Nu Rave Brain Wave

 Nu Rave Brain Wave Top 10 Albums, Top 5 EPs, and Top 5 7″s of 2011:

Top 5 7″ of 2011:
05 Bitch Prefect – 7″ (RIP Society Records)

This is really breezy and effortless pop songs done in the best kind of way from Aussie upstarts Bitch Prefect.

04 The Growlers – Gay Thoughts 7″ (Everloving Records)

It wouldn’t be a NRBW list without a mention of the Growlers, but despite having the mp3s of this record for months before the Record Store Day exclusive release, I still waited for over an hour at Origami Vinyl to buy a copy. So, I guess it’s pretty good.

03 Brown Brogues – Don’t Touch My Hair 7″ (Suffering Jukebox)

Brown Brogues are undoubtably one of my favorite discoveries of this year and this is probably like the best anthem written this year that I’m aware of.

02 Catholic Spray/Assassins88//TV Colours – Split 7″ (XVIII Records)

I would’ve bought this record for Catholic Spray’s sinister, weird garage punk rippers, but the collaboration of hands down two of the best bands in the world the Australian super fuzzed out, stunningly catchy team of Assassins 88 and Dream Damage label mates TV Colours is absolutely astounding.

01 TV Colours / Assassins 88 – Split 7″ (Dream Damage Records)

That’s right, Dream Damage’s split between these two Aussie bands is the greatest piece of wax I bought this year. Both TV Colours jams have been replayed over and over to the billionth power, they’re both sonic fuzz bombs that are so ridiculously catchy and perfect for the gym (this is a compliment, btw). The exact same goes for Assassins 88 side. I just find it hard to fault a single thing either band does.

top 10 EPs of 2011:

05 Bummer High – Lost Highway (Green Burrito Records)

I fell immediately in love with Bummer High‘s Lost Highway, and it’s not all due to the fact that it was released on a label called Green Burrito. Their whimsical, twangin’, psych-country-garage is absolutely wonderful and if you like fellow Canadian brethren Demon’s Claws, Dead Ghosts, or Indian Wars, this is for you.

04 Toto & The Bad Eggs – Wallet Droppin’ (PNKSLM Recordings)

The closest thing to a garage-punk supergroup that the UK is going to see for probably quite some time, Toto & The Bad Eggs contains members of Sex Beet, Jerry Tropicano and Brown Brogues who each take my personal favorite parts of the music they make in their original bands and bring it to this EP. Obviously, it’s pretty special.

03 Ghost Outfit – Young Ghosts EP (Self Released)

Haven’t been able to stop listening to this Ghost Outfit EP since it’s been given to me, which I think was 2010, but fuck it, it’s so good it deserves a place on my 2011 list as well. Not only do they make weird and haunting noisy songs, but they also make expert pop songs.

02 The Bell Peppers – Cooking With The Bell Peppers (Self Released)

This fine Manchester duo put out the best self-released EP that showcases their slicked-back, cry-baby garage-blues-r’n'b in the most effortless and just straight up fucking cool way ever. I would buy at least three copies if this was released on any format.

01 The Growlers/Thee Ludds 12″ Split (Palmist Records)

Although the Growlers songs were technically not new in 2011, I think it’s a testament that they hold up so strongly to even a fan as well versed in their catalogue as I am — their beach goth, drip-drop-drip, swamp stomps have always sounded incredibly fresh and illuminating and the UK should feel lucky to have this released for them. Thee Ludds frenzied astral-psych-punk pulls strongly from the same 60s references as the Growlers but makes it new like a bucket of water to the face. In a good way.

Honorable Mentions:
Die Jungen – $
Carnivores – Chandelier EP
Ty Segall – Ty Rex
Cosmonauts – New Psychic Denim EP
Thee Oh Sees/Total Control Split EP

Top 10 LPs of 2011

10 Kanye West & Jay Z – Watch The Throne

I’m not angry when people talk about wealth, but maybe that’s because the best advice I ever received is surround yourself with wealth.

09 Royal Headache – S/T (XVIII Records)

This record literally came out of nowhere and really hit me hard. I hope I always have a soft spot for succinct, groovy power pop with soulful vocals. The buzzwords I had to use to describe Australia’s Royal Headache are grotesque, but this album is incredible.

08 Mind Spiders – The Mind Spiders (Dirtnap Records)

Denton, TX’s salvation, Mind Spiders, put this record out in the early portion of the year, but their brand of fast and loose garage rock filled with quick hits, the catchiest song you’ve ever heard (Don’t Let Her Go) and a ballad. This is a whip-smart garage punk record.

07 Cosmonauts – S/T (Permanent Records)

Cosmonauts are one of the most underrated bands to come out of the Burger scene, and this LP is filled with buzzing psychedelic, ramshackle punk punk, and rhythm ‘n 12 bar blues jams all jumbled together and vomited back up into the form of this excellent, excellent record.

06 The Castillians – Show Your Teeth (Cold Rice Records)

A long-awaited debut collection of 100% hits from the UK’s most underrated garage band, The Castillians,  as strong as any I’ve heard this year.

05 Shannon & The Clams – Sleep Talk (1-2-3-4 Go! Records)

I have the biggest love for Shannon of Shannon & the Clams, and this album is a beautiful dose of weird, wild 50s doo-wop garage-pop that while awesome, always seems (for me at least) to take the back seat to Shannon’s incredible voice. But then again, I could listen to hear sing the Wikipedia for Grizzly Bear and it would actually make it worth listening to.

04 School Knights – All Dawgz Go 2 Heaven (Dracula Horse)

I have fallen in love with everything that School Knights have ever done, and I’m not ashamed of that. Although half of these songs had already been released on Rush SK EP, they sound as fresh as ever and the new jams (previously heard by my ears only live) prove that they’re one of the best bands that I’m aware of. Their balls-to-the-wall attitude live, their use of absolutely infectuous riffs, drum slammage and heavy use of reverb is flat out perfect on this album.

03 Mellowhype – BlackenedWhite (Fat Possum)

The best rap album that was released (or, um, reissued) was hands down MellowHype. I’ve always found Hodgy Beats to be the most fascinating member and best rapper in OF, his work with LeftBrain is engaging, thoughtful and most importantly catchy as balls.

02 Bass Drum of Death – GB City (Fat Possum)

This album is an undeniable ass-slaying ripper from start to finish. If it’s not tailor made to be played as loud as possible, with heads banging, I don’t know what it’s for. I do know that each jam could be a stand-alone single. It’s effortless, catchy, and punk as fuck.

01 The Babies – The Babies (Shrimper Records)

It’s hard to write a sentence about why this Babies record is my favorite, but it’s a collection of horrendously underrated treasure pop gems that jangle, fuzz and snap with fervent wildness and a little bit of Americana seen through a garage rock kaleidoscope. It’s not certainly not a faultless record but it’s gotten better with a year of listening behind me.

Honorable Mentions
The Beets – Stay Home
Black Lips – Arabia Mountain
Pangea – Living Dummy
The Strange Boys – Live Music
Diarrhea Planet – Loose Jewels
TRMRS – Sea Change
Cumstain – Why Don’t You Kill Yourself Scumbag Your Mother Wont Miss U
Monster Rally – Coral
Dirty Beaches – Badlands
Hunx & His Punx – Too Young To Be In Love

I always find it really hard to do song of the year posts, so I just put all the music I got in 2011 and picked 25 of my most played and most favorite tracks, some from my favorite albums, some demos and some singles, in no particular order. Enjoy:

Nu Rave Brain Wave Top 25 Songs of 2k11:

The Babies – Sunset (from The Babies LP)
The Babies – Sunset by nuravebrainwave

The Mind Spiders – Don’t Let Her Go (from The Mind Spiders LP)
Mind Spiders – Don’t Let Her Go by nuravebrainwave

MellowHype – Right Here (from BLACKENEDWHITE LP)
Right Here – Mellowhype by NellyDaBeaner

Bobby Chiz – Brooklyn Mouth (Cats Purring Download)
Brooklyn Mouth by BOBBY CHIZ

Kanye West – Mama’s Boyfriend (Unreleased/Leaked)
Kanye West – Mama’s Boyfriend by Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes

Gross Magic – Sweetest Touch (from Teen Jamz EP)
Gross Magic – Sweetest Touch by TheSoundsOfSweetNothing

Black Lips – New Direction (From Arabia Mountain LP)
Black Lips – New Direction by Biz 3 Publicity

Chill Black Guys – CBG (From CBG Mixtape)
Young Hawaii Slim & Jay Ugh (GBGs) – Chill Black Guy by nuravebrainwave

King Lollipop – Cheeseburger & Fries (from King Lollipop LP)
King Lollipop – Cheesburger and Fries by nuravebrainwave

School Knights – You Read Books (from All Dawgz Go 2 Heaven LP)
School Knights – You Read Books by nuravebrainwave

Brown Brogues – Don’t Touch My Hair (from 7″)
Brown Brogues – Don’t Touch My Hair by nuravebrainwave

The Fabulous St. Knicholas Cage – Bloody Beach Blanket (Unreleased Demo)
Bloody Beach Blanket by St. Knicholas Cage

Monster Rally – The New Optimism (from Deep Sea 7″)
Monster Rally – The New Optimism by nuravebrainwave

Danger Beach – Lakes (feat. TV Colours) (from Dream Damage Records)
Danger Beach – Lakes (feat. TV Colours) by nuravebrainwave

Sonny & The Sunsets – I Wanna Do It (from Hit After Hit LP)
Sonny And The Sunsets – “I Wanna Do It” by forcefieldpr

High Pop – Drip From The Sea (from Hippie Speed Ball EP)
High Pop – Drip from the Sea by yvynyl

Milk Maid – Such Fun (from Yucca LP)
Milk Maid – Such Fun by nuravebrainwave

Dead Gaze – Fishing With Robert (from Atelier Ciseaux 7″)
DEAD GAZE - Fishing With Robert by atelier ciseaux

Ketamines – Line by Line (from Mammoth Cave Recordings)
Line by Line – Ketamines by NewtownRadio

Royal Headache – Down The Lane (from Royal Headache LP)
Royal Headache – Down The Lane by nuravebrainwave

Bloodshot Bill – Dark Lonely Street (from Thunder & Lightning LP)
Bloodshot Bill – Dark Lonely Street by nuravebrainwave

Fidlar – Oh (from DIYDUI EP)
FIDLAR – Oh by nuravebrainwave

Colleen Green – Green One (from Green One EP)
Colleen Green – Green One by nuravebrainwave

Assassins 88/TV Colours – Lethal (from Assassins 88/TV Colours/Catholic Spray split 7″)
Lethal (with TV Colours) by ASSASSINS 88

Bazooka – I Wanna Fuck All The Girls In My School (from XVIII Records 7″)
Bazooka – I Want to Fuck All the Girls in My School by nuravebrainwave

As a part of our year-end 2k11 coverage, I just wanted to remind everyone of the awesome bands that I’ve written about this year. These are all the Introducing pieces that I did throughout 2k11 about amazing new up-and-comers etc, in descending order:

introducing: mr elevator & the brain hotel
introducing: toto & the bad eggs (feat jerry tropicano, brown brogues & sex beet members)
introducing: hypocrite in a hippy crypt
introducing: high pop
introducing: bummer high
introducing: the teen velvettes
introducing: salsa chips
introducing: something men
introducing: best friends
introducing: omi palome
introducing: allah-las
introducing: the fabulous st. knicholas cage
introducing: the high drops
introducing: peach kelli pop
introducing: bobby chiz
introducing: khanwood clarke
introducing: the migs
introducing: guadalupe plata
introducing: theme park
introduing: teenage moonlight borderliners
introducing: hank haint
introducing: zyklon beach
introducing: tomorrows tulips
introducing: dune rats
introducing: the bell peppers
introducing: catholic spray
introducing: trmrs
introducing: lab coast
introducing: milk maid
introducing: king lollipop
introducing: tandoori knights
introducing: tv colours
introducing: hanni el khatib
introducing: personal & the pizzas
introducing: thee ludds
introducing: bitch prefect
introducing: swimsuit
introducing: eagulls
introducing: childish gambino
introducing: estrogen highs

It’s no secret around these parts that I’m of the mindset that Canberra’s TV Colours can do absolutely no wrong. Above, you should check out the video for their preposertously catchy anthem TV Glow. Besides having some footage of one of the most hilarious shows (that dinosaurs one where the baby goes “I’m da baby!”), it’s an absolute stunner of a pop song that’s burried deep beneath twisting and convulsing layers of fuzz and distortion, and of course, it’s loud as fuck. Grab one of my favorite TV Colours jams below.

mp3: TV Colours – The Kids Are All Grown Up

I know, I know, you probably want to bash me in the head so I might stop talking about my three favorite Australian bands at the moment, but the interconnectedness and incredibleness of TV Colours, Assassins 88 and Danger Beach aren’t allowing me to stop. Via our bros at Rose Quartz comes this incredible Danger Beach (aka Assassins 88 bassist L.A. Thomas, who we introduced to you here) cover of bff for life TV Colours’ formerly lo-fi jammer is incredible. Vague tropical touches and a simple melodicism changes this former thrasher into something wholly nostalgic and beautiful. Can any of these dudes do anything wrong? Not in my book.

mp3: Danger Beach – TV Glow (TV Colours Cover)

Danger Beach is the solo project of Assassins 88 bassist L.A. Thomas, and his debut solo effort, Milky Way released last year somehow missed my radar, but thanks to this collaboration with TV Colours for New Weird Australia‘s Broadcast Number Two. ‘Lakes‘ comes from a live broadcast on New World Australia’s show on TBi Radio and features one of my favorite bands right now, TV Colours. These Canberra bands have been doing excellent collaborations all over the place, and this jam is no different. While not as boisterous as either TV Colours or Assassins 88 normally are, ‘Lakes‘ is succulent little slice of hazy weirdo bedroom pop is complete with less fuzz, more attention to the almost atonal vocals (which work really well). It’s perfect bleary eyed summer pop.

mp3: Danger Beach – Lakes (feat. TV Colours)

I know I’ve been posting about TV Colours absolutely every single chance that I get, but I can’t resist this one. ‘Heavy Metal Skies‘ off their recent 7″ split with fellow kickass Aussies Assassins 88 has been on repeat so much in my ears. They have an irrepressible gift for making dense and hyper-catchy melodies and masking them with incredible layers of fuzz and backwash. I defy you to get the mysteriously simple keyboard out of your head after five listens. This one, like the other side off the split, features lots of gutteral noises and lyrics not so much sung, as yelled — and works so beautifully.

If, for some believable reason, you haven’t gotten your hands on a copy of this Assassins 88/TV Colours split (or their remarkable collaboration on the Catholic Spray split) — I command you to purchase a copy via Dream Damage.

mp3: TV Colours – Heavy Metal Sleeve Skies

Oh, shit! Three of my favorite bands of this year are getting together to release a limited edition 7″ for XVIII Records. And the best part about it, really, is that Assassins 88 and TV Colours (who released a kickass split between themselves not too long ago) teamed up for the second side. ‘Trouble‘ combines what both bands do best, which happens to be some kind of weird mash of gutter punk noisy abrasiveness and completely sublime pop songs. These two Canberra bands kick ass separately AND together, this might be the best most crazily catchy song I’ve heard in a while. Meanwhile, Catholic Spray‘s side is another perfect slice of what they do best. ‘Screamin’ Mermaids‘ is a jaunt through a wild forest of slashing guitars and and indelible chorus. In a nutshell, it’s glamorous fuzzy punk slime perfection and it fucking rules. You can grab your copy via XVIII Records and check out Catholic Spray’s contribution below.

mp3: Catholic Spray – Screamin’ Mermaids

If I can say anything about February 2011, it is truly the month in which I can say I lost my mind! But, of course, it’s been ultra fun. Spent a part of it in LA and the rest in Brighton and as far as I’m concerned, February is just the month that slides into March, or what is known as the greatest month featuring the greatest week of my year (SXSW). However, there was tunz of good music this month, and here’s a selection of my favorites:

01 Sonny & The Sunsets – I Wanna Do It
02 Shimmering Stars – Dancing To Music I Hate
03 Mazes – Bowie Knives
04 Chain & The Gang – Not Good Enough
05 Indian Wars – 8 Feet High
06 Eagulls – Pullin’ My Leg
07 Assassins 88 – Age of Consent
08 TV Colours – The Kids Are All Grown Up
09 Chapter 24 – All Them Selves
10 Shannon & The Clams – Sleep Talk
11 The Babies – Sunset
12 Tandoori Knights – Bandstand
13 Die Jungen – In The End

mp3 | Nu Rave Brain Wave x February 2k11 – Mixtape

Two great blogs we adore, Sonic Masala & Rose Quartz turned us onto this Aussie band, TV Colours. Their biography is as concise and straight-forward as their music is. “TV Colours was formed as a solo project by Bobby Kill in 2007. Splitting his time between Sydney and Canberra, his frenzied one man live show is a rare and unforgettable occurrence. Recently he has been playing live with Assassins 88 to help promote their split 7″ as well as recording for the TV Colours debut full length LP, out later in the year“. A friend of mine said that he thought Wavves was the obvious heir to the Jay Reatard throne. I told him I thought he was wrong and that Ty Segall was really the way forward, but TV Colours sound to me like, what it would be like if Wavves was the heir to the throne and it was actually the best thing ever. This is the most straightfoward example of a great fuzzy garage-rock song that I’ve heard in so long. It’s charming, and part of that lies in the fact that it hits you immediately and then is done. This is really, really good. Looking forward to this album then…

mp3 | TV Colours – The Kids Are All Grown Up