Flash Forward

I’m not a huge Animal Collective fan. I’m not a hater; it’s just that besides 2009’s mind-melting ‘My Girls’ not much else in their vast catalogue has tickled my fancy. Strange that, as tepid as I am to Animal Collective, I would enjoy the music of Lexington, Kentucky’s Estadio Olimpico to the degree I do.

Many of the sonic touchstones are similar. The heavy tribal percussion, the layers of wailing voices drenched in reverb, the jittery guitars are all cut from the same cloth, but Estadio Olimipico separates itself by it’s overall listenability. Where Animal Collective leans toward the obtuse, Estadio Olimpico shows a keen sense of pop dynamism that make for a rewarding listen, even when culling from the same palate of sound.

Check out their bandcamp for last year’s excellent ‘Ageless Gracing’ EP plus a new track from their forthcoming ‘Wilderness Literature’ EP. Both are yours for an email address.

bandcamp: http://estadioolimpico.bandcamp.com/

I first saw Givers almost two years ago, on my very first night in Atlanta. The five-piece form Lafayette, LA impressed with a set of jubilant indie pop. The music was excellent, but what really stuck with me was the earnestness of the performance. The smiling and dancing, the jumping up and down, and the borderline disturbing looks of wild abandon on singer/guitarist Taylor Guarisco’s mug were evidence that these folks were truly having the time of their lives up there. 

In the time since that memorable show, Givers have been busy. They signed to Glassnote records over the winter and released their debut LP, ‘In Light’ this spring. The exuberance translates well to the recording, especially on the standout track, ‘Up Up Up’. Like a Louisiana gumbo, the band takes a kitchen sink approach when stirring influences into the sonic cauldron. Afro-beat, Latin, and even traditional Irish sounds make their way into the stew. Percussionist/vocalist Tiffany Lamson’s voice is a delight; sweet and smoky, with little bits of gravel in it where it’s needed most. It blends well with Guarisco’s and the two harmonize at times with delicious results.

Givers kick off their European tour Friday, August 5th with a show at The Academy in Dublin. 

official: http://giversmusic.com/

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/GIVERS/65782606394?sk=wall

label: http://www.glassnotemusic.com/

Whoever said “good things come in small packages” must have been referring to the monster new track from Radical Dads. ‘Recklessness’ clocks in at just over two minutes but the Brooklyn trio makes the most of it, cranking the guitars up to eleven and churning out an anthemic fist-pumper that conjures visions of flannel shirts and Doc Martens boots.

The tension starts building from the very beginning as drums pound and cymbals crash underneath the most massive guitar tone I’ve heard in quite some time. Singer Lindsey Baker belts out the lyrics like “watch out that you don’t get caught” with the intensity of vintage Superchunk, reinforcing the 90’s rock revival vibe while still sounding incredibly fresh in today’s indie rock landscape.

Radical Dads debut LP, Mega Rama is out now and available from their bandcamp.

bandcamp: http://radicaldads.bandcamp.com/

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/radicaldads

official: http://www.radicaldads.com/

I’ve been mad grooving to this song since I came across it on some music blog. This girl Kimbra is apparently from Australia or New Zealand and I quite admire her desire to name her child Nebraska.

Seriously, I can’t get this song out of my head!