10. Phylums conjure slick throwback sound
Featuring members from Goodnight Loving, Holy Shit! and Head on Electric, Phylums eight-song debut finds the four-piece mining the catchy styles of ‘60s surf rock and bubblegum pop for this delicious, late summer concoction.
9. No qualms with new adoptahighway video
No need to turn on the air conditioning. Just watch this chilling installment of adoptahighway’s video series (directed by Wes Tank). That should do the trick. Read more about his latest album A Fault here.
8. (ORB) let out its inside voice
Electro-psych two-piece (ORB), which features former members of Terrior Bute, sounds like a combination of cosmic space transmission and a sloppy, beer-stained party. Recorded in a Riverwest basement, debut album Inside Voices, feels frantic and immediate, like stumbling home drunk to find a burglar ransacking your apartment.
7. Testa Rosa gets back in the groove
Fronted by Betty Blexrud-Strigens, who curated that Alverno Presents artist reimagining of Patti Smith in October, Testa Rosa returned this month for its first record since 2011. III finds the band picking up where it left off—showing off its knack for pop melodies and hooks.
6. Light Music shines on long-awaited debut
The sky’s the limit for four-piece indie-rockers Light Music. Out of any of this month’s releases, Ocean’s Daughter, holds the most potential for breaking out. The album’s lush, driving force sounds like a perfect fit for college radio.
5. WebsterX outdoes himself again
Milwaukee’s WebsterX continues his methodical release strategy this month by dropping the stunning music video for “Lately.” The Cody Laplant and Damien Klaven-directed video proves not only does the rapper excel behind the mic, but the camera as well.
4. Tigernite rockets into glam rock orbit on debut
Glam rock four-piece Tigernite released the daring, in-your-face self-titled debut this month that’s packed front-to-back with unstoppable anthems. Read more about the release here, and in the September issue.
3. An alto flies solo
Member of the 16-piece ensemble Group of the Altos and Hello Death guitarist Marielle Allschwang released her solo debut, Dead Not Done. The album is a dusty collection of brooding folk songs.
2. Tenement surprise re-releases old EP
Earlier this year, Tenement released one of the best Wisconsin records of recent memory, the expansive, head-spinning double-album Predatory Headlights. If the 25 songs on that record weren’t enough, the band re-released a five-song EP from earlier this year that was only originally available on about 50 cassettes.
1. Dusty Medical Records celebrates 10 years
Over the last decade, it’s become a go-to resource for Milwaukee’s best. This month Dusty Medical threw a four-day party showcasing many of the bands that have called the label home throughout the years, including Midnight Reruns, Platinum Boys, Space Raft, Sugar Stems, Greg Cartwright and Goodnight Loving. The list is sure to grow by the time 15 rolls around.
