Friday Five: The Nuts, Kodama, Tension Splash, Battle of the Bits, Skinned Knees
Friday Five highlights music by Washtenaw County-associated artists and labels.
This edition features indie rock by The Nuts, drum 'n' bass by Kodama, grunge by Tension Splash, another chiptunes comp courtesy of Battle of the Bits, and a moody indie rocker by Skinned Knees.
The Nuts, "Rabbit"
The latest single by the terrific Ann Arbor indie quartet The Nuts drops the shoegaze elements from its previous two excellent singles, "Winter Song" and "All I Can," for something that is distinctly Beatles-esque—and equally great. All three songs are squished together on Spotify now, perhaps portending a full-length album in the near future.
Tension Splash, "Breathe," "Deep Down," and "Takin' It Back"
It was right around this time last year that the Friday Five highlighted Tension Splash's return with a couple of new singles and reissues after 30-ish years away. In the interim, the Ann Arbor grunge band has released three more singles, with the most recent being "Breathe." That song is right in Tension Splash's sweet spot: bluesy, Pearl Jammy rock 'n' roll. "Deep Down" has a similar feel, but "Takin' It Back" is the surprise cut: a straight-up country stomper with a wailin' violin.
Kodama, Oblivion
Germany producer Daniel Schwerdel makes his full-length debut on Ypsilanti's AGN7, which waves the flag enthusiastically for drum 'n' bass. Oblivion features the chopped-up drums, menacing wubs, and atmospheric synths that will sound familiar to the genre's fans, but Kodama keeps the details fresh throughout the album's 11 originals (plus a remix of the opening cut). He also allows the music to slow down at times—and "Ushas" is a straight-up meditation—which helps make Oblivion a multifaceted journey into modern drum 'n' bass.
Various artists, Battle of the Bits: Ringtone Bangers
Battle of the Bits is a thriving, Ypsi-based forum for chiptune enthusiasts. Last week I mentioned the site's more recent compilation, Battle of the Bits: Spring Tracks XII, and a new 11-track collection is out: Ringtone Bangers features original "monophonic and polyphonic ringtones" by forum members, who were forced to work within a series of technological parameters spelled out on the site (and on the Bandcamp page).
Skinned Knees, "Moscow Mule"
The Ypsi-based lead guitarist for Great Arm and bassist for Jacuzzi Beach also produces solo music under the Skinned Knees moniker. "Moscow Mule" is a moody, spacious indie-rocker that closes with these words: "Ride in on a Moscow mule / and after I've had a few / I'll be headbanging in the barn / just singing this song for you." Relatable!
Christopher Porter is a library technician and the editor of Pulp.