Music | Heartbreaking Bravery

November 26, 2013

Benny the Jet Rodriguez – Run. (Music Video)

Home. Run cover art

There was a time when it seemed like every other music video that an “alternative” band released was just the group of misfits responsible for the song having a blast with each other. While that branch of filmmaking certainly isn’t dead, its numbers have dwindled considerably. This is the very reason why whenever that kind of video surfaces now, the carefree nature stands out more than ever. Both The National (“Graceless”) and Swearin’ (“Dust in the Gold Sack”) used the aesthetic to craft two of the year’s most memorable videos. Basement poppers Benny the Jet Rodriguez exude that kind of slapdash nonsense with an infectious glee. They took their name from a character in The Sandlot, their music often resembles The Replacements on a particularly good night of drunken debauchery, and their music video for “Run.” features them playing baseball with firecrackers. Firecrackers. It’s all done tastefully and the sheer amount of joy manages to bleed through. This is the best kind of pick-me-up. Both the video and the band are well worth returning to. You can buy Home. Run from No Idea and watch the video below.

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November 23, 2013

On the Up: Acid Fast

The amount of outstanding music that can be linked back to the Swearin’ collective is staggering. One of the reasons for this is Swearin’ drummer Jeff Bolt’s active involvement in the basement pop scene. Not only has he played drums for just about everyone that falls under that umbrella in Philadelphia, he runs Stupid Bag Records which primarily releases tapes and vinyl from his respective Philadelphia circle. Once in a while, though, Stupid Bag will have a release due to emotional investment in a certain band. Oakland, CA’s Acid Fast are one of these bands. It’s easy to see why; their Rabid Moon tape is one of 2013’s strongest highlights.

Acid Fast incorporates a similar aesthetic to Swearin’, only they utilize a different approach. While melodies are still in tact, the band ratchets up the pure aggression of their music. There are certain points on Rabid Moon that fall between the fiercest 90’s emo and the weirdest lo-fi indie punk of that era. Put bluntly, this band rips. Fortunately, for everyone, they’re positioned nicely for securing the recognition they deserve. Rabid Moon is currently available on cassette through Stupid Bag and follows an outstanding 2010 demo.

Keep both eyes peeled for all of the upcoming coverage the band should be getting and listen to a three-song sampler from Rabid Moon below.

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November 20, 2013

Gap Dream – Shine Your Light (Music Video)

Burger Records is back at it again. After an absurdly huge 2013, they’ve still got a few aces hidden away. One of those is most certainly Gap Dream’s Shine Your Light, which is currently streaming over at Pitchfork Advance. Shortly after that stream went live the band unveiled a weirdly compelling music video for the title track that features an outstanding performance from Mr. Show‘s John Ennis as a hard-drinking detective who stumbles across an alien abduction plot. The Jonny Look-directed clip’s infused with the kind of psychedelic flourishes that permeate Gap Dream’s music, providing a level playing field where both audio and video complement each other to perfection. If nothing else, watch it for the outstanding facial expression at the 2:53 mark.

Stream the record (which is some of Gap Dream’s strongest work) by clicking the link to Pitchfork Advance in the above paragraph and watch the noir-inflected sci-fi video for “Shine Your Light” below. Pre-orders for Shine Your Light are available from Burger Records and the record’s available in several formats including a glow in the dark LP. Highly recommended.