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Thursday, January 28, 2016

DeliMag Winter 2016 Print Issue, No. 45 + Featured Cromwell Reviews

The 45th Print Issue of The Deli Magazine is out and available for consumption here in the Winter of 2016.


Inside a number of Dave Cromwell composed features can be found, referencing more detailed writing previously appearing on the magazines website.

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Those fuller features get an expanded look here, along with other selected Cromwell/Deli writings focusing on music worth a second listen.

You can access the entire issue on the web in choice formats, here

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The combined forces of Brooklyn and Long Island deliver impressive results with the Gingerlys debut 7" EP “Jumprope” out on Shelflife records.



The title track establishes essential band parameters featuring pitch-bended vintage keyboard hooks and dreamy female vocals. Softer story telling verses give way to an angular, syncopated chorus, who’s urgency bring to mind fellow Brooklyn dreampoppers Field Mouse. “Summer Cramps” comes quicker via bass and clean guitar at a Cure/”Inbetween Days” pace, before polyphonic synths establish the dominant hook. “Better Hearts” surges forward with similarly sweet vocals and an optimistic feeling that slots closer to The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. The lyrical content suggests all may not be entirely well, as they’ve “seen better hearts,” and “you don’t know me.” Closing track “Set You Off” evokes early era (pre Loveless) My Bloody Valentine with tandem male/female vocals and a light, airy vibe. Acoustic guitar driven, keyboards provide traditional pad backing, with electric guitar establishing the melodic hook. The band is working towards completing a full-length album, and doing live shows showcasing additional songs to be included on it.


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Brooklyn’s Infinity Girl released their debut full length album “Harm” on TopShelfRecords a few months back.



The first single “Young” shows an incremental shifting towards pop music, that moves away from the loose jam sound previously explored on their 2012 EP “Just Like Lovers.” The current track comes on at a quicker pace, but lyrical verses are clearer, allowing for snippets of vocal hooks to take a deeper hold. Nods to My Bloody Valentine’s “Loveless” era can still be found in the metallic pitch-bended welded shearing sound that emerge within the mix. The poppier elements owe more to the development of a song structure with a lighter overall feel. A band like The Pains of Being Pure at Heart successfully blended romantic compositions and teen angst lyrics with harsher guitar sounds, and Infinity Girl appear to be taking a similar route. However, dense layers still emerge within this track, keeping the essential feel more dreamgaze than twee.




Additional tracks from the album can be heard here.


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New York City punk rock/girl-group-harmony-hybrid Baby Shakes showcased the release of their second full length album “Starry Eyes” with the single (and accompanying video) “Summer Sun.”


While we are now in the heart of snow laden winter, we can escape to warmer times by taking in this perfect slice of Coney Island atmosphere. Beach time fun is fully on display in both video and song, which captures the Ramones “Rockaway Beach” vibe with Ronnie Spector vocal harmonies. The three front-ladies make a solid case that brunettes have just as much fun as blondes do at the shore.




After recently completing a successful European tour that took them through Ireland and Scandinavia, they’ll head out to conquer Japan in February.


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Emerging from the guitar/drum nucleus of prior decade indie rock band Lotion and adding keyboards to their sound, New York City’s Baby Spiders release an inspired three song EP “Seven months out of the year.”



Leadoff track “Knockout Gas” pairs distorted synth-bass patterns with a distinct guitar melody over loose power-rock drumming. Vocals are delivered Ozzy Osbourne style, where the last word in a lyrical line trails off in echo. “Summer Triangle” lumbers forward at a slower, more deliberate pace. The defining hook comes via a heavy synth line over Leslie-speaker-amp driven Hammond organ pads, mirroring what prog-rock crossover band Deep Purple did so well. Final track “Hunter” continues the heavy English blues rock references, dipping into the canon first popularized by bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin. Verses are closer to narration than actually sung, with big riff breaks in between. An extended keyboard led coda fills out what is the EP’s longest track at over four and a half minutes.





Classic Rock Magazine has included "Knockout Gas" on their "Wild Things" CD of "rock'n'roll's 15 wildest new beat combos."

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Brooklyn stalwarts Fort Lean released their debut full-length album Quiet Day on indie label Ooh La La Records this past October. Establishing themselves on the local scene over the last few years through a number of singles, EP’s and live performances, this latest release delivers their most accessible but also best orchestrated work to date.



Standout track “Might’ve Misheard” emphasizes why the verse/chorus song structure works so well. While those verses are sonically spacious (allowing for intimate detail storytelling), the huge bombastic chorus delivers a memorable vocal hook bathed in a sea of guitars. “I thought you said we could both disappear – then we’d get away” provides both auditory and emotional release, while cleverly embedding the songs title within follow-up lyrics.


Previously released opening single “Cut To The Chase” builds around clean, undistorted guitar figures over a 50’s stroll rhythm. Melancholy bridge chords emerge as the lyrics turn pensive and confessional. “Never mind, it’s alright, you can lie, you can say that it’s ok” comes as the defining hook. Title track “Quiet Day” burns slowly as a steady bass guitar pattern runs through it. Mental turmoil is suggested not only through lyrics but via audio textures that play like a tense psychological dramatic film soundtrack.


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Previous Deli Mag features on Fort Lean Written by Dave Cromwell

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Also featured in Print Issue No 45 - No Honeymoon

and


Sharkmuffin

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19 comments:

The Midnite Rambler said...

It's always nice to read your articles so I can hear about the newer bands from New York.

DaveCromwell said...

Yeah, this is definitely a collection of rising bands, Midnite Rambler. Oftentimes the artists featured on this blog run the gamut from legendary to the up-and-comers. But since this one features ALL Deli Magazine artist I've covered - that magazine focuses solely on the new and emerging talent.

Mirror said...

Chris Mills wrote:

Baby Shakes 'Summer Sun' - speed it up and dirty it down - could be the female Ramones! Fun stuff!

Baby Spiders 'Knockout Gas' - started off cool and vibey, but, for me, it seemed that the sneaky disguise of Matrix-style black leather jackets suddenly peeled away to reveal a check-shirted, good ol' boy rock band bringing home a dead moose in a pick up truck. Not my thang I guess, but maybe will have appeal to many others.

No Honeymoon 'Together Alone' ( EP ) - anyone who likes The Cranberries should love this extravagently tone-washed sound- tunnel. It was great to hit their FB page and be able to listen to this EP instantly without having to refer to some disfunctional site elsewhere. By far my favourite of Crom's latest selections. Thanks Crom!

DaveCromwell said...

Baby Shakes are definitely the *prettier* Ramones for sure, Chris. Also fun to watch beach videos in the middle of winter!

Glad to hear No Honeymoon hit the mark for you. They've got a good buzz going about them now with both The Deli Mag and yours truly showcasing their great songs recently. And yeah - not having to wade through layers of diversions hear the music is always a good thing.

Mirror said...

Michael Laughlin wrote:

Sharkmuffin sounds intriguing. I'll check them out along with Infinity Girl.

DaveCromwell said...

Cool beans, Michael!

Both those bands worth digging further in to.

Misty said...

I'm loving the music (and your descriptions) of Gingerlys, Infinity Girl and Baby Shakes! the first two are very dreamy, while those 'shake' girls are too much fun :)

the bands you feature here and at The Deli Magazine are always worth discovering. the music listening experience is helped when you can read some insight and analysis on where the artist may have drawn some of their influences from.

DaveCromwell said...

Happy to hear you like those particular bands, Misty. The broad rock music spectrum is one that has always drawn from past influences. Oftentimes this "cyclical" style isn't by intentional design, but rather comes from the subconscious. The accumulated wealth of knowledge and influence that occurs naturally. I'd like to think my writing style follows a similar route.

Mirror said...

RoboRaspi, #NowTrending and Infinity Girl Retweeted you:
#groundhogday musicblast featuring (among others) @topshelfrecords @infinitygirl___ http://tinyurl.com/jat69cx #davecromwellwrites #IowaCaucus
RoboRaspi #NowTrending Infinity Girl


Infinity Girl liked your Tweet
#groundhogday musicblast featuring (among others) @topshelfrecords @infinitygirl___ http://tinyurl.com/jat69cx #davecromwellwrites #IowaCaucus
Infinity Girl


Topshelf Records (via Twitter)

@DaveCromwell
#groundhogday musicblast featuring (among others) @topshelfrecords @infinitygirl___ tinyurl.com/jat69cx #davecromwellwrites #IowaCaucus

Liked by Topshelf Records @topshelfrecords
San Diego, CA via Boston, MA. A record label started in 2006 by @sethdecoteau & @kevinduquette. Download our free sampler: tpshlf.co/tsr2014

DaveCromwell said...

Great to see Infinity Girl and their label Topshelf (along with their fans and other social network trendsetters) helping to spread the word about their feature here.

Mirror said...

Baby Shakes (via Twitter)

Retweeted and Liked

@DaveCromwell
#NewMusic #blog featuring @thebabyshakes #song + #video #review + upcoming #japan #tour tinyurl.com/jat69cx #davecromwellwrites #love
05:36 PM - Feb 16
Baby Shakes @thebabyshakes

DaveCromwell said...

I don't doubt that Baby Shakes tour of Japan turns out to be as successful as the one they had in the UK just a few months ago. The Japanese have always had a wonderful fascination with American rock & roll.

Mirror said...

Ray Kimura wrote:

Except Gingerlys, all the other bands introduced in this blog this time were new for me, so, I tried to listen to all. Fortunately, today I take a day off and am chilling with listening to music at my room.

As for Baby Shakes who come here to Japan, I think they're not so bad, though, sound 'too much Shonen Knife'!

I can say this about Gingerlys too, i.e., their sound is good, but they sound like the early era of The Pains tooooooo much. I always feel this is the borderline whether some indie rock/pop bands could succeed or not.

Ringo Deathstarr broke through this 'borderline', so, they've become the 'original' band now.

I think Infinity Girl is my taste! Their sound is so good.

I'd like to check out more songs by them.

DaveCromwell said...

You would know better than anyone as a Japanese fan of English and American music, how both Shonen Knife and now Baby Shakes draw from The Ramones for inspiration, Ray. I think there will always be a place for this style and sound.

Of course we have discussed our beloved Ringo Deathstarr many times already. I think they belong more to Japan now than Texas and the USA!

Glad to hear that Infinity Girl hit the mark for you. Definitely worth your while to check out all they have to offer.

Mirror said...

Theo Aronson wrote:

Thanks for the awesome write up on Fort Lean's new record man. So glad you dig it. Best review/summary we've gotten so far. -T

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Ooh La La Records Retweeted:

musicblast featuring (among others) @OohLaLaRecords @FortLean http://tinyurl.com/jat69cx #davecromwellwrites #mondaymotivation

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PLANET OF THE VAPES (@FortLean) + Chris Strider (@stridinstrider) Liked/Tweeted:

musicblast featuring (among others) @OohLaLaRecords @FORTLEAN tinyurl.com/jat69cx #davecromwellwrites #mondaymotivation

DaveCromwell said...

It’s always rewarding to hear that something you’ve written is “the best review” done on a record.

It definitely serves as continued inspiration towards maintaining the highest writing standards achievable.

Much appreciated Fort Lean and Ooh La La Records.

Mirror said...

Sharkmuffin Retweeted @davecromwell
read what I wrote about @Sharkmuffin here http://tinyurl.com/jat69cx before heading out to their show tonight #davecromwellwrites #sharkmuffin
Sharkmuffin

alexander laurence and Sharkmuffin liked @davecromwell’s Tweet
read what I wrote about @Sharkmuffin here http://tinyurl.com/jat69cx before heading out to their show tonight #davecromwellwrites #sharkmuffin
alexander laurence Sharkmuffin

@DaveCromwell
Dave Cromwell Retweeted Sharkmuffin
B4 heading out to this show, read what I wrote about @Sharkmuffin here: http://tinyurl.com/jat69cx
#davecromwellwrites Dave Cromwell added,
Sharkmuffin @Sharkmuffin
AT OUR FIRST NYC SHOW IN 2 MONTHS @AVIV!! we released a new GP Stripes tape -- https://www.facebook.com/events/955902821132030/

DaveCromwell said...

Was great catching up with the always entertaining Sharkmuffin once again! Have a great tour, Ladies.

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