Pop Dr(((O)))nes: Episode 14

Kicked off the show this week with a track from the stunning new LP by Tim Cohen (pictured above), who is also the main guitarist/keyboard/singer for the Pop Drones favorite The Fresh and Onlys. Not quite as poppy or jumpy as the Fresh and Onlys, this solo joint is a much more subdued and stripped down affair. 250 copies only, though I think you can still nab one through Aquarius Records or Fusetron. Do not sleep on this one, folks.

The Mayfair Set 12", after much teasing with their 7" earlier this year, finally dropped in the mail just in time for the show this week. So damn good I had to jam two tracks off it. Mayfair Set, for those that have better things to do than read blogs or Terminal Boredom, is a collaborative effort between Dee Dee of the Dum Dum Girls and Mike Sniper of Blank Dogs. Dee Dee, takes on most of the vocal duties, while it appears as if Sniper is the man behind the decks, though, who really knows? Dee Dee's beautiful, soaring vocals mesh amazingly with Sniper's lo-fi warble-y bedroom pop. Essential 2009 release here.

Sacred Bones dropped two beauties in a row this week. First up is Zola Jesus's new LP (tons of releases already this year and more to come) is easily her most refined work to date. Cold industrial beatwork backed up with her goth-y wail is a nice throwback to the part of the 80s that I still have a soft spot for. New Gary War LP dropped at the same time, which, admittedly, is not quite as infectious as last year's "New Raytheonport", but still consistent throughout. Both of these releases come in silkscreen sleeves adorned with that instantly recognizable Sacred Bones artwork. And that's just the regular edition. Keep an eye and an ear out for more SB releases in the near future, including a new one by Factums, a Blanks Dogs comp, Dead Luke LP, a Nerve City 12", and tons more. Keep 'em comin'.

The new Cave record is ranking up there pretty high for '09 releases. Not quite as stuttery and break neck as their Permanent Records debut, but still a raucous event nonetheless. Very reminiscent of early Oneida in that classic rock through a kraut rock grinder way. Eye bulging cover art, too!

New Sun Araw has lived up to the lofty expectations that the blogosphere has heaped up on the man. Not quite as dreamy, drifting or mystical as those initial release. Instead, he falls back on the dub inflections he only hinted at before. Fine by me, as dub is pretty much my favorite thing to have on the hi-fi durin' the summertime. Needless to say, this'll be stuck on the 'table at least through September.

Coupla' shows worth checking out this week. Sadly, the two I would recommend are both this Saturday night.

If yr more inclined towards the garage/punk side of things, then you should head down to the Astoria and wish Sex Church and Defektors a safe and prosperous trip down the West Coast. Both bands are playing shows in Washington, Portland, and, of course, California. In fact, it looks like they'll be hitting up damn near every city worth playing in California. DJ Rick over at Art For Spastics has already hyped up people down south, so I'm doin' my part up in this end. Seriously, two of Vancouver's finest. Not to be missed. Sex Church will be toting along a brand new cassette, which I highly recommend you snatch up while you can. Sweet Rot 7" is coming soon, so I'm told.


Also this Saturday is the mighty return of San Francisco's Barn Owl, who blew away the small but excited crowd last year at Hoko's. This time around they'll be playing at Little Mountain and will be sharing the night with local faves solars, who will have new cassette and possibly a new 7" split with Ahna for sale. Barn Owl should also have some new works for sale. Anyone who needs a Barn Owl sneak peak should check out this classic Expressway posting.

Saturday, August 15th @ The Astoria: Sex Church w/Defektors

Saturday, August 15th @ Little Mountain Studios: Barn Owl w/ solars & Thee Holee See//presented by Twee Death

Download this week's show here. (right click, then Save As)

Tim Cohen "Take Aim Goliath" Two Sides Of LP (Secret Seven/Empty Cellar) 2009
Mayfair Set "Junked!" Young One 12" (Captured Tracks/Woodsist) 2009
Mayfair Set "Let It Melt" Young One 12" (Captured Tracks/Woodsist) 2009
Dum Dum Girls "Mercury Mary" Long Hair 7" (Hozac) 2009
France Has the Bomb "Invisible Angles" s/t 7"(Hozac) 2009
Gary War "Sold Out" Horribles Parade LP (Sacred Bones) 2009
Zola Jesus "Six Feet (From My Baby)" The Spoils LP (Sacred Bones) 2009
Pissed Jeans "False Jesii Part II" King Of Jeans LP (Sub Pop) 2009
Mayyors "Ghost Punch" Deads 12" (Hurling Man) 2009
Francis Harold & The Holograms "Retreat" Mirror Of Fear b/w Retreat 7" (Hozac) 2009
Clockcleaner "Skinheaded Lady" Skinheaded Lady 7" (Stained Circles) 2009
Defektors "Secret Trials" Secret Trials 7" (Nominal) 2008
Sex Church " Mistaken" s/t CS (self released) 2009
Cave "Gamm" Psychic Psummer LP (Important) 2009
Cave "Boneyard" Made In Malaysia 7" (Important) 2009
Limosine "Only Poise, Only Prizes" s/t (self released) CDR 2009
Sun Araw "Heavy Deeds" Heavy Deeds LP (Not Not Fun) 2009
Elm "On Golden Wings" Woven Into Light CDR (Blackest Rainbow) 2009