Dear Suburban Home,
I’m writing to you today to ask you a favor. Will you please stop putting out these folk/country/Americana albums!? I mean, Yesterday’s Ring aren’t that bad but The Takers, well, I just don’t know. This stuff is getting kind of redundant. Maybe you can go back to putting out pop/punk again? At least for a little while perhaps? That would be killer! Or at least more bands like Look Mexico might do the trick. Thanks!
Still your friend,
Will.
P.S. Tim Barry is acceptable.
Who? Rooftops
Where are they from? Bellingham, WA
What do they sound like? Mathy instrumental goodness. I covered the band’s split with Noumenon a while back but I would have never guessed the band’s debut full-length, A Forest Of Polarity, would be this good. Rooftops are predominantly instrumental but the songs that add vocals are just downright heavenly. It’s like some amped up version of This Is Animal Music-era Look Mexico almost. But the band keeps the vocals to a minimum and in reality they just aren’t needed when the songs are consistently this good. At the end of the day you can’t ask for more than this if you are a fan of atmospheric math rock. CD out on Clickpop and Vinyl soon to be out on Topshelf. And yes, I am working this for Beartrap. Life is good.
Look Mexico “You Stay. I Go. No Following.” from Look Mexico HD on Vimeo.
This song is from Look Mexico’s recent 7″ release as well as their upcoming Suburban Home album, To Bed To Battle, which is set for a March release. I will be very interested to see what people have to say about this record as the band is definitely moving in a different direction.
Wretches Black Vinyl 10″
Hop Along use to be Hop Along, Queen Ansleis which was essentially the project of Miss Frances Quinlan. While I was aware of Quinlan and her moniker I must plead a bit of ignorance to the discography that came before this 10-inch. It seems as though the material that came before Wretches was more solo-oriented whereas Hop Along has seen Quinlan move to a full-band approach as Dominic Angelella and Mark Quinlan were added on guitar and drums respectively.
One can hardly argue with the results of the full-band approach. Before I had a chance to listen to Wretches I had the pleasure of seeing Hop Along open for Look Mexico a few months ago. I was left with my jaw on the floor for the most part and promptly dug the band’s 10-inch out of my vinyl promo stack the next day. Wretches capably captures the band’s live energy and Quinlan’s crazed but endearing stream-of-conscious lyrical style. The eleven minute plus “Second Name” is the breath taker here as Quinlan’s intimately bare lyrics seemingly describe the unspeakable silence between two lovers whose relationship is cracking apart. While the lyrics might come as a shock to the system they are equally exhilarating and thought provoking. Quinlan’s songs are certainly never boring as the arrangements give the band an epic feel. On Wretches, Hop Along prove that there is indeed strength in numbers.
Label: Salinas
Find Me A Drink Home was by far my most played album of 2008. Poetically frustrated lyrics set to power pop…fans of Lemonheads and Smoking Popes should fall in love just as I did many times over. Definitely honored to have worked with the band for Beartrap. Watch out for these guys. Bigger and brighter things are on the horizon!
It recently occurred to me that amidst all the excitement surrounding Tiny Engines‘ decision to partner with the amazing Tigers Jaw – between the hustle, bustle and shenanigans involved in releasing records – we completely forgot to make any sort of formal declaration regarding the label’s latest vinyl endeavor. In fact, it totally just dawned on me that aside from a handful of people I’ve casually mentioned it to, no one even knows about our newest, sweetest little slab of 7-inch awesomeness, Spirit Desire.
On that note, Tiny Engines is officially confirming that it will release Spirit Desire, the latest 7-inch from Scranton, PA’s Tigers Jaw.
Furthermore, Tiny Engines would like to make a second, equally momentous announcement: Spirit Desire is now available for pre-order. To procure your copy, go here.
There – I’m sure the Blogosphere is blowing the hell up right about now. Read more
I have some great bands lined up for SAL’s new Artist corner/interview/whatever feature. This should be interesting.
First two features will be posted next week and they come from Shuteye Unison and Oceans.
Also, I have gotten tentative confirmations so far from Algernon Cadwallader, Look Mexico, O Pioneers!!!, Bridge And Tunnel, Arrows, Static Radio, Sakes Alive!!, Iron Chic, Empire! Empire!, Rapid Cities, Driving On City Sidewalks, Monument, Joie De Vivre, Lights At Sea, Cloud Mouth, Little Lungs, Blue Sky Law, Henry Gale, Young Livers, The State Lottery and hopefully much more to come.
Alright, I’m off to Charleston, SC to see Dino Jr. play. Later suckas.
LOOK MEXICO – Debuts New Video for “You’re Not Afraid Of The Dark, Are You?”
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* from latest EP, GASP ASP – Out now on Tiny Engines / Lujo
* Unreleased Bionic Ear Session track available for free download
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LOOK MEXICO (Tallahassee, F.L.) has unveiled a new video for “You’re Not Afraid Of The Dark, Are You?” It’s the first song from the band’s latest EP, GASP ASP.
Remember the pie eating scene in Stand By Me? It’ s sort of like that, minus the vomiting.
Gasp Asp was recently released in 7-inch vinyl format by Tiny Engines while Lujo Records released a digital version in September of 2008.
In other news, Look Mexico stopped by Bionic Ear Recording Studio on their last U.S. tour to record something shiny and new for Indie Rock Review’s Bionic Ear Sessions. You can download a free mp3 for the previously unreleased “Just Like Old Times” here. There’s also a great video of the band recording the song in the studio.
Currently, Look Mexico is writing new songs for what will be the full-length follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut This Is Animal Music. The band will be playing a handful of shows in Florida over the next couple months, including the Harvest of Hope Fest in March.
Look Mexico – You Ever Get Punched In the Face for Talking Too Much? from If You Make It on Vimeo.
Joshua Mikel of Sharkguts and Look Mexico fame has illustrated his thoughts on 2008. In his words “I wanted to be a part of your year end list so I drew up this little picture on a bar napkin that just about summarizes 2008 for me.” See if you can find Waldo!
Click on album artwork for more.
#10 – Fleet Foxes “Sun Giant” (Sub Pop)
- I listened to the Sun Giant EP much more than I did the band’s following self-titled LP. Take that for what it’s worth.
#9 – The Gaslight Anthem “Señor and the Queen” 2×7″ (Sabot)
- Simply put, this band can do no wrong.
#8 – Shuteye Unison “Self-Titled” (Parks And Records)
- Moody, atmospheric indie rock played with huge intentions.
#7 – Little Lungs “Hoist Me Up!” (Self-Released)
- From the ashes of Each Others Mothers and Tin Kitchen comes Little Lungs. Pieces of those bands exist here but Little Lungs throw in a more punk rock approach.
#6 – Lanterns “Apocalypse Youth” (Self-Released)
- Huge pop hooks buried underneath swirling guitars. Lanterns are Trail of Dead without the pretension.
#5 – Dinomania “Text Messages” (Bark And Hiss)
- I was addicted to these songs upon my first listen. Not sure what the future holds for this mysterious outfit but I hope it includes more music in 09!
#4 – Tin Armor “Self-Titled” 7″ (Whoa Oh)
- Tin Armor are what Smoking Popes once were. Yeah, I said it!
#3 – Look Mexico “Gasp Asp” 7″ (Tiny Engines)
- The first release on the label I started with some buddies. I already loved Look Mexico but these songs cement the band as one of my favorites! And they’re super cute too!
#2 – Iron Chic “Demo” Tape (Dead Broke)
- Do you miss Latterman? You shouldn’t after hearing the first five songs from Iron Chic. So amazingly good!
#1 – Annabel “Now That We’re Alive” (Self-Released)
- I listened to Now That We’re Alive so many times this past year. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked with the band for Beartrap. Debut LP upcoming…stoked!
Look Mexico – Gasp Asp 7″
Dustheads – Collected Sounds
Sinaloa – Oceans of Islands
Tigers Jaw – S/T
1994 – Thank You Arms and Fingers
Good Luck – Into Lake Griffy
This Will Destroy You – S/T
Algernon Cadwallader – Some Kind of Cadwallader
Fucked Up – The Chemistry of Common Life
Dillinger Four – Civil War
- I heard you can order that Look Mexico 7″ at Tiny Engines…just saying. – Will.
Tiny Engines, Punknews.org and Look Mexico celebrate the band’s new 7″ Gasp Asp with a contest! You can win a whole bunch of Look Mexico loot plus of course, the new record! Check it here! And of course you can skip the contest and just pre-order the record here. Or do both. Whatever creams your twinkie!
Hey everybody, Tiny Engines is finally born! The record label that I have started with some friends (Chuck Daley from Beartrap PR and Jeff Meyer from Jena Berlin) is finally upon us. Check out the press release below and definitely check out the music. I think this is Look Mexico’s best stuff yet. And buy a 7″ so I can at least break even cause I am broke! Thanks!
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LOOK MEXICO – GASP ASP vinyl now available for pre-order!
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* Pre-order 7-inch now from new label Tiny Engines (cause we’ll be out of business in six months)
* Vinyl available in three colors – ships on November 25th
* Digital version from Lujo Records available now
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GASP ASP, the newest 7-inch from Tallahassee, Florida’s LOOK MEXICO, is available now for pre-order from fledgling, destined-to-fail label, Tiny Engines.
Go here to grab a copy of this tasty slab of plastic. Orders will ship on November 25th and will include an mp3 download code for the songs.
Undoubtedly Look Mexico’s best work to date, Gasp Asp builds on the foundation of their brief-but-impressive catalog – the dynamic instrumental interplay, undeniably catchy melodies and a knack for keeping things unpredictable. Still, these three tracks inject a welcomed sense of maturity and craftsmanship, and Look Mexico sound more assured of their songwriting abilities than ever before. The band has truly discovered its own unique voice in indie rock.
On the other hand, Tiny Engines hasn’t done a single noteworthy thing, save for this 7-inch…which isn’t even out yet. Having said that, we’re fairly confident that we put together a really sweet first release. There are 1000 copies of the vinyl being pressed in three colors: light blue (200), white (200) and green (600). We also printed jackets (art by the band’s Josh Mikel / layout by JLP) featuring matte-finish and two foil-stamping variations. Of course, it’s easy to put together an awesome package when you’re working around three amazing songs.
Listen to “You’re Not Afraid Of The Dark, Are You?” (mp3)
You%27re%20Not%20Afraid%20of%20the%20Dark%20Are%20You_.mp3
Speaking of mp3s, in September Lujo Records released a four-song digital EP version of Gasp Asp. If vinyl doesn’t get you all hot and bothered, the EP is available from iTunes now. And don’t forget to check out other Look Mexico albums from Lujo, including The Crucial Collection and their awesome debut full-length, This Is Animal Music
It’s also worthwhile to note that Suburban Home is taking pre-orders for a split 7-inch between Look Mexico and pals Fake Problems. The vinyl is the first volume in Suburban Home / Vinyl Collective’s Under The Influence Series.
- Gasp Asp makes an ambitious statement through an extended sonic palette. – Delusions of Adequacy
- Gasp, Asp is both lyrically and sonically superior to any of the band’s past material. – Captain Obvious
- Their musicianship is beyond reproach, and I swear they didn’t bribe me with pizza to say that. – Buzzgrinder
- Armed with a new found bite, Gasp Asp is Look Mexico’s most cohesive release to date. – Consequence of Sound
- Gasp Asp provides listeners with some quality content that points to Look Mexico’s continued evolution. – Pastepunk.com
- The ambitious multi-instrumental sonics of Gasp Asp should leave former associations in the past where they belong. – REAX
