Hidden Bay Records Mini-Round-up

French micro-label Hidden Bay seems to find promising new artists from all over. I mentioned THE COOL GREENHOUSE last week, and I thought I’d highlight a few other releases worth a click.

The Worms – Back to the Bog cassette (Hidden Bay)

THE WORMS are a brutalist punk trio from London. It’s like hardcore never happened because this is closer to street punk like THE PARTISANS, snotty growling vocals and no-frills slashing guitar riffs. Something about the minimalism and gritty texture reminded me of the great FEEDTIME from Australia.

Big Baby – Fizzy Cola cassette (Hidden Bay)

This Virginia trio has two guitars, drums and no bass. One guitar does low fuzzy chords and one does clean chiming melodies, a good trick. Think BLAKE BABIES and maybe SHOP ASSISTANTS. Is this Crash Pop? I like that old term. The soaring, yearning voice on “Cherry Coke” sold me.

Special Friend – S/T 10” (Hidden Bay/Buddy/Gravity Music/Howlin’ Banana)

A split release from a few different labels, this is actually vinyl in the unpopular 10” format. SPECIAL FRIEND is a duo that had me thinking of great indie duos of yore: KICKING GIANT, THE SPINANES, METHOD ACTORS. This is moody guitar pop with vocal harmonies and that wily energy a duo brings, having nothing to hide behind.

BONUS THING:

House Deposit – Reward for Effort (Spoilsport)

Another label that probably deserves some highlighting is Spoilsport Records. So many labels now it’s overwhelming, but calm down. It’s my mission to help you focus. Spoilsport is unpretentious DIY pop stuff, and I like the look of their releases (half the battle for me). Last week I reviewed THE GREAT DIVIDES, and this week I am streaming HOUSE DEPOSIT. They are also a post-CANNANES act with really good songs. The vocal and songwriting trade-offs are totally DICK DIVER too. “City Strain” has a sweet saxophone part. I hope they make it to their third album/mature masterpiece cuz I would totally buy it and even pay the insane shipping cost from Australia; however, I’m guessing Trouble In Mind would re-release it anyway, so I will wait.