Fresh Track + Video: Palomino “Ponte Vecchio”
The New England Patriots and their fans are set to infiltrate my turf as they have earned a trip to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI. My biggest nightmare has turned into a dark reality as Billy Cundiff decided to channel his true, inner Ray Finkle. While it is yet to be seen whether or not Mr. Cundiff goes Louis Einhorn on all of us, I struggle with finding a coping mechanism during these next two weeks. While I will opt to take cover in my downtown apartment to avoid the pain, I have decided to turn to the only thing that can possibly put my soul at ease – music.
It is my best guess that a myriad of residents from this great city will show their support to the Patriots opposition. New York Giants fans will be accepted and embraced by Hoosiers abound. What better way to leverage this new partnership than by using this blog to support the great music that comes from the Big Apple. I introduce you to New York’s Palomino.
Palomino is comprised of Elijah Campbell and Mike Sweeney. The duo is set to drop their self-titled, debut EP on at Ella in NYC on February 17. Their influences consist of Built to Spill, The Clash, and the Replacements. Not a bad set of bands to look to for inspiration. I was impressed when I saw the video for their single “Ponte Vecchio” and hope it is the first of many NYC bands I choose to cover as we lead up to the moment when all eyes are on Indianapolis. I welcome all of our readers to not only listen to Palomino, but use it as an East Coast elixir during times of despair leading up to the big game.
Connect with Palomino via Facebook | Bandcamp
Written by Brett McGrath
Album Review: Magnetic Island LP
Brooklyn, NY’s Magnetic Island dropped a self-titled LP yesterday. The release is their first full-length effort. The band weaves distorted guitars, resounding percussion, and melancholy vocals, building them up until they’re ready to break. Fortunately for the listener, the sound never breaks and Magnetic Island continues to ride this unlikely wave. In this writer’s humble opinion, the band hits the equivalent of an auditory home run. Exhibit A: “Whatever You Wanted” – an instrumental eargasm of Strokes-like proportions.
As with most things worth making, this debut did not arrive without its fair share of tears and toil. The release date was initially scheduled for the fall, before distance caused a delay. Magnetic Island recorded the bulk of the material with Pete Weiss at his Athens, VT studio, before returning to their original home base of Brooklyn. This led to a lengthy process of phone tag and email exchanges for the mastering phase of the project.
Whatever disrupted, long-distance accident created this album, it worked. The delay of a release can often lead to overthinking and tweaking of songs until they wind up shells of their original selves. This doesn’t appear to be the case with Magnetic Island. They just needed time for the stew to boil and the flavors to meld. Exhibit B: “When You’re Finished” -a dense, dark, guitar-driven track that hits with the force of a freight train.
On the first few listens, Magnetic Island has inserted its name into the conversation of front-runners for my favorite new artists of 2012. That being said, it’s early yet and I excite easily. Only time will tell whether their debut LP will be one that I carry with me throughout the year. One fact is certain, I don’t plan on putting it down anytime soon. For my closing argument, I leave you with Exhibit C: “Acadia”
Now, go buy the damn thing via Magnetic Island’s Bandcamp page. A digital download will run you $5, or double your investment for a signed copy of the CD. Who knows, it may be worth something one day.
Connect with Magnetic Island via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Rob Peoni
Fresh Track: Conveyor “Mukraker”
I’m a big fan of layered sounds. The best music is often like the best meals: simple, quality ingredients are paired with a few essential flavors to allow the food’s most redeeming qualities to shine. This is the type of recipe that Brooklyn band Conveyor serves up on a regular basis. They dropped their latest single “Mukraker” this week. The band reminds me of Portland’s Typhoon, with a little more minimalism. It takes skill to break a song down to its core and then rebuild with only the most important pieces. Too often bands wind up masking that essential melody beneath sounds that distract rather than support. Stream “Mukraker” below, and keep your eyes peeled for their full length debut later this year.
Connect with Conveyor via Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 