Stroppies- Look Alive! [EP] (2020)
Posted by KB on 6/29/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
DIY college dorm indie rock with a strong 60's substructure. Think Velvet Underground meets The Go-Betweens, which make sense since The Stroppies are from the land down under. "Look Alive!" has jangle, farfisa organ, double beat drums, tremolo guitars and droning vocals where pitch is a secondary priority. That framework is the engine for songs that have 'we'll-get-there-eventually' starts and quick stops. Those who are a fan of the era where artists were really stretching boundaries and allowed to take artistic chances (1967-1973) will get heart of this release and the band. If you are more on the glossier side of music this probably won't earn space on your play list.
Favorite Songs: Burning Bright, Look Alive
Get CD, or Get Digital
(0) Comments
Hazel English- Wake Up! (2020)
Posted by KB on 6/18/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
Hazel English is another songwriter in this current renaissance of solid women artists (of course IMHO). Her laid back, layered vocal, upbeat dream pop waft through your speakers as if her songs were implanted there. English channels female 60s pop without losing her own integrity. There is even a nuanced Amy Winehouse vibe that can be heard if you listen close enough. It is hard be down in the mouth listening to "Wake Up!". As English is an optimist and even her 'possible' negativity is forgiving. She believes in people and in herself. "Wake Up!" is best when digested in it's entirety- preferably with candles.
Favorite Songs: Shaking, Wake Up!, Off My Mind, Combat
Get CD, or Get Digital
The Magnetic Fields- Quickies (2020)
Posted by KB on 6/9/2020 to
It has to be said that The Magnetic Fields are not everyone's cup of joe. Stephin Merritt's baritone, the ukulele being a primary instrument and songs that are more stage than any pop or rock. Merritt is a modern day Cole Porter with his creative melodies and intelligent wit. Unlike most pop songs a listener can't easily guess the lyrics. There is no questioning his songwriting ability and that he has way too many ideas flopping around inside his brain. "Quickies" theme is just as the title suggests; short songs (ranging from :17 to 2:35) with topics that are snippets of passing thoughts. Taking all that into account, "Quickies" is good with moments of brilliance but it doesn't reach the heights of "69 Love Songs" or "50 Song Memoir". It's a little subdued, not in subject matter but musically. "Quickies" will please fans of TMF but to those new to them I would start with previously mentioned releases (both are tomes).
Favorite Songs: The Day the Politicians Died, My Stupid Boyfriend, (I Want Join A) Biker Gang, Let's Get Drunk Again (And Get Divorced), Best Cup of Coffee in Tennessee
Get CD, or Get Digital
Muncie Girls and Black Mountain (2020)
Posted by KB on 6/5/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
Muncie Girls released a 6 song EP of B-sides that would rival most true releases this year. Every song would could have earned a place on their excellent 2018 "Fixed Ideals". If you are unaware of this English troupe get to know their punky goodness on "B-Sides" that proves this band should be around for a long time.Muncie Girls Bandcamp.
Black Mountain put out two excellent songs that demonstrate this band is continually evolving. Echoes has a dance element to it with electronic flourishes and Flux is Gothic, middle eastern tinged metal. No joke. Black Mountain Bandcamp.
Shopping- All or Nothing (2020)
Posted by KB on 6/4/2020 to
If "All or Nothing" came out during the beginning of the MtV era it would have been the trending release of the mid-80s. Electronic, funky, fast with a sparse, robotic heavy beat. The clubs would rush to be the first to play it and new wavers would scour the music shops for the longbox CD. Shopping is emphatic in their delivery. They are the loudest voice in the room so you're forced to heed them. They are sweaty. Think early B-52s with early Cure and Devo. To the younger set Shopping will be alternative and too those of us of age it is retro-alternative.
Favorite Songs: Initiative, Expert Advice, Body Clock, Trust In Us
Get CD, or Get Digital
BOAT- Tread Lightly (2020)
Posted by KB on 6/3/2020 to
Reviews In Brief
BOAT has the sound of 90's college radio. Jangly, simple, catchy- music you bob your head to and sway with. They don't try to do what they can't do, but they don't sound limited. Besides some vocal layering there are no gimmicks. They just play them as they write them. "Tread Lightly" has songs that range from pop, to edgy rock, to low-fi indie. Leaning mostly toward indie. BOAT's simplicity is their allure. It's easy to connect with and understand. "Tread Lightly" may not blow your mind but you will find yourself inconspicuously into it.
Favorite Songs: (to all the) Sweaty People, Zombie State of Mind, Metabolism
Get CD
