Cannibal Cheerleader

From the languid opening notes of dreamy pop trio Smoosh’s newest LP Withershins the listener is invited to a haunting and a melodic landscape care of these Death Cab debutantes, complete with carefully constructed song dynamics, slow-burn instrumentation, and some of the most heartfelt and expressive lyrics this side of a Stars album. While hearkening from a much maligned generation of teen pop stars whose sentiments and musical tastes never progressed far beyond a Fall Out Boy b-side, Smoosh explore a much richer vein of indie-rock, equal parts twee-inspired innocence and post-punk aggression, eventually arriving at an amalgamation of Pretty Girls Make Graves and Mates of State with more youthful charm. Withershins rewards continuous listens not only with the trio of sisters’ excellent musicianship but the rich production that fleshes out the autumnal tracks of longing and loss. An excellent effort from this group, looking forward to more!

Smoosh – “Finnerödja”

SPOON ANNOUNCE X3 FEST AT STUBBS
Sorry about the lack of posts this week Cannibal Cheerleader faithful (busy times here in the Atx) but we’re extremely excited to announce that Austin’s favorite indie-rockers Spoon will be headlining their own three-day fest from July at Stubb’s here in the capital city called Spoonx3. The band will be headlining all three days with different opening bands each day, including Cannibal Cheerleader favorite Low opening for them on Friday.

Spoon – “Don’t Make Me A Target”

NEW BLOC PARTY REMIX ALBUM
The new Bloc Party album features the choicest cuts from remixes from the band’s catalogue to date. While Silent Alarm Remixed, while awesome, may have suffered from some fluff, the feeling that immediately arises from Intimacy Remixed is judiciousness, a carefully selected assortment of tracks featuring the best collage of dub, club bangers, dream-pop, and the signature Bloc Party spidery indie-rock. One of our favorite releases so far this year, check it.

Bloc Party – “Halo (We Have Band Dub)”
Bloc Party – “Ion Square (Banjo Or Freakout Remix)”

NEW GOD HELP THE GIRL ALBUM
With rumors abound that Glasgow indie-poppers Belle & Sebastian may be down for the count, it came as a great relief to learn about God Help The Girl, a storyline-driven twee-opera side project from wunderkind B&S frontman Stuart Murdoch. Featuring lilting indie classics like “Come Monday Night” and mixing in slow-burning rockers like “I Just Want Your Jeans” (featuring Asya from Smoosh, who we love by the way), God Help the Girl seems a natural progression from the more progressive-pop of the Life Pursuit. Here’s hoping it’s not the band’s swan song!

God Help The Girl – “I Just Want Your Jeans”
God Help The Girl – “A Down And Dusky Blonde”

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