HOSER - NOSEBLEEDER

So this EP crossed my path recently and I ended up getting a CD copy as well as purchasing a digital download from the group on Bandcamp.  This is a 3 song EP by Pennsylvania rockers, Hoser.  Initially, I thought it would be typical garage rock.  The kind you hear all over America played in a teenager's bedroom as they cut their musical teeth and start to hone their songwriting skills.  

But I was wrong!  Dead wrong!

The opening track 'NoseBleeder' starts off with a haunting riff that is both promising and somewhat deceptive.  I got excited because I was hoping they'd fall sound wise in the White Zombie spooky rock category, but that intro quickly turns into some speed metal thrashing before settling into the main song.  Hoser's singer, Will, delivers a varied and frantic vocal that fits the track perfectly.  I can still hear that hint of Rob Zombie, but I'm also hearing some complex changes similar to the sort Billy Corgan would drop inexplicably into a Smashing Pumpkins track here and there.  My only complaint is the song ends too quickly.  There's definitely room for another verse or two.

'Perico' is the next track and once again, the band delivers a tight rock experience with some excellent chord changes and a natural build in the progression throughout the track.  As good as 'Perico' is, my favorite cut on the record has to be 'Kensington And Somerset'.  There's a pop sensibility that really shines through on this track and under the right circumstances, it could easily be the type of crossover single that could open new revenue streams.  To put it in a more simple way...  If Hoser were Maynard James Keenan, 'NoseBleeder' and 'Perico' would be Tool and 'Kensington And Somerset' would be A Perfect Circle.  More commercial and more accessible.

I gotta be honest here, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this band as much as I have so far.  I trolled their Bandcamp page and found out they'd also released a limited edition cassette that's already sold out.  That was slightly upsetting.  I would've purchased one.  But, that's cool.  This group, for all their musicianship and talent, haven't crossed over to mainstream commercial production yet.  In many ways, that's to their advantage.  It gives them a more raw sound that fits the type of music they're producing.  My copy of the CD featured a lot of hand drawn credits and song details.  There's a great deal of attention paid to the artwork.  I'm completely excited about that and thrilled to have discovered them so early on.  I've definitely got a collector's item on my hands.

With a proper studio, engineers and producers helping them during the recording process, I suspect Hoser will blow up quickly.  But just remember, you heard them here first!

On a side note, as I've listened to the disc and the tunes, I think the first full length album by Hoser should be called, "The Fat Kid's A Bleeder".  I used to kick that around as a possible band name, but I think it would totally fit this group.  Especially with a strong track like 'NoseBleeder' on the record.

If you're interested in hearing some new innovative rock music by an up and coming group, make sure you visit Hoser at bandcamp.com.  You can follow this link to get there:

https://hosertheband.bandcamp.com/

Pick up their EP and sign up to follow their progress.  Experience it all for yourself and I'm sure you'll enjoy what you hear!  My final words:  AN EXCITING NEW SOUND FROM AN EMERGING BLEND OF SPOOKY ROCK!

HOSER - NOSEBLEEDER
01. NoseBleeder
02. Perico
03. Kensington And Somerset

BEAR HANDS - BURNING BUSH SUPPER CLUB

I stumbled across Bear Hands the way I have a number of bands recently.  They turned up in a Youtube streaming cue as I was listening to music at work.  The first song I heard was 'Giants' (which actually appears on their second album).  I loved it.  From there, it was a fairly easy decision to check out more of their music and I streamed all three of their records.  

For me, this is a new group...  And for a hot minute there, I was running around telling everyone I know about them.  Imagine my surprise when I'd play tracks for people and they already knew who the band was.  I've obviously been living on another planet without knowing how popular this group already is.

Still, I'm really excited about this group for a number of reasons.  First and foremost, I find the lyrics fascinating!  The music is a blend of alt rock and electronica that's absolutely harmonious!  

I've streamed all of the bands albums and truth be told, this particular disc is my least favorite of the three, but I picked it up first because I had the chance to buy this exact version.  My copy is from Australia and includes a bonus disc featuring the band's first EP release, "Golden EP".  It also includes some mixes!  

There's not a single track on this disc that doesn't have something I love about it.  My listening investment varies on individual tracks, but there's parts I love regardless of the number.  'Crime Pays' is a stunning number and the piano is right up front and compelling.  I think this is an interesting choice for an opening track.  You wouldn't think it would be the right selection to open this album and yet, it oddly works.  It demonstrates the band's musical range all in one number.  Once you've digested it, you can move on and comfortably explore this groups diversity without feeling like you've been cheated or robbed.  All too often I've bought a CD because of a single song I've heard only to discover I hate the rest of the music the group is doing.  It's good to know what you're in for right off the bat and that's exactly what 'Crime Pays' does for this record.

The next two songs are great and there are certain lines in the lyrics I find utterly brilliant.  In 'Belongings', I love the line, "At the gentle age of 9, I bought my first 45".  That single line creates a visual image the rest of the song capitalizes on. 'What A Drag' is dominated by the "long nails" lines.  It's an excellent innuendo.  So cool.

'High Society' is one of my favorite tracks on this record.  I love just about everything about it.  From the lyrics, to the music.  If I were to include a track from this record in a playlist, 'High Society' would be it.  'Tablasaurus' is another stand out number with excellent music and a fantastic beat.  'Julien' may be my least favorite song on the disc, but it's not bad.  However, 'Wickey Boxing' is one of the most interesting and haunting songs I've heard in ages.  It's a strange narrative you can read just about anything into.  The metaphysical assertion in the chorus is in and of itself, stunning.  "if you believe in a miracle escape, I believe we will never pass away".  This is one intense track.

'Blood And Treasure' is a fun, pop sensible number.  I could see this one doing well in the charts.  'Can't Stick Em' is another track I'm heavily into.  The rhythm is on point and the lyrics are fun to sing along with.  'Camel Convention' is an odd number.  Reminds me of stuff bands were doing back in the 60's.  'Tall Trees' is another jaunty tune.  This has a line I don't like, but overall, I think the song is good.

The Bonus Disc starts off with the "Golden EP".  'Long Lean Queen' is the first number and although the music is adventurous, nothing stands out too much about this song.  I like it.  And for some reason, when I listen to it I think of Smashing Pumpkins and the Sex Pistols.  'Golden' has a country sound to it.  This one reminds me of something Midnight Oil would've done.  'Sickly Brunette' is musically the most complex of the four tracks on this EP while 'Bad Blood' is without doubt my favorite of the four.  There's an almost Hawaiian sound coupled with the type of rock I think Sublime would be jealous of.

There are four mixes here.  The first is 'Crime Pays' and it's extremely electronica.  I have to admit, I like it better than the original.  The 'Tablasaurus' mix is also heavily electronic and another quality track.  There's a lot of tinkling bell keyboard sounds used in this mix making is sound rather magical.  'Wicksey Boxing' gets a mix with a beat lifted right from Nine Inch Nails' track, 'Closer'.  It's a sinister deep groove and it's gripping.  I find it powerful and mysterious.  'High Society' appears as the final track with a mix that transforms the song into an 80's pop vehicle.  In this particular case, I'll stick with the original.  There's nothing wrong with the mix, but the in my opinion, the song can't be improved.  It's perfect just how it is.

There's a lot happening on these discs.  The lyrics alone are worth dissecting and exploring.  The concepts and ideas are fascinating.  If you like songs that tell stories than this record is for you.  However, be prepared to fill in a lot of the gaps on your own.  The vague nature of some of these songs leaves them dramatically open to interpretation.  But isn't that what makes them so much fun?  You can use your mind to imagine the rest.  And that's exactly what a good songwriter wants you to do.  Personalize the music and insert it into your own life.  Chances are, if you listen to Bear Hands, you'll do that a lot.

My final words:  AN EXCELLENT DEBUT WITH A SPECTACULAR BONUS DISC!  WORTH THE INVESTMENT!

BEAR HANDS - BURNING BUSH SUPPER CLUB
01. Crime Pays
02. Belongings
03. What A Drag
04. High Society
05. Tablasaurus
06. Julien
07. Wicksey Boxing
08. Blood And Treasure
09. Cant Stick Em
10. Camel Convention
11. Tall Trees
BONUS DISC
01. Long Lean Queen
02. Golden
03. Sickly Brunette
04. Bad Blood
05. Crime Pays (Cereal Spiller Remix)
06. Tablasaurus (Aislyn Remix)
07. Wicksey Boxing (Brahms Remix)
08. High Society (Gordon Voidwell Remix)

SMASHING PUMPKINS - DISARM

The Smashing Pumpkins were one of the bands playing heavily on Xtreme radio in Vegas back in the 90's.  I heard them everyday and became a huge fan.  I started buying everything I could find.  This magical little single showed up at a used CD store one day for a measly $2 and I couldn't leave it there.

'Disarm' is a lovely grand tune composed by Billy Corgan.  It sweels, soars and pretty much lifts your spirit from whatever ground it might be standing on.  I'll discuss it more on the full length album.  The second track is 'Soothe (Demo)'.  This acoustic soft cut is a tune about desire/longing/love overcoming something that should or would destroy a relationship.  He's hungry for his lover again.  And that desire allows him to forgive and move past the negative feelings.

Finally, band member and sometime songwriter, James Iha contributes 'Blew Away' featuring himself on lead vocals.  It's an enjoyable song that faintly reminds me of something I'd expect to hear from the Beatles.  Iha has a softer voice.  He's missing the sharp distinction of Corgan, but it's often refreshing to hear it in a Pumpkins tune.

This single with two b-sides it certainly worth the expense of finding.  I'm very happy with mine.  The "Smile" cover is misleading, but memorable.  My final words:  ANOTHER GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN!!!  PICK THIS ONE UP!

SMASHING PUMPKINS - DISARM
01. Disarm
02. Soothe (Demo)
03. Blew Away

HABERDASHERS - HABERDASHERS EP

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see Electric Six play again.  This time in Las Vegas.  Yip Deceiver were the opening act, however, this time, the evening included performances by two local bands.  Usually, the local bands are the groups you ignore and get annoyed with while you wait for E6.

But the first band really caught my attention.  The group is called Haberdashers and they've just released a 5 song EP.  Their set was comprised of the five songs on the disc and I'm fairly certain, they were played in the exact same order as the disc.  I may be wrong.  I'm wasn't familiar with their music enough to know at the time.  But I liked what I heard enough to purchase the EP.  Which, btw, they sold for tips.  They let their customers choose how much to pay.  Interesting approach.  I wonder if it worked in their favor.

I listened to the disc while driving home and I have to be honest with you...  There's an energy the group has live that's missing on the disc.  But it's easy to pinpoint where the bottom falls out.  The lead singer still hasn't quite found his voice.  Don't get me wrong, he's a talented vocalist, but he hasn't developed that one quality that is uniquely his.  That style to set him apart from other singers.  And it's in these pockets of sometimes droning vocals that the group stalls.  

The first song is 'Bombshell' and it starts off sounding like a Southern Rock number.  Or perhaps a better analogy would be to call it the bastard child of Puscifer.  The second song, 'Glass Door' reminds me of early Smashing Pumpkins.  There's some exciting musical moments happening here, but it's the chorus that really brings out the Billy Corgan feel.

'401' is the next track and this one musically sounds like a Sublime Halloween nursery rhyme.  The tempo drags a little on the disc, but live, it has a creepy energy that was completely infectious.  A lot of people responded to this number.  Including me.  'Tremors' comes in with great build.  This is a song I can hear a lot of greatness.  It's another one that's highly reminiscent of early Pumpkins.

The final track is easily my favorite number both live and on the disc.  The song is called 'Screech Owls'.  You've got some energetic playing throughout and it's an amazing tune with so much potential.  The vocal arrangement on this number is odd, but that's where its charm comes from.  "It's oh, so strange..."  Completely brilliant.  This is also the song where the lead vocalist comes closest to finding his voice.  The music allows for some great showcasing by the band and you have some wonderful drumming along with incredible bass and guitar work.

I think this group shows a lot of promise.  What's lacking right now is a strong handed producer who can help the group tighten their fills, solidify a sound and help the singer find his true voice.  I can totally hear it on 'Screech Owls'.  He's so close.

This is obviously I group I'm going to follow and pay attention to.  I'm also going to do something I don't normally do and include a link to their facebook page.  You can find them HERE.  I'm excited because I hear depth in their subject matter, strength in the music and I have the feeling I'm hearing a huge band right at the very beginning of their musical development.  I can't encourage you enough to give this band a try.

My final words:  PICK UP THE EP, GO TO THE SHOW AND GET IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR.  THEY'RE MOVING ON UP.

HABERDASHERS - HABERDASHERS EP

01. Bombshell

02. Glass Door

03. 401

04. Tremors

05. Screech Owls

LINUS IN THE SAPPHIRE - FREE SLEEP

Right off the bat, I thought I was listening to something Wendy & Lisa would of put on "Eroica" or "Girl Bros."  The first number is '( )'.  I've taken to calling it Bookends.  This is a complicated song.  There's a lot happening musically and the aggressive turns it takes are softened greatly by Laura Fisher's surprisingly versatile voice.  At one point, you feel like you're sitting in a downstairs Italian bistro listening to a live acoustic guitar and piano.  It progresses into a strong verse and chorus before transforming into a Smashing Pumpkins rant!  It then subsides and makes room for some vocal sparing before completely blending everything you've heard into a wild spinning dervish.  Let me be completely honest with you...  This song has no potential at all of getting radio play.  But it's phenomenal!  And if this is what we have to expect from LITS, I'm on board!

'Clever Dolphin' makes use of ethereal keyboards to create the feeling of ocean, but then moves into a sinister minor progression.  This song gives me the impression of a dreamscape being described by a waking dreamer caught unaware.  It has the magical intensity of an Owl City track except there's no happy ending here.  There's the hope of resolution.  There are no answers.  Once more, there's some vocal harmonizing with Mike Britt; the second half of this duo.  His voice compliments Fisher's.  The next number is 'Defective Angel' and Britt takes over on lead vocals.  This tune reminds of Shiny Toy Guns.  

Fourth on this disc is 'Soviet Kitten'.  I'm starting to see a pattern emerging in the songwriting.  Many of the lyrical ideas are punctuated by unusual time signatures.  There are many shifting tempos happening and they can be challenging to follow.  But it's this unusual sound creating their unique style.  'Empty Water' is the most accessible song on the disc and follows the more traditional style of songwriting in Western culture.  Fisher delivers her vocals like a gymnast on the uneven bars.  Her voice soars across the music like a razor blade sharp and clean.

'Wait For The End Of The World' is the final track from this EP and hearing this song is like being hit full on by a Semi!  Of the music on the disc, this song is the one track I hope to see live at some point.  I suspect I'll find myself completely knocked out.  There are a couple short movements throughout the number, but they maintain the drive and tempo.  This one doesn't let you go.

So LITS features a remarkable vocalist...  Some fascinating music...  Interesting ideas and stunning artwork.  There's an untamed quality to the music that could be focused under the hand of a strong producer.  In it's current state, LITS will either inspire a huge dedicated following...  Or fade away under the overbearing weight of popular music.  With the right production, the music could cross over to a mainstream audience without losing the integrity or vision of the band.

This disc has been on heavy rotation in my truck for a couple weeks now and I've enjoyed it.  My final words:  A BRILLIANT AND EXCITING BEGINNING!!!!

LINUS IN THE SAPPHIRE - FREE SLEEP

01. ( )

02. Clever Dolphin

03. Defective Angel

04. Soviet Kitten

05. Empty Water

06. Wait For The End Of The World

VIOLENT FEMMES - VIOLENT FEMMES

This album came out in 1982. I remember discovering this band in junior high school. So many kids were listening to them. I think because they used some naughty words. Seems like when you're a kid, hearing someone swear is pretty intense. Of course these days, I don't even pay attention to language like that. It just kinda slides past me. So what can I say about this record? It wasn't the first Femmes tape I bought. The first one was "Hallowed Ground"; which is actually the band's second release. But it was the first one I was exposed to. The band consists of guitar, bass and drums. What the musical trio lack in inventive sound, they make up for with interesting lyrics, rapid paced music and infectious melodies. As simple as it is, this is one record you can readily sing along with and really jam.

Probably the most recognizable songs from the Violent Femmes repertoire show up on this release. I suspect it's also the band's most successful recording to date. Subsequent releases have failed to come to my attention, but most of these tracks are 80's classics. Arguably the most famous song, 'Blister In The Sun' starts off the record at a romping pace. Gordon Gano delivers this ode to pre-ejaculation with as straight laced a vocal as one can expect. In fact, unless you're paying close attention to the song, the lyrics are quite vague and wouldn't even make you think of sex. It's followed up by 'Kiss Off', probably the second most famous Femmes track. During the volatile early 80's when Punk was transforming into the New Romantic or New Wave sound, there was a musical void desperate to be filled and bands like the Femmes combined Americana rock with teenage angst to create a different sound that eventually found a home with alternative country artists like Ryan Adams, Old 97s, Whiskeytown and even some Honky Tonk singers like Wayne Hancock. You can also hear them in the sound of Norah Jones. Mainly from her time with Lee Alexander and you can hear them sometimes in the lyrics of Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins.

'Please Do Not Go' is the group's first attempt at a slow song. I say slow, but it's more of a meandering stroll, making it's way along the neck of the bass guitar. The lyrics tell the story of a man trying to win the heart of his love back. But seriously, if I was leaving and someone sang me a song like this to get me to stay, I'd be running for the hills. Hehehe. 'Add It Up' starts off with Gano singing sadly in the background. Then here comes that driving tempo again. Another classic tune and another well known track from this record. 'Confessions' really is a slow tune in every sense of the word. However, like 'Please Do Not Go', it kinda rambles. There is a strange urgency in the vocal delivery. Gano seems on the verge of revealing something, but never really lets you in on his secret. Once again, the beat picks up with 'Prove My Love'. This is my personal favorite. I love the description of the relationship and the confusion he feels when he sings, "what do I have to do, to prove my love to you."

'Promise' continues the beat. Another excellent tempo tune with an interesting vocal delivery. 'To The Kill' borders on freeform jazz in some ways. The music takes a minute to find a groove, but when it does, it falls into that same half ballad slow song mix we've already heard twice on the record. They perfect this approach on later albums. This particular track has an extremely disjointed feel to the music and I believe the intent is to keep the listener off guard and not knowing what to expect. 'Gone Daddy Gone' introduces a xylophone into the musical mix and is probably the most radio friendly of all the songs on the record. This song would be great for greaser bands or even a Honky Tonk band to cover. I really love this tune. 'Good Feeling' brings in a piano and has the odd feeling of a hymn. You can imagine the song being sung in church. Well if it had anything to do with religion. But like the other songs on this record, it deals with unfaithful lovers, problematic relationships and sex.

This cd release features a couple of unreleased bonus tracks. The first, 'Ugly' sounds like a 50's rock track you'd hear in a soundtrack to a John Waters' film. 'Gimme The Car' is another slower paced tune, but it features some really great guitar playing and I actually love it.

So the Femmes are an interesting band with strange lyrics, odd arrangements and minimalist sound. Altogether, it's quite effective and worth listening to. If you remember this little corner of 80's history, you should pick up this release and enjoy it! It's worth the purchase. My final words: IT ALL ADDS UP!

VIOLENT FEMMES - VIOLENT FEMMES
01. Blister In The Sun
02. Kiss Off
03. Please Do Not Go
04. Add It Up
05. Confessions
06. Prove My Love
07. Promise
08. To The Kill
09. Gone Daddy Gone
10. Good Feeling
11. Ugly
12. Gimme The Car