Phil Vileza should resonate with fans of artists like John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson and Mat Kearney.
The Re-Examination Service: a new expiramental/instrumental Tucson act inclding members from The Fashionistas and Beautiful Bird... How do they sound? Kind of like late '60s Miles Davis ala Bitch's Brew meets Mogwai. Trumpet, guitar, Rhodes... Pretty cool!
Some Of Them Are Old is a project based on experimental sound. Ideas evolve from drony delayed chords, slashing flashes of fuzz, and ambiguous vocal melodies - all mixed up in an attempt to create catchy creations of white noise.
"With a sound that recalls The Band, Neil Young and The Byrds, this excellent young roots-rock group lends soulful three-part harmonies to catchy, well-crafted songs that stretch out at times, yet never engage in self-indulgent noodling. The Moondoggies' members fit right in to today's Seattle scene, nestled between the sublime folk-pop of Fleet Foxes and the earthier country-rock of The Maldives." - NPR
The Golden Age is American Music Club's ninth album - the second since they broke a ten year hiatus with 2004's critically acclaimed Love Songs for Patriots. AMC's primary songwriter and leader Mark Eitzel has described it as the most instantly pleasing record that they have ever released. Critics seem to agree... as they have been singing its praises far and wide. Fans of Nick Cave, Bill Callahan (Smog), Elliott Smith, Red House Painters, The Replacements, The National and Okkervil River should already be familiar with AMC, but if you are somehow not familiar with American Music Club you owe it to yourself to see them perform live... simply amazing.
"Since 2004's comeback album, Love Songs For Patriots, AMC leader Eitzel has had to rely on his songs and persona alone - which makes The Golden Age even more stunning. His trademark gloom still dominates, but his ability to bend glacial chords around pure poetry remains vital. In fact, it's stronger than ever." Grade A - The Onion
"American Music Club's central values - humility, self-effacement through musical understatement, sentimental candor - may be currently out of fashion, but The Golden Age proves that, handled with care, they never truly go out of style." 7.7/10 - Pitchfork
"The Golden Age... (is) a rich and rewarding set of songs whose gentle surfaces belie their troubling strength." 4 stars - All Music Guide
"The Golden Age is (American Music Club's) most placid disc since 1989's United Kingdom." - Spin
"The Golden Age is a bewitching and thoroughly addictive record that proves that even when they push themselves out of their comfort zone, American Music Club can still come up with a classic." 4/5 - Music OMH
"The Golden Age is the real thing." 4 stars - Uncut
4.5/5 - Alternative Press
"I can't stress enough how brilliant this recod is, how pertinent and valuable its songs are to our lives." - Pop Matters
"a glittering statement of purpose from an institution reinvigorated." 4 stars - Paste
"The Golden Age stands alone as another distinct chapter in the life of American Music Club, precious to those who know them." - Drowned in Sound
"Ha Ha Tonka have created something special and unexpected with Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South, and it's one of the smartest, most striking roots rock albums to emerge in quite some time." 4 stars - All Music Guide
"Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South is a great accomplishment and, even with it's dark themes, a tuneful and bright listen throughout. Despite their lofty goals on this album, Ha Ha Tonka is first and foremost a great rock band. And it's a hell of a thing that the band gets to have it both ways. They'll make you pump your fist while they break your heart." 8/10 - Prefix
Dear and the Headlights, a great indie band from Phoenix. How do they sound? Somewhere between Bright Eyes and Sunny Day Real Estate with hints of The Decemberists and Ed Harcourt.
"Dear and the Headlights...beautifully crafted songwriting, a mix of soaring, emotional vocals, subtly poppy keyboards, and acoustic and electric guitar rhythms over upbeat drums." - Phoenix New Times