Austin Sound

Bear Claw – Bear Claw (Monofonus)

Part of a series of one-sided 10” vinyl releases that the always engaging Monofonus Press is releasing, Bear Claw’s official debut offering (earlier released on cassette) is a beautiful and bittersweet pop delight. The trio’s sound sits well in Austin’s indie pop scene, more subdued than many of their contemporaries, but also envelopingly charming without dipping into saccharine treatments. Their minimal approach serves the songs well, Nigel Rainey’s vocals lending a calmly daydreamed disenchantment atop the sparse backbeats and strums and melodica, a bit like a less dramatic young Morrissey. “Needle and Thorn” clips briskly in its lovelorn weariness, with the female harmonies continually adding an effervescent touch. Similarly, “Warm Winter” could easily play alongside locals like the Lovely Sparrows, especially as the chorus swells sadly into “I’ll be a shut-in, I’ll just stay home, Hope you’re here too, Hope I’m not alone.” “Romantic Period” jangles up behind an acoustic bop and sway, while the martial beat of closer “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby Blue” strikes with a more deliberately bitter heart that even the melodica can’t soothe. An excellent four song set that begs for more.

She Sir finally a have new album coming out, and it looks like they’re going for “big in Japan” status by naming it Yens. Or maybe that’s going for big in Pittsburgh? We prefer “y’all,” but Yens does make for a better album title. The four song 7″ inch, which will be released on vinyl in February, is some fantastic shoegazy bliss - a touch of Galaxie 500, Mojave 3, and even locals like For Those Who Know. It’s perfect for enduring these brief winter months where you’re going to be standing at club hunched with your hands in your pockets, looking down and just trying to keep warm anyway. The trio, rounded out by god-only-knows who else (seemingly anyone who wants to sit in for a song if you look at their running list of band guest members) will be showcasing the new material at either of two Free Week shows this week - the first at Beauty Bar on Wednesday, January 6 along with Stereo is a Lie, New Roman Times, and the Strange Attractors; the second at Club DeVille with Corto Maltese and Candi and the Strangers. Download one of the new tracks, “Lemongrass,” from the upcoming vinyl below.