New songs for September 7th, 2022

 here they are:

"A Nocturnal Heresy" by Ondara (formerly J.S. Ondara): When Ondara debuted in 2019, with a moniker that was then preceded by his first two initials, his bittersweet take on folk-rock recalled people like Tracy Chapman and Richie Havens with his brutally honest yet still vulnerable and sensitive sound and lyrics. Three years later, folk-rock still beats as the heart of Ondara's work, but he's added a bit more rock instrumentation on his latest song, "A Nocturnal Heresy," than he had on his previous songs. Both electric guitar and synth take center stage to the acoustic on this song. The song seems to be a "sequel" of sorts to his debut song, "Saying Goodbye," in that both are about ending a relationship, but in "A Nocturnal Heresy," it appears he doesn't know where he stands on the issue.

"Orange Blood" by Mt. Joy: Apparently, citrus is a recurring theme on Mt. Joy's latest album, if their previous single, "Lemon Tree," is anything to go by. The cover art of the "Orange Blood" single also features an anthropomorphic orange. "Orange Blood" is a calmer song than the more frenetic and unpredictable "Lemon Tree." There is still something psychedelic about "Orange Blood," but it doesn't have the slow-fast-slow-fast rollercoaster dynamic that "Lemon Tree" had. This is also Mt. Joy's first single to date that uses both Spanish and English words, the former of which are used in the first verse, adding to the exotic, tropical allure of the song. 

"Then it All Goes Away" by Dayglow: Sweet, summery pop songs made for an "alternative" audience is Dayglow's forte, and this is exactly what he does with his latest song, "Then it All Goes Away." However, something is present on this song that wasn't there on Dayglow's previous two hits, and that's how he chose to model this song after moodier, late '00s electro-pop groups like Phoenix, Passion Pit, and MGMT, as opposed to the bright, sunny '80s pop of Michael Jackson and "Take on Me." It seemed like just another Dayglow song until I found out Sloan Struble (who, himself, is "Dayglow") used those bands as influences, and having taken another listen to the song just now, I can hear a bit of MGMT and Phoenix influence, leaning more towards the synth-heavy stuff of the former's late '00s output than the slightly more guitar-driven stuff of the latter's album of the same era.

"There'd Better be a Mirrorball" by Arctic Monkeys: You'd probably never think that an Arctic Monkeys song could sound like a complex cross between Frank Sinatra and 1960's baroque-pop, yet that's pretty much what you get with Arctic Monkeys' latest song, "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball." The song sounds like it belongs in a much more distant era than the one it came out in, but perhaps that's part of the point to the song. Maybe Alex Turner and co were tired of their more jagged "alternative" sound and wanted to transport their listeners to a time when even their own parents might not have been alive when things were safer and more predictable (or so we would like to think). Even the lyrics (i.e. "old romantic fool") seem somewhat Sinatra-esque. About the only thing that prevents this song from being mistaken for the product of a bygone era are Alex Turner's husky, perishing vocals, more suited to alt and indie than they are to the "crooner" genre. 

New songs for August 21st 2019

here they are:


"Catfish Kate" by Pixies: The legendary alternative rock band returns just in time for the end of the decade! In comparison to the spiky sound of their last "comeback" song, "Classic Masher", "Catfish Kate" sounds almost like an R.E.M. song, similar to The Pixies' now classic, "Here Comes Your Man". Frank "Black Francis" Black takes the lead vocals on this song and weaves a tale about someone he once knew whose nickname was "Catfish Kate". What is this tale about?! I'm scratching my head trying to figure THAT one out, but most Pixies songs tend to be rather obscure in meaning upon first listen. It's only upon listening to a Pixies song enough times that one can decipher its true significance, but such is part of the appeal of a band that was famously one of Kurt Cobain's favorites.


"Knock Me Off My Feet" by Soak: As an Irish-American myself, I think there are many talented Irish musicians. U2, of course, but there are many more: The Cranberries, Sinead O'Connor, The Boomtown Rats, Van Morrison, Damien Rice, and so much more. One of the latest performers to join their ranks is Bridie Monds-Watson, better known as "Soak". Her song, "Knock Me Off My Feet", has a sound that's evocative of groups like The Cure, Echo and The Bunnymen, and Joy Division. Much like the bands she is emulating, Soak's "Knock Me Off My Feet" has rather dark subject matter. Here it concerns how harshly people can treat themselves, although it also suggests the opposite idea of how well people can treat themselves.


"Lebanon" by J.S. Ondara: Thanks to L.A.'s trailblazing radio station, KCSN, I have heard J.S. Ondara's latest offering, "Lebanon". The song has an interesting title for a musician who was born in an African country and raised in the United States, since Lebanon itself is a Middle Eastern country. The song is not about geographical location, though, but is instead about providing friendship and loyalty through thick and thin. Through a sweet folk-rock sound that brings to mind what Tracy Chapman might sound like with a catchier beat, Ondara tells a story of his desire for friendship through troubled times. "In the water, in the fire, I'll go wherever you go", Ondara sings during the song's chorus. Powerful stuff!


"Life In the City" by The Lumineers: It's not every day you get a song with a waltz rhythm and a folk-rock sound, but The Lumineers did it before with "Submarines", and they're doing it again with their latest song, "Life In the City". Though the song itself might sound somewhat uplifting, do not be fooled. "Life In the City" does not celebrate the urban lifestyle, but instead criticizes it. Wesley Schultz croons sorrowfully about how city life has left him feeling empty inside, even stating in the chorus that it will "never be pretty". Through troubled times, though, come great songs, and this is one of them!


"So Caught Up" by The Teskey Brothers: Australian quartet, The Teskey Brothers, offer us music that does not sound like it came from down under at all. For that matter, it doesn't sound current either. Instead, it sounds like a 1960's soul song that came from someone like Sam & Dave or Otis Redding. Lyrically, it's a love song without a very deep meaning to it, but the way the song is delivered is so energetic that the listener can't help but get hooked into it!


"The Chain" by The Highwomen: An all-woman, country-rock supergroup, composed of Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby, and Amanda Shires, most of whom have had adult alt radio hits as solo musicians, take on a song from one of the most legendary women (and men) in rock and roll history! If you saw the title, "The Chain", and thought of a Fleetwood Mac song from the mid 1970's, you'd be correct! This is the song the quartet of women are taking on. How does it fare in comparison to the original? An A for effort on their part, but it almost sounds TOO similar to the Fleetwood Mac version. The song is in the key of E (major for the verses, minor for the chorus) like the original, and it also has the same rhythm and remarkably similar instrumentation, right down to the bass riff and guitar solo that marks the end of the song, nearly note for note! The only way to truly differentiate the two versions is by vocals (and by the "jam band" styled section towards the end of the song). Still, they picked a great song to cover!


"2all" by Catfish and The Bottlemen: Our last entry of the week is another song I first heard on L.A.'s KCSN, just like J.S. Ondara's "Lebanon", which I reviewed earlier in this week's blog. The harmonious vocals and heartfelt message of "2all" marks an interesting contrast to the usual gritty material of Catfish and The Bottlemen's material. I couldn't even believe it WAS Catfish and The Bottlemen when I first heard it. There's a reason this song sounds sweet and mellow in comparison to most of CATB's material, though. Van McCann apparently wanted to do a song dedicated to his audience and how supportive they were to his band and their music. What a great idea! Now that's what I call dedication!

New songs for April 10th, 2019

Here they are:


"Gloria" by The Lumineers: Continuing in the tradition of doing song titles of girls' names ending with an "A" from their last album, it's only fitting that The Lumineers' latest song would be called something like "Gloria". As with the leading singles from their last two albums, "Gloria" has been storming both the alternative and adult alternative radio charts in less than a week of its release! Beneath the toe tapping, happy sound of "Gloria" are darker lyrics that sound like they're about someone who spent their time drinking too much. Lead singer Wesley Schultz asks the titular Gloria if she's "had enough" and tells her that there are "easier ways to die". A bit grimmer than the typical fare from The Lumineers, but after three albums, it's great to know they've still retained the musical charm they started out with!


"Night Running" by Cage the Elephant (featuring Beck): Matt Shultz (yes, ANOTHER person whose last name is pronounced "Shults", like Wesley from the previous entry) might be the main vocalist featured on "Night Running", but the music clearly seems like it was Beck's idea. Its techno-jazz-funk-rock-from-outer-space sound can be from none other! The eclectic musician makes his vocal appearances on the song during its chorus. The seemingly stream-of-consciousness lyrics also seem Beck inspired. Fitting to its title, "Night Running" seems like the perfect song to be playing at midnight during a party. Outta sight!!


"Saying Goodbye" by J.S. Ondara: Our last entry of the week is from a newcomer who was born in Kenya and raised in Minnesota who does achingly beautiful folk-rock music. His debut song, "Saying Goodbye", is probably the most poignant song on this week's blog. The chorus states that he's "just getting good at saying goodbye". I get the sense both from the title and from the mood of the song, as well as some of its lyrics, that this song is about a breakup. I do wonder what he's referring to at the end of the song when he says, "There goes my innocence", but he says it with such power and conviction that I just can't help but feel moved by it!