Words: Ryan Getz / Photo: Damn the Witch Siren facebook page

Damn the Witch Siren – “Don’t Go Away”: This is my favorite side of the witch rock duo of Z Wolf and Bobbi Kitten. Sassy, sensual, and oh, so catchy. But this song takes things a step further into the ethereal direction of songs like “Life Like Movies”, which is why I say this is my favorite side of Damn the Witch Siren. The song off their forthcoming full length due this October keeps things to the point and fast paced, leaving us wanting more. Thus far, the band has been pretty content to play out in Columbus, but I’ll go on the record to say that I really hope they tour on this sound.

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All Dogs – “That Kind of Girl”: I can already tell this is going to be my favorite All Dogs track released thus far, and I’m only a few seconds into the track. Huge hook. Just as driving and loud and angsty as their already released material – just bigger. Way, way bigger. Kudos to Maryn Jones for shooting high with those vocals. Actually, the whole song sounds like one big long hook, but that’s fine by me!

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Youth Lagoon – “The Knower”: Is that really Trevor Powers’ voice? No distortion? After the trip to weirdness that was Wondrous Bughouse, “The Knower” hails a return to, well, weirdness. But it is a different sort of weirdness. I mean, when the next record is titled Savage Hills Ballroom what else would you expect? I think it’s safe to say that the minimal days of The Year of Hibernation are behind us, but I hope I get to eat my words soon. That said, I like this track more than anything on the sophomore LP.

Menace Beach – “Super Transporterreum”: What in the world is a transporterreum? Oh blast it, I can’t even remember how to spell this word. This is actually a lot more likeable than I anticipated. It made me forget the frustration of typing the second word in this title (which I’m not going to attempt again). This band’s fuzzy psych-pop is something that I picture them singing in front of a very confused concert hall for about a minute before the audience gets won over.

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Ember Isles – “Love Song (Love Me)”: I never thought I’d use the word “lush” to describe bluegrass (nor did it occur until I read the press email – I just really, really agree with that allegation). In spite of me not being anywhere near ready to ponder the end of this summer, this song gives me a case of the feels that makes this feeling inevitable. The feeling isn’t sad, though. It’s cathartic.

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