THE LAYAWAYS - MAYBE NEXT YEAR

December Embers
by Ryan Avellanosa



It's December the First.  It's time to try and lift up our spirits once more.  It's that time of the year once again to bring cheers and happiness to each and everyone.  So here's a little something I found out of bandcamp.  This is a neat collection released in 2009 for the Holidays.

The Layaways is basically an indie rock band from Chicago.  Don't need to know so much about the band except that they play indie pop and shoegaze.  The Layaways is a real good find after all.

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TIME TO GO - THE SOUTHERN PSYCHEDELIC MOMENT: 1981-1986

Flew and Flying
Ryan Avellanosa

This is a pretty good find. But I'm afraid I can't describe this release in full detail. Because I believe this record needs more than just a passive listening to. For lack of a better word. And I also believe that this record deserves more credit. This record was released just recently 2012 by The Flying Nuns. which I guess speaks for itself. The Flying Nuns Records was established by a record store owner who had the vision of producing music from his New Zealand descent. That move grew to what has become New Zealand rock I suppose.  You'll have to listen for yourself to know how they sounded like.  

This record has twenty tracks from twenty bands.   The 19th track, The Doublehappys' Some Fantasy stood out for me at first play. I sure hope someone would try to take heed for no one I'm afraid has anyway. I dare someone tell me which band wrote the tracks Some Fantasy.  You can find The Verlaines + Shayne Carter's version on Youtube.  Still can't tell which is better. And I yet have to listen to it more and more.

JUDY'S FUNERAL - FOUR TRACK EXTENDED PLAY

Polish Shoegaze
by Rayn de Cervantes Avellanosa

This is something different.  Something unexpected from my perspective.  They hail from Poland of all places.  No wonder they somehow or really did sounded a little strange, and for how their names sounded,  Judy's Funeral are Filip Rojek on drums, Piotr Piórkowski on guitar and vocals, and Marcin Lewandowski.  It's punk rock, with a mix of shoegaze and indie.  Just the right sound to be these days.  Though this one is released last April and is their debut  , you'd find their latest on bandcamp. 

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WIRE - CHANGE BECOMES US

Intensive Care Unified

By: Rayn de Cervantes Avellanosa

Besides being English and having been in the music business when I was just around five months old, Wire is one of the most influential underrated bands of their generation.  The punk rock of their time was utile crucial to what has to become what indie music is today.  The early and the late 70s I'd say has produced quite a number of legendary bands such as The Ramones, The Cure, The Clash to name a few.  Some of these bands still thrive to produce music not because they ought to but because they just do.

Wire's career spanned almost for four decades now.  They have a great following considering that they drift in and out of the music scene.  Some of their fans that express fondness for the group include The Smith's Johnny Marr, Guided By Voices' Robert Pollard, Helmet's Page Hamilton, Robert Smith, Sonic Youth and R.E.M. .  This 2013 and 13th release, "Change Becomes Us" has been well received by critics and followers alike.

Website: http://www.pinkflag.com/  

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/wirehq/sets/change-becomes-us

PIXIES - EP 1

Bassist Kims
Released: Sept 2013


Kim Shattuck replacing Kim Deal as the new bassist, not bad at all. They're now touring everywhere I hear especially in certain parts of Europe.

UP DHARMA DOWN - CAPACITIES

Join the Armi's
Released: 2013

Philippines Post-Rock Pioneers Up Dharma Down.  My new favorite Filipino band.  Just the right mix of feel-good calmative music.  Armi Millare's voice gives me the goosebumps brought up by her passionate delivery.  The tracks "Thinker" and "Feelings" for me stood out among the others. And the version of Feelings featuring Paul Buchanan (Blue Nile) is an awesome add-on treat.

GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! - MORE SKIN WITH MILK-MOUTH

Instrumental Math Rock

Released: December 2007

I was completely blown away by this band. Giraffes Giraffes are Joseph Andreoli and Kenneth Topham.  Highly technical yet so free and complacent. One of those bands that would make you go squirm and think of how music should sound these days.  Guitar tapping and complicated drum patterns.  The fill-ins are unmistakably generous and profound.   Every song embodies just the right amount of conflict that almost tells the whole story within.