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Listening Notes: Alternative Rock and Friends Vol. 2

After observing the writing style of Bandcamp Daily, I’ve realized that reviews should ideally consist of at least one paragraph so they don't feel too vague for the reader. Moving forward, I think six releases per session is the right balance, even if I might hit a few snags here and there.

This time, I’m presenting a few releases from the alternative/rock realm:

ABCD - It is What It is (2013)

70%
This Japanese band features dual vocals—male and female—with a delivery that isn't too heavy. Their style leans toward a classic, laid-back, and almost playful vibe, which shines through in lyrics dominated by English—impressively fluent if they are indeed native Japanese speakers.

Highlights: Mosquito, F, I Can't Help Myself, Destroy, Holy Fuck

Milk Aisle Gorbachev - Trouble in the Milk Aisle (2024)

65%
An indie/alternative pop-rock side project by Craig Dunlop (of I Wanna Be A Truck Driver) hailing from Glasgow, UK. "These Arms" opens the path with a country-tinged hook and harmonica accents, but the record then shifts into a sharp contrast of gritty guitars and floating vocals reminiscent of shoegaze, just without the heavy reverb. "Easy End" closes the EP in a simple, relaxed fingerstyle manner that feels, well, unpolished and practical.

To be honest, it might have fared better with more consistency, but this seems to be a deliberate structural strategy: a strong hook upfront, followed by simple or contrasting fillers, and ending on a note intended to feel emotional. So, DIY indie/alt fans will likely find this more up their alley.

Highlight: These Arms

Mood Room - Reality TV (2023)

80%
Slow and heavy. This is exactly why the term "doomgaze" exists—the sluggish tempo of doom metal meeting the abrasive, dreamlike textures of shoegaze. Mood Room provides a strange comfort through Emily Sigmon’s clear vocals, which seem to lounge amidst a sense of reluctance and fatigue while the music hammers hard into the ground. The result is a mix of dread, calm, and the impulse to headbang. It’s a distinct departure from the softer, dreamy style of bands like Slow Crush.

Highlights: Except Reality TV

Nogales - Nogales (2017-2019) (2020)

65%
Nogales presents a two-track recording of dream/indie pop-rock showcasing two different sides. "Vacaciones (sesiones nogalia)" opens with a gentle breeze perfect for a day off, while "i was home (sunflower bean)" is a raw, echoing live broadcast from a home studio. It feels like the two choices you face when a holiday arrives: do you go out for some fresh air, or do you stay in and hunker down with your hobbies?

Highlight: vacaciones (sesiones nogalia)

Zenxith - Bonny’s Garden Party (2023)

75%
Bonny’s Garden Party marks Zenxith’s ninth album, layering post-punk guitar textures over jangle/twee pop, notably on tracks like "Johnny Lives Off Morrissey's Name" and "Here We Go Again." This combination makes most of the 19 tracks sound bright, light, and engaging—I’d especially love to hear instrumental versions of these. This stands out as perhaps the best output from Zenxith’s DIY efforts.

 Lowlights: I've Lost My Entire World, I Always Knew What I Wanted, La La La All the Time, Negative Vacuum Cleaner, I Love My Green Tambourine, A Slightly Longer Song, Too Many

Zenxith - I Was Named After Daniel Treacy (2023)

60%
Back to Zenxith. The jangle/twee pop style here doesn't quite hit the mark for me. Based on the cover art, I really wanted to love that classic, nostalgic '86 vibe, but there isn't much I can truly appreciate. There’s a decent twee atmosphere on "DIY is All I Ever Want" and "She Died Last Year," but as for the rest, the tracks I’ve listed as highlights only seem "potentially" good for someone else's ears, perhaps.

Highlights: Ladybug Larvae, B-Movie Set, DIY is All I Ever Want, She Died Last Year, The New Zenxith Single.

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