The Official Ironmen Rally Song (Guided By Voices Cover)

“The Official Ironmen Rally Song” by Lightouts // The Cure for Shyness (2012)

Brooklyn’s Lightouts are back with a track from their fourth single, this one a cover of the excellent Guided By Voices track, “The Official Ironmen Rally Song”. They keep things fairly close to the chest on this one, minus some instrumental flourishes in the back end of the track. This is all just fine because the original is pretty incredible template to be working off of and Lightouts do a great job of maintaining that good stuff. 

(via danceyrselfclean)

California X - Mummy (Demo)

“Mummy (Demo)” by California X // TBD - The Sounds of Sweet Nothing Records (2012)

It’s refreshing to hear something so stripped back and raw as this demo from Amherst, MA band, California X. They’ve recently signed with excellent up and coming label The Sounds of Sweet Nothing (Au Palais, Tashaki Miyaki) to release they’re debut single. In the meantime, you can check out their demo set at Bandcamp, which includes this indie rock throwback gem. Think of the years when the term “indie rock” meant something, and you’ll be getting close to what this sounds like. Definitely for fans of early Guided By Voices, early Built to Spill, and The Replacements. 

(stream) The Demos of California X (via Bandcamp)

Guided by Voices - The Unsinkable Fats Domino

“The Unsinkable Fats Domino” by Guided by Voices // The Unsinkable Fats Domino b/w We Won’t Apologize (2011)

Robert Pollard managed to get the original line-up of GBV back together for some recordings and sure enough, they still have that power pop muscle that made them a million drunken fans. It’s actually refreshing to hear something that reminds me so much of the early years of indie rock. That Matador record sound that I used to hang on ever note of every release. It’s a damn good jam and you can get it free from the label right now. Beers not included. 

(download) “The Unsinkable Fats Domino” by Guided by Voices (via Matador)

Robert Pollard - Woman to Fly

robert pollard - WOMAN TO FLY

Everyone’s favorite indie rock drunk has a new album out and on it you will find this track. A simple, sonic burst of sleepy strumming and swirling peddle effects as he croons for a “woman who’s nice”. Not asking for much these days. By the song’s end, it’s a shimmering beauty.

Guided By Voices - Chasing Heather Crazy

guided by voices - CHASING HEATHER CRAZY

Why not stick with the flashback theme and toss some more old Matador releases on the fire.

(mp3) Chasing Heather Crazy (right click to save)

Guided By Voices - Game of Pricks

guided by voices - GAME OF PRICKS

From Matador at 21 // Disc 2: The Years of Milk & Honey (1993-1995)

(mp3) Game of Pricks (right click to download)