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Alt Rock





Huge Cosmic @ the Cavern

Two men, a galaxy of sound. From jazz-fusion to electronic fuzz-rock and back, Huge Cosmic is who you call for ambience and acuity. With songs called “Let’s Talk About The Weather” and “Interviewed By Nardwuar”, the eclectic and electric nature of the band is accepted and accentuated by the energy and intelligence of the music. “Weather” is a prime example of their blending influences and minds. Between the notes of the vocal melody is where the chops of the two take over, switching from tight progressive groove into serene rock’n’roll walls of sound and back again. Serious music listeners would take care to take notice, and keep their eyes peeled. Huge Cosmic is bringing their experimental sound to the Cavern on Saturday, May 30th, so get yourself in front of that stage.-Cody Wright

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Single Lash Has the Chords You're Looking For

Those'd be some seriously 80s, seriously British reverbed chords we're talkin' about, and they come slinking out of popgazers Single Lash, them of the perhaps most perfect pop goth band name what has ever been, on their new eponymous album. Released this April, "Single Lash" follows up on 2014's intriguing "Soft as Glass" with 12 cacophonous tracks with one or two word titles, those sparse words more often than not being from the gloomy romantic side of the dictionary (“Bitemarks,” “Keep It,” “Drown” and “False” start the album off, just to name a few). In fact, a flavor of gothic influenced “lovely, but with death on the mind,” thorned-rose notes percolate through and from the music itself through all of the album, the sound of which comes from the art poprock side of the dark music genrescape.

“Single Lash,” and Single Lash the band itself, are well-done breaks from the idea that dreary must always be dark (or is it vice versa), with the satisfying and even at times near ecstatic prettiness of the album pairing perfectly with the goth- and general 80s-British-Music-informed melancholia of the songs here. Which, truth be told, is just the way any good pain + pleasure thing should go (I guess in a way what I’m saying is that “Single Lash” is the consensual rough sex where everyone involved leaves bruised but happy of music).

As an example of this sweet and sour sound I’m talking about, take track “False,” one of the more outwardly happy, more upbeat sounding tracks on the album. Soaking in the waves of bright, quick shoegaze that wash out of the drack (and not drowning in them, as can happen with many -gaze tracks), one can just make out the words of the song, “There’s nothing here to want/Just bitter nostalgia-/There’s nothing here that’s true.” Second track “Keep It” nails the sentiment in one line, “I am spellbound as the stars go out.“

Speaking of nostalgia, that feeling is an excellent touchstone for this music, the word coming from the combination of the Greek words for “return home” and “pain (apologies to Don Draper fans). When that word was coined, real life medical people actually thought you could die from nostalgia, and listening to Single Lash, you get the sense that the band might not find that concept too outlandish. They pine, they remember, they query the universe about why things are the way they are in most tracks. However, from the bright sounds they blend into their laments and existential requests, I also get the sense that Single Lash is less interested in the idea of despair alone, but maybe more of just a heaviness of all emotion. I get the feeling that if their members died because of grief or existential uncertainty, it would be more of a chosen and beautiful event than a perishing one.

All of that, of course, is just speculation (maybe super happy people are great at sad music? you never know), but what is nothing but sure is that “Single Lash” is a deadly gorgeous album that does not tire from track to track despite its drone-heaviness and which is both fully versed in its influences and yet has also drifted away from them to a nearby space all its own. Listen below, especially if it’s still fucking raining when you find this piece. You could do much worse for rainy day music.





Gruve @ This Ain't Hollywood

Gruve is a rock trio that hails from two small towns near Hamilton, Caledonia and Cayuga. They've been straight rockin for 10 years now and have released numerous records. They have one more to release and one more show to do it. That's right, this Friday they will be celebrating the release of their latest (and final) record at their FAREWELL show! They have released one tune from this record "Supercede" on bandcamp titled TV Set. The tune starts off with some thumpin' kick drum and bluesy guitar riffage. The bass comes in groovin' nicely and you're ready to rock from this point on. The chorus section adds some nice spice to the tune before bringin you back to the groove nice n' slow...or should I say Gruve. Their CD release/farewell party goes down Friday Night May 29th at This Ain't Hollywood. $10 Cover or $15 with a copy of the record.-Kris"Big City"Gies 

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The Mackinaws @ Homegrown

“Holy Mackinaw” well we didn’t see that coming! With a name as witty as Joe Bowen, The Mackinaws are a band of brotherly love showcasing eclectic rock n’ roll skills. Recorded live off the floor, “The Mackinaws” is a warm, rounded record with extraordinary harmonies and exceptional guitar riffs. ‘Spending Time’ kicks the album off with spiraling guitars and catchy lyrics that have you “clenching your chest” to sweet sounds. ‘Booze’ is a drinking man's anthem, with a little bit of country food for the soul. ‘Light of My Life’ takes a soft step with romantic vocals, a banjo twang, hand beats and pretty harmonies, that have you singing right a-long. Their album as a whole is layered with rock, country and blues influences that get peeled away with every track revealing The Mackinaws talents. Don’t miss them Saturday 5/30 night @ Homegrown in Hamilton.

 

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Boston Calling Recap: Krill and The Ballroom Thieves Showcase Wide Range of Local Talent

This past Memorial Day weekend, City Hall Plaza in Boston transformed once again from concrete wasteland into a vibrant music festival. Nestled-in among the marquee acts (Pixies, Tenacious D and My Morning Jacket, to name a few), Boston locals Krill and The Ballroom Thieves left quite an impression on the early-afternoon festival-goers.


Click here to view the rest of The Deli's Boston Calling wrap-up.

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