Black Tambourine - What's Your Game

“What’s Your Game?” by Black Tambourine // One Two Three Four (2012) // Originally by The Ramones

Black Tambourine have brought their jangly, fuzz pop out of retirement after 21 years for an EP of covers based on the songs of The Ramones. “What’s Your Game?” is the first taste and truth be told, this feels like it could have been recorded 21 years ago. This is a band not missing a beat, and just picking right back up where they left off, with warm fuzz pop riffs and killer hooks. This track also features backing vocals from Dee Dee of the Dum Dum Girls, Rose Melberg of Tiger Trap, and Jenny Robbins of Honeymoon Diary. A must listen for fans of the C86 sound.

(download) “What’s Your Game?” by Black Tambourine (via Soundcloud)

The Holiday Crowd - Never Speak Of It Again

“Never Speak of it Again” by The Holiday Crowd // Over the Bluffs (2012)

There’s no getting around it, The Holiday Crowd is clearly inspired by The Smiths. I’ll leave it at that. They’ve got a knack for recreating that sound of moody-yet-dreamy love-lost while keeping the sounds upbeat and jangly and loaded with melodies. There are plenty of other bands that are much worse choices to draw heavy inspiration from, it’s just really out in front. This is an album that could have been made in 1986 and it’s actually kind of refreshing to hear it played so unabashedly tight to the time. The C86 sound has been a fairly popular touchstone in recent years with lo-fi indie bands embracing the sound wholeheartedly, but rarely has it sounded so purely from that time. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of The Smiths (or Morrissey), Orange Juice, or Belle & Sebastian. 

(stream) Over the Bluffs EP by The Holiday Crowd (via Soundcloud)

Wild Nothing - Velocity Girl (Daytrotter Session 1-2-12)

“Velocity Girl” by Wild Nothing // Originally by Primal Scream // Daytrotter Session (1.2.12)

Wild Nothing stopped by Daytrotter recently to lay down some in studio goodness featuring Jack Tatum and a full band. They primarily cut versions of tracks from the wonderful album, Gemini, but they also put down a solid version of one of their go-to live covers, Primal Scream’s “Velocity Girl”. What came out was 90 seconds of swoon-worthy, dreamy, jangle pop bliss. You can pick up the entire performance at Daytrotter.

The Orchids - I Just Don't Care

“I Just Don’t Care” by The Orchids // The Way That You Move (2011)

If you’ve been missing a little bit of that C86 jangle-pop from your life, The Orchids are back with a new single (packed with 2 b-sides) to help ease your craving. It’s the kind of somber, yet warm twee/jangle pop you’d expect from most of the (often self-deprecating) bands that emerged from the C86 sound in the mid-80s. It’s rock solid goodness that fits the overcast, autumnal days that are on the horizon. Definitely worth a listen. 

Primal Scream - Velocity Girl

“Velocity Girl” by Primal Scream // Crystal Crescent/Velocity Girl (1986)

Before Primal Scream went hard and stepped up the experimentation, they nailed some great jangle pop tracks down. This one was even included on the classic NME C86 compilation (though apparently Bobby Gillespie was not pleased with the association) that seems to have influenced a new wave of lo-fi bands these days. I’ve always loved this jam. It’s less than 90 seconds long, but it makes the best of it’s run time with a killer melody and catchy instrumentation.

(Stream the entire C86 Compilation on Soundcloud)

Brilliant Colors - Value Lines

“Value Lines” by Brilliant Colors // Again and Again (2011)

I’ve been all over this album lately. It’s just some of the best throwback jangle-pop that I’ve heard in ages. It’s beyond infectious and somehow feels so much more genuine than so many other recent bands that have been grasping for this particular dreamy, C86 sound. This spiky little blast of fun has been jammed up in my ears for the past few days and I’m completely fine with that. So fucking good.

(Brilliant Colors @ Blogspot // Slumberland Album Page)