Montreal indie rock/orchestral rock band The Dears are set to release their new album, Degeneration Street, on February 15, 2011 through Dangerbird Records. The album is the band's fifth overall and the follow-up to 2008's Missiles. Around the time of their last album, core members Murray Lightburn and Natalia Yanchak dealt with a fairly significant line-up change -- I believe at one point, the band was just Lightburn and Yanchak. But with Degeneration Street, it seems as though a number of past members have returned to the band -- all the more encouraging for the success of the record.
And if you needed proof that the band was stronger than ever, check out this epic performance of the expansive, soaring 8-minute "Omega City" from a fairly recent show in Mexico City. This was, apparently, the first time they had ever performed the song live (whoa). Watch out for the guitar solo! The song will be on Degeneration Street.
Definitely watch this with headphones on if you can. It's really well-mixed.
The new album might not be out until next year, but you can hear and download another cut from it right now entitled "Blood" after the hop.
L.A. psych rockers Darker My Love will be releasing their new album entitled Alive As You Are on August 17th through Dangerbird Records. The album is the follow up to their breakthrough sophomore album 2. It highlights the band's classic influences with honest songwriting and well-thought out arrangements. "I think it was just prime time to try something new," says guitarist and vocalist Tim Presley. "It just felt right. It wasn’t this pre-conceived thing, like, 'Okay, we have to be different.’ I think this is secretly the music we always wanted to make. We wanted to make an album that you could listen to and not just rock out to. Something you can throw on on Sunday morning.”
Hear two new songs from Alive As You Are after the jump. The tracks do have much more of a classic sound compared to 2, and are also not quite as heavy. You'd be forgiven for thinking that these were some unreleased tracks from an overlooked '60s rock band.
OMNI is, for lack of a better word, Minus the Bear's most adult album to date. It doesn't possess nearly as much adventurous riffing as the band's previous releases. It is a lot more balanced, or fine-tuned, in that sense. It seems as though the band has been receiving flak more for their new direction as it's pitted against the familiar sound of their previous efforts. One thing is for certain: OMNI is Minus the Bear's most accessible album yet with a more streamlined sound, one that seems better set for radio airplay.
"My Time" kicks off the album and I still hold that it's the band's equivalent of a club jam -- you could definitely get your freak on to it. It's a synth-heavy song with a snake-like synth riff characterizing the chorus, with lyrics that exude confidence about getting the girl. "The Thief" has a similar pop vibe that sees the band working a funk-type groove, guitar dancing around the drums. Unfortunately, the song sounds more like a Top 40 artist b-side until it reaches the breakdown. The case is quite similar in the electro beat and synth-driven sound of "Animal Backwards," with samples from the synth riff of the preceding track "Into the Mirror."
Minus the Bear's new album, OMNI, is set for release tomorrow through Dangerbird Records, but you can hear it right now over at SoundCloud. We've already heard "My Time" and the b-side "Broken China," and I promise you that you won't be disappointed with what awaits your ears below. It's evidence of the band's growth and features a diverse range of instrumentation. It's eclectic and quite a change of pace from their last effort, Planet of Ice.
As previously reported, Minus the Bear is set to release their new LP, OMNI, on May 4th through Dangerbird Records. You've already heard the b-side "Broken China" and now, you can hear "My Time" straight off the new album.
It's a bit of a departure from the band's old stuff. It's a funk/r & b hybrid -- just listen to the guitar and that synth. "My Time" is like Minus the Bear's slick club jam. Just stop reading this and go listen to it already.
