Primitives Album Stream at Big Takeover

Holy crap! That was our response (actually rather more scatalogical) to the news that The Primitives — that brilliant but short-lived group of Coventry indie-poppers, contemporaries of The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, and My Bloody Valentine, and authors of the 1988 international hit single “Crash” — had reunited to release their first album of new material since their… Continue reading Primitives Album Stream at Big Takeover

Luxembourg Signal at Big Takeover

Although a brand new project, The Luxembourg Signal features members who have been playing together for years as part ofAberdeen (one of the few American acts on the U.K.‘s Sarah Records). Several years, several bands — including long-running LA indie-pop band Fonda and London’s Trembling Blue Stars — and a few reunions later, Johnny Joyner, Beth Arzy andBrian Espinosa started The Luxembourg Signal with Betsy Moyer and Ginny Pitchford.… Continue reading Luxembourg Signal at Big Takeover

Hobbes Fanclub at Big Takeover

Six years into their musical life, Bradford, UK’s The Hobbes Fanclub finally release a debut album that fully delivers on the sound developed on their early CDr and 7” releases. Up At Lagrange embodies all that is great about dreamy, psychedelic fuzz pop. By combining The Jesus and Mary Chain’s immediate genius with the atmospheric qualities ofCeremonial-era Savage… Continue reading Hobbes Fanclub at Big Takeover

Lunchbox at Big Takeover

Having changed their name back to Lunchbox after releasing an album as Bird of California last year on Jigsaw, the Oakland, CA-based duo of Tim Brown andDonna McKean (both members of Hard Left) finally release their third full-length release under their proper moniker. Lunchbox Loves You draws heavily from the psychedelic soft pop Nuggets of the ’60s where each song cheerfully jaunts through the… Continue reading Lunchbox at Big Takeover

Joe Jack Talcum at Big Takeover

After an enthusiastic reception to his first volume of home recordings,1984-1990 (HHBTM, 2011), Dead Milkmen guitarist, Joe Jack Talcum, graciously presents his humble sequel. Assembled from self-released cassette tapes, sometimes featuring friends,Home Recordings 1993-1999 showcases Talcum’s talent as a songwriter and lo-fi 4-track producer. It’s an intimate affair, ranging in moods and tones. While the humorous element of The… Continue reading Joe Jack Talcum at Big Takeover

Close Lobsters at Big Takeover

Picking up right where they left off, C86 compilation heroes, Scotland’s Close Lobsters, return with their first new recordings since 1989. Kunstwerk In Spacetime warps back to the ’80s with two jangling, dreamy, anthemic pop songs that would have played heavily in rotations on “modern rock” radio stations. “Now Time” counters the arguments that all greatness is over… Continue reading Close Lobsters at Big Takeover

Bastards of Fate at Big Takeover

Two years after their debut, Who’s a Fuzzy Buddy?, Roanoke, VA’s The Bastards of Fate continue their uncompromising onslaught of demented pop with an incredibly strong sophomore effort. Vampires Are Real And Palpable filters the dramatic sound of Muse andGhost & Goblin through the lens of psychedelic Ralph Bakshi cartoons and Hanna-Barbera hijinks. A raw darkness runs through the insanity, however, and, as the… Continue reading Bastards of Fate at Big Takeover

Eureka California at Big Takeover

18 months after their debut LP, Big Cats Can Swim, Athens, GA’s Eureka California have slimmed down to a bassless duo for their second collection of fuzzy, in-the-red songs. To be clear, Crunch is no White Stripes schtick. Guitarist/vocalist Jake Ward and drummer Marie A. Uhler can actually play their instruments quite well, immediately setting them apart from the overrated defunct Detroit duo. Rather,… Continue reading Eureka California at Big Takeover

Close Lobsters at Big Takeover

After a recent reunion, now we have the first new recordings by this C86 era band. It sounds like they haven’t lost a step in the 25 years since their last recordings and in particular this release reminds me more of their earlier stuff, particularly their 1st album Foxheads Stalk This Land. Another thing about this… Continue reading Close Lobsters at Big Takeover

Luxembourg Signal at The Big Takeover

Former members of Los Angeles’ defunct, but beloved, Aberdeen reunite for a new band that continues the jangly indie pop sound while drawing heavily from the ’80s. “Distant Drive” on the A side could be Kim Deal singing for Echo & the Bunnymen, though there is also the dreamy, magical quality of the original vocal version of Savage Republic‘s “Andelusia” from… Continue reading Luxembourg Signal at The Big Takeover