Two weeks in a row for the Don Giovanni label so one major shout out for those guys! This week is the track Crown Royal by Kissing Is A Crime. It starts off fairly steady/simple and when the guitar kicks in, it really pushes the track to another level. The lead vocals hit the sweet spot between a pronounced level without being abrasive and so quiet you cant hear what is being said, which generally sucks. I also wanted to majorly compliment the music video itself for one, for how well it works with the beat of the music, in terms of creativity as well as the timing of the track. You really don't need to have a massive production budget to produce the goods. Looking forward to more crackers from these guys. Enjoy!
New music for me but in reality coming up to two years old is this little wonder: Zero by New Zealand based Fazerdaze. From their 2014 self-titled EP which seems to have gone largely under-rated, Zero comes with a melodic garage tinged guitar line which is offset with the straight up angelic and subduedness of the lead vocals. It takes till the chorus for me to understand how well these two sounds work so well together and help craft a great track. Judging from the SoundCloud hits they are getting, their fan base is ever increasing alongside my excitement for the hopefully soon to be released LP. Enjoy!
A non video video of the week which is just a treat on the eyes this Tuesday. Behind Your Eyes by Big Eyes is off of the bands latest album which was released just this month called Stake My Claim. Lets hope the forthcoming video holds up to the same quality as this 'Official Audio'. The track has the great punk elements that I hear in several other Don Giovanni label-mates, all alongside the vocals which are distinctive and catchy enough to make Big Eyes stand out above the mediocre and humdrum pop-punk bands. Enjoy!
This week I have chose a slightly old track from Philly band Field Mouse. Following their latest LP release I decided to delve into their past catalogue slightly and the video for Tomorrow Is Yesterday was one of the many video gems that popped up. Two and a half minutes of lo-fi grungy goodness from this 5 piece and is a great marker tonally for the rest of the album it is featured on as well as their future release. Expect more great things from this band. Enjoy!
A song to take you right back to mid 00's this week. The classic California by Phantom Planet was such a hit from that time, I was surprised it left my memory even for a second. The band popped up on my recommendations page on AllMusic the other day so as soon as I delved in and started to listen to this song, about 5 seconds in, the memories of being a teenager came flooding back. Many a good time in front of the TV haha. I would beg anyone to listen to this and not be singing along by the end of it. Enjoy!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, my posts are better appreciated late than never. At least it is another reason that helps me go to sleep at night. So anyway yet another absolutely fabulous month of musaac from the likes of Johnny Foriegner, The Julie Ruin, Biffy Clyro and many more to all be checked out HERE. Without any further ado let's start the countdown.
First up at the number 3 position is the self titled Viola Beach album. These guys have produced 9 tracks of jangle-tastic indie rock delight which gives me hints of a more mainstream Peace, which ain't no bad thing. The LP as a whole seems to fly by with charm and sunshine and leaves me constantly in a good mood. Be sure to watch the video below, then go get the record!
In the second place is Blink-182s California. I knew I could count on these guys for another cracking album. Despite the recent line up changes the Blink boys have rarely/never left me disappointed when it comes to the music. Having been released early on in the month, I have listened to this album repeatedly some would say too much. But that should be taken as pure signs to how good the music is. Straight up power blasting out of the gate, you know you are listening to Blink-182 with their classic vocals and musical style that most 20-somethings have become accustomed to. The only rest-bites come from the midway mark Built This Pool and the final Brohemian Rhapsody. Check out the absolute banger Bored To Death below!
And at number Juan with a bullet is NEEDTOBREATHEs Hard Love. This LP easily was my top pick, mainly due to the song Great Night which is the video below. I have equally impressed and shocked myself with the amount I have listened to it over and over again. It must be some kind of magic witchcraft that NTB and Shovels & Rope combined produce that got me so hooked. The rest of the album isn't any slacker either. If Great Night is 12/10 the rest is a solid 10/10 for sure. Melodic and catchy most of the way through, balancing the line of ballady belters and heartfelt jams this is one well crafted album, check them out below!
NPR know what they are doing with this concert. Personally, they have a great eye for talent, and have proved it numerous times and this Lucy Dacus Tiny Desk is no exception. Again I was a newbie to hearing Lucy Dacus but from the first 30 seconds in I knew I was going to be a fan. She has quite a chilled out sound, which some could list under easy listening. For me, its her vocals that hit me the right way, poetry of the smoothest kind with a great musical balance. Now to delve into her LP. Enjoy!
