*photo by Dustin Mills

It's only been a little over a month since Toothbone released their self titled full-length follow up to 2016's Wake Up, and they've already played 10 shows in four states (including some unofficial SXSW showcases) in support of it. After a pretty extensive and damn grueling tour, they're back in Oregon for the last little leg of their tour, and there's a chance to see them tonight.

Toothbone's new record is solid from start to finish, where album opener "Homescreen" kicks things off with a mellow, jangly riff and echoed coos that quickly turn into a grooving riff accented by syncopated cymbals. Toothbone strike several chords throughout the rest of the record as well, from the early 90s alternative rock sounds of "Stay With Me Always" to mellowed garage melodies of leading track "Shy Joker," to the prog leads of "How I Feel." There isn't one point of this self-titled release that doesn't please, making it fitting for many moods and numerous listens.

Now that Toothbone are back home, come watch them play the record in its entirety tonight at The Liquor Store with Delia Haunt and Friskies or on 3.29 at the Turn Turn Turn with Jake William Capistran and Lili St Anne.

This last round of the Deli Portland Artist of the Month poll resulted in a tie between two different nominees. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does it shows the wealth of good music offered in the city that just can't be ignored. That being said, both Two Moons and Arbor Daze are artists deserving of more than just local attention.

Arbor Daze, a solo project by Aspen Koch, is actually quite indicative of the moniker itself, educing the state of calm often felt while taking in the beauty of a forest. Koch illicits a certain halcyon ambiance, dressed in a doleful cloak. Her interesting usage of looping adds texture to Arbor Daze tracks, taking them to a whole other level of interest and turmoiled relation.

Two Moons bring out a different sort of reaction with their songs of heavier broodiness. Guitarist and vocalist Aaron Liu takes the term "shredding" to a whole other level, using his guitar as a fierce weapon supporting his at times emotionally savage vocality that's especially heard during live sets. While not necessarily always applying the "loud, quiet loud" structure to their songs, Two Moons have proven they've mastered just the right amount of force to strengthen soft songs and the appropriate amount of delicacy to abate benevolently porcine tracks.

Congrats to both Arbor Daze and Two Moons, the latter of which will be playing their next show Sunday at Kelly's Olympian with Fringe Class. The newest round of the Deli AOTM poll features Bruhn, the Empty, Seahorse C-Section and Toothbone, so be sure to give them all a listen and vote for the one(s) you dig!