Elite New DIY SOS Help Desk Heaven

Elite new DIY SOS and (maybe) undiscovered tracks that are fresh. Guaranteed fresh, even when I finally lose faith and stop blogging and turn to gardening . And so here we are, March Madness is no longer some sport thing or retail sale. It is invading my life. But its chaotic type of good and my wizardry is getting stronger everyday. I’m very pleased to discover these tracks, videos, and soon a new RIDE LP from those Oxford gents that have been blazing the trail for decades. Check out Monaco from those guys.

A cohesive blend of guitars and utilizing more synth sounds as these guys move through the years. Evolution.

Sun Atoms – Tower of Song / Ceiling Tiles – Little Cloud Recordings

Portland synth-gaze-rock outfit  Sun Atoms presents a unique fuzz-out tribute to iconic songwriter Leonard Cohen with Tower of Song (In The Key Of Jesus and Mary Chain). This is the B side to Ceiling Tiles single. Find this on Little Cloud Records.

This track is mixed by Jagz Kooner (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Oasis, Garbage), this is the first taste of the band’s sophomore album (out summer 2024).

Of course it is referencing J&MC as told in the parenthetical title. Particularly, Reverence from Honey’s Dead is very present in lyric tribute and sound. It sounds smooth like Leonard Cohen but sung by Jesus and Mary Chain. Dying like Jesus Christ and JFK though? Highly overrated. I’d throw this on a playlist though. It’s a gas to hear all these things come together in one track.

Even as musically ignorant as I can be, Leonard Cohen is responsible for musical poetry. J and M C ? Well, I hold them in high regard. .

Thus I can enjoy this song simply for what it is. My teachers also say appropriate from the art you think is great. Sun Atoms seem to be on program with this.

Coming back to the single, Ceiling Tiles. Oscillating and sensual synth rhythms start it off. Bauhaus/ Love and Rockets / Daniel Ash vocal stylings accent these tiles. Unlike Tower Of Song this is not an homage or cover.

If you remember The Dandy Warhols bassist Peter G Holmstrom, well, he lends his low frequency string work to Sun Atoms.

If not, you have two recommendations for the price of one. The guitars capture the tonality of early Cure, Southern Death Cult (aka Death Cult) with subtle reverb played clean and chiming. Drums are of equal billing in the mix. Mid tempo sleek grooves. I dig it.

Last but not least, you know what to do, listen, buy and tell a few people about this. Clearly, if this doesn’t grab you, i’ll make sure a crew of angry, unruly goths do, so watch yourself. I know people. https://littlecloudrecords.com/products/sun-atoms-ceiling-tiles-tower-of-song-in-the-key-of-jamcpre-order

Crumbs – You’re Just Jealous / DIY SOS – singles – Skepwax Records

Right off the bat, without hesitation, Crumbs grabs me by the earpiece with one of the freshest bass and drum intros I’ve heard in a long time. These artists are not fuckin around to find out. They already know a thing or two about a thing or two.

I’m referring to the first single You’re Just Jealous. Both myself and Rob from Skepwax (who is putting out their album with Amelia, also from Skepwax) are jealous of these tasty low end licks. Fast tempo indie pop.

Pre order is in service here https://skepwax.myshopify.com/products/copy-of-panic-pocket-mad-half-hour-album

Infectious to my ears, causing me to feel joy and a sigh. Indeed it’s like finding a friend that you didn’t expect to find, but deep down you knew you needed it.

Moving onto next single from the new, future LP is DIY SOS. Along with You’re Just Jealous I found another friend in this song. This time I have a very charming video game inspired music video. Juan Meat is sucker for moon related things and cats, so double visual reward is unlocked. Elite level indie pop.

A little about the song DIY SOS. An angry warning of a reckoning disguised in savory indie pop array of flavor. You may hear some tones reminiscent of Heavenly’s Atta Girl in the guitar and vocal melodies. However, DIY SOS is less gentle.

Both DIY SOS and Atta Girl make use of the classic turnaround of chord orders that lead to an anthem like chorus. When the chorus opens you get the payoff in spades.

I have to shut myself up and do some more research. Although there is 80’s pop influence on both singles, it is my duty to myself to go deeper into some of the influences.

Additionally keep in mind, the UK ‘pop’ of 80’s and 90’s is mostly considered alternative in the states. I’m a full blooded American patriot, however the UK seems a few years ahead musically at any given time since the Fab Four broke out of Liverpool.

That is generally speaking, always exceptions, we have bands in U.S. It’s rare to hear such tuneful and catchy arrangements with that smart, piss and vinegar edge. GRRL Power is great, but I love Crumbs power as much.

Perhaps I am underexposed to bands that are somewhat close to Crumbs, but I have not run across any that scratch this itch as of late. It’s rare for me to find these gems.

Taste is subjective, but I’m ruling that Crumbs influences were ahead of the curve and therefore they are. I have to search and scour to get anything in this league. So watch out for them, they are coming full speed down the internet superhighway. For now, we’ll have to wait til May to hear the entire LP.  I bet the farm untold rewards await when this releases.

Staubitz and Waterhouse – Sounds Around New Orleans – Live on Chando Radio

Staubitz and Waterhouse are my gateway drug to field recordings. But sometimes they expose me to some of their own noise music. I hate to label but for ease of writing will call this collaboration, field recordings or if you prefer experimental.

This latest installment is definitely field recording of the purest sense.

Seems to be captured on a New Orleans tour with a nautical theme. As it progresses you literally can hear highlights of said tour. One can hear various sounds. One that jumped out at me are the foghorn like boat horn.

A person with a loudspeaker entertaining some group. This narrator knows how to work a crowd and engage them. If i wasn’t scraping dimes I’d have him be my hype man and engagement would be soaring.

Also, activism protest audio regarding Palestine. Hum of an airplane flying above, and general background noise you expect when going out and about. Ducks and geese? Love it. Memories of my youth. Plus more, so I invite you to listen.

Moreover, I can pretend I’m going down river through a town I only see in pictures and movies vicariously. This duo is good like that. Offering all types of journeys through places via the field recording medium.

Lest us not forget a massive undertaking from S & W not too long ago. One of my favorite collaboration concepts I’ve heard to date. Distant Duos ! There is something for every experimental music head here https://distantduos.bandcamp.com/

The river boat journey is complete immersive sound experience save for an old bayou hound dog yowlin. That is of course, unless I missed it and that is totally plausible in the chaotic good meat land I am residing in. I love exploring new towns and that is the random adventurous spirit of this number.

Additionally once the Staubitz and Waterhouse journey wraps, I stay on board for remainder of Chando Radio. Specifically the electronic tracks on both playlists were refreshing and totally new for me. It is great to hear stuff you are not normally turned on to. So, thanks to Chando Radio , Chris, Nite Owl, and Scott.

Golden Fang- Small Worlds

Sydney Australia’s Golden Fang return with a third LP ( in Meatsheet chronology, they actually have more if you delve into their back catalogue). For the fans of Nick Cave, Interpol, Sonic Youth. I’m having trouble connecting those dots but I’m overdue for an even deeper dive on all three.

I’m rushing to get this review in before I embark on a road trip. I never get to leave the house so this is a big deal. And almost as big a deal is getting to hear bands from all over the world. This time a hemisphere I can only dream about seeing with my eyes. This is my chance to vicariously get some culture from places that take almost a day even with air travel to get to from where I am. Thus it is a treat for that and it’s a break from blistering fast hardcore punk, people trying to out shoe gaze each other, and more. Listen to Small Worlds here https://goldenfang.bandcamp.com/album/small-worlds

Buy this on Bandcamp Friday or float these guys some extra coins above. Artist support is of the utmost importance but that is for a separate blog entry.

After listening one time I realize that I might not have good words to give a good accurate representation of this album. So I’m going to squeeze as many listens in as I can before I go and hopefully have this up. Here are some standout observations.

Parramatta, suburb of Sydney is an enchanting journey. The rattling percussion of a shaker sets the mood. The guitar comes in with that off kilter Andy Summers down up stroke. I’ll attach a similar guitar trick from a band I am uncertain about Golden Fang pulling influence from. This song seems to be Golden Fang firing on all cylinders.

Carl’s vocals just as strong as the previous two efforts which are reviewed in past blog entries. There is a bass interlude that really showcases (name ) melodic low end skill.

Anybody can play bass if they can count but not everybody can play bass very well or have the artistic sensibility that this interlude has. The perfect gap between the guitar drums and vocals. Hats off to Justin Tauber.

About the guitar, it is no longer doing the down up thing it drops in and out and when it’s in it rings along allowing the journey or story to be told. 

Next is Let Yourself Go. It’s hard to review Golden Fang for me as my exposure to Nick Cave, Interpol, is lacking. Also Sonic Youth. That being said on Let Yourself Go perhaps the Sonic Youth influence is heard in Teo’s or Carl’s opening harmonic notes and volume knob warble/ tremolo. It doesn’t have that dissonant screech of Sonic Youth but it has guitar trickery and a warble that gives six string guitar and interesting rhythmic twist.

Sonic Youth being known for stretching the bounds of what six string guitars will do to the point of guitar mutilation.

The guitar plays off the percussion. Joe Parkin’s beats gives the song what they need depending on subject matter for each.

Golden Fang achieve power without beating the snot out of their instruments on this one. Sometimes subtle is just as powerful. 

If Small Worlds seems a bit sedate thus far, Dirty Hands will wake you up. This track sounds coherent and polished. If done live, I’m going to guess it’s a crowd pleaser. Dirty Hands exists in two tempos though. It slows down after a barrage of strumming and wall of feedback.

Like A Ghost is accurately named. Phasey, quick, tremolo set to a speed that mimics an other worldy being going in and out of human visible sight.

Wailing guitar notes. The vocals hone in on the melancholic theme found on several tracks.

In addition to Carl Redfern’s voice, Donna Amini lends voice duties to the first (Sail At Dawn ) and last (Like A Ghost ) tracks. A new, lovely twist on Golden Fang’s sound. I hope this shines a light on this LP. John Meat could easily listen for a few more weeks so that I can absorb the songs and research the influences more thoroughly. I give myself permission to absorb this over the next few weeks as the season changes for Australia and North America.

Planet On A Chain – Culture of Death – Revelation Records

Another single from Planet On A Chain as they gear up to release an entire LP on Revelation Records. I don’t want to minimize or gloss over this single. However time and efficacy is of the essence.

I have to compete with other blogs like Brooklyn Vegan Death Camp, No Reverb, ShueGazi (the first emo DC inspired dream pop blog) , and Keep It 100, Bruv ! ( the beatdown hardcore blog)

Covered the last single, Cocalero, here. https://meatsheetfanzine.com/planet-on-a-chain-cocalero-new-track/

So I’ll keep this brief. Here you go https://planetonachain.bandcamp.com/track/culture-of-death?from=fanpub_fnb_trk Culture of Death seems to focus on tight precision mixed with speed and less mosh and breakdowns. It’s cut and dry. Well rehearsed. One does not simply play as fast as POAC and always stay on program or the beat. But just because it’s tight doesn’t mean energy and urgency is absent. This LP is going to be insane. The kids are going to love it. I will need to be in the right frame of mind for it as music like this tends to whip me up like a Tasmanian Devil.

A Deeper Heaven – Stay

A Deeper Heaven release Stay on February 14, 2024. Hailing from Salt Lake City Utah, Deeper Heaven is carving the niche for dream rock in the near Central North West United States. This track is written with just enough atmosphere to suffice.

Or, to say it differently, its light and breezy but not overly washed out with effects to the extent the time based effects start to create caverns and infinite loops.

The underlying song structure is still able to be heard clearly. Spacious guitars on high and low end. Drums that mostly go one two – rest- one two etc. This will be to delight of dashboard drummers like me. Echoing , slightly sweet vocals built in stages. A very good track for a walk at the time of day suggested by the cover photo. The outro leaves you with mid to bassy trill that calls to mind 90’s whammy bar shoegaze action. It’s subtle and fits the song. Shall be watching for more. Listen Up XXX https://adeeperheaven.bandcamp.com/track/stay

Wand – Help Desk – Drag City

Another welcome break from hardcore, punk, shoegaze. I find it very hard to keep up with Drag City Records. They release lots of work by a very eclectic group of artists. Wand are no exception. I listen to the track once and enjoy the soothing electronic tones. Will repeat listen and await further instructions.

Next I discovered this ! Visuals to go with the audio. Dreary drones but melancholy in the taste of bittersweet.

Help Desk causes me to think that Wand got their corporate training at the same or adjacent facility as Low, Radiohead, and Kinski.

Particularly one or two moments on Kinski’s Airs Above Your Station LP. Overall this track is not that close to the overall sound of that LP. It just somehow made a connection for me.

Calming vocals and synth juxtaposed against mysterious , distant wailing. A cello or synth like shrieking that offsets the calm. A lovely brooding tension. So now my personal mission is to go deeper and just watch out for what they have coming. Be it live show, back catalogue, etc

The video meshes perfectly. A piece of eye candy to help you through the shift. Over run with men is suits/ ties.

Then about half way through it becomes trippy and surreal. Is the imagery real? Referencing death directly or a more symbolic death leading to new beginning ? Is it a commentary about a career that is unfullfiling and leading to death? These are the artistic questions for me re: Wand’s video.

We have reached the end of transmission. What is new will age but this is top tier, elite art from this batch that will remain. I say this every post. Since you guys may not be avid Meatsheet readers I’ll keep saying it.

Support me and the artists in this entry. Many many many hours go into creating these works. Due to socio economic and socio political concerns that will be left nameless, its hard to get your art ‘ out there ‘. That is to say, harder and harder to monetize artistic works like blogs, zines, music, merch, etc.

So if you follow, share, purchase from any of us, you are doing your part to offset the bloated corpos that do not give a bloody toss about creativity. They care only about keeping their “music business” finances flowing.

Why not have art and the ability to have some good “currency” aka energy or money exchanged ? Be well.