7-Inch Vinyl Releases
Catatonic Youth
Piss Scene
Horizontal Action
originally published September 3, 2008
No, Catatonic Youth isn't a hardcore band; in fact, it's pretty far from it. And by "it" I really mean "he," for Catatonic Youth is but one singular dude. And not just any one dude, but one who makes records that sound like The Jesus and Mary Chain redoing the first Stooges LP with a four-track and a delay pedal. So, y'know, records that sound amazing. It is, yes, thoroughly rocking. Heavily delayed cat-calls break up both the languorously slurred riffs and vox of "Freedom Vanilla" and the more upbeat garage chug of "I've Had It." And there's still another song! So you get three awesomely noisy anthems full of fist-pumping and faux-indignity for a paucity of bones, which is a total steal.
In a band? Run a label? Hate money so much you've made yourself a seven-inch? Lemme hear it. Send an email to music@flagpole.com and mention Singularity in the subject line.
Orphans & Vandals
"Terra Firma" b/w "Christopher" (10")
Independent Release
originally published September 3, 2008
This is troublesome stuff full of warning signs - from the painful sincerity and pretension to the theft of Life Without Buildings' distinctive vocal style to the self-impressed omnisexual street poetry lyrics (think Lou Reed without any self-awareness). Yes, Orphans & Vandals are kind of embarrassing, and yet still totally bewitching. The band may be too impressed by its own talent and overly indebted to its influences, but I can't stop listening. Maybe it's because I'm a huge fan of those influences and appreciate ambition in general, even if it's pursued awkwardly. Or maybe it's because, despite their faults, the two songs on this record are imminently listenable. "Terra Firma" is especially strong, but both numbers combine the aforementioned vocal and lyrical tics with droney yet melodic indie-folk orchestration, like Belle & Sebastian covering the Velvet Underground. The whole's definitely greater than the parts.
In a band? Run a label? Hate money so much you've made yourself a seven-inch? Lemme hear it. Send an email to music@flagpole.com and mention Singularity in the subject line.
Lesbian Afternoon
"Three Owls Teahaus" b/w "Pass the Joint"
Hand Rolled
originally published September 3, 2008
This single features art-pop weirdness from a friendly Atlantan named Mike Koenig, once a late-stage member of the great band Bob. Lesbian Afternoon ain't no band, but rather a one-man operation with some lofty and artistic goals. Koenig dresses up the rocking A-side "Three Owls Teahaus" with impressive studio trickery like a lo-fi Eno, and he recalls a more dramatic Thinking Fellers Union (etc.) in the process. He plays it relatively straight on the B-side, "Pass the Joint," acoustic pop that recalls a less obtuse Ariel Pink. Both sides have a bit of that Pinkish outsidery pop savant feel, but not quite as effortless or extraterrestrial. Good work, Mike!
In a band? Run a label? Hate money so much you've made yourself a seven-inch? Lemme hear it. Send an email to music@flagpole.com and mention Singularity in the subject line.
Nice Face
"Thing in My Head" b/w "Hidden Automatic"
Sacred Bones
originally published September 3, 2008
Nice Face presents another slab of super fuzzy homemade synth-rock, ą la Blank Dogs. Call it a trend, a movement, whatever, it's still a great time to be a fan of lo-fi noise-pop. "Thing in My Head" messes around with a single riff for about three minutes, with a two-note bass-line bouncing around synthetic drum beats, distorted guitar with reverb, and dueling keyboard lines. "Hidden Automatic" vamps on another monolithic riff, but with a bit more swagger, and it actually sports a chorus for maybe a whole 10 seconds. Both sides win big, and I can't wait to hear more.
In a band? Run a label? Hate money so much you've made yourself a seven-inch? Lemme hear it. Send an email to music@flagpole.com and mention Singularity in the subject line.
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