News Tracks: Mazes, Crocodiles, Titus Andronicus And More

DIY writers and radio presenters have had a few rows, argued their case, drawn pistols at dawn and eventually come to an entirely amicable conclusion that these, these are the tracks that you need to make sure you’ve heard this week. So without further ado, we present, this week’s Tracks.

Crocodiles – Bubblegum Trash
Having set out on a voyage along the Thames with guitars in hand to celebrate the release of their third studio album and the 25th anniversary of The Sex Pistols’ similar display of chaos, in aid of our Queen’s jubilee. Followed by another London performance that saw Paul Cooke play on drums, there aren’t many bands that pay homage to traditional punk in the way that San Diego’s Crocodiles do. On record, however, the band are much more of a scuzzy lo-fi band, intertwined with archetypal elements of 1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll and the pop sensibility of Phil Spector’s 1960’s girl groups: the latter of which surfaced the term ‘Bubblegum Trash,’ a derogatory term used within a review of the band’s sophomore album. A term that has seemingly stuck with the band that will release the track next month: with the fuzzy guitars and sensuous vocals, just one listen to the track and their latest album proves that Crocodiles are far from trash. (Jonathan Hatchman)



Noami Punk – Linoleum Trust
This 7’ single twinned with ‘Eon Of Pain’, (also well worth a delve into), will definitely be an ‘I heard it first’ blag. On first drone, this song is an all singing tribute to the world of grunge, (who’s roots derive from punk for the novices among us). So we can hear the drop-d chords of the lead guitar groaning it’s way through the emotion fuelled vocals that build this song so masterfully. The beautiful thing about Naomi Punk is that they have the potential to attract those who like the new-wave indie sounds of bands like Peace and Crushed Beaks to a heavier, scuzzier sound as well as appeal to those of us on the chug and riff diet of rawwwwrk. (Elise Cobain – Alive and Amplified)



Titus Andronicus – My Eating Disorder
No matter how well written and realised an album is, if it’s conceptually based on a civil war that happened around 150 years ago - as Titus Andronicus’ 2010 album ‘The Monitor’ was - then any number of punk rock fans may struggle to find relevance in it’s subject matter today. So it’s a very welcome thing indeed, to find Patrick Stickles taking an autobiographical and altogether more down to earth approach to the brand new ‘Local Business’ record.

With ‘My Eating Disorder’, Stickles documents his own struggles with food, and those around him who are ‘trying to help’. Personally, I don’t like beetroot; but when I hear this song, I wanna take a baseball bat to beetroot. (Ian Paterson)



Buzzards – Bear Trap
Bear Trap is the eagerly awaited first single by London based ‘ Buzzards’ and is indeed a mighty impressive debut as melodic off kilter chords play against a back drop of mid 90’s grunge. Signed to Hilldrop Records, earlier this year, Buzzards are currently recording their freshman album and this little taster released on physical DIY label ‘Naked Tree Recordings’ is gloriously rich in fuzzy shoe gaze wonder. This release will not only be enjoyed by the checked shirt wearing, post rock swinging music brigade but also all those who sit in other musical stereotypes. It even comes on a split 7” with the oh so excellent Swedish ‘Steel Island’ so go bag yourself a copy now. (Jack Bacon – Tuckshop Community)



Christopher Owens – Lysandre’s Theme / Here We Go
What do you do when you’re a floppy-haired poet and you leave a band like Girls? You find a new guitar, grab your flute and write a paean about the life of a musician embarking on his first tour, with promises of sharing your heartbreak. At least, that what you would do if you were Christopher Owens. But you’re definitely not, so it’s a good job he did, and did it so well, really.

New track ‘Here We Go’ is from his upcoming solo album ‘Lysandre’. A gentle affair, and a fully-realised piece of dreamy folk pop filled with organs and a simple turn of chords. Everyone will say it, but it’s a total hippy song. And flat-out gorgeous, too. It’s surprisingly closer to Saddle Creek than it is to his native San Fran. (Jane McConnell)

Stream Christopher Owens’ ‘Lysandre’s Theme’/’Here We Go’ on Soundcloud.

Mazes – Bodies
Not many fans of Mazes will have seen this one coming - the London-based three-piece seem to have turned their focus from the catchy guitar pop ditties of delightful debut ‘A Thousand Heys’ to a more experimental, psychedelic and krautrock-influenced sound on new track ‘Bodies’. Presumably set to appear on their forthcoming second full-length through Fat Cat, ‘Bodies’ - released as a ‘cassingle’ while the band tour the UK with The Cribs - hears almost seven minutes of repetitive guitar jerks, looping bass-lines and drum motorik to really quite excellent effect. It’s not often a comeback song is this surprising or impressive. (Jake May)