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Author Archives: Jon Rooney
Ball of Wax 41 Songs: Unai Azkune – Coming Home
Spanish songwriter Unai Azkune returns to Ball of Wax with “Coming Home,” a stark, sublime folk mediation not unlike “Bálsamo de Tigre,” which appeared on Volume 34. Featuring only voice, acoustic guitar and some delay, “Coming Home” is spooky and timeless; the … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 41 Songs: Levi Fuller & the Library – You Could Have Died
Ball of Wax grand poobah Levi Fuller (along with his Library) was surprisingly absent from Volume 39 (the last “regular” release of the quarterly), though he returns with a fuzzy rumble on Volume 41. “You Could Have Died” opens with a … Continue reading
Behold the Battles, Behold Giantess
Arguably the first shot fired in the great Canadian indie renaissance of this young century was “Letter from an Occupant.” This shimmering, frenetic pop nugget, initially attributed to the New Pornographers and Neko, appeared on a benefit compilation CD for … Continue reading
Album Review: Carlos Forster – Disasters
Carlos Forster – Disasters (2015, Acuarela Discos) Heartbreaking songwriter Carlos Forster is back with his second solo outing, Disasters, on super rad Spanish label Acuarela Discos. Like his first solo release (Forster once led the fabulous Bay Area band For Stars) … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 39 Songs: Lasers Lasers Birmingham – Warning
Writing short song reviews that appear on Ball of Wax volumes for Ye Olde Blog of Wax is different from other music writing I’ve done in the past, most notably because I don’t get a press email or a one sheet to … Continue reading
Posted in Ball of Wax, Bands You Should Know, Check Out This Song
Tagged lasers lasers birmingham
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Ball of Wax 39 Songs: Webelos – Living in Another City
Seattle veterans Webelos bring a nice slice of hazy indie pop to Ball of Wax 39 with “Living in Another City.” Layering strings and electric piano over straightforward pop instrumentation, Webelos employ boy/girl vocals for an overall feel of longing … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 39 Songs: The Foghorns – If You Can’t Get Lucky Please Get Up
I’ve typed more words about the Foghorns on this here Blog of Wax than any other band, and this post will certainly add to the digital pile. Their contribution to Ball of Wax 39 is called “If You Can’t Get Lucky … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 39 Songs: Colin Ernst – Slim Skeleton
“Slim Skeleton” is the third song Colin Ernst has contributed to Ball of Wax in as many volumes. As with his previous contributions, Ernst steeps “Slim Skeleton” in a mix of absurd humor and Kurt Weill-esque cabaret music. The result … Continue reading
Posted in Ball of Wax, Check Out This Song
Tagged Colin Ernst, frank zappa, the muppet show
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Ball of Wax 39 Songs: Doby Watson – Pickup
Doby Watson is an artist I’ve known about for a decade or so, from back when he used to go by the name Boo Hiss and release music on Tract Records (like this and a split EP with the mighty, departed Grumpy … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 39 Songs: The Harvey Girls – The Long Haul
The Harvey Girls, who first contributed to Ball of Wax with volume 38, are back for volume 39 with “The Long Haul,” which also closes their 2014 full length release, Complicated Lady. “The Long Haul” has a mellow, spacey vibe, … Continue reading
Posted in Ball of Wax, Bands You Should Know, Check Out This Song
Tagged the harvey girls
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