Free Electric State: Monumental Life (LP)

Admittedly, we are hardly ever punctual in mentioning new records that become available to us, but in this particular instance a date has arrived and the listening is more than a bit splendid. Alarm clocks chime and we can now report that Durham, North Carolina based four piece Free Electric State have an impressive new full-length album, titled Monumental Life, to share with all ears. Originally featured here with an introduction in November 2009, then again for their debut LP Caress in April 2010, contributing musicians Shirlé Hale (vocals, bass), David Koslowski (guitar, vocals), Nick Williams (guitar, vocals) and Tony Stiglitz (drums) continue to evolve their low key sound while making certain that consistency is key.



Released only just today, through lovely Virginia Beach record label Custom Made Music, the new LP Monumental Life is now available on both CD and a limited edition vinyl press. Within the feel of this latest collection of nine songs, brought on by a series of recent tragedies among band members, exists a series of dark moods reflecting both loss and regret to fuel a decidedly hollowed out backdrop. Even with the semi-purposeful influence in sound, a solid and downright beautiful delivery gives every track our full and repeated attention. Another early favourite for 2012? Please have a listen.

MP3: All Done Before

The next live performance will take place on May 18 as FES takes the stage at local Durham venue The Pinhook.

We Run

We Run is a Brooklyn, New York trio consisting of musicians Alexander Gruenburg (guitar, vocals), Martin McDonald (bass guitar, synth) and Jeremy Duvall (percussion) who only recently formed to create music in January 2012. Already there have been a handful of local performances and a debut, self-titled, mini EP presenting three songs, the first of which found us reaching for old Sabbath records to dust off at our inaugural listening session. A measured pace, along with endless potential in each raucous turn of those driving guitars leaves our ears and outdated computer speakers wanting for much more in the volume department. Visit the We Run Bandcamp for more listening and look for certain MML updates on this straight-up rock. Enjoy the love with a track called Like.

MP3: Like

We Run is also tentatively scheduled to perform live on June 2nd at local Brooklyn/Park Slope venue Union Hall. Please check the links above for updated info.

The Sugarettes: Destroyers Of Worlds (LP)

It's been quite some time since we've had the opportunity to listen in on the musical offerings and impressive lineup of Eindhoven, Netherlands-based label Subroutine Records, but now there is a new release from the very first artist to make us fall head over heels. The Sugarettes instantly became a favorite back in January 2007 when we highlighted their debut EP Sugarette City, then grew on us exponentially later that very same year after releasing the LP Love and Other Perversities and allowing us another shout in September 2007. Since that time, the band has been on an extended hiatus, with members involved in spinoff music projects The Very Sexuals [MML review: June 2008] and Nikoo [MML Review: March 2010] All history aside, the brand new full-length record, titled Destroyers Of Worlds, was just made available a couple of days ago and the eleven tracks belonging to this most recent release could not have made the delicious chills move up our collective spine any more quickly. From the beginning rumbles of Love In Stereo, and throughout this entire roller coaster of meaty guitars and celebratory vocal cheerleading, The Sugarettes manage to deliver both their original flavor and lightly-threaded classic alternative influences while boasting more energy in the evolution. Destroyers Of Worlds is a brilliant record that serves to remind us that it is never too early for keeping a Best of 2012 list somewhere in the back of our minds. Two lovely songs for you.

MP3: Love In Stereo
MP3: Spring Break

The next live performance will take place on April 22 as The Sugarettes inhabit a stage at Hoensbroek music festival Brookpop 2012.

Purplespace + Starring Me

We have a fairly long history of being smitten with the music of Jacksonville, Florida trio Starring Me. First mentioned on MML with an introductory post in October 2007 and then again in July 2009 for their seven track CD release Parallels, primary musicians Tara Clendenen (vocals), Reed Clendenen (bass/vocals) and John Hashtak (guitar/vocals) have become a staple of our listening regimen. Along the way, the band enlisted musical assistance from friends and formed a side project, Purplespace, which was also featured here in both Feburary 2009 for the LP A Tiny Little Spark and August 2010 with their follow up EP Eventually Juliet. Since 2002, this music collective has been writing and recording music together and have now remastered some of their early tracks with added accompaniment of synth/drums for an 11 song collection, simply titled Purplespace + Starring Me, earlier this year. The result is an exceptional listen and an opportunity to revisit a range of years when shoegaze was just being realized again for the first time in well over a decade. Although this particular genre of music has been poked, prodded and dragged in less fortunate directions by many similar artists, Starring Me/Purplespace maintain a consistent and signature sound that escapes remix-cliche while managing to give admitted purists like ourselves a reason to stay tuned. In other words, this is great shoegaze...of the electro variety.

MP3: Never Be The Same

As a bonus, we also have a lovely cover song of a favourite 80s alternative band as recorded by Purplespace a few years ago. You don't want to miss this one.

*Bonus* MP3: Pretty In Pink (Psychedelic Furs cover)

Silo Halo: Night And The City (LP)

Keeping in loose touch with some of the record labels who have graciously donated sounds of their artists has certainly kept us ear-deep in lovely music for more than a few years. A blessing indeed, but this time we have the fortune of revisiting an MML favourite, with musicians from two previously showcased bands. The Washington, DC trio of Christopher Goett (featured in 2008 and 2009 with Girl Loves Distortion), Greg Svitil (featured in 2007 and 2008 with The Antiques) and Christin Durham have now blended their multi-instrumental talents to form Silo Halo. Since their initial collaboration in 2010, the band has written and recorded material for a debut full-length album, titled Night And The City, which is set to be released through local label ETXE Records next week on April 10th. A live performance will also take place to celebrate the new record on April 14 at local DC venue/table-sport/pizzeria Comet Ping Pong. If only we lived closer.

Somewhere between the beautiful drone that begins with intro track Silhouette, and ferocious roar at the close of side one with I'm Still Slamming My Head Against A Brick Wall, we found our sweet spot in the song Wonderful Gift. Speaking of gifts, any one of the understated songs belonging to Night And The City could easily serve to highlight this impressive LP, while also reminding us why we continue to love the hollow, medium-fi offerings from ETXE Records. Silo Halo is a definite keeper. Have a listen?

MP3: Wonderful Gift