Eureka California / Black Watch / Primitives at The POP! Stereo

18) The Black Watch – Sugarplum Fairy, Sugarplum Fairy These guys have been kicking around forever.  They’ve never really gotten the respect they deserve but over the course of their career have been fairly consistent when it comes to producing very good pseudo-noise pop with an 80’s British pop feel. Sugarplum Fairy, Sugarplum Fairy is… Continue reading Eureka California / Black Watch / Primitives at The POP! Stereo

Muuy Biien at Tidal HiFi

Blending the fiery fury of early-‘80s hardcore with the trained restraint of Krautrock and post-punk, Athens five-piece Muuy Biien has quickly and decisively plowed its way to the top of Athens’ music scene. The young band has earned high marks from local and national press for its two impressive full-lengths, 2012’s scrappy This Is What… Continue reading Muuy Biien at Tidal HiFi

Noon:30 / Tanya Donnelly / Bunnygrunt at Stereo Embers

Noon:30 – Brought to us with the description “grimy trip-hop urban post-punk,” you can imagine how instantly that got our attention. To this we’d add tribal, moody, whispering with danger, breathing with menace. The product of two young women from D.C. – Blue, vocals and bass, Aissa Arroyo-Hill, guitar and sound design – we’re pretty… Continue reading Noon:30 / Tanya Donnelly / Bunnygrunt at Stereo Embers

Joanna Gruesome/Trust Fund at Maximum Rock and Roll

This split with Wales Joanna Gruesome and UK band Trust Fund offers up some dreamy pop. What I love about Joanna Gruesome is how contained and sweet and melodic they can be, while utterly ripping at times. I mean it’s a hard line to walk, but they do it damn well. Their songs are not… Continue reading Joanna Gruesome/Trust Fund at Maximum Rock and Roll

Crayon at Maximum Rock n Roll

Twenty years after it’s original release HHBTM has reissued this album on vinyl for the first time. If you’ve heard of this band, you probably love them. But for the uninitiated out there, ask yourself this: do you cringe at the word “twee”? No? Okay, please continue reading. This is the album of your dreams… Continue reading Crayon at Maximum Rock n Roll

Throwing Muses at Get It On Vinyl

I was not thrilled to have a Throwing Muses album passed my way to review. At best Throwing Muses was a lingering memory for me, and at worst, I might have had them confused with another band altogether. I wasn’t a Throwing Muses fan when they were in their peak. It’s not that I didn’t… Continue reading Throwing Muses at Get It On Vinyl