Fresh Track: Sleepies “Seriously”
Sleepies are a Brooklyn punk band in the realm of something you’d expect on the soundtrack to SLC Punk. Their newest single “Seriously” is a tale of two halves. The first half begins with some slow power chords and vocalist Thomas Seely announcing his vocals as if they were a speech. The chorus is more what one would expect to hear from the classic garage rock style, with quick moving thunderous drums, guitar and vocals. While I’m not the biggest punk rock fan of all time, I really dig this track for the band’s complete control over their sound. From the slow-it-down and slug-it-out fight to the controlled chaos at the end, it’s a well put together tune deserving your attention this Friday morning. “Seriously” is the debut single off the group’s second LP entitled Weird Wild World due out August 21.
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Written by Greg Dahman
Fresh Track: Xylos “Summerlong”
Last summer there was a certain feel that Dirty Gold’s “California Sunrise” offered to my rotation. This track was fresh and it’s top down approach provided me with an anthem to heal the burn of countless hours in the summer sun. As I spent a recent afternoon thinking about this track I sat and wondered what was going to be offered to me in the same capacity this year to put my summer mind at ease. Enter Xylos “Summerlong”.
Xylos are five-piece electro-pop group from Brooklyn and their recent track “Summerlong” offers a similar quality to “California Sunrise”. The track enters with singer, Monika Heidemann’s smooth vocals and then quickly pops over to a healthy vibe that is baked with layers of powerful synthesizer riffs. I have been playing this song non-stop and feel like it can serve as the perfect elixir for anyone that regularly adopts a case of summer time blues.
While I look for the next summer time track to stick I will lean heavily on the “Summerlong” whenever I am looking for a quick moment of summer escape. If you are looking for a weekend extender then make sure you turn this one up loud as you get to your desk on Monday. I hope this is the first of many get a ways that I can introduce as the temperatures heat up.
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Written by Brett McGrath
Band to Watch: Baby Alpaca
Tuesday night was yet another confirmation that Brooklyn is the current hotbed of independent music. I finished up work for the day and hopped on the train to catch Gauntlet Hair at Glasslands. I absolutely adore the sound that Gauntlet Hair is able to produce and they played a fantastic set topped off by favorites, such as “Top Bunk.” While I expected Gauntlet Hair to deliver, it was opening act Baby Alpaca that really struck a chord.
Brooklyn’s Chris Kittrell uses the Baby Alpaca name to promote a dream rock vibe that comes off as a combination of Chris Isaak and Depeche Mode. As his set progressed, I continued to lean over to my friend that I met for the show and discuss the little moments of brilliance that we both saw. Kittrell, a Cincinnati native was dynamic with his delivery. Some of his songs were stripped to promote his unique vocals, while others were backed with a drum beat to create a more party-like atmosphere. The crowd in attendance roared as he closed out his set and fans begged for more.
One night in Brooklyn quickly makes me realize that it is impossible to dial into the pulse of all the great musicians that are playing small venues all across the country. This will not be the last time that you hear from Baby Alpaca. It is evident that Kittrell has the talent and the background to take this project a long way. I expect the buzz to pick up for Baby Alpaca as the debut full length is set to be released this summer. In the meantime, download their EP for free and make sure keep an eye out to see if they roll through your region.
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Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 