Two illustrious alt rock records (by Christina's Trip and Pocket Full of Crumbs) land on Cherub Dream
"Forever After" is armored yet vulnerable and burning, while "In My Hands I Hold a Lucky Cricket" just rips in its carefree, easy way - plus our weekly show recs
Cherub Dream Records—an independent, queer, and person-of-color-led label based in San Francisco—has over the past two years quietly churned out some of the best punk (mirrored fatality, Cheree), alternative rock (Parallel, Softie), and shoegaze (Welcome Strawberry, Buddy Junior).
In today’s newsletter, we review two recent releases—by Christina’s Trip and Pocket Full of Crumbs—that exemplify Cherub Dream’s penchant for harmonious distortion, heavenly noise, and special brand of lo-fi that somehow gleams in high fidelity.
Hear the label’s sound in person tonight at the record release for Christina’s Trip, along with Figure Eight, Blous3, Sucker, and DJ Lethargy at Thee Stork Club.
— White Crate
DISTORTION ROCK INFUSION
Bay Area distortion rockers Christina’s Trip add to the illustrious discography of Cherub Dream Records with their debut LP Forever After. Descended from grunge pop forebears along the lines of The Breeders, Veruca Salt, and My Bloody Valentine- Christina’s Trip infuses a heavy, layered soundscape with sparkling clarity by way of songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Christina Busler’s intimate and dynamic delivery. Skillfully working with contrast, two lyrical highlights—“Make rock and roll until we break down forever” and “We’re together, don’t forget it, it’ll be fine if we let it”—exemplify an album that’s both armored and vulnerable.
Throughout Forever After, songs start in one world, and then Busler raises the stakes in new and surprising ways. Whether it’s magical harmonies appearing at the ending of “My Friend”, “my neck my back” monologue breakdown hilarity on “Companion,” a head-banging feedback-riddled outro on “Depresso,” or whistles and kazoos on “Burning,” these eight songs pack a punch and beg to be your new BFF anthem. Album highlight is the last track “Burning” with a slow burn that makes you want to start the album all over again.
— Ainsley Wagoner
NO NOISE, NO DRAMA
Maybe you’re a Gen X Slacker and you can still remember making friends for life at those wild house shows in the 90s. Or maybe you didn’t quite live it, but you’ve damn well enjoyed arguing with coworkers whether there’s any album quite as good as Slint’s Spiderland. Or maybe your ears are so young and fresh that you really have never heard anything quite like this.
Either way, there’s no denying it: This rips.
In My Hands I Hold a Lucky Cricket is the second album for SF trio Pocket Full of Crumbs, and it’s their first to land on local label Cherub Dream Records. Beyond the unforgettable title, the new album worms into your brain through lo-fi indie rock adorned with shoegaze and post-rock—minus all the noise and drama. It’s got a carefree, easy gait, inviting a warm reception on the first listen but (like other legendary predecessors in this field) hinting at secret delights in repeat listens.
— Ronny Kerr
SHOW RECS
Our top show recommendations for the coming week:
[alternative] Christina's Trip (record release), Figure Eight, Blous3, Sucker, DJ Lethargy — July 25 at Thee Stork Club
[jazz] Mike Henderson — July 25 at SFJAZZ
[alternative] Sad Eyed Beatniks (record release), Cindy, Cadillac Coquette — July 26 at Hit Gallery
[hip hop] The Whoadees, Mani Draper (DJ) — July 26 at OMCA
[rock] Mild Universe (record release), Healing Potpourri, abracadabra, DJ Walkin’ Love — July 26 at the Independent
[club] Matt, NFS, Sangsih, DJ Patrick, Space Ghost — July 26 at Thee Stork Club
[club] Ani Klang (record release), Discnogirl, Finishher, Del — July 26 at (text organizers for location)
[americana] Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express, Ismay — July 27 at Point San Pablo Harbor
[hip hop] Marc Bamuthi Joseph, DJ D Sharp & Ian Kelly, Prentice Powell, Kev Choice, Ryan Nicole, Aroma, Jwalt, Drew Banga & Friends, Ajai Kassim & Clay Dough, Basi, Khafre Jay, Gina Madrid, Micia Mosley, and more — July 27 at Frank Ogawa Plaza
[cumbia] Very Be Careful + Ritmos Tropicosmos (dual record releases), DJ Lizzy Al Toque — July 27 at Ivy Room
[punk] Street Eaters, Warp — July 27 at Stay Gold Deli
[r&b] Sudan Archives, Kossisko, Lalin St. Juste — July 27 at Crane Cove Park
[hip hop] FREE PALESTINE FUNDRAISER ft. Equipto, Afterthought, Frisco Baby, Baghead, Kaly Jay, Jenset — July 28 at Hey Neighbor Cafe
[ambient] Arushi Jain, Nihar, Elias Agogo — July 30 at the Independent
[metal] Mizmor, Amarok, Leaving — July 31 at Thee Stork Club