Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at releases by Quiz Show, The Maravines, The Gumbo Gumbas, Big Rips, and Wet Methods.
Quiz Show - "Quiz Show". A little over a month ago in this column I raved about a single from Quiz Show's then forthcoming self-titled album, telling you to listen to them because their songs are incredible punk/post punk alt-rock, not because the band contains Chris Matthews, a founding member of Shudder To Think, and Kevin March, the drummer for Guided By Voices.
Those reasons still apply on this awesome album!
The Maravines - "Orange". The Maravines are masters of indie-folk-rock, with beautiful harmonies and hooks that draw you in. Their latest release, "Orange" contains some new songs, along with reworkings of some of their songs that have been around for several years. It is perfection, like floating upon calm waves on a warm day, relaxing and engrossing.
The Gumbo Gumbas - "Zydeland". You do not have to go to New Orleans to party with a great Zydeco band. New Jersey's own The Gumbo Gumbas seem always ready to bring fun and energy! The two mellower songs interspersed on the album, give you a chance to slow dance, or have a drink.
Their latest album, "Zydeland", is only available at their shows, so put on your dancing shoes and go have a good time!
Big Rips - "Fun Face". Described on Bandcamp, "A bunch of songs about depression, half finished demos, and other little bleeps and bloops to unsuccessfully try to fill up 2 sides of a tape."
The lyrics are definitely serious and about depression, but they are masked under the "fun face" of undeniably upbeat, happy sounding music... just like so many mask their depression.
Wet Methods - "WET METHODS". 19 songs in 26 minutes, you might things these songs are all going to be loud and fast punk songs, and you'd be largely wrong. While there is a punk ethos throughout, most of these songs would fit more neatly into alt-indie-rock. With the longest song clocking in at just over 2 and a half minutes, even the most time strapped person can find time to check out these songs, and you should because they are great.
That's all for this week.
Remember BlowUpRadio.com, plays these and many other New Jersey based artists on our internet radio station, so please check us out. #SupportGoodMusic - If you like any of the above artists, please purchase their music from their site. And if you would like to part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon at https://mstdn.social/@BlowUpRadio
