Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are surviving Black Friday. Here are five more artists and releases to check out to keep you going through this stressful holiday shopping season.
Artist Name: Mantell
Album Name: Thirty-Two
Label: Marshmallow Pavement Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Lulu; 2. In the Sun; 3. For Something Else; 4. Read my Mind; 5. The City
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: We do love our Australian indie artists, and Mantell is another one of them. We featured their lead single, “Lulu,” in our Ten Great Singles of September article, and are very happy for the chance to review the entire EP. We love their indie rock vibe, and think they would do quite well on American radio, especially on the college circuit. The vocals are haunting and the accompaniment is spot on. This one will get under your skin and never let go, so give in to the temptation and embrace it.
Recommendation: Definitely Get it.
Artist Name: Whispering Sons
Album Name: Image
Label: Cleopatra Records
Genre: Post-punk
Track Listing: 1. Stalemate; 2. Got a Light; 3. Alone; 4. Skin; 5. No Time; 6. Fragments; 7. Hollow; 8. Waste; 9. Dense; 10. No Image
Publicist: Shameless Promotion
Review: We have reviewed a lot of post-punk bands this year, and this is definitely one of the best. Their music has a very new wave vibe with well-written lyrical content that brings these songs to life. Best tracks include “Stalemate,” “Alone,” “Fragments,” “Hollow,” “Waste,” and “Dense.” This one has a true Depeche Mode vibe, especially “Dense.”
Recommendation: If you love post-punk and dark wave music, then this one is a must-have for your collection.
Artist Name: Elkka
Album Name: Full Circle
Label: femme culture
Genre: Dance/House
Track Listing: 1. 2000 and F_cked; 2. We’re Here (Again); 3. One; 4. Talkin’
Publicist: Worldwide Friendly Society
Review: We introduced you to this artist back in July when we featured her single “Stay (warm edit)” in our Monday Mashup column. Elkka is also a DJ in her native London and the founder of her own label, femme culture, which supports female artists. This one will get you off the couch and on to the dance floor, as the rich electronic tones get you in the mood.
Recommendation: If you love house and dance music, then definitely check this one out.
Artist Name: Viva Death
Album Name: Illuminate
Label: Functional Equivalent Recordings
Genre: Alt Rock
Track Listing: 1. Ready to Go; 2. Trip; 3. Sound the Alarm; 4. Windows; 5. Don’t Box me In; 6. Two Hands; 7. Seasons; 8. Petitioning the Black Wall; 9. New Terrors; 10. Unclear; 11. Storm; 12. Slipping Away; 13. Man in the Street; 14. Damnatio Memoriae
Publicist: Shameless Promotion
Review: This is the band’s first album in eight years, and founder and bassist Scott Shifflett (Face to Face) and producer Chad Blinman keep it rocking hard, just like it says on their first single, “Ready to Go.” Shifflett and Blinman form the core of the band, which features a revolving cadre of collaborating musicians, including Shifflett’s brother Chris, the guitarist from The Foo Fighters. Their music raises alt rock to an entirely new level, and do not fail to impress. Their music is ripe for radio airplay and for placement consideration in television and film. Best tracks include “Ready to Go,” “Trip,” “Sound the Alarm,” “Two Hands,” second single “New Terrors,” “Unclear,” “Storm,” “Slipping Away,” and “Man in the Street.”
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one!
Artist Name: Polly Panic
Album Name: Losing Form
Label: Write Hook Records
Genre: Cello Art Rock
Track Listing: 1. Annie; 2. Beggar Rose; 3. Losing Form; 4. Purpose; 5. Precious; 6. Hollows; 7. The Sidepiece; 8. To the Bone; 9. Twisted Up; 10. Shadow
Publicist: Shameless Promotion
Review: Polly Panic is a dynamic celloist who is also part of the popular band Rasputina, and does for cello what Lindsay Sterling has done for violin. This is her third album and first one in six years, and all we can say is “Welcome back.” She reminds us of PJ Harvey and Tori Amos in her vocals, although with a slightly harder edge. She shreds the cello like it was an electric guitar, and throws in a healthy dose of Janis Joplin attitude on top of that, especially on the first track, “Annie.” Best tracks include “Annie,” the title track, “Precious,” “Hollows,” “To the Bone,” and “Shadow.”
Recommendation: If you love rock music that is unique, then this is the album for you.