By Kathryn Pinto
1. Earlimart
“10 Years” System Preferences (The
Ship)
Until September, Ship Collective
founders Earlimart hadn’t released a record since their work with Jason Lytle
(of Grandaddy) on Admiral Radley. Earlimart’s Aaron Espinoza was also busy
running his recording studio and record label The Ship. Before the release of System
Preferences you were as likely to see
Espinoza beardless and incognito stirring it up after the midnight sets at the
Satellite with whomever had the moxie or ill fortune to challenge him in
debate. The new album proves that Espinoza and bandmate Ariana Murray still
have the slow burn songwriting fans fell in love with on earlier records.
2. The
Hectors “Your Favorite Year" (upcoming self-released album)
The Hectors are the best kept
secret in Los Angeles, at once one of the most serious bands around and the kid
who takes one look at the music business and--bat and ball in hand--takes off
down the block. This album exudes total reverence for their craft but punk rock
in attitude and all else. The cool musical reference for these guys is some
band on K Records sufficiently esoteric that you—and even I--have never heard
of them. Just throw something more obscure than The Spinanes and Beat
Happening on top of your standard Pavement and shoegaze references.
3. Sea
Wolf “Old Friend” Old World Romance (Dangerbird)
Alex Church and his band return to
the golden coast with Old World Romance.
The sound is a warm rich amber glow, equal parts California sun and embers and
low flame of a gypsy campfire somewhere in Eastern Europe. Church is as near
and familiar as, “Yeah, Alex used to work here as a day job,” and as Hollywood
distant as a guy who has a song on a Twilight soundtrack. Even on record Church is as soulfully
shy as halting tangential talkstory at the merch table.
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