New Politics - CIA

Curse me, it's alright
Your words don't add to the status quo
And I'm best friends with my shadow
There's no more room on this pedestal

Oh, hey, I was born a sinner
Michelin Star for dinner
Never been good as a quitter
I push this feed like a Segway

Danish alt band New Politics ended their year long silence following the success of their first album and tour with a jaunty pop rock track back in March (and a cool accompanying video paying homage to Kanye, Kendrick Lamar & the Beastie Boys -- bonus, below). This month they followed that up with announcement that their second LP, Lost in Translation will be released in October - and along with the announcement came "CIA" And with these new releases, I'm officially looking forward to hearing their full sophomore effort this fall. 

RIYL: Walk the Moon, The Griswolds, Bear Hands, Atlas Genius

Upcoming Shows

Strange Ranger - House Show

Portland post-punk band Strange Ranger (formerly Sioux Falls) sound very throwback to me. All the way back to the 90's and the best thing going on for that era outside of hip-hop: Pacific Northwest style emo. If you were into Sunny Day Real Estate, Seaweed, Modest Mouse, Treepeople and Built to Spill, you'll like Strange Ranger. They had a solid EP out last year, Sunbeams Through Your Head and have an upcoming release, Daymoon on Tiny Engines. Yeah, another one on that awesome label.

RIYL: Sunny Day Real Estate, Pinback, Build To Spill, Braid, Modest Mouse

Upcoming Shows

The Districts - Violet

What doesn't last will get remembered
What doesn't last is good to miss
What doesn't last is stuck in your throat
What doesn't last gets swallowed whole

I've been digging the new tracks coming out from Pennsylvania band The Districts. This time around they feel a bit more indie and less alt-country and it's a good look for them. I like all the new tracks, but the latest "Violet" is my current favorite.

RIYL: Heartless Bastards, Wilco, Delta Spirit, Dr. Dog, Pinegrove

Upcoming Shows

To Kill A King - Funeral

Just a box of bones
Lowered and marked with a stone
In the north at the mountains' feet
In the north to find some peace
Sing and dance like we were young
Scream all the joy in your lungs oh
Half with a heavy heart
But not with shocked feet

Oh passion, and oh passion

The first time I saw Bastille live, when they were not so well known (small venue, not sold out), TKAK opened for them, and it blew me away. (It was obvious from that show, without being told, that Dan and Ralph - the respective lead singers - were close mates. Despite very different sounds to their music, they joined each other on several numbers.) Anyhow, I have a signed CD of Cannibals with Cutlery somewhere (I'm not sure where I've tossed since I only listen to music digitally or on vinyl these days) and I still hold the memory of that show dear; the moving songs even more so. Quick check of their Spotify top singles does not include this track, which is a freaking tragedy. Well, the song itself is often confused as being a tragedy but it's really a celebration of life. And it makes my heart swell along with the music and chanting at the end. So fitting of their Shakespearean name. 

RIYL: The National, The Maccabees, Frightened Rabbit, Foals

Upcoming Shows

R.E.M. - Driver 8

I saw a tree house on the outskirts of the farm. 
The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged. 
Bells are ringing through the town again, 
Children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing

I think "Driver 8" might be my favorite R.E.M. song. I am a big fan of their earlier work, especially the moodier, Southern Gothic stuff you hear less and less of as they went on. 1985's Fables of The Reconstruction being a highlight in a pile of greatness for me. I recently took a long, deep dive into their back catalog and, damn, I've got a lot of good memories associated with their music. It brought me right back to my teenage years in Seattle, KJET (1982-1988) on the radio and my burgeoning record collection.

RIYL: The Replacements, James, Crowded House, Pinegrove

Upcoming Shows