***The Separate EP represents the latest evolution of one of underground rock’s most captivating bands, ROOMRUNNER. Recorded last fall in the band’s hometown of Baltimore with producer J. ROBBINS (Jawbox, Burning Airlines), the EP masterfully captures the group’s live intensity and its newfound songwriting voice. All four band members contributed to the writing process and the collaboration reveals new dynamics. The songs may surprise longtime fans as the quartet improves upon its hard-hitting, headbanging formula to make more complex and melody-charged music. Singer-guitarist DENNY BOWEN Bowen allows his voice to be much more exposed on Separate, showcasing his before-unheard versatility as a vocalist. Drummer BRET LANAHAN worked with Bowen on the EP’s big vocal hooks and the dreamy harmony the record ends with. Lanahan’s ferocious drumming is bone-crushingly powerful throughout the record. Bowen, guitarist JEFF BYERS, and bassist DAN FROME weave in and out of each others’ tunes, veering between intricate, crunchy, and explosive riffs.
LP $12.75
10/28/2014
***Baltimore's CRIMSON WAVE first made a name for itself by crafting one of the most consistent demos of 2013. The group's lo-fi dream pop turned heads and garnered comparisons to the likes of Felt, Galaxie 500, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. With 2014's "Say / Calling You," Crimson Wave takes a big leap forward, not only on a sonic level, but in terms of song-writing as well. The title track is explosive, thanks to SOPHIE WALTER’s dynamic guitar work. The epic, “Calling You” is a moody slow burner that pushes singer/guitarist MEGAN LLOYD’s subtle yet powerful vocals. Bassist KATIE LANGER and drummer SAM WHITELAW play off each other with ease on both songs, making Crimson Wave sound more experienced than a band just releasing its first single. There are very few bands today that will leave you breathless. Crimson Wave is one of them.
7" $4.90
10/28/2014
***Let’s be honest: every town has a dorky shoegaze band. While most of their shoegaze/dream pop peers seem to hide lazy songwriting behind heavy fuzz and hazy vocals, TECHNICOLOR TEETH doesn’t let their pop songs get completely buried beneath the distortion. When Technicolor Teeth released their debut LP, Teenage Pagans last year, they brilliantly combined heavy grungy riffs with a dream pop sensibility. And on their latest single, Technicolor Teeth forge a darker path that still winds its way back to great pop music. “Blood Pool” peels away its heavy guitars like a dress, proceeding into bleak, beautiful hypnosis. This is the type of song hinted at on their debut LP, now fully realized. The B-side, “Drips,” channels early, playful Soft Machine pop, mingled with the downer vibes from the flip side. If you haven’t been paying attention to Technicolor Teeth, these two songs will make you take notice and realize why this new trio is one of the most exciting bands going.
7" $5.40
08/06/2013