Johnny Feeney’s Albums of 2016

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Better late than never, Johnny Feeney would like to share his favourite records from 2016 with you all.

A reliably insightful musical sage, Johnny’s guest appearances are always interesting and add an extra flavour to the blog and I look forward to reading them – surely I’m not alone?

A massive thanks to Johnny for taking time out to compile this list, and on that note, I’ll leave you with his Mr. Feeney’s favourite records of 2016.

10. Laura Mvula – ‘The Dreaming Room’

The Birmingham soul singer’s second studio album comes densely packed with layers of Mvula’s unique vocals and a broad range of sounds and influences, including lead single ‘Overcome’ featuring Nile Rodgers. Despite not always hitting the mark, there are some powerful, intriguing tracks on here. Really needs to be played at a high volume to give everything a chance to be heard.

09. Car Seat Headrest – ‘Teens Of Denial’

Virginia’s Will Toledo has been releasing albums prolifically as Car Seat Headrest for a few years now but this is only his second full release on a major label. Seriously overlong at almost 70 minutes, the album has the capacity to absolutely blow you away with cracking rock songs such as ‘Fill In The Blanks’ or ‘Drunk Drivers / Killer Whales’. The more you listen to it, the better it gets.

08. Hinds – ‘Leave Me Alone’

The debut album from this Madrid all-girl four-piece is a joyous, upbeat lo-fi indie rock affair. There’s a neat trick performed here with the loose, ramshackle guitars and lazy, loose drums in stark contrast with the tightness of the hook-laden, impossibly infectious songs – and the sound of a band having a lot of fun and not taking themselves too seriously.

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Hinds Share ‘Holograma’ & Release Deluxe Edition of Debut LP

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Hinds released their debut album, Leave Me Alone, at the very start of the year and one of 2016’s finest it is an utterly joyous collection of upbeat lo-fi gargey indie.

To top of a successful year, the Madrid quartet are releasing a deluxe edition of their debut, featuring some covers, B-sides, rarities and demos. Hinds have graciously shared one of those tracks ‘Holograma’; sang in Spanish, it is a cover of a jam by their pals and fellow Madrid-based band Los Nastys. It may not be ‘their’ song but it has Hinds stamp all over it and provides a timely reminder to why they, and their debut LP, are so lovable. A big jolly slice of sun-drenched and lackadaisical, scratchy lo-fi surf-punk; all ramshackle guitars, carefree vibes and all-round infectious. This is the sound of a band having a lot of fun and not taking themselves too seriously – as we’ve become accustomed to with Hinds.

You can listen to ‘Holograma’ below and there is more on the deluxe LP here. Oh, and don’t forget: Hinds play The Academy, Dublin on November 29th – more here.

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #16

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After some Mac related issued hampered our first attempt at Podcast #16, we’re thrilled (and relieved) to share yet another Millions Like Us with you all.

Every two weeks, Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now, aim to deliver an eclectic and hand-picked selection of top class music. There’s plenty to chew on with #16, well over an hour in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat, encompassing all manner of topics and music including festivals as we talk Music Waste and Levitation Vancouver.

You can read more on it over here and of course, listen below (and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too). You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic, Mixcloud & SoundCloud, or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

As mentioned previously, Justin has been busy compiling tracks featured in the series. If you’re a Spotify user, then you can access this 6 hours plus playlist here.

Podcast #16 Tracklist:

PLAZAS  – ‘2 leave U Behind’

Jay Arner – ‘Like A Dracula’

Rusangano Family – ‘Lights On’

Ffug – ‘Love is Stupid’

Com Truise – ‘Diffraction’

Holy Wave – ‘Minstrel’s Gallop’

IcebergFerg – ‘You’re All On My Mind’

Words Hurt – ”Chekov’s Gun feat. Marilyn Carino’

Hinds – ‘San Diego’

Jade Statues – ‘Hydra’

Trails & Ways – ‘My Things’

Jo Passed – ‘Lego My Ego’

BarryGruff Playlist November 2015

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Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

November was another busy one, with introductions to A.S. Fanning, exmagician & New Cardinals. There were excellent new singles/EPs from Avid Walker, Anderson, Public Service Broadcasting, Ulrika Spacek, Daniel Avery, CaStLeS, David Harks & Manor. And we had tunes from Globelamp, MMOTHS, Coves, Hinds & Tuff Love ahead of their respective, new and forthcoming albums.

Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s November 2015 playlist below. Enjoy!

 

Hinds – ‘San Diego’

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Madrid quartet Hinds previously shared ‘Garden’, one of the best tunes this year, from their debut album, Leave Me Alone, which will be out on January 8 via Mom + Pop.

Now, Hinds have shared another track from their aforementioned LP, the bopping new single ‘San Diego’. It’s an upbeat, jolly slice of scratchy lo-fi surf-punk, with an unashamedly west coast vibe. ‘San Diego’ crashes and bangs with snappy drums, reverb-soaked guitar melodies, playful harmonies and back-and-forth vocal. It’s not all sunshine and cheer however, the lyrics tell a darker tale of struggles with insomnia and deals with the devil. Of course, this rollicking adventure is draped with frenzied chants and relentless infectious energy; fast becoming group’s signature scuzzy calling card.

You can stream ‘San Diego’ below while Leave Me Alone will be out on January 8 via Mom + Pop/Lucky Number.

Hinds just wrapped up their North American tour but they’ve got a pile of European dates coming up. All the dates are listed here.

BarryGruff Playlist September 2015

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A now regular monthly feature, whereby we round up all the blog action with a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured during the month.

September was pretty damn good, aside from saying goodbye to summer! We had tunes from Sexwitch, Gwenno, Hinds and The Altered Hours ahead of their respective, new and forthcoming albums. There were excellent new singles from Slow Riot, Tuff Love, BUCK, H. Hawkline, Freedom Fry, Gulp & Miaoux Miaoux. Oh, and their was the launch of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them? Why not listen to episodes #1 & #2)

Also featured on this month’s playlist are great tracks from Avid Walker, Mesa Luna, Ghost Culture, Boxed In, Anderson & Peaness. So yeah, pretty good alright.

Listen to BarryGruff’s September 2015 playlist below.

Millions Like Us Podcast: Episode #2

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Delighted to share ‘Episode #2’ of Millions Like Us – a new music podcast hosted by myself & craft beer, pastie and fast-food safari enthusiast, Justin Beats – in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now.

A bi-weekly installment of new tunes, some musings and general chit-chat, with a Vancouver slant, Episode #2 has a very nice blend of music from metro Vancouver, and beyond. Obviously these are still early days and we’re looking forward to developing it further and further, over the coming weeks and months. Not much else to say really, aside from thanks to 604now and we hope you enjoy the show (all feedback, good or bad, is most welcome). Here’s to good listening.

You can read more on it here and listen to episode #2 below, and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump.

Episode #2: 

Nancy Leticia – ‘Bitches’
Noble Oak – ‘Erase Me’
Villagers – ‘Hot Scary Summer’
Nick Diamonds – ‘Specimen Days’
Avid Walker – ‘Sun In Eyes’ –
Wilding – ‘Stuck In The Middle’
Mac Demarco – ‘No Other Heart’
The Courtney’s – ‘90210’
Tuff Love – ‘Duke’
HINDS – ‘Garden’
Sunflower Bean – ‘The Stalker’
Woolworm – ‘Useless’

Hinds – ‘Garden’

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Madrid quartet Hinds – Ana Perrote, Carlotta Cosials, Ade Martin and Amber Grimbergen – have been charming listeners with their strain of gloriously ramshackle and instantly addictive lo-fi garage pop, for quite a while now.

Now, Hinds have announced they will release of their debut LP, Leave Me Alone, on January 8th, 2016, via Lucky Number. While the release date seems like a long way away, accompanying this news, is a taste of things to come with the opening track from the album, ‘Garden’. An utterly infectious, sun-drenched lackadaisical garage rock meandering, ‘Garden’, carves out a joyous, carefree identity. A bright and breezy blend of swaying surf-rock and whimsical ’60s garage combine with rumbling drums, scratchy guitars, sunkissed reverb, allure and melody for a brattish indie psych sound. While, dual vocals from Ana Perrote and Carlotta Cosials add an extra touch of infectious exuberance and inherent sassiness. What’s not to like?

You can check out new track ‘Garden’ and some other choice cuts from the Madrid quartet below. Their debut LP, Leave Me Alone, on January 8th, next year and on this evidence at least, we should be in for a treat.

Hinds have a pile of live dates across Europe and N. America, including Vancouver – they play The Rickshaw Theatre, on October 10th w/ The Black Lips and Ariel Pink – check the full list of dates here.