I was a little late getting the Under The Needle posted this week. I have been super busy and it was hard to pick what albums I wanted to include in this installment. This week there is an eclectic mix of music that we wanted to share with anybody that cares to listen. The picks range from some amazing heavy music that will make you punch dance out your rage to emotionally charged sweet sounding indie music. Whatever your taste is, you will like something in this mix. Enjoy!
Rabbits — Bites Rites
Rabbits on Facebook
Good To Die Records
Portland band Rabbits rock hard. The album cover is kind of what I look like after I get done listening to the opening track “We and Zoo”. I am not actually trying to bite someone but I am in the midst of screaming FUCK YES. That feeling of FUCK YES continues throughout the entire 26:52 duration. When the last track “What’s Going On” ends I always have the urge to flip the record back over to side A and listen again. Good To Die Records really know how to find my new favorite bands. You can pick up a copy of this on vinyl over here –> Rabbits – Bites Rites
They will be playing on Friday October 12th @ The Kraken (Seattle) and I would recommend getting there early because I have heard it is a tiny venue.
Hooves — Fetch, Little Doggie
Hooves on Facebook
Devils Tower Records
Hooves are a Bellingham/Phoenix based rock band. It is a brand of rock that has a southern blues feel and will get your feet stompin’. They recently were the winners of Bud Light (gross) battle of the bands down in Las Vegas. I think it is safe to say that we will be hearing more and more of this band in the future. This produced material didn’t quite capture the raw energy of their incredibly fun live show but still is a good listen. Catch ‘em live and you wont be disappointed.
The Helio Sequence — Negotiations
The Helio Sequence Website
Sub Pop
Portland indie vets The Helio Sequence recently dropped their 5th album. This album has been the result of some hard times (flooded studio) and new ideas regarding the equipment being used and process of creating their tunes. You can read all of the details HERE. Even though there is a lot of different here, there is a lot of familiar, too. Summers and Weikel created a beautiful record and I like how Sub Pop puts it:
“This collection of shimmering, reverb-heavy songs is a meditation on those inner dialogues (hence, Negotiations) with solitude, memory, misgivings, loss, atonement, acceptance and hope. Most of all, it’s a record that serves as a testament to the beauty, blessing, and excitement of a fresh start.”
You can get your own copy over here —> The Helio Sequence – Negotiations
No Spill Blood — Street Meat
Label Page for No Spill Blood
Sargent House
Being a huge fan of Adebisi Shank I was super stoked to hear that guitarist Lar Kaye had a new project. When I realized that Lar was playing drums in this new project my excitement level got even higher. Pair that with the album cover art done by Sonny Kay and I knew I needed this record before I even heard a song. That was a smart purchase because Street Meat is insane. I have been listening to this beast of an EP at least once a day when I am near my record player. Now I just want a chance to get an auditory ass whoopin’ from these guys live. Make sure that you get your own copy over here —> No Spill Blood – Street Meat
Animal Collective — Centipede Hz
Animal Collective’s Website
Domino Records
There are a lot of Animal Collective fanatics out there. I hear “you don’t become an Animal Collective fan, you are born one” a lot. I disagree with this because I do not LOVE everything that these guys have put out. Prior to Centipede Hz my AC love was with Strawberry Jam. Centipede Hz is rad. I do LOVE this album. It is their second best in my opinion and witnessing it live this Tuesday was a real treat. As you come to expect from these guys, it is an erratic and psychedelic adventure. Are you going hiking? Pick up a copy over here —> Animal Collective – Centipede Hz
Crypts – s/t
Crypts On Tumblr
Sargent House
Crypts have been on our radar ever since they blew our minds playing sandwiched between Deafheaven and Russian Circles. I burned a copy of their self-titled release and it has been in my car CD player since. I have an hour commute each way when I go to work and this album has been on heavy rotation. I have never grown tired of it and find myself playing it louder and louder each time. I am a little obsessed but I feel that it is a healthy obsession because I have converted some friends into Crypts fans.
I got a chance to catch the record release party when they opened for Chelsea Wolfe on 9/9 and it was awesome. Seattle crowds are fickle and you can never tell if there will be a good vibe or if it will be a motionless sea of people. The crowd for Crypts was into it and the dance vibe was heavy. Check out the video for Fancy over here —> FANCY. Pick up your own copy over here —> Crypts – s/t
Make sure to witness the mayhem live:
10/19 @ The Triple Door (w/ Omar Rodriguez Lopez)
10/31 @ Chop Suey (on Halloween? too perfect)
