Elon Musk (the band, not the Paypal co-founder turned Space explorer) describes themselves as “exploring the cosmic frequencies… a space cruise through fuzz and phase.” There is little additional flair that one could add to that summary that would be at all necessary. They nailed it.

On their latest release, entitled .​.​.​As Your Wanderer Taps At The Invisible Gate, the band embarks on a sprawling 37-minute single-track journey. On the face of it, you’d call it Post-Rock; ebbing and flowing through quiet moments that eventually give way to large outbursts. However, that’s a broad stroke that undersells the enjoyable details. The aforementioned fuzz and phase is ever present, combined with warbling distortion, droning bass and pounding drums that are offset by empty voids of delicate entropy. The four movements of the record work well as a cohesive piece but are careful to introduce new elements and styles so the listener isn’t lulled into a repetitive place.

The Bandcamp tab has been sitting open in my browser since the albums release in mid-March of 2020 as it’s not an album you want to hear just once. It’s also accompanied by a full album video “edited together from mostly Stan Brakhage/Terrence Malick Films” – serving as a wonderful visual companion to jaunt across the cosmic frequencies.

The bands record release show at The 5 Spot was cancelled due to viral concerns. Hopefully once we return to some normalcy with live shows in venues again, they can rebook as it’d be a shame not to see this live. In the meantime, turn down the lights, turn on the visual album and go forth.

One time I walked into The Basement just as a set from Fable Cry was kicking off. Frontman Zach Ferrin struck me with his distinctive look – a dapper suit with a finely curled moustache and perfectly coiffed hair. If you mistook him for a cartoon villain, you wouldn’t be the first. Anytime a band has a “look,” there is a presumption that the music is second class to the aesthetics but I am happy to report that the entire set was a captivating experience with no shortage of well crafted songs.

That said, we are excited to premiere “Come Meet The Reapers”, the first single from the forthcoming third full-length LP and an introduction to the characters and concepts within. The official press release states that the album will be:

… a conceptualized rock opera of gangsters, vampires, betrayal and petty revenge set in the seedy underworld of the American prohibition era. The single offers up the first taste of what is to come with an introduction to the album’s protagonist: Archie Walker, a ragtag bootlegger hatching his nefarious scheme. The tone and musicality of the piece follow the train of Archie’s emotions from prideful ambition to spite-fueled bitterness and finally a peaceful resolve in carrying out his vengeance.

The song is a mesmerizing blend of metal blast beats, soaring trumpet, crunchy guitars, fleeting strings, funky bass pops, a swirling bridge and layers and layers of vocal. It’s a cauldron of ingredients that any less skilled band would make a complete mess of but Fable Cry has precisely balanced with just the right dosage.

It’s fair to say that “Come Meet the Reapers” has more than just dramatic flair, it’s steeped in it… but that’s precisely the point! A concept album intended to express a fanciful tale should be dramatic. This track is a helluva first taste of a larger story and I, for one, am completely intrigued to hear future chapters.

This track is streaming everywhere starting April 3rd and the album is slated for August of 2020.

We’ve already posted about this lead single from the forthcoming Friendship Commanders EP Hold On To Yourself (releasing Friday, April 3rd) but given that they’ve released a powerful new video to accompany the track, it bears revisiting.

The heavy grunge-y track is paired with dark, minimal, scenes that transform from high velocity energy bursts to mesmerizing slow motion. Director, and drummer, Jerry Roe directed the piece and had this to say:

The video was inspired by a large number of 90’s music videos, all of which were largely shot in a single location with the subjects of the shot changing, rather than changing locale with each different subject or shot. Ashley Wolfe plays the abused and oppressed, pleading to a loved one/past abuser (played by Jay Tooke) to listen to her and to understand that she’s not the enemy for bringing up the truth or trying to hold him and others responsible. He can’t hear her, though, because he won’t turn his attention away from the old television displaying static and no real clear information or imagery. Such is the reality that he’s chosen to believe – that he is the victim of her reaction, rather than she is the victim of his actions and choices.

While editing it together, I tried to meld the realities and imagery of us and the actors together, specifically Buick and Ashley. Mirrored and blended shots mix them together in the same frame or scenario often, serving as a sort of internal/external abstract.

As noted, it certainly feels reminiscent of several 90’s videos but that familiar vibe doesn’t take away from the underlying message that runs throughout. The forthcoming EP is dedicated to “anyone who is living with, or has lived with, abuse” and the video does a great job of depicting that incredibly difficult scenario with care and proper acknowledgement of the abused.

The EP releases Friday, April 3rd and can be pre-ordered over on their Bandcamp. On a lighter note, the video also makes for some great GIFs.

The debut album from Blonde Bones, Hiding Out, is due out in mid-2020. Given our current climate, there’s no telling exactly when that will be but the band has been releasing a stream of singles to whet our collective appetites. The latest, “Cape Fear“, is available today on all streaming services and in the embed above.

The track is an extremely upbeat and captivating offering. It’s bright and sunny with sing-along vibes that are well balanced with striking guitars and furious drums. It’s nostalgic but fresh. It’s also under 3 minutes, which amps up the replayability 1,000%. Currently, I’ve got it on loop and show no signs of slowing down.

An album entitled Hiding Out seems all too appropriate for these self-isolation times we’re collectively experiencing but this song evokes exactly the opposite vibe. Leverage this to amp yourself for a future time when we’re all outside and enjoying the good times together again.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an informal metric for the severity of a disaster, The Waffle House Index. There’s three levels: Green for no power loss, little damage and a full menu, Yellow for limited to no power, low supplies and a limited menu and, finally, Red for severe damage and the restaurant is closed. It’s a quick rule of thumb to understand how severe things are. Today, Waffle House announced 418 Stores are Code Red, signaling full closure. While we’re absolutely positive these stores will re-open, now is as good a time as any to reflect on all the good times you’ve had at the best diner around (sorry IHOP).

In a stroke of mind-boggling prophecy, artist Zephaniah Bostow recently released a video for his brand new track “Fortune Teller” depicting a nice meal inside of a Waffle House. The song is even called Fortune Teller! What does Bostow know that we don’t?!

Obviously, that’s all meant in jest and this is just a matter of cosmic coincidence but it is a fortunately timed overlap with current events. The track was recorded with Joe Pisapia and features a delightfully gentle vibe filled with layered vocals and rolling piano. It’s actually delightful, which is a fitting vibe for reminiscing on Waffle House.

Bostow has a full EP entitled Signs and Wonders that will contain this track but the release date is in flux. We’ll let you know when we know.