here they are:
"Good Times" by The Lone Bellow: A song called "Good Times" oughta be upbeat, and that's exactly what "Good Times" by The Lone Bellow is. An uplifting indie-folk-pop song, "Good Times" is a simple but meaningful song that recalls conversations the group members have had with both one another and with people outside the band. One thing that sets this song apart from other Lone Bellow songs is its prominent use of horns, as well as its electric guitar solo in the middle.
"Time (You And I)" by Khruangbin: Late last year might have been the first time many people heard about Khruangbin through their collaboration with neo-soul musician, Leon Bridges. Perhaps Leon's soulful vibes rubbed off on Khruangbin on their latest song, "Time (You And I)", which itself sounds like it could be a song off one of Leon Bridges' later albums. The song's mid-'70s funk influenced sound gives it a very upbeat, danceable sound. For a little over five and a half minutes, the song's lyrics repeat, and not just in English either. As the song progresses, they also get to French, Portuguese, and at least one East Asian language, perhaps to emphasize how its simple message of love is a universal one. The song's avant-funk sound brings to mind musicians like Prince and Funkadelic.
"Time Stands" by Nathaniel Rateliff: The third song this week with the word "time" in its title is a mellower track than the others. Without The Night Sweats backing him up, Nathaniel Rateliff seems to create more melancholy folk-rock songs, as opposed to the spirited brand of retro R & B that most fans of his were initially acquainted with. "Time Stands" continues in the folk-rock pattern for Nathaniel, and is the most bittersweet song I've heard from him yet. It is a yearning song that seems to wonder if things will be alright without ever answering that question. No one seems to know where time stands anymore, so "Time Stands" has arrived for us just in time (no pun intended).
"Upside Down" by Mondo Cozmo: Most of the songs from this week were actually songs released earlier in the year from albums that already had singles. "Upside Down" by Mondo Cozmo is not such a song. It was thought up last month and is one of a growing number of songs that has been written in response to our current pandemic. "Everything is upside down", Joshua Ostrander sings during the chorus. What he means, as you might have guessed, is that nothing seems to make sense anymore. Instead of lamenting this, though, Joshua decides to make the most of it, turning his thoughts of uncertainty into a party anthem that starts out with half-sung/half-spoken lyrics recalling songs like Beck's "Loser" and Cage the Elephant's "Ain't No Rest For the Wicked". I'm all for creativity, but I still wish things turn right side up sooner than later.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
New songs for May 6th 2020
May the 4th be with us, as I churn out a blog that contains more songs than there have been Star Wars sequels (11 songs, to be precise)! Let's begin, shall we?!
"Alphabetland" by X: Interesting that a band whose name consists of only one letter of the alphabet (and one of the rarest, at that) has put out a song about the entire alphabet...well, kind of. "Alphabetland" is just a catchy and quirky song title from the Los Angeles punk quartet, X, who have not released an album with all four original members in 35 years! As the members of the band rotated during the late '80s and early '90s, X went for more of a plaintive folk-rock influenced sound. With "Alphabetland", that sound is gone, and in its place is the original fiery yet melodic punk sound that X started with. "Alphabetland" could be best described as The White Stripes trying to cover "I Wanna Be Sedated" by The Ramones. It's a bit hard to tell upon first listen what the song is actually about, but fans of X will not be let down by this surprising new release in their catalog. A title like "Alphabetland" would not be out of place on Sesame Street...speaking of which, no one has ever told us how to get there. Perhaps Exene, John, DJ, and Billy could tell us how to get, how to get to Alphabetland?!
"Blank Slate" by Chicano Batman: Chicano Batman just keep getting funkier and funkier with each song they release. Their latest song, "Blank Slate", seems like a Talking Heads-ish dance track mixing techno beats and funk guitars. Lyrically, the song's excitement is conveyed in its lyrics about newfound desire for love. "I just wanna love you" seems to be the central line in the song. Chicano Batman, we already loved you!
"Don't Let Me Down" by Milky Chance (featuring Jack Johnson): Not to be confused with the Beatles song of the same name, "Don't Let Me Down"'s chill brand of funk-rock is nothing new for German indie-pop duo, Milky Chance. For Jack Johnson, however, it's a whole new world. Jack Johnson has been kind of like the millennial answer to the '70s Jimmy Buffett, combining acoustic guitar soft rock with blissed out tropical island vibes. Jack briefly flirted with electric guitar music in the early 2010's, but he's never gone guitar-LESS...until now, that is. Milky Chance's songs could also be described as having super blissful vibes, so in that sense, they fit well with Jack Johnson. Between this song and the last one I reviewed for this week, this year's early summer is shaping up to be a pretty chill one so far!
"Hold Me" by The Teskey Brothers: The Teskey Brothers mid-summer adult alt radio smash, "So Caught Up", had a strong Motown/'60s soul influence. "Hold Me" reaches even further back into the history of R & B music, sounding almost like a gospel song in comparison. There is no noticeable instrumentation until midway through the song. Until that point, "Hold Me" is defined mostly by handclaps, in a similar manner to a great number of gospel and early blues tunes. The title, "Hold Me", is not merely a desire to be in a relationship, but one of brotherhood, both in the literal and spiritual sense of the term. It's almost like this song is trying to be a 21st century update of "Lean On Me". Nice try, if that's the case...but it'll never hold up to that song!
"Hometown Heroes" by Moon Taxi: We've had quite a few blissed out summer songs on this week's blog so far. Moon Taxi are normally experts on this sort of song, but "Hometown Heroes" is a different flavor than most of their material. It is a bittersweet folk-rock song, in contrast to the blend of reggae, funk, and indie-pop that defines most of Moon Taxi's material. Sooo...why the change in sound?! Well, part of the reason for that is likely because of what the song is about. Moon Taxi wanted to give their fans hope during our current pandemic. A song that conjured up images of summertime and partying would not get their message across seriously, so instead they opted for a light indie-folk sound to thank all of the heroes who have helped out during this unexpected world crisis. As they say, not all heroes wear capes!
"I Contain Multitudes" by Bob Dylan: Unlike Moon Taxi, Bob Dylan (of course) is no stranger to bittersweetness. This is the mood that Dylan chose for his latest song, "I Contain Multitudes". Mr. Dylan most certainly DOES contain multitudes, being one of the most enigmatic musicians out there! It's amazing he's still alive today, and that in itself seems to be part of the musical rumination of "I Contain Multitudes". Dylan himself seems to be amazed he is still surviving with the stark mode of this song and its complex lyrics, during which he name drops many celebrities and characters, including Anne Frank, Indiana Jones, and The Rolling Stones, and referencing David Bowie without actually mentioning him. Dylan compares himself to many during the course of this song, but in the end, Bob Dylan is Bob Dylan. There can be no other!
"Light of Love" by Florence and The Machine: Florence Welch and co are the next of many who have shared songs that are relevant to the outbreak of COVID-19. Although her latest song, "Light of Love", is not actually about that, she probably chose to release it now because of how people have been impacted the sudden societal separation that the coronavirus' impact has resulted in for us. "In every one of us shines the light of love", Florence sweetly sings over a sorrowful yet tuneful bed of string instruments. In a similar theme to one of FATM's biggest hits, "Shake It Out", "Light of Love" seems to be about the regret that can be experienced from partying too much on a previous night. Of course, Florence, like all of us, realizes there will be no party for quite awhile now, but the regret we've been feeling inside is no different. If a coronavirus victim's last song happens to be this one, it could serve a strong purpose as a bittersweet lullaby for them to sail away from the shackles of mortal life and into the realm of a sparkling orchestra of eternity!
"Private Lives" by Low Cut Connie: Wow...I must admit, the last three songs have really made me cry on the inside! So let's lighten the mood, shall we? Enter Philadelphia blues-rock outfit, Low Cut Connie, to chase away your sadness! Utilizing a Black Crowes-ish groove over a "Please, Mr. Postman" styled melody, "Private Lives" exposes the bizarre, screwed up side of human nature. Sex addicts, drug addicts, nudists...all are mentioned or referred to in this song, which emphasizes the message of how "deviant" behavior is just the way some of us live, and that we should just continue to live our lives normally instead of dwelling on our wrongdoings or being afraid that people will judge us for the "weird" or "bad" things we do.
"Real Long Time" by White Reaper: Like The Cars before them, White Reaper saddle hard rock guitar riffs and rope them into a synth-studded new wave atmosphere. White Reaper's breakthrough summer hit, "Might Be Right", set them on the right track with this unique sound. "Real Long Time" continues in this direction, amping up the classic rock influences even more so than they did on their previous single. 1970's rock groups ranging from Kiss, Cheap Trick, Queen, Sweet, and Thin Lizzy can all be heard as influences in White Reaper's "Real Long Time". It is an irresistibly cheesy yet anthemic rock and roll tune that stands in the corner between glam rock and punk rock. Songs like this one sound like they were made for "That '70s Show", a show centered around nostalgia that has now become nostalgia itself. Someday, White Reaper will end up that way too, but while they're still hot, give 'em a listen! You won't be sorry!
"The Good Life" by Devon Gilfillian: Like our previous entry, Devon Gilfillian's "The Good Life" seems like it traveled to us on a time machine built in the 1970's. This time, though, the focus is on early '70s R & B, as opposed to mid '70s rock. "The Good Life" seems like it could fit easily on a Marvin Gaye album from that era. In addition to its nostalgic sound, "The Good Life"'s subject matter could also be interpreted as nostalgic. The song opens with the lyrics, "I remember yesterday, troubles seemed so far away, making castles in the sand", setting the tone for the rest of the song, which is basically just Devon reminiscing about better times during his life. A deeper meaning of the song might be construed as a plea for all of us to get along with one another, echoing the theme of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" in a lighter but still powerful shade of soul!
"You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks" by Brittany Howard: Our final entry of the week is not actually a Brittany Howard song. It was originally by the eclectic soul-rock fusion group, Funkadelic, and it also marks the second time I've blogged about a song originally by Funkadelic, the first being Mavis Staples' cover of "Can You Get to That?" from 2013. Howard manages to add a blues-y flavor to "You And Your Folks..." that the original version only had a subtle hint of. The song originally came out in 1971. Coincidentally, this was the same year Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" came out, and both songs aimed for a similar purpose of trying to instill a sense of unity amongst a divided world. With the massive amount of civil unrest we have experienced in the past few years, Brittany Howard's saucy, powerful take on the Funkadelic classic has arrived just in time!
"Alphabetland" by X: Interesting that a band whose name consists of only one letter of the alphabet (and one of the rarest, at that) has put out a song about the entire alphabet...well, kind of. "Alphabetland" is just a catchy and quirky song title from the Los Angeles punk quartet, X, who have not released an album with all four original members in 35 years! As the members of the band rotated during the late '80s and early '90s, X went for more of a plaintive folk-rock influenced sound. With "Alphabetland", that sound is gone, and in its place is the original fiery yet melodic punk sound that X started with. "Alphabetland" could be best described as The White Stripes trying to cover "I Wanna Be Sedated" by The Ramones. It's a bit hard to tell upon first listen what the song is actually about, but fans of X will not be let down by this surprising new release in their catalog. A title like "Alphabetland" would not be out of place on Sesame Street...speaking of which, no one has ever told us how to get there. Perhaps Exene, John, DJ, and Billy could tell us how to get, how to get to Alphabetland?!
"Blank Slate" by Chicano Batman: Chicano Batman just keep getting funkier and funkier with each song they release. Their latest song, "Blank Slate", seems like a Talking Heads-ish dance track mixing techno beats and funk guitars. Lyrically, the song's excitement is conveyed in its lyrics about newfound desire for love. "I just wanna love you" seems to be the central line in the song. Chicano Batman, we already loved you!
"Don't Let Me Down" by Milky Chance (featuring Jack Johnson): Not to be confused with the Beatles song of the same name, "Don't Let Me Down"'s chill brand of funk-rock is nothing new for German indie-pop duo, Milky Chance. For Jack Johnson, however, it's a whole new world. Jack Johnson has been kind of like the millennial answer to the '70s Jimmy Buffett, combining acoustic guitar soft rock with blissed out tropical island vibes. Jack briefly flirted with electric guitar music in the early 2010's, but he's never gone guitar-LESS...until now, that is. Milky Chance's songs could also be described as having super blissful vibes, so in that sense, they fit well with Jack Johnson. Between this song and the last one I reviewed for this week, this year's early summer is shaping up to be a pretty chill one so far!
"Hold Me" by The Teskey Brothers: The Teskey Brothers mid-summer adult alt radio smash, "So Caught Up", had a strong Motown/'60s soul influence. "Hold Me" reaches even further back into the history of R & B music, sounding almost like a gospel song in comparison. There is no noticeable instrumentation until midway through the song. Until that point, "Hold Me" is defined mostly by handclaps, in a similar manner to a great number of gospel and early blues tunes. The title, "Hold Me", is not merely a desire to be in a relationship, but one of brotherhood, both in the literal and spiritual sense of the term. It's almost like this song is trying to be a 21st century update of "Lean On Me". Nice try, if that's the case...but it'll never hold up to that song!
"Hometown Heroes" by Moon Taxi: We've had quite a few blissed out summer songs on this week's blog so far. Moon Taxi are normally experts on this sort of song, but "Hometown Heroes" is a different flavor than most of their material. It is a bittersweet folk-rock song, in contrast to the blend of reggae, funk, and indie-pop that defines most of Moon Taxi's material. Sooo...why the change in sound?! Well, part of the reason for that is likely because of what the song is about. Moon Taxi wanted to give their fans hope during our current pandemic. A song that conjured up images of summertime and partying would not get their message across seriously, so instead they opted for a light indie-folk sound to thank all of the heroes who have helped out during this unexpected world crisis. As they say, not all heroes wear capes!
"I Contain Multitudes" by Bob Dylan: Unlike Moon Taxi, Bob Dylan (of course) is no stranger to bittersweetness. This is the mood that Dylan chose for his latest song, "I Contain Multitudes". Mr. Dylan most certainly DOES contain multitudes, being one of the most enigmatic musicians out there! It's amazing he's still alive today, and that in itself seems to be part of the musical rumination of "I Contain Multitudes". Dylan himself seems to be amazed he is still surviving with the stark mode of this song and its complex lyrics, during which he name drops many celebrities and characters, including Anne Frank, Indiana Jones, and The Rolling Stones, and referencing David Bowie without actually mentioning him. Dylan compares himself to many during the course of this song, but in the end, Bob Dylan is Bob Dylan. There can be no other!
"Light of Love" by Florence and The Machine: Florence Welch and co are the next of many who have shared songs that are relevant to the outbreak of COVID-19. Although her latest song, "Light of Love", is not actually about that, she probably chose to release it now because of how people have been impacted the sudden societal separation that the coronavirus' impact has resulted in for us. "In every one of us shines the light of love", Florence sweetly sings over a sorrowful yet tuneful bed of string instruments. In a similar theme to one of FATM's biggest hits, "Shake It Out", "Light of Love" seems to be about the regret that can be experienced from partying too much on a previous night. Of course, Florence, like all of us, realizes there will be no party for quite awhile now, but the regret we've been feeling inside is no different. If a coronavirus victim's last song happens to be this one, it could serve a strong purpose as a bittersweet lullaby for them to sail away from the shackles of mortal life and into the realm of a sparkling orchestra of eternity!
"Private Lives" by Low Cut Connie: Wow...I must admit, the last three songs have really made me cry on the inside! So let's lighten the mood, shall we? Enter Philadelphia blues-rock outfit, Low Cut Connie, to chase away your sadness! Utilizing a Black Crowes-ish groove over a "Please, Mr. Postman" styled melody, "Private Lives" exposes the bizarre, screwed up side of human nature. Sex addicts, drug addicts, nudists...all are mentioned or referred to in this song, which emphasizes the message of how "deviant" behavior is just the way some of us live, and that we should just continue to live our lives normally instead of dwelling on our wrongdoings or being afraid that people will judge us for the "weird" or "bad" things we do.
"Real Long Time" by White Reaper: Like The Cars before them, White Reaper saddle hard rock guitar riffs and rope them into a synth-studded new wave atmosphere. White Reaper's breakthrough summer hit, "Might Be Right", set them on the right track with this unique sound. "Real Long Time" continues in this direction, amping up the classic rock influences even more so than they did on their previous single. 1970's rock groups ranging from Kiss, Cheap Trick, Queen, Sweet, and Thin Lizzy can all be heard as influences in White Reaper's "Real Long Time". It is an irresistibly cheesy yet anthemic rock and roll tune that stands in the corner between glam rock and punk rock. Songs like this one sound like they were made for "That '70s Show", a show centered around nostalgia that has now become nostalgia itself. Someday, White Reaper will end up that way too, but while they're still hot, give 'em a listen! You won't be sorry!
"The Good Life" by Devon Gilfillian: Like our previous entry, Devon Gilfillian's "The Good Life" seems like it traveled to us on a time machine built in the 1970's. This time, though, the focus is on early '70s R & B, as opposed to mid '70s rock. "The Good Life" seems like it could fit easily on a Marvin Gaye album from that era. In addition to its nostalgic sound, "The Good Life"'s subject matter could also be interpreted as nostalgic. The song opens with the lyrics, "I remember yesterday, troubles seemed so far away, making castles in the sand", setting the tone for the rest of the song, which is basically just Devon reminiscing about better times during his life. A deeper meaning of the song might be construed as a plea for all of us to get along with one another, echoing the theme of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" in a lighter but still powerful shade of soul!
"You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks" by Brittany Howard: Our final entry of the week is not actually a Brittany Howard song. It was originally by the eclectic soul-rock fusion group, Funkadelic, and it also marks the second time I've blogged about a song originally by Funkadelic, the first being Mavis Staples' cover of "Can You Get to That?" from 2013. Howard manages to add a blues-y flavor to "You And Your Folks..." that the original version only had a subtle hint of. The song originally came out in 1971. Coincidentally, this was the same year Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" came out, and both songs aimed for a similar purpose of trying to instill a sense of unity amongst a divided world. With the massive amount of civil unrest we have experienced in the past few years, Brittany Howard's saucy, powerful take on the Funkadelic classic has arrived just in time!
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
New songs for April 29th, 2020
here they are:
"Living In A Ghost Town" by The Rolling Stones: The most heavily anticipated song of the week is by a band who is, to quote Gilda Radner's SNL character, Candy Slice, "The greatest rock and roll band in the history of rock and roll"! The Stones may be over half a century old by now, but true to their name, they're still rollin'. What's even MORE incredible, though, is that they continue to roll on through tough times like our present crisis...in fact they decided to do a song about that very subject! Unlike most songs about the lockdown that have been released in the wake of it, this song is actually a pretty groovy, upbeat tune. No sadness here, folks! Mick Jagger and co seem to be simultaneously complaining about and celebrating what it's like to live without anyone else surrounding them. Hey! Who says bad events have to be sad ones?! No one, that's who!
"Retrograde" by Pearl Jam: After the surprising sound (and equally surprising success) of Pearl Jam's new wave-y, synth driven, "Dance of the Clairvoyants", from earlier this year, "Retrograde" marks a return to form for Pearl Jam. A forlorn folk-rock ballad, "Retrograde" is a song that acknowledges how problematic the world has become, but offers a solution in place of that. With lines like "the more mistakes, the more resolve", and "accelerate the change", "Retrograde" is a song calling for action, like many of Pearl Jam's songs have before. You just can't help but get caught up in Eddie Vedder's earnest plea here, and you can't help wanting to respond to it either!
"Rolling" by Michael Kiwanuka: African-British singer/songwriter, Michael Kiwanuka, has been a critic's darling for awhile now, but it's taken me awhile to discover why. His initial wave of ultra-mellow folk-pop didn't sweep me off my feet too much, but once he added a little bit of bite to his material, as he did in songs like "Cold Cold Heart" and "You Ain't the Problem", I decided to give him a second chance. His latest song, "Rolling", mixes Jimi Hendrix riffs with funk and soul beats. The song has a simple message of just rolling with the punches set to a powerful tune! Although its album was released late last year, "Rolling" (as a single from the album) has arrived just in time to hopefully get us rolling and raring to go again sometime soon...one can hope!
"Living In A Ghost Town" by The Rolling Stones: The most heavily anticipated song of the week is by a band who is, to quote Gilda Radner's SNL character, Candy Slice, "The greatest rock and roll band in the history of rock and roll"! The Stones may be over half a century old by now, but true to their name, they're still rollin'. What's even MORE incredible, though, is that they continue to roll on through tough times like our present crisis...in fact they decided to do a song about that very subject! Unlike most songs about the lockdown that have been released in the wake of it, this song is actually a pretty groovy, upbeat tune. No sadness here, folks! Mick Jagger and co seem to be simultaneously complaining about and celebrating what it's like to live without anyone else surrounding them. Hey! Who says bad events have to be sad ones?! No one, that's who!
"Retrograde" by Pearl Jam: After the surprising sound (and equally surprising success) of Pearl Jam's new wave-y, synth driven, "Dance of the Clairvoyants", from earlier this year, "Retrograde" marks a return to form for Pearl Jam. A forlorn folk-rock ballad, "Retrograde" is a song that acknowledges how problematic the world has become, but offers a solution in place of that. With lines like "the more mistakes, the more resolve", and "accelerate the change", "Retrograde" is a song calling for action, like many of Pearl Jam's songs have before. You just can't help but get caught up in Eddie Vedder's earnest plea here, and you can't help wanting to respond to it either!
"Rolling" by Michael Kiwanuka: African-British singer/songwriter, Michael Kiwanuka, has been a critic's darling for awhile now, but it's taken me awhile to discover why. His initial wave of ultra-mellow folk-pop didn't sweep me off my feet too much, but once he added a little bit of bite to his material, as he did in songs like "Cold Cold Heart" and "You Ain't the Problem", I decided to give him a second chance. His latest song, "Rolling", mixes Jimi Hendrix riffs with funk and soul beats. The song has a simple message of just rolling with the punches set to a powerful tune! Although its album was released late last year, "Rolling" (as a single from the album) has arrived just in time to hopefully get us rolling and raring to go again sometime soon...one can hope!
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
New songs for April 22nd, 2020
here they are:
"Hollywood" by Car Seat Headrest: Make no mistake. This is not a song glamorizing the famed city of movie stars. It is actually a song attacking Hollywood and the very concept of people taking advantage of aspiring actors and actresses just to make big bucks. You can tell this song is lyrically on the more sour side right from the very beginning, during which point the lead singer lists things he's "sick of", which include violence, money, drinking, drugs, and yes, even that thing that begins with the letter F that rhymes with "ducking". In other words, he's sick of the way people use their vices as a means to manipulate others. Musically, this song sounds like a very early Beck song (his not-so-well-known grunge spoof, "Fume", comes to mind here, specifically). It also comes with a trippy music video that looks like a sort of chalky graffiti come to life! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9l8X8W03Y) As the world descends further and further into madness, it only figures we'd get a lyrical assault like this one, doesn't it?! Well, at least its trippy yet catchy sound makes up for its lyrical cynicism. I also wanted to give a shoutout to a friend of mine I met earlier this year for enlightening me to this band. I think I'll have to give them more of a listen now!
"Kyoto" by Phoebe Bridgers: So far, we have two song titles that are also city names (though that pattern will be broken with our third and final song of the week). Both songs seem to reflect stereotypes of the cities as well. "Hollywood" was loud and cynical, a bit like how some people picture Hollywood executives to be, and "Kyoto" sounds like the way some people, especially the nerds of the world, view Japan: a place that is both exciting and soothing. That is how Phoebe Bridgers' "Kyoto" sounds, happy and billowy. The song is told from the point of view of a naive explorer going to Japan for the first time. Underneath the wild eyed idealism, though, there is a bit of darkness, as she also addresses the feeling of what it might be like to live someone else's life, also known as "impostor syndrome". There is both city imagery and nature imagery in the video for the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw0zYd0eIlk). The nature-y images are simultaneously psychedelic and innocent. Combine that with Phoebe looking ever so cute in her skeleton suit, and you've basically got what anime would probably be like if it happened in real life! The Miyazaki kind, not the giant fighting robot kind!
"Shameika" by Fiona Apple: And now we come to the song that breaks the pattern of city names as song titles, although it still fits the one-word-only category the other songs had. Alt-pop piano chanteuse, Fiona Apple, gives us the most anticipated song of the week with "Shameika" (pronounced "Shuh-MEE-kuh"). "Shameika" drifts away from the sweet piano pop she gave us during most of the 21st century and back into the more frenzied flurry of piano based alt-rock she started with in the '90s. It might surprise you, then, to know that this song is actually about one of Fiona's childhood memories, although not necessarily a pleasant one. Shameika is the name of a childhood friend of Fiona's who really did tell her, as the chorus states, that Fiona "had potential" during a time she was an unfortunate target for school bullies. At least she WAS a friend until another girl at her school convinced her not to hang around with her. Sadly, I've been through times like that too. Thank goodness they're over now!
"Hollywood" by Car Seat Headrest: Make no mistake. This is not a song glamorizing the famed city of movie stars. It is actually a song attacking Hollywood and the very concept of people taking advantage of aspiring actors and actresses just to make big bucks. You can tell this song is lyrically on the more sour side right from the very beginning, during which point the lead singer lists things he's "sick of", which include violence, money, drinking, drugs, and yes, even that thing that begins with the letter F that rhymes with "ducking". In other words, he's sick of the way people use their vices as a means to manipulate others. Musically, this song sounds like a very early Beck song (his not-so-well-known grunge spoof, "Fume", comes to mind here, specifically). It also comes with a trippy music video that looks like a sort of chalky graffiti come to life! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9l8X8W03Y) As the world descends further and further into madness, it only figures we'd get a lyrical assault like this one, doesn't it?! Well, at least its trippy yet catchy sound makes up for its lyrical cynicism. I also wanted to give a shoutout to a friend of mine I met earlier this year for enlightening me to this band. I think I'll have to give them more of a listen now!
"Kyoto" by Phoebe Bridgers: So far, we have two song titles that are also city names (though that pattern will be broken with our third and final song of the week). Both songs seem to reflect stereotypes of the cities as well. "Hollywood" was loud and cynical, a bit like how some people picture Hollywood executives to be, and "Kyoto" sounds like the way some people, especially the nerds of the world, view Japan: a place that is both exciting and soothing. That is how Phoebe Bridgers' "Kyoto" sounds, happy and billowy. The song is told from the point of view of a naive explorer going to Japan for the first time. Underneath the wild eyed idealism, though, there is a bit of darkness, as she also addresses the feeling of what it might be like to live someone else's life, also known as "impostor syndrome". There is both city imagery and nature imagery in the video for the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw0zYd0eIlk). The nature-y images are simultaneously psychedelic and innocent. Combine that with Phoebe looking ever so cute in her skeleton suit, and you've basically got what anime would probably be like if it happened in real life! The Miyazaki kind, not the giant fighting robot kind!
"Shameika" by Fiona Apple: And now we come to the song that breaks the pattern of city names as song titles, although it still fits the one-word-only category the other songs had. Alt-pop piano chanteuse, Fiona Apple, gives us the most anticipated song of the week with "Shameika" (pronounced "Shuh-MEE-kuh"). "Shameika" drifts away from the sweet piano pop she gave us during most of the 21st century and back into the more frenzied flurry of piano based alt-rock she started with in the '90s. It might surprise you, then, to know that this song is actually about one of Fiona's childhood memories, although not necessarily a pleasant one. Shameika is the name of a childhood friend of Fiona's who really did tell her, as the chorus states, that Fiona "had potential" during a time she was an unfortunate target for school bullies. At least she WAS a friend until another girl at her school convinced her not to hang around with her. Sadly, I've been through times like that too. Thank goodness they're over now!
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
More Quaran-tunes...
As the most unexpected battle in centuries continues to rage on, a few more artists, such as Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, Andrew Bird, and Death Cab for Cutie's Benjamin Gibbard, have offered up their opinions. Here are those songs (plus one more):
"A Little Soon to Say" by Jackson Browne: Jackson Browne - rocker, singer/songwriter, activist...and unfortunately, recent Coronavirus victim. Being in his '70s, Browne is on the more vulnerable side of the Coronavirus spectrum, so this decade (or year) may be his last, but while he's still alive, he wants to offer us his own perspective on our potentially perilous predicament. Well, actually, the song was written prior to the pandemic's impact, but Browne decided now would be the perfect time to release it. This sad song, which could also end up being his swan song, was inspired by young activists, including heroic Aspie, Greta Thunberg, and how they have spoken out against people not taking action against threats to future generations, such as climate change. This six-and-a-half minute song is one of the most melancholy that Jackson Browne has done since "Fountain of Sorrow" in 1974. Actually this song is even more melancholy than that one was, lacking the light but noticeable rock and roll drums and electric guitar soloing in the background that "Fountain of Sorrow" had. This year has not been kind to some of my favorite musicians, which also include power pop singer Adam Schlesinger, folk-rocker John Prine, and soul musician Bill Withers, two thirds of whom died from Coronavirus. I've never said R.I.P. to three musicians in one post, but since none of them have released (or likely WILL release) any new material, this seemed like an appropriate time to do so.
"All In It Together" by Mavis Staples: Yet another song dedicated to fighting COVID-19 by a revered musician, Mavis Staples' "All In It Together" is a plea for unity during a time of separation. Having now entered her octogenarian years, it's quite remarkable that Mavis is still alive, and I am hoping with all my might she doesn't become victim to the Coronavirus. With her can-do attitude, optimistic outlook, and almost spiritual vibes, it doesn't seem very likely, but one never knows in this day and age. Mavis realizes, as we all should, how the virus is not "blind" in who it affects. One's financial status, gender, race, and other such factors become irrelevant in this song where the only race that matters is the human race itself and how it will cope with unprecedented disasters like our current situation. As human rights activist (and all-around model musician) Bob Marley once said in one of the last songs he recorded, "the darkness must amount to light". "All In It Together" seems to share the same message, one we have all needed to hear and heed right now!
"Capital Crimes" by Andrew Bird: Like the Jackson Browne song I reviewed earlier in this blog, Andrew Bird's "Capital Crimes" is a song written before our present pandemic that is now being connected with it. The song was originally meant as a protest song against capital punishment, but has now become a protest song against the way COVID-19 is being handled as well. And what a protest song it is! If you can imagine Bob Dylan collaborating with King Crimson and a classical music string orchestra, you've got "Capital Crimes" in a nutshell. This epic, six-and-a-half minute song is both lyrically and instrumentally agitated. The instrumental agitation slowly creeps in and is made apparent by the time the song is halfway over. Violin hasn't sounded so violent since John Cale played it furiously in The Velvet Underground's Heroin" back in 1967! Both the music and lyrics of "Capital Crimes" are somewhat Dylan-esque, with Bird essentially spending the song interrogating the government about whether or not they are truly protecting their citizens. A song like this perfectly captures the anguish and despair of the present day in a way that is deliciously dark!
"Held Down" by Laura Marling: Yet another song about a pessimistic, desperate situation, although this one seems more personal than universal. Still, there is no denying all the sadness and disappointment Laura Marling must have experienced in writing her latest song, "Held Down". The song seems to encapsulate feelings of being cheated and let down by whoever her current lover is, though it could also extended to just feeling cheated and let down by everything that's been going on around her. The song itself is as bittersweet as its lyrics would suggest it is. No one seems to know what to do with their lives anymore, and it's a theme expressed in all five songs of this week, but this one stands apart from the others with its more intimate, personal subject matter.
"Life In Quarantine" by Benjamin Gibbard: Death Cab for Cutie, as well as lead singer Ben Gibbard's solo recordings, have always sounded a bit melancholy and stark. But this song, consisting solely of acoustic guitar and Ben's vocals, might just be his saddest one yet. In this three-minute song, the theme of quarantine is expressed quickly yet sorrowfully, with places of entertainment such as bars and cafes being described as "empty", while more essential services like airports and train stations are "full of desperate people". Wow, how sad! Life just isn't what it used to be. Mercy, mercy, me!! I weep for humanity just hearing songs like this one. I'm trying to get over my current state of sadness, but it's been very hard lately. At least music is here to tell me, as always, that I'm not alone!
"A Little Soon to Say" by Jackson Browne: Jackson Browne - rocker, singer/songwriter, activist...and unfortunately, recent Coronavirus victim. Being in his '70s, Browne is on the more vulnerable side of the Coronavirus spectrum, so this decade (or year) may be his last, but while he's still alive, he wants to offer us his own perspective on our potentially perilous predicament. Well, actually, the song was written prior to the pandemic's impact, but Browne decided now would be the perfect time to release it. This sad song, which could also end up being his swan song, was inspired by young activists, including heroic Aspie, Greta Thunberg, and how they have spoken out against people not taking action against threats to future generations, such as climate change. This six-and-a-half minute song is one of the most melancholy that Jackson Browne has done since "Fountain of Sorrow" in 1974. Actually this song is even more melancholy than that one was, lacking the light but noticeable rock and roll drums and electric guitar soloing in the background that "Fountain of Sorrow" had. This year has not been kind to some of my favorite musicians, which also include power pop singer Adam Schlesinger, folk-rocker John Prine, and soul musician Bill Withers, two thirds of whom died from Coronavirus. I've never said R.I.P. to three musicians in one post, but since none of them have released (or likely WILL release) any new material, this seemed like an appropriate time to do so.
"All In It Together" by Mavis Staples: Yet another song dedicated to fighting COVID-19 by a revered musician, Mavis Staples' "All In It Together" is a plea for unity during a time of separation. Having now entered her octogenarian years, it's quite remarkable that Mavis is still alive, and I am hoping with all my might she doesn't become victim to the Coronavirus. With her can-do attitude, optimistic outlook, and almost spiritual vibes, it doesn't seem very likely, but one never knows in this day and age. Mavis realizes, as we all should, how the virus is not "blind" in who it affects. One's financial status, gender, race, and other such factors become irrelevant in this song where the only race that matters is the human race itself and how it will cope with unprecedented disasters like our current situation. As human rights activist (and all-around model musician) Bob Marley once said in one of the last songs he recorded, "the darkness must amount to light". "All In It Together" seems to share the same message, one we have all needed to hear and heed right now!
"Capital Crimes" by Andrew Bird: Like the Jackson Browne song I reviewed earlier in this blog, Andrew Bird's "Capital Crimes" is a song written before our present pandemic that is now being connected with it. The song was originally meant as a protest song against capital punishment, but has now become a protest song against the way COVID-19 is being handled as well. And what a protest song it is! If you can imagine Bob Dylan collaborating with King Crimson and a classical music string orchestra, you've got "Capital Crimes" in a nutshell. This epic, six-and-a-half minute song is both lyrically and instrumentally agitated. The instrumental agitation slowly creeps in and is made apparent by the time the song is halfway over. Violin hasn't sounded so violent since John Cale played it furiously in The Velvet Underground's Heroin" back in 1967! Both the music and lyrics of "Capital Crimes" are somewhat Dylan-esque, with Bird essentially spending the song interrogating the government about whether or not they are truly protecting their citizens. A song like this perfectly captures the anguish and despair of the present day in a way that is deliciously dark!
"Held Down" by Laura Marling: Yet another song about a pessimistic, desperate situation, although this one seems more personal than universal. Still, there is no denying all the sadness and disappointment Laura Marling must have experienced in writing her latest song, "Held Down". The song seems to encapsulate feelings of being cheated and let down by whoever her current lover is, though it could also extended to just feeling cheated and let down by everything that's been going on around her. The song itself is as bittersweet as its lyrics would suggest it is. No one seems to know what to do with their lives anymore, and it's a theme expressed in all five songs of this week, but this one stands apart from the others with its more intimate, personal subject matter.
"Life In Quarantine" by Benjamin Gibbard: Death Cab for Cutie, as well as lead singer Ben Gibbard's solo recordings, have always sounded a bit melancholy and stark. But this song, consisting solely of acoustic guitar and Ben's vocals, might just be his saddest one yet. In this three-minute song, the theme of quarantine is expressed quickly yet sorrowfully, with places of entertainment such as bars and cafes being described as "empty", while more essential services like airports and train stations are "full of desperate people". Wow, how sad! Life just isn't what it used to be. Mercy, mercy, me!! I weep for humanity just hearing songs like this one. I'm trying to get over my current state of sadness, but it's been very hard lately. At least music is here to tell me, as always, that I'm not alone!
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
New songs for April 8th 2020
here they are:
"Lifeguard" by Nahko and Medicine for the People: Nahko and Medicine for the People are quite an eclectic ensemble who last impacted adult alt radio back in 2016 with the surprisingly catchy "San Quentin". "Lifeguard" isn't as catchy, but its buoyant sense of calm is a breath of fresh air for these troubled times! "Lifeguard" was written many years before our present crisis, though. It's actually been around nearly as long as this blog has! However, it was just a few months ago that Nahko and Medicine for the People decided to record it. Nahko wrote it after he almost drowned in the ocean. "Lifeguard" is, in a word, a three-and-a-half minute prayer for safety. We all need one of those right now!
"Persona Non Grata" by Bright Eyes: Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst is one of many alt/indie artists who could be likened to a modern-day Leonard Cohen. The Cohen comparison really shows on Bright Eyes' latest tune, "Persona Non Grata", which sounds rhythmically and sonically similar to the late Canadian singer/songwriter's "Famous Blue Raincoat". The cryptic lyrics with their darkly religious imagery also seem to be taken straight out of the Cohen handbook. And what exactly IS a "persona non grata", you may ask? It simply means "unwelcome person". Oberst must think that's what we've all become now: personae non grata, and knowing him, he probably includes himself in that category. Welcome to the 2020's, folks...
"Lifeguard" by Nahko and Medicine for the People: Nahko and Medicine for the People are quite an eclectic ensemble who last impacted adult alt radio back in 2016 with the surprisingly catchy "San Quentin". "Lifeguard" isn't as catchy, but its buoyant sense of calm is a breath of fresh air for these troubled times! "Lifeguard" was written many years before our present crisis, though. It's actually been around nearly as long as this blog has! However, it was just a few months ago that Nahko and Medicine for the People decided to record it. Nahko wrote it after he almost drowned in the ocean. "Lifeguard" is, in a word, a three-and-a-half minute prayer for safety. We all need one of those right now!
"Persona Non Grata" by Bright Eyes: Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst is one of many alt/indie artists who could be likened to a modern-day Leonard Cohen. The Cohen comparison really shows on Bright Eyes' latest tune, "Persona Non Grata", which sounds rhythmically and sonically similar to the late Canadian singer/songwriter's "Famous Blue Raincoat". The cryptic lyrics with their darkly religious imagery also seem to be taken straight out of the Cohen handbook. And what exactly IS a "persona non grata", you may ask? It simply means "unwelcome person". Oberst must think that's what we've all become now: personae non grata, and knowing him, he probably includes himself in that category. Welcome to the 2020's, folks...
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
New blog post for April 1st, 2020
here they are:
"On the Floor" by Perfume Genius: In that little space between disco and new wave on the indie rock spectrum sits Mike Hadreas, better known as "Perfume Genius". His songs have been part of the indie scene for about five years now, but "On the Floor" marks his first significant breakthrough to adult alt radio airplay. Dance music has always been a huge influence for Mike, but in "On the Floor" it takes on a sleek disco-fied flavor as opposed to the more trip-hop influenced stuff he has become known for. Nothing particularly impressive about this song, aside from perhaps its 6 and a half minute length, although there is a radio edited version that goes on for about four minutes.
"Sometimes Love Takes So Long" by Illiterate Light: In late summer and early fall of last year, Illiterate Light took adult alt radio by storm with "Better Than I Used To", a song that drew equally from psychedelic rock and soul music. Their follow-up single, "Sometimes Love Takes So Long", has a bit more of a subdued and folk-rock-y flavor. This is a sweet, mellow tune, but once again, I don't find anything particularly impressive about it. Oh well, I guess not every week boasts stellar music.
"On the Floor" by Perfume Genius: In that little space between disco and new wave on the indie rock spectrum sits Mike Hadreas, better known as "Perfume Genius". His songs have been part of the indie scene for about five years now, but "On the Floor" marks his first significant breakthrough to adult alt radio airplay. Dance music has always been a huge influence for Mike, but in "On the Floor" it takes on a sleek disco-fied flavor as opposed to the more trip-hop influenced stuff he has become known for. Nothing particularly impressive about this song, aside from perhaps its 6 and a half minute length, although there is a radio edited version that goes on for about four minutes.
"Sometimes Love Takes So Long" by Illiterate Light: In late summer and early fall of last year, Illiterate Light took adult alt radio by storm with "Better Than I Used To", a song that drew equally from psychedelic rock and soul music. Their follow-up single, "Sometimes Love Takes So Long", has a bit more of a subdued and folk-rock-y flavor. This is a sweet, mellow tune, but once again, I don't find anything particularly impressive about it. Oh well, I guess not every week boasts stellar music.
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