Jason Hughes
Jason Hughes is the founder of esteemed Seattle record store ‘Sonic Boom Records’ as well as his own label, ‘Sonic Boom Recordings’.
An affable blend of accessible psychedelic rock and off-kilter, Beach Boys-style pop structures, (Don’t believe me? Skip directly to “Maybe Lately”) Van Pelt has combined the everyman likeability of Yo La Tengo with the weird factor of Flaming Lips lead-man Wayne Coyne’s falsetto. Generally, it takes a lot for me to get really excited about instrumental tracks—which feature heavily on Five Roses. But somehow, Miracle Fortress’ seamless blend of live instrumentals and samples has shaken away my cynicism. I’m down with the kids.
I realize in a year where Merriweather Post Pavilion took the indie world by storm, the comparison might already be passé—but if Animal Collective makes so much as a cameo in your collection, you might want to check this out. After all, you’ve got less than a year to soundtrack your next bonfire, day at the ol’ swimming hole, or summer fling. Happy daydreams!
Conor Oberst without the tears or Stephen Malkmus without the affected delivery, Pseudosix lead man Tim Perry’s vocal delivery recalls dreams of the 1970s—without the requisite drugged-out sheen. Deceptively laid-back, it might take a moment or two to realize that this guy really knows how to write a hook! Even when dredging the darkness of human emotion, Perry’s voice coupled with tinkling pianos (“Wasting Taking Up Space”) or a ghostly chorus echo (“Under the Waves”—His friends are there, somewhere!) it makes it difficult not to look on the sunny side of death, destruction, pestilence—you know, the stuff love songs are made of. Maybe “Paltry Remains” said it best—“I’m running out of ways to describe it.” But I do know this: it’s already taken residence in my car’s CD player and shows no signs of leaving.
