After a nearly 40 years wait — 39 years to be precise — we have a brand new album from The Vapors. This is not wishful thinking or a joke. The last album from one of the finest new wave groups was 1981’s Magnets. The hook-filled third album was released to the world this past Friday (May 15, 2020)!
And after listening to this record repeatedly, we have to say that it is indeed “12 chunks of pure Vapors goodness” as the band puts it on their website. These songs are catchy, melodic, and driving guitar riffs. The songs feature fresh sounding choruses that remind you of David Bowie while they make you want to sing along. The UK band that we all know from “Turning Japanese” can write some terrific indie pop.
Perhaps no one would have expected this record but following some brief touring a few years ago, the band re-caught the recording bug and put together this excellent collection. Let’s hope it is not another 40 years before the fourth record.
Amazing songwriter and keeper of the rock and roll flame Seth Canan is known for his super catchy music and high energy shows with Seth Canan & The Carriers. He has just made some new music available for us today that we need during these difficult days.
Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Seth with Assistant Engineers: Isaac Schaefer Jr. and Zac Pack Mastered by Micah Carli at Popside Recording in Troy, OH.
Cover Art: “Image of the Child” by Sadie Canan Graphic Design by Kena Nowlin
Today’s video is the latest from TINO! You can read our review of the record! TINO also has more for you on his YouTube Channel! Subscribe to his channel for video and information updates! TINO blends wisdom with incredibly high energy rock and rap using a mix of “rhyme schemes and unique flows over music ranging from golden era boom bap to trap mixed with soul samples and electronica.”
Dr. J’s side hustle over at the fantastic Off Shelf.net! “In a cluttered world Off Shelf brings you the best in music, gaming, books and comics through our Digital Zine, curated interviews, features, columns, podcasts and Shelf Sessions series.”
Every month Off Shelf contributor and Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative host Art Jipson brings you the best singles of the month and puts together a playlist for your enjoyment. Below you’ll find nine highlighted songs that stood above the rest, which is followed by the entire playlist. Please follow our Spotify account so you don’t miss any future playlists!
Amazing poet, rapper, musician and all around great guy — TINO has released the ‘Past Due’ EP on May 1!
‘Past Due’ is the fifth release from TINO. ‘Past Due’ is a follow up to his ‘Friendly Reminder’ mixtape which saw the artist dealing with the everyday problems of making ends meet in challenging circumstances, something we all can relate to these days.
‘Past Due’ delivers a sonic landscape that acknowledges the problems of the here and now but does not dwell on them. The record is wise without being condescending. It is challenging without being insulting. It is a rare gift in music to bond with listener in description of the dilemma of ‘trying to get through this thing called life’ and TINO is now an artist who faces the problems that we all have with work, family and more. On ‘Past Due’ Tino takes us by the hand and shows us that what we wanted in our youth are illusions, these objects will not make us happy. The things we thought that we wanted are trappings of a system of domination created to keep us happy, complacent and content while life passes us by at breakneck speed. TINO reminds us to look and listen, to linger over it before we lose it.
TINO’s growth is clearly evident when listening to his latest work and comparing past and present. The music has achieved another level. It is dense yet dance-able.If you listen to this and not want to move or sway, then you are far more stoic than us. Take for example, the excellent ‘You Know’ where the lyrics are warmly wrapped up in music that propels the lines from the start: “First things first, sorry for the delay, life heavy off track, but I’m back not a relay, so pass the baton, like a grateful pawn, now they must have heard what I ignored.” How does he deliver these lines with such speed, precision and delivery — yet never loses the feeling that allows the listener to enjoy and connect to the meaning of the music at the same time?
As an artist there is clear evolution and development in this latest record. TINO has moved from a talented but rough around the edges MC delivering charismatic struggle raps to a to an accomplished artist/wordsmith that possesses confidence behind the mic in shaping his unique vision. TINO has undoubtedly matured and the nuances of his experience of the dilemmas of everyday existence allows the listener to transcend their problems just like TINO. Both as an artist and as a poet, TINO has become a storyteller who captivates and excites and that is sorely needed.
‘Past Due” is available exclusively on Bandcamp as a “name-your-price” album, which allows anyone interested in excellent music, beats, arrangements and rhyme to hear this music. It is presented by the artist to provide a break from what has become our new blurred normal of sheltering in place. With TINO we can escape some of the ever present crisis by losing ourselves in excellent music for a time. And that is a gift.
The Corner Laughers first single from their forth coming record, Temescal Telegraph, ‘The Accepted Time’ is available now. The song is a joyful journey. The full-length comes out on June 5th on Big Stir Records!
This week we are playing new music from High On Stress, Me & Mountains, Chuck Cleaver, The Nautical Theme, The Corner Laughers and much more! Also music from Red Kross, Brat Curse, Snacking, Tiger Jaws, Shrug, No One Sphere, Rocketship, Varsity, Wells & Watson and much more! So, give this playlist a listen today!
Melenas are a garage-pop quartet hailing from Pamplona in the North East of Spain since 2016. They are making some of the most compelling indie we have heard in quite some time!
Streaming Forward, Powered By The Past - if you love the 80s music, new music, Eurovision, cheesy pop and awesome playlists then let's get this pop party started!
After a nearly 40 years wait — 39 years to be precise — we have a brand new album from 
Amazing songwriter and keeper of the rock and roll flame 
Dr. J’s side hustle over at the fantastic 
your tuesday afternoon alternative 