By Jason Barnard
The Academy of Sun preview new album ‘The Quiet Earth’ with ‘The Parts That Need Replacing’, a dark single offset with a gorgeous descending melody. Special mention goes to previous release ‘Rose Devoid Of Form’ a stunning track that is to also feature on this LP. With more thickets of imagery and ominous backing, ‘The Quiet Earth’ promises to be one of the key albums of Spring 2020. More information can be found on Bandcamp.
Gare Du Nord join forces with Pete Astor‘s own Faux-Lux label to co-release his album of covers ‘You Made Me’. With the exception of original composition ‘Chained to an Idiot’, Pete draws from an eclectic array of songwriters including Richard Thompson, Joe Strummer, Cat Power, The Silver Jews and John Martyn. Themes of loss and isolation tie this collection together, typified by the first two tracks – Gen Ex’s ‘Dancing With Myself and Elvis’s ‘Black Star’. With a sympathetic production bringing out the poignancy of this material, this superb album closes with Loudon Wainwright III’s definitive statement, ‘One Man Guy’. Available from Bandcamp.
Mark McDowell and Friends Breakthrough is Mark’s 6th studio album building on 2017’s excellent Dark Weave LP. These nine tracks contain are a melodic concotion of his trademark psych-folk, harmony pop and electronica. ‘Give the Gods’ brings all these elements together, a strange dream where Gary Numan, Syd Barrett and George Harrison collaborate. The instrumental title track starts from an ancient folk source before blasting the listener into space rock psychedelia. Pre-order on Bandcamp.
Two reissues by Mod favourites Squire have found their way to Strange Brew HQ. ‘Get Ready To Go’ covers the embryonic Squire from 1977 -78. Covering mod, punk, mersey sounds the material capture the frustrations of youth and late 70s England. It’s an enjoyable rough and ready set with a melodic heart with new track ‘I’m 21’ fittingly looking back. September Gurls (Expanded Edition) sees Anthony Meynell and Quire in 1984 bringing songs by Big Star, The Shoes and The Clones together with Meynell originals to create another strong set, with the melody dial turned up to 11. Both releases are available on the Squire Bandcamp site.
UK producer Stumbleine’s seventh album ‘Sink Into The Ether’ is a tranquil, hazy collection of material where one track seemlessly wash into the other. Standouts include ‘Supermodels’ and a radical reworking of Hole’s ‘Malibu’ featuring Elizabeth Heaton of Midas Fall. Pre-order from the Monotreme Records web shop.
Sen3‘s LP ‘Live’ is a collection of 6 tracks recorded at Jazz Café in October 2019. Drawing from from studio albums The Drop and Vol II, this is an intoxicating fusion of prog, jazz and rock. See Sen3 Bandcamp for more details.
Ex Norwegian are a band centred around songwriter, Roger Houdaille, based in Miami Beach, Florida. For the past decade they have releasing gem after gem of indie power pop. How they haven’t enjoyed huge chart success remains a mystery. Highlights of the 25 tracks (15 on the vinyl edition) are captured in this new best of. Check out the indie-psych ‘Life’ and hook-laden title track ‘Something Unreal’. See exnorwegian.com
The Rezner‘s new single ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ is a breezy blast of punk energy available to stream now. Recalling a time when the indie scene brought wave after wave of excitement, more of this please at therezner.co.uk
The Suncharms were originally active between 1989-1993 and have reunited in recent years. Monster Club remembers The Limit nightclub in Sheffield where goths, punks and indie kids would dance the night away. Hear The Suncharms on Bandcamp.
