Java.July.2016

SNAILMATE
Leftovers EP
SOME DARK HOLLOW
Destination Unknown
SONORAN CHORUS
Laird EP
Tying a local record held previously by Field Tripp
and Merit, Snailmate have issued their third EP in a
year. This final installment of the “Escargot Trilogy”
is appropriately called Leftovers. What began last
July with Escargot and continued in Dine n’ Dash
in February, now finishes with Leftovers. It is a
fantastically bizarre record that combines a highenergy
punk vibe, crossed with synth-heavy funk and,
of course, Lander’s signature hip hop flow. When I
first heard the title of the record, I figured it was just
tracks that didn’t fit on the previous EPs, but whether
that’s the case or not, Leftovers works as a consistent
and wonderfully fun record.
“Radio DJ” is the opening track, which was
previously released as a split single with the Buglies.
It’s one of my favorites, as there is almost a disco
vibe in the beginning. Lander raps in the middle and
at some points takes on vocal histrionics reminiscent
of Captain Beefheart.
If anyone has ever been in a relationship where you
were “Always Loving Mostly Fighting,” the next
song is definitely for you, and it’s as caustic as it is
hilarious. I love this gastropodal universe that Lander
and his drumming partner, Ariel Monet, have created;
they have their own unique sound and vision, and are
happy to just own it.
“In Tents” will end up becoming a favorite track
for its clever lyricism alone (“shaving with Occam’s
razor”), plus it is pretty intense. I have to agree with
the title “Big Fish Don’t Taste Good” because it’s
something I’ve always thought to myself. The track
is also a perfect finale for the record. Now that the
trilogy of EPs is complete, Snailmate’s only option
will be to record a full-length, and I have a feeling
that’s what they have in mind.
If you are looking for some great country music to dig
your cowboy boots into, look no further than Some
Dark Hollow’s brand-new Destination Unknown. If
you didn’t hear their 2013 EP, Wander Wayward, I
would highly recommend you start there, then get
into their debut full-length. They should drop the
Americana pretense from their self-description,
because this is just great country music in the
classic sense—which is to say, country music that
I can truly enjoy.
Some Dark Hollow is Jason Stinson (vocals, banjo,
guitar), Joe Slater (bass), Ethan Pajak (drums) and
Shawn Skinner (lead guitar, vocals), and together
they remind me of what country sounded like in the
1970s, when it was at its crossover peak. This is the
kind of band that should be playing every hootenanny,
hoedown, shindig and bluegrass bash from coast
to coast because they will win audiences over on
a large scale. It’s the kind of thing you want as a
soundtrack to a hot, humid night on your front porch
slinging some beers, lemonade or sweet tea, just
relaxing and soaking it all in.
I suppose there is a hint of Americana here, since
there are moments (“Health and Women,” “Can’t
Trust My Eyes Anymore”) that recall Gram Parsons
and The Byrds’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo, but it’s got
more rootsy, down-to-Earth leanings. It must be said,
too, that the flawless harmonies reach deep into your
soul, so that even if you aren’t a fan of country music,
you can still appreciate the talent presented here.
Still, it’s songs like “Jump That Train” and the frantic
fun of “Bow My Head” that keep this album firmly
rooted in a deep country tradition.
Sonoran Chorus may record songs in their kitchen,
but somehow they come off sounding better
than some punks who actually use a legitimate
studio. There’s also something charming as hell
about this outfit. Most recently, they released
their sophomore EP, Laird, the follow-up to their
Lagoon Squad debut. Joe Allie (guitar, vox), Damon
Dominguez (bass, vox), Alex LeBlanc (guitar, vox)
and Troy Penny (drums) are Sonoran Chorus. While it
may seem like a stopgap release, Laird actually holds
its own against their debut, plus it has some of my
favorite songs I’ve seen live.
The EP is something of a Damon Dominguez
sandwich, as he takes lead vocals on “Cartons of
Bottles” and “Shitkicker.” In the middle LeBlanc
provides the vocals on “Terracotta Forest,” which
serves as a nice palate cleanser between the
straightforward, and intensely frenetic, punk rantings
of Dominguez. It gives this little EP the perfect
pacing. “Cartons of Bottles” has been a live favorite
and will leave you chanting, “I got the power, I got
the flower.” Also, Penny’s drums on this track are
thunderously awesome. “Terracotta Forest” comes
across as more lo-fi indie rock, but it also shows that
Sonoran Chorus are growing. It’s really a showcase
for their songwriting chops and expands their
horizons, like they wanted to record something for a
completely different audience.
Laird finishes with “Shitkicker,” which is a rave-up
rocker. Although Dominguez is in the spotlight here
vocally, it’s the twin guitars that are really the star
of this show and, once again, Penny’s bombastic
drumming. A solid effort that makes me excited to
see what’s next from this crew.
32 JAVA
MAGAZINE
Sounds Around Town By Mitchell L. Hillman