Dusty Tears: Internet Hits

Our friends at North Carolina's Silber Records are back with some new entries in their 5in5 series, where artists do 5 songs in 5 minutes. Internet Hits the the new one from Dusty Tears, aka a project of Shane De Leon (Miss Massive Snowflake) and Jamie Smith (Danghead). The  music wrought in 5 minutes is a testament to all that is good and righteous in rock music since its beginning of time. Turn it up loud and annoy a neighbor. Stream and buy Internet Hits at the link below.

Smileswithteeth: Suddenly Constantly

Suddenly Constantly is the new EP from Montreal based artist Smileswithteeth, aka Gabriel Gutierrez. The four tracks are dream pop, that rely too much on overused glitchy cliches, rather than finding original sounds. The tracks are enjoyable as they stand, though they are light on melodic structure and lack cohesiveness. Overall this is an EP that is worth a listen and will certainly find some audience, but that also falls short on musicality and vision. Stream and buy Suddenly Constantly at the link below.

Van Der Blute: Van Der Blute

Haifa based Van Der Blute have released their S/T debut EP on Israeli label Schwarz Neon Licht Records. The four tracks are melodic electronica, that is strong on musicality and arrangement, with a solid bass player, while most importantly eschewing the overused cliche sounds and glitchyness so prevalent in electronic music today. What results is an EP that is original and engaging, that should be very welcome in everyone's collection. Stream and buy Van Dr Blute at the link below.

Grand Pricks/Polarnecks: PolarPricks Split

Scottish label Gold Mold Records brings us PolarPricks, the boisterous split EP from Grand Pricks and Polarnecks. The four tracks, two from each band, showcase the range of this EP with Grand Pricks taking influences from Weezer, Gang of Four and Teenage Fanclub, while Polarnecks deliver noisy grunge in the vein of Dinosaur Jr. The band's performances are sterling, but the sub par production is dull and muddled, taking the edge off of an otherwise strong record. Still, these are hot bands and their rock goodness shines through. Stream and buy PolarPricks Split at the link below.

Final Call: What Lies Ahead

What Lies Ahead is the debut EP from Long Island based Final Call. The five tracks are influenced by bands like Panic At The Disco and My Chemical Romance. This EP is locked in on the alt radio EMO formula of heavy guitars and light melodic vocals. The record is solid with good production, strong instrumental performances and vocals. The overall sound is too derivative and formulaic, but the album will definitely appeal to the new EMO scene. A good effort for a debut EP, but not a great one. With the talent displayed, we hope the band takes on more original directions on a followup. Stream and buy What Lies Ahead at the link below.

Kinbom & Kessner: With The Beetles

With The Beetles is the new album from Kinbom & Kessner, a collaboration between lap steel virtuoso Fredrik Kinbom and writer/dramatist Sonja Kessner. The ten tracks are imaginative indie folk, with crisp production, deep lyrical themes and tight instrumental performances. Vocal duties are shared by the pair, but with only a couple of songs in English, the album will feel mostly out of reach to all but those who speak German. This is a shame, as this is an album that would do well with a wider audience, but is ultimately doomed to limited exposure. Give it a listen regardless of whether you can understand the lyrics, as this is a beautiful work, that will be enjoyable throughout. Stream and buy With The Beetles at the link below.

Sitting Girl With Arms Bent: Sitting Girl With Arms Bent

Italian artist, Sitting Girl With Arms Bent, has released her debut S/T album. The ten tracks are dark post-punk, with healthy doses of reverb, atmospheric vocals and sinister guitar parts. This album has an extremely edgy vibe and a rawness that takes one back to the original ethos of punk. The album conjures up imagery of dark urban scenes and shadowy figures. This is one of the best post-punk albums of the year so far and a definite must have. Stream and buy Sitting Girl With Arms Bent at the link below.

New Tendencies: Missed Month

Missed Month is the latest album from Toronto artist/producer New Tendencies, aka Matt Nish-Lapidus. The five tracks were born out of electronic explorations and discovery on a newly built modular synth. What results, is an album full of wonderfully unique synth pads, textures and phrases. With a glitchy vibe, perfectly placed noise and just enough melodic structure to hold things together, this album is surprising in its depth and welcome in its uniqueness and experimental verve. This is a must have for all synthesizer aficionados. Stream and buy Missed Month at the link below.

Ric Gordon: Despair's Lover EP

In a career that spans 5 decades, Ric Gordon has released 14 albums and EP's under various monikers, and produced another 26 for other artists. Today on the eve of his 64th birthday, Gordon releases his first studio album in 4 years, but with a twist. Instead of one album, he is releasing two EP's one electric, releasing today,  and the other acoustic, releasing September 1st.. Today's release, Despair's Lover is a five track post punk gem, with large helpings of edgy, heavy and twangy. Lyrically, the tracks are about despair in love, urban existence and at a government gone bad. This is a definite must have, that should be in everyone's collection. Stream and buy Despair's Lover at the link below. Then preview the second EP, Standing Here, by listening to the advance track Rise Above at the link below, and watch for a review of the EP on Sept. 1st.

Black Needle Noise: Lost In Reflection

Legendary artist/producer John Fryer has released Lost In Reflection, his second album under the Black Needle Noise moniker. Known for his production work for Nine Inch Nails, Cocteau Twins and Depeche Mode, as well as being co-founder of This Mortal Coil, the eleven tracks feature 10 different vocalists, have great depth and range stylistically, while still having a noisy sheen and edgy sonic texture. A master work from a seminal artist/producer, that should be required listening for all. Stream and buy Lost In Reflection at the link below.

Hanetration: Gavia EP

Gavia is the new EP from FZB favorites Hanetration. The UK group deliver four tracks that inhabit the space between IDM and ambient genres. No mean feat as on the surface, there is little common ground. Hanetration overcome this with an ambient based EP that is big on melodic structure and beat, while still keeping an ambient base throughout. This EP is highly original and has some fine unique electronic sounds. A definate must have. Stream and download the Gavia EP for free at the link below.

The Sinking Feeling: One

One is the debut EP from Glasgow band, The Sinking Feeling on Gold Mold Records. The three tracks are alt-rock EMO, the commercial radio variety, with influences from The Used, Panic at the Disco and Weezer. There has always been a formula to this kind of music, which is less adventurous and edgy compared to the more punk variety. This EP features solid vocals, instrumental performances and songwriting, but is lacking on originality, as this has all been done, just this way for a long time. If you're in the need for some new EMO just the way you remembered it, give this one a try. Stream and buy One at the link below.

The Black Watch: The Gospel According To John

The Gospel According To John is the new album from L.A. band The Black Watch. The eight tracks are stylish indie rock with influences from psychedelic to shoegaze. The songs are varied and dynamic, abound with interesting guitar riffs and strong vocals, where every part fits perfectly. The album showcases a band that consistently puts it all together and delivers great music. Watch the video for album track Way Strange World, then stream and buy The Gospel According To John at the link below.

Stupid Cosmonaut/Boobs of Doom: Split

FZB favorites Boobs of Doom have a new split album with Stupid Cosmonaut. The UK groups each serve up a side of edgy and inventive instrumental music. Employing elements of ambient, drone, metal and electronic, each track engages the senses with compelling textures into a totally enthralling sonic experience. Dark, original and ambitious, this album is a must have. Stream and download this split album at the link below.

Elliot Knapp: Prismatic

Prismatic is the new album from Seattle guitarist/composer Elliot Knapp. The four tracks, providing almost 45 minutes of music, are an adventurous blend of ambient drones and energetic post-rock. Knapp weaves together unique sounding guitar parts to deliver an instrumental album that is big on originality. Regular readers of this blog know that we are not fans of instrumental rock, which mostly sounds like unfinished songs that someone forgot to put vocals on. Such is not the case with this album. Knapp has crafted an album with compositions that stand on their own as instrumental works, with interesting melodies, vibrant textures and an altogether enjoyable vibe. Stream and download Prismatic at the link below.