New Music Monday – 2/12/18

This week we have new work from:

Vundabar
Hockey Dad
Bat Fangs
Dashboard Confessional
Titus Andronicus
Stephen Malkmus + The Jicks
King Tuff

As always, enjoy!

King Tuff
Vermont
“Psycho Star” from The Other, due out April 13, 2018

I was surprised last week by King Tuff’s new song, The Other, brilliant, but brooding and in no hurry to get where it was going. This one is closer to the King Tuff I know, catchy and upbeat, but still not the punky, economical, garage rock of the past couple albums. Dare I say this one veers toward pop? Whatever, still sounds good to me.
tom

Stephen Malkmus + The Jicks
Portland, OR
“Middle America” from a surely upcoming album.

Pavement master mind Stephen Malkmus is back at it with a fairly laid back, kinda country, kinda jammy, definitely catchy indie rock single in his singular style. If you like the more mellow side of Pavement or Malkmus’ previous output, I’d guess you’ll dig this, too.
tom

Titus Andronicus
Glen Rock, NJ
“Above The Bodega (Local Business)” off of the upcoming A Productive Cough due out March 2nd on Merge Records

As we inch closer to the release of Titus Andronicus’s latest album, Stickles and his band have hit us with another banger of a single. Much more subdued than the tracks Titus Andronicus was known for in their earlier days, “Above The Bodega” draws more on classic rock and roll, paying tribute acts like The Band. Unexpected, yet certainly a pleasant surprise. ~ Petey

Dashboard Confessional
Boca Raton, FL
“Catch You” off of Crooked Shadows out now on Fueled By Ramen Records

Dashboard Confessional’s come a long way since the days of “Screaming Infidelities” and “Hands Down”. Carrabba now sports a bit more gruff in his older age but the world weary lyricism of his early days still carries through. A curious change for sure that certainly warrants giving their latest record a spin whether you’re a long time fan or a new comer to their material. ~ Petey

Bat Fangs
Carrboro, North Carolina
Bat Fangs on Don Giovanni Records

Ex Ex-hex (say it fast three times) guitarist Betsy Wright and former Flesh Wounds drummer Laura King just released their eponymous debut album. Loaded with ass-kicking, 80s hard-rock riffs, Bat Fangs is oodles of rock ’n’ roll fun. Good thing they are playing Savannah Stopover Music Festival in a few weeks. Don’t sleep on that show. —Joshua

Hockey Dad
Windang, Australia
“Blend Inn”

2017 Savannah Stopover alums Hockey Dad released their sophomore effort last week. The surf-pop duo mellowed out a bit on the new album, but without losing any of the playful dynamic that made their debut, “Boronia,” a blast. Good indie-pop/rock for your earholes. —Joshua

Vundabar
Boston, MA
“Tonight I’m Wearing Silk”

New releases from Stopover ‘18 bands are dropping like gumballs over the next few weeks but my favorite from last week is Vundabar’s ‘reimagination’ of Mission of Burma’s 1981 classic punk track “That’s When I Reach For My Revolver.” Lyrically and musically it feels like a wonderful passing of the torch among Boston greats. The V’bar version is messy and fuzzed out and I can’t wait to hear it live. The rest of Vundabar’s album Smell Smoke drops on 2/23.- Kayne