I SLEPT ON THE SOLID GROUND NEAR YOUR HOUSE

Although not as blaring as former Sargent House label-mates and recent ATG favorites Tera Melos, Maps & Atlases have also been known for their quirky variety of math rock.  Seriously, these dudes have dropped guitar riffs angular enough to put Pythagoras to shame.  The Chicago four-piece’s latest release, Perch Patchwork, sees the band’s usual eccentricity infused with a hefty dose of melodic pop and folk.  The result is an album that is a hell of a lot more accessible than their first two EP’s but still fresh and interesting.  The guys recently released a video for their soulful single, “Solid Ground,” which you can watch above.  Perch Patchwork is out now on Barsuk Records.

MP3: Maps & Atlases – “Solid Ground”

Love,
Adrian

GONNA GET YOURSELF SHOT

Tera Melos’ transition from abrasive math-core to a strangely infectious brand of experimental pop-rock is impressive, not only because of the vast difference between those two sounds, but for the amount of praise they’ve gotten since that change.  Not a day has gone by without me hearing some acclaim of the band’s latest album, Patagonian Rats. I’m a fan either way and glad that Tera Melos are finally getting the attention they deserve.  Check out the eerie pill-and-ground-meat-laden video for the album’s latest single, “Frozen Zoo,” above — perhaps you’ll find yourself unexpectedly hooked.  Patagonian Rats is out now on Sargent House.

MP3: Tera Melos – “Frozen Zoo”

Love,
Adrian

Careful Crossers

I don’t think I need to say much about Sargent House guitar demons and ATG favorites Fang Island.  The dudes tore up this year’s SXSW and since then everyone and their mother has been raving about them.  The band just released a video for “Careful Crossers,” another song off the prog-pop-rock masterpiece that is their self-titled album.  Not quite sure what’s going on in this claustrophobic strobe and silly string orgy, but I want in on it.  Check out the video after the jump.

MP3: Fang Island – “Careful Crossers”

Love,
Adrian

Oh, That’s Alright! Hey, That’s OK!

Sargent House has got an ear for fantastic music.  Their roster’s chock-full of kick-ass artists like Rx Bandits, Good Old War, These Arms Are Snakes, Tera Melos — all different as hell but amazing in their own rights.  Anyways, considering how awesome all these dudes are, I figured I’d check out some of their label mates that I wasn’t too familiar with.  Now I can’t stop listening to Fang Island.

Fang Island’s got a bit of everything I could ask for in a band.  Their music’s both frantic and uplifting, a bit like the frenzied cheerfulness of Los Campesinos after downing a couple of Red Bulls.  But there’s more to them than that.  You can tell from the full-band harmonies, prog-pop guitar riffs, and borderline arena rock solos that Fang Island is on top of their game.  I’ve never come across such a combination of seemingly different musical styles pulled together so well, and I doubt I ever will again.  Of the songs I’ve found, “Daisy” seems to be my favorite of the bunch.  Grab it below.

MP3: Fang Island – “Daisy”

Don’t forget to check out their video for the track.  It’s got enough Patrick Swayze references (two) to make a grown man cry.

“Goddamn! You are one radical son of a bitch!”

Love,
Adrian

Rx Bandits – “Hope Is A Butterfly…”

BAM! Double post!  As Zack already mentioned, sorry for not being around recently.  But we plan to make it all up to you guys with some regular posting.  As soon as you know it, ATG will be up and running just like it was back in the good ol’ days.  Anyways, today I come to you with a brand new track from the greatest band in the world.  That’s right, Rx Bandits.  I’ve made it very well known here that I am utterly obsessed with these guys.  Since the release of The Resignation, RXB has struck gold everytime they’ve entered the studio.  Well this summer they’re back with a brand new album, Mandala.  So far we’ve only managed to hear clips of new songs embedded in the band’s studio update videos.  Today fans are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hear a whole track off of Mandala, “Hope is a Butterfly, No Net Its Captor, She Beats Her Wings and Softly Sings of Summer Scent and Childrens Laughter (Virus of Silence).”  It’s a bit different than their previous material.  If anything, I’d say it’s a mix of …And the Battle Begun with the Sound of Animals Fighting.  I realize that that may not be the best comparison in the world considering RXB are basically the brains behind the experimental supergroup, but after listening to the song you’ll see what I mean.

You’re going to have to sign up for the RXB mailing list if you want to get your hands on the song, but that isn’t such a bad thing.  You should’ve been following everything this band’s been doing anyways.  Follow the link below to listen.

Link: Rx Bandits – “Hope is a Butterfly, No Net Its Captor, She Beats Her Wings and Softly Sings of Summer Scent and Childrens Laughter (Virus of Silence)”

Mandala will be released through Sargent House on July 28th.  Thanks to Bedwetting Cosmonaut for the heads up on this song.

Love,
Adrian