gross understatement. Put this music on, sit back in a nice comfortable chair, get a beer and some food, then proceed to get your ass kicked. Oh yes, hold on brother, you're goin down. To call this a must have is to say breathing is underrated. Stream and buy Little Tortuga at the link below.

The Routes: In This Perfect Hell

Over the six years we have been publishing FZB, UK indie label Dirty Water Records have grown to be a world class purveyor of tight, edgy records. Their latest release, In This Perfect Hell, the new album by Japan based punk rockers The Routes, continues there fine curatorial tradition. The ten tracks are twangy, hard edged and perfect. We love this record and it has been on continual play in the blog office since we first heard it. This is everything rock needs to be, nuff said. Buy it or be damned. Stream and buy In this Perfect Hell at the link below.

Red Gaze: Red Gaze

It's no secret that we love punk here at the blog and label. We love the simplicity, we love the authenticity, we love that punk keeps rock alive in its truest and most vibrant form, and we love that the debut s/t EP from Red Gaze embodies all of those qualities. Stark, raw and edgy, with grinding yet melodic guitars, no prisoners rhythm section and anthemic vocals, this is as perfect a debut as one could imagine.This is a must have. Stream and buy Red Gaze at the link below.

Four Star Riot: Beautiful Soul Video

Back in December, we reviewed the new album from FZB favorites Four Star Riot. Today, we have a new video for the stunning album track Beautiful Soul. Watch it below and go to the blog archives for the album review and link to get their music.

Someday: This Doesn't Exist

This Doesn't Exist is the debut album from Italian Indie rock band Someday. The ten tracks are dark post-punk, with a bit of an atmospheric edge. Channeling influences from Sparklehorse, Joy Division and Plecebo, the band delivers a thoroughly contemporary album with a sonic presence that grabs the listener and never lets go. Sublime dynamic changes, artful performances, tasteful production and nimble imagination abound on this winner of an album. Watch the video for album track Last Lesson, then stream and buy This Doesn't Exist at the link below.

The William Shakes: How Goes The Night

How Goes The Night is the debut EP from The William Shakes. A concept project of artist/producer Mark McGettrick, the 5 tracks see lines from Shakespeare characters isolated and taken out of context, then paired with catchy indie rock, in a new and original treatment of the bard's work that we feel he would dig. McGettrick has done a masterful job of bringing classic prose to a new depth of performance and deserves immense credit for the sheer quality of this undertaking. This EP is an absolute must have. Stream and buy How Goes The Night at the link below.

Karman Voh: Ill Loam

Boston based artist/producer Anda Volley has been a great favorite here at the blog and label for the last four years, with her original, quirky and stunning sense of style and melody. We are thrilled to now receive news that she has joined the ranks of impresario, by launching her own imprint Bos Volta Records. The label's first release is Ill Loam, the inspired debut from Karman Voh, the duo of Paul Koskins and Charles Perrone. With a sound that is a blend of all the best influences from Radiohead, The Knife and Tim Hecker, the eleven tracks carve out an experimental post-punk niche that is both original and compelling. This album is a definite must have. Watch the video for album track Air Raid Out, then stream and buy Ill Loam at the link below.

Goodman: The Vicissitudes

Brooklyn collective, Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen, brings us The Vicissitudes, the latest album from prolific garage pop band Goodman, aka the recording project of NYC based Michael Goodman. Goodman records have graced FZB many times, and with this new release we find the band as rocking, twangy and irreverent as ever. The twelve tracks spew genre bending goodness, ranging from influences such as the Zombies, to post-punk musings, to Britpop elegance. Another strong release from this talented singer/songwriter. Stream and buy The Vicissitudes at the link below.

Cavegreen: Vita Lucida

Vita Lucida is the sophomore release from Olympia, Washington based Cavegreen, aka the duo of Eleanor Murray and GianLuca Bucci. The nine tracks offer up multitudes of ethereal synthpop. With a sound that is darker and less glitzy than Chvrches and with more atmospheric depth than Purity Ring, Cavegreen carve out their own unique sonic niche. The album has ample melodic flair and a nice feeling of movement propelling the tracks forward.  Watch the videos for album tracks Sun and Witches Dream and then stream and buy Vita Lucida at the link below.

Animic: Skin

Skin is the new album from Animic on Barcellona indie label BCore Disc. The 8 tracks are dark and industrial tinged. Heavy, melodic synths, and the occasional dance beat, are paired with smooth atmospheric vocals that deliver lyrics marked by the world's inhumanity and indifference. This album marks a strong break with the band's sound on their two previous releases, but also marks a sonic evolution that both those LP's gestured towards. This is the band's strongest effort to take and marks their emergence into a fully actualized haunting synthpop band. A definite must have. Stream and buy Skin at the link below.

Outlander: Take Turns b/w I'll Get Mine Too

UK band Outlander bring us Take Turns b/w I'll Get Mine Too, an adventurous new two track EP. Instrumental rock has always been an art form that has never quite found acceptance. While instrumental electronic music garners a wide audience, instrumental rock languishes in the footnotes as an afterthought of what might have been. Outlander shows their strength and depth by venturing into this instrumental wasteland with an inspired look at what instrumental rock can rise to in the hands of masters. The EP has a sonic breadth that takes the listener through heavy passages and beautiful extended softer interludes. This is just a wonderful record and should be given the chance to find its way. Stream and download Take Turns b/w I'll Get Mine Too at the link below.

The Masonics: Obermann Rides Again

The Masonics are a garage punk band with over four decades of experience under their belts. This experience comes blasting from your speakers on their new album Obermann Rides Again. The fourteen tracks scream authenticity and a raw edge, lacking in much of the genre today. These are tracks shorn from the cloth of bands like the Undertones, but with their own identity. The Masonics' sound is what laid the foundation for bands like Jay Reatard and The White Stripes. This album is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Obermann Rides Again at the link below.

Sciencevision: Colorshifter

Colorshifter is the new EP from psych, shoegaze band Sciencevision. The five tracks are genre bending and stylish, with a varied sonic pallet. The EP is imaginative and original, with artistic complexity that shows both finesse and depth. The atmospheric vocals take a back seat to the building textures and rhythms that drive a singular aural experience across the whole of the EP. Stirring and engaging, this EP is a must have. Stream and download Colorshifter at the link below.

King Ropes: Dirt

Dirt is the debut album from Bozeman, Montana based King Ropes. This unlikely location finds a band that pairs sultry guitars with deeply expressive songs rooted in the highs and lows of human experience. Frontman Dave Hollier delivers emotional performances that show an artistic maturity missing on many debuts. King Ropes are a band that delivers a debut album chock full of compelling sonic landscapes and the potential of a band poised for future success. A definite must have. Stream and buy Dirt at the link below.

Guy Grogan: Glitter In The Gears

Glitter In The Gears is the new album from Santa Fe singer/songwriter Guy Grogan. The ten tracks showcase Grogan's expansive songwriting talents, with tracks that go from straight edged alt rockers and Velvet Undergroundesque explorations, to sublime indie tracks with the feel of Real Estate and Local Natives. Superlative arrangements and instrumentals,perfectly frame strong vocals that move effortlessly from rockers to poignant ballads. A super strong album from an artist who has been around the block. Stream and buy Glitter In The Gears at the link below.

Luxury Mane: Lux Runnin Out

Lux Runnin Out is the latest album from Florida pop band Luxury Mane. The ten tracks are a blend of the stylistic elements found in Foxygen and MGMT. Quirky and irreverent, the songs have imaginative instrumental breaks paired with understated vocals. The album is enjoyable, but not compelling. What one gets is a solid band with a tight rhythm section, some tasty guitar licks, doing good material. A solid album all the way around, but a bit unexciting. Stream and buy Lux Runnin Out at the link below.

Tuath: Things I Don't Know

Things I Don't Know is the new EP from Irish shoegazers Tuath. Dark, dense and perfect, the four tracks blend heavy passages, noise and synths to create a sonic experience that would make MBV and Slowdive envious. Few releases have captured the essence of what makes shoegaze a great genre as effectively as Tuath deliver on this record. Comelling music done expertly is what you'll get on this absolute must have. Stream and buy Things I Don't Know at the link below.