Coasting - Various

Not long ago I attended a free gig where Coasting performed as the main act. I made it through the first two acts, but by 12am there were no signs of them performing anytime soon. I bailed. Curse my early wake up calls. I imagine they would have been awesome, though. The duo consists of Fiona, ex-member of now defunct NZ punk outfit The Coolies, and Madison of Brooklyn based Dream Diary.
Their sound reminds me a lot of Vivian Girls' sophomore album, dreamy tunes with some lo-fi grit. Worth checking out.

1. Hots For Teacher
2. Kids
3. Same Old, Same Old
4. Snoozefest
5. What You Want
6. Coasting

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Splendora - In The Grass

Splendora are probably best known for performing the theme song of the late '90s MTV cartoon, Daria. Watching the show actually led me to the first and only release from the band. The appealing blend of heavy distortion and sweet female vocals make me wish they hadn't stopped at just one album. Fans of female fronted grunge acts, such as Hole, should like this one.

Koch Records, 1995
1. Bee Stung Lips
2. Rat Fink
3. Breeze
4. Rocker
5. Beautiful
6. Pollyanna
7. Reanimator
8. Shirt On
9. Sever
10. Rattle
11. Cover the River
12. No Place
13. It's Great
14. Busted

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The Rondelles - Fiction Romance, Fast Machines

I've been meaning to post this for a while. The Rondelles were a '90s High school punk outfit from Albuquerque who enjoyed a short but successful run. The band can belt out a frustration fueled punk track then follow with a fun but aggressive pop tune. The synths on "He's Outta Sight" are irresistible.
Smells Like Records, 1998
1. Distraction
2. Can't Stop
3. Mission: Irresistible
4. Magazine
5. Drag Strip Race
6. Fake Fight
7. Shanghai Surprise
8. Do It For Me
9. He's Outta Sight
10. Indication
11. Catastrophe

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See Also: Various - 3,2,1.....Action! 7"

Pens

Pens are another lo-fi poppy band to emerge in recent months. Their poorly recorded fuzz pop comes off charming and ultra-catchy. Sometimes more punk than pop, but with lots of Oohs and Aahs to sing along to.
1. Freddie
2. Hate Your Calender
3. Hide The Kids
4. High In The Cinema
5. Networking
6. Yeah Baby I'll Take You To Bagel Town

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The Coolies - Bless The Babies & The Mothers

Such a great little record. Fast-paced punk, catchy rhythms and just a really fun listen. It's too bad they're not up to anything these days. Although it's cleaner in sound - Vivian Girls fans, download!
Self-Released, [Unknown]
1. Throwaway
2. Holiday/Vacation
3. Get Down
4. I Salute U

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See Also: The Coolies - S/T

The Manhattan Love Suicides - S/T

Such a great band. Their sound is reminiscent of early '90s noise pop and shoegaze, most obviously similar to Black Tambourine, Shop Assistants and the most recent underground sensation, Vivian Girls. Sweet, soft vocals and pop melodies buried under constant feedback and fuzzy guitars.
Magic Marker Records, 2006
1. Things You've Never Done
2. Skulls
3. Evil Side
4. Crush Whatever
5. Thinking Is Killing Me
6. (The Guy On the) 14th Floor
7. Home
8. Suzy Jones
9. Kick it Back
10. Negative Push
11. Indian Summer
12. Providence

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Vivian Girls - S/T

If you haven't heard Vivian Girls, then you should, ASAP. There's been a lot of comparison to Black Tambourine (they also site them as a main influence), just imagine them with a punk attitude and the occasional '60s girl group vibe. They could easily have fitted into the Noise Pop scene of the early '90s, so check them out if you have a weak spot for gritty noise pop.
Mauled By Tigers, 2008
1. All the Time
2. Such a Joke
3. Wild Eyes
4. Going Insane
5. Tell The World
6. Where Do You Run To
7. Damaged
8. No
9. Never See Me Again
10. I Believe In Nothing

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See Also: The World's Lousy With Ideas Vol. 8

The Coolies - S/T

Something a wee bit different. The Coolies were an early '00s three piece girl punk band from Auckland, New Zealand. Think Vivian girls with a more polished sound, or The Rondelles with less synth.
!SSUXX!,2003
1. Come To The Sabbath
2. D.I.Y
3. Fake Letter
4. Mix Of All Good Things
5. Dark Stormy Night
6. Dance
7. 1 Knock
8. Heart Is Deep
9. Bad Dream
10. Blah Blah Blackout

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See Also: The Coolies - Bless the Babies & The Mothers