The Technicolors - "Lilies For My Lily"
Just over a week ago The Technicolors dropped a new single out of nowhere. This is the way they do things, and while it is mysterious, the rewards are almost always great and professionally polished. They seem to be taking yet another slight turn in their musical direction with this one. I know they've been recording a new full-length album, and I believe this is the first hint of what's to come. On "Lilies For My Lily" they step back from the Britpop and 1960s psych-rock sound a bit to embrace an early alternative vibe that jives overwhelmingly well with early U2, Echo & The Bunnymen and The Mighty Lemon Drops, but especially heavy on the U2 here. This is a step away from their previous EP Ultraviolet Disguise, which was surprisingly synthy and drum machine heavy. It's also strikingly different from the Mix Tape that was available for three seconds last Summer. That said, no matter what approach they go of it, the band they most remind me of is The Technicolors. "Lilies For My Lily" is another showcase for the immaculate voice of Brennan Smiley as well and the analog sounding late-'60s mix applied to the whole thing makes it a catchy track perfect for kicking off the spring season. It will be how the rest of the new album compares. You can catch The Technicolors at Valley Bar on Friday night.
If you didn't pick up a copy of
Wyves - "Jump Into The Water (Boogie Woogie)"
Wyves have been breaking out some killer new material at their recent live shows, and I'm eager to hear those songs on record, but first something a little different. In addition to some rabid new tunes, they've also been throwing around this reimagined, swagger-laden version of "Jump Into The Water" on stage that's a different beast than the original from last year's Spoils of War. Apparently they had some studio time to get that together and the "Boogie Woogie" version of the song is the result. Honestly, I've memorized that album note for note, so when they started playing it this way on stage, it fucked with my groove, but after spending some time with it I like it every bit as much, if not more. It's got a completely different feel and a more Exile-era Stones feel to the entire affair, accentuating the boogie-woogie aspects that make it stand out from the original. Whether it's the harmonica or Evan Knisely's completely different approach to the skins, the backing vocals by Nick Sterling, the wider groove to Brenden's bass line, or the various accents found throughout—it takes a dirty rock song and makes it even dirtier, even more exciting and more deeply invested in the American blues. Even Corey Gloden's vocal take provides a completely different feeling to the whole thing. The video captures them in the act while they were in the process of recording at Red Mountain Studios with Curtis Douglas. It's a minute longer, but in the end, slightly stronger.
Mason - "Rockstar Paperboy"
You may recognize the name Jacob Acosta before your recognize his latest music endeavor of 2017, Mason. You might know him from Roll Acosta or Race You There or from his amazing solo releases over the past few years. He mainly works out of
Devil Grass - "Pioneers"
I've got to admit I've got a bit of a problem putting down Devil Grass' debut EP Dog + Cross since I picked it up. It's only four songs, one of which ("In The Cut") I've been living with for a year, but when all the pieces are put together it's simply a triumphant debut where they run the gamut on all of their talents and explore unique territory on every track. Still, I feel compelled to say something about "Pioneers." This song blows me away on every listen, and I'm somewhere beyond three dozen spins. I don't usually get this excited over a track in the five-minute range, but with an introduction that's got a pure, snarling rock vibe that immediately dispenses of any noticeable twang in their sound for this round. This song would be a killer if it was just reliant on the vocal delivery and the guitars, because therein lies the fundamental draw here—Devil Grass is just rocking the hell out, like G'n'R rocking the hell out. There's