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!
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
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.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
New songs for March 25th, 2020
here they are:
"Fire" by Black Pumas: The sleek, sophisticated neo-soul music of Black Pumas continues burning up the adult alt charts with their third Triple A radio hit, "Fire". This song should strike a chord with people who were fans of Black Pumas ever since they debuted with "Black Moon Rising", as it continues in the vintage funk/soul direction of that song, as opposed to the folk-soul fusion of their fall '19 hit, "Colors". "Fire" is a song that builds a fire within you...in a good way, of course. The song is a bold declaration of love, with lead singer Eric Burton reassuring his lover that he'll be with her no matter what happens. This is the kind of love we all need these days!
"Salt And the Sea" by The Lumineers: Contrary to their normally sunny sound, The Lumineers are no strangers to dark subject matter. "Salt And the Sea" is the first Lumineers song I've heard so far, though, that sounds as dark as it actually is. The starkness of the song and the fact that it opens with and centers around a minor chord set the tone. As far as Lumineers songs go, "Salt And the Sea" could be likened to a Greek tragedy, with the lead character of the song seeming to plot revenge on his enemy. The ambulances blaring in the background towards the end of the song only add to the disquieting quiet this song has to offer.
"The Buzz" by The Pretenders: A few Pretenders songs from the last 10 years or so, such as "Holy Commotion" and "Boots of Chinese Plastic", have burned with righteous fury. In spite of its edgy title, "The Buzz" is not such a song. However, it does provide a nice fusion of folk-rock and power pop in a way that early Pretenders songs like "Kid" and "Stop Your Sobbing", the latter of which was originally a Kinks song, did. "The Buzz" is basically "Kid - redux", but it is nice to see that Chrissie can still rock it, even softly, after over 40 years of her band's existence. When I saw her without The Pretenders in concert last summer, I was afraid that she had lost her rock and roll spark. With "The Buzz", she's slowly coming back to her senses. Perhaps part of the reason this is a slower song is because the lyrics tell the tale of both a romance gone wrong and how love can be addictive like a drug. Had Chrissie been a newbie at relationships, this song probably would have sounded more raw, but having been through all the experiences she has been through by now, "The Buzz" sounds like a song that came from a defeated lover with a bruised and battered heart.
"Fire" by Black Pumas: The sleek, sophisticated neo-soul music of Black Pumas continues burning up the adult alt charts with their third Triple A radio hit, "Fire". This song should strike a chord with people who were fans of Black Pumas ever since they debuted with "Black Moon Rising", as it continues in the vintage funk/soul direction of that song, as opposed to the folk-soul fusion of their fall '19 hit, "Colors". "Fire" is a song that builds a fire within you...in a good way, of course. The song is a bold declaration of love, with lead singer Eric Burton reassuring his lover that he'll be with her no matter what happens. This is the kind of love we all need these days!
"Salt And the Sea" by The Lumineers: Contrary to their normally sunny sound, The Lumineers are no strangers to dark subject matter. "Salt And the Sea" is the first Lumineers song I've heard so far, though, that sounds as dark as it actually is. The starkness of the song and the fact that it opens with and centers around a minor chord set the tone. As far as Lumineers songs go, "Salt And the Sea" could be likened to a Greek tragedy, with the lead character of the song seeming to plot revenge on his enemy. The ambulances blaring in the background towards the end of the song only add to the disquieting quiet this song has to offer.
"The Buzz" by The Pretenders: A few Pretenders songs from the last 10 years or so, such as "Holy Commotion" and "Boots of Chinese Plastic", have burned with righteous fury. In spite of its edgy title, "The Buzz" is not such a song. However, it does provide a nice fusion of folk-rock and power pop in a way that early Pretenders songs like "Kid" and "Stop Your Sobbing", the latter of which was originally a Kinks song, did. "The Buzz" is basically "Kid - redux", but it is nice to see that Chrissie can still rock it, even softly, after over 40 years of her band's existence. When I saw her without The Pretenders in concert last summer, I was afraid that she had lost her rock and roll spark. With "The Buzz", she's slowly coming back to her senses. Perhaps part of the reason this is a slower song is because the lyrics tell the tale of both a romance gone wrong and how love can be addictive like a drug. Had Chrissie been a newbie at relationships, this song probably would have sounded more raw, but having been through all the experiences she has been through by now, "The Buzz" sounds like a song that came from a defeated lover with a bruised and battered heart.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
beware the Ides of March...
As the world panics over a virus that no one I know personally has contracted, no one seems to know how to deal with the results of its befuddling statistics. This includes musicians. Here are four entries for this week (as if by eerie coincidence, "four" is considered a bad luck number in Japan). Here are this week's entries:
"Caution" by The Killers: "Caution" is what we all need to be taking during this unprecedented time in our lives! The fact that the song has the title it does and was released on the week that it was is pure coincidence, though. Whether that's good coincidence or bad coincidence is a bit hard to say, but what I can say is that it sure sounds good! Fans of groups like The War on Drugs will probably dig this song, dominated by synthesizers in a distinctly Springsteen-ian manner circa the '80s. The lyrics of the song are neither political nor apocalyptic, but rather surrealist, which lead vocalist Brandon Flowers is no stranger to in terms of the words and phrases he puts into his songs. Adding to the already gung-ho dynamic of the song is the song's surprise guitar solo that it ends on, played by none other than Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham! When the going gets tough, the tough certainly get going here!
"Domino" by Nicole Atkins: It's the end of the world as we know it (so far), and Nicole Atkins feels fine! In the sleek, funky song, "Domino", she lets the world know she's not gonna go down without a fight! "I'm not gonna play safe and sound when the world comes tumbling down", Nicole sings during the chorus. Partially inspired by musicians like Prince, "Domino" could be for 2020 what the song "1999" was to 1984, a disaster warning disguised as a fun party song. The title of the song comes from how Nicole feels watching society "fall, like dominoes". Two songs into this week's blog, and my anxiety is through the roof already. Not exactly a good thing, is it?! I suppose that's what music is for, though!
"4 American Dollars" by U.S. Girls: This song was actually released a few weeks before the world went into panic mode, but this song still deals with rather dark subject matter nonetheless. Like our previous entry for this week, this song is also a funky party song on the surface with a bleaker message underneath. "You can do a lot with 4 American dollars", lead singer Meg Remy sings during the chorus, before going into how, "No matter how much you get to have, you will still die and that's the only thing". Wow...ummm...thanks?! I suppose this serves as a good reminder to all of us that even if we are poor, a few scraps of money is better than none at all, but as the whole WORLD heads into poverty, this message isn't exactly the most comforting thing in the world. Perhaps that was intentional, though.
"Temple" by Thao with The Stay Down Get Down: Our last entry for the week still brings us no comfort during increasingly dark times. This song is about how lead singer Thao Nguyen lost her city. She goes into great detail to describe her loss, too, mentioning helicopter blades, thick smoke, and even war. A mere 40-ish years ago, the radio was blasting songs about how we built this city (WHICH city is unknown, though) on rock and roll...now we have lost our cities with rock and roll. Electric guitars set to a funky beat tell the saddening story of Thao's struggle to survive. The year mentioned in the song was 1973, but it seems even more relevant now, sadly.
"Caution" by The Killers: "Caution" is what we all need to be taking during this unprecedented time in our lives! The fact that the song has the title it does and was released on the week that it was is pure coincidence, though. Whether that's good coincidence or bad coincidence is a bit hard to say, but what I can say is that it sure sounds good! Fans of groups like The War on Drugs will probably dig this song, dominated by synthesizers in a distinctly Springsteen-ian manner circa the '80s. The lyrics of the song are neither political nor apocalyptic, but rather surrealist, which lead vocalist Brandon Flowers is no stranger to in terms of the words and phrases he puts into his songs. Adding to the already gung-ho dynamic of the song is the song's surprise guitar solo that it ends on, played by none other than Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham! When the going gets tough, the tough certainly get going here!
"Domino" by Nicole Atkins: It's the end of the world as we know it (so far), and Nicole Atkins feels fine! In the sleek, funky song, "Domino", she lets the world know she's not gonna go down without a fight! "I'm not gonna play safe and sound when the world comes tumbling down", Nicole sings during the chorus. Partially inspired by musicians like Prince, "Domino" could be for 2020 what the song "1999" was to 1984, a disaster warning disguised as a fun party song. The title of the song comes from how Nicole feels watching society "fall, like dominoes". Two songs into this week's blog, and my anxiety is through the roof already. Not exactly a good thing, is it?! I suppose that's what music is for, though!
"4 American Dollars" by U.S. Girls: This song was actually released a few weeks before the world went into panic mode, but this song still deals with rather dark subject matter nonetheless. Like our previous entry for this week, this song is also a funky party song on the surface with a bleaker message underneath. "You can do a lot with 4 American dollars", lead singer Meg Remy sings during the chorus, before going into how, "No matter how much you get to have, you will still die and that's the only thing". Wow...ummm...thanks?! I suppose this serves as a good reminder to all of us that even if we are poor, a few scraps of money is better than none at all, but as the whole WORLD heads into poverty, this message isn't exactly the most comforting thing in the world. Perhaps that was intentional, though.
"Temple" by Thao with The Stay Down Get Down: Our last entry for the week still brings us no comfort during increasingly dark times. This song is about how lead singer Thao Nguyen lost her city. She goes into great detail to describe her loss, too, mentioning helicopter blades, thick smoke, and even war. A mere 40-ish years ago, the radio was blasting songs about how we built this city (WHICH city is unknown, though) on rock and roll...now we have lost our cities with rock and roll. Electric guitars set to a funky beat tell the saddening story of Thao's struggle to survive. The year mentioned in the song was 1973, but it seems even more relevant now, sadly.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
In celebration of Women's Day
Three days after International Women's Day, we have three songs that are all done BY women! So here goes:
"Garden Song" by Phoebe Bridgers: Phoebe Bridgers' vocals are naturally soothing. They still are in her latest tune, the Nico-esque "Garden Song", but here she trips things up a bit in a few different ways. First, it seems like the song skips a bit throughout, although this is intentional. Phoebe's breathy vocals and calming music contrast with the skipping of the rhythm here. The weirdest part, though, is the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u8rIx65QgA). Phoebe warns those with epilepsy not to watch it. I did not watch the whole thing since this is a potential problem with me, but I saw parts of it and couldn't help but notice that in some of the video, it looks like she's being snuggled by what look like cheap, store bought versions of "Sesame Street"s Mr. Snuffleupagus! Ummmm....WHAT?! As Snuffy himself has been known to say, "Ohhhh...dear!!"
"Stay With Me" by Margaret Glaspy: Margaret Glaspy debuted during the rather tumultuous year of 2016, and her cynical, world weary views and raspy vocals fit right in with the attitude of the time! Four years later, things haven't gotten much better, so we could use Margaret's cynicalness once again. Though her pessimistic attitude and sarcastic lyrics remain in her latest song, "Stay With Me", her sound is a little different this time. The grunge-meets-blues-rock electric guitars of her 2016 songs have been replaced here by synths and acoustic guitars, which tend to offset her caustic, timely lyrics, like, "Who's the clown and who's the savior?" This lyrical refrain could refer to a strained relationship, but it's possible that it could also refer to the condition of how things have been in the United States, where people just can't seem to tell if their "leader" truly is one anymore.
"The Steps" by Haim: Sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, known all together by their last name, had one of the most deceptively catchy tunes of last summer with "Summer Girl", which sounded sweet on the surface but was actually inspired by the cancer diagnosis that Danielle Haim's boyfriend received a few years prior. The fact that the trio showed off their bathing suits in a way that was both silly and sexy in the song's video only further distanced itself from what the song was really about. In "The Steps", Haim make their subject matter clearer. Though the song features sunny, Lindsey Buckingham inspired guitar playing on the surface, there is now an obvious undercurrent of angst in the lead vocals of the song. "The Steps" centers its lyrics around domestic strife within relationships and its video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2O_xa8cems) also depicts the difficulties they experience in their day-to-day lives. As in the "Summer Girl" video, all three members of Haim are in states of undress on the video for "The Steps", but it is not necessarily meant to be sexy here, and it certainly isn't meant to be silly. Instead, it's meant to tell what it's like for them to wake up in the morning, only to deal with frustration even from the moment the day begins. Relationships can be such a chore sometimes! Both the video and the song for "The Steps" exemplify how this can be so!
"Garden Song" by Phoebe Bridgers: Phoebe Bridgers' vocals are naturally soothing. They still are in her latest tune, the Nico-esque "Garden Song", but here she trips things up a bit in a few different ways. First, it seems like the song skips a bit throughout, although this is intentional. Phoebe's breathy vocals and calming music contrast with the skipping of the rhythm here. The weirdest part, though, is the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u8rIx65QgA). Phoebe warns those with epilepsy not to watch it. I did not watch the whole thing since this is a potential problem with me, but I saw parts of it and couldn't help but notice that in some of the video, it looks like she's being snuggled by what look like cheap, store bought versions of "Sesame Street"s Mr. Snuffleupagus! Ummmm....WHAT?! As Snuffy himself has been known to say, "Ohhhh...dear!!"
"Stay With Me" by Margaret Glaspy: Margaret Glaspy debuted during the rather tumultuous year of 2016, and her cynical, world weary views and raspy vocals fit right in with the attitude of the time! Four years later, things haven't gotten much better, so we could use Margaret's cynicalness once again. Though her pessimistic attitude and sarcastic lyrics remain in her latest song, "Stay With Me", her sound is a little different this time. The grunge-meets-blues-rock electric guitars of her 2016 songs have been replaced here by synths and acoustic guitars, which tend to offset her caustic, timely lyrics, like, "Who's the clown and who's the savior?" This lyrical refrain could refer to a strained relationship, but it's possible that it could also refer to the condition of how things have been in the United States, where people just can't seem to tell if their "leader" truly is one anymore.
"The Steps" by Haim: Sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim, known all together by their last name, had one of the most deceptively catchy tunes of last summer with "Summer Girl", which sounded sweet on the surface but was actually inspired by the cancer diagnosis that Danielle Haim's boyfriend received a few years prior. The fact that the trio showed off their bathing suits in a way that was both silly and sexy in the song's video only further distanced itself from what the song was really about. In "The Steps", Haim make their subject matter clearer. Though the song features sunny, Lindsey Buckingham inspired guitar playing on the surface, there is now an obvious undercurrent of angst in the lead vocals of the song. "The Steps" centers its lyrics around domestic strife within relationships and its video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2O_xa8cems) also depicts the difficulties they experience in their day-to-day lives. As in the "Summer Girl" video, all three members of Haim are in states of undress on the video for "The Steps", but it is not necessarily meant to be sexy here, and it certainly isn't meant to be silly. Instead, it's meant to tell what it's like for them to wake up in the morning, only to deal with frustration even from the moment the day begins. Relationships can be such a chore sometimes! Both the video and the song for "The Steps" exemplify how this can be so!
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
New songs for March 4th, 2020
"Color My Life" by Chicano Batman: Chicano Batman are a band who are as quirky and fun as their name would suggest! They had a significant adult alt radio hit in early 2017 with the organ driven, '60s sounding, "Friendship (Is A Small Boat In A Storm)". They seemed to go as quickly as they came once that song lost its "new" status, but after an absence of three years, Chicano Batman are back again. Their newest song, "Color My Life", sounds more like '70s funk than '60s psychedelia, but it's still as fun and flavorful as ever! Even the opening line, "Are you a lucid dream?", is worth mentioning, as it doesn't seem like your typical lyrical opening. Chicano Batman have certainly succeeded in coloring my life here, and hopefully they'll do the same for you!
"Don't Believe" by The Psychedelic Furs: The most heavily anticipated song of this week is from a band who hasn't had a big hit since the mid 1980's! '80s movie director, John Hughes, made the Furs a household name with "Pretty In Pink", which was named after the Psychedelic Furs' sleek, Bowie-esque song from the early '80s of the same name. The spooky yet intriguing "Love My Way" and the beautifully haunting "The Ghost In You" are other Furs songs that defined the 1980's. So how do they sound over 30 years later?! Fantastic, actually! "Don't Believe" sounds like David Bowie trying to record a Nirvana song, with its angry yet melodic swirl of guitars, synths, and saxophones ready to pummel the listener the first time he/she hears it! Lead singer Richard Butler attacks religious and financial institutions throughout the song, getting us outside our comfort zones to question authority once and for all!
"Little Bit Sweet" by The Wood Brothers: The Wood Brothers normally give off the vibes of a roots-y jam band. "Little Bit Sweet" continues this sound, but adds an indie-folk slant that they haven't really attempted before (to my knowledge). The guitars here have a particular distortion that makes them sound kind of quaint and "lo-fi" without going into territory that's too avant-garde. There are no particularly distinguishing factors about this song that make it stand out, but it's a cute little ditty that's arrived just in time for the upcoming spring season.
"Don't Believe" by The Psychedelic Furs: The most heavily anticipated song of this week is from a band who hasn't had a big hit since the mid 1980's! '80s movie director, John Hughes, made the Furs a household name with "Pretty In Pink", which was named after the Psychedelic Furs' sleek, Bowie-esque song from the early '80s of the same name. The spooky yet intriguing "Love My Way" and the beautifully haunting "The Ghost In You" are other Furs songs that defined the 1980's. So how do they sound over 30 years later?! Fantastic, actually! "Don't Believe" sounds like David Bowie trying to record a Nirvana song, with its angry yet melodic swirl of guitars, synths, and saxophones ready to pummel the listener the first time he/she hears it! Lead singer Richard Butler attacks religious and financial institutions throughout the song, getting us outside our comfort zones to question authority once and for all!
"Little Bit Sweet" by The Wood Brothers: The Wood Brothers normally give off the vibes of a roots-y jam band. "Little Bit Sweet" continues this sound, but adds an indie-folk slant that they haven't really attempted before (to my knowledge). The guitars here have a particular distortion that makes them sound kind of quaint and "lo-fi" without going into territory that's too avant-garde. There are no particularly distinguishing factors about this song that make it stand out, but it's a cute little ditty that's arrived just in time for the upcoming spring season.
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