I love me recordshop

Even today, in this age of internet and file sharing, my favorite way to discover new music is to frequent local record stores, the mom and pop kind of operations where you can bring your coffee and chat with the staff for hours at time. Here in Athens, we're blessed with Wuxtry, a true institution since 1976.

I stopped there a few days ago as Mike was working, to show off my shiny new hot pink cellphone and its Wired up ringtone (how tacky is that ?). Mike greeted me with a smile and a "you gonna love that" light in the eyes. And he was right.

Bubblegum Lemonade
According to his official website, Bubblegum Lemonade is the solo project of a Scot from Glasgow, Laz, and his 12-string Brickenbacker. After a first tune released last October on Matinée Hit Parade sampler, Laz gives us his new EP, "Ten Years Younger". That's an understatement: the first 10 seconds drove me instantly back 15 to 20 years ago, at the height of jangly pop, a time where as a teen I was discovering Jesus & Mary Chain, Lush, My Bloody Valentine, Stone Roses, the Velvet Underground and so many many more. You, in your mid-thirties, do you remember those afternoons of ecstasy and wine spent with friends listening to what would become the soundtrack of your lives ? Buy the EP now and get 12 minutes of youth back. And here's a piece of advice for you, the younger ones: get with your significant other(s), put "Ten Years Younger" and make yourselves some memories. This EP is a pure gem, layered vocals, catchy harmonies, subtle feedback, everything's there. I wouldn't be surprised if Laz and I grew up more or less at the same time and with more or less the same record collection...

And if 12 minutes are not enough, do not worry, rejoice ! Laz has a second project:

Strawberry Whiplash is Laz on instruments and Sandra on vocals. Our duo just released their first EP, "Who's in your dreams", once again on Matinée, and once again four little jewels that'll stuck with you all this summer. I know it's only February, but their "feeback wall of sunshine sound" and a song like "It rains on other planets" will disperse winter clouds and make flowers grow around your steps. Like for Bubblegum Lemonade, 10 seconds were enough for me to fall head over heels.

So yes, I'm a sucker for twee and jangle, but I do love heavier stuffs as well, which brings us to

A Place To Bury Strangers, publicized as "the loudest band in NYC". A trio from Brooklyn fronted by the ex-Skywave Oliver Ackermann, APTBS does indeed play some loud, pedal-intensive noisy-pop/shoegaze with some surf music overtones. You'll recognize some influences of Jesus & Mary Chain's "Psychocandy", MBV's "Feed Me With Your Kiss"/"You Made Me Realize", Boo Radleys' "Kaleidoscope", The Cure's "Pornography", I gonna stop there, you should have an idea by now. Not original by any means, but formidably efficient.

Mike also tried to push the reissue of Adorable, but nah. I thought they sucked back in the days (1992, 2 to 5 years too late, mates), I had forgotten about them, and no regret whatsoever. I'll stick to our Glasgow friends for the time being.

MP3s
Bubblegum Lemonade: Ten Years Younger
Strawberry Whiplash: It Rains On Other Planets
A Place To Bury Strangers: She Dies