Music Matters: Fine local releases a cure for summertime blues – Times Union

“Suburban Mayhem” by E.R.I.E.

The second LP by Albany band E.R.I.E. is an exuberant blast of energy that weds pop-punk with heartland rock. Singer/songwriter TJ Foster is an impassioned frontman and he sings his heart out on the propulsive “Bad Man’s World.” The on-the-nose “World on Fire,” with its angst over the state of current affairs and missed opportunities, could be the theme song of the current sociopolitical climate. It pairs nicely with the title track, a rumination on making sense amidst the tumult and anxiety of present-day culture and society. My personal favorite cut is “Little Heartbreak,” a pop-rocker that evokes ’80s Mellencamp or Springsteen. While the LP is strong from start-to-finish, “Little Heartbreak” makes the entire affair worth a listen and is one of the best songs to come out of the area this year.

 
“Suburban Mayhem” is available on all major streaming platforms and can be purchased at https://abandcallederie.bandcamp.com/

“Irrational Anthems” by Merci Van 
Saratoga’s Merci Van solidifies itself as one of the most promising indie bands in the Capital Region with its new EP. The just-released six-track “Irrational Anthems” is a well–produced and recorded showcase for the group’s blend of folk and synth-pop. “Oppenheimer” is partially an inadvertent channeling of the current cinematic zeitgeist, and it’s guided by Joseph Beaty’s driving riff and a hypnotic vocal track from Alicia Macier. Another winner is “Awkward Conversation” for its balancing darker lyrical content with a subtle, whimsical vocal and instrumental arrangement. “Irrational Anthems” closes with the nine-minute “The Artist.” It’s an odyssey, moving from spacey alt-rock to folk and synth-based abstractions. The song’s ambition, combined with the sturdy songcraft and performances across the EP, point to an intriguing creative future for Merci Van.

“Irrational Anthems” is available on all major streaming platforms and can be purchased at https://mercivan.bandcamp.com/album/irrational-anthems

“Glad U Are Here,” “Crack Kills” and “Treasure Fleet” by Soo Do Koo 
Dynamic Albany beatmaker and rapper Soo Do Koo has been a hard-working and under-the-radar artist for several years. Since April, he’s released three projects and each offers a different look at his abilities. From a beatmaking and production standpoint, “Crack Kills” is the cleanest and most dynamic-sounding of the projects. The highlight on that album is the one-two punch of “Satriale’s” and the biting “They Hate Hate and I Love it.” If grittier, lo-fi beats are your thing, “Glad U Are Here” is full of ’em, and Soo Do Koo’s verbal dexterity shines on “Cut N Paste” and  “Get Eager, Get Ethered.”  “Treasure Fleet” is somewhere in between the other two, not quite as slick as  “Crack Kills” and not as rough-and-tumble as  “Glad U Are Here. ” The jazz-inflected beats of  “Shaun Livingston (Bouncing Back)’ provides a nice entry point into the project and showcases the eclectic sonic palette Soo Do Koo uses to bring his music to life. If physical releases are your thing,  “Glad U Are Here ” is available as a limited run cassette, courtesy of local imprint Bee Side Cassettes. 

Soo Do Koo’s music is available on all major streaming platforms and can be purchased here: https://soodokoo.bandcamp.com/

“BLEED” by Small Ghosts 
Small Ghosts is a full-band project from prolific area singer-songwriter Asa Morris. Featuring a roster of musicians that include members of Flavour, Merci Van (see above) and William Hale, Small Ghosts’ EP is a high-octane blend of punk, garage and noise rock that makes for a raucous listening experience. The streaming version of “BLEED” consists of four tracks, while the physical release contains seven. Taken as a four-track set, “I Don’t Need Yr Goddamned Love Songs” and “I Might Disappear” set the tone as straightforward ’80s punk anthems. But it’s the seven-song version of “BLEED” that contains the real gems and highlights the fullness of Small Ghosts’ sounds, particularly with the brooding, heavy rockers “Away We Go” and  “I’m in Love with the Death.” The physical release is the way to go.

“BLEED” is available on all major streaming platforms and can be purchased at https://smallghosts.bandcamp.com/

“Ready For Your Love” by Josh Morris 
Josh Morris is a well-regarded multi-instrumentalist and familiar presence locally, having played drums in Hasty Page, Dark Honey and in both Girl Blue and Erin Harkes’ bands. He’s stepping out as a sideman and taking a solo turn with his new single “Ready For Your Love.” It’s a total summer jam, a bouncy pop-rock tune with a catchy chorus. Morris acquits himself well as a lead singer with a knack for strong melodies. If this is the start of his work as a solo artist, it’s a good one.

“Ready for your Love” is available on all major streaming platforms.