Seapony - Go With Me

Released May 31 / Hardly Art Records

Dreaming
I Never Would
Blue Star
Into The Sea
I Really Do
Go Away
Always
So Low
What You See
Where We Go
With You

Simplicity is one word to describe Seapony's debut album Go With Me. The music reflects innocence and gentle romanticism. The group consists of singer Jen Weidl, guitarist Danny Rowland and bassist Ian Brewer. Beating alongside them, is a simple drum machine, barely changing from track to track. The album reminds us of the Beach Fossils EP from earlier this year, as the sound is fairly similar and both releases lack variation. However, where Beach Fossils made up for this in releasing an EP, Seapony have come out releasing a full-length 12 song record, and Seapony's release follows track after track just a little too closely. Sure, it's still a good album, standouts such as 'Nobody Knows' with it's somber atmosphere, 'So Low', 'Go Away' and the infectious 'Dreaming' are all good songs in their own right, and would have made a terrific little EP. But the rest of the songs are too similar to really stand out. That being said, Go With Me is a breezy record, perfect for winding down the busy day and falling asleep to. Perhaps the lack of variation is indeed an attempt at purely making an album that switches from one track to the next without you realising a new song has started. Whatever their intention, this album does have a gentle dosey charm about it. It will be interesting to see where Seapony go from here.

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P.S. Eliot - Sadie

Released April 8 2011 / Salinas Records

Talk
Crosseyed
Sadie
Asphalt
Pink Sheets
Untitled
Shitty & Tragic
Jesus Christ
Peach
Diana
Dead Letters
Mood Ring
Watch On Mute

P.S. Eliot are a clever band. They are able to write and perform intimate melodies that stick in your head and still uphold punk aesthetics. Kate Crutchfield is the primary songwriter and brings these songs to life with her dynamic voice. If you haven't heard of P.S. Eliot before, please also check out their fantastic 2009 release Introverted Romance In Our Troubled Minds. What really sparkles on this new release more so than the previous record is the drumming. The credit is due for Katie's sister Allison, she's a thrilling drummer. 'Shitty & Tragic' has long been on repeat, too addictive to pass. The bouncy 'Sadie' features the lyrics "We're bounded eternally / through frustration and anxiety / the cold and correlated never succeed / oh, Sadie". Katie's lyrics are indeed poetic, honest, personal, and sung with perfection and delicate pace. 'Pink Sheets' sways with nostalgic lyrics, "All that remains / iconic photographs / my vagrant thoughts and the sun through stained glass". Overall this album is a success, but I wouldn't expect anything else from this band. Try and purchase this album on vinyl rather than CD, as it's always better to have vinyl, designed by Kate Wadkins (who also did the artwork from their Living In Squalor 7 inch), it comes complete with a lyrics sheet which is always nice.

Katie and Allison Crutchfield also have another project in the works under the name Bad Banana. Their demos are impressive. For more, check them out at here.

P.S. Eliot Blog
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La Sera - La Sera

Released 15 February 2011 / Hardly Art Records

Beating Heart
Never Come Around
You're Going To Cry
Sleeptalking
I Promise You
Left This World
Hold
Under The Trees
Devils Hearts Grow Gold
Dove Into Love
Been Here Before
Lift Off

Katy Goodman, aka Kickball Katy, can usually be seen backing up vocals for Cassie Ramone while playing bass for Vivian Girls. Her voice and her ability to play the guitar has carried over into the side project La Sera. Katy is now at the forefront of the music, stripped of the lo-fi fuzz guitars. Her voice is ghostly and alluring, addictive and intimate. Late last year we were introduced to La Sera through the wonderfully jangly 'Never Come Around', it still sounds fresh and sweet on this record, as does the second single 'Devils Hearts Grow Gold'. Both songs are pure pop perfection, highlighting Goodman’s gentle flow and honeyed voice. Her vocals are layered to bless the tracks with a richly warm and bittersweet feel. Often, the songs are of love and death, yet despite the bleak outcome of each story they still sound so warm and sunny, eerie yet upbeat. This self-titled record is a shimmering collection of lush pop songs, none of which reach the 3 minute mark. It’s hard not to like this album; it’s too sentimental, too charming and too addictive to stop listening.

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Girls Names - Dead To Me

Released April 25 2011 / Slumberland

Lawrence

I Could Die

When You Cry

No More Words

Nothing More To Say

I Lose

Cut Up

Bury Me

Kiss Goodbye

Séance On A Wet Afternoon

Relying heavily on 60s garage, Belfast’s Girls Names have managed to create a record that sounds like a 60s pop artefact while at the same time sounding incredibly modern. If you like Beach Fossils you will love Girls Names. Noisy, hooky indie pop and perfect-for-mix-tape tracks, this self-titled release is impressive. Production values have improved since their split 7-inch with Brilliant Colors, with a warm feeling throughout the record. The songs 'When You Cry', 'Bury Me' and 'I Lose' in particular, are characterized by a timeless sound of bright and warm guitars. 'No More Words' is a swoony masterpiece, 'Cut Up' is extremely danceable, 'Kiss Goodbye' is addictive, and the closing 'Séance On A Wet Afternoon' displays their fascination with the occult, beneath a vibe that is unforgettable.

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