Look, we know we throw a lot of new music at you. We also know that not everyone who comes to this site has the time to be as involved with or informed about the local scene as maybe they’d like to be. So for those casual readers who either can’t or have no interest in keeping up with the parade of artists we try to cover, who may not know the difference between Bitter and Biters, we have created our TRIPLE THREAT feature. The premise is simple: Every Friday our writers will put their heads together and come up with three tracks that grabbed our attention over that week. Then we tell you why the songs are great and worth listening to. That’s it. Maybe some weeks we’ll have a guest commentator come in and share their favorites, but the format will always remain the same: three songs, some words, and we out. Enjoy.
Ganges Phalanges – “College Song”
From the single, Grime Time Vol. 2
On Wednesday, longtime Atlanta punks Ganges Phalanges unveiled the second volume in their Grime Time series and then promptly sent us a note announcing it was their final recording. Honestly, it wasn’t too much of surprise—the group hasn’t shown much activity since releasing the first Grime Time volume last year—but it’s still a disappointment when an established act calls it a day, especially when that group was capable of such fiery moments as we hear on “College Song.” As a parting cut, the spirited anthem is wildly appropriate, seamlessly merging the group’s two primary forms of expression—spring-loaded pop punk and catchy, mile-a-minute hardcore. They will be sorely missed; in a scene where noisy obfuscation and nihilistic dread are often the norm, their cathartic exuberance was a welcome relief. – Avery Shepherd
Ganges Phalanges will play their final show tonight at Friendception at Star Bar alongside Seagulls, karBomb, Joy Kills, Shehehe, and more. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is FREE. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: gangesphalanges.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @GangesPhalanges
Doug Bleichner – “Daisy”
From the upcoming LP, Volume III
It’s been a couple years since Doug Bleichner (fka Meat), released any new music. In the time since, he played with Omni for a stint, but I missed the clever pop affectations of his understated songwriting. The first single from his upcoming album Volume III, finds Bleichner pulling more inspiration from the past. The pastoral jangle pop of “Daisy” recalls Big Star and ’70s era Kinks while not overstaying its welcome or leaning too heavily on retro sounds. Bleichner’s guitar work always feels unrehearsed but well-executed. It’s this comfortable balance that guides “Daisy” and makes it feel like the most eloquent of demos. – Russell Rockwell
Volume III drops July 4. Pre-orders are available here.
More Info
Bandcamp: dougbleichner.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @dougiebleichner
Isaak Pancake – “Eaten Alive”
From the upcoming LP, Salt Life
You’ve opened the portal. Or maybe you’ve cracked the lid to Pandora’s Box. Or maybe you’ve closed the lid to a cursed GameCube. Or, maybe you’ve pressed “play” to the top of a YouTube wormhole that’s about to suck you down for two hours. Whatever you’ve done, another dimension awaits just beyond the corner, and there’s no telling what damage your mind will endure. At least, that’s what this latest Isaak Pancake single suggests, the first from enigmatic beat maker Garrett Burke’s upcoming album Salt Life. Like a phase-shifting skit from Flying Lotus, “Eaten Alive” unravels slowly to its frenzied climax, then cuts off sharp-like before the rave lights ever drop. Apparently, some of these new tracks off Salt Life will be Burke’s first transmissions since breaking out from Atlanta to Philadelphia; given that excellent collab he wrapped with Murk Daddy Flex in February, though, we should expect a bizarre world to await us on the other side of the portal. Let’s go, then. – Lee Adcock
Salt Life is out June 12.
More Info
Bandcamp: isaakpancake.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @isaakpancake
Instagram: @isaakpancake
SoundCloud: @isaakpancake