Fang Island Streaming

Major

Don't know how I missed this until now, but NPR has been streaming the upcoming second full-length from Brooklyn's Fang Island.  I really enjoyed their self-titled debut, and Major appears to continue their mission of making everyone feel good.  The combination of seventies-style guitar and keyboard freakouts and relentlessly positive lyrics is going to make for a good running soundtrack, I think.

Major is due out on July 24th and should be streaming until then.  Check it out and see what you think.

Gaslight Anthem First Listen

Handwritten

NPR has an early peek at the big New Jersey sounds coming on the next Gaslight Anthem album, Handwritten.  In my review of Japandroids' Celebration Rock, I listed a bunch of artists that I thought were big Japandroids influences.  Don't know how I could have left The Gaslight Anthem off the list.

If GA comes back to Asbury Park's Convention Hall this time around, I think I'll make an effort to go see them.

The record's due out next Tuesday.

Celebration Rock

Japandroids Streaming at NPR

While I was away, NPR started streaming what may end up being the album of the year for me.  Single "The House That Heaven Built" has already been one of my favorites this year.  At 8 songs, 35 minutes, the full album takes me back to some of the best of the Replacements.

Japandroids' Celebration Rock gets an official release on June 5th, just in time to blast from your car windows or to annoy your neighbors during your backyard barbecues.