Do you like blues? How about rock, and progressive music? Do you want them all bundled up in a cozy wrap of classic sensibilities? And…does the sight of a skull in a sunflower intrigue you? If so, the self-titled EP Brothers & Sisters from Brothers & Sisters is just the thing you’re looking for. “Front Door Blues” is everything a blues song should be, and everything a gritty rock song should be, all at the same time. Molly Martin’s vocals are super powerful and she passes the lyrical content on to the listener really well, using nuances in her voice to relay the message effectively. Hannah McCarthy’s vocals in “The Music Will Play Again” are similar in theme to Martin’s but have their own edge to them and assume a more consistent mid-range sound. About halfway through the guitars, drums and bass take over for a bit and tickle the senses, while the vocals reappear and just blast everything higher than before. “Show Me The Way” is a charming song; every part that contributes to the overall sound is amiable and cheery. There’s so much emotion behind every single word, and I can’t help but admire how well the vocal delivery has been and continues to be on this album, particularly here. This was a song written by the guitarist about one of the lead singers, and you can just feel how personal the piece truly is. “Blue Moon” begins with more of a conceptual sound than the others, with plenty of waaahhhh in the guitars and what immediately struck me as a Black Sabbath inspired riff. I love the call and response of the guitar with the vocals and the Miami Vice type sound echoing way in the background. It’s sludgy, it’s heavy, and it’s completely different from the other songs here – but that’s a good thing all the way around. I would not mind hearing an entire album that went in this direction, particularly to incorporate the fact that the guitarist and the drummer seem to just break their shackles near the end of the song and display an impressive amount of technicality. What inspires me about this band is the fact that they have managed to encompass a very classic sound – but they are all very young! Even more admirable is the technical acumen and ear for music that they all have. They sound as though they have already come so far, yet the road ahead is still very bright and wide, and I am very excited to see where their career takes them!
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Every week we mention a couple of artists that are worth your time to check out that were not featured in our weekly reviews.
Artist Album Rating The Bedroom Project III 3.5 Bosques de mi Mente es una nube no hay duda 3.7 Jesse Mac cormack Music For The Soul 3.6 BRUCE! BRUCE! 3.5 The Dead Reds Dark Before The Dawn 3.6 The Collected Fictions The Collected Fictions 3.5 Spleen Arcana The Light Beyond The Shades 3.7 Two-Bit Sister The Jackal 3.8 Brand Sanford Brand Sanford 3.5 The album cover for The Shuckers recent self-titled The Shuckers is just about perfect when comparing it to the music. When I hear the Canadian folk/roots/bluegrass music of this three-piece it evokes imagery of the sunset, the rustic simple living and plains as far as the eye can see. This is music that feels timeless in a sense. It feels as pure as the dirt beneath your feet and the water from the river. The combination of guitars, mandolin, harmonica and vocal harmonies create warmth inside your soul. It’s good music to put on in the morning to start things off on the right foot. There is opiate-like quality that induces in the listener to make you feel relaxed and not care so much about the little things. So if you haven't perfected your transcendental meditation techniques this may be a good substitute or an addition. There are some standout tracks amongst the bunch but I never felt the urge to have to skip a track. The Shuckers create a mood and it preserves throughout the duration of the album with slight ebbs and flows. The album start with “Lonesome Song,” which if it wasn’t for the lyrics felt like a pretty upbeat song. The lyrics explore the familiar topic of lost love. The vocalist sings “Not long ago you were right here by my side / You always said I had to give more of my life / Maybe you were right perhaps I was wrong ‘cause now I’m here singing this lonesome song.” I was humming the melody of “On The Cheatin' Side Of Town” by the second chorus and moving my head back and forth with not even realizing it. “Ren's Waltz” is a pleasant instrumental track while “So Long, Georgie” had me up out of my chair dancing around the living room. It didn't get much better than “Pieces Of You” for me. The walking bass lines, mandolin and upbeat vocal melody had me within the first 30 seconds. The Shuckers is a band that just makes you feel good inside. It’s really that simple – so take a listen and enjoy the ride. The group The Graff Brothers isn't just a bunch of brothers. It’s actually two brothers Matt and Sean Graff and another accomplished musician Howard Timmons. What might be most interesting isn't that they are brothers but that they are 16 years apart. It got me thinking that even though the older brother Matt probably influenced Sean’s music preferences a whole different layer of musical inspirations is most likely to be accounted for from the generation gap between the two in their recent full-length entitled Hear Your Song. The Graff Brothers cover a variety of different styles on this album but a majority relies on acoustic-based melancholy rock. The songs are hit or miss but when they are on they hit it out of the park. There were a couple of moments on this album where the chemistry of the band really comes together. The album covers the most timeless of subjects. According to the band, “This album is mostly a compilation of various love songs. The songs were written over the course of about a year since Dec 2012.” The album was recorded DIY style in their basement and sounds pretty good production-wise. There are a couple of moments that sound a bit cluttered and would have benefitted from a better recording. These moments are far and in between. For the most part it sounded good. Of the 14 songs on this album, there were a couple that stood out to me. “Far Gone” creates a unique combination of emotions. The song is rooted in melancholy but has a number of moments that feel triumphant even cathartic. I was attracted by the warm guitars as well as the attractive lead vocals. The best moments for me were toward the end when they introduce either a manipulated guitar or synth that has a flying backwards effect that intensified the emotions of the song. “Radar’ sounded a bit distorted and squashed at points but had an excellent section in the middle of the song that sounded dissonant and chaotic until it found resolution. “Can You Tell” was a sparse but effective song that revolved around the acoustic guitar. It displayed some of the best string work as well as arguably the best vocal work on the album. Overall, The Graff Brothers put together a substantial, cohesive album with a number of good songs. There were a few lulls but I found the ride to be quite enjoyable. As I was listening to the new album Eastward Expansion from Eleven Seventeen I was thinking they have a lot in common with Postal Service. They produce smooth warm music that is made with clean guitars, electronic elements and are topped off with the inviting voice of Alex Daniel. As I read about the band not only does the music bear similarities but also the method behind the music is similar. Daniel who moved to Busan, South Korea from Fort Worth collaborated with Trevor Mason via Dropbox to make this album (very similar to Ben Gibbard and producer Jimmy Tamborello who collaborated while in different locations). Their release Eastward Expansion is based on lo-fi aesthetics that works more than it doesn't. There are a couple of well-done instrumental tracks as well as lyrically-based tunes that stood out to me. The album starts with the “One Year Later,” which is seeped in a melancholy but it also provides a sense of solace. Clean guitars, organic drums and a warbly synth create a pleasant combination of sounds. Daniels has a soft, inviting voice with virtually no signs of aggression. He has slightly downer lyrics on this tune but they also were pretty inventive. He sings, “More generous with my words / Less sure of what to say / Less infamous at parties for my alcohol intake / Less people to call friends /But I feel more content / Life just doesn't cut me at the knees.” I really enjoyed the second song, which is a cover of Leonard Cohen's “Bird On A Wire.” It starts off sparsely with an acoustic guitar and Daniel singing. When the handclaps enter and the guitar changes to chords instead of picking, the song becomes hard not to like. There are lots of different emotions covered within a short time frame. “Fighting That Sinking Feeling” does an excellent of combining organic instrumentation and electronic percussion. The guitar picking is somehow intensified and more meaningful with the addition of the electronics. There are a couple of highlights amongst the album you will want to check out such as “Have We No Teeth” as well as the Nine Inch Nails cover “Mr. Self Destruct.” There are a number of songs that caught my attention on Eastward Expansion. Most of the originals were well written and the covers were unique renditions. Billy Redfield is a singer/songwriter from New York City who writes music that feels radio-ready and something that will appeal to a mass audience. It has a mainstream quality that could be seen as a plus or a detriment depending on how you look at it. His music has a triumphant “I can take on the world” type feeling that a band like U2 has demonstrated in the last couple of years. In fact I would say that his music sounds like a mix between U2, Doves and non -offensive commercial rock. Redfield is an accomplished songwriter and he knows how to write a tune that the general public will enjoy, if not embrace. I have to admit it that it often feels like he plays it too safe between the predictable lyrics and verse- chorus- verse type structures. That being said there were a couple of songs that won me over. The album Waiting on the Good Life starts with one of the highlights called “Nocturnal Dream.” I thoroughly enjoyed the 30 seconds of ambience before the song explodes with the full band. You are presented with drums, a pleasant voice and a delayed guitar riff that sounds like something The Edge from U2 would have come up with. I really enjoyed the music on “Sweetest Thing” but found it hard to get past the lyrics, which paint an Elizabethan portrait of the perfect companion. “California Sun” feels like the title. It beams with positive energy that is bound to put a smile, or at least a grin, on your face. He sings, “California where have you been cause I’ve been looking for a new place to live. The weather’s so good. It feels so nice walking down the beach in paradise.” So yeah the lyrics aren't particularly deep and they are about the weather but it works. One of my favorites was “Steamroller,” which had a little more grit, blues and rock ‘n roll than some of the previous songs, A steady organ and lead guitar create a jig-worthy canvas for him to sing over. It was obvious after listening to this album that Redfield knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s creating music that will reach as many people as possible. The lyrics, structure, themes as well as production sit well in the mainstream arena of pop rock.
Andrew Collberg writes the kind of pop songs I wish were more prevalent among American society instead of the emotionless, over-produced, American Idol contestant type pop that a vast majority of the population has become accustomed to. On his full-length Mind Hits Collberg writes songs that have pop sensibilities that align with classic bands like The Beatles as well as contemporaries like The Shins. There is a vintage aesthetic that improves the likability to the tracks. This is achieved through his voice and instrumentation choices but also, in my opinion, it probably has to do with the fact that the record was recorded and mixed to tape. There is an inherent warmth to the recording and a natural compression that makes the songs feel glued together. Right off the bat Collberg hits it out of the park with “Rich.” The song is ridiculously infectious and is only enhanced by the minor but effective nuances Collberg plants within his songs. Whether it’s the background vocal harmonies or manipulated guitar the subtleties make all the difference. Collberg has a very attractive voice that aligns very well with pop music. It’s hard to pinpoint but there is a natural sounding timbre to his voice that resonated with me. Collberg put together a number of noteworthy moments on “Take A Look Around” while “Pepper” has arguably the catchiest vocal melody on the album. “Stars On” bursts with unrestricted energy that will put the most frown-worthy of folks in a good mood. He sings “Its all down from here” but for some reason I don't believe him. The album ends with the nostalgic “Hit The Gas,” which in the end feels more triumphant than reflective. There is a barrage of different instrumentation. Drums crash, guitars wail, and sirens scream. It starts to fall apart, unravel and dissipate before coming to a close. Collberg does so many things right on this album; everything from the production, to the songwriting, to the flow comes together in an artistic statement that any one with a decent taste in music will enjoy.
Scott Archer is on to something. He goes by the moniker Arlum Village and recently released an extremely enjoyable and original EP entitled The Ballad Of Paka. As I was listening to the first song “The Hunted” I was thinking he sounded like Animal Collective pre-Merriweather Post Pavilion but as the song and then the EP progressed it became clear that Archer has a lot more going on than another Animal Collective copycat. His EP tells the story of an aging warrior seeking to battle his own mortality. The narrative works and is propelled by the infectious hooks, solid production and emotional resonance that is displayed throughout. The Ballad of Paka starts with “The Hunted,” which is a jovial song that combines distant vocal harmonies, clapping and various percussive elements. It has a tribal, whimsical nature that is implemented invoking imagery of a magical rainforest. I enjoyed the juxtaposition Archer introduces into the song. The song feels light and carefree but the lyrics are actually quite brutal. He sings “They are the wolves but I am a man /They have their fangs but I have my hands /So I will break their jaws tonight.” “Young Pup” is a good song but it also felt the most straightforward. A simple bass line creates the foundation as Archer explores an open canvas. Interestly enough I sensed a bit of influence from The Strokes on this track. I think it was the vocals, which had the same distorted aesthetics you would hear from Julian Casablancas. The last minute or so of the song is money. He combines vocal harmonies and a plethora of instruments in blissful melody that had its roots in 1950’s doo -wop. “Toothless” is another highlight and testament to Archer’s songwriting. The song brings a slower, melancholy energy that is just as bit as effective. He ends with the best song on the EP entitled “Under The Snow.” From the very beginning of the song when you hear his excellent vocal melody backed by childlike bells you know he is going to hit it out of the park and he does. The song progresses to a nostalgic and grand ending where his warrior faces his fears about death. He sings, “but all their cubs will know my name and all my crimes will wash away I am not afraid to die.” The Ballad of Paka is an EP that didn't lose me at any point along the journey. I will be listening to it until I get to hear Arlum Village’s full-length. This outfit is a music and graphics project in one. Some interesting cats comprise SpeX Yourself!, in case the name didn’t give it away. The band is a studio project located in Paris. Led by SpeX, they embark on visual and aural journeys that shape a story-framed album full of music that thrills the dreamer in us all. If you care to do a little research, you’ll find that there is a profound alien theme throughout. My advice, listen without bias and create your own interpretation. The main influences behind their sound are most commonly attributed to The Beatles, Radiohead, Oasis, Blur, Gorillaz, etc. I also heard some sort of orchestral motifs that fashioned around Danny Elfman. Fistful of Sounds is written loosely and follows its own meter of weird. Get ready for highs and lows, strange and beautiful, mild and intense. Having said that, it’s a good find for anyone looking to branch out from the typical. The album starts out with a energy filled number called "Kids With Drums" which contains a couple of infectious guitar riffs. "Grand Theft Audio" doesn't sound like the video game. Their are a lot of disparate elements and changes that work. I throughly enjoyed the vocals as there was a distinct quality to them that made them very original. “The Beast” has a quirky refrain and “Da Spirit” is trendy and danceable. The most surprising part of this album is probably “Water Fairy Doll.” What lovely bell work, sweet entrance of flute, the passing of time is easy and introspective when listening to this. Sleep would be welcome but you wouldn’t want to fall victim and miss a lullaby this good. I can’t help but find this work to be related to Coheed & Cambria, especially by concept. Lush comic book ideas, fiction meets real world, and outlandish ideas with experimental rock. Just strap in and enjoy the ride.
There is a fog rolling in out of Ashland, Oregon. Nic Mcnamara and Black Bears Fire bring a dreary yet inspiring early morning sound to their writing and recording. All songs are served with a dollop of The Shins and Elefant – think indie but folk heavy. It’s a sound from ten years ago but it’s nostalgically pleasing to hear. This genre never cared for the norm, so it really doesn’t matter when or how it is reintroduced. Black Bears Fire's primary focus is lyrically driven songwriting and their live show is said to be one hell of an experience. On their EP Start sleeping in, “Cold Shotgun Blues” has cool tones and gentle guitar with simple structure and yearning vocals reminiscent of Oasis or Green Day. Perfect for that guy under the tree who just got his confidence up to bust out the acoustic publicly. Get ready to tap your toes because “Rainbow of Chemicals” is straight out of Dodge County and has a hillbilly pulse you can’t resist. Did I mention the whistle hook? And how it gets a little wild at the end? This is the track that ignites for this album. Promising work for a band on the brink. “Half Life” is an upbeat bopper of a track that gets almost on the verge of distortion. The vocals have a Fastball quality to them, unique upper with a semi-monotone bottom. This all is a selling point for off hand delivery that goes so well with this style of music. Take yourself seriously but just don’t show it. We have a lot of usual suspects in this one, noodling guitar solos, stay-in-the-lines 2, 4 on the drums, and boxed in bass. No complaints, just know you get what you expect from Black Bears Fire.
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