Monday Mixtape, Vol. 137

Starting the mixtape with a new troubadour by the name of Alfie Templeton. He’s giving me some vibes of a more pop oriented Mac Demarco. His track “Stop Thinking (About Me)” show his pop chops while “Tragic Love” has that total Mac Demarco chilled out vibe.

ALPINE. These guys & gals are VERY underrated. A Is For Alpine is a really great debut album (from 2013) and no one sounds like them. They just released a new track that is as catchy as their best stuff and a hint of what’s to come on their new album. Check them out, go deep!

Speaking of underrated, Spoon is one of those somewhat unsung heroes of rock n’ roll. They’ve kept the torch alive for all the new bands to take rock forward, and they’re one of the most consistent bands in all of music.

Whitney’s debut album was really good. I can see how they’re divisive since the lead singer’s voice, is, um, a bit high, a bit weird, a bit whiny, and maybe VERY annoying to some, but it works for me, and they’ve developed a pretty big following. I compare them a bit - at least via the relaxed vibe - to Real Estate, though I’ll take Real Estate over them any day of the week.

Omar Apollo sounds like a mix between Gary Clark Jr. and Leon Bridges. Need I say more?

Faye Webster. If you didn’t read my earlier stuff, her album this year is easily one of my favorites, it might still be sitting at #1 today. SO LISTEN.

AND HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 13

I apologize for being MIA since Tuesday, but my Macbook died. I was traveling to DC as well, so I wasn't able to work on the blog! I'm sure you survived.

I heard a version of "Bros" by Wolf Alice - (**TANGENT ALERT ** which is a more raw-sounding version of the song than the one on their debut album. The track on their album sounds much more produced and less emotive. I can't stand when producers or record labels (or maybe the band thought they could record a better version) put their influence on a song and mess it up.

This is the original song:

This is the song on their album:

You be the judge. ** TANGENT OVER **) - a couple years ago which reminded me of The Zombies (remember "Linger," ahhhhhh such a beauty!) and Chvrches, but their subsequent releases have sounded edgier and even more distorted, a welcome evolution for me. The first track of this mixtape showcases this sound, and the buildup on "Giant Peach" would be a great opening track for their live shows while Ellie Roswell purrs and screams like Joan Jett (who, by the way, gave a kick ass speech at her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction).

The comparisons to Twin Peaks span decades and sounds. There's dirt in their amps, feedback in their mics, Mick Jagger in their vocals, and sixties and seventies in their sound. They also remind me of bands these days like Parquet Courts and Broncho, but these guys have a better roadmap for melody and songwriting. The whole album is worth a listen.

I compared Alpine to Trails and Ways a couple weeks ago in my mixtape because both have beautiful female vocals. Alpine is ahead of Trails and Ways in my book because of their upbeat and unique album from 2014 (my #15 Album of 2013!), A is for Alpine. If you like the two tracks on here from their new album, Yuck, definitely check out their last album before the new one!

That's it, have a good week!