Last week we’ve informed you of a new Cavalheiro EP, Ritmo Cruzeiro. Fresh off it is this video for my favorite song off the EP, the amazing “Fundo do Mar”, which has been directed by Carlos Marques.
Italian folk-rockers Pocket Chestnut had just put out a new four song EP for free download. To celebrate it, the band – old fans of our website – was kind enough to provide our readers a Bolachas-exclusive Mediafire download link so you can listen to it anywhere. Grandaddy fans will certainly find Outness to be seriously interesting… Stream it below and take your own conclusions. There’s also a limited edition of 200 CD-rs available on their upcoming live shows; if you don’t live in Italy just contact them and they’ll send it to you for 3 euros + shipping.
<a href=“http://pocketchestnut.bandcamp.com/album/outness-ep” data-mce-href=“http://pocketchestnut.bandcamp.com/album/outness-ep”>Outness* EP by Pocket Chestnut</a>
DSS
I discovered Maps & Atlases a while ago, when I was sent a physical promo copy of their 2010 album, Perch Patchwork. And I enjoyed it, even though the title track really, really, REALLY reminded me of a tune on Pokémon Sapphire for Lilycove City. Good game, by the way. Gotta catch’em all. Anyway, my point is this: if you want me to listen to and enjoy your band, send physical copies of your records. I’ll give you my address and everything and write the best review you’ll ever read. Honestly. “Remote & Dark Years” is Maps & Atlases’ first single for their upcoming album, “Beware & Be Grateful”, and it’s a nice folkish rock song in the vein of Bruce Springsteen, whose show I’ll miss next month BECAUSE I WAS SCHEDULED A COLLEGE EXAM FOR THE NEXT FUCKING DAY AND
PAC
Things I hate: when parents name their kids “jr.”. It sounds to me like a stupid attempt to perpetuate whatever legacy that they think they have. It’s arrogant. It’s ridiculous. It’s almost as retarded as dressing twin brothers IN THE EXACT SAME FUCKING FASHION, but I digress. Charles Hammond Jr. is a singer/songwriter from Chicago who just released a new EP, Hello, My Name Is…, four tracks of decent, soulful pop perfect for a rainy day like the ones we’ve been having. Also, the guy has less than 1000 plays on last.fm, so it’s a good way to up your cred. Check out his Bandcamp, below.
<a href=“http://charleshammondjr.bandcamp.com/album/hello-my-name-is-ep” data-mce-href=“http://charleshammondjr.bandcamp.com/album/hello-my-name-is-ep”>Hello, My Name Is… [EP] by Charles Hammond Jr.</a>
I’ve been hearing quite a bit about Willis Earl Beal lately. About his former homelessness and his relationship with his grandmother. About how he used to leave CDs in random public places and give out flyers that said “I like oatmeal, train stations, night-time and chamomile tea. Call me.”. About his “years of toiling in obscurity” (though he’s only 27), making music while working the night shift as a hotel porter. And among the few things white hipsters can totally get behind, a formely-homeless black guy who wears Bukowski T-shirts and makes music using discarded instruments found at flea markets is definitely one of them. These biograpic details are the stuff legends are made of. And his lo-fi sound, reminiscent of 90s indie rock bands but, unlike those bands, definitely un-middleclass, only reinforces his “authenticity”.
What’s surprising is that, regardless of the hype, his songs are actually good. While listening to the whole album (Acousmatic Sorcery) might tire a little – variety is not one of Beal’s strengths and the songs are not exactly what you’d call catchy – there are enough interesting things going on to make it worth your time. Sambo Joe From the Rainbow and Monotony are highlights. And if you have a thing for album closers, as I do, bonus track Masquerade is as good as they come.The song’s strongest asset, apart from Beal’s skin-crawling voice, is the monotonous catchy-yet-subtly-unnerving whistling that never quite lets you become comfortable with the song – a warning to always be on your guard*. Have a listen.
*I may not be the only one finding myself wanting to yell “Yo, Omar’s coming, YO!”
EAK
