St. Leonards from Around the World

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Nov 282011
 

I love these hidden gems.

St. Leonards is an alt-rock band from Sydney, Australia, whom I’d never heard of until a couple of days ago when I was catching up on my email. Listening to the title track from their recently released EP World Alone, I was instantly riveted. Literally with the first breath of the song, the music drips with emotion, and remains so throughout the track–and indeed, through the rest of the EP.

I can definitely hear influences from bands like The Fray and U2, especially in the voice of the lead singer. But even beyond that, I think the reason this music grips me is that even without catching all the lyrics, it feels honest without being overbearing. Perhaps the only critique I could offer about the song below is that the melody line seemed a bit narrow in its range, but I found myself being quite forgiving on that point because the rest of the music so captured me.

I don’t know how much name recognition St. Leonards carries in Australia, but I surely hope more of their music makes it around the world to these parts. This is an EP I’d certainly keep in my ipod.

St. Leonards “World Alone”

If you like their music, pick up the EP on iTunes:
World Alone - EP - St Leonards

Zweng’s “Needle”–To the Point

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Sep 212011
 

When I took a listen to “Needle,” the opening track of Notes from Needle (Part 1) from L.A. indie-rock outfit Zweng, the first few notes instantly arrested my attention. (That’s a good sign.)

The thing about indie-rock is not even that it comes in so many styles, but also that it comes on so many levels of experimentation. That’s something to celebrate, but the down side is that there are so many bands who are so busy experimenting that a lot of the music is coming out muddled, inaccessible to most people. Too many indie bands just aren’t “hitting the pocket,” as I like to put it.

Make no mistake–Zweng hits the pocket. Dead on.

The musical arrangements on this three-song EP are diverse and highly creative, but still very accessible and interesting to listen to. Ryan Zweng’s voice, the dominant feature on the EP, reminds me a lot of Brian Gibb of Death Cab for Cutie; but the lyrics are a bit darker, more direct and poignant, and the music itself is more raw. Every one of the three songs sounds quite different from the others, but it’s obvious the same band is playing them. With strong songwriting, solid musicianship and melodies that stick in your head, Zweng really hits the mark with this effort.

I get that the whole indie thing is supposed to break from the norms and not have any real “rules” to it–but listening to this record, I can’t help but think that this sets some sort of standard. If indie-rock is “supposed” to be anything in particular, I’d think it would be this.

As the title of the EP suggests, Notes from Needle (Part 1) is the first of three upcoming EP releases that are intended to comprise a full-length record when taken together. In the meantime, while you’re waiting for the rest of it to come out, for the time being you can download the EP for free from Zweng’s Bandcamp site.

Zweng “Needle”

The Psych-Rock of The Sister Ruby Band

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Aug 152011
 

I know it’s probably stupid, but sometimes I feel a bit of apprehension in reviewing a solo artist posing as a band. I dunno, maybe I feel like it’s cheating if one guy played all the instruments on the record–because how the heck is he gonna play all of them LIVE?

And why can’t the guy get a band in the first place?

But the fact is, you can’t argue with talent. And besides, you shouldn’t judge. (After all, maybe someday I’ll be a solo artist with a pretend band name, and how would I like it?) Tongue out of cheek, the fact is, when I took a listen to The Sister Ruby Band (a.k.a., Johnny Ruby), I was honestly impressed. The debut CD In Cold Blood (which drops tomorrow) presents an interesting blend of psychedelic rock and shoegaze, resulting in a buzzy-retro kind of sound. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s got that sort of indescribable “oomph” that this blog is all about.  It’s more than the sum of its parts. Johnny done good.

I’m sorry. Sister Ruby. Sister Ruby done good.

That’s pretty much all I can say about it. The music sort of speaks for itself. Take a listen and see what you think.

The Sister Ruby Band “Straight Into Your Heart”

How Days of Rae Makes Me Want to Hear More

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Jul 282011
 

Picking music to write about is not an exact science for any music blogger. Music is just too subjective for that. For me, out of the many music submissions I get, I choose not just to write about those artists who have all their ducks in a row, but also artists with potential. Also, contrary to common belief, I don’t just write about bands from Denver, although I keep a running joke about that. :) Generally what prompts me to write about a band or act is when something in their music captures my attention, and makes me want to hear more.

Days of Rae falls into that category.

When Cherie Rae Cobbs, part of the wife/husband team that heads up Days of Rae, contacted me to let me know their Minnesota-based act was relocating to Denver, and asked me for my thoughts about their record Naked Maché, I understandably had no idea who they were. But the first few seconds of the first song got my attention, and definitely made me want to hear more. The record contains moments of brilliance with interesting arrangements, catchy melodic hooks (which anyone who reads this blog knows I’m a sucker for), and a unique overall sound.

That isn’t to say the record isn’t without its flaws, or that the band doesn’t have some growing to do. In between those moments of brilliance I spoke of earlier, there are also places where the music feels kind of washed out. As I listened, I found myself sometimes losing interest by a mixture of bland melody lines, pitch/tuning issues and occasional rhythmic sloppiness…and then another moment of brilliance would come and wake me up again.

So, yes, Days of Rae makes me want to hear more–I want to hear more of those moments of brilliance that made me take notice. If I take this record as a snapshot of the band, I’d say Days of Rae definitely has what it takes to make it–they just need to evolve and grow a bit. The elements of greatness are present; now it’s time for those elements to be worked throughout the music like spices in a stew, so they appear throughout the songs, and not just in a few brilliant places.

Geesh, I sound like a chef or something.

So…more, please. I look forward to hearing more from Days of Rae, and since they’re going to be local, I look forward to watching their evolution from here.  Meanwhile, take a listen to “Paperdolls,” the opening track from Naked Maché. IMHO, it’s the catchiest tune on the record–and it’s the song that initially made me want to hear more. And if it makes you want to hear more, you can download the whole record here, and name your price for it.

Days of Rae: “Paperdolls”

Achille Lauro Does the Low Cha Cha

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Jun 182011
 

Indie-rock band Achille Lauro has been a staple in the Denver music scene for several  years, probably better known for their tongue-and-cheekness and their willingness to explore musically than for a particular sound. I (sort of) got to hear them play live once, and the live audio was so terrible, unfortunately (not their fault), that it wouldn’t have been fair to form an opinion of them one way or the other. The only thing I could pick up was that they were solid musicians and showed some sense of promise.

These days, Achille Lauro is continuing to experiment, this time by releasing new songs for their fans a few at a time as opposed to putting out a full-length. Their latest single, “Low Cha Cha,” has put to rest any doubts I might have had about the band’s musicality. Over ninety percent of this five-minute song is a repetition of two chords, but everything over the top of those two chords is nothing short of compelling for me. The vocals by frontman Matt Close are passionate, expressive, almost cinematic, perhaps similar to Brandon Flowers of The Killers in style, if not in tone. Instrumentation, production value–all of it is top-notch.  If you haven’t heard Achille Lauro yet, they deserve a listen. So do it.

Achille Lauro: “Low Cha Cha”

My Body Sings Electric (and Changes Color)

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Jun 022011
 

After a bit of waiting, I finally got my hands on Changing Color, the debut full-length from Denver alt-rockers My Body Sings Electric. This is a band that has been playing a lot around town and gaining a lot of momentum and attention with their high-energy, indie-punk sound.

I had the chance to talk with these guys a few months ago (you can see the article I wrote here), and the impression I got from talking to them was that they are very purposeful, passionate, hard-working and focused. They want to get their music to a wider audience, and they are working a plan to get there.

Listening to their record, I’d say My Body Sings Electric is ready for the larger audience they are seeking. Recorded at Interlace Audio in Portland, Oregon, the record’s production value is outstanding, with quality audio and near-flawless execution. Tight, complex rhythms and riffs played with searing accuracy, overlaid with hooky, singable vocals, make this a great listen all around. The hard work is showing–these guys play extremely well together.

My Body Sings Electric

Take a listen to the record’s single (and my personal favorite), “Step Into the Light,” and if you like their vibe, the whole record is available pretty cheap from their website. Listen for the wailing guitar solo near the end of the track–gives me chills.

My Body Sings Electric: “Step Into The Light”

Afterlife Parade: Death to Life

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May 242011
 

When you hear of a rock band called Afterlife Parade releasing an EP called Death, it might be easy to get the wrong idea–like something dark, macabre, gothic.  But that’s not the case at all with this band. It actually started as a project by Nashville singer/songwriter Quinn Erwin who was trying to process a series of losses that hit close to home. The result is a themed EP that actually takes the listener on a journey processing that sense of loss that death can bring…and musically and thematically, I have to say, I find it brilliant.

Dealing with death in any capacity musically can be a huge risk. Lean too far one way, and you’ll be dark and depressing–and lean too far the other, and you’ll come off as trite.  This record, in my opinion, falls right into the perfect groove between those two extremes, being engaging both lyrically and musically.

I’ve shared the first full track, “Death,” but really this is an EP that should be listened to all the way through. Thankfully, at the present time the full EP is available for free download from the band’s Bandcamp page.

Apparently, Death is just part one of the journey of Afterlife Parade.  A followup EP, Rebirth, is due out soon. After hearing this one…I can’t wait.

Afterlife Parade: “Death”

Download the Death EP from Afterlife Parade here:

Wire Faces: Post-punk Neo-Retro

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May 012011
 

So I just got a listen to Diamonds & Gold, the new EP from Ft. Collins-based post-punk band Wire Faces released in March. I must say I’m surprised that they haven’t shown up on my radar before now. (Not that I’m omniscient or anything…)

Let’s just say it takes a little innovation for a three-piece band to fill the sonic space the way these guys do–they make drums, bass and guitar go a long way, both in musicianship and energy, giving off the pleasant illusion that you’re listening to a bigger band, when actually you’re hearing three guys playing the heck out of three instruments.

As to musical style–to me, Wire Faces has a neo-retro vibe vaguely reminiscent of The Killers, except more guitar driven (i.e., no synth), and a lot less tame. Vocalist/drummer Shane Zweygart, who handles most of the vocal work, frequently lets his voice fly passionately into pitchy territory, but does so in such a way that is actually quite satisfying.

Take a listen to the track “Tame You” from the new EP, and watch the video below from Wire Faces’ first record. See what you think.

Wire Faces: “Tame You”

Download Diamonds & Gold:

Diamonds & Gold - EP - Wire Faces

“Indie Folk Melancholipop”: the whicker and pine

 bands  1 Response »
Apr 242011
 

Brand new on the radar…to the sound of (not so) much fanfare…comes Denver acoustic indie-folk band the whicker and pine.

(Doesn’t ANYONE use upper case anymore?)

Anyhow, just getting started, these guys already show some musical maturity on their debut self-titled EP (which you can download for free from here).  They have a laid-back sound that’s just perfect for a cloudy Sunday morning while enjoying a cup of coffee (which is precisely why–and when–I’m writing this blog post now).

In a recent post on the band’s blog, one of the band mates half-jokingly described their sound as “Indie Folk Melancholipop.”  But that really fits the vibe of the record. It’s just enough “indie” and “alt” to get your attention, but just enough “pop” to make it accessible. Plus, anyone who can come up with a genre name that rhymes with “lollipop” has to have something on the ball.

New bands always have room to grow, and that’s certainly the case here. But the whicker and pine has is already quite easy on the ears, and it will be interesting to see how their sound develops.  Meanwhile, take a listen to the opening track of their EP below, and if you like what you hear–go here to get the rest of it.

the whicker and pine: “stay awake”

The Sundelles: Resurgent not Retro

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Apr 102011
 

I had an interesting experience this morning.  After last listening to the Sundelles song “Can’t Win” one time last week, this morning I woke up to the song playing in my head. Talk about catchy.

While there are a lot of bands and acts out there who are trying to push music forward by pressing the envelope of experimentation (often until you have no grid whatsoever for what’s going on), a number of bands look backward for their inspiration. But even among these bands, I’m discovering a difference between “retro” and “resurgent.” A retro band tends to live in yesteryear (sometimes even dressing the part), recalling the fond memories of days gone by–completely looking backward.  But other bands are shooting for a resurgence; they look backward just enough to get inspiration, and try to bring that music forward into a modern-day context, to make it current and relevant again.

Photo: JM Houle.

Listening to the Sundelles, their 60’s California surf-pop vibe is unmistakable.  But it’s also apparent that these guys aren’t retro; they are resurgent.  They are playing this sound in such a way that it fits the modern day, and makes us fall in love with the sound all over again in a new way.

Bottom line, though: whether a song takes its inspiration from the past or pushes to the future, what makes it stand out is if it is catchy.  Ultimately, that’s why I like the song below, “Can’t Win.”  I don’t like it because of its roots in the past; I like it because it’s catchy.

“Can’t Win” is from the Sundelles’ debut full-length album Georgia Swan.  Give it a listen and see what you think.

Sundelles: “Can’t Win”

Buy the Sundelles on iTunes:
Georgia Swan - Sundelles

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