Secret Handshakes The Record Machine/Golden Sound Records 2012

Secret Handshakes The Record Machine/Golden Sound Records 2012 CAT#GSRM001

This was a local Record Store Day release met with little to no fanfare upon it's release in 2012, because let's be honest, independent labels can't do things on Record Store Day, it's for the major labels.

Nevertheless, The Record Machine teamed up with Golden Sound Records to put out this limited and colored vinyl compilation of groups from the labels' rosters. It's got a screened cover and is clever in it's simplicity. It looks and feels limited. Yet, despite the labels attempt to get on the RSD thing in 2012, you can still grab a copy with ease in 2015.

The Record Machine side is filled with the label's breezy indie-pop sounds. The La Guerre track, "23," is stellar and a huge stand out. Another definite highlight is the Akkiles track, "She's Alright," which is sparse, haunting and has addictive phrasing you can't get out of your head, The whole side is worth checking out, just to experience this tiny KC label's cohesive sound and identity.

The Golden Sound Records side isn't as cohesive, but filled with great tunes all the same. The fist track, "Hot Bright Night" by Everyday/Everynight is filled with a lot of directions, but it's grandiose and worth repeated listens. The Caves track, "Liars," has a pretty great groove and power-pop moves. It also features the Baby Teardrops, which is a Matt Dunehoo (of Proudentall) fronted band formed in New York, I mention it because that guy is dedicated and it's good to see him get a song out there now and again.

Overall, great listen and worth owning. I'm sure since it's now 2015, either label would take $10 and send you one if you asked nicely (currently selling for $12 at TRM).

Soundcloud TRM Side

The Caves Duplexiaville Golden Sound Records 2012

The Caves Duplexiaville Golden Sound Records 2012 CAT#GSR-017

My first understanding of the Caves was that it was just the guitar/drum duo of Jacob Cardwell and Andrew Ashby doing Ashby's bedroom pop tunes.  This is the more fleshed out edition, featuring David Gaume doing bass and other things as well as the production.  Elizabeth Bohannon is featured on keys and and vocals.

The Caves lie somewhere between later-era Beatles and Elvis Costello ballads.  Very dreamy, with just enough teeth to get them into them into clubs rather than coffee houses.  Still very much bedroom pop.  Quiet and very quaint, at a show, you'd hear crowd chatter over most of these songs.  Still, Ashby's songs grow on you the more time you spend with the album and at times are hauntingly beautiful, i.e. ""Feeler".

The album artwork is pretty awesome.  Features the old Reflector tour van and the layout was done up by Greg Franklin who was in a good band called the Believe It Or Nots, way back when.  Although, the font choice on the back cover is a bit 8th Grade.

http://thecaves.us/