Two Inch Astronaut - Personal Life

I guess all I can say
It's personal
Life
That's life
Personal life
Personal life
Feels so right

The first time I listened to post-punk outfit Two Inch Astronaut's 2016 release Personal Life I was reminded of an old Seattle band I loved: Black Eyes and Neckties. Damn, I wish that band was still around, they were awesome. For a Murder City Devils knock off. Anyway, as I listened further I was reminded of other great rock bands. Fugazi, Titus Andronicus, JEFF the Brotherhood and Pile to name a few.

What I'm saying is that while there is something solid underlying and unifying most of their work, there is also a lot of diversity and creativity on top of it that. They're energetic, quirky and at times surprising. But also always listenable and approachable. I bet they're also awesome live and hope to see them soon.

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Wild Nothing - TV Queen

TV Queen.
Putting clothes on.
A felt red dress and her stockings.
And when you walk out of that box,
and out of that screen, you're into me.

No, that's not right. I got so lost trying know you.
Trying to touch you. Trying to.

Wild Nothing is Jack Tatum, who records all his albums (three, so far, plus two EPs) alone, but tours with a full band. And they'll be at the new Sound on Sound Fest coming up in November, just outside of Austin. For another taste, here he/they are, as recorded a few years ago in our hometown.

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Cymbals Eat Guitars - Have a Heart

Sweet drip
We get a little lifted
Need this
We never sleep for long
Stop me if I'm wrong

But I'm so out of sync
And you're out of sync with me

Get off on memories of
Things we did when we were young and evil
And I have a heart I want to put to use
Empathy, it never came so naturally 'til I met you

I think it's safe to say that NYC rockers Cymbals Eat Guitars have changed since their math-prog-rock release Why There Are Mountains, which I quite liked, by-the-by. Their second album, Lense Alien, totally lost me, right off the bat, and Lose, while good, never really captured my attention. But it was clear there was something there that wasn't quite resonating. I'm happy to say I think they found how best to share that something. Big time.

Their latest, Pretty Years, is a hit. It's unique, powerful, catchy, and covers a lot of fun ground. It was difficult, at best, to choose which song to feature. I could have gone with "Close" which has an upbeat, almost happy Cure-ish vibe. Or "Wish" whose killer horn-play evokes the best of Morphine. If Morphine was fronted by Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs. Or maybe the "Finally" which feels like a more polished call back to their original sound from …Mountains.

I decided on super and sweet love song "Have a Heart" because it's a fantastic song. 

And I know it's what Kerri would have chosen from this must-listen-to album. <3

HUNNY - Vowels (And the Importance of Being Me)

Man is crippled and dead and
Meek and eager in his sin
Turn around, say you love the way I
Hang around, you miss the spark in my eyes

I was a queen last night
I said "Take to the water"
And let you drink my lies
Like, "Okay, you're right"

You can't spell pain or kiss
Or run away or little mistake
Without me, or A, E, I, O, U

You may not have heard of SoCal synth-rockers HUNNY yet, as they've only released one EP and a couple additional singles (such as this one, "Vowels") in their year-or-so existence. But they are so good!! And currently touring with Bleached and Beach Slang, and hand-picked for inclusion at The Growlers' upcoming Beach Goth Fest. So pretty much you should go see them live asap because you are guaranteed a great show. (Excuse me while I throw a pity party because I can't be in Orange County in two weeks. I know, I know, ACL just ended, and SOS is coming up. I'm a spoiled rotten music lover...) Anyway, hope you enjoy getting to know HUNNY as much as I have!

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Miniature Tigers - Dreaming

These lonely California nights
Staring out at nothing
Without you there's no paradise
I'll see you when I close my eyes
Close my eyes (x2)
And I'll be... Dreaming

New Miniature Tigers, just released Friday! The second single from their upcoming album, I Dreamt I Was a Cowboy, out October 28. While researching what to chat up about these guys, I checked out their twitter feed. Not to get overtly political on TMIS but, I love that they took such a clear stand (and have followed it up, too)...

🚫

A photo posted by Miniature Tigers (@miniaturetigers) on Oct 9, 2016 at 8:38pm PDT

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