1. SO TIED UP – Cold War Kids featuring Bishop Briggs (2)
2. HOLDING ON – The War on Drugs (1)
3. THE MAN – The Killers (3)
4. LITTLE ONE – Highly Suspect (5)
5. HIGHWAY TUNE – Greta Van Fleet (7)
6. SUIT AND JACKET – Judah & the Lion (6)
7. LOVING YOU IS SO EASY – Wide Eyed Boy (8)
8. UNFORGETTABLE – French Montana, Swae Lee (4)
9. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (10)
10. THE NIGHT WE MET – Lord Huron (9)
11. WALK ON WATER – 30 Seconds to Mars (11)
12. LAY IT ON ME – Vance Joy (13)
13. THE SKY IS A NEIGHBORHOOD – Foo Fighters (19)
14. THE WAY YOU USED TO DO – Queens of the Stone Age (12)
15. UP ALL NIGHT – Beck (17)
16. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (18)
17. ONE FOOT – Walk the Moon (20)
18. EVERYTHING NOW – Arcade Fire (14)
19. CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU – Spoon (15) 19th week on list
20. FEEL IT STILL – Portugal. The Man (16) 24th week on list
As I’ve stated before, one of the things I love about Twitter is finding out about new indie artists and bands; in two years I’ve discovered over 5,000! I’ve also made friends with more music lovers and bloggers than I can count, who’ve turned me on to even more musicians and bands. So it was my lucky day when Robert Horvat, who has an excellent blog called Rearview Mirror, contacted me about the indie band Watergod.
Based in Austin, Texas – a city with a thriving music scene that’s produced scores of country, blues and rock artists and bands – Watergod rose from the ashes of their previous psychedelic space rock band Psychonaut. They developed a fresh sound, but retained a bit of their psychedelic sensibility. Comprised of Ethan Schrupp (guitar, vocals), Justin Wilson (bass) and Nicholas Key (drums), Watergod takes an organic, highly collaborative approach to their songwriting and the development of the sound for each track. They’re essentially DIY, but enlisted the help of friend Sean Lochridge in the recording and mixing of their self-titled debut album Watergod, which dropped on the 1st of August.
In an interview with Robert Horvat of Rearview Mirror, which you can read here, Ethan explained the inspiration and/or meaning behind the band’s name, album title, and each of the tracks:
“To me [Watergod] represents renewal and rebirth. We had taken some time off after our last band [Psychonaut] dissolved, so when we came back together we wanted a fresh start. The inspiration [for the album] was what was going on in my life at the time. Amygdala is about a breakup, Whaler and Causality were about a girl I was hooking up with after that, Helios is about being burned by someone you’re trying to help, Motion is about being ostracized for being yourself, Vectors is about succumbing to temptation, and Spirals is about dealing with anger.”
Interestingly, all the song titles consist of a single word. Their music is unconventional, delivering unexpected melodic shifts, guitar change ups and quirky vocals. All this works beautifully to capture and hold our attention, not only within a song but throughout the whole album. We’re compelled to really listen to each nuanced sound and vocal twist and turn, keeping us in a continual state of surprise and wonder. Not one thing about their songs are predictable, and Ethan’s vocals seem to sound different on every track.
Ethan’s falsetto crooning introduces us to the opening track “Amygdala” then some really lovely guitar work enters, accompanied by snare drums and a light touch of cymbals. All instrumentals ramp up as the track progresses. The guys inject just a touch of jazz on “Causality,” featuring some really fine nimble guitar work, a smooth subtle bass line and lots of gently crashing cymbals. There’s something about Ethan’s vocals that are so beguiling as they go from smooth and comforting to soaring falsetto and back again. The little guitar solo in the last 30 seconds is pure delight. “Vectors” borders on psychedelic with an underlying funky groove, making for an unusual and fascinating track. Ethan’s fuzzy vocals occasionally become echoed with vibrato, adding an otherworldly aura.
“Helios” is a perfect example of how Watergod delivers the unexpected. Starting off with a gorgeous, delicate and somewhat melancholy riff, the track has a bit of the psychedelic feel of The Doors’ “The Crystal Ship.” Ethan sings of seeing a deceitful person’s true self in the light of day: “With you nearer, I see you clearer. I see you for what you really are. In the sun.” Halfway through, the guitars become heavier and grittier, as Ethan shrieks his vocals, some of which are distorted. It’s an epic track.
So too with “Whaler,” which flows back and forth from a languid beat with a dreamy atmospheric vibe to a faster tempo with bluesy guitar and heavier percussion. “Motion” is the most psychedelic-sounding track on the album, with heavier bass overlain with shredded, distorted and reverb-heavy guitars. And just as we’ve gotten used to the slow tempo that predominates, the guys dial it up at the close.
Album closer “Spirals” is more melodic, starting off with jangly guitars over a pleasing steady beat. The lyrics speak of letting go of anger: “It will hurt you so much more before you finally learn to let it go. / It’s hard to see the change when it’s so slow.” Ethan’s vocals rise in emotional impact as the guitars become grittier and the percussion more aggressive, until he literally shouts the lyrics later in the song.
If you like music that’s experimental and unconventional, Watergod delivers it in heaping quantities on this stellar album. It has some of the most unusual and intellectually stimulating music I’ve heard in a while, yet it’s still accessible and incredibly satisfying.
1. HOLDING ON – The War on Drugs (1)
2. SO TIED UP – Cold War Kids w/Bishop Briggs (4)
3. THE MAN – The Killers (2)
4. UNFORGETTABLE – French Montana w/Swae Lee (3)
5. LITTLE ONE – Highly Suspect (6)
6. SUIT AND JACKET – Judah & the Lion (7)
7. HIGHWAY TUNE – Greta Van Fleet (8)
8. LOVING YOU IS SO EASY – Wide Eyed Boy (9)
9. THE NIGHT WE MET – Lord Huron (5)
10. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (12)
11. WALK ON WATER – 30 Seconds to Mars (13)
12. THE WAY YOU USED TO DO – Queens of the Stone Age (11)
13. LAY IT ON ME – Vance Joy (18)
14. EVERYTHING NOW – Arcade Fire (10)
15. CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU – Spoon (14)
16. FEEL IT STILL – Portugal. The Man (15) 23rd week on list
17. UP ALL NIGHT – Beck (19)
18. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (20)
19. THE SKY IS A NEIGHBORHOOD – Foo Fighters (N)
20. ONE FOOT – Walk the Moon (N)
The long-awaited and highly anticipated release of the new Disciples of Babylon (DOB) album The Rise and Fall of Babylon is finally here, and it’s a revelation. I’ve been following the Los Angeles-based rock band since 2015, and it’s been a pleasure watching them grow both musically and professionally. They’ve been gathering national and worldwide acclaim and a rapidly growing base of loyal fans, not only because of their exceptional, dynamic sound and thought-provoking lyrics, but also their appreciation and undying support for their fans. I know I’m in good company when I say that I love this band!
All accomplished musicians in their own right, DOB are Eric Knight on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ramón Blanco on lead guitar, Gui Bodi on bass and backing vocals, and Chris Toeller on drums. The guys have had quite a year. In June, they performed at the extreme sports event Dew Tour 2017, and on July 8, they kicked off the 2017 Gladiator MMA Championship Series with a performance at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Sports Coliseum. Also in June, Ramón and Gui had the thrill of playing in the backup band of Luis Fonsi when he performed his monster hit “Despacito” on Conan, and then in September, Chris joined Ramón and Gui to once again play backup for Luis Fonsi’s appearance on Ellen. Doesn’t get much better than that, except for DOB themselves to one day perform on Ellen!
DOB premiered The Rise and Fall of Babylon in front of a capacity crowd on Thursday, October 5 at the legendary Viper Room on the world-famous Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, and they all but blew the roof off the place. The crowd reception to the new tracks was ecstatic – no surprise given the band’s exciting and charismatic stage presence. Along with all seven tracks off the new album, they also played songs from their terrific debut EP Welcome to Babylon, plus an awesome cover of Led Zeppelin’s classic “Immigrant Song.”
Here’s a video I shot of them singing their hit song “KARMA.”
The Rise and Fall of Babylon features seven powerhouse tracks, some of which speak to issues facing America today. Eric feels passionately about social justice, and has strong opinions about the current state of affairs in our country, which he took time to express Thursday night. In a previous interview, Eric explained the impetus behind the new album: “These are precarious times we live in. The Rise and Fall of Babylon signifies something that I feel has been a long time coming. Babylon, meaning the USA, is slowly spinning out of control and entering into vast turmoil. I feel we are at the beginnings of a revolution. one of which the likes we’ve never seen before. As a nation, we are no longer viewed in the regard we once were. The title reflects this shift and quite possibly a prelude of what’s to come.”
The album was produced by GRAMMY award winner and longtime DOB producer Andres Torres, one of the producers behind the Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee smash hit “Despacito.” The album was mixed by GRAMMY award winner Curt Schneider (Augustana, Richie Sambora, Joe Bonamassa), and mastered by Dave Kutch (Bruno Mars, The Strokes, Outkast, Joe Perry).
The guys get right down to business with “Freedom,” a thunderous full-frontal assault on tyranny as powerful as anything I’ve heard in a long while. Ramon lays down blistering jaw-dropping riffs as Chris hammers out a galloping beat on the drums, anchored by Gui’s pummeling bass. With a passion that borders on fury, Eric brings goosebumps as he screams the searing lyrics:
Oppress us no more We’ve waited for this day Our rights have been taken Your rule is coming to an end The faster that we rise above And we scream from our lungs Freedom! Give us freedom back! We crave freedom Yes, we stand strong
Next up is “Without You,” the album’s lead single that I reviewed upon it’s release in late July. The hard-hitting track is a defiant rebuke to someone who’s betrayed you, killing the love you once felt toward them. Brimming with awesome instrumentals, the track is an exhilarating rock song. Ramón’s guitar work is a thing of wonder, and Gui nearly blows the speakers with his crushing bass line, aided and abetted by Chris’s pounding drums.
DOB slows things down a bit on the beautiful anthem “We Are the Ones,” a hopeful clarion call for us to all come together and unite in our fight against those who try to divide us. An especially notable aspect on this track for me are the gorgeous soaring backing vocals. And speaking of vocals, Eric has a phenomenal singing voice. As I’ve already noted, he can elicit chills with power and fury, or bring us to tears with heartfelt tenderness. He does both on the fantastic, emotion-packed “Lift.” And, needless to say, the guys unleash their sonic weaponry once again with mind-blowing instrumentals.
By this point in the album, I’m practically speechless at how incredibly good it is, wondering if DOB can sustain the high quality of the songs. I’m quickly reassured within seconds of hearing “Idiosyncracies,” a pile-driver of a track about struggling to keep a failing relationship from breaking apart: “I’ll fight to keep my sanity. I really want to believe in us, in you and me. There’s harmony, yeah! But I’ll fight to keep my spirit free.” And they keep on delivering the goods with the uplifting anthem “Simple Life.” This is one gorgeous rock song. Everything about it is perfection – lyrics, instrumentals, Eric’s vocals, and the superb production and arrangement.
The guys close the album with “Civilized,” a real head-banger of a tune. Gui sets the rhythm with a pulse-pounding bass line, then Ramon dives in with scorching riffs while Chris commences to attack his drum kit with all the strength he can muster. Eric snarls the lyrics that speak to someone he’s obsessed with who’s hurting him: “I’m out of my head, every time I realize all those things you said to me. So cruel, unkind. From the moment I wake, with every step that I take, draws me closer into you.”
The Rise and Fall of Babylon is a meticulously crafted album on every level, and a testament to the exceptional songwriting and musicianship of these four supremely talented gentlemen. It’s an effort they should be extremely proud of, and I’m so proud of them! I’ve gotten to know them all personally, and they’re as humble and kind as they are skilled at making music. I’m honored to be their friend.
San Jose, California-based indie post-punk band The Trims have been making great music since 2009, and were one of the first bands I featured on this blog, way back in October 2015 (you can check out that post here). They’ve released a fantastic new single “The One I Want,” which dropped August 30, and it’s one of their best songs yet. Featuring their signature high-energy, guitar-driven sound, the track is an exuberant expression of love.
“The One I Want” launches with a pummeling bass line, then layer upon layer of guitars are added as drummer Billy Brady pounds out a steady beat that literally forces the body to move. To say that the song is catchy is an understatement; its melody is outstanding and unforgettable, staying in my head long afterward. Gabe Maciel’s beautiful soaring vocals are packed with emotion as he sings about his steadfast devotion, even when it seems he no longer cares:
You say I never call or write you letters like I used to do before Just know that even though my words have fallen short my love has only grown You are the one I want to be the one who calls You are the one I want to be the one who calls when everything goes wrong
“The One I Want” is a gorgeous song, and further proof that The Trims are as charismatic and strong as they’ve ever been.
The rock band Follow No One is the brainchild of two highly accomplished musicians – singer/songwriter and pianist Rich Hall from Nashville, Tennessee & guitar virtuoso Pedro Murino Almeida, originally from Lisbon, Portugal but with roots in Brazil. Rich began performing at a young age in theater, but found his true calling performing and writing music. Pedro was classically trained in music composition, with a successful career involving his own musical acts, and his work has been featured in film and video. Together their music is influenced by such rock giants as Dream Theater, Alter Bridge, Foo Fighters, Avenged Sevenfold, Imagine Dragons and Three Days Grace.
The duo released their debut EP – simply titled 5 – on September 1, delivering five hard-hitting tracks about relationships and the joy, pain and regret they bring. Each song is meticulously crafted, with passionate lyrics, intricate melodies and stellar guitar work – immediately evident in the opening track “Reflection.” Our ears are blessed with four minutes of blazing guitar riffs and thunderous drums galloping across a heavy bass-driven beat. It’s the perfect hard rock song.
Hall’s knack for writing catchy, yet compelling melodies shines on “Guardian Angel.” The track starts off with a jazzy little riff, then layers of heavier guitars are added as the song builds to a crescendo of shredded, wailing and distorted riffs so good they bring goose bumps.
“The Greatest Sin” is probably my favorite track, with a gorgeous haunting melody and powerful lyrics about trying to salvage a relationship that’s crumbling due to neglect, and regain the love and passion that existed in the beginning:
Not so very long ago, I was caught up in the web When lust and love draw the line Pictures of the days gone by keep running through my head But babe I guess that I was blind, so blind It starts out so easy, your will is so strong Then one day you wake up and your dream is gone The greatest sin is when we’re not together The greatest sin is when we’re apart
Musically, the song features jaw-dropping guitar work that runs the gamut from gentle chiming riffs to bombastic wails, and everything in between. And, as with all their songs, the supporting bass, percussion and synths are all in fine form. Hall made a video that does a terrific job of bringing the song’s lyrics to life. Take a look:
Follow No One tugs at the heartstrings on “No Regrets,” a lovely but sorrowful track about being filled with remorse for past mistakes, and wondering if you even have the strength or will to keep on living. Hall’s tender, heartfelt vocals rise with emotion as the song progresses from a gentle ballad to stirring rock anthem. Almeida makes his guitar practically weep in the bridge.
Every night I pray for the same thing That tomorrow never comes unless there’s changes I been holding on to a dream that I don’t want to And I pray to god I don’t have that much time left Hands won’t stop trembling, cause my eyes can’t see the ending But it seems so far away, so for now I’ll stay
Last but certainly not least is the title track “5,” a hard-driving beast with more incredible guitar work. I love the opening riff and – oh hell, I love all their riffs! Hall and Almeida are phenomenal musicians, and their debut EP is a work they should both be proud of. I expect – and hope – we’ll be hearing more great music from them.
1. HOLDING ON – The War on Drugs (2)
2. THE MAN – The Killers (1)
3. UNFORGETTABLE – French Montana, Swae Lee (3)
4. SO TIED UP – Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs (7)
5. THE NIGHT WE MET – Lord Huron (6)
6. LITTLE ONE – Highly Suspect (8)
7. SUIT AND JACKET – Judah & the Lion (9)
8. HIGHWAY TUNE – Greta Van Fleet (11)
9. LOVING YOU IS SO EASY – Wide Eyed Boy (10)
10. EVERYTHING NOW – Arcade Fire (4)
11. THE WAY YOU USED TO DO – Queens of the Stone Age (5)
12. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (17)
13. WALK ON WATER – 30 Seconds to Mars (18)
14. CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU – Spoon (13)
15. FEEL IT STILL – Portugal. The Man (14) 22nd week on list
16. IT’S A TRIP! – Joywave (16)
17. FEELS LIKE SUMMER – Weezer (12) 20th week on list
18. LAY IT ON ME – Vance Joy (N)
19. UP ALL NIGHT – Beck (N)
20. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (N)
Fie! Fie! Fie! is an indie alternative rock band from West Yorkshire, England, and they have a glorious name you’ll never forget. Formed in April 2013 by seasoned musicians Daniel Varley and Pete Long – both of whom play some pretty amazing guitar – the band also includes bassist Avon Blyth and multi-instrumentalist Matt Burnside. Varley sings lead vocals, and the other band members provide backing vocals.
The band released their first collection of tracks, Live Solo Sessions, in late 2013 when it consisted only of Varley and Long. In 2014, Blyth was added to the lineup, giving the band a much stronger and fuller sound. They released the single “The Alternative” in 2015, followed by the album Can You Hear This? In 2016, Burnside joined Fie! Fie! Fie!, and they subsequently released a live album Live at St. Mary’s later that year, as well as a fantastic single “Hit the Spanish Main.” The band has now released a new double A side single “Edge of Space/Everything I Told You,” which dropped in early August, and I think it’s one of their best works yet.
I was blown away by “Edge of Space” at first listen, as it has one of the most arresting guitar-driven melodies I’ve heard in a while. The song immediately hooks us in with what sounds like lush synths but in reality is an effect that Pete put down on one of his guitar tracks, along with an achingly beautiful guitar riff that burns itself into your mind. It stayed with me long afterward, leaving me humming the melody and wanting to hear the song again and again. Besides the stunning guitars and synths, the percussion and bass are perfection. Using metaphors of space exploration, Varley passionately sings about finding enough forgiveness to salvage a damaged relationship, or possibly a damaged world:
Could you find a way, a way to see past this Past the mess that we both left, could you see through it Gliding through the stratosphere, could fall off, float away There’s bigger fears alone up here as we try to find our way If you could see through my eyes 75 miles high
The tracks ends with snippets of what sound like old recordings of astronauts speaking from their spaceships, and a final dramatic flourish of distorted guitar.
“Everything I Told You” is a mellower track, with a pleasing folk rhythm delivered by silky layered acoustic guitars hovering over a smooth bass line and gentle percussion. The guitar work on this track is sublime, and Varley’s earnest vocals are backed by a lovely, almost dreamlike harmonizing chorus. All the ingredients you need for a truly great song.
If you’re in the UK, you can catch Fie! Fie! Fie! at one of these upcoming shows:
4 Oct 2017 The White Bear, Barnsley
7 Oct 2017 The Spread Eagle, York
14 Oct 2017 Oxjam, Huddersfield
18 Oct 2017 SoFar Sounds, Bradford
20 Oct 2017 The Highfield Bradford, Idle
28 Oct 2017 Oxjam, The Town Hall, Hebden Bridge
24 Nov 2017 Hot Banana Music, Holmfirth
26 Nov 2017 The Beck, Brighouse
02 Dec 2017 The Tan Hill Inn, Richmond
Boston duo VERIS are quickly establishing themselves as one the most exciting new acts of 2017. Comprised of singer/songwriter/ guitarist AJ Edwards and songwriter/drummer Mark Hylander, VERIS released their fantastic debut single “Opening Night” in June, which I reviewed. Now they’re back with a seductive new single “Devil in the Details.”
The song is darker and more musically complex than the bouncy, upbeat “Opening Night.” This time around, VERIS incorporates trap and hip-hop beats, as well as eerily beautiful synthesized instrumentals and altered vocals to create a mysterious and sultry track. The song opens with a gentle synth, then a throbbing bass line enters as AJ fervently sings of being unable to resist the temptress who has him spellbound with desire:
Pull me closer, lock the door and turn the lights off I don’t want to dive in deeper, but you know I can’t give it up Test the water, feel my way across your current Swimming never came this easy, and I know I can’t give it up You’re the devil in the details
Sexual tension builds as layers of soaring instruments are added along with a recurring shrieking otherworldly vocal that disturbs the rapturous mood, perhaps startling the singer back to reality? AJ’s vocals are backed by a deeper vocal in the chorus, adding to the overall sense of mystery. It’s an amazing song.
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 