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The Bronx – “Youth Wasted”

February 13, 2013 in Indie Rock, Other by chase | No comments

Who knew The Bronx could be so LA?

Who knew The Bronx could be so LA?

After a near 5 year hiatus of recorded material, with the mariachi fresh out of their system, LA’s The Bronx have returned with their fourth eponymous album. While lacking the precise technical execution of fellow heavy noise rockers Metz, The Bronx offer a blistering interpretation of hardcore punk that makes it clear they know how to play their damned instruments. It’s hard to not get caught up in the anthemic, dirty cacophony that stays true to it’s punk roots while toying with Guns N’ Roses-style cheap rock thrills. Oh, so is it a coincidence that former GNR guitarist Gilby Clarke helped produce their first demo in 2002? Probably not.

Banks – “Before I Ever Met You”

February 6, 2013 in Electronic, Pop by chase | 1 comment

Los Angeles-based artists just love the whole "mysterious" thing

Los Angeles-based artists just love the whole “mysterious” thing

The argument about authenticity in music is one I often have with my nerdier audiophiles. Does authenticity in songwriting make for a better song? What does authenticity even mean? You could write a book about the subject, but like they say about porn – you may not be able to say exactly what it is, but you know it when you see it.

And in his case, authenticity screams through “Before I Ever Met You” by Banks. There’s a certain level of detail in songwriting that can’t be conjured up as a narrative (Keaton Henson comes to mind). Laying everything out on the table, Banks’ prelude to a heartbreak is nothing more than just trying to comprehend a situation than anything confessional or conclusive. It’s authentic – and when you add some dark, chugging trip-hop to push it through the fog you have a powerful song on your hands.

Haim – “Don’t Save Me”

October 18, 2012 in Indie, Indie Rock, Pop by chase | No comments

Ride or die chicks

Bring on the Haim! The LA-based trio of sisters made waves earlier this year with “Forever,” and are back with a new single. “Don’t Save Me” is a delicious pop jam with flavors of Fleetwood Mac and R&B that they’re so often compared to. I’ve expounded on them previously, and the Fleetwood Mac discussion really needs to wait until an LP drops, but… hot damn! Seriously that’s all I have to say this time. HOT. DIZZY. DAMN.

King Fantastic – “Coastal Shindig”

July 17, 2012 in Electronic, Hip Hop by chase | 1 comment

Maybe a little too gangsta

It’s one thing to find an artist you want to see doesn’t have any scheduled dates in your area, it’s another to find there won’t be one for the next couple of years. Much love to King Fantastic’s Killer Reese, who was recently sentenced to four years in state prison for what we can only assume was some crazy ass shit. Details are hard to come by, but this is rough news nonetheless.

For the uninitiated, King Fantastic is a gangster ass electro rap outfit from Venice Beach consisting of Killer Reese and his producer, Troublemaker. They’re an earth-shaking combination of South Central-inspired lyricism and nasty bumpin’ bass. They released their latest, SocioPoliticalPimpTalk EP earlier this year, and aside from some remixes from Troublemaker – it’s likely the last we’ll see for a while. What a shame.

All we can do now is throw a Coastal Shindig and pour one out for the homie.

Coastal Shindig by kingfantastic

Milk Carton Kids – “New York”

April 11, 2012 in Acoustic, Indie by chase | No comments

How's that for classic?

Usually two guys with nothing but guitars is only a recipe for subway platforms. But this duo from Eagle Rock, California capture a sound almost long forgotten on their album, Prologue, released last year. “New York” tells a melancholy tale of waiting around in the big city for a wayward love to come around.

Not a bad place to kill some time.

Download Prologue for free from themilkcartonkids.com Thanks to my buddy Dul for the find.

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