The Men - Ex-Dreams

“Ex-Dreams” by The Men // Open Your Heart (2012)

What better way to start your Friday (weekend) than with a blast of noisy punk from Brooklyn’s The Men. This is another track from their forthcoming album on Sacred Bones. It’s fast, melodic, noisy and could easily soundtrack your weekend’s more exciting moments and still have plenty of energy to spare. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but a must listen for fans of The Replacements, Rocket From the Crypt, and The Wrens. 

The Men - Open Your Heart

“Open Your Heart” by The Men // Open Your Heart (2012)

Here’s a blast of that noisy, post punk infused power pop that keeps the blood flowing. The Men are back on Sacred Bones with a new album that’s less dark, foreboding, and more (as Pitchfork put it) Westerberg-ian. Fine be me! It’s been my desire lately to hear more of this - straight forward, well played throwback indie rock sounds, and The Men have pegged me dead bang. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but a must listen for fans of The Replacements, The Fresh & Onlys, and The Wrens (and maybe even a little Rocket from the Crypt).

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)

The Replacements - Birthday Gal

“Birthday Gal” by The Replacements

I used to love embarrassing this girl I used to know by getting hammered and doing my Paul Westerberg impression in public places. This was always one of the big hits from those nights. I hadn’t heard this track in a long time and just stumbled upon it. Thought I’d post it for old time’s sake. If I can’t embarrass her anymore, I can still loudly embarrass myself and that was half the fun. Then again, I’m not hammered either. A quarter the fun, it is.