Columboid - Cruise On Your Own

Those who read this space know that I generally keep things pretty locally relevant. But, when it comes to one label I generally proclaim no regional bias. SHDWPLY Records is based out of Norfolk, VA, but is also responsible for some Baltimore splendor. They pressed Teeth Mountain's LP, and also look to be the channel for some more Baltimore artists in the near future.

All that aside, this tape is just a damn fine release. Columboid is an entity out of Brooklyn, and features past/present members of Coyote, Man Man, Vaz, Lewis and Clarke and Icy Demons. This is one of SHDWPLY's newest releases, with only 100 copies on cassette to be made. A follow-up 7 inch is also in the works.

The tape wastes no time getting into the good stuff, as the first song "Statehoarders" is a hauntingly warped take on Neil Young that you can somehow almost dance to. The cassette proceeds on only to chug out jam after jam of jaded sonics and tribal get-downs that are all bridged together quite brilliantly.

Their is something inherently primitive about this album, as the often prominent synths seem to evoke feelings from deep within. Thoughts of cavemen dance parties are common, as the sonically stimulating themes fade in and out with tons of passion. It's almost as if Columboid aims to start a rave at some sort of creepy sacrificial ritual. And if that was their goal, I'd sure as hell be in attendance at such a warped affair.

This is by far one of the more interesting releases to grace my inbox as of late, and I look forward to more good thing's to come from the this Brooklyn duo. Hopefully we can bring them to Baltimore sometime soon, but in the meantime, grab this tape.

The G: Hold My Gold

With a steady stream of fantastic lo-fi experimental pop and avant garde recordings, SHDWPLY has been a go to label over the past year or two. It's newest release is a bit of a change-up for the label, harnessing power from some of the early 90s' greatest forces.

Philly's The G, just dropped their first full length dubbed Hold My Gold via SHDWPLY. Packed with dirty rock and roll, this is one of the more easily accessible releases the label has produced.

No bells and whistles here, just straight up raunchy riffs and melodies that a make you want to chug some Jim Beam and ride Gravedigger into the night.

All monster truck comparisons aside, this Philly foursome would not be out of place if they were released on Merge back in 1992. With heavy guitars reminiscent of Carolina's early 90s output, think Superchunk or Polvo but maybe a whole lot drunker. Filtered through more modern fuzzes of punk and pop, the result is a sound that's catchy as hell.

While the rock is fantastically sloppy at times, tunes like "Behold a Pale Horse" are full of heart and help to round out the record's sound. This thirteen track LP comes highly recommended, and was limited to only 200 pressings. With a gritty silk-screened sleeve that's pictured above, I'd suggest picking it up.

Dudes are working on booking a show in the area, stay tuned for details on that.

Sore Eros

From a field in Connecticut, enter Sore Eros. The debut LP Second Chants spins turntables February 14th, delivering soulful dream folk to pondering minds abound.

Assuming Animal Collective's MPP is as ridiculous as anticpated, this might be the next best thing emerging out of 2009 so far. Via SHDWPLY RECORDS, the album conveys hazy hopefulness reverbed with gleeful experimentation from start to finish.

Second Chants is limited to 500 copies, check shdwply's site for pre-order info in the coming weeks. Sample some choice tracks from the record below.

Little Trooper / Wicked Poseur Split 7"

SHDWPLY RECORDS recently dropped a highly recommended split single. Norfolk's Little Trooper contributes "Wasn't Ready", a pop gem complete with handclaps and campfire choruses to roast smores to.

Wicked Poseur, hailing from Texas, sound like the mishmash of Wolf Parade and The Cure. "Acrylic Tomb" rocks this crucial combo to the fullest, and leaves me hoping there's more to come from the duo.


Stream the two singles below, and be sure to check out previous SHDWPLY releases from The Super Vacations, Baltimore's Teeth Mountain, and Gary War. Expect more to come.

Gary War

SHDWPLY Records is home to must-hear Baltimore, Virginia, and other more nomadic artists alike. The label has dropped some seriousness as of late, and plans on continuing to do so. I already gabbed about The Super Vacations and Teeth Mountain's LPs, but indeed there is more.

Gary War rocks the psych post punk whatever with more vocal echoes and guitar bliss than you can shake a stick at. His debut record, New Raytheonport, is out now on SHDWPLY and Disaro. He's also got a single dropping in the fall on Sacred Bones.

From what I've heard off the label's promo, more good things are in store for the future. Check out some Gary War tunage for now below, and check back for more new stuff.

The Super Vacations & Teeth Mountain

Everybody loves vacations. Especially super ones. And if everyone loved gritty lo-fi pop music, that would be cool too. The Super Vacations provide songcraft reminiscent of Dennis Wilson filtered through production similar to Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. Signed to SHDWPLY RECORDS, they share the same label as Gary War and Teeth Mountain.

Balitmore's Teeth Mountain have also just released an LP, which the first 100 were released on limited edition blue vinyl. Not just pretty on the outside, the tribal electro soul beated record surges effortlessly. I missed them at whartscape, but plan to document live coverage asap.

With age, I'd expect to hear more from me about all 3 artists. Buy their debut albums here or here right now. Hopefully another triple-billed tour is in the works.