THE LADIES – They Mean Us

Artist: THE LADIES
Album: They Mean Us
Label: Temporary Residence

A match made in math-rock heaven, The Ladies are a new duo comprised of pseudo-gorilla drummer god Zach Hill of Hella and math-pop songsmith Rob Crow of Pinback. While Mr. Hill is the virtuoso and the most obvious upon hearing what exactly his contribution is with his frantic beatings and rolls and clashing of cymbals (and who might put anyone off this album who doesn’t know him better), it is Crow’s knack for good intricate melodies that keeps it all together, letting the weird but wonderful world that they have created (and definitely patented) exist in harmony. With their powers combined they exceed expectations on “They Mean us”, with their chemistry over flowing to create a unique and truly alternative pop record. You can’t imagine anything else like this. It’s an absolutely exhilarating listening experience, from off-kilter meanderings to full-blown psych freak-outs (or to quote accurately the last song name instead, a “Mandatory Psych Freakout”). Fans of both would unanimously approve and the appreciative newcomers would want to look into their respective bands. ~ Reviewer: Riaan (Canned Applause)

LISTEN TO: Richard Haslop on SAFM

Dont forget to listen to Roots to Fruits on SAFM every Wednesday night from 11:00-midnight presented by the ever passionate and knowladgable Richard Haslop!!

HALF-HANDED CLOUD - Halo’s & Lasso’s

Artist: HALF-HANDED CLOUD
Album: Halo’s & Lasso’s
Label: Asthmatic Kitty

Lo-fi bedroom noodling twee-pop goes first testament gospel on this chipper ‘n cheeky albeit offbeat offering from John Ringhofer, a.k.a. Half-Handed Cloud. Pinning songs and rather catchy pop melodies armed with an unusual instrument, the Omnichord (“a vintage 80's kidney-shaped electronic auto-harp/drum machine/synthesizer”) and acoustic guitar and what sounds like samples straight out of video game soundtracks, puns ‘galorify’ here in spreading the gospel. That it’s on the same label as Sufjan Stevens serves only to suggest a great taste in music. “Halo’s & Lasso’s” plays like A Boy Least Likely To gone baroque pop… Someone so infectiously inspired, by, well, their beliefs and life in general, deserves to spread all their love and cheer to especially the unsuspecting. Even in its short running time, Half-Handed Cloud guarantees to turn your frown upside down with a halo, a lasso and my blessing!
~ Reviewer: Riaan (Canned Applause)

PLAYING ON MY iPOD

Playing on my ipod
What's on yours??

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Richard Swift - Not Wasting Time
Black Mountain - No Satisfaction
Pink Mountaintops - Slaves
Arcade Fire - Wake Up
Kelley Stoltz - Words
Radiohead - No Surpises
Friends of Dean Martinez - Dawn
The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work
White Stripes - The Denial Twist
Elton John - Tiny Dancer
Magnolia Electric Company - The Dark Don't Hide It
Interpol - Evil
Martha Wainwright - This Life
Link Wray - Georgia Pines
Grateful Dead - Friend of the Devil
Beach Boys - Caroline, No
Mercury Rev - Goddess on a Hiway
Joanna Newsom - Cassiopeia

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