Jesse's Spring Favorites

Dogheart - Yeah No For Sure
Another great pop album (no. 5!) by this underrated Portland band. I dig their bummed-in-the-sun vibe.

Live! Saturday, May 25th @ No Fun

Divers - Live from the Banana Stand
For a brief moment, Divers ruled Portland. Great to have a testament to those awesome shows.

Sego - Sego Sucks

Full of fun, inventive hooks and slackidaisical observations reminiscent of early Beck.

Live! Sunday, May 26th @ Liquor Store

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Big Quiet - Interesting Times
Awesome indie pop. Imagine the Bangles signed to Sarah Records.

Layperson - The Divide
Such a beautiful album. Reminds me a bit of the Pernice Brothers.

Live! Tuesday, June 4th @ Liquor Store

Months - REX
Spitting political fire wrapped in propulsive, noisy riffs. Cathartic and necessary.

Luther Russell - Medium Cool

O my soul! Come for the Big Star love, stay because this some of the finest powerpop songwriting you'll hear this year.

Live! Friday, June 7th @ Star Theater

Rain's Spring Favorites

Boy Harsher - Careful

It's contemporary but it's STRAIGHT UP 1986 New Wave magic. Put on your eye liner and your pointy shoes, slam a 2 litre California Cooler and tear up that goddamn Vet's Hall dance floor. I seriously wanted to smoke a clove cigarette after my first listen of this album. Also, it's the first album I've listened to 5 times in a row in a LONG ASS TIME.

Foie Gras - Holy Hell

I dunno know what's going on? Maybe it's that "everything that's old is new again" thing. This, like its sista from another mutha, Boy Harsher, also miraculously cashes in on that mid 80's synth wave sound. It's good and I like it.

Twin Temple - "Twin Temple (Bring You Their Signature Sound...Satanic Doo-Wop)

The title says it all and it doesn't let you down.

Black To Comm - Seven Horses For Seven Kings

This is MY Music For Airports...

The Caretaker - Stage 6

The last installment of this decade long project. Mr. Torrance  still is and will always be the Caretaker....

Rain's Early 2019 Favorites

Nivhek - After its own death/Walking in a spiral towards the house

Grouper's Liz Harris' side project which is perfect for these dark days of Winter. Evokes dreams during the waking hours. Gives hope in the hole where hope should reside.

Beirut - Gallipoli

Back to form soundtrack for my traveling gypsy caravan. Wintertime release makes me yearn for the future months in which I laze like a baked lizard on sun baked river rocks while the trout wink at me through the glinting water.

Jozef Van Wissem and Jim Jarmusch - An Attempt to Draw Aside the Veil

If tall city buildings could speak like Tolkien's Ents, this would be the sound of their voices

Steven Stapleton and David Tibet - The Threat of Memory

A big ol' stewpot full of discord and chaos. It's lovely.

V/A - Russian Doll Soundtrack

There isn't an "official soundtrack" out for it yet, but I bet there will be. I recently watched the Netflix series, Russian Doll (which is amazing and you should see it. I binged all 8 episodes in less than a 24 hour period...) and what struck me was how good the music selected for the show is. I made my own playlist after researching the tracks used. The highlight and new discovery for me is French psych-surf duo, The Limiñanas. They might be my new favourite band. Their entire music catalogue that spans the last decade is phenomenal and they just seem to be getting better and are gaining traction and attention (as evidenced by their most recent album having a song featuring Joy Division's Peter Hook on bass).

Jesse's Early 2019 Jams

Crocodiles - Love Is Here

I love this band. All 7 albums. And this one has a particularly nice blend of sweet and noisy.

Good Shade - Way Out

Just fantastic power pop. A gem in the consistently great Dirtnap Records catalog.

Yuvees - Seething In Whisper Town

One of my favorite tracks from reviewing PDX Pop Now submissions. Great post punk.

Strange Passage - Shouldn't Be Too Long

Teenage Fanclubesque? Upbeat Smiths? IDK. I just love it.

Unlikely Friends - We Blast Last! A Love Letter to the Fabulous Bands of the Pacific Northwest
Happiness is a lovable NW indie pop band covering a new set of local heroes each week. Can't wait to see who's next.

QC10 - NightraiN's Top 18 Albums from 2008 - 2017

Editor's Note: After 10 years of submitting year-end Top 10 lists, frequent contributors are going back and picking out their favorite albums from those lists.

Augustines - Augustines (2014)

A longtime fan of these guys back to the Pela days. They have a few albums to select from, but this one stands out as such an amazing album. Tons of emotion and energy that makes every track (and live installment) fantastically good. Sad to see that they have hung up their instruments as a band, but lots of good memories associated with the tracks on this album.

Frightened Rabbit - Painting Of A Panic Attack (2016)

Love me some Frightened Rabbit. The National's Aaron Dessner's fingerprints are all over this album, and the partnership is a hauntingly beautiful one. Somehow, this album is both deeply sad and uplifting at the same time -- goosebumps, reflective thoughts, whiskey, hope. Seeing this album performed live flawlessly was also an amazing experience.

The National - High Violet (2010)

Like the above, something about The National is so deeply comforting and passionate that it makes me reflectively sad and inexplicably happy at the same time -- the perfect mix of musically induced emotion. Clearly, this combination resonates with me... keep it coming.

Lucero - 1372 Overton Park (2009)

I love Lucero and pretty much all things Ben Nichols. It is hard to call out just one Lucero album during this time period, but this one stands out for me. An album with that rare combination of... well... everything. Oh, the horns! This one will stand the test of time!

Delta Spirit - Into The Wide (2014)

In a year of good albums, this one really stands out with the rockers really rocking and balanced well with the solid slower jams. 

Portugal. The Man - American Ghetto (2010)

They are funky and fun. They rock the house every time. Love me some P.TM.

Frightened Rabbit - Midnight Organ Fight (2008)

There is a lot to like: The accents, the strummy guitar, the impassioned lyrics, the imperfect, yet honest & heartfelt vocals. This is an album for all moods, and certainly, one that rises above the other offering of 2008 for its vigor and passion. Bravo!

Ha Ha Tonka - Lessons (2013)

Put on the album, turned off the lights, got in the shower... and rocked out to the who entire thing. Best album listening experience of the entire year.

The White Buffalo - Shadows, Greys, and Evil Ways (2013)

One of my favorite Americana artists of all time. The story of Jolene + Joe seems to get better with every listen... touching and epic.

Kings of Leon - Only By Night (2008)

Always solid, the Kings of Leon deliver perhaps their best album to date. They cannot be denied!

Kishi Bashi - Lightght (2014)

After seeing Kishi Bashi live in a number of settings, the love for this album has only increased. Immense talent shines through on these finely crafted tunes.

Matthew Logan Vasquez - Does What He Wants (2017)

MLV does whatever he wants... and it almost always turns out really good! Delta Spirit's frontman is a funny, talented dude and this album spans the full spectrum from playful electric to touching acoustic. Do yourself a favor and absorb it all now!

The Black Keys - Brothers (2010)

These dudes are legends already... this album and especially a few choice tracks just heightens their profile that much more. Sick.

The album art is awesome as well.

William Elliott Whitmore - Field Songs (2011)

Connected with this album more than any other this year. Great, emotional songwriting and vocals -- soulful, passionate, salt of the earth.

Owl John - Owl John (2014)

This is what it sounds like to look into someone's soul. Scott Hutchison was as troubled as he was talented, but I'm thankful for all that he was willing to share with the world. If you are a fan of Freighted Rabbit like me, you'll dig this solo effort.

Photo Ops - Vacation (2016)

I think most people needed a good feel-good album during this rather dark 2016, and Vacation was that album for me. Echoing the harmonies and patience of Pet Sounds, this album washes over you like a warm summer day and lifts the spirits like an ice cold High Life.

Alberta Cross - Broken Side of Time (2009)

I anticipated the release of this one with great fervor, and when it was finally released, I was not let down.

Japandroids - Near to the Wild Heart of Life (2017)

I was already a fan, but this album accentuated my fondness. Fuzzy rock-punk perfect for (mostly) uptempo runs and impassioned sing-a-longs. A recipe for awesomeness!

"Best of 2017" Playlists

Consistent with past years, to spice things up we asked survey takers to submit a song or two that falls under some colorfully entitled category. Those playlists are posted below.

If you have any suggested additions to the playlists, please leave recs in the comments section of this post.

Summer Jammy Jams




Power to the People




Rainy Days and Earle Grey




Dancing the Pain Away

End-of-Summer Short List

Today, Friday, September 22, marks the official end of summer and leaves us approximately 77% of the way through 2017. Since we haven't posted since February (hey, life happens!) it is fair to say that a lot of really good music has been released in the last 9 months that desperately needs our attention.

With this, I'm not going to try to catch you up on everything or point out the obvious stuff (that's what our year-end lists are for and you've probably already found Kendrick, Future Islands, P.TM Ryan Adams, Spoon, FJM... etc.), but here are a few tracks and albums that may have slipped past you that, in my opinion, are worth your attention:

Matthew Logan Vasquez - Does What He Wants (album)

Ha Ha Tonka - Heart-Shaped Mountain (album)

alt-J - RELAXER (album)

The Texas Gentlemen - TX Jelly (album)

Jordan Mackampa - "Battlecry" (single)

The Weeks - Easy (album)

Lake Jons - "Positive" (Single)

Leopold and His Fiction - Darling Destroyer (album)

Blank Range - Marooned with the Treasure (album)

QCM's "Best of 2016" Playlists (Playlist 5: Summer Jammy Jams)

QCM's "Best of 2016" Playlists (Playlist 4: Dancing the Pain Away)

QCM's "Best of 2016" Playlists (Playlist 3: Double Martinis & Vanquished Dreams)

QCM's "Best of 2016" Playlists (Playlist 2: Power to the People)

QCM's "Best of 2016" Playlists (Playlist 1: Best of the Best)

As before, we asked QuickCrit's illustrious annual survey takers to list their favorite songs from their favorite albums. The result is a quirky, eclectic "Best of the Best" playlist clocking in at just over seven hours. This mind-numbingly awesome playlist can be accessed via Spotify below:

Also consistent with past years, to spice things up, we asked survey takers to submit a song or two that falls under some colorfully entitled category. Those playlists will be posted in the following days.

Of course, if you have any suggested additions to the playlists, please leave recs in the comments section below. 

Happy listening!

Best Albums of 2016... So Far (A Spotify Playlist)

Finding fresh new jams to listen to can sometimes be a time-consuming and overwhelming endeavor, which is in part why this little slice of the internet called QuickCrit was created. Unfortunately, we here at QCM don't have as much time as we once did to ponder and pontificate about new albums, singles, and videos, but I do have time to add new albums to a rolling, ever-expanding playlist.

So, for those of you looking for new tunes in a casual, risk-free environment, I encourage you to follow this playlist on Spotify:

I typically tack on a few new albums a week, so there should be plenty of new tracks for you to peruse even if you are a power listener like me. Of course, if you have any suggestions throughout the year, please feel free to drop a comment.

NightraiN's Best of Q1 2016 Kinda Short List

In my opinion, the year in indie and under-the-radar music is off to a great start! Of course, you won't get much in the way of so-called Top 40 recommendations from me, so I'm not really commenting on that side of the industry. In no particular order, I figured I'd share a quick and dirty list, with recent video/audio accompaniment, of what I've been digging during Q1. If you have any song or album recommendations from 2016 so far, please feel free to comment below.

Battleme - Habitual Love Songs - Loved the first album, didn't really connect with the second... this one brings it back around to pretty damn awesome.

Lake Jons - Explore EP - Just a taste from these dudes out of Finland, but I'm enjoying what I'm hearing so far and look forward to giving them the live test if they make it out to this way.

The Duke of Norfolk - Three Days from the Wolf Month - Straight outta Scotland, The Duke of Norfolk compose some refreshingly folksy, strummy guitar tunes in the realm of Frightened Rabbit. You can download this free EP here, but I highly recommend tipping. #SupportTalent

Shearwater - Jet Plane and Oxbow - You may already know these guys due to coverage by Pitchfork and others, but if not, this shit is catchy and eclectic. Interesting video as well for "Quiet Americans."

Rolla Olak - Heavy Feather - Need some mellow acoustic jams for those rainy days and your Earl Grays? Rolla Olak's got you covered. Made in Canada.

Old Man Canyon - Delirium - The first time I heard Old Man Canyon I thought it was new or lost-collection Portugal. The Man. It is not -- it is something different altogether and it is worth a listen if you enjoy some psychedelic rock in your life. Also made in Canada.

Photo Ops - Vacation - Well-crafted feel good, surf pop. Riding the same wave as the Soft Swells and others likeminded surf rock influenced we've discussed on QCM. A solid summer jammy-jam album if you ask me.

Turin Brakes - Lost Property - Totally lost track of this band, but they are back in my regular rotation with this album... particularly this cut below.

Mount Moriah - How to Dance - The band has been around for a minute, but this is my favorite of their albums to date. Fire up this southern rock meets indie rock album for your backyard BBQs.

Night Beats - Who Sold My Generation - Psychedelic trio out of Seattle that will provide that blues-rock fix you've been looking for. Angry cops not included.

Augustines - "Are We Alive" - Oh, and the Augustines came out with a new song. Always fantastic. I can't wait for the "RISE: The Story of the Augustines" documentary to drop.

Bishop - "River" - And, last but not least, if this hasn't reached your ear canals yet, you may find it intriguing... I do.

QCM's "Best of 2015" Playlists

The past few years we have asked QuickCrit's annual survey takers to list their favorite songs from their favorite albums which has resulted in a "Best of the Best" playlist for the corresponding year. To spice things up, we have also been asking survey takers to submit a song or two that falls under some colorfully entitled category.

At long last, for your listening pleasure, below are the resultant Spotify playlists built from survey results and some editorial selections. The playlists should only cover music from albums released in 2015 and all are at least an hour long.

If you have any suggested additions to the playlists, please leave your recs in the comments section below. Happy listening!

"The Best of the Best from 2015" Playlist

"Damn Good Song" Playlist

"Love Letters & Late Nite Texts" Playlist

"Rainy Days & Earle Grey" Playlist

"Summer Jammy Jam" Playlist

"Dancefloor Smash" Playlist

NightraiN's 2015 Summer Short List

So far, it has been a pretty solid year overall for albums and singles. I've been collecting my favorites here for you Spotify users, so you can catch up on a much deeper level if you like. For those of you with a quick attention span (our target audience), below are a few of my favorites as we pass the mid-point in 2015. Enjoy!

Life in Film - Here it Comes (2015)
I love this album -- It reminds me of the summer I spent working in bars in Santa Barbara immediately after finishing college attempting to force summer-jammy jam Brit Pop & Rock down every one's throats. The whole album just works and this track in particular makes you want to fiesta.

Bozgo - "This Kind of Love"

Gabe Lackner brings his unique touch to a collection of electro-lounge tracks that make you want to dance, chill, and workout... all at the same time. This track in particular captures the mystery and energy of a warm summer night where everything is possible and nothing is prohibited.

Summer Euro Jams

I spent two weeks touring the Europe earlier this summer and the common musical theme throughout was fun, upbeat, Euro electronic tracks. A solid pairing for days at the beach or nights at a loungy club. This isn't my favorite of those tracks, but it captures the mood and style pretty well.

Bop English - Constant Bop (2015)

I don't remember how or when I first started listening to this album, but 5 or 6 tracks off of the Constant Bop release are awesome and super catchy by any standard, including the one below...

Album of the Month: Murder By Death - Big Dark Love (February 2015)

February was a tough month to pick a "favorite" album. For the shortest month of the year, it was jam-packed with solid releases (a few other highlights are noted below).

Big Dark Love wins by a nose in no small part because I caught MBD as they passed San Francisco at The Independent and the new tracks passed the "live test" with flying colors. I am of course a long-time fan of this five-piece band, but I manage to continue to learn new ways to enjoy this group.

On Big Dark Love the sound is fuller and more complex, moving much further away from the early, grittier punk/rockabilly roots. Here at QuickCrit, we've lamented that this is sometimes the swan song of a band's authenticity and down-home flare that made us like the band in the first place (Kings of Leon, for example). However, I don't have that same feeling with this album and band. My favorite song, "Send Me Home" (playable below), captures most of the elements that I really like about this album and MBD in general dating back to their earlier days -- prominent baritone vocals, sing-a-long hooks, clean, well-paced instrumentation, and of course, the heartfelt, dark, and touching (although the song is surprisingly uplifting) vocals. I've come to realize that Murder By Death is not for everyone, which is fine... it is still perfect for me.


Other favorites from the second month of the year included:

• José González's Vestiges & Claws
• The Dø's Shake Shook Shaken
• Songhoy Blues's Music in Exile 
• The Districts's A Flourish and a Spoil

Phosphorescent – Muchacho (2013)

I have been captivated by this album for the last two weeks or so now. Ever since I heard Matthew Houck’s “Wolves” sometime in late 2007 or early 2008, I have been loosely following Phosphorescent, but the last album unfortunately didn't warrant a review, so I think up until now, Phosphorescent has gone undiscussed on QCM. 

On Easter Sunday 2010 at The Independent in San Francisco (where I'll be tonight to see Portugal. The Man), White Hinterland and Bon Iver opened (yes, opened) for Phosphorescent. Most of the people in the audience were there for Bon Iver, specifically, and by the end of Phosphorescent’s set, most people had cleared out due to Houck’s shushing of the increasingly noisy Bon Iver following turned bar scene in the back. The gabbing during Houck's set was in stark contrast to the pin-drop silence Bon Iver was afforded. I hate when people talk during concert sets in small venues, so I have always had a somewhat special appreciation for Houck’s tender songwriting and fragile vocals, despite his hit-or-miss albums.

To me, Muchacho is Phosphorescent's most well-rounded album. The lyrics and songwriting across the board just seem more thought-out and less forced, albeit occasionally borrowed. “The Quotidian Beasts” seems to follow the chord progression of Chris Isaak’s "Wicked Game" – I even found myself mouthing “And I, want to fall in love” during the chorus build-up – and the single "Song for Zula" (below) leads in with a paraphrased reference to the infamous Cash-Carter "Ring of Fire" opening lines in singing "some say love is a burning thing / that it makes a fiery ring." Both are great tracks, and with each, the song takes on new and interesting shapes independent of the nods. My favorite of the tracks is "Ride On / Right On." With its head-nodding charisma and simplicity, "Ride On / Right On" paints a picture of what I view as a wild/fun, but ultimately unfulfilling, life and times. The core of Phosphorescent's sound is the facts that very few vocalists sing love-loss more convincingly than Houck, which may be his single most compelling attribute and shines through on tracks like "Muchacho's Tune," "Terror in the Canyons," and "Down to Go" – decrepit & touching enough that you just want to reach through the speakers and give the guy a hug. Well done on this one.

Soft Swells - Soft Swells (2012)

March may be a little early for summer, but it is never to early for summer jammy jams. The summer sounds come early with the Soft Swells' self-titled release. The beachy-vibed indie rock is quite popular these days, and in some respects the Soft Swells could be considered California's response to Florida's Surfer Blood, with less reverb and more appealing vocals.  Overall the album amounts to a well-crafted collection of pop songs, with shimmering vocals and rhythmic drums. Such attributes shine through on "Every Little Thing" and "Shake it Off." While every song is quality, there isn't a dominent single (in my mind) that needs listening to over and over again. More likely, one can toss this on with a couple other breezy indie pop albums, such as the latest Tennis, Drums, or Young Friends and nod along, imaging bare feet in the sand, sun on the face, and an ass in a comfortable folding chair. The combination of Brooklyn and Los Angeles roots reeks of hipster, but the tunes transcend any niche, too-cool-for pop culture genre or stylization. The Soft Swells bring great music and good times.

Howler - America Give Up (2012)

This is rock and roll... This is Howler. Their debut album, America Give Up, is vigorous and catchy much like one of my favorite bands of 2011, The Vaccines. The Drums, Surfer Blood and The Soft Pack (plug in other surf-rock influenced band name here) also come to mind, because the surf-rock trend is so hot right now. The 11 track album comes in at just over 32 minutes, which leaves each riff-laden, power pop track to come and go at a '70s punk pace. It is truly structured as an album from a different era. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised anymore due to all the musical virtuosos currently on the prowl, but I am still amazed by the fact that Howler is made up of mere kids. They pull together an amazingly mature and musically-educated sound, while keeping the songs and song-titles playful and carefree. This album is packed with singles, so take a half-hour out of your day, especially while the sun is shining here in California, and have a listen to some youthful summer jammy-jams.