Another terrific month of Atlanta music in now in the books. April saw a steady stream of solid releases including two of my favorite local records so far this year in the form of Places’ new joint, March, and Jupiter Watts’ immaculate five-song stunner, Take Time. Both those albums are stellar and well worth checking out.
There was also the usual array of relatively unannounced new records that caught me by surprise. The big one in this category was the new mixtape from local rapper, Translee. The 21 tracks on Know Translee feature a diverse mix of booming club bangers and laid back grooves coupled with the rapper’s smooth flow and creative wordplay. It takes a few listens for his style to really sink in, but I think this cat has a bright future ahead of him. Other unforeseen standouts include the hypnotic lo-fi psych pop on New Animal’s Up! EP, as well as Daniel Gleason’s (Death On Two Wheels, ex-Winston Audio) mesmerizing debut single, “Time.” If you haven’t peeped that jam yet, you best go hit it now.
As for May, on paper it looks tremendous. Below are nine records I feel you should be paying attention to this month. The list is definitely heavy on familiar names, but there are also a couple of up-and-coming Atlanta acts for you to look into. You never can tell for sure, but what little I’ve heard of these records is extremely promising and when all is said and done we may be looking at the best month of local music so far this year.
Dead Rabbits – A Record to Break
Release Date: May 6
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
The self-released sophomore EP from local psych rockers Dead Rabbits is entitled A Record to Break. It will be available on CD and through most online digital vendors.
Dead Rabbits will celebrate the release of A Record to Break on Friday, May 6 at the Drunken Unicorn. Also performing will be The Grenadines and Mountain Lion. Doors open at 9pm. $8 gets you in.
A Record to Break Tracklist:
01. Man and Ghost
02. Heavy Mind
03. Strange
04. Let Me Be
05. Acting Out
06. Feral Child
More Info:
Web: www.deadrabbits.tv
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DeadRabbitsBand
Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun – Wildfire
Release Date: May 7
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
The debut full-length from fuzz rock outfit Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun will be available on CD and through most digital vendors.
Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun will celebrate the release of Wildfire on Saturday, May 7 at the Earl. Supporting them will be Sealions and Moonlight Bride (Chattanooga). Doors open at 9pm. $5 gets you in. Purchase tickets.
Wildfire Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. We Were Wild
03. Old Monster
04. Single-Hearted
05. Bad Design
06. With My Good Eye
07. Irene the Avalanche
08. Oh Black Gold
09. Right Left Right
10. Life & Limb
11. Kairos
12. Keep Quiet
More Info:
Web: www.todaythemoon.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/todaythemoontomorrowthesun
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TodaytheMoon
Balkans – Balkans
Release Date: May 10
Label: Double Phantom Records
Release Info:
Recorded with Kris Sampson (B-52’s, Coathangers), Balkans’ debut LP will be released via Double Phantom Records. It will be available on both CD and vinyl as well as through most digital vendors.
Balkans will celebrate the release of their self-titled debut on Saturday, May 14 at the Drunken Unicorn. Predator and Mood Rings also perform. Doors open at 9pm. $5 gets you in.
Balkans Tracklist:
01. Edita V
02. I Can’t Compete
03. Zebra Print
04. Dressed in Black
05. Black Swan
06. Troubled and Done
07. Flowers Everywhere
08. Let You Have It
09. Georganne
10. Violent Girls
More Info:
Web: www.balkansbalkans.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/thebalkans
Twitter: www.twitter.com/balkansbalkans
Miles From Pangaea – In/Pulse
Release Date: May 13
Label: Hijacking Music
Release Info:
The long-awaited sophomore effort from Miles From Pangaea will be available through most digital vendors with a possible vinyl release to follow. Physical CDs will be given away to everyone who attends the release show.
Miles From Pangaea will celebrate the release of the In/Pulse EP on Friday, May 13 at the Music Room. Also performing will be RIBS (Boston) and Sneaky Hand. Doors open at 9pm. $5 gets you in.
In/Pulse EP Tracklist:
01. Kantian Sublime
02. Hypoxia
03. Scriptures of the Golden Eternity
04. Promising Sunshine
05. Mandala
More Info:
Bandcamp: www.milesfrompangaea.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/milesfrompangaea
MySpace: www.myspace.com/milesfrompangaea
From Exile – Just Like You Imagined
Release Date: May 14
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
Prog metal outfit From Exile’s short collection of Nine Inch Nails covers will be available as limited edition CD at the release show only. The record will also be released through a variety of digital vendors.
From Exile will celebrate the release of the Just Like You Imagined EP on Saturday, May 14 at the Earl. Supporting them will be The Humboldt Trio and Tricil. Doors open at 9pm. $8 gets you in. Purchase tickets.
Just Like You Imagined EP Tracklist:
01. The Great Below
02. Ruiner
03. Sin
04. A Warm Place
More Info:
Web: www.fromexile.com
Bandcamp: www.fromexile.bandcamp.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/fromexile
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fromexile
Gold-Bears – Are You Falling In Love?
Release Date: May 17
Label: Slumberland Records
Release Info:
The debut full-length from twee punkers Gold-Bears will be available on both CD and vinyl via Oakland, California-based, Slumberland Records (Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Dum Dum Girls).
Gold-Bears will celebrate the release of Are You Falling in Love? on Friday, May 13 at 529. Supporting the band will be Small Reactions and New Animal. Doors open at 9pm. Admission is $5.
Are You Falling in Love? Tracklist:
01. Record Store
02. All Those Years
03. So Natural
04. Are You Falling In Love?
05. East Station Attendant
06. Totally Called It
07. In This City, I’m Invincible
08. Besides You
09. Tally
10. Xmas Song
11. Yeah, Tonight
More Info:
MySpace: www.myspace.com/thegoldbears
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GOLDdashBEARS
Mechnochemical – Keeping the Wolves From the Door
Release Date: May 17
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
Mechnochemical, alias Richard Parsons, will release his new full-length record as a digital-only download via Good Shipmates.
Keeping the Wolves From the Door Tracklist:
01. Broken
02. Easy Compromise
03. Hope You Get What You Want
04. Just Breathe
05. More for You
06. Need It
07. No One’s Going to Kill You
08. Out of Your League
09. Sells You Out
10. TLC
11. We Will Miss You
12. You’re Not the First
More Info:
Web: www.richardparsonsmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/richardparsonsmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/richardparsons
Superpill – Reactions May Vary
Release Date: May 19
Label: Be Particular!
Release Info:
Recorded by CJ Bargamian of A Fight to the Death, the debut EP from garage punkers Superpill will be released as a download on the trio’s Bandcamp page. Limited edition CDs will be available at the release show only.
Superpill will celebrate the release of the Reactions May Vary EP on Thursday, May 19 at Star Bar. Young Antiques open the show. Doors open at 9pm. Admission TBA.
Reactions May Vary EP Tracklist:
01. Hang It Up
02. Boss Boots
03. Hustler
04. How To
More Info:
Web: www.superpill.posterous.com
Bandcamp: www.superpill.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/superpill
A Fight to the Death – Keep Warm
Release Date: May 21
Label: Self-released
Release Info:
The fourth release from hometown heroes, A Fight to the Death (not including all their holiday singles!), will be available on CD as well as through most online digital vendors.
A Fight to the Death will celebrate the release of the Keep Warm EP on Saturday, May 21 at Star Bar. Afro pop outfit The Mosquito Kings will play in support. Doors open at 8pm. Admission is $8.
Keep Warm EP Tracklist:
01. Dirty Souls
02. Keep Warm
03. Glimmer
04. The Horse
05. Sea As It Sings
06. Paper Airplanes
07. Like Dolls
08. Hang the Lace
More Info:
Web: www.afighttothedeath.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AFTTD
