Review: Bandcamp / Soundcloud / Submissions Round-Up pt 13

Had a load of really good submissions come in of late so time for another round-up...



A very short time ago I reviewed the 'Killing Susan' EP from northern noisniks Fret!...well, they're at it again with their 'Killing Nico' EP (I'm detecting a theme here) and it's another blinder. They've taken a couple of tracks from the 'Killing Susan' record ('Killing Susan','Punch' and 'Swamp Ting' - now re-christened 'Mexican Ting'), messed around with them, adding some faux-brass and harmonium. 'Mexican Ting' certainly has an added mariachi feel to the original amphetamine surf and 'Punch' retains it visceral noise howl. EP opener 'Killing Nico' is a re-working of 'Killing Susan', again keeping the dark hued twang of the original but adds some harmonium drones, making it darker still. I'm not normally one for the re-working of tracks, but I find myself proved wrong (again!)...the tracks have retained their original power and edge but the addition of the brass and drones give them a different dimension.....great stuff! The only 'new' track on the EP is a 14 min version of the 1946 Merle Travis mining lament, "Dark As A Dungeon", recorded live in Newcastle at the arse end of 2015...as the band themselves say, it "leans more towards Swans and Sunn O))) than Johnny Cash." - can't really add to that...dark, drone-laden and as moody as fuck..country music never sounded so good. As this rate Fret! are in danger of becoming one of my fave bands! 'Killing Nico' is again released by Cruel Nature and is available as a super limited cassette or as a download via their Bandcamp page here.





Staying on the noise theme, had an email from the band Vincas and their new LP 'Deep In The Well'...and it's a blinder - if you digged all the great AmRep bands, you will seriously dig this! Vincas are denizens of Athens, Georgia and they reflect the sultry, sweaty heat of the US deep south in their swamp-psych. It brings to mind so many things....The Birthday Party, The Scientists, bits of Wiseblood (no wonder the band cite 80's Australian noise rock/psych as influences) but also the great noise bands of the time - the vitriol of Jesus Lizard, the abrasiveness of Scratch Acid etc. This is a really fine album. Standout tracks are the musical punch in the face of opener 'Blackout', the jackhammer drum driven howl of 'Blood Bleeds' (this brought back memories of Head of David) and the fuzzed-up psych of 'Death March'. 'Deep In The Well' is as black as the mother-in-law's heart and just as ugly but is a riotous listen, evoking memories and forming some more....get it! It is released via Learning Curve Records and can be bought in LP or digital format via the label's Bandcamp page here.





Politburo have a new album on the horizon - 'Barrington Way' is released August 19th and is a fine melange of styles and approaches. From angular, post-punk like opener 'Umm, Rhombus?' via some acid-folk ('Breeze') to some 60's UK psychedelia ('Zoos Of The World'). The album as a whole is a bewitching, intriguing homage to psychedelia, both old and new. I must admit, it took me a good few listens to 'get it' but get it I did and since then it has a good few more listens. It has an innocence and and a freshness that is tailor made for hot, summer days with its hints of early, Syd-era Floyd and later era Beatles. Standout track is undoubtedly title track 'Barrington Way' which, over its 7 minute length, sums up all that was good about British music in the late 60s. If you dig The Chemistry Set, you will dig this. It will be released on LP via Leonard Skully Records on 19th Aug and is available as the now as a 'Name Your Price' download on the band's Bandcamp page here. They are also on tour at the mo' so pop along if you're nearby:

August 7 - Blackpool, Stanley Park

August 12 - Nottingham, Jam Cafe

August 17 - Manchester, Night & Day

August 19 - York, The Basement (with George Boomsma)

August 20 - London, The Betsey Trotwood

August 25 - Glasgow, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy





Next up we set sail for the distant shores of Indonesia courtesy of The Fox and the Thieves, a four piece "Heavy Sci-Fi Psychedelic Rock" who have just released their debut 'Diversity' EP, and the 2 tracks I've heard are pretty darned good! 'Foxes' is all heavy riffs and crashing drums...a stoner's delight. 'Deep Space Alligator' as well as having an ace title, is a cracking tune. Again, full of fuzzed up guitars and pummeling drums, it bodes really well for these guys. I always find it refreshing and heart-lifting to hear such accomplished music coming from areas not normally recognised for 'contemporary' sounds.....good on ya guys! 'Diversity' is available from itunes and also as a limited (100) CD (although can't find an outlet for that.....help me out guys!)





Another band new to me are Brighton's Wax Machine who have just released a new single, 'Red Room'. It is a glorious 5 minutes, taking in The Doors and Brian Jonestown Massacre amongst others. Vocalist Freddie Willatt definitely has a touch of the Morrisons about him and the guitar of Lauro Zanin captures the hazy Californian psych zeitgeist perfectly - an impeccable single and I will have to do some investigating and check out their other material.