Dig ‘in: Iceage, Meat Wave, The Art Museums
Dig ‘in with us as we comb through the latest releases that’ve caught our ears, plus the resurrection of a prior, under-appreciated gem, and find out what performances we’re excited to see and hear that are coming to Chicago’s stages.
INCOMING
Iceage - Seek Shelter (Mexican Summer LP)
With Iceage’s previous releases it wasn’t uncommon to emerge somewhat bruised and beaten over the course of their full-on sonic assault. Granted, the payoff was inevitably worth the wear and tear, despite their general lack of nuance. 2018’s Beyondless broadened their musicianship; incorporating more horns and even violin to some of the tracks, but the sense of world-weariness generally persisted. While Seek Shelter isn’t inundated with optimism, frontman Elias Bender Rønnenfelt comes across as more settled in his place in this universe. On the opening track, “Shelter Song,” he offers protection and comfort for others that are seemingly under constant attack. A boisterous chorus elevates the sense of celebration in “Dear Saint Cecilia;” a paean to the Roman saint of music and poetry. “High & Hurt” provides a reminder that Rønnenfelt’s pain is still present as he assesses the damage inflicted by false gods. Old wounds are often hard to heal, but fortunately now recovery seems within his grasp.
Give it a spin at their Bandcamp page
Spiral XP - Drop Me In (Peaceful Tapes EP)
Versing drummer, Max Keyes, steps out front for this ambling 5-song effort available either by cassette or digitally from Courtney Gavin’s (The Courtneys, Gum Country) new label. The surging guitars balance nicely with Keyes’ languid voice to frame his compositions that bring to mind the sounds of producer Joo-Joo Ashworth’s band, Froth. Most representative of this approach is the song “Atrophy,” which perfectly chronicles Keyes’ uncertain road journey marking his relocation from Philadelphia back to his hometown on Bellingham, Washington. From beginning to end, Drop Me In is a trip well worth exploring.
Get lost over at their Bandcamp page
The Reds, Pinks and Purples - Uncommon Weather (Slumberland Records LP)
The prodigious Glenn Donaldson continues to pursue a singular, introspective vision with TR,P&P, which took root around 2013, after his previous partnerships in a number of San Fran outfits (Ivytree, Skygreen Leopards, Art Museums, Telephone Numbers, etc.). These bedroom-like recordings (or in this case, Donaldson’s kitchen), are almost entirely his handiwork as a multi-faceted instrumentalist. Uncommon Weather’s baker’s dozen of songs are wistful and achingly beautiful, bringing to mind the likes of East River Pipe’s F.M. Cornog and Martin Phillips of The Chills at their confessional bests. While the song title “A Kick in the Face (That’s Life)” might suggest an insufferable pity party, Donaldson treats the encounter as a bittersweet reminisce. Likewise, he wishes a lost love good tidings in the dramatic “I Wouldn’t Die for Anyone.” With its Neil Young title grab, “The Record Player and the Damage Done” evokes the profound emotional impact that music can leave us with. On Uncommon Weather Donaldson treats his music as therapy, with plenty of painful moments, but also with a relentless pursuit of finding an understanding of things and an agreeable way forward.
UPCOMING
Cafe Racer
Where: Empty Bottle / Directions
When: July 22, 23, 24 9:00 PM
Cafe Racer close out Empty Bottle’s July three-night Chicago residency series (following Ganser & FACS). It’s been a welcome means or reintegrating local bands with their fan bases by incorporating earlier set times and more available floor space than usual due to the club’s measured reopening. Last year saw Cafe Racer drop their sublime Shadow Talk album in May, but then be forced to sit things out with no viable opportunities to return to a stage until now. Whereas earlier recordings centered around the band’s Velvets-like drone, Shadow Talk broadened Cafe Racer’s vocabulary with embellished song structures and blissful vocals. Expect to hear some new material since the band just dropped a new single on Independence Day that features guest Chicago vocalist Mia Joy on the track “Touchstone,” which highlights a more dream pop sound.
Meat Wave
Where: Subterranean / Directions
When: July 24 9:00 PM
If you’re already headed out to see Chapel Hill headliners Archers of Loaf (for this sold out show), be sure to turn up early to catch locals Meat Wave. Now a decade into their existence, these garage punks recently dropped a digital release of their Volcano Park EP on Bandcamp (with a vinyl offering slated for August 6 via Big Scary Monsters). Meat Wave carry on the lineage of Chicago punk circa late 70s/early 80s, with a measure of emo tossed in. Their bullshit detector remains on high alert, which is invaluable considering the times we live in.
Hinds
Where: Empty Bottle / Directions
When: July 30 10:00 PM
Where (bonus): Lollapalooza / Grant Park
When (bonus): July 31
This Madrid quartet have never been less than exuberant during the times I’ve seen them on stage. That’s a high standard to maintain considering the band once played 18 sets during a single SXSW visit. The vocal interplay between guitarists Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote is infectious and their lockstep dancing promises to have you grinning from ear to ear. Their 2020 release, The Prettiest Curse, is somewhat less shambolic than previous records and perhaps indicative of their desire to reach a wider audience. Here’s hoping they gain some more converts during their time in town on both the big and little stages!
UNCOVERED
The Art Museums - Rough Frame (Woodsist LP)
This 2010 collaboration from Glen Donaldson (The Red, Pinks and Purples, Skygreen Leopards) and Josh Alper (The Lowdown, Whysp) was inspired as a heartfelt tribute to the sounds of Television Personalities Dan Treacy’s Whaam! Records label. The beloved TVPs have become a rallying point for new generations of lo-fi pop aficionados, and Rough Frame is certainly a worthy representative of that legacy. While similar in its devotion, the Art Museums record differs from a release such as Here’s The Mick Trouble LP, which employed a more tongue-in-cheek delivery compared to their hearts-on-their-sleeve approach. While the band was able to release a follow-up EP and a couple of singles thereafter, sadly Josh Alper was tragically killed in a bike accident in 2013, leaving Rough Frame behind as a particularly poignant document of his partnership with Donaldson.
We recommend listening along over at our Spotify page. Here’s this week’s content: