RecommNeds | Abram Shook & The Holydrug Couple

Words By: Aaron “Neddy” Stein

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The Leap

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Abram Shook: Landscape Dream

 

It’s always good when your “new discoveries” follow-up on that initial promise. That’s why I’m so psyched about the sophomore release from Abram Shook, Landscape Dream. Following up on last year’s excellent, RecommNed’d Sun Marquee, the Austin musician’s newest is a welcomed leap forward from his already hard-to-resist sound. Each track feels built from the bottom up: excellent songs are layered with just enough guitars and keyboards. It’s ethereal and groovy; artful and muscular; elegant and elastic with that made-in-Austin spice you find in bands like White Denim. Shook is one of those hidden gems that you’re surprised is still a secret.

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com/artist /Abram_Shook/album/Landscape_Dream/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6QH xAmFD8KcwD7yg0m0FpJ

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/abram-shook/album/landscape-dream

Soundcloud:: https://soundcloud.com/western_vinyl/sets/abram-shook-landscape-dream

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The Holydrug Couple: Moonlust

 

Another band who has taken a major, welcomed leap with their newest album is The Holydrug Couple. Following up on 2013’s revelatory Noctuary, the Chilean jammers have sprung Moonlust on us. This new set of tunes seems to take the mind-altering psych-rock of Noctuary as a mere starting point. On Moonlust, The Holydrug Couple is a well-trained astronaut, traveling the cosmos with wide-eyed wonder and an expert confidence. Feeling equal parts The Flaming Lips and Tame Impala, slow grooving songs mix with expansive instrumentals, somehow packing more music into three and four minute songs than feels possible. This album is not to be missed.

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com/artis t/The_Holydrug_Couple/album/Moonlust/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3IU Qi8pLKTcXiEViyuyKKd

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/the-holydrug-couple/album/moonlust

Bandcamp: https://theholydrugcouple.bandcamp .com/album/moonlust