here they are:
"Gold" by Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: This song is a bit more like an indie/soul hybrid than the blues-y neo-soul that Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds' fans might be used to, but it still has plenty of soul left inside of it! Lead singer Arleigh Kincheloe assures her fans during the chorus that her love is "gold, gold, gold". We believe it, Arleigh! The passion in your voice says it all! Something you fans of the band might not have known is that Arleigh had a son just last year. Nothing like releasing new life into the world to celebrate your musical joy, eh?!
"Hey Mama" by Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats: Nathaniel and his Night Sweats have been on fire this year! They have not one, but TWO, of the most played tracks on adult alt radio for 2018: the feisty "You Worry Me" and the sensual but gritty soul music of "A Little Honey". "Hey Mama" is not exactly a free spirited or soulful song, but there's a good reason for this. "Hey Mama" is not about a girl that Nathaniel is calling "Mama" simply because of his affections towards her, but about his actual mother. It's about the bond Nathaniel shares with her. The band released this song as a single, aptly, on Mother's Day, but it hasn't quite stormed adult alt radio until the past week or so. This song is a quiet but striking reminder that October isn't all about witches and goblins and ghosts. It's also part of the season of autumn, the most bittersweet season of the year!
"Hide" by Rainbow Kitten Surprise: So what do you do after your "Fever Pitch" has infectiously wound its way onto alt and adult alt stations everywhere?! Well...you "Hide"!! Unlike what the title of the song indicates, RKS aren't hiding anything from their fans! They bare all their emotions, in fact, with "Hide". Judging from both the drag queens in the video for the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aetcUc3ejPE), and from its ending lyrics, urging the subject of the song to "hide (their) love", it is probably about someone falling in love with someone who is transgender, but not wanting to admit it because of the way the singer's family feels about such people. Way to break off the barriers of judgment, RKS!! Here's hoping the world will be less judgmental thanks to you guys!!
"If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)" by Leon Bridges: Leon Bridges has jumped all over the soul music spectrum for his latest album, and, like Nathaniel Rateliff, has so far had TWO of his songs become some of the most played songs on adult alt radio in 2018 ("Bad Bad News" and "Beyond"). "Bad Bad News" sounded like a vintage jazz-rock track, and "Beyond" was a lovely, poignant slice of the rarely heard folk-soul subgenre. For "If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)", he blurs the lines between funk and disco (with some sweet guitar licks in the middle, I might add) to get his point across. As for the point of this song? Well, look no further than its title! If it feels good, then it must be, right?! Right!
"Just to Say I Love You" by Michael Franti: After a dry spell of folk and world music blending during the late 2000's and early 2010's, Michael Franti got back into the reggae-rock groove he originally became known for with "Once A Day" in 2015. The reggae rock trend continues with "Just to Say I Love You", albeit with a sweeter flavor this time around. I can't help but feel like the miracle of birth is a theme in this week's blog! "Gold" seemed like a declaration of Arleigh Kincheloe's feelings as a new mother, and "Hey Mama" reflected Nathaniel Rateliff's feelings for his own mother. "Just to Say I Love You" is a song Michael Franti has dedicated to his wife, who, like Arleigh, is a new mother this year. Love and unity are common themes in Franti's music, but they have never been as profound as this!!
"Northern Lights" by Death Cab for Cutie: This song is like a mix of R.E.M. and The Smiths, while not being near as good as either one. Because of its influences, though, as well as its use of guitar, I feel like I might like it better than I did "Gold Rush". Another similarity "Northern Lights" shares to both R.E.M. and The Smiths is how it has a small amount of verses while still managing to seem deep in its meaning. The song itself might be a "word salad" of sorts, but its chorus still manages to be captivating, even if it only contains the words, "Northern lights filled our skies/Empty nights synchronized".
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
New songs for October 17th, 2018
here they are:
"I'd Rather Go Blind" by Grace Potter: Grace Potter has zigzagged through the years between folk, blues, rock, and pop. Perhaps she's always been a blues-woman at heart, though, and there's proof of this in her Muscle Shoals produced cover of Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind". Grace pours her heart and soul out on this cover, which would make both Etta James and Bonnie Raitt proud. Unlike Etta's version, Grace's take on this blues classic runs for a full 5 minutes, proving just how passionate she is about this song!
"Walls" by The Lumineers: Another cover for the only other song of the week, this time one of the late, great, Tom Petty. "Ho Hey" might be a far cry from, say, "Refugee", but "Walls" is one of the softer, more roots-y songs in Petty's catalog, so it's fitting for The Lumi's to pay tribute to Petty like this. Once again, even after 6 years in the music biz, The Lumi's STILL haven't compromised their folk-rock for techno-pop, making them tried and true survivors of the indie-folk scene. I need only for someone like Leon Bridges to cover Aretha Franklin now that she has passed on, and my life will be complete!
"I'd Rather Go Blind" by Grace Potter: Grace Potter has zigzagged through the years between folk, blues, rock, and pop. Perhaps she's always been a blues-woman at heart, though, and there's proof of this in her Muscle Shoals produced cover of Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind". Grace pours her heart and soul out on this cover, which would make both Etta James and Bonnie Raitt proud. Unlike Etta's version, Grace's take on this blues classic runs for a full 5 minutes, proving just how passionate she is about this song!
"Walls" by The Lumineers: Another cover for the only other song of the week, this time one of the late, great, Tom Petty. "Ho Hey" might be a far cry from, say, "Refugee", but "Walls" is one of the softer, more roots-y songs in Petty's catalog, so it's fitting for The Lumi's to pay tribute to Petty like this. Once again, even after 6 years in the music biz, The Lumi's STILL haven't compromised their folk-rock for techno-pop, making them tried and true survivors of the indie-folk scene. I need only for someone like Leon Bridges to cover Aretha Franklin now that she has passed on, and my life will be complete!
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
New songs for October 10th, 2018
here they are:
"Comeback Kid" by Sharon Van Etten: Sharon Van Etten might be coming back to adult alt radio for the first time since 2015, but meanwhile, I'm starting to notice that guitars might NOT be making a comeback anytime soon. The once folk-rock oriented Sharon Van Etten has now opted for the use of synthesizers in her latest song, "Comeback Kid". I must admit, as a longtime guitar player myself, I'm a little disappointed by this. What starts out sounding like a glimmer of the sweeping, orchestral intro to The Cranberries' "Linger" ends up sounding instead like one of the many dance-pop oriented songs dominating the "alternative" charts. The song is also a bit more repetitive than most SVE songs are, with the title of the song sung a total of 10 times without a whole lot of substance in the lyrics. I suppose this is a song I could grow used to, though.
"If You Really Love Nothing" by Interpol: This is a song that will break your heart...as well as your spleen! While this song is basically a breakup song, lead vocalist Paul Banks slips in lyrics like, "Whenever I find home, the next artery, splendid, I bled my whole life", making it a bit more of a bloody (anti) valentine song than most breakup songs are. Some might be wondering what Kristen Stewart is doing in the video for this song. Though she's become known for the notoriously over-the-top emotional "Twilight" movies, it seems like that's not what she wants to be known for. After all, she's a fan of The Replacements, an actress in a movie about rocker, Joan Jett, and characters in indie movie faves like "Adventureland" and "Into the Wild". Perhaps now it'll make a little more sense why she's in an Interpol video. The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLk8i2zw2jU
"Comeback Kid" by Sharon Van Etten: Sharon Van Etten might be coming back to adult alt radio for the first time since 2015, but meanwhile, I'm starting to notice that guitars might NOT be making a comeback anytime soon. The once folk-rock oriented Sharon Van Etten has now opted for the use of synthesizers in her latest song, "Comeback Kid". I must admit, as a longtime guitar player myself, I'm a little disappointed by this. What starts out sounding like a glimmer of the sweeping, orchestral intro to The Cranberries' "Linger" ends up sounding instead like one of the many dance-pop oriented songs dominating the "alternative" charts. The song is also a bit more repetitive than most SVE songs are, with the title of the song sung a total of 10 times without a whole lot of substance in the lyrics. I suppose this is a song I could grow used to, though.
"If You Really Love Nothing" by Interpol: This is a song that will break your heart...as well as your spleen! While this song is basically a breakup song, lead vocalist Paul Banks slips in lyrics like, "Whenever I find home, the next artery, splendid, I bled my whole life", making it a bit more of a bloody (anti) valentine song than most breakup songs are. Some might be wondering what Kristen Stewart is doing in the video for this song. Though she's become known for the notoriously over-the-top emotional "Twilight" movies, it seems like that's not what she wants to be known for. After all, she's a fan of The Replacements, an actress in a movie about rocker, Joan Jett, and characters in indie movie faves like "Adventureland" and "Into the Wild". Perhaps now it'll make a little more sense why she's in an Interpol video. The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLk8i2zw2jU
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
New songs for October 3rd 2018
here they are:
"Shame Shame Shame" by Lake Street Dive: The soul and rock combo of Rachael Price and co just keeps on coming with their latest hit, "Shame Shame Shame". From the title alone, you could probably guess that it's a bit darker than their first hit from their latest album, which was a song called "Good Kisser". You know that feeling when you're in a relationship with someone and you find out all the darkest secrets of the person you thought was your one and only?! Well, that's exactly the vibe this song tries to provide. Fool me even once?! "Shame Shame Shame" on you!!
"Total Disaster" by Rhett Miller: You were expecting country rock?! Well, think again! The Old 97's frontman takes on more of a British rock flavor on his latest song, "Total Disaster", even though he himself is not British. In this self deprecating number, the titular "total disaster" is none other than Rhett Miller himself! It's not as though Old 97's haven't had a bit of bite to their music before. They're almost like punk rock in comparison to the Byrds-y Jayhawks and the rustic Son Volt. This song, however, takes the self aware sarcasm of the typical 97's tune and amps it up a bit, both musically and lyrically!
"Shame Shame Shame" by Lake Street Dive: The soul and rock combo of Rachael Price and co just keeps on coming with their latest hit, "Shame Shame Shame". From the title alone, you could probably guess that it's a bit darker than their first hit from their latest album, which was a song called "Good Kisser". You know that feeling when you're in a relationship with someone and you find out all the darkest secrets of the person you thought was your one and only?! Well, that's exactly the vibe this song tries to provide. Fool me even once?! "Shame Shame Shame" on you!!
"Total Disaster" by Rhett Miller: You were expecting country rock?! Well, think again! The Old 97's frontman takes on more of a British rock flavor on his latest song, "Total Disaster", even though he himself is not British. In this self deprecating number, the titular "total disaster" is none other than Rhett Miller himself! It's not as though Old 97's haven't had a bit of bite to their music before. They're almost like punk rock in comparison to the Byrds-y Jayhawks and the rustic Son Volt. This song, however, takes the self aware sarcasm of the typical 97's tune and amps it up a bit, both musically and lyrically!
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
New songs for September 26th 2018
here they are:
"Caesar Rock" by Paul McCartney: In spite of this song's somewhat trippy sound, it is not a "Magical Mystery Tour" or "Sgt. Pepper" outtake. "Caesar Rock" is Macca's own! The reverberation of the background instruments, the crispness of the acoustic guitars, the "Revolver"-esque in-and-out vibes of the accompanying electric guitars, and Sir Paul's commanding vocals make this song one worth the listen to. I can't help but wonder if the title of this song is a play on words. Paul sounds like he's saying, "She's a rock", during the chorus, even though it's actually, "Caesar rock". There has long been a rumor among the Beatles fandom that fellow Beatle John Lennon used the phrase "Norwegian wood" to sound like "knowing she would", so ya never know!
"Guiding Light" by Mumford and Sons: Mumford and Sons' last album received mixed reviews, largely because they were going for more of a "rock" sound than their previous albums. The single-only song, "There Will Be Time", marked a return to the Mumfords' acoustic roots, and could be said to be a forerunner to their latest song, "Guiding Light", which also focuses on their initial folk-rock sound. The trademark M & S banjo might not be present, but the earnestness and the softness that people associate the band with are both here on "Guiding Light". Unlike their 2015 song, "Believe, "Guiding Light" has received largely positive feedback on YouTube so far. Welcome back, boys! We missed ya!
"Caesar Rock" by Paul McCartney: In spite of this song's somewhat trippy sound, it is not a "Magical Mystery Tour" or "Sgt. Pepper" outtake. "Caesar Rock" is Macca's own! The reverberation of the background instruments, the crispness of the acoustic guitars, the "Revolver"-esque in-and-out vibes of the accompanying electric guitars, and Sir Paul's commanding vocals make this song one worth the listen to. I can't help but wonder if the title of this song is a play on words. Paul sounds like he's saying, "She's a rock", during the chorus, even though it's actually, "Caesar rock". There has long been a rumor among the Beatles fandom that fellow Beatle John Lennon used the phrase "Norwegian wood" to sound like "knowing she would", so ya never know!
"Guiding Light" by Mumford and Sons: Mumford and Sons' last album received mixed reviews, largely because they were going for more of a "rock" sound than their previous albums. The single-only song, "There Will Be Time", marked a return to the Mumfords' acoustic roots, and could be said to be a forerunner to their latest song, "Guiding Light", which also focuses on their initial folk-rock sound. The trademark M & S banjo might not be present, but the earnestness and the softness that people associate the band with are both here on "Guiding Light". Unlike their 2015 song, "Believe, "Guiding Light" has received largely positive feedback on YouTube so far. Welcome back, boys! We missed ya!
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
New songs for September 19th 2018
here they are:
"Make It Happen" by The Record Company: The uniquely catchy blues-rock of The Record Company has won the band scores of hits on adult alt radio, and with "Make It Happen", the hits just keep on comin'! Using stomping electric guitar riffs and blues-y slide guitar riffs, "Make It Happen" does exactly as its title says! The song is an exhilarating thrill ride for the ears from start to finish, and as its speed picks up towards the middle, it just becomes that much more of a thrill for the listener. In short, "Make It Happen" really does make it happen! Well worth listening to!
"Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino" by Arctic Monkeys: Arctic Monkeys hit it big in spring and early summer of this year with "Four Out of Five", which was frequently compared to David Bowie. The title track to their latest album, "Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino", continues in a Bowie-esque direction. The mysterious yet alluring sound of the song wouldn't be out of character for the Thin White Duke (although then again, what would?!) "Tranquility Base..." has a sort of eerie sci-fi vibe to it in terms of how it sounds. Lyrically, it plays out like a "Hotel California" for goth and post-punk fans, centering around a most likely metaphorical hotel of questionable service.
"Make It Happen" by The Record Company: The uniquely catchy blues-rock of The Record Company has won the band scores of hits on adult alt radio, and with "Make It Happen", the hits just keep on comin'! Using stomping electric guitar riffs and blues-y slide guitar riffs, "Make It Happen" does exactly as its title says! The song is an exhilarating thrill ride for the ears from start to finish, and as its speed picks up towards the middle, it just becomes that much more of a thrill for the listener. In short, "Make It Happen" really does make it happen! Well worth listening to!
"Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino" by Arctic Monkeys: Arctic Monkeys hit it big in spring and early summer of this year with "Four Out of Five", which was frequently compared to David Bowie. The title track to their latest album, "Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino", continues in a Bowie-esque direction. The mysterious yet alluring sound of the song wouldn't be out of character for the Thin White Duke (although then again, what would?!) "Tranquility Base..." has a sort of eerie sci-fi vibe to it in terms of how it sounds. Lyrically, it plays out like a "Hotel California" for goth and post-punk fans, centering around a most likely metaphorical hotel of questionable service.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
New songs for September 12th, 2018
here they are:
"Bambi" by Hippo Campus: I'm not sure if Hippo Campus' lead singer meant something allegorical by the title of this song (which does not appear in its lyrics), or if he's just a really big Disney fan, but either way, "Bambi" is a quirky, synth driven indie-pop song. Nothing new under the sun for today's generation, but for Hippo Campus, it kind of is. Most of their other songs have guitar in 'em, and there's nary a lick or riff to be found in "Bambi". Despite its pleasantly goofy sound, "Bambi" has somewhat depressing lyrics that seem to revolve around the repressed, confused emotions of the lead singer.
"Cringe" by Matt Maeson: Newcomer Matt Maeson combines the best of both worlds with his brand of indie-pop. In other words, he uses a folk-pop base for his debut song, "Cringe", but adds in more of that electronic instrumentation that all the kids seem to be craving these days as the song progresses. The chorus has Matt pondering if he makes the subject of his song "cringe". Well, Matt, that depends on who you're talking to. People who think that "good music" ended during a previous decade probably will cringe over this song. Not me! Although the style of this song does seem to be getting increasingly more common on both pop AND rock radio by now, so I dunno...
"Nina Cried Power" by Hozier (featuring Mavis Staples): A rising star from the 2010's and a risen star from the '60s and '70s sounds like it'd be quite a powerhouse to listen to, doesn't it?! Well, you'd be right! In "Nina Cried Power", neo-soul meets old school soul, with interesting results from both parties. The song is probably Hozier's darkest sounding since his debut (and so far, best known) song, "Take Me to Church", and for Mavis Staples, it provides proof that you can be almost octogenarian and still stir peoples' souls of all ages! The "Nina" in question is legendary jazz musician, Nina Simone. She, along with Joni Mitchell, are mentioned in the song as examples of people who have "cried power" (in other words, started a revolution). Though many tend to dismiss Hozier as a one-hit wonder, he actually has 7 songs (this one being # 8 in his catalog) that are just as powerful, if not more so, than the one he's known for. His songs will always "cry power" for me! Ditto Mavis Staples, whose star has continued to rise throughout this decade!
"99" by Barns Courtney: 99. 99 WHAT?! Bottles of beer on the wall?! 'Fraid not. It actually isn't 99 of anything, but the year 1999. Prince already sang about the year, famously, but his standpoint was predicting 1999 as a future year. It has now been 19 years SINCE 1999, and Barns Courtney looks back on the year as actually being nostalgic in comparison to what people are currently facing financially. The song is about how Barns once thrived on money and thought he'd be a millionaire, but is now coming to the realization that this is just not so. Sooo...what's gonna happen 20 years from 2020?! I guess we'll never know 'till we get there!
"Teenage Superstar" by Scars on 45: If only Prince was alive today. If he was, he'd know that he's now no longer the only one singing about 1999. In addition to the Barns Courtney entry I talked about previously, this song is ALSO about 1999! Once again, unlike what Prince predicted, the year is being sung about nostalgically instead of apocalyptically. And once again, the song looks at the present as being dismal and disappointing in comparison. Danny Bemrose and Aimee Driver wax nostalgic throughout the song about their glory days when they wanted to BE rock stars. Ever since 2011, their dream has come true...well, sort of. Only a handful of people know who Scars on 45 are. They haven't become near as big as, say, Mumford and Sons, or The Black Keys. But ever since "Give Me Something" came out, the sweet, gentle folk-rock of Scars on 45 has captivated me enough to think of them as rock stars, because their songs have ended up meaning a lot to me over the years!
"Bambi" by Hippo Campus: I'm not sure if Hippo Campus' lead singer meant something allegorical by the title of this song (which does not appear in its lyrics), or if he's just a really big Disney fan, but either way, "Bambi" is a quirky, synth driven indie-pop song. Nothing new under the sun for today's generation, but for Hippo Campus, it kind of is. Most of their other songs have guitar in 'em, and there's nary a lick or riff to be found in "Bambi". Despite its pleasantly goofy sound, "Bambi" has somewhat depressing lyrics that seem to revolve around the repressed, confused emotions of the lead singer.
"Cringe" by Matt Maeson: Newcomer Matt Maeson combines the best of both worlds with his brand of indie-pop. In other words, he uses a folk-pop base for his debut song, "Cringe", but adds in more of that electronic instrumentation that all the kids seem to be craving these days as the song progresses. The chorus has Matt pondering if he makes the subject of his song "cringe". Well, Matt, that depends on who you're talking to. People who think that "good music" ended during a previous decade probably will cringe over this song. Not me! Although the style of this song does seem to be getting increasingly more common on both pop AND rock radio by now, so I dunno...
"Nina Cried Power" by Hozier (featuring Mavis Staples): A rising star from the 2010's and a risen star from the '60s and '70s sounds like it'd be quite a powerhouse to listen to, doesn't it?! Well, you'd be right! In "Nina Cried Power", neo-soul meets old school soul, with interesting results from both parties. The song is probably Hozier's darkest sounding since his debut (and so far, best known) song, "Take Me to Church", and for Mavis Staples, it provides proof that you can be almost octogenarian and still stir peoples' souls of all ages! The "Nina" in question is legendary jazz musician, Nina Simone. She, along with Joni Mitchell, are mentioned in the song as examples of people who have "cried power" (in other words, started a revolution). Though many tend to dismiss Hozier as a one-hit wonder, he actually has 7 songs (this one being # 8 in his catalog) that are just as powerful, if not more so, than the one he's known for. His songs will always "cry power" for me! Ditto Mavis Staples, whose star has continued to rise throughout this decade!
"99" by Barns Courtney: 99. 99 WHAT?! Bottles of beer on the wall?! 'Fraid not. It actually isn't 99 of anything, but the year 1999. Prince already sang about the year, famously, but his standpoint was predicting 1999 as a future year. It has now been 19 years SINCE 1999, and Barns Courtney looks back on the year as actually being nostalgic in comparison to what people are currently facing financially. The song is about how Barns once thrived on money and thought he'd be a millionaire, but is now coming to the realization that this is just not so. Sooo...what's gonna happen 20 years from 2020?! I guess we'll never know 'till we get there!
"Teenage Superstar" by Scars on 45: If only Prince was alive today. If he was, he'd know that he's now no longer the only one singing about 1999. In addition to the Barns Courtney entry I talked about previously, this song is ALSO about 1999! Once again, unlike what Prince predicted, the year is being sung about nostalgically instead of apocalyptically. And once again, the song looks at the present as being dismal and disappointing in comparison. Danny Bemrose and Aimee Driver wax nostalgic throughout the song about their glory days when they wanted to BE rock stars. Ever since 2011, their dream has come true...well, sort of. Only a handful of people know who Scars on 45 are. They haven't become near as big as, say, Mumford and Sons, or The Black Keys. But ever since "Give Me Something" came out, the sweet, gentle folk-rock of Scars on 45 has captivated me enough to think of them as rock stars, because their songs have ended up meaning a lot to me over the years!
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