Paul Allen and the Underthinkers,
Everywhere at Once
(Aug. 6, Legacy Recordings, legacyrecordings.com): Paul Allen’s major-label debut is Microsoft Windows put to music, scavenging everything that’s come before it to create something that’s functional but has as much soul as Bill Gates’ nose hair. Beyond the saccharine revue of every musical genre that’s ever hitched a ride to Tennessee, Allen’s lyrics are hopelessly cliche-ridden, reaching a low point on the I-sold-my-soul-to-play-guitar ballad “Six Strings From Hell.” I will give the country-tinged “Rodeo” credit for capturing a middle-age melancholy from our aging local billionaire that seems heartfelt. Having the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde helps, as she croons, “This ain’t your first rodeo/And it ain’t gonna be your last.” Wonder if she was talking about Allen’s albums? Hope not. DANIEL PERSON
Exohxo, Stories and Fiction (Aug. 1, self-released, exohxo.com): If Don Draper lived in modern-day Seattle, you better believe Exohxo would be among the most-played music on his iPod. The band’s latest release is full of shimmery layers and catchy ’60s-style pop reminiscent of the ad man’s prime decade. The band’s heavy use of orchestral instruments adds a modern twist. (Thurs., Aug. 1, Columbia City Theater) AZARIA PODPLESKY
Horse Bodies, Terror Train (out now, self-released, horsebodies.bandcamp.com): An electric mix of rock ’n’ roll with hints of classic Southern blues, Terror Train is a collection of tunes laced with grit and gumption. KEEGAN PROSSER
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Midday Veil, The Current (out now, Translinguistic Other, middayveil.com): I’m going to go ahead and say that Midday Veil just put out the best record of the year so far. The Current is a mind-melting, kraut-rocking journey into the heart of a beautiful, dark cosmos. Lead singer Emily Pothast wails her witchy way over the album’s six long-playing tracks full of incredible bass grooves and astral guitar riffs. Randall Dunn’s production is all over the album, lending it the same gorgeous, spooky atmospherics he helped Olympia-based Wolves in the Throne Room achieve on its 2011 eco-metal epoch Celestial Lineage. Seriously, listen to the album ASAP and let its majesty realign your chakras. KELTON SEARS
The OF, Oh, It’s the OF (out now, Green Monkey Records, wearetheof.com): It’s not often that a CD begins with a spoken introduction, but when the first song revolves around a hermit crab and some seagulls fighting over a french fry, it’s nice to have a little help. Using standard rock instrumentation plus cello, mandolin, and triangle in unusual ways, the self-named “foil-rock” quintet creates music as eclectic as its members’ onstage attire: tinfoil togas and colanders as hats. (Fri., Aug. 16, The Central) AP
StrangelyAlright, This Time Machine Is Broken (out now, self-released, strangelyalright.com): There’s a very classic-rock vibe to this debut, thanks in part to singer Regan Lane’s smooth, mellow voice and the abundance of lush harmonies paired with bright guitar riffs. There’s no competition between the music and Lane’s honest lyrics, making this album easy to like. (Tues., Aug. 6, Tacoma’s “National Night Out at the Bridge”) AP
