While We Were Sleeping is our new segment where we check out releases that we missed during our lengthy hiatus. Today’s catch up is “May HIs Passing Cleanse the World” from Bassdbler.
Longtime friend of the blog Bassdbler released his third album while we were away, the masterful May His Passing Cleanse the World. All of Bassdbler’s trademark elements are here again – bass driven, sprawling, trip-hop influenced instrumentals, intricate arrangements, Dune references a plenty – but May His Passing… brings a new sense of pulsating urgency to the mix. Basdsdbler’s work has always played like cinematic scores to unmade sci-fi classics, but this new release feels like the final 20 minutes, when the stakes are high and we’re not quite sure that the heroes will make it. It’s an intoxicating soundscape guaranteed to make your workday, commute or jog epic. Available at Bandcamp here.
While We Were Sleeping is our new segment where we check out releases that we missed during our lengthy hiatus. Today’s catch up is the “Roburrito’s” EP from The Coke Dares.
Is a concept EP about a Pennsylvania burrito place and it’s fine burritos and burrito accessories what the world needs right now? Turns out, yes. Yes it is. The Coke Dares have long proven that they can make undeniably catchy and impressively short rock songs about such trivial things as carrying big boxes or the need to close a window and this release takes that talent to new heights. Imagine The Who Sell Out but with a single product placement in your ears and frontal lobe, delivered via seven perfect blasts of vocal harmony driven anthems built on all killer no filler riffs. Yes, the world is falling apart, but this EP reminds us that as long as we have rock n’ roll and burritos it ain’t all bad. Get your copy of the EP (spring for the 7″ – worth it for the inside artwork alone) or any of the fine Coke Dares releases here.
While We Were Sleeping is our new segment where we check out releases that we missed during our lengthy hiatus. Today’s catch up is “The 5 Best Songs In The World” by Coolidge.
Gotta love the hyperbole of this EP’s title, but we would expect nothing less from Coolidge, a band that has always combined wry humor with great songwriting that blends rock and ska with undeniable pop sensibilities. Coolidge’s earlier releases put more emphasis on singer/guitarist Chris Smail’s penchant for Joe Jackson style of smart 80’s pop (especially their excellent sophomore release “Pop Star Baby”) but those instincts still shine through on T5BSITW’s much more ska flavored songs. Most of Coolidge’s members were in the much beloved third wave ska/rock/funk/party band Johnny Socko and this release is very much in the spirit of classic Socko. As they say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and this visitation to their old sonic stomping grounds has us smitten.
