Top 25 Austin Albums of 2011: #10 Last Looks

Posted on January 6, 2012 by TheSourNotes Comments Off

One of the more prolific rock bands in town, the Sour Notes continue to evolve with Last Looks. Though they are a traditional four-piece rock band, the Sour Notes find fresh approaches and sounds. “Big Dreams” churns forward relentlessly like a bulldozer, “The Moment You Feel It” is a touching acoustic ballad with a spine, “Nothing’s More Contagious Than Evil” combines ominous arpeggios with a rocking backbeat that help the song live up to its name. And then there’s “Hot Pink Flares,” which like other tracks on the album shifts from one section to another to keep the listener guessing while sounding as epic as anything. After multiple spins, this is an album that continues to fascinate.

10. The Sour Notes - Last Looks – ‘Hot Pink Flares’

http://ovrld.com/countdowns/top-25-austin-albums-of-2011-15-6/

- OVRLD.com

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Critics Poll – Austin Chronicle

Posted on January 6, 2012 by TheSourNotes Comments Off

Local Act You Saw the Most

Dikes of Holland (Greg Beets)

Suzanna Choffel (Jim Caligiuri)

Ocote Soul Sounds (Thomas Fawcett)

The Sour Notes (Doug Freeman)

The Gourds (Melanie Haupt)

Butch Hancock (Raoul Hernandez)

White Denim (Chase Hoffberger)

The Bright Light Social Hour (Margaret Moser)

OBN III’s (Austin Powell)

Black Red Black (Jay Trachtenberg)

http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2012-01-06/critics-poll/

- Austin Chronicle

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Top 5 Albums of 2011 – Number 4

Posted on January 3, 2012 by TheSourNotes Comments Off

The Sour Notes were one of the first local bands that I looked up after moving to Austin in 2009, based on what I believe was a review in the Chronicle that fall. At the time they had released The Meat of the Fruit EP and theReceived in Bitterness LP. I ended up acquiring the former and while I enjoyed it, didn’t think too much about them afterwards. Fast-forward to early 2011 and one night while browsing Waterloo Records for something else entirely I come across Last Looks, the latest release by The Sour Notes. Not having been offended by their debut EP and having come up empty handed in my primary record search, I decided to pick it up. What followed was a month-long love affair with this record and a desire to consume everything else the band had recorded in the interim.
Last Looks is a featherweight powerhouse of an album that all at once evokes thoughts of early Radiohead, a less European Blonde Redhead, a less pretentious Arcade Fire,Spoon without the swagger, and Death Cab for Cutie with bigger balls and louder guitars. From Nothing More Contagious Than Evil’s anxious and ominous opening through the subtle (but massive) build of As Crude as Watercolor, and on to Particularly Shrill’s airy adieu, Last Looks is a collection of catchy and competent tunes that finishes all too quickly, but begs to be replayed. The production and mix leave little to be desired as subtle textures and delicate flourishes accent and enhance each track and ultimately make for a homegrown recording that many bigger bands could learn a thing or two from.
With three LPs in as many years, a split with Austin up-and-comers Marmalakesdropping later this month, and a fourth full-length planned for later this year, there is no stopping The Sour Notes and I couldn’t be more pleased for that fact. The only thing I could hope for is that more people check out The Sour Notes and get these guys the recognition they deserve both in and outside of Austin in 2012 and beyond.

Key Tracks: Hot Pink Flares, As Crude as Watercolor, Particularly Shrill

Last Looks by The Sour Notes
Twitter: @TheSourNotes
Band Website: www.thesournotes.com

http://plenty-for-all.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-top-5-albums-of-2011-number-4.html

- Brian J. Audette, Plenty for All

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NYE SHOW!!!

Posted on December 30, 2011 by TheSourNotes Comments Off

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?  I know!  You’re going to hang out with the SOTO staff and watch Ringo Deathstarr, TV Torso, the Sour Notes, the Zoltars, Sleep Good, Marmalakes, Young Girls, and Gold Spine.  The show is going down at Cheer Up Charlies, and it’s just $5.  See you there, friends.

PS – All sorts of media awaits you below.  I advise that you hit play in the Soundcloud box so that some sweet tunes blare while you read up on the bands that are set to perform.

facebook | do512


Ringo Deathstarr | facebook

Led by Elliott Frazier, and currently signed to Club AC30 and SVC records. Just back from tour with The Smashing Pumpkins in Europe and their own tour in Japan. RIYL My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus & Mary Chain.


TV Torso | facebook

Lead by Matt Oliver, former member of Sound Team (Capitol Records), runs Big Orange Studios (Daytrotter affiliate). Strictly analog tape. RIYL: Spoon, The Walkmen.


The Sour Notes | facebook

Established in 2007, led by Jared Paul Boulanger, toured nationally, NXNE 2011. Working on their fifth full length, releasing a single from it 2/9/2012 at Mohawk as a 7-inch split with Marmalakes on No Play Music. RIYL: Spiritualized, Superdrag.


The Zoltars | facebook

First wave of bands to get into SXSW, led by Jared Leibowich (Jared Zoltar) of Chicago, IL. Moved to Austin after film school. Released a 7-inch on Sundae Records. RIYL: The Kinks, Low.


Sleep Good | facebook

Lead by Will Patterson, former member of Sound Team and SUNSET, records to analog tape only, recently graduated UT and started his studio, Corpus Christi. RIYL: The Beach Boys, Pulp.


Marmalakes | facebook

Trio of UT students just released their second EP, folk pop sensations, led by Chase Weinacht, first wave of bands to get into SXSW. About to release a single on a 7-inch split with The Sour Notes on No Play Music. RIYL: Paul Simon, Wilco.


Young Girls | facebook

Recent transplants from Houston, TX lead by Pete Tijerina, shares members in Roky Moon & Bolt (glam rock, also recently moved to Austin from Houston). Toured Europe. “Polaroid Quality Garage Pop.” RIYL: The Strange Boys, New Order.


Gold Spine

New band from the Skanky Possum Community (Mother Falcon, Marmalakes, Little Lo, Hello Wheels, Cordoroi, Trinity Hall at old School Bar & Grill) featuring Mother Falcon’s Claire Puckett on Bass. Debut currently being recorded by SPEAK’s Nick Hurt. RIYL: The Dirty Projectors, The Talking Heads.

http://sideonetrackone.com/archive/2011/december/NYEShow.htm

- John Laird, Side One Track One

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Austin Music Minute: Recommended New Year’s Eve Shows

Posted on December 30, 2011 by TheSourNotes Comments Off

This line-up is so amazing and so delicious. Fabulous bands, one and all. Ringo Deathstarr, TV Torso,Marmalakes, Sleep Good, The Zoltars, The Sour Notes, Young Girls, and Gold Spine play at Cheer Up Charlies, 1104 E. 6th St.

http://kut.org/2011/12/austin-music-minute-recommended-new-years-eve-shows/

- Laurie Gallardo, KUT

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