Going (Band)Camping: Tenth Edition

 Wow, after this post I'll have done 10 of these? That's pretty cool. I've been enjoying spotlighting the interesting stuff I find on Bandcamp and I hope everyone had been liking my posts. As always, my reviews will have links to the albums so you can listen and then agree or disagree with my opinions. Without further delay...

Dante Elephante--Mid-Century Modern Romance

I was introduced to the soulful R&B of Dante Elephante by my subscription to VNYL as some of his stuff just recently came in my second package. I saw he had a Bandcamp account and listened to, "Mid-Century Modern Romance," numerous times as it is a crackling record. The first two tracks, "Find Somebody to Love," and, "Jeni," are both full of breathless energy as Elephante plays the smoothest tracks you've heard in some time and croons about trying to locate a lover and then an affection for a girl named Jeni he worries he will scare-off if he comes on too strong. A track riffing on the television show, "90 Day Fiance," suitably titled, "90 Days," is welcome too, as catchy as it is hilariously clever. "Mid-Century Modern Romance," is a masterpiece, simply put. Find out for yourself how great it is here.

5 out of 5 stars.

Burn TV--How Did I Breathe

The artist behind Burn TV actually reached-out to me via email. They'd seen my reviews of artists on Bandcamp and wondered if I would mind checking them out. I did and I liked what I heard on their one-track EP! They had an awesome music video for the song, "How Did I Breathe," they linked to as well on their Youtube and I loved its grainy and underground VHS aesthetic. The music is a bit rock, a bit noise (but not overly abrasive like some noise genre stuff), and very engaging. It's fun! Find it here at this link.

4 out of 5 stars.

I Have Four Names--Spike It EP

I reviewed an album by I Have Four Names back in my fifth edition of this series, and they've only managed to get better since. This EP is short but sweet, with the initial track, "Capital A's," being the one I found myself returning to often. It's just good, solid indie rock that smacks you in the face with its pounding drum, great guitars, and insistent-but-thoughtful lyrics. You can listen to this latest EP here.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Bryon Siren--Love/Hate

Some quiet lo-fi alternative rock entertains your ears once you start playing, "Love/Hate." The track, "Everytime," was my favorite, but everything is solidly listenable. Every song kind of hums along without offending my ears or really standing out. It's good, but not great. See what you think here.

3 out of 5 stars.

Nanny--Can't Remember Can't Forget

I don't know a ton about punk music, but I do know I generally like it when it's done well. Nanny's album, "Can't Remember Can't Forget," is great punk, for sure. The first track, "Friday, bb," is full of enthusiasm out the gate and the song, "Timeline," with its powerful drums and speedy guitar riffs is a standout track. It never gets too heavy (I'm not a heavy metal fan, usually), but does sometimes get a bit of a thick grunge vibe. I dig it. Find it here.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Going (Band)Camping: Edition 5

Here we are, the fifth edition of, "Going (Band)Camping." I continue to love finding great and unique music on Bandcamp and sharing my thoughts about those tunes with you all here. Tastes in music can obviously vary, so you may quite agree or completely disagree with my opinions on these artists and their songs. I'd encourage you to explore them all so you can form an opinion too! Now then, let's talk about some jams!

CONDITIONER--LOW POINT

Sometimes the situation calls for good, enthusiastic, well-done punk music. For such a situation, "LOW POINT," is a great album to play. It is pretty brief, but generally any punk song longer than 3 minutes isn't truly a punk song in many folks' opinions. I grooved to the whole thing so I can't say there is a standout track so much as the entire LP is great. It isn't too heavy or light, just energetic punk from our neighbor to the North, Canada. I recommend it to any punk-lovers who want to check it out at this link.
4.5 out of 5 stars.

Quarrel Reef--Fluorescent Lights

This album by Quarrel Reef is full of fun, laid-back jazzy rock, and sometimes just straight-up jazz. It has that indie sensibility of, "Let's just make some noise and have fun," but with the positive element that the, "Noise," made is some darn catchy tunes. I adored the closing track, "House Party Blues," and could listen to it on repeat without growing sick of it anytime soon. You can get yourself a digital or physical copy here.
5 out of 5 stars.

THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES--Acid Tape

Released on tape but also available digitally, "Acid Tape," is described by its creator as, "Thicc and crunchy analog Acid music," in the vein of the subgenre Acid House. Basically, it is some really danceable techno that you can move your feet or bop your head to as its heavy thump invades your brain and gives you a boost of energy. Every song keeps the BPM going, with the whole thing a pleasure to hit, "Play," on and let the tape roll. I recommend it anytime you feel low on enthusiasm and need a pick-me-up. Check it out here.
5 out of 5 stars.


I Have Four Names--IH4N (DX)

This album by I Have Four Names is pretty enjoyable. It has a solid mixture of melodies, and vocals that with their clever melancholic vibe really remind me of the great band Modest Mouse. One standout track is, "Capslocked," with its metaphor of a boat capsizing. It's some fun indie rock from straight out of Australia and is very listenable. Find a copy for yourself here.
4 out of 5 stars.

Android Apartment--Roes and kisses under the rain

I've not listened to a ton of what the kids call, "Vaporwave," but from what I have heard I think I've developed a taste for it. This LP from Android Apartment features all the usual Vaporwave goodness of sound like a neon-drenched techno landscape inspired by the 80s but blasted into the present. From the first song, "Under a cloudy sky," to the rest of the LP the album is extremely fun and gets you grooving in your seat while driving/working as it plays in the background. Get yourself a copy here.

5 out of 5 stars.