32 Dec 8th–Dec 14th, 2022 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | Music to Our Ears The must-hear songs from Phoenix artists from the past month. BY CHRIS COPLAN A lot of times, this column makes no cohesive sense. It’s only meant to be a random collection of the great, vitally important work of local artists/musicians. But every once in a while, when seemingly viewed from the top down, a kind of narrative emerges. And this month, across a collec- tion of everything from earnest country to sludgy punk, that theme is tapping into something else. Whether that’s deep- seated emotions, the love of someone close, or energies heretofore unknown, these songs are about channeling big ideas. Each journey is different, but the end results are the same: even more great music. ‘Seeds and Stems (Again)’ Katie Mae & the Lubrication Katie Mae & the Lubrication haven’t released much since last October’s excellent Yellow Medicine Hills. That doesn’t mean, though, they haven’t been busy playing shows and building up their roster of bandmates. And all that work means it’s finally time for a release: a brand-new single called “Seeds and Stems (Again).” It’s actually a fresh arrangement of a 51-year-old song from the Michigan blues rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet. Despite all those moving parts, the song itself strips most things away for a poignant performance from Mae that over- flows with layers of depth and longing. ‘Intuit’ The Lord’s Back in June 2021, we introduced you to The Lord’s, a local hip-hop group that was short on background info but heavy with the talent. Now, as the outfit releases a new tape/LP in Speak Easy, we get to know the duo a little more. That includes the actual members, Preston Dobbins and Richard Lam. But more than anything, the five- track effort reveals even more profound insights into their sound. Case in point: the standout track “Intuit,” a smooth but nonetheless forceful cut of blues and soul- infused rap that sees The Lord’s share their best gift: pristine, hugely personal lyricism. It’s good to meet you at last, gents. ‘Vaporizer’ PRO TEENS Local indie rockers PRO TEENS released one of 2019’s best albums with Twos. Not only did it further their uniquely oddball, hugely catchy spin on indie rock, but it garnered some national attention to boot. But rather than build on that hype, it seems the band have all but called it quits since that record’s release. Luckily, they’ve offered up “an album from the grave” — and supposedly “the best one yet” — with the 11-track Dentistry. You should surely listen to the whole shebang, but pay special attention to “Vaporizer.” This breezy, slightly groovy slice of indie pop feels like the perfect endnote for PRO TEENS. ‘Shakey Bones’ North of Tomorrow With just one other album under their belt, Phoenix’s North of Tomorrow are really swinging for the fences with Something Unexpected. The 12-track LP, which features a host of “side musicians from all over the world,” supposedly references the likes of Radiohead, The 1975, and Peter Gabriel. So, does the band live up to a fraction of those lofty heroes? Based on a track like “Shakey Bones,” their reach and grasp are most aligned. It’s a melodic and compelling blend of ideas, from big flour- ishes of prog rock to the subtle shimmy of pop. Whatever influenced these songs, however, North of Tomorrow are surely onto something. ‘Existential Love Song’ Celebration Guns In case you’ve been feeling extra good about your current place in life, Celebration Guns are here to shake things up. The Phoenix quartet have a history of making doubly evocative, searingly honest emo rock, most notably on 2021’s excellent the visiting years. Now, they’re ready to release its follow-up, Midlife Vices, due out December 30. In the meantime, they’ve released the aptly-titled “Existential Love Song.” Not only is there more top-notch lyricism (“Life is a gift horse/I was never meant to face”), but the band are as cohesive and melodic as ever. What a great song to help wind down another truly weird year. ‘Tar Tartare’ First Days of Humanity Usually we see credits like “James on bass” or “Mikey (drums).” But Phoenix’s First Days of Humanity aren’t your typical band, and their credits on Bandcamp read, “Tapo — Putrefaction and Coagulation” and “Ryan — Necrosis and Decay.” Which is funny considering they’re a cutesy dance- pop band — just kidding, it’s some of the most pulverizing grindcore you’ve heard this side of a Carcass album. You could just spend 4.5 minutes listening to their entire four-track Winter Demo. Or, just blast “Tar Tartare” over and over as you realize credits and all that mean nothing in the face of such endless aural brutality. ‘Trains’ Gene Tripp Gene Tripp is the ongoing project of local singer-songwriter Jay Hufman. Over the last several years, Hufman/Tripp has perfected a blend of downtrodden cowboy blues across a number of releases. Early next year, he’ll release a new album, the six-track The Ghost of Gene Tripp. For now, he’s shared a preview of what’s sure to be a haunting effort with the track “Trains.” Don’t expect the country-tinged sound of 2018’s self-titled EP; Hufman instead opts for a synth-drenched sound- scape like Depeche Mode meets The Phantom of the Opera. Yet he’s never any less expressive, and you can practically feel his endless sorrow. ‘Eyes Bleed Red’ Zac Crye You may recognize Zac Crye as the frontman for the stoner rock outfit Hudu Akil. Crye’s had a few solo releases of his own in the last few years, and in November he released an extended effort in the five-song ▼ Music Celebration Guns. Brittanny Bickman >> p 34
