COUNCIL – Single Review: “The World is on Fire”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews3 Comments

Alternative pop/rock band COUNCIL has been on an upward trajectory since the release of their debut EP Rust to Gold in November 2016 (which I reviewed and you can read here). Based in rural upstate New York, the band consists of three handsome brothers –Patrick, Doug and Andy Reeves.  Patrick (bass and lead vocals) and Doug (drums) are twins, and Andy (guitar) is a year younger, and I think it’s awesome that all three are talented musicians who’ve chosen to work together as a band, not to mention humble guys who are kind, gracious and appreciative of their fans.

Council bros

Rust to Gold, which was self released, has been wildly successful, garnering over 2.6 million streams in 16 countries on Spotify. The superb lead single “Rust To Gold” spent the most time of any song on Apple’s prestigious A-List Alternative Chart this year. It also spent 14 weeks on my Weekly Top 20, peaking at #7. The guys have now dropped their new single “The World is on Fire,” and it’s certain to be another big hit. The single’s being released through AWAL and Tom Sarig’s AntiFragile Records, and was produced by Justin Gray (Dirty Heads, John Legend), and mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons).

“The World is on Fire” is an exuberant anthem that immediately grabs hold with a catchy, irresistible melody. The track kicks off with a galloping drumbeat and fuzzy synths that quickly build to a crescendo, before blasting open with Andy’s aggressive jangly guitar, Patrick’s heavy buzzing bass, and Doug pounding out the hard-driving beat with all the strength he can muster. Andy lays down some pretty awesome riffs, and there are moments where Patrick’s bass comes close to blowing the speakers.

With his impassioned vocals, Patrick sings about letting go of our lust and greed that threatens to destroy mankind, and learning to accept what’s really important and meaningful in our lives: “The world is on fire./I’ve seen enough, the violent birth of our souls. I’ve seen the lust, and I know it’s time to let it go./ Sometimes less is more than you’ll ever need. Love is like a war, but you better be sure where you place your desires.”

The guys keep the energy level at full throttle from start to finish, and I love their soaring harmonic choruses. Hell, I love everything about this fantastic song that gets better with each listen!

Connect with Council:  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Stream their music:  Spotify / Soundcloud / Reverbnation

Purchase it:  iTunes / Bandcamp

DISCIPLES OF BABYLON unveil first song “Freedom” from their forthcoming album ‘The Rise and Fall of Babylon’

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Artist Spotlight4 Comments

Hollywood, California-based rock band Disciples of Babylon unveil “Freedom,” the first track from their forthcoming album The Rise and Fall of Babylon, today, and it’s awesome! “Freedom” is immediately available to fans who pre-order the album (pre-order begins Friday July 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET). The lead single “Without You” is scheduled to be released the week of July 24.

“These are precarious times we live in,” exclaims front man Eric Knight. “The Rise and Fall of Babylon signifies something that I feel has been a long time coming. Babylon, meaning our country (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.”

Disciples of Babylon (DOB) was founded in 2012, and includes Eric Knight on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ramon Blanco on lead guitar, Gui Bodi on bass and backing vocals, and Chris Toeller on drums. The band draws its influence from such Rock legends as Muse, The Foo Fighters, Queen, The Who, Stone Temple Pilots, U2 & Led Zeppelin. According to the band’s bio, “Our main musical aspirations are to incorporate key stylistic elements of all great Rock music eras into our music to create a large stadium-worthy sound that thrills all audiences, and proves once and for all that Rock music is here to stay.”  I say hooray to that!

All seasoned musicians, the individual members of DOB, prior to joining the band, have accumulated several national releases independently, some having opened for some of the biggest names in Rock music, including Aerosmith, KISS, The Dave Matthews Band, and Kid Rock. The individual band members have toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad, and more recently, DOB was featured at the Vans’ Warped Tour in 2016. In June, the band performed at the extreme sports event Dew Tour 2017, and just last weekend on July 8, they kicked off the 2017 Gladiator MMA Championship Series with a performance at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Sports Coliseum.

DOB released their fantastic debut EP Welcome to Babylon in late 2015, which I reviewed. They will now follow up with their first full-length album The Rise and Fall of Babylon, which is scheduled for release in October. It was produced by GRAMMY award winner and longtime DOB producer Andres Torres, one of the producers behind the Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee mega-hit of the summer “Despacito” (which has held the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks and counting). 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).

DOB The Rise And Fall Of Babylon Album Cover
DOB The Rise And Fall Of Babylon Album Cover

The Rise and Fall of Babylon | Track Listing
1. Freedom
2. Without You
3. We Are The Ones
4. Lift
5. Idiosyncrasies
6. Simple Life
7. Civilized

Follow Disciples of Babylon:  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Stream their music:  Spotify / Soundcloud / Reverbnation / YouTube

Purchase:  iTunes / Amazon

Top 20 Songs for July 9-15, 2017

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments

1. HIGH – Sir Sly (1)
2. FEEL IT STILL – Portugal. The Man (2)
3. DOING IT FOR THE MONEY – Foster the People (3)
4. THE SYSTEM ONLY DREAMS IN TOTAL DARKNESS – The National (4)
5. CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU – Spoon (5)
6. DON’T TAKE THE MONEY – Bleachers (7)
7. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (6)
8. FEELS LIKE SUMMER – Weezer (8)
9. J-BOY – Phoenix (10)
10. EVERYTHING NOW – Arcade Fire (11)
11. THE MAN – The Killers (12)
12. DIG DOWN – Muse (14)
13. SILENT SUN – Morning Fuzz (15)
14. IN COLD BLOOD – alt-J (9)
15. THE WAY YOU USED TO DO – Queens of the Stone Age (20)
16. REDBONE – Childish Gambino (16)
17. LIGHTS OUT – Royal Blood (19)
18. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (13) 18th week on list
19. ONE OF US – New Politics (N)
20. REVEREND – Kings of Leon (17)

KAZE – EP Review: “No Filter”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn ReviewsLeave a comment

Being the EclecticMusicLover, it goes without saying that I’m fond of artists and bands whose music style is – well, eclectic. The Manchester, UK band KAZE certainly fits that description. Their sound is so varied and interesting that it’s pointless to try and categorize it into any particular genre. When listening to their debut EP No Filter, I hear elements of pop, folk, jazz, shoegaze, and even alternative rock – sometimes all in one song. They list Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, The Cardigans and Amy Winehouse as some of their main influences, but I also hear a bit of classic, old-school torch song vibe that gives their music a unique quality that makes for an incredibly pleasing and compelling listen.

KAZE

Formed by Graham McCusker and Amy Webber in February 2016, they chose the name KAZE because it means “wind” in Japanese – the interpretation of which they leave to their listeners. In addition to Amy on vocals and Graham on keyboards and backing vocals, the band line-up includes Thomas Fripp on guitar, Dan Peate on bass and Jonathan Needham on drums.

KAZE Band

They released No Filter in March 2017 with a sold out gig at The Castle in Manchester. The EP was produced by Colin Towns (Ivor Novello songwriting judge/BAFTA nominated composer), engineered by Toby Wood (Lord Of The Rings/associate EMMY Award winner) and mixed by Adriano Buffone (Kubb/Avicii/Jessie Ware).

The jazz-infused first single from the EP “Pinned On You” opens with a discordant mix of instruments, perfectly conveying the feelings expressed in the lyrics about having your life turned upside down by the realization that the person you love just doesn’t feel the same about you: “I pinned all my hopes on you, but just as I fell, you told me you’re not into me too. I pictured a life with you, but bright as you were, you just couldn’t come into me too.” Amy’s strong, impassioned vocals are backed by sharp percussion and a sturdy bass line that add power to the song’s message. The complex, nuanced instrumentals bring new surprises with each listen, and the jazzy piano riff and tasty electric guitar solo in the bridge are terrific.

“Feel” sets a contrasting tone, with a lovely, contemplative piano melody and smooth instrumentals. Amy’s vocals are sublime, at one point sounding a bit like Barbra Streisand when her voice soars in the bridge. I especially love the backing chorus on this track. The band employs only an acoustic guitar on the poignant ballad “Unfamiliar Room.” With a hint of melancholy in her voice, Amy sings about the anxiety of undergoing potentially life-changing medical procedures: “Knowing looks and a brief smile. Waiting for news that won’t beguile. All shapes and sizes, some sad too soon, in this unfamiliar waiting room. Pressure digging in, jazz chords and they sing, while my body’s being screwed.” The song was inspired by Graham’s own experience with chemotherapy treatments.

Things turn upbeat on “Come Away,” a breezy song about leaving one’s problems behind and starting on a new life adventure with someone special: “Quit your job, pack your bag, are you ready for a life you’ve never had?  Grab your stuff and lock the door, we’re going somewhere you’ve never been before. Come away, come away, run away with me.”  KAZE expertly fuses pop, rock and jazz elements, all building to a fantastic crescendo at the end.

No Filter is a stellar debut effort, and I suspect we’ll be hearing more great music from KAZE in the near future.

Connect with KAZE:  Website /  Facebook /  Twitter /  Instagram

Stream their music:  Spotify /  Soundcloud

Purchase:  Bandcamp

Top 20 Songs for July 2-8, 2017

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30'sLeave a comment

1. HIGH – Sir Sly (2)
2. FEEL IT STILL – Portugal. The Man (1)
3. DOING IT FOR THE MONEY – Foster the People (4)
4. THE SYSTEM ONLY DREAMS IN TOTAL DARKNESS – The National (5)
5. CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU – Spoon (6)
6. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (3)
7. DON’T TAKE THE MONEY – Bleachers (7)
8. FEELS LIKE SUMMER – Weezer (9)
9. IN COLD BLOOD – alt-J (10)
10. J-BOY – Phoenix (11)
11. EVERYTHING NOW – Arcade Fire (17)
12. THE MAN – The Killers (18)
13. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (8)
14. DIG DOWN – Muse (14)
15. SILENT SUN – Morning Fuzz (15)
16. REDBONE – Childish Gambino (16)
17. REVEREND – Kings of Leon (13)
18. GIVE ME REASON TO DIE – Dyslexic Postcards (12)
19. LIGHTS OUT – Royal Blood (20)
20. THE WAY YOU USED TO DO – Queens of the Stone Age (N)

THE CLEAR – Single Review: “Sunlight”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews1 Comment

The Clear is an exceptionally talented band from Sheffield, UK (from which a lot of great music artists and bands originate, a number of whom I’ve recently featured on this blog). Consisting of Chris Damms, Jules Buffey and Bryan Day, The Clear plays a sophisticated and pleasing style of what can best be called “West Coast Dream Pop” – which they describe as being ‘in the tradition of Jimmy Webb, Neil Diamond and Burt Bacharach.’ Among the many positive attributes of their music, the thing that really stands out for me are their sublime harmonizing vocals.

The Clear2_jpg-large

The band released their outstanding debut album Patchwork in 2016, and this past April, I reviewed a single from that album, the spellbinding “The Planets,” which you can read here. Now, in conjunction with the release of Patchwork on vinyl, planned for August, the band has released another brilliant single from the album called “Sunlight.” Regarding the single, the band states “‘Sunlight’ is a song for summer, but lyrically it is also about those ‘bright’ and ‘light’ days we have when we find ‘hope and meaning’ in our lives. ‘Sunlight’ is about that feeling we have when we feel ‘at home’ in ourselves, and when we feel that there is ‘light’ again in our lives.”

The song has a mellow folk-rock vibe, evoking a sun-kissed summer day when the cares of daily life are momentarily forgotten. “I’ve seen sunlight through the dark clouds, and it won’t turn to rain now you’re here. I hear the call of distant thunder, suddenly I’m under your spell.” Gentle strummed guitar and beautiful piano are accompanied by just the right amount of percussion to keep the toe-tapping beat without overpowering the other instruments or smooth vocals that are in such perfect harmony they take my breath away.  Their vocals on this track call to mind the The Mamas and Papas or Peter, Paul and Mary, surely two of the greatest harmonizing bands of all time. “Sunlight” is a gorgeous song, magnificent in its simplicity.

To learn more about The Clear, check out their website.

Connect with them:  Facebook /  Twitter /  Instagram
Stream their music:  Soundcloud /  Spotify /  YouTube
Purchase it:  Bandcamp /  iTunes /  Amazon

THE KILLERS release brilliant new video for “The Man”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews2 Comments

I’m a huge fan of The Killers and love their fantastic new single “The Man.” I also have a significant man-crush on band front man Brandon Flowers, but I digress… The single, the first from their upcoming fifth studio album Wonderful Wonderful, is also the first non-Christmas song to be released by The Killers in five years. (They released a greatest hits album Direct Hits in 2013 and Flowers released a solo album The Desired Effect in 2015.)

The band released their brilliant new video for “The Man” today,  June 28. Directed by Tim Mattia, the video shows Flowers cavorting about Las Vegas (where the band is from) as a number of characters who all think very highly of themselves: a player in a tuxedo, a lounge lizard in a gold lamé suit who’s not impressing the few watching him perform, a down on his luck gambler who bets it all and loses, a guy pumping iron outside his trailer in the desert who heads to the casino and sings karaoke, trying to impress the ladies, and an Evel Knievel wannabe. It’s great fun!

Connect with The Killers:  Twitter /  Facebook

Stream “The Man”:  Spotify / Google Play

Download or purchase:  iTunes / Amazon / Deezer

LOST IN THE CITY Release New Single “You Stopped This Train”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews4 Comments

One year ago, Kansas City alternative rock band Lost in the City released their monumental debut album Genesis, which I reviewed and you can read here. Now, after toiling in the studio with Bret Liber at Red Roof Productions (who’s also a musician in his own right, with the rock band Young Medicine), they just dropped the first single “You Stopped This Train” from their forthcoming album Leaving Home, due out later this year.

Lost in the City band pic

Lost in the City is Shane Radford (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keys/Synths), Dustin Proctor (Guitar), Cullan Wiley (Bass) and Kyle Constant (Drums). They play dynamic post-punk alternative rock loaded with thunderous chords, blistering guitar riffs, heavy drums and passion-filled vocals.  For their new album, Bret Liber also played keyboards in addition to recording, mixing and mastering the tracks.

“You Stopped This Train” is a hard-hitting rock song about someone who’s chosen to abandon a relationship the singer believed was strong and lasting. Musically, the track features Radford and Proctor’s gritty, shredded guitars and Constant’s pounding drums, all anchored by Wiley’s powerful bass. The screaming guitars at the end of the track are fantastic, and perfectly convey the pain expressed in the biting lyrics. Radford’s vocals are full of raw emotion as he wails “You stopped this train when everything was going great. You walked away as you let it fall apart.” And I love the guys’ soaring harmonic choruses.

It’s a terrific first song, and based on the quality of four other tracks I’ve been given the pleasure of hearing in advance, I can tell you that Leaving Home is going to be a killer album!

Show Lost in the City love and support by following on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Stream their music:  Spotify / Soundcloud

Purchase:  Bandcamp / iTunes

EMPIRE TO ASHES – Single Review: “My Own Phantom Limb”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews3 Comments

Empire to Ashes is a new ambient / post-rock / alternative electronica project of Jamie Denton, a former member and bassist of the now disbanded New Zealand five-piece Poison Skies (who I loved and featured a year ago on this blog, which you can read here). So far, Empire to Ashes has been a solo project, but Jamie states that it may possibly end up as a collaborative project with other New Zealand musicians at some point in the future.

Through his music, Jamie explained that his aim is “to explore how far melodies can be bent or removed before they break.” He added that his “project is designed to produce questions, not answers.” And after listening to his debut single “My Own Phantom Limb,” which dropped today, I would attest that he fulfills his objective. The nearly six-minute long track takes us on a journey into a gorgeous soundscape of moody synths that chime and soar.

The track opens with what sounds like distorted, static-filled voices coming from a radio not fully tuned into a station, then chiming synths wash over us as Jamie’s otherworldly spoken word vocals enter the picture. His expertise as a bassist comes into play as he lays down a heavy throbbing bass line that gives the track weight, sharply contrasting with the airy synth chords. A hypnotic drumbeat settles in as the synths begin to soar, while a simple piano riff weaves in and out. Along the way, we hear sounds of gentle winds blowing. As the music fades, the song comes full circle, ending with a repeat of the static-filled voices.

The equally gorgeous and compelling video includes footage of frenetic urban life interwoven with calm scenes of nature, such as a forest with falling snow, and sunsets. Halfway through, a woman is shown sleeping, curled up in a fetal position on a bed of fresh snow, as the shadow of a person’s hands move over her as if to shield her from the elements. The imagery then returns to scenes of nature and the city which continue through to the end of the video.

I love this song, and look forward to hearing more from this project. Connect with Empire to Ashes on Facebook and stream “My Own Phantom Limb” on Spotify or purchase on iTunes

Top 20 Songs for June 25-July 1, 2017

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's3 Comments

1. FEEL IT STILL – Portugal. The Man (1)
2. HIGH – Sir Sly (3)
3. BELIEVER – Imagine Dragons (2)
4. DOING IT FOR THE MONEY – Foster the People (5)
5. THE SYSTEM ONLY DREAMS IN TOTAL DARKNESS – The National (6)
6. CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU – Spoon (8)
7. DON’T TAKE THE MONEY – Bleachers (7)
8. WOLVES – Wide Eyed Boy (4)
9. FEELS LIKE SUMMER – Weezer (11)
10. IN COLD BLOOD – alt-J (12)
11. J-BOY – Phoenix (14)
12. GIVE ME REASON TO DIE – Dyslexic Postcards (13)
13. REVEREND – Kings of Leon (9)
14. DIG DOWN – Muse (16)
15. SILENT SUN – Morning Fuzz (18)
16. REDBONE – Childish Gambino (19)
17. EVERYTHING NOW – Arcade Fire (N)
18. THE MAN – The Killers (N)
19. THE VIOLENCE – Rise Against (20)
20. LIGHTS OUT – Royal Blood (N)