New songs for July 14th 2021

 here they are:


"How High" by The Record Company: The Record Company have always had a "retro" rock sound that was heavily blues-based ever since they debuted in 2016. This time around, it seems like they're specifically trying to emulate the sound of other successful latter-day blues-rockers like The Black Keys. For those wondering, "high" is not a drug metaphor in the context of this song. It instead taken to mean something more literal here, about reaching for your aspirations and accomplishing them. I'd say that The Record Company have already met their goals, though!

"How Low" by Heartless B*st*rds: So what is the opposite of "How High"? The answer, of course, is "How Low"! That just happens to be the title of our next song here, coincidentally. Fittingly, the song is a bit more low-key than the high energy of "How High." In spite of their "tough" sounding name, Heartless B*st*rds are really a pretty harmless, folk-rock-y band, whose name is only indicative of their humor. (They named themselves after an answer a game show contestant gave for the name of Tom Petty's backing group). In addition to the song's title, "How Low" also seems like the lyrical opposite to "How High," given how the song is basically a lament about modern-day pop culture and how no one seems to care about one another anymore.

"Mine Forever" by Lord Huron: A song awash with equal flavors of psychedelia, folk-rock, prog-rock, and country-rock, "Mine Forever" is a new song that seems like it came from the days of old. The pleasant, curious vibes of the song are a bit offset by its seemingly creepy lyrics, though. It's hard to tell if Ben Schneider is being serious or sarcastic in the lyrics of this song, but if it is not supposed to be sarcastic, then it reads as a super-desperate plea for him to get his lover back into his life. "In my mind, you're mine forever" might seem like a sweet line, but the more Ben adds morbid lyrics into the song, the more you think his "without you, I'll die" sentiments are more like possession than they are true love. "Forever" is a long, long time to want to be with someone. Don't take your chances, here folks!

"New Invention" by I Don't Know How But They Found Me: Is "New Invention" really a new invention?! It has the same key (D minor) as their other hit, "Leave Me Alone," and the same 1980's synth-influenced dance-pop sound, too. The lyrics aren't anything new either, but one thing they are is very relatable to anyone who has had to deal with the trials and tribulations of relationships! The song is basically about a girl who is using the lead singer. She keeps finding ways to trap him, and he is just a "new invention." The title makes for a somewhat strange metaphor for someone who feels romantically abused, but it's definitely gonna be a song that you'll want for your next breakup playlist!

"Now is the Time" by Jade Bird: This song seems like a very sunny folk-rock tune in comparison to the more dour ones Jade Bird usually puts out. The combination of acoustic guitars and what might be 12-strings in the background in the key of G setting forth a jangly strum seems a lot like "Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays, but happier. As is typical of Bird's material, some of the lyrics to "Now is the Time" are a bit angst-ridden, but the overall message is a positive one: if you want something, go get it! It's tricky to tell if this is a song dispensing good advice or if it's a clever kiss-off to an ex disguised as a song of inspiration (see also "Good Riddance [Time of Your Life]" by Green Day). Whatever the intent, though, Now is the Time to hear this song!

"Rae Street" by Courtney Barnett: I'm sure Courtney Barnett has had more than one person liken her to a modern-day Patti Smith, but on Courtney's latest song, "Rae Street," the Patti influence really shows! It doesn't sound too dissimilar to Patti's "Dancing Barefoot," especially in the beginning. The "urban poetry" vibe of the lyrics also seems like it could be a Patti homage, though I'm sure it's being written from Courtney's own point of view as well. The song seems to tell the tale of a sort of "day-in-the-life" scenario, sung with deadpan vocals as Courtney typically does. 

New songs for February 24th 2021

 here they are:


"Bed Head" by Manchester Orchestra: "Bed Head" is a good reminder to fans of Manchester Orchestra of where their roots were from. People like me who first heard them from "The Gold" back in 2017 might have thought of them as a contemporary folk-rock group, but that is not all they do. Far from it. "Bed Head" is straight-up alt-rock for ya, at least from a 21st century perspective of the term. A minor-key melody, guitars that sound halfway between "lite" emo and the post-punk revival, and warbling yet passionate vocals: all key elements of today's alt-rock, and "Bed Head" has got it all! Fitting with the song's overall "alternative" musical theme are its lyrics, which seem to question the meaning of life while finding reasons to regret it at the same time. 

"Heat Waves" by Glass Animals: With the few songs I've heard so far by Glass Animals ("Gooey," "Your Love Deja Vu," and now this one), I'm convinced that Glass Animals might just be their own genre combo - lounge-tronica. They use a lot of synthesized instrumentation, but they present it in such a way that it sounds like perfect music to play in a lounge room. Their latest song, "Heat Waves," is no exception to the rule. The title is not the only lyric that uses summertime imagery either. Practically the whole song does, particularly the chorus, evoking such languid, sultry imagery as "Sometimes all I think about is you, late nights or in the middle of June." Summer may still be months away, but who says we can't enjoy summertime vibes in late winter?! 

"Not Dead Yet" by Lord Huron: Never has there been a Lord Huron song with such blatantly morbid imagery (although "The World Ender" came close)! Their music typically brings about calmer vibes, with the darkness of some of their lyrics being only an oblique setoff to their sound. But just take a close listen to some of the lyrics here! "You got holes on your clothes, booze on your breath, you're lookin' like hell, and you smell like death." Whoa! Huron's Ben Schneider must really hate somebody (possibly himself) in order to write lyrics like THAT! Yeah, we get it, Ben. You're most definitely NOT dead. We believe you. Instead, it seems more like you're out to MAKE someone dead!

"Strangers" by Black Pumas (featuring Lucius): This is a pretty interesting song and collaboration. First of all, this song is not actually a Black Pumas OR Lucius song. It was originally a song by The Kinks from the early 1970's, the type of folk-rock venture The Kinks sometimes went on that seem to be popular picks for Wes Anderson films. This isn't really a song I'd picture Black Pumas or Lucius to cover, the former being a duo intent on reviving '70s soul music, and the latter being an indie-folk/pop quartet that is half female and half male. Interesting to note that both groups have become popular on the adult alt format, but haven't ventured too far outside the format so far (Oddly, Black Pumas' "Colors" is JUST starting to get airplay on regular alt-rock radio two years after its initial release, but they haven't become a household name on alt radio yet). Surprisingly, they both do an excellent job covering this Kinks classic that extols the virtues of outsider-ness!

New songs for June 13th, 2018

here they are:


"Back And Forth" by Wild Child: Indie-folk-pop ensemble, Wild Child, continues to experiment with vintage soul music on their latest song, "Back And Forth". Their breakthrough single from earlier this year, "Think It Over", demonstrated some soulful prowess as well. The use of brass instruments to brighten up "Back And Forth" is particularly intriguing. In spite of its bouncy sound, "Back And Forth" is actually about knowing when to walk away from a toxic relationship. Sure is a catchy tune, though!


"Black Moon Rising" by Black Pumas: Bringing back the smooth sounds of early '70s soul and funk music, The Black Pumas land their debut this week with a mighty bang! The lead singer's name is Eric Burton, which is just one letter away from The Animals' Eric Burdon. It's probably just coincidental, but it is interesting to consider how much the blues influenced both Burdon and Burton! As you might have guessed from the title of this song, it has some dark lyrics, but they're deliciously dark, in a way that can make someone feel smooth and sexy as much as they are righteous and empowered. Are you sure that's a moon rising?! 'Cause this song has me feelin' a fever inside as hot as the sun!


"For the Lonely Ones" by Lucero: Tennessee alt-country group, Lucero, have been around for 20 years now, but their song, "For the Lonely Ones", marks the first time that mainstream adult alt radio has taken notice of their music. It has a rough and rowdy alt-country sound like Drive-by Truckers or Old 97's, but with the unique addition of saxophones in the background, which neither the Truckers nor the 97's (to my knowledge) have had in their songs. The song has a lyrical similarity to songs like The Replacements' "Here Comes A Regular", although "For the Lonely Ones" is upbeat and ragged, as opposed to the more melancholy vibe of the 'Mats song. Both songs are essentially tunes for broken hearted drinking buddies to commiserate with one another. The spirited, Skynyrd-esque vibes of this song make that a little hard to tell, though!


"Never Ever" by Lord Huron: Bet you didn't expect a group as sweet and lilting as Lord Huron to cop a Joy Division-esque sound, did you?! Well, that's just what they do on "Never Ever", perhaps the first Lord Huron song to rely on chunkier electric guitar sounds and dark, droning keyboards, as opposed to the folk-rock-y, pastoral guitars that usually dominate their material. Lord Huron's strangely intriguing fascination with death, present throughout their previous album, "Strange Trails", continues to pop up on "Never Ever" as well, with the subject of the song seeming to be an ex lover who is no longer alive. The much gentler "Wait By the River" was also about this, so perhaps "Never Ever" serves as its angry, regretful "sequel song".


"Rolling On" by Israel Nash: Listening to this song for the first time makes me feel like the '60s never ended for Israel Nash. While there have been plenty of '60s throwbacks in the indie-folk realm, none have ever captured the vibes of being out in nature in such an ethereal state as Israel Nash has for his latest song, "Rolling On", and there's a very good reason for this. To make this song (and others for his latest album), Israel recorded out in Dripping Springs, Texas. This is why, if you listen real carefully, the sounds of water rushing and wind blowing, among other things, can be heard in this song. If anyone ever does an "indie rock yoga" session, this song should definitely be part of it!

New songs for February 28th, 2018

here they are:


"Happiness Jones" by The Wood Brothers: Before I heard this song, I wasn't sure if "Happiness Jones" was the name of a person or if it was a desire (a "jones") for happiness. As it turns out, it is the latter. True to its title, "Happiness Jones" will give you a happiness jones. It's just so darn catchy! In "Happiness Jones", The Wood Brothers take a break from their usual quaint folky sound and try a more upbeat, soul inflected one. Clearly, this worked for them, as it has scored them their first true adult alt radio hit (If you don't count their cover of the seasonal Jackson Browne song, "The Rebel Jesus", that is). If you're happy and you know it, sing this song, and listen to it!


"Kids These Days" by Shakey Graves: Crossing the threshold of country-rock and indie-pop, Shakey Graves have now scored their second big hit on adult alt radio with "Kids These Days", a song that's as roots-y as it is catchy. The added use of synthesizer on this song gives it a bit more of a pop sound than their previous Triple A radio hit, "Dearly Departed". Lyrically, the song seems to be built on cliches, including (but not limited to) the title phrase, "gonna live forever", and "mirror mirror on the wall". The title of the song made me think it was going to be a tongue in cheek complaint about millennials, but it actually just seems to be a random phrase thrown into what is basically a word salad song, as far as I can tell. Kids these days. They just don't make songs that make sense like they used to, do they?!


"Mr. Tillman" by Father John Misty: Just when you thought Father John Misty couldn't get more bizarre or hipster-y, he sings a song about (gasp!) HIMSELF!! That's right! "Mr. Tillman" IS Father John Misty, whose real name is Josh Tillman. He literally talks to himself during the opening verse of the song ("Mr. Tillman, good to see you again"). He even manages to name-drop fellow indie-folk-rocker, Jason Isbell, during the first verse. What is the occasion that causes him to speak to himself?! Perhaps it's some words he took from random bits of conversation somebody had with him, presumably a tour manager. We may never know the answer to this one. Such is the mystery, and therefore the appeal, of Mr. Tillman...er...I mean Father John Misty!


"Real Love" by Lo Moon: After proclaiming "This Is It" during autumn of last year, indie-pop trio Lo Moon return for late winter/early spring 2018 with "Real Love". "Real Love" and "This Is It" are similar songs, since they're both influenced by the more atmospheric side of '80s synth-pop and they both have choruses that are louder than their verses. The beat of "Real Love" sets it apart from Lo Moon's previous hit. It's an average pop/rock beat written in C minor, which kind of takes away from the mystique that "This Is It" it had. Fans of groups like The xx, Future Islands, and Rhye should find this well suited to their electro-pop taste, though.


"Wait By the River" by Lord Huron: Lord Huron fans, the wait is over! The Los Angeles indie-folk band now has a new album to follow in the footsteps of their surprisingly successful "Strange Trails" album, which yielded the band four adult alt radio hits. "Wait By the River", the first single from Lord Huron's latest album, deftly weaves together psychedelic rock, folk-rock, and doo-wop into a deliciously hypnotic indie-pop swirl! Though the song provides nostalgic, misty eyed vibes akin to doo-wop classics like "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Wait By the River" is not a love song, at least not in the positive sense. It is actually about a man who has lost his partner, perhaps out of his life or perhaps out of life itself. Knowing Lord Huron's preoccupation with morbid subject matter, it could easily be either one!

New songs for May 3rd 2017

here they are:


"Canyon" by Joseph: This song has the same sort of wistful, bittersweet vibe as the first two big songs Joseph have released, "White Flag" and "S.O.S. (Overboard)". A major difference is that "Canyon" is not written in D major, but instead in G sharp minor, giving it a bit more of a melancholy sound than their previous two singles. Lyrically, it seems to be about trying to attempt a relationship with someone else who does not want one. I'm noticing a little theme in their songs. "White Flag" symbolizes surrender, and "S.O.S." signifies a call for help. There's probably a number of ways to interpret the title and lyrics of the song "Canyon", but I would venture to say that it is most likely a metaphor for viewing relationships as deep, endless, and hard to fathom, much like canyons are in real life.


"J-Boy" by Phoenix: J-Boy?! What's a J-Boy?! Is it someone who goes on "Sesame Street" to talk about the letter J and carry it around?! Is it a boy whose name begins with the letter J?! Because the song's title isn't mentioned in the lyrics, we may never know the answer to this one. What we do know, however, is that Phoenix, the French indie-pop quartet best known for irresistibly quirky and danceable songs like "1901" and "Lisztomania", have released a new song that shows a bit more cynicism within its lyrical content than they have usually been known to do. "J-Boy" presents itself as a love song, but with lines like "The truth is that we're all to blame. There are lies and moral consequences", "Stealing money from a homeless girl", and "Kamikaze in a hopeless world", it becomes apparent that Thomas Mars might just be weeping for the future of humanity and masking his opinions with a catchy dance-pop sound designed to distract the "casual listener" from its lyrical content.


"The Night We Met" by Lord Huron: This song is now two years old, so why is it just now getting attention? Apparently, this is because the song was just recently featured in the controversial Netflix drama series, "13 Reasons Why". I know pretty much nothing about this series because I'm an old fogey (not really) who is more nostalgic about the shows of the past than those of the present, but "The Night We Met" is the slowest and saddest song I've heard from Lord Huron's "Strange Trails" album. A great number of those songs followed a pattern of going between F sharp minor and A major throughout, as does this one. It is the slow, almost waltz-like pace of "The Night We Met" that sets it apart from the others. The song is probably meant to be a way of expressing nostalgia for a lover that the leader singer knew in his past, but adding it to the soundtrack of "13 Reasons Why" seems to give it a sadder tone given how dark I've heard the series can be.


"Witness" by Benjamin Booker and Mavis Staples: The seamless blending of soul and rock makes Benjamin Booker's latest song, "Witness", sound a bit like a Joe Cocker song, albeit with more of a gospel flavor (perhaps the gospel influence in this song is due to Mavis Staples' presence on it). Mavis has been quite the busy lady this year, having appeared earlier on a notably fiery protest song by Arcade Fire. As for Benjamin, he is relatively new to the music scene in comparison, having released only one other album so far, and that was three years ago. His debut album had a very raw, in-your-face blues-rock sound. "Witness" continues the blues-rock pattern, but with a more soft, melodic flavor to it. It is yet another protest song, probably against the current state of American political affairs, that Mavis Staples has contributed to in 2017. The central point of the song could be summarized in the last lines of the first verse, "When your brother's dying, mother's crying, TV's lying, all the reasons in the world don't mean sh*t to me now!" Ben and Mavis both continue to inject their venomous yet righteous anger throughout this song!

New songs for October 28th, 2015

here they are:


"Gibraltar" by Beirut: Beirut Folds Five?! Kinda sounds like that's the route that Beirut are taking with their latest song, "Gibraltar", albeit with added influence from both lounge music and African drumming as well. Beirut's musical selection is as enigmatic as the origin of their name (which I still have yet to find out, amazingly). It's nice to hear Beirut depart from the synthesizer sound they went for on their other two adult alt radio hits ("Santa Fe" and "No No No") and put in an unplugged keyboard sound in its place in "Gibraltar". On the downside, though, "Gibraltar" is also missing the trademark muted horns that Beirut have used on both radio faves and fan faves among their material. No matter, though, as Beirut continue to amaze me with each new musical adventure they attempt!


"Han Solo" by Bob Schneider: Between this song title and the title of Bob's song "Captain Kirk", I'm kinda convinced that Bob Schneider has a nerdy side that he doesn't often reveal in his other songs and performances. Apparently the title of the song is used as a term of affection for either a close friend or girlfriend that he wants to ensure protection for. This song ranks among the more reflective, slightly bittersweet songs in Bob's catalog and has a somewhat Snow Patrol-ish sound like "40 Dogs (Like Romeo And Juliet)" and "Swimming In the Sea" did. Though I have no problem with the happier sounding Bob Schneider tunes (like "Let the Light In" and "The Stars Over Your House"), I kinda think Bob is at his best when he does more wistful sounding songs like "Han Solo".


"Never Come Back Again" by Austin Plaine: The title of this song might sound like the name of an angry breakup tune, but it's actually anything but. "Never Come Back Again" by folk/alt-country newcomer, Austin Plaine, is actually a song about having adventure out in nature that's so exciting that you want to "feel what it's like to never come back again". The song is one of those songs that fits perfectly with the end of a long trip home on the freeway at sunset, and such imagery fits perfectly with the haunting yet blissful "let's get lost" lyrics of the song. One listen to this song, and you really will want to "never come back again"!


"Record High, Record Low" by Givers: Givers were an energetic indie-pop sextet who debuted in summer 2011 and made all of 2011 (and some of early 2012) feel like summer all year long with relentlessly happy songs like "Up Up Up", "Saw You First", and "Ceiling of Plankton". Givers' summery vibe continues to glow and radiate with their latest song, "Record High, Record Low", which differs from their other three hit songs in that it gives backing vocalist Tiffany Lamson a time to shine in the limelight by taking on the lead vocals of the song instead of the background (I guess there's a good reason they're called "Givers" after all!) The title's deliberate use of opposites next to each other has been thought by some to be an allusion to the famous Charles Dickens quote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". I'm pretty sure Dickens didn't want his audience to feel like they were at a dance party on the beach, though, which Givers clearly do here!


"Talk to Me" by Kopecky: The main riff of Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon" filtered through a Blondie-ish musical lens doesn't seem like it would gel together too well, but that's pretty much what Kopecky does here with their latest song, "Talk to Me". Fleetwood Mac seems to have influenced Kopecky here lyrically as well as musically, as the song seems to be about a relationship on the brink like many of the songs on "Rumours" were. Between this song and the surprisingly rockin' "Quarterback" from spring of this year, I feel as if Kopecky want to up their rock 'n' roll quotient on their latest album. Perhaps another single or two from that album will answer my question either later this year or sometime next year.


"The Joke Explained" by Wilco: Wilco have attempted to emulate Bob Dylan's musical style many times, but "The Joke Explained" is probably their finest moment so far in terms of emulating Dylan's lyrical style. The lyrics of the song are rather mysterious and oblique, but it almost seems as though they're meant to be that way. Lyrics like "I sweat tears but don't ever cry" and "I laugh at a joke explained" seem like they were taken straight from the Dylan handbook! Musically, "The Joke Explained" kinda sounds like something from Bob's catalog as well, but with equal parts Lou Reed and Neil Young thrown in for good measure.


"The World Ender" by Lord Huron: Think Lord Huron are just some dreamy sounding indie-folk band?! Well "The World Ender" will probably get you to rethink your stance on their music, if that's the case! The sound of the song is somewhat ethereal, like most of LH's material, but it's also the closest the band have gotten to rock 'n' roll so far, with its sound and delivery somewhat reminiscent of both Elvis and Johnny Cash. The lyrical imagery of "The World Ender" isn't exactly dreamy either (although what would you expect with a title like "The World Ender"?!) Lead vocalist Ben Schneider claims in the chorus that he's "the world ender" and that he's "back from the dead". How apt for Halloween! Speaking of which, a LOT of the titles on LH's latest album seem to have Halloween related themes, like "Love Like Ghosts", "Dead Man's Hand", and "Cursed". Looks like I'll have quite a bit of LH music on my Halloween playlist this year!! Muahahahaahhaahahaha!!


"Unsteady" by X Ambassadors: X Ambassadors are responsible for one of this summer's greatest earworms!! Even saying "Hey hey hey, livin' like we're renegades" without singing it will probably cause the song to weasel its way into your head somehow. This gives X Ambassadors' second big song, "Unsteady", a marked contrast to "Renegades". Not that "Unsteady" isn't catchy, but it is a much more sensitive and heartfelt song in comparison to the more carefree vibe of "Renegades". There seems to be a little bit of millennially styled soft rock cheese in "Unsteady" (The Fray, anyone?), but that doesn't detract completely from the message X Ambassadors are trying to convey on "Unsteady", which is an apt adjective to describe Sam Harris' quavering, achy vocals on this song! Perhaps if the production on this song weren't so polished up I'd like this song better, but it certainly isn't a bad one.

New songs for July 29th 2015

here they are:


"Different Colors" by Walk the Moon: With each new Walk the Moon song that comes out, the alt-pop quartet continues to prove that they are heavy hitters today, just as much as their namesake (The Police - specifically "Walking On the Moon") was in the late '70s/early '80s. "Anna Sun" and "Tightrope" were already pretty huge, but their Fall '14 smash hit, "Shut Up And Dance", outdid even THOSE songs!! So, does WTM's star continue to rise on "Different Colors"?! I would say, yes AND no. Yes, because it's catchy as heck, like pretty much all of their material is! No, on the other hand, because "Different Colors" isn't INSTANTLY catchy like their other three singles have been so far. A short description of this song's sound?! Think Foreigner's "Jukebox Hero" mixed with The Killers' "Shot At the Night".


"I'm In Love With My Life" by Phases: "I'm In Love With My Life", indeed! And with a song as catchy as THIS, why shouldn't you be?! It has all the makings of a classic pop radio hit! Disco beats, INXS-ish guitar hooks, and the perfect blend of male and female vocal harmonies! What's more?! First off, not a single lyric in the song is negative, a rarity for this day and age! To add to that, Phases are also an indie-pop supergroup, consisting of members of groups like The Like, Phantom Planet, as well as one member who was in both Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley. Have you ever known a song whose title fits its mood more than this one does?! I sure haven't!!


"Light And Candle" by JJ Grey and Mofro: The '60s R & B vibe is here, as is the case with most JJ Grey and Mofro songs, but this time the boys slow things down a bit for a sound that is smooth and sensual, yet still gritty. The sweet, sensitive sounding title of the song kinda gives away how the song comes across overall. This sorta song is perfect after a nice night out of fine dining, or a walk in the moonlight. You'd swear you were hearing a long, lost Otis Redding ballad of the most passionate quality!


"Meet Me In the Woods" by Lord Huron: February's "Fool For Love" was the surprise hit of the year for Lord Huron! The group have always been favorites of the indie-folk community, but "Fool For Love" reached a little beyond their usual crowd! Could that be what's in store for Lord Huron's next big song, "Meet Me In the Woods"? Well, probably not. Still, though, the captivating, haunting sound of "Meet Me In the Woods" is bound to be a treat for Lord Huron fans, as well as fans of similar acts like Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, and The Tallest Man on Earth. So far, "Meet Me In the Woods" is the only minor key Lord Huron song that I've heard, which is interesting, considering how "lo-fi" their overall sound is. Perhaps it is the minor key sound of the song that makes it sound so mysterious, like a group of people traveling through a forest in the middle of the night!


"Sparks" by Beach House: Ah, nothing like a nice, dreamy song from Beach House. 'Cept this one kinda isn't! At least not as much as their usual material is. "Sparks" is more influenced by neo-psychedelia (and post-punk, in the vein of bands like My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus & Mary Chain) than it is by ethereal, airy folk/classical/jazz/rock blend they usually have. The screeching, fuzz soaked electric guitars about 30 seconds into the song make it apparent that this is a different Beach House song than usual. Well, at least Victoria Legrand's vocals are still soothing. It also retains the one-word titles of their previous hits ("Norway", "Zebra", and "Myth").

New songs for February 18th, 2015

here they are:


"Coming Home" by Leon Bridges: The term "neo-soul" has been applied to many musicians, but there are only a few whom I really believe deserve the label. Newcomer to the scene, Leon Bridges, is one such person. His brand of soul music hearkens back to a time when Motown was a fledgling genre and record label, as it heavily evokes the music of soul legend, Sam Cooke. Leon's smooth crooning combined with the blues-y but breezy guitar he sings over is enough to make Cupid actually want to draw back his bow and let his arrow go!


"Don't Wanna Fight" by Alabama Shakes: One of the most anticipated singles of the week, and also one of the funkiest!! Alabama Shakes are (currently) best known for their first big hit, "Hold On", which blended Janis Joplin-esque vocals with Creedence Clearwater-style guitar playing. In "Don't Wanna Fight", Brittany Howard takes her musical time machine a few years after the Woodstock era, and into the funk era of the mid 1970's. Howard loudly and proudly proclaims that she "don't wanna fight no more" throughout the song. Since I don't know the song well enough yet, I'm not exactly sure what it is that she's fighting for (or against), but this is a song that is clearly more about the rhythm than it is about the lyrics, as far as I'm concerned. Get your groove on!!


"Every Other Freckle" by alt-J: The nerdily named alt-J have actually been pretty cool ever since their debut, but it seems as though the songs from their sophomore record are the ones that adult alt radio has gravitated towards the most so far. The guitar heavy, Black Keys-esque "Left Hand Free" became one of summer 2014's biggest hits on adult alt stations. As spring approaches, "Every Other Freckle" is the song such radio stations seem to be picking up on. The song returns to the hip-to-be-quirky style that alt-J have become known for, which "Left Hand Free" seemed to lack. The lyrics in the song are also a bit enigmatic. For instance, I have no idea what they mean by "I want every other freckle". That's just fine, though, as this is just the way alt-J's fans seem to like them.


"False Hope" by Laura Marling: Laura Marling could easily be likened to a modern-day Joni Mitchell. If albums like "A Creature I Don't Know" and "Once I Was An Eagle" are her "Blue" and "Ladies of the Canyon", then perhaps her latest album, "Short Movie" is what "Court and Spark" was for Joni Mitchell. That is, a chance for Laura to experiment with electric guitars while still keeping up her folk-rock image. "False Hope" is the first Laura Marling song I have heard that uses electric guitar instead of acoustic. The chorus to "False Hope" is rather cutting for someone known for her quaint and quiet material ("why I know false hope", as if to say, "I've been down before, so leave me alone!") Again, the "Court and Spark" comparison could continue, since Joni had rather scathing lyrics on songs like "Raised On Robbery" ("first he had a '57 Biscayne, put it in the ditch, he drunk up all the rest, that son of a b**ch"). Laura is definitely trying to move in a darker direction with "False Hope", as far as I can tell, and a more musically distinct direction, too.


"Fool For Love" by Lord Huron: Lord Huron are probably one of the dreamiest sounding indie-folk bands of the 2010's. The first 45 seconds of their latest song, "Fool For Love", are pure bliss. Once the vocals kick in, it starts to sound more like a typical Lord Huron song, but it still maintains its blissful, ethereal sound. Many of their songs could obliquely be considered love songs, but "Fool For Love" is the first song they've done where the affection is clearly spelled out (as if you couldn't tell from the title). I notice that this song was released a couple days after Valentine's Day. I wonder if Lord Huron did that on purpose?!


"I Don't Want to Let You Down" by Sharon Van Etten: Sharon Van Etten's songs are known for being somewhat dismal and lonely sounding. That being said, could "I Don't Want to Let You Down" be an indicator that she has finally found happiness?! First of all, the song is in a major key, unlike most of her material, and it sounds more upbeat than the rest of her material, too. As if that wasn't enough of a not-so-indie move for the only indie-folk singer to share my mom's first name, she has also performed the song on Ellen DeGeneres' show, and rumor has it that this song was inspired by the feel-good '80s family flick, "Overboard" (one of my guilty pleasures!!) Rest assured, though, the song still feels mellow and folk-y enough to be considered legit in Sharon Van Etten's catalog, and her signature moaning vocals are still present on this track as well.


"Kathleen" by Catfish and The Bottlemen: Between their European sounding name and their similarity in sound to some of the harder rocking Oasis songs, one of the first things I wondered about Catfish and The Bottlemen when I first heard their song "Kathleen" was whether or not they were British. Well, it turned out I was close! They are a Welsh group. You don't hear the phrase "Welsh garage rock" or even "Welsh alternative rock" very often, so perhaps Catfish and The Bottlemen are trendsetters in this regard (only time will tell). The chorus of the song, in which lead singer Van McCann defiantly states, "I've gotta give it to you, you give me problems!" also seems typical of the garage rock genre. I wonder what other musical treasures Wales has to offer us!


"Leaf Off/The Cave" by Jose Gonzalez: In the 2010's, Jose Gonzalez has been active with his band, Junip, but he hasn't done anything solo since 2008. Though Junip was a good band, I much prefer the gentle, Nick Drake-esque brand of folk-rock that Jose had by himself. His latest solo song, "Leaf Off/The Cave" returns to the magic Jose did by himself during the mid to late 2000's. From its enchanting sound to its hopeful lyrics ("let the light lead you out"), "Leaf Off/The Cave" is bound to be a winner among Jose's biggest fans, and then some. Don't be fooled by the title. First of all, it has nothing to do with Mumford and Sons' "The Cave" as I thought it did before I actually heard it, and "Leaf Off/The Cave" is actually one song, not two, in spite of how the title makes it look. I regularly try to look for songs I can listen to to calm me down, but this is one of the most calming I have heard in quite awhile! Highly recommended!!


"Pedestrian At Best" by Courtney Barnett: Wait, which "Courtney" IS this?! Courtney Barnett or Courtney Love?! It kinda sounds like the vocals of the former mixed with the music and mood of the latter!! From Barnett's "Avant Gardener", I expected all of her songs to sound kinda deadpan, but "Pedestrian At Best" is anything but! It has an almost punk rock sound, with its defiant guitar playing, one-chord verses, and two-chord chorus, which is somewhat derivative of the early Kings of Leon tune, "Molly's Chambers". Barnett's sing-speaking and ranting vaguely recall Mike Muir's paranoid, enraged vocal style in Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized"! I haven't seen anyone go from mellow to angry this quickly since Marianne Faithfull (likely one of Courtney Barnett's influences)!!


"Take My Love" by The Lone Bellow: So far, "Take My Love" is the closest that folk-rockers, The Lone Bellow, have gotten to electric guitar oriented music, but the Bellow have still kept their mellow on this one. It seems like sounding like Bruce Springsteen has become a rite of passage for many indie-folk/indie-pop bands lately (Killers, Hold Steady, Gaslight Anthem, War on Drugs, and Arcade Fire all rank among them). This is probably the first Springsteen-esque song that The Lone Bellow have attempted. It not only sounds like one of The Boss's songs, but it also seems to echo the passion and honest lyrical content that he usually had.


"What Kind of Man" by Florence and The Machine: Flo and her magic Machine are truly one of the most eclectic bands to have emerged in the 2010's. Their blend of folk, rock, soul, gospel, and new wave has been unmatched so far! Their eclecticism seems to come full circle in "What Kind of Man", which starts as a whispery, dark hymnal, but quickly turns into the sort of new wave-y dance-rock song you might expect from INXS, or perhaps even Prince. Guitar isn't usually a central instrument in Florence and The Machine's music, but it takes on a very important role in "What Kind of Man" from the first minute on. "What kind of man loves like this?" Flo implores throughout the chorus. The more important question is, "What kind of man (or woman) doesn't love this music?!"

New songs for November 6th, 2013

here they are:


"Holding On For Life" by Broken Bells: For the first time since the start of the 2010's, The Shins' James Mercer and Gnarls Barkley's Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton are back together again for a new album called "After the Disco"! An appropriate title, considering the disco influence that Danger Mouse brings into their latest song, "Holding On For Life". The folk-y acoustic strums in the background of the song make it very much of a James Mercer tune as well. Songs like this one are proof that sometimes, two heads are better than one! As Danger Mouse pumps disco/techno beats into "Holding On For Life", James adds in enigmatically soul searching lyrics, lush, mellow harmonies, and folk-rock influence, and together, the elements of the song melt into a nice, tasty, out of this world stew!


"She Lit A Fire" by Lord Huron: Lord Huron first hit the adult alt airwaves last November with their dreamily psychedelic song, "Time to Run". Now, exactly one November later, the dreaminess of Lord Huron has come around a second time with "She Lit A Fire". Between this song and "Time to Run", I'm starting to notice a lyrical theme in Lord Huron's music. They seem to write love songs, but they do so using really abstract lyrics and evocative imagery. The chorus of the song states that the girl of the lead singer's affections "lit a fire, and now she's in (his) every thought", so the love theme here is pretty obvious, but what makes the song so special to me is the ultra-mellow, acoustic guitar based sound the song uses, as well as the imagery of deserts, mountains, seas, and (of course) fire. This is the song all the hippies merely wish they had written!


"Swimming In the Sea" by Bob Schneider: And now, more indie-pop love poetry featuring lyrics that evoke nature (specifically fish and the sea, this time around)!! This is certainly not a bad thing, though. After all, Bob Schneider is one of those people who has a way of making love songs sound dreamy in a good way, rather than a cheesy one. It seems like he was quite influenced by Snow Patrol when he did "Swimming In the Sea", at least musically. The lyrics here seem to concern love at first sight, rather than a more general love theme, but the sentiments of falling in love certainly abound in this song!


"This Lonely Morning" by Best Coast: The Los Angelean duo of the fun but sassy Bethany Cosentino and her bandmate Bobb Bruno are doing what they do best on their latest tune, "This Lonely Morning". That is to say, they are making fun, summery music that mixes the sunny pop of early Beach Boys music with the sneaky indie-pop snark of Rilo Kiley. "This Lonely Morning" is anything BUT lonely!! Well, musically, at least. The lyrics are a bit darker than the song itself, as Bethany is "running from (her)self this time", and stating (negatively) how her "feelings never change". Perhaps this is the reason they released the song in fall instead of summer?! Because otherwise, it totally sounds like a summer song, like pretty much all of their material tends to!


"Workin' Woman Blues" by Valerie June: Valerie June first sizzled her way onto the adult alt airwaves in the summer of this year, with her Black Keys-esque (and Dan Auerbach produced) blues-rocker, "You Can't Be Told". Despite the use of the word "blues" in the title of Valerie's "Workin' Woman Blues", its sound more suggests a blend of folk, soul, and jazz that people like Joan Armatrading were known for using in the mid 1970's. It's the lyrics of the song that bring the "blues" part into the title. Valerie is clearly worn out from all the demands people put on women of being mothers, wives, etc. in the song, and addresses the issue of poverty in it as well. Definitely worth listening to, especially for those who identify with oppression, whether the roots of it are sexual or political (or both).

13 Songs On A Dead Man's Chest (A.K.A. Flood of Songs After the Drought)

THIRTEEN!? Most I've ever had so far!! So, without further ado, let's begin!!


"Carry On" by fun.: "If you're lost and alone, and sinking like a stone, carry o-o-o-o-on!!" So begins the chorus of the latest song from the somewhat aptly named band, fun. This is probably their most sensitive, most melodic song yet, and for that reason, I can't help but like it! Though the song itself is kinda dark in terms of its lyrics, it still has quite an uplifting, almost inspirational chorus, reminding its listeners to stay strong through the good times and the bad. Nate Ruess and co sure have come a long way since the far more pop-y "We Are Young", and I hope they will continue to strengthen their sound and their lyrics in the future!


"Encyclopedia of Classic Takedowns" by A.C. Newman: The New Pornographers were always a quirky band, in spite of how their name might sound (it was actually taken from something someone said about how music is the "new pornography"). That being said, it only makes sense that their lead singer would come up with a song where even the TITLE sounded quirky! I mean, how many songs do you know of have titles that even sound CLOSE to "Encyclopedia of Classic Takedowns" (try saying THAT five times fast!)?! I sure don't! (Then again, this IS the same guy who came up with even weirder song titles like "Sing Me Spanish Techno"). The song itself is quirky, power pop-y fun at its best! A happy song with bubbly harmonies and a weird title?! Only A.C. and The New Pornographers!!


"Good Times" by Matt Costa: Matt Costa doesn't seem to get enough credit for how eclectic (and clever) he truly is! He seemed to have been pegged as a singer/songwriter type based on how his debut song, "Cold December" sounded, but he has expanded his repertoire ever since to include Donovan-esque psychedelic pop ("Witchcraft") and "Pet Sounds"-ish orchestral beauties ("Drive"). His latest song, "Good Times", takes on a sound that illustrates a combination of folk-rock guitars and triumphant trumpets, a bit like Feist's "1234", as well as practically any song from Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros. Don't be fooled by how happy "Good Times" sounds, though, as even its chorus sings about how "Good times are comin' to an end". The dichotomy "Good Times" has between its fluffy sound and cynical lyrics only make me love the song more, though!


"Harder Before It Gets Easier" by The David Wax Museum: With the surprise success of records from people like Paul Simon and Robbie Robertson last year, it only makes sense that there would be someone this year that would carry on the rock-music-meets-world-music torch. It's not an older musician, though, or even a well-known one, at that. This year's ethnic rock experience comes from The David Wax Museum, a band that is, perhaps, unlike any other from 2012! Instead of relying on folk-rock or power pop, like most 2010's bands seem to do, The David Wax Museum create a lush musical soundscape based on African rhythms and mariachi instrumentation. To top it all off, at the center of the DWM's breakthrough song, "Harder Before It Gets Easier", is its chorus, which reminds people that sometimes you need to experience tougher times in your life in order to get to what you really want!


"Heartbeat" by The Kopecky Family Band: Of the many bands I'm reviewing this week, none of them seem to put the "pop" in "indie pop" quite like The Kopecky Family Band! Their debut song, "Heartbeat", has it all! Irresistibly bubblegum-y harmonies, handclaps at the beginning, a catchy, memorable chorus, purposely ridiculous lyrics (e.g. "you make my heartbeat beat a beat"), you name it! "Heartbeat" is the perfect song to dance around in your room to when no one's watching!


"How Do You Ruin Me?" by Black Prairie: And now we move from a goofy, lighthearted band to a more somber one. Even this song's title, "How Do You Ruin Me?" sounds melancholy, and the song itself is, too. With its sighing string section, G minor key, and world-weary vocals, "How Do You Ruin Me?" is one of those songs you'd want to put on during a rainy day to elicit emotions of both sadness and sympathy. It is a tale of unrequited love that expresses the pain and sorrow we probably all feel inside when going through such a phase. Call it a case of schadenfreude if you will, but what is "ruining" the singer brings me a sense of pleasure, but the pleasure derives from knowing that I'm not the only one who has felt cheated or let down in a relationship.


"I've Got This Friend" by The Civil Wars: It's been over a year since John Paul Williams and Joy White first became successful as folk-pop duo, The Civil Wars, yet there is still one song from their debut album that has JUST begun to receive airplay on adult alt radio stations, and that song is "I've Got This Friend". "I've Got This Friend" provides quite a contrast from the blues-y stomp of "Barton Hollow" and the bittersweet "Poison And Wine". There is nothing very bitter, or even bittersweet, about "I've Got This Friend", in fact it's kind of a cute song, if I dare say so! John and Joy take turns telling each other about these "friends" that they have during the song, though, upon listening to the lyrics, it becomes apparent that John and Joy are actually telling each other about...well...each other! However, they are doing so in a way that suggest a precious, almost naive sense of romance. Can I have another "d'awwww"?!


"Mojo Fix" by Martin Harley: A "review-come-lately" here, as this song has been around since late August of this year, but it doesn't seem like it's gotten decent airplay until around the past couple of weeks, so I thought maybe now would be a good time to review it instead. On with the song, though, doesn't even the title of the song "Mojo Fix" sound kinda blues-y?! Well, that's because it is, and a mighty fine blues song at that! With its chugging hook, raw vocals, and saucy slide guitar licks, "Mojo Fix" is enough to satisfy anyone's mojo!!


"Nancy From Now On" by Father John Misty: You probably wouldn't expect such a downhearted song from a guy with a quirky moniker, who put out esoteric songs like "I'm Writing A Novel", but keep in mind that "Father John Misty" is actually the alias of the ex-drummer of melancholy folk-rock kings, Fleet Foxes, and "Nancy From Now On" will probably make a little more sense. Even the opening lyrics, "Pour me another drink, and punch me in the face" are enough to depress a lot of Misty's listeners. "Nancy" is also not the name of a girl in this song, but rather, a derogatory name that Misty uses to refer to himself, perhaps suggesting that he is "weak" in some way. The chord changes and piano arrangement in this song remind me of people like Rufus Wainwright. Perhaps Rufus and Father John are pals?! Wouldn't surprise me. Also, I detect a huge Harry Nilsson influence in this song, so to describe Misty as the lovechild of Nilsson and Rufus Wainwright would be a great way of summing him up!


"River" by Civil Twilight: As I read the comments for this song on YouTube, many people seem to think that this sounds like a Radiohead song, and it does (it lifts pretty heavily from "Jigsaw Falling Into Place", in particular). Though "River" will never hold a candle to Radiohead, it's still a good song in its own right! It is probably Civil Twilight's best song, actually, given how it centers mostly around acoustic guitar instead of keyboards, the latter of which is a more typical instrument for Civil Twilight. The lead singer of Civil Twilight tends to nail Thom Yorke's vocal intonations, and the swooning backing vocals wouldn't sound too out of place in a Radiohead song either. However, this is Civil Twilight, not Radiohead. Still, it wouldn't hurt Civil Twilight to continue going in a neo-folk-rock direction!


"So Beautiful" by The Dunwells: Along with the Martin Harley song, "Mojo Fix", this song is another "review-come-lately" for me, I guess partly because this song pales in comparison quite significantly to The Dunwells' Mumford-esque song, "I Could Be A King", from earlier this year. However, I decided to give "So Beautiful" another chance, and I'm glad I did, because, although it isn't nearly as good as "I Could Be A King", it is still a good song, and it stuck in my head after the second time I heard it, so I knew it was a good one. It still has a somewhat Mumford-and-Sons-ish sound, but it sounds more like M & S being backed by the '70s soft rock group, America (the solos in the song sound like they were performed in a similar distortion to America's "Sister Golden Hair"). Still worth listening to, though.


"Time to Run" by Lord Huron: And last, but certainly not least, is the hypnotically folk-rock-y "Time to Run", from Lord Huron, a band who are slowly but surely getting more attention than I thought they would! This song is like a dream to me, and I don't mean that in a corny, metaphorical way. I mean that it's literally like a dream! It starts off with an orchestra of echoing wind chime type percussion that goes on for about a minute, before settling into its mellow, entrancing groove that takes hold of the rest of the song, as though one is falling asleep, and then settling into his/her dream for the rest of the night. This song is one dream I don't want to wake up from!!