The Fat Angel Sings

So, how to proceed? Travis Harrington asks on the final track of “Running From the Chase”, the commanding new album from Truth Club. How do you move forward when the present moment is rife with mounting challenges — when you’re caught between the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future? “Running From the Chase” was written in part through a time of intense personal hardship for Harrington, but it was through these struggles he and his bandmates gained a deeper appreciation of the power of their shared creative endeavor, both the cathartic release found in the dynamic squall of their music and in the friendships forged by this communal pursuit. Their album doesn’t have an easy answer to Harrington’s searching question, but under these songs’ bruising exteriors, you can hear the sound of a band looking towards one another to learn how to move forward.

Truth Club’s “Exit Cycle” features Indigo De Souza, and that’s not even the best thing about it. Rhythmically concentric, the song loops in and around itself as world-weary vocals and low-frequency guitars create a sneakily propulsive sonic landscape. The tune is ruminative and exhausted, even funereal at times. It bathes in unanswered questions and uncertain pauses, floating on sweetly haunting backing vocals which hint to set the scene for the band’s second LP, “Running From The Chase”, which is set to arrive later this fall.

Throughout “Running From the Chase” — whose title alludes to the need to balance one’s individual desires with external expectations and pressures — Harrington’s lyrics plunge into despair and frustration, confronting possibilities with a hint of hope and a strong undercurrent of dejection. The result is an album that’s sweeping and sophisticated, balancing considered introspection with a stunning, newly expanded sound.

From Truth Club’s “Running From the Chase“, out October 6th, 2023 via Double Double Whammy

A cut from Squirrel Flower’s forthcoming album “Tomorrow’s Fire”, “Alley Light” conjures flickers of Springsteen-like storytelling and Heartland-inspired melodies. “She says she wants to go far, outta town in my beat up car,” vocalist Ella Williams intones, from the POV of an unlucky guy in a near-crumbled relationship. “Will she find another man who can take her there, when my drive burns out?” It’s a huge, exciting turn for Squirrel Flower and is so well-constructed that it quickly expands the band’s own universe.

Like some of the best songs that long for healing and ache with fear of change, “Alley Light” is a song that, in Williams’ own words, is about “the man in me, or a man who I love, or a man who is a stranger to me.” That type of curiosity buoys the song into the echelons of cruise-worthy summer gems.

 ‘Tomorrow’s Fire’ is out October 13th!!! 

Slaughter Beach, Dog’s newest single has a perfect twang to it, a sort of open-road, yeehaw sadness. No wonder: Vocalist Jake Ewald nods to legendary folkster Townes Van Zandt in the tune’s first verse. It’s perfect sad-man music, resigned and calm with a razor’s edge of melancholia. It’s grounded and wishful, full of whispy soprano harmonies and whiskey-drenched guitar riffs. An old feeling pervades it, as though it’s a cover of a song from a long, long time ago.

The group’s new LP, “Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling” is out this autumn, and it promises to hold more of the alt-rock bent that Slaughter Beach, Dog has turned towards so far this summer.

the album ‘Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling’ out September 22nd on Lame-O Records.

“Morning Zoo” is the post-country masterpiece that will surely become a definitive track of 2023 when it’s all said and done. The violin that Abby Gundersen injects into the instrumental is mesmerizing and unreal, and it perfectly compliments vocalist Julia Steiner’s twangy, precise and zoomed-in vocals—as she examines her own anxieties and the weight of being in a band at a time when it’s becoming harder and harder to find successful longevity. “How long does it take to find the peace that I want?” she sings. “And how long must I wait to decide that it’s over? Well, I don’t know.” Though it juxtaposes greatly with the epic, mountainous unfurling of “Black Earth, Wi,” “Morning Zoo” glitters just as brightly, perhaps even more so.

“Morning Zoo” is taken from Ratboys’ ‘The Window’, out August 25 via Topshelf Records

It has actually been proven scientifically impossible for Slow Pulp to make a bad song thier new Exhibit A: “Broadview.” The band’s latest tune, from their forthcoming sophomore album “Yard”, features vocalist Emily Massey’s soulful lilt with quiet, purring instrumentals—whose constant thrum adds a weary, satisfied calm to the song’s full-bodied emotions. Massey describes it as a love tune after a long, dark period of hurt, that first impossible dip back into vulnerability. Steady drums and rich acoustic sound add a gravity that keeps the song’s feet on the ground, even as electric guitars and harmonicas float it into the ether. Massey’s vocals are as impressive as ever, and her charisma and power envelop the song’s lyricism in a soothing, shimmery air.

Teddy Mathews – Drums, auxiliary percussion, bass, guitar Alex Leeds – Bass, guitar, vocals Emily Massey – Vocals, guitar, bass Henry Stoehr – Guitar, piano, keyboards, bass, auxiliary percussion Willie Christianson – Harmonica, banjo Peter Briggs – Pedal steel

Written by Henry Stoehr, Emily Massey, Alex Leeds and Teddy Mathews

from the album ‘Yard’, available September 29th

Last month, MJ Lenderman released one of the song’s of the summer, “Rudolph.” Cut to a few days ago, and the Asheville singer/songwriter is giving his own accolade a run for its money with “Knockin.” The track is a perennial live show favorite that appeared on his 2021 EP of the same name but, this time around, it’s a hi-fi update of a not-so-new song, and it’s just as good as anything Lenderman has made, maybe better—depending on who you ask. “Knockin” is a blistering country-rock stunner that puts one thing at the center of attention: Lenderman’s uncanny ability to absolutely shred. With Xandy Chelmis’ pedal steel and a mountain of percussion backing him up, “Knockin” takes on a life of its own.

Lenderman’s lyricism is at an 11 here, too, as he makes a play on Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” while keeping up his trademark fusion of earnestness and poetic humor. “Loneliness is simple, not much else is,” he waxes. “Her love for me is real, she gives me what she has to give. She gave me wings and I caught blight.

MJ Lenderman – guitar, bass, drums, vocals Xandy Chelmis – pedal steel, back-up vocals Ethan Baechtold – bass, piano

“Knockin (Single Version)” by MJ Lenderman out now on ANTI- Records

Peter Frampton’s 2022 homecoming concert in London has been released as a live album. “Peter Frampton at Royal Albert Hall2, featuring such favourites as “Something’s Happening” and “Do You Feel Like We Do?” arrived on September 1st, 2023, via UMe.

The concert was part of a brief European tour representing his first concerts in three years. The classic rock legend had cancelled the 2020 concerts due to the Covid-19 pandemic, of what was originally billed as his finale tour of Europe and the U.K. Frampton had completed the North American edition in October 2019 and at the time they were thought to be his final dates. Then in December 2019, news arrived of five 2020 shows in the U.K. as well as concerts in many European countries, though they were postponed to 2022.

“Great news!! I am continuing my PF Finale Tour across the continent,” Frampton wrote at the time of the 2022 European and U.K. announcement. “My band and I have been chomping at the bit to play and can’t wait to keep our promise to play for you again. “At the end of every Finale Tour show I did say, ‘Never Say Never’ and I am always full of hope for the impossible,” said Frampton in the 2023 tour announcement. “I’m very pleased to let you know that I am feeling strong and my fingers are still roaming the fretboard. Every note I play now has more meaning and soul. I love playing live and this fighter wants to stay in the ring for as long as he can. a few months before he turned 69, Frampton revealed in an interview that aired on CBS This Morning: Saturday that he has a rare and incurable muscular disease that causes the muscles to weaken slowly.

In November 2022, Grammy-winning artist and virtuosic guitar player Peter Frampton performed at the historic Royal Albert Hall in London to a rapturous sold-out crowd. The special evening was filmed, capturing stunning performances of Frampton’s finest songs. This album features 9 live performances with his long standing band of Rob Arthur, Adam Lester, Dan Wojciechowski, and Steve Mackey. 

“Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975)” is the latest entry in Rhino’s ongoing, Grammy-winning series exploring the vast untapped archives of rare Joni Mitchell recordings — a project guided intimately by Mitchell’s own vision and personal touch. “Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975)” will be available as a 4 LP with an accompanying book featuring photos and a conversation about this period between Joni Mitchell and long-time friend Cameron Crowe.

The collection begins with an early cut of “Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire,” one of two songs (along with “For The Roses”) test-driven during a visit to a Graham Nash David Crosby recording session at Wally Heider’s in Hollywood.

From there, listeners are treated to early demos and alternate versions from sessions from “For The Roses”, “Court & Spark”, and “The Hissing Of Summer Lawns“; historic live show recordings, including the entirety of Mitchell’s triumphant 1972 return to Carnegie Hall and a definitive gig with her “Court And Spark” backing band Tom Scott & the L.A. Express;.

The Set aIso ncludes Sessions with Graham Nash, James Taylor, Neil Young and the Santa Monica Flyers, Never-Before-Heard Demos, Early and Alternate Versions of Classic Songs, and Historical Performances. Plus A Gorgeous 40-Page Photo Book and Liners.

Joni Mitchell has released a never-before-heard song called “Like Veils Said Lorraine.”

The song was originally recorded in late 1971 and early 1972 at A&M Studios in Hollywood but has been shelved until now. It will be included in Mitchell’s upcoming box set,

According to Mitchell, she wrote the song based on a conversation she had with a real-life woman named Lorraine, a real estate agent who took Mitchell to see properties at one point. “She had a Marlene Dietrich kind of look,” Mitchell explains in the liner notes to “Archives Vol. 3”.

“She was a platinum blond and she was elegant. She had lived in China with her husband, so she was kind of worldly … and glamorous. It’s an account of our conversation. … Houses are important to me, and I know how to pick them.”

Fascinating document. It reveals Joni Mitchell’s singular genius; she worked out all the parts, all the harmonies, the concept for each song before bringing anyone else into the picture. The vision for this great album is hers and hers alone.

This era comes into even greater focus on Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975), out October 6th, 2023

Lauren Mayberry from the Scottish electro-pop trio Chvrches, shared her debut solo song, “Are You Awake?” Mayberry has been teasing her solo single in recent weeks and as previously announced some solo tour dates.

Mayberry had this to say about the song in a press release: “‘Are You Awake?’ is a song that started on a rainy day last December with Tobias Jesso Jr. I was thinking a lot about loneliness and homesickness, and as soon as Tobias started playing the chords, the lyrics and melody came to me really quickly. I finished the song with my friend Matthew Koma, who really understood what I was trying to say.

Mayberry co-wrote the song with Tobias Jesso Jr. and Matthew Koma. Koma produced the song, which was mixed by Mark ‘Spike’ Stent.

“For a long time, I couldn’t imagine doing anything outside of Chvrches, but I think some things that I needed to write had to be done from purely my own point of view. I never really thought I’d write a piano ballad, or a solo album full stop, so life really is full of surprises. I am really looking forward to this chapter and can’t wait for people to hear more of the music.”

Chvrches, meanwhile, recently announced a 10th anniversary reissue of their debut album, “The Bones of What You Believe”, and shared a previously unreleased song, “Manhattan,” from it. “The Bones of What You Believe (10th Anniversary Special Edition)” includes four previously unreleased songs and five live recordings. It’s due out October 13th via Glassnote.

It’s perfect indie-pop from Australia: really catchy songs, great-sounding vocals. I don’t usually like music like that, but they make it work. There’s an honesty to their songwriting that feels very personal. They’re one of the new bands I got most excited about last year, and we booked them to come over before they were signed. I think this will be their first UK trip. ‘Painting of My Time’ encapsulates the sonic and personal progression of the group, masterfully showcasing the signature, evocative lyricism that the band is known for. It’s a journey of observations, reshaping views and identity, elaborating on themes of personal turbulence, self-exploration, and the Australian landscape as a form of escapism. ‘Painting of My Time’ conjures the rawness of rock ‘n’ roll through a soundscape of dynamic post-punk and art rock, whilst introducing trumpet, grand piano, violin and synth to the equation. A marked progression and musicality resulting in a sound rich in emotion.

Floodlights’ dynamic live performance is raw and intimate, intertwined with powerful outbursts and marching rhythms. Evocative lyricism lies at the heart of their song writing and is enhanced by their unique sound. Floodlights write honestly and poetically in the hope that it resonates with others.

Gaining global attention with 2019’s sold-out EP ‘Backyard’ and 2020’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘From a View’, Floodlights went on to play sold-out shows and festivals across Australia, performing alongside the likes of Amyl and The Sniffers and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. 

New album ‘Painting of My Time’