Plant Magic Man - When We Were Trying to Decide If We Were the Same or Not EP

According to their aptly tagged bandcamp page, Plant Magic Man is an americana, folktronica, hypnagogic pop project from Los Angeles. This 3 track EP is from late last year, but they've released a total of 6 EPs over the last 3 years (all free downloads on bandcamp), and Ill at Ease, a great debut full-length cassette that is not free to share, but is well worth the purchase. Check it all out here.

- Dan

Download When We Were Trying to Decide If We Were the Same or Not EP

Shape Breaker - No Fun

Dan recently forwarded me a ton of backlogged submissions that we've been getting, and Shape Breaker stuck out like a sore thumb. Maybe it was the MBV trollin' artwork, or maybe it was because everything else he sent me sounded like Gin Blossoms covering Camper Van Beethoven. Either way, I've been listening to No Fun a lot lately. The record is far from perfect-- these guys do seem to get lost in their own lo-fi aesthetic from time to time. Still, Shape Breaker's noisy punk rock works more often than not, and they even pepper in some keyboards from time to time to spice things up. I think there's a ton of potential here and I look forward to hearing more from them.

- Steve

Download No Fun

The Weeds - AKA The Lollipop Shoppe

Recently resurrected this one after a lengthy listening hiatus. Still so good. 60s psych garage. If you aren't familiar with The Weeds, The Lollipop Shoppe, or anything Fred Cole-related, get on it.

- Dan

Download AKA The Lollipop Shoppe

Lakookala - Songs for ZeMean

Lakookala is the drum-heavy avant-garde solo effort of Nicole Ranalli of Hollywood, California. This 5 track debut EP is a primal take on the singer/songwriter genre with a raw quality that invites your undivided attention. Her breathy vocals and pained intonations, which bellow from behind her drumset, are emphasized by the overall stripped-down instrumentation. Songs for ZeMean is available on limited edition 10" pink vinyl with hand screen-printed jacket. Only 300 pressed. Grab it at bandcamp.

- Dan

Download Songs for ZeMean

VIDEO: Lil Daggers - Dead Golden Girls

We first introduced you to Lil Daggers last year with their King Corpse 7". They've since released a full length LP on Limited Fan Fare, with a UK press coming December 5th on Song, by Toad Records. "Dead Golden Girls"is the follow-up single to the equally awesome "Dada Brown," which I just realized I forgot to post back when they sent it to us (sorry dudes).

- Dan 

MMOSS - i

Looking forward to catching these guys in a few weeks with Woods/The Diamond Center. Melodic late 60s psychedelic rock from New Hampshire. Great instrumentation. The cassette is sold out, but the LP is still available @ Burger Records.

- Dan

Download i

The Family Stoned - Don't Be Above Me

Out of the fogs of Olympia, Washington, Don't Be Above Me is a mixed bag of punk, blues, psych, and country. The blaring guitar on "High Time Woman" and slowed down version of Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot" stand out on this 5 track EP. Grab the cassette from Wild Animal Kingdom.

- Dan

Download Don't Be Above Me

Narrow Sparrow - Synthworks

Free EP released yesterday of Joe Meek-influenced pop space ballads out of Chicago. Vocally, I was reminded of Heatmiser (who I hadn't thought about in a long time). There's some moments on here that would do the Meekster proud.

- Dan

Download Synthworks

Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor - Spectra Spirit

New full-length from the Detroit-ish psych troupe. Heavy psych with a little southern soul, and certainly a step up from their self-titled record we posted a while back. Pick up a translucent yellow LP from New Fortune Records, and if you're on the East Coast make sure to catch them in the next few weeks. They've also been posting venue bathroom reviews while on their current tour. Check those out on Youtube. I'll do my best to crash their Arlington or Norfolk bathroom reviews. 

11/15 Ralph's Diner, Worcester, MA

11/16 Piano’s, New York, NY

11/17 The Charleston, Brooklyn, NY

11/18 JR's Bar, Philadelphia, PA

11/19 The Sidebar, Baltimore, MD

11/21 The Galaxy Hut, Arlington, VA 

11/22 37th & Zen, Norfolk, VA

11/24 The Motorco, Durham, NC

11/25 The 5 Spot, Nashville, TN 

11/26 MOTR Pub, Cincinnati, OH

- Dan

Download Spectra Spirit

Acid Kicks - Life Dreams 7"

Philly four-piece made up of 3 bassists and a drummer. Sludgy psychedelic shoegaze with heavily reverbed Nick Cave-ish vocals. Churning rhythms and some blazing trumpet provide a sense of urgency that will compel further listens. 300 copies pressed. Order it over at their bandcamp.

- Dan

Download Life Dreams

Sarongs - s/t

Post-surf-punk-no wave discharge from Syracuse, NY. Dark, menacing, mostly danceable, and completely tits. A limited run of 50 cassettes co-released by Prison Art Tapes/Velidoxi. Grab it at bandcamp for $5.

- Dan

Download Sarongs