RecommNeds | Swim Mountain, Magic Castles and Schnauser

…and we’re back. I finished 2014 with plenty of RecommNed ammunition left in the clip, so the next couple weeks I’ll be reaching back to try to clear out last year’s queue. We’ll start this week with a psych-out grab-bag.

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Swim Mountain: Swim Mountain

Swim Mountain is London multi-instrumentalist Tom Skyrme and he’s made a nice splash with his debut self-titled EP. Skyrme plays and sings every note on the EP, but it has the warmth and groove of a full band. The sound is strongly reminiscent of Tame Impala (a high compliment… from me, at least), but maybe if they were playing a discothèque, which is to say it’s of the moment: psychedelic and groovy. I believe he’s put together a band to play this stuff out live and more music is in the works, so get involved.

Rdio: http://www.rdio. com/artist/Swim_Mountain/album/Swim_Mountain

Spotify: Swim Mountain – Swim Mountain

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/swim-mountain/album/swim-mountain

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Magic Castles: Sky Sounds

Sky Sounds, the fall 2014 release from Minneapolis rockers Magic Castle opens with “Trembling Hands,” a song that seems to be moving forward and in reverse at the same time, backwards guitars and organs aswirl, it is an excellent bit of psych-rock. From there, the album is a flurry of throwback sounds mixing up the folky and hallucinogenic expertly. The album is out on Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe’s label, A Records, and, I’m sure, feels right at home there. A strong record top to bottom, check it out.

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com/ artist/Magic_Castles/album/Sky_Sounds

Spotify: Magic Castles – Sky Sounds

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/magic-castles/album/sky-sounds

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Schnauser: Protein for Everyone

I’ll admit it, I’m an unabashed fan of prog-rock, which explains why I love Schnauser so much. Their previous release, Where business meets fashion was one of my favorite discoveries of 2013 and I’ve been awaiting their newest, Protein for Everyone, with much anticipation. They did not disappoint; seven great tracks with delirious melodies, ankle-breaking changes and a feast of musical ideas. Each song is a little journey to someplace magical. If you’ve spent hours poring over the Gabriel-era Genesis catalog or are merely looking for something new and different, I highly recommend checking out Schnauser.

Rdio: http://www.rdio. com/artist/Schnauser/album/Protein_for_Everyone

Spotify: Schnauser – Protein for Everyone

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/schnauser/album/protein-for-everyone

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Written By: Aaron Stein