It's Stupendous!!

Tough Tittie
Pink Roid Rage
Self-Released
Street: 05.12
Tough Tittie = Spörk + Butthole Surfers + Mötorhead

Tough Tittie has the greatest band name of all time. How could there ever be a band name that could ever compare to the perfection of Tough Tittie? It transcends life. The only thing that can compare with their band name is their choice of album title. Damn. The album cover even comes with a new rendition of Earth Worm Jim in a suit. This is music that you can only listen to when you are drunk because I think these guys were drunk when they made it. It’s punk country thrash and it’s mind blowing it’s so good. Their compositions are well thought out and original. You can really tell how seriously these guys take their band and their music. Stand out track is “Best Place in the World to Kill a Girl.” Yikes!

The Poles

Twelve Winds

Double Plus Good

Street: 04.28

The Poles = Transfer + Tom Waits + Grails + QOTSA

The tones and timbres of The Poles’ debut full-length are the thing that jump out at you the most; every sound seems like it was meticulously molded to be rugged and dirty. It has an early post-hardcore vibe to it. These guys are the coolest-sounding band that has come out in the last year. They are all about developing atmosphere and mood. Imagine if the band Juno took beans, slammed booze constantly and smoked camel studs. If you are looking for a band to break up the monotony of everyday sounds, these dudes got it nailed down. It was definitely a wise move for bassist Matt Gentling to leave Band of Horses and hook up with The Poles. If this band ever comes into town, I am totally going to get drunk and go home with them and pray that they take advantage of me. I’m in love.

Eric Openshaw Band

This Stage

Self-Released

Street: 03.31

Eric Openshaw Band = Hootie and The Blowfish

I know who I want to marry now: Eric Openshaw! He is such a dreamboat, and his music is so creative and original—definitely God’s gift to music and the world. Ever since I received his album, I have longingly stared at the beautiful, seductive glamour shot of him posing next to the dryers at the laundromat. I tell you what, he can wash my drawers any day of the week—he is going to need to because every time I listen to his playfully romantic acoustic pop I get so excited that I can hardly keep from fainting with excitement. I just hope that I hook up with him before my mom hears his music and becomes hopelessly seduced too. Bogus!

Aeroplane Pageant
Even the Kids Don’t Believe Me
Self-released
Street: 06.23
Aeroplane Pageant = Broken Social Scene + Flaming Lips

I had some high expectations for this album. I had heard of Aeroplane Pageant around town and how pimp they were supposed to be. I have to say that I was mildly impressed. They are sweet and poppy-sounding with a tinge of noise mixed in. However, they are lacking some serious drive and direction. These guys need to hire a really good drummer to give the music some cajones! The atmosphere and experimentation is there, but it has no energy and just seems to meander on and on. Much love to Aeroplane Pageant, but I would suggest giving Zach Hill a call.

Gonzales
Checkmate
Chorus of One
Street: 06.16
Gonzales = Coyote Shivers + The Bacon Brothers

It is amazing to me that bands like this exist. It boggles my mind that four people will get together and pump out the most generic music possible and actually feel confident putting it out and having their name associated with it. Gonzales is a perfect example of this modern-day tragedy. This is the most generic, blues-tinged, bar-rock music of all time. Seriously, I want to meet the person that actually takes time out of their day to go purchase this album and listen to it. I just feel bad that bands like this are around because it takes attention away from creative, original bands that deserve it.

Joan of Arc
Flowers
Polyvinyl
Street: 06.16
Joan of Arc = Cap’n Jazz + Owl + American Football + Ghosts and Vodka + Everyoned + Make Believe + Friend/Enemy

Good ol’ Joan of Arc—so flashy, so experimental, all the pizzazz that you could ever want from a band. Tim Kinsella is so fresh and so clean. I really have tried to love this band several times and every time they pull me in and then Timmy starts throwing down his blunt semi-ironic lyrics and it totally turns me off. All I really want to do is spend one romantic evening getting all sultry to the sounds of Joan of Arc, but Tim’s stank lyrics keep ruining the moment. I think that he needs to mellow out on the poignancy.

Push-Pull
Between Noise and The Indians
Joyful Noise
Street: 06.09
Push-Pull = Jackson 5 + Melvins + My Balls

I gots mad respect for Push-Pull. Bands that try to bring it and make creative, challenging music are way too few and far between these days. You can tell these guys actually care about bringing something new to the world of music. These sweet pieces of action are the perfect combination of the Pixies and Primus, with Isaac Brock rocking the mic on vocals. It’s good stuff and if you listen to these dudes and don’t like it, you are lame and need to pull your head out and get down to the gratuitous rhythms of the pulse-pounding, funk/punk rock of Push-Pull. You know their name and you know how they be living, big up to Push-Pull for the jams. You guys have definitely gained a new fan.