Top 30 Songs for December 2-8, 2018

1. LOADING ZONES – Kurt Vile (1) 3rd week #1
2. MY BLOOD – twenty one pilots (3)
3. IN MY MIND – Draft Evader (5)
4. GUIDING LIGHT – Mumford & Sons (10)
5. NINA CRIED POWER – Hozier featuring Mavis Staples (2)
6. UH HUH – Jade Bird (8)
7. HAPPIER – Marshmello featuring Bastille (9)
8. HURT PEOPLE – Two Feet featuring Madison Love (13)
9. BODY TALKS – The Struts (6)
10. SHE’S KEROSENE – The Interrupters (7)
11. ALL MY FRIENDS – The Revivalists (4)
12. SHAME – Elle King (12)
13. SUPERWOMAN SWAY – Brett Vogel (14)
14. UNREALITIES – Dying Habit (15)
15. YOU’RE SOMEBODY ELSE – flora cash (16)
16. THESE ARE MY FRIENDS – lovelytheband (17)
17. HIGH HOPES – Panic! At the Disco (N)
18. GHOST – Badflower (11)
19. VISIONS – Dirty Heads featuring Kitten (20)
20. MAKE IT UP AS I GO – Mike Shinoda featuring K.Flay (21)
21. “99” – Barns Courtney (23)
22. WANDER – Vox Eagle featuring Pierre Fontaine (24)
23. IN THE WATER – The Underground Vault (25)
24. TIDAL WAVE – Portugal.The Man (18)
25. DIZZY – The Million Reasons (19) 19th week on chart
26. BACK DOWN – Bob Moses (30)
27. FOREVER – Billy Raffoul (22)
28. THANK U, NEXT – Ariana Grande (N)
29. YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN – Billie Eilish (27)
30. DELTA BLUES – Jetstream (N)

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT – EVERY LOVELY THING

I’m always intrigued by the names musicians and bands come up with for themselves, especially when they’re interesting, clever or unusual. I recently ran across an act with a particularly nice moniker – Every Lovely Thing, an aptly-named music duo from Dayton, Ohio consisting of singer-songwriters Marianne Kesler and Kate Stanton. Long-time friends, the two share a passion for music, and one day in 2015 while having coffee together they decided to collaborate on writing a song. Marianne was already an established singer-songwriter, having written and recorded her own songs, but it was the first time she collaborated with another to write songs, and it was a totally new experience for Kate.

One song eventually turned into twenty and, now that they had a repertoire of songs, they decided they needed a name for their project. In an interview with Ohio-based webzine The Crazy Mind, the ladies explained the inspiration behind their name: “Our tagline is ‘songwriting duo creating beauty out of brokenness one note at a time’ and the name Every Lovely Thing is echoing that concept. It came to mind while reading lines from the Bible, “ … Whatsoever things are lovely … think on these things”.” Their pleasing sound can be best be described as ambient dream pop, characterized by beguiling melodies, delicate instrumentation and sublime, harmonizing vocals. Kate plays piano, keyboard, and synths, while Marianne plays acoustic guitar on most songs. Kate sings lead vocals on many of their songs, with Marianne providing the counter-parts and harmonies.

In August 2016, they headed to St. Louis to record their first single “Running” with producer Ben Kesler at Red Pill Studios. The song was released later than month, with the accompanying video released on October 1st. It’s an arresting song with a quiet intensity. The simple but hauntingly beautiful piano-driven melody, accompanied by gentle percussion and spare synths, create a somewhat somber, yet hopeful mood for the poignant lyrics. “Thinking of who I used to be. My brokenness is all I see. I keep pretending to be free. The past has made a fool of me. / How far? How long? I keep running.” They explain that the song is about toxic relationships, but rather than the term “running” meaning to flee from problems, it’s intended to represent “a healthy acceptance of ourselves, and of moving (or running) toward the freedom of positive life-affirming boundaries.”

Their follow-up single, “Not the Only One” was released in April 2018. About this track, the ladies state: “We feel the song is very accessible … probably everyone can relate to feeling like they are the only one in some situation during their life. One favorite line is ‘weighed down with sorrow so much deeper than our own’.” The enchanting song has a similar haunting quality as “Running,” with Kate’s delicate piano notes, but this time includes Marianne’s soothing acoustic guitar and pleasing drums played by Luke DeJaynes.  Kate’s vocals are soft and lovely, and when combined with Marianne’s backing harmonies, the result is an incredibly moving and beautiful song.

The ladies have recorded a number of songs, five of which are available for streaming or purchase on Bandcamp, and have been performing them and additional songs at gigs in and around Dayton. Here’s a video montage of a performance in Springfield, Ohio in October 2017:

They just released a new video of their latest single “Can You Show Me,” and strike gold once again with their compelling lyrics, sweet melodies and gorgeous vocal harmonies. Marianne’s acoustic guitar takes center stage on this song, accompanied by Kate’s delicate keyboard and other synth sounds. The song speaks of searching for  spiritual guidance to help overcome fear and self-doubt, and guide one’s path forward in life:

Black hole blinding vision obscured 
Panic rising terror incurred 

Fallen trembling shaken and stirred 
Waking wanting awaiting your word 

Watching wondering 
Longing listening 
Breathing, beholding everything that’s You … 

Where will I go? 
How will I know? 
Which way leads home? 
Can you show me? 

The lovely video for the track, which they produced, shows scenes of Marianne wandering around her town as if in search of something, discovering clues painted on rocks hidden in various spots.

Every Lovely Thing are two very talented singer-songwriter-musicians who together create beautiful, uplifting music that’s pleasing to the ear and soothing to the soul. I look forward to following Kate and Marianne on their musical journey, and hearing their new song creations.

Follow Every Lovely Thing on Twitter / Instagram
Stream their music on Spotify / Apple Music  
Purchase on Bandcamp / cdbabyiTunes / Amazon

TRIPLE CREEK – Single Review: “Torn Down Whole”

Triple Creek

Triple Creek is a four-piece rock band based in Columbus, Ohio who play straight-up classic-sounding rock with just the right touch of the blues. Consisting of Brannon Criner (lead vocals), Tom “TC” Cummings (guitar), Brian Rellinger (bass) and Nick Brady (drums), all are seasoned musicians with experience playing with other bands and music projects in and around the Bowling Green, Ohio area. They formed in 2017 as a cover band, but have recently begun recording their own original songs. Brian told me the two singles they’ve recorded thus far were previously written by Brannon, but had never been recorded. The songs had been written for an acoustic guitar, but the band added a rock feel to them, and in August they released their first single, the bluesy “What’s Your Name.” On November 15, they followed up with a second single “Torn Down Whole,” which I’m reviewing today.

The dark song opens with Brian’s funky little bass riff, then TC’s gnarly guitars enter the scene, accompanied by Nick’s nimble drumming, which is quite impressive. As the track progresses, we hear TC’s bluesy and distorted guitars that add dramatic tension to the song. Brannon’s heartfelt vocals perfectly convey the sad sense of resignation and despair expressed in the lyrics. He explained that the song tells the sad story of a relationship gone bad, and the guy in the song is despondent at seeing the other person go on to flourish and prosper, while he remains torn down and depressed.

Angels fall down on me 
Sunrays pour on you 
Ashes burn in complicity 
Reconciled a drought by few 

Burn in hell and be replenished 
For the dead world to view 
Love is gone life almost finished 
My soul is pissed on you 

Torn down whole again 
All what we had was sin 
Questions scream never heard 
Emotions lifeless deep within 
Torn down dark and grey 
Pages burned and blown away 
Crippled by thoughts of discussion 
torn down torn down whole again 

Take a listen to this very fine song:

To learn more about Triple Creek, check out their Website
Follow them on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Stream their music on  Spotify / Apple Music
Purchase on Bandcamp / Amazon

THE AUTUMN STONES – EP Review: “Into the Light”

Autumn Stones EP

The Autumn Stones are a Toronto, Canada-based band who play music that’s difficult to label as any particular genre, but who cares, really, so long as it sounds great. Their beautiful, pleasing sound incorporates elements of alternative rock, dream pop, jazz, and what the band refers to as “literary rock,” which I take to mean songs built around intelligent, thoughtful lyrics – which theirs have in abundance. Another aspect of their music is their use of a wide array of instruments, especially saxophone and organ that, along with their signature gorgeous jangly guitars, creates a lush soundscape for their wonderful songs.

Autumn Stones

Formed in 2009, the band’s current lineup consists of founding member Ciaran Megahey (vocals & guitar), Marcus Tamm (bass), Dan Dervaitis (guitar, keys, piano), Gary Butler (sax & keyboards) and Raymond Cara (drums & percussion).  They released their debut album Companions of the Flame in 2011, followed by Escapists in 2015, which I reviewed in 2016. In June of this year, they dropped their third album Emperor Twilight, a stunning work that I also reviewed. Now they’re back with a new four-track EP Into the Light, which dropped November 23. Like Emperor Twilight, the EP was co-produced by The Autumn Stones and Andy Magoffin, and is described by the band as a companion piece to the album.

First up is the title track “Into the Light.” Band frontman Megahey explains about its creation: “We were working on ‘Into the Light’ around the same time as the album sessions, but it wasn’t quite ready to record. Simultaneously, we all felt it was among our strongest songs and couldn’t wait to realize it fully. I’m glad we took the time to fine-tune it and now the track gets its own spotlight in this EP release.” The wait was certainly worthwhile, as “Into the Light” is magnificent. The gorgeous track features layers of exuberant jangly guitars, along with warm saxophone, both hallmarks of The Autumn Stones’ beguiling sound. Megahey’s smooth vocals are sublime, with a seductive quality that also manages to convey a sense of vulnerability. The lovely sax notes on this track were played by Paul White.

The second track “Hardwired” is a terrific pop-rock song with jazzy undertones, courtesy of Gary Butler’s wonderful strutting sax. The guitar work is great too, and the distorted flourishes at the end make for a nice finish. Megahey sings of his hedonism: “My dirty brain is like a slave. It’s like a beatnick. I’ve seen the light. I found the truth. It doesn’t hide. It doesn’t need to. I’m hardwired.” “Higher” soars with lots of soulful sax and fantastic jangly guitars, accompanied by Marcus Tamm’s deep bass and Ray Cara’s crisp percussion.

The Bigger They Fail” is an acoustic version of a song by the same name that appeared on Emperor Twilight, and was previously released as a B-side to that single. Like the original, it’s a hauntingly beautiful dreampop song that reminds me a bit of “Under the Milky Way’ by The Church. This stripped-down version features only acoustic guitar, piano and a bit of tambourine, but is still every bit as stunning and compelling as the original. And it goes without saying that Megahey’s vocals are bewitching as always.

Like all their releases, Into the Light is perfection from start to finish. I love the Autumn Stones’ music, and will likely continue to feature all of their future musical offerings. They will be launching Into the Light with a show at Toronto’s Monarch Tavern on December 8, with guests TBA.

Connect with The Autumn Stones:  Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Stream their music:  Spotify / Apple Music
Purchase:  iTunesBandcamp

DAVID OAKES – Album Review: “Elevation”

I’m still in Wales (figuratively speaking, having just reviewed the Welsh band Revolution Rabbit Deluxe), this time to shine my spotlight on musician David Oakes. Based in the coastal town of Aberporth, he’s a creative and prolific composer of electronic alternative rock music, as well as a damn fine guitarist. Over the past five years or so, he’s produced a tremendous output of instrumental music, ranging from the guitar-driven melodic rock of his brilliant 2014 work The Calm and the Storm, to the gorgeous atmospherics of The Dawn and the Dusk, the dark experimentation of Sturm Und Drang, and the aggressive hard rock of TheMENACE, for which he also added his own vocals for the first time.

My regular readers may recall that I’ve previously featured him on this blog twice this year, first in May when I reviewed his fantastic album TheMENACE, then a month later when I followed up with an interview. David has now recorded a new album Elevation, which is scheduled for official release in early January, but is available for digital download now on Bandcamp.

David Oakes2

Elevation is structured in eight parts or tracks, sort of how a long classical piece is arranged into movements. Part 1 is a great introduction, setting the tone for what’s to come with moody ambient synths, a pounding drumbeat and an ominous-sounding mix of jangly and distorted guitar riffs that gradually build to a crescendo by the four-minute mark. It all calms back down to the hypnotic cadence we heard in the introduction, and continues through to the outro, accompanied by bits of David’s intricate guitar work that make for a satisfying listen.

Part 2 continues to build on the tension introduced in Part 1, and really showcases David’s stellar guitar playing, not to mention his impressive drum skills. Part 3 brings more jaw-dropping guitar work, with some tasty bits of funk occasionally injected into to the mix. I also love the hard-driving drumbeat, always a big plus for me. Part 4 conjures up images of the Arabian Nights, with layers of intricate guitar and exotic-sounding synths lending a somewhat dangerous vibe. This feeling continues in Part 5, with gritty chugging riffs augmented with chiming guitars, and a deep buzzing bass line providing a sturdy foundation for this powerful track.

Part 6 features moody synths and layers of multi-textured guitars that create an ominous soundscape. I especially like the dark piano synths that appear later in the track, further adding to the song’s overall brooding vibe. David shifts direction on Part 7 with a somewhat jazzy feel and catchy as hell tempo. He uses horn synths, bluesy riffs and a deep, humming bass line to create a fantastic and exhilarating song.  It’s one of my favorite tracks on the album, as I love its urgency and deliriously infectious melody. He really lets loose on the final track Part 8, with furiously pounding drumbeats and frantic riffs of joyously upbeat guitars. It’s an exuberant and celebratory head-banger, and the perfect track to finish the set.

I love this album, which gets better with each listen, as there’s a lot of nuance to David’s compositions and guitar work. If you’re a fan of guitar-driven instrumental rock, then Elevation should be part of your collection.

Stream his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud
Elevation will be officially released on all major music platforms on January 4, 2019, but is currently available for download on Bandcamp

REVOLUTION RABBIT DELUXE – Album Review: “Tales From Armageddonsville”

Revolution Rabbit Deluxe

Being a music blogger who’s earned a reputation for writing reviews, I receive a continuous stream of requests from indie artists and bands to listen to – and hopefully review – their music. So it was a pleasant surprise when I was contacted by Welsh band Revolution Rabbit Deluxe (is that not a great band name!) about their debut album Tales From Armageddonsville. I gave a few songs a listen and was immediately intrigued by their lively, Brit-rock sound and deep, thought-provoking lyrics.

Revolution Rabbit Deluxe began as a solo act by guitarist & vocalist Revolution Rabbit (RR), but eventually grew into a four-piece band with the addition of three very talented ladies: May Dupp (guitar, vocals), Una Corne (drums, vocals) and Chanda Lear (bass, vocals). How can you not love a band with such a sense of humor? In their bio, they describe themselves thusly:

Revolution Rabbit Deluxe live in one house, just like the Monkees, and in between writing, recording and gigging, they tour the world looking for suitable crimes to solve. They lost their summer jobs as archaeologists on Time Team after a drunken lunchtime argument with Tony Robinson led to an unfortunate incident with a toilet, some dynamite, and a very angry, wet, red-faced, tender-assed TV host. To this day, Tony twitches violently when he passes a lavatory.

The album kicks off to a rousing start with “Tarred and Feathered,” a pointed attack on racism and inequality that are institutionalized by the state: “When you’re judge and jury to approve but are disapproving. / Our best qualities are arrogance and pride.”  The band delivers chugging riffs of gritty guitars set to a hard-driving beat and strutting bass line. The piano keys used throughout the track provide a nice melodic counterpoint to the guitars, making for quite an exciting and powerful song.

The band takes on cultural and media mind-control on “Pavlov’s Dogs,” driving home their message with a barrage of punchy guitars, fuzzy riffs, screeching synths and thumping drumbeats. RR fervently laments of the false expectations we fall victim to: “See that girl, she’s so unhappy. Thinks her life should be like the silver screen. Sometimes she wants to scream./ The video is so seductive. Feeds the dream, but denies the needs.”

One of my favorite tracks is “In God We Trust,” a song that calls into question one’s faith in God with an air that exists somewhere between a catchy Beach Boys-esque vibe and a darker psychedelic tone. RR implores “Save me, why don’t you save me?” He goes on to ask why not save a whole assortment of entities that society deems ‘undesirable’ – like the hookers, the pushers, the pimps, the dealers, the one-parent family and the union local. He finally caustically beseeches “And while you’re at it, you can save the man. And while you’re at it, save the man in the moon!

I Can’t Change Your Mind” speaks to mental illness, with jangly guitars and spooky synths that lend a strong 80s feel. RR laments of his feelings of loneliness and irrelevance: “I’m alone here in the dark. / Please don’t throw in scraps of hope. / Fade away, I fade away. A shadow lost on sunny days” while a backing chorus whisper/sings the refrain “I cannot take much more. I cannot change your mind” throughout the track.

The terrific lo-fi guitar-driven tracks “Going Solo” and “Chords Played All Wrong” would have been right at home on the Beatles’ White Album, and “Blackwood Calling” has a throwback 60s Brit-rock vibe, but with an early 80s New Wave sensibility. More grungy lo-fi goodness abounds on “Helen Needs,” a song about a woman looking for relief from her negativity and self-pity. “Helen needs another love song. Spitting sweetness from her headphones.” I especially like the quirky little guitar notes and powerful drumbeat that continue throughout the track.

Another favorite of mine is the hard-hitting and provocative “Whore?” – a song that, in the band’s words, “deconstructs the modern Western family and asks why so many people in the Third World suffer to give us our standard of living.” “You perfect family, for you it’s milk and honey, while for others it’s a river of blood.” The song has a bit of a Depeche Mode vibe, with its strong, crunchy guitars, spacey synths and the kind of heavy, mesmerizing beat that I love. “Catechisms Cataclysms” urges us to change our wicked ways for the betterment of the world, delivered with a barrage of gritty guitars and a hard-driving beat.

Armageddonsville” closes out the album with an ominous warning of the consequences of our wicked ways. The track opens with late 80s-sounding techno synths and a strummed guitar as RR cautions: “It’s getting hotter and they say we’re gonna fry. The ice is melting, polar bears are gonna die. Spilling blood for oil, it makes me want to cry.”  The guitars, bass and drums intensify to become a tumultuous onslaught, driving home the seriousness of the subject matter. RR wails “Welcome stranger, take a seat and say a prayer. There’s nothing else to do in Armageddonsville.”

Tales From Armageddonsville is a fine work, and succeeds quite nicely as a concept album that speaks to a number of thorny issues currently facing Western societies. The songwriting, lyrics, instrumentation and arrangements are all exceptional, and I enjoyed this album immensely.

To learn more about Revolution Rabbit Deluxe check out their Website and follow them on Facebook & Twitter
Stream on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud
Purchase on Bandcamp / iTunes

Top 30 Songs for November 25-December 1, 2018

1. LOADING ZONES – Kurt Vile (1)
2. NINA CRIED POWER – Hozier featuring Mavis Staples (2)
3. MY BLOOD – twenty one pilots (5)
4. ALL MY FRIENDS – The Revivalists (4)
5. IN MY MIND – Draft Evader (8)
6. BODY TALKS – The Struts (6)
7. SHE’S KEROSENE – The Interrupters (7)
8. UH HUH – Jade Bird (9)
9. HAPPIER – Marshmello featuring Bastille (10)
10. GUIDING LIGHT – Mumford & Sons (11)
11. GHOST – Badflower (3)
12. SHAME – Elle King (14)
13. HURT PEOPLE – Two Feet featuring Madison Love (15)
14. SUPERWOMAN SWAY – Brett Vogel (16)
15. UNREALITIES – Dying Habit (17)
16. YOU’RE SOMEBODY ELSE – flora cash (18)
17. THESE ARE MY FRIENDS – lovelytheband (19)
18. TIDAL WAVE – Portugal.The Man (13)
19. DIZZY – The Million Reasons (12) 18th week on chart
20. VISIONS – Dirty Heads featuring Kitten (21)
21. MAKE IT UP AS I GO – Mike Shinoda featuring K.Flay (23)
22. FOREVER – Billy Raffoul (26)
23. “99” – Barns Courtney (27)
24. WANDER – Vox Eagle featuring Pierre Fontaine (28)
25. IN THE WATER – The Underground Vault (29)
26. BURN THE HOUSE DOWN – AJR (20)
27. YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN – Billie Eilish (30)
28. PANIC – Agency Panic (22)
29. CLOSER – IAMWARFACE (25) 19th week on chart
30. BACK DOWN – Bob Moses (N)

JAMES BAKIAN – Single Review: “Terrified”

James Bakian Terrified

James Bakian is an exceptionally talented, hard working and charismatic young singer/songwriter from London, England. He wrote his first song at the age of six, began studying piano at seven, and released his first EP By Your Side in 2016 when he was only 13. In the two years since, the prolific musician has continued recording and building a loyal fan base. He released his appropriately-named second EP Unstoppable – a really fine effort featuring six tracks – in late 2017 (which I reviewed), and so far in 2018 has released an astonishing 12 singles, the latest of which is “Terrified,” which drops today, November 23.

Now 15, James possesses a phenomenal vocal styling with a depth and maturity beyond his years. He writes all his own lyrics and music, records all the instruments, and is now even producing his songs. I’ve been following him for about two years, and it’s gratifying to watch him grow professionally and hear his vocals and music style get better and better as he matures. He was recently a Featured Artist on BBC Radio London’s BBC Introducing show, where his song “Ice Cold” was played.

“Terrified” is a lovely, soulful track, with sublime jazzy synths set to a gentle drum loop. James’ tinkling piano keys are exquisite, driving the delicate melody forward and creating a beautiful backdrop for his smooth, heartfelt vocals that speak to feeling lost, aimless and alone, without purpose or love in his life. James states that it’s “about someone going through a dark time but choosing to remember and hope for the good times, and reaching out for help.” Despite his youth, he manages to convey the sense of pain and despair expressed in the lyrics in a way that’s believable and convincing. It’s another stellar effort from James that only bolsters my belief that this talented young man has a very bright and promising future.

Connect with James:  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Stream his music on  Spotify / Soundcloud / Apple Music
Purchase on  iTunes

Top 30 Songs for November 18-24, 2018

1. LOADING ZONES – Kurt Vile (3)
2. NINA CRIED POWER – Hozier featuring Mavis Staples (1)
3. GHOST – Badflower (2)
4. ALL MY FRIENDS – The Revivalists (4)
5. MY BLOOD – twenty one pilots (6)
6. BODY TALKS – The Struts (7)
7. SHE’S KEROSENE – The Interrupters (8)
8. IN MY MIND – Draft Evader (9)
9. UH HUH – Jade Bird (10)
10. HAPPIER – Marshmello featuring Bastille (11)
11. GUIDING LIGHT – Mumford & Sons (12)
12. DIZZY – The Million Reasons (5)
13. TIDAL WAVE – Portugal.The Man (13)
14. SHAME – Elle King (17)
15. HURT PEOPLE – Two Feet featuring Madison Love (23)
16. SUPERWOMAN SWAY – Brett Vogel (19)
17. UNREALITIES – Dying Habit (20)
18. YOU’RE SOMEBODY ELSE – flora cash (21)
19. THESE ARE MY FRIENDS – lovelytheband (22)
20. BURN THE HOUSE DOWN – AJR (14)
21. VISIONS – Dirty Heads featuring Kitten (24)
22. PANIC – Agency Panic (15)
23. MAKE IT UP AS I GO – Mike Shinoda featuring K.Flay (25)
24. CLOSER – IAMWARFACE (18) 18th week on chart
25. BETTER NOW – Post Malone (16)
26. FOREVER – Billy Raffoul (27)
27. “99” – Barns Courtney (28)
28. WANDER – Vox Eagle featuring Pierre Fontaine (29)
29. IN THE WATER – The Underground Vault (30)
30. YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN – Billie Eilish (Re-Entry)