The Beatings and Magneto…
I am playing catch up a bit today, for which I apologize for no post since the weekend. Also, instead of dwelling in the past like I usually do or have, I felt it was time to look at some 2006 releases that have caught my attention. I am still waiting for that absolutely mind blowing release however. There is always that ONE, and it seems to be eluding me thus far. Yet, it’s only March so I can’t quite be expecting it yet. However, these are a couple great albums to take a look at in the mean time.
Hailing from the New England area is The Beatings (website) who have recently released Holding on to Hand Grenades which serves as their follow up to 2002’s Italiano. I’d never really listened to them before this release however, and I am kind of disappointed I haven’t. They play a fairly straight forward brand of post-punk that is highly influenced from various acts like The Pixies and Mission of Burma. However, The Beatings are much more guitar driven and noisy than really either of those bands were, fueled by a heavy melodic edge with just as much feedback to compete with it. It’s obvious the group is looking to make sure that alternative music is still alive and well, and to be perfectly honest, they are doing a damn fine job of it. The vocals fall somewhere close to those of Frank Black, however they tend to lapse into more of Interpol feel at times. Regardless, this is a great listen and a very fun/energetic one at that, adding just enough interesting elements to an already tried and true style of music to turn ones head and possibly get it nodding as well. You can purchase the record from their very own imprint, Midriff Records.
The Beatings – This City is Killing Me [MP3]The Beatings – Feel Good Ending [MP3]
I give thanks for the heads up on this one to So Much Silence. I am always, and I mean ALWAYS, looking for bands that sound like this. Magneto is based out of Seattle and have just recently released their debut album titled Sounds Like Space, which is a more than fitting title since the album is, in essence, very much a space rock album. Despite all the space rock attributes, the record rocks just as hard and is equally catchy. Album opener “Isa” sets it off perfectly displaying almost everything this band is about with layered guitar effects, a wall of twisting feedback, and a penchant for good pop song-writing that will immediately draw the listener in. The female fronted vocals provided by Lian Light are a good fit as well, being a bit subdued and relaxed. For some reason they remind me of something I would of heard 10 or so years ago, if that makes sense. With that, I highly suggest giving this album a chance and picking it up from their CDbaby page and also visit them at their website here.
Magneto – Isa [MP3]Magneto – Machine [MP3]
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