Album Review: Caveman ‘Coco Beware’
Winter in the Midwest. It’s bleak. It will rain for days and then it will turn around and snow. The sun hasn’t risen when you get to work and it’s setting when you leave. And let’s not forget, it’s bitterly cold the whole while. But despite all this, I actually like winter. I read more. The beer is darker. Saturday Night Live is on. It’s a time to recharge your batteries after a summer and autumn spent out and about. These are all good things.
But just as California beach pop like Dirty Gold fits a summer drive with the windows down and Cut Copy the club on a Saturday night, we need music for relaxing with in the winter…something that fits the mood of the season. I’ve been listening to a lot of Atlas Sound’s Parallax recently, and now I have a new album to put in my winter rotation, Caveman’s debut LP CoCo Beware.
Caveman is a five-piece band hailing from none other than (surprise!) Brooklyn, NYC. Its members consist of Matthew Iwanusa (Lead Singer/Guitar), Jimmy Carbonetti (guitar), Stefan Marolachakis (drums), Sam Hopkins (guitar) and Jeff Berrall (bass).
On your first listen, you’ll notice the record is incredibly easy listening from beginning to end. The songs are slow paced and methodical, flowing so well from one to the next that you’ll be thinking you are still on track 3 when you’ve already reached the end. But don’t let the mellowness to take away from the beauty of this record, because this is a talented band making some great music. Peaceful vibes, crisp harmonies, and lyrical repetition make this a perfect listen when in search of some R&R.
“Old Friend” is probably the best known track on the album due to its airplay on Sirius XMU; however my personal favorite is Decide. The drum beat and vocals on Decide bring about the nervousness of waiting that builds throughout as the chorus is repeated over and over.
I know the feeling though is make me feel so mean / In time we don’t know exactly what you need / I can’t believe it’s just another year to go so I / I hold…it seems right this come for me
When I hear this song I can’t help but picture someone sitting with their hands together tapping their foot, and just waiting…for something, anything, to come their way. Other highlights on the album include “Thankful” and “A Country’s King of Dreams.” Listen to “Decide” below:
If you are a fan of Fleet Foxes or Cass McCombs, this album is definitely worth a spin as I think you’ll get that same sort of feeling from listening to it. CoCo Beware is out now and available for purchase.
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Written by Greg Dahman
Album Stream: The Loom ‘Teeth’
Last night, Brooklyn’s The Loom put on a spectacular show at The Melody Inn. A sizable crowd turned out to hear songs from the band’s full-length debut Teeth. The album showcases the unique instruments and voices that serve as the driving factors behind The Loom: satisfying vocals, strong guitar, French horn, and a dynamic percussion section.
The band was featured on NPR Music’s ‘World Cafe‘ last week. The Loom lived up to and surpassed the buzz created by Bob Boilen and friends. Fellow Brooklyn artist Cat Martino served as support along with Dan Snodgrass from The Bonesetters, The Bears of Blue River and Daniel Paquette.
Indianapolis music fans turned out in droves despite the poor weather Monday night. MOKB Presents had a nice showing at Radio Radio for Shonen Knife. The Japanese chicks played Ramones covers for a cult-like contingent of early punk fans.
Listen to the entirety of Teeth below. Purchase the album via The Loom’s bandcamp page for $10.
Written by Rob Peoni
Album Review: The Drums ‘Portamento’
Poppy 80’s bleeps followed up by a vocal resurgence of Morrissey’s dramatic tones, welcome to Portamento! The Brooklyn-based New Wave rejuvenators released their sophomore LP, and the result is gnarly. The listening has been done and the hint of a second year slump is slam danced by The Drums.
Jonathan Pierce and Jacob Graham found each other after a brief hiatus in 2006 to form The Drums. The electrophonic group Goat Explosion had ran its course. Pierce and Graham manned up other projects before reuniting the Post-punk vibe with The Drums. Tubular reach and bright identity move by the group to continue to pull from influences such as The Smiths and Joy Division. A lot of people my age were too young for groups like this so we are all trying to absorb their catalogues as quickly as possible. The Drums provide themselves as a seamless fit during this musical understanding.
Portamento is an awesome album in 2011 because the formula has not changed. We all saw the polarizing rediscovery with MGMT’s Congratulations. Casual fans hated it, dedicated fans were split, and hardcores…well remained hardcore to their vision. If you were a fan of The Drums self-titled album, then there is no reason to battle this conflict. The single, “Money” picks up where “Let’s Go Surfing” and “Me and the Moon” left off. Whether it is visiting the moon, riding a wave, or demanding to buy you something The Drums always have a very kind way of demanding your attention and expressing their fun.
The track “Please Don’t Leave” brings me closest to the Smiths comparison.
Please Don’t Leave
Please Don’t Leave
Please Don’t Leave
Where Will I Go?
Where Will I Go?
Irking, bleak pleas for reconnection show doom as Pierce’s vocal chords pop, yearning for that lost one. This formula helped build Smiths nation 30 years ago and assists with creating The Drums’ buzz. I hope that by avoiding the slump and staying true to their roots will allow The Drums to elevate to the next level in the indie hemisphere. Their close attention to their ancestors earns them this progression.
Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 