First, a little background. Sockhat is more of a label than it is a band and it’s more a demo testing ground than it is a place for official releases. It’s a little murky but releases from Sockhat are works-in-progress.

In respect of that, these DGLPII recordings are demo’s for the second Dialup Ghost LP – hence the acronym’ed title. This is a similar occurrence to the original Dialup Ghost demos that eventually became the full-fledged release, I’m Fine, I’m Fine. It’s unclear why Sockhat shares these demos but it’s a fascinating process to be able to reference these rough versions in comparison to the polished final versions. Maybe that’s exactly the point.

Aside from the curious fascination that comes with hearing a band work through their songwriting process in public, there’s some real gems in here. I implore anyone reading this to listen to “If You Find Heaven” as the Daniel Johnston vibe is so strong I was convinced it was a cover. Google set me straight. The track was also included in a DG single but it’s nice to see that the band hasn’t forgotten about it.

Murfreesboro outfit Big, If True describes themselves as “Punk Rock for Sad Dorks and Meme Lords” and have released a 3-song EP of tracks entitled Lenny Kravitz is a Serial Killer (​.​.​.​and We Think You Ought to Know). If you assume it’s a somewhat sloppy, lo-fi, bratty but poppy collection of not-so-serious songs, you’re exactly right.

While I have a warm appreciation for the choice of album title (and accompanying title track), the real gem here is the second track. “Reddit Doesn’t Think I’m Funny” is a high-energy, frantic, sub 2-minute diddy that manages to capture that ridiculous-but-catchy vibe that you’d hope for from a feel good offering such as this one.

I’ve got to assume that Big, If True probably has no desire to receive any such semi-serious writeup about their work and who am I kidding? It’s absurd and stupid but since it’s on purpose, you’re free to enjoy it.

We cover the High-Bias Cassette-Based Operations fairly regularly so it’s likely you’re familiar with the regular output from the label. While this new track isn’t one of the four-track undertakings that they are known for, all you really need to know is that this track is a collaboration with Davis himself (Superdrag, Epic Ditch, The Lees of Memory), Andy Herrin (Cavo, Two Chalfonts) and Matthew Caws.

If that last name doesn’t ring a bell, go back and revisit any Nada Surf album liner notes and you’ll see that he’s the lead vocalist and one of the primary songwriters. If you have funny feelings about Nada Surf, you haven’t been paying attention for the past twenty years, as they have grown to be a rightfully beloved rock band with just the right balance of sensitivity and powerful execution. If you have warm feelings about them, you’re in the right place.

Musically, the song pounds its way forward with an anthemic call to arms expressed through the perfect marriage of Davis and Caws vocals. Lyrically, it’s also rather optimistically leaning with phrases like “I’ve got a feelin’, I see it in the sky. let’s raise up the ceiling, and treat each other kind.” Great advice for 2019 and beyond.

The Blog That Celebrates Itself has been providing underground and indie music coverage for a solid ten years. Along with that, they also put together special compilation projects that may pay homage to one of their favorite artists or fit a particular theme. You might have seen their Smashing Pumpkins or Fleetwood Mac tributes. Or maybe heard one of their planetary comps.

Most recently they released Little Fury Things, Dinosaur Jr. Revisited that features 17 bands taking on various renditions of the Dinosaur Jr classics. One band on that compilation is Nashville’s own Your Gaze and their cover of “In a Jar“, originally from the 1987 release You’re Living All Over Me. As one would hope, the band did a wonderful job of reinventing the original and infusing their shoegaze styles to it.

It’s subjective but I dare say the Your Gaze version is superior to the Dinosaur, Jr. version. That’s a blasphemous take if ever there was one but the song works extremely well as a wall-of-sound onslaught.

It’s been said before and it’ll be said again but it is a damn pity when a band releases an album moments before Christmas break. The latest from Mama Would Be Proud came out on December 21st of 2018 and I imagine many folks never caught it simply because, well, it was December 21st.

It’s a shame because the album, Meet is Murder, is legitimately interesting. At first glance it would appear to be an earnest, lo-fi, indie pop undertaking. The strained, high strung, vocal style is akin to Daniel Johnston in some ways; both evoking an innocence and a surprising confidence that carries the songs along. However, upon further listening, you’ll notice that there’s a penchant for beats, samples and keyboard swirls throughout that you’d rarely get from a straightforward bedroom endeavor.

For example, lead track “Throwing in the Towel” eventually subsides into a long form, ambient, piece; eschewing the vocals entirely for the last two minutes. “Best Carpenter” becomes a meditative refrain of the title as it stretches out past the seven minute mark. The title track, “Meet is Murder,” is both drunken and tropical before, again, devolving into something entirely different for the last quarter of the song; hinting at entirely different capabilities of MWBP.

To call a record challenging feels like a pejorative. Meet is Murder isn’t always immediately grabbing with big hooks but it’s a worthwhile investment to catch the numerous synths at play, the layered vocals and for the discovery of where a song may end up; often in an unexpected destination.

If the makeup adorning the band members press photo didn’t clue you in, newcomers The Blam Blams are very into the glam scene. In fact, they’re a self-professed “next-generation Glam Rock band” according to their bio. Generally, citing David Bowie and Queen as major influences can set the expectations bar way too high or, even worse, allow listeners to pigeonhole what you’re capable of. Fortunately, the Roll On debut manages to fulfill the Glam Rock criteria and surpass being nothing but a musical stereotype.

With only three tracks to form an opinion on, the band wastes no time in launching into densely laden harmonies, rollicking pianos and searing guitar noodling. It is immediately familiar but not distinctively derivative. Even the ballad-y “Liquid Gold” manages to stylistically cite Queen without feeling like a ripoff.

By the time EP closer “A Pretty Face” kicked in, this listener was locked in. The epic guitar mixed with bellowing layered vocals is entirely undeniable. All and all, a phenomenal first release with a lot of promise for a future LP.

There’s an unfortunate thing about releasing music at the very end of a calendar year. Music journalists have likely wrapped up their Best Of lists and potential fans have packed up the habitual listening habits as they partake in various holiday and Not At Work activities. That being said, it’d be a real bummer to overlook the debut release from faster is faster, An Invisible Red Thread, which was released on December 21st, 2018 – smack dab in the middle of everyone tuning out of the Internet.

The ten song undertaking is an ambient affair; a lyric-less journey that works its way between the foreboding and the optimistic. “The Music as a Caterpillar” stretches out dark synths over interesting beats and loops, while “Mirabile Dictu” sprinkles a lively swirls in between 2001-esque tones. It’s meditative and transfixing to listen to but never reluctant to hold your attention or fade into the background.

Not to bury the lede but the mastermind behind the project is Dillon Smith, most typically known for his guitar work in Protomen. A rabid fan may claim they hear that influence seeping in but it stands on its own. In fact, it’s a more compelling offering because of how much it stands on its own.

Available now on Bandcamp or streaming services.