Athletics: Who You Are Is Not Enough

New Jersey post-rock group Athletics come out strong with their latest album, Who You Are Is Not Enough. Featuring five tracks of melodic rock with deep ambient textures, the album moves from quiet reflection to heavy realization. Post-rock is a genre that demands superlative musicianship and Athletics rise to the challenge. The production is flawless, the songs compelling and the performance pristine. Stream and download Who You Are Is Not Enough at the link below.

Orca Team: Restraint

Seattle power pop trio Orca Team have released their new album Restraint. Featuring eleven reverb drenched retro tracks, Restraint gets and keeps ones attention from start to finish. Drawing from surf, post punk and west coast 60's pop, Orca Team have found a winning formula for standout indie pop. Stream Restraint at the link below.

Prevrat: Traffic Video

Back to Friday videos from my Intelligent Discontent album. Here is the video for the track Traffic. Intelligent Discontent is available for free download at http://prevrat.bandcamp.com. Also included with each album download are the official videos for the tracks With Our Eyes Closed, All Will See, Find Your Way Home and Awaits The Win.

Traffic from Prevrat on Vimeo.

Black Owls: Black Owls

Black Owls is the latest self-titled album from the Ohio garage rockers. This double album is packed with 25 hard edged in your face tracks, but there is so much more. Black Owls meld together influences from blues, punk and classic rock to make you feel that the Rolling Stones have been reincarnated into a new band. This is a heady comparison that Black Owls wear to perfection. This is another must have album for your indie rock collection. Stream and buy Black Owls at the link below.

Peter Kernel: We're Not Gonna Be The Same Again Video

Here's a pretty cool video by FZB favorite Peter kernel for their track Not Gonna Be The Same Again.

Stumbleine: Ghosting

Bristol, UK artist Stumbleine has a new release out titled Ghosting. Stumbleine has become somewhat of a ubiquitous fixture on the indie chillwave scene appearing on a myriad of other artist's records and collaborations. Ghosting gives ample evidence to why this is so. Dreamy passages with atmospheric vocals and waves of reverb give the album a decidedly genre defining feel. The album has a deeply ambient vibe, where the overall feel is more important than any individual feature. Ths is music to let yourself get lost in. Stream Gosting at the link below.

Arcadia Gardens: Memory Machines

 

Memory Machines is the latest release from Tennessee dreampop artist Arcadia Gardens, aka Daniel Rutstrom. The six tracks feature heavy doses of reverb that blend airy vocals, clean guitars and pop laden synthpads into a wonderful brew. The tracks range in style from the chillwave of Youth Lagoon or Washed Out, to more psyche ala Caribou. The EP is music to get cozy with someone close and forget the world with. Stream and download Memory Machines for free at the link below.

Christopher Owens: Egomaniac or just a Dick?

So the news comes today that Christopher Owens has quit the band Girls. Anybody following his antics should have seen this coming a mile away. First, he had a Twitter rant about not being on the Jools Holland show, when other acts are. Like Jools was blind for not recognizing that Girls are better than any other band. Next, he follows it up with a rant about the new HBO comedy Girls. How could HBO do that and use THEIR name? Like doesn't HBO realize that Girls are the biggest band in the world. Now, he tops it all by dumping his band mates to go solo. Like we all should realize he is the next rock god. So the question stands...Christopher Owens, egomaniac or just a dick.

FZB Seeks Contributors

FZB is looking for contributors to help the blog continue to expand. Contributors will be doing conert reviews, artist interviews, album reviews and commentary pieces. For consideration submit a sample of your writing and a note about how you may contribute to russianwinterrecords(at)gmail(dot)com.

Mirror Kisses: Bad Dreams

Bad Dreams is the new album from Harrisonburg, VA synthpop duo Mirror Kisses. With a distinct nod to 80's bands Depeche Mode, A-ha and Human League, Bad Dreams bring retro electropop to a new level. The ten tracks are catchy, with wonderful synth pads and a unique edge that shines through the retro vibe. Take a trip back in time to the raves of the past and you might just find yourself in the future with Mirror Kisses. Stream and buy Bad Dreams at the link below.