Raging solos, Bonham-esque beats, and white-robe canvases in Life Coach’s “Fireball” video

Life Coach: AlphawavesLife Coach: Alphawaves (Thrill Jockey, 4/16/13)

Also the title of Phil Manley’s first solo album, Life Coach is now a (mostly instrumental) rock duo comprised of the Trans Am / The Fucking Champs guitarist and former Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore.

The duo’s first album, out today, features a helluva jam as its lead single, as Manley lays down a wicked groove that’s topped by a raging rock solo from Isaiah Mitchell (Howlin’ Rain, Golden Void). Meanwhile, Theodore — a distinctive drummer in his own right — calls to mind John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) and John Stanier (Battles, Tomahawk, ex-Helmet) with his propulsive beats. Enjoy the live-action video as projected landscapes paint the boys’ white-robe canvases.

Free Moral Agents

Video: A lingering connection in Free Moral Agents’ “Chaine Infinie”

Free Moral Agents: Chaine InfinieFree Moral Agents: Chaine Infinie EP (Neurotic Yell, 4/16/13)

Going on three years without new material, the multifaceted Free Moral Agents — led by former Mars Volta keyboardist Isaiah “Ikey” Owens — has released the hypnotic and concise first single from its Chaine Infinie EP, which comes out next week.

Speaking to a relationship that lives on despite its seeming conclusion (“It doesn’t matter where you go, because I know you; I’m in your mind”), the smoky, bare-bones, black-and-white video is a two-minute closeup of singer Mendee Ichikawa. Watch and enjoy.

ALARM's 50 Favorite Songs of 2012

ALARM’s 50 (+5) Favorite Songs of 2012

Last month ALARM presented its 50 favorite albums of 2012, an eclectic, rock-heavy selection of discs that were in steady rotation in our downtown-Chicago premises. Now, to give some love to tunes that were left out, we have our 50 (+5) favorite songs of last year — singles, B-sides, EP standouts, soundtrack cuts, and more.

ALARM's 50 Favorite Albums of 2012

ALARM’s 50 Favorite Albums of 2012

Another year, another torrential downpour of albums across our desks. As always, we encountered way too much amazing music, from Meshuggah to The Mars Volta, Converge, Killer Mike, P.O.S, and many more.