leaving richmond – Album Review: “Visions”

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leaving richmond is the instrumental electronic music project of Los Angeles-based composer and producer Jordan Pier. He recently reached out to me about his latest album Visions, which dropped November 13th. As I always do when preparing to review an artist or band’s music for the first time, I checked out his back catalog to better acquaint myself with his style and sound, and was surprised at his considerable music output over the past 10 years. From what I can tell, his first release, in 2010, was the EP The Secret Traditions of Washington Ave., a very respectable work featuring five tracks. Since then, he’s released another two EPs, several singles and five albums, the latest of which is Visions.

His works have received widespread acclaim from both music critics and fans alike, with several of his songs garnering airplay on NPR and other radio stations around the world. Despite the pandemic, he says 2020 has been an amazing year for him from a musical standpoint. In addition to composing and producing a new album, he also saw a number of his tracks land placements on popular TV shows as well as advertisements.

About his new album, Pier explains: “Following the release of [his previous album] ‘Great Distances’, I took a deep dive which bore fruit in multiple ways, particularly in honing my composition, production and engineering capabilities in aspects that were exciting and inspiring. I strove to take all the new skills I had learned and combined it with the organic songwriting I so loved. The melodic, layered guitar as the main and guiding instrument represents a return to roots as I simultaneously embraced new electronic techniques. As a result of this new outlook on songwriting and experience in the studio, the ‘Visions’ LP was born. Every track on this album is tied to and inspired by a visualization of some sort. What this album has allowed me to do is combine my love for music and imagery into one offering. It is my hope to provide a soundtrack for the thoughts of the listener and offer some respite.”

All tracks were composed, arranged, produced and engineered by leaving richmond, and mastered by Brian Hazard. The album kicks off with “You Must Break Yourself“, an enchanting track featuring a kaleidoscope of shimmery and spacey synths punctuated by dubstep-like percussive beats. The result is a dreamy and optimistic soundscape that, to my ears, evokes a sense of breaking free from whatever it was holding you back and entering an aura of enlightenment.

“Memories of Another You” is a stunning feast for the ears that really showcases leaving richmond’s impressive compositional and production talents. He intertwines layers of gorgeous chiming guitar notes with glittery string synths and delicate skittering piano keys to create a scintillating soundscape that’s truly magical. It’s an instant favorite of mine. The lovely “There Is So Much to See” has a somewhat more subdued and introspective vibe, with warm, sumptuous synths.

Inspired by the 1879 painting Joan of Arc by Jules Bastien-Lepage, which hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Adherence” is a rather dark and somber track, with a deep bass synth-driven melody overlain with swirling synths and reserved jangly guitars that nicely convey Joan of Arc’s sense of purpose and valor. “Daydreams at the Cannery” was inspired by a character in the 2017 video game What Remains of Edith Finch?, developed by video game company Giant Sparrow. The shimmery guitars and glistening synths are intended to honor the beautiful storytelling and cinematic art of the game.

On a more spiritual level, “Washing Over Us” attempts to convey through music the concept that, in his words, “pure emotion can surround, envelop and cleanse us like the beautiful waters in the oceans and lakes around the world.” He skillfully employs watery synths, chiming guitar notes and ethereal choir-like vocals to create images of water nymphs singing in a crystalline lake. “The Frequency of You” is a beguiling guitar-driven track with wonderful spacey synths and a hypnotic toe-tapping beat. Once again, his guitar work is quite marvelous.

leaving richmond’s love of neon light signs was the inspiration behind the sublime “Red Orange Light“. The track opens with muffled sounds of neon gas pulsating through glass tubes, followed by a building cinematic soundscape of spacy synths and delicately-strummed jangly guitars, accompanied by a gentle dubstep beat. It’s an enchanting and beautiful song. Keeping with the more techno-oriented sound, the enchanting “The Soul is Greater” serves up more of those spacey, otherworldly vibes, highlighted by leaving richmond’s signature gorgeous shimmery guitars.

I’ve run out of descriptors and superlatives by now, so let me just say that closing track “And Then We Begin Again” is yet another exquisite song, and a fine finish to a stunning album. I’ve listened to a lot of electronic instrumental albums over the years, and Visions stands among the very best. leaving richmond’s skill for writing beautiful and compelling melodies is impressive, and his guitar work and keyboards are truly breathtaking.

Follow Leaving Richmond:  Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Stream his music:  Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud

Purchase:  Bandcamp / Amazon

100 Best Songs of the 2010s – #47: “Seasons (Waiting on You)” by Future Islands

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The song at #47 on my list of 100 Best Songs of the 2010s is the superb “Seasons (Waiting on You)” by American pop-rock band Future Islands. Despite releasing three studio albums and touring almost non-stop for years, they’d remained relatively unknown since forming in North Carolina in 2006. That all changed in 2014 with the release of their fourth album Singles, particularly the breakthrough single “Seasons (Waiting on You)”, and their riveting performance on The Late Show with David Letterman in March 2014, which became the show’s most-viewed video.

Lead singer Samuel T. Herring, who actually started out as a rapper, is a lifelong lover of performance art. His on-stage performances are characterized by his elaborate and animated dance movements and raw, aggressive vocals, and he literally owns the stage when he performs. He also has Reinke’s edema, a condition involving swelling of the vocal chords that has caused him to compensate for the fact that he can no longer hit certain notes by growling, which is now part of his signature vocal style. In an interview with Stereogum, Herring attributed his condition to four causes: “Acid reflux, smoking, talking too much or overuse of the vocal cords, and then chronic misuse of the vocal cords … which is how I sing.”

Now based in Baltimore, Maryland, Future Islands has long rejected being called synth-pop, instead calling their music “post-wave”, a combination of the romanticism of new wave with the power and drive of post-punk. “Seasons (Waiting on You)” is a stunning, almost heartbreaking song about finally giving up on trying to win the love of another, and Herring makes us believe every word he sings. The song was named best track of 2014 by NME, Pitchfork and Spin.

Here’s their famous performance on The Late Show with David Letterman (which may get removed over copyright issues with video owner).

And here’s the official video:

Top 30 Songs for November 15-21, 2020

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30'sLeave a comment
  1. DOWNS – Roadkeeper (1)
  2. IS IT TRUE – Tame Impala (3)
  3. BLOODY VALENTINE – Machine Gun Kelly (4)
  4. CAN I CALL YOU TONIGHT? – Dayglow (2)
  5. ARE YOU BORED YET? – Wallows featuring Clairo (5)
  6. MARIPOSA – Peach Tree Rascals (6)
  7. GIANTS – Dermot Kennedy (9)
  8. COME & GO – Juice WRLD featuring Marshmello (10)
  9. MOOD – 24kGoldn featuring Iann Dior (11)
  10. IDENTICAL – Phoenix (13)
  11. TANGERINE – Glass Animals (14)
  12. THE LET GO – Elle King (15)
  13. MY OWN SOUL’S WARNING – The Killers (7)
  14. FEEL YOU – My Morning Jacket (8)
  15. IT’S YOU – The Frontier (12)
  16. VISITOR – Of Monsters and Men (19)
  17. AMOEBAS IN GLASS HOUSES – Moonlight Broadcast (18)
  18. BURN THE VISION – Amongst Liars (20)
  19. VIRUS – Vanity Fear (21)
  20. FIRE FOR YOU – Cannons (24)
  21. CAN I BELIEVE YOU – Fleet Foxes (25)
  22. MONSTERS – All Time Low featuring blackbear (17) 22nd week on list
  23. HOODIE UP – MISSIO (16)
  24. THINK I’M CRAZY – Two Feet (27)
  25. BEAUTIFUL ANYWAY – Judah & the Lion (26)
  26. SKIN AND BONES – Cage the Elephant (29)
  27. FAULT LINES – Callum Pitt (22)
  28. NERVOUS – Au Gres (30)
  29. LETTER TO YOU – Bruce Springsteen (N)
  30. TROUBLE’S COMING – Royal Blood (N)

100 Best Songs of the 2010s – #48: “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Favorite Songs13 Comments

The song at #48 on my list of 100 Best Songs of the 2010s is “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay. They’re one of my favorite bands, and this is their second song on this list (the other being “Adventure of a Lifetime”, which ranks at #63). The beautiful, uplifting song was co-written and co-produced by the late Avicii, which accounts for its sweeping and lush piano and synth-driven EDM and progressive house sound. It was released in May 2014 as the third single from their sixth album Ghost Stories, a very good album that received mostly positive reviews, other than from the aptly-named Pitchfork, which tends to skewer everything that doesn’t ‘break new ground’. “A Sky Full of Stars” also received mainly positive reviews, though Josh Modell of The A.V. Club dismissed it as a “blatantly pandering, album-interrupting, mood-fucking-up [track] which is destined to be a hit and also instantly dated” – to which I say ‘fuck him and the horse he rode in on!’

“A Sky Full of Stars” is a jubilant celebration by someone for another person for whom their love shines brighter than the stars. A bit sappy, yes, but so darn exuberant and pretty that I can’t help but love it! The happy video for the song was directed by Mat Whitecross and filmed in Australia, on King Street in the inner Sydney suburb of Newtown. It shows lead singer Chris Martin and his fellow bandmates, each dressed as one-man-bands, walking the street amid throngs of people as they perform the song. The song itself was obviously dubbed over the video, but it still makes for an exhilarating experience, highlighted by the band entering a crowd of adoring fans at the end, accompanied by bursts of paper stars being shot into the air.

New Song of the Week – HEIST AT FIVE: “Faceless”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews1 Comment

Ever since I first learned about the wickedly talented and undeniably charismatic electro-rock band Heist At Five, they’ve been one of my favorite indie acts. Based in London, the band has an international pedigree: front man and lead vocalist Oskar Abrahamsson is from Sweden, guitarist Jozef Veselsky is from Slovakia, bassist Marco Paone hails from Italy, and drummer Josh Needham is from England. Together, they play an aggressive, innovative style of alternative rock that borders on experimental, with complex melodies, intricate chord progressions, spine-tingling electronic and guitar-heavy instrumentation, and electrifying vocals.

I’ve featured Heist At Five a number of times on this blog, most recently this past August when I reviewed their single “Friday Night”. (You can read some of those reviews by clicking the links under “Related” at the end of this post.) With its jubilant Latin-flavored dance-pop vibe, the song is a bit of a departure from their typical edgy and harder rock sound, though it still features many of the stylistic elements and complex instrumentation that make their music so brilliant. The terrific song has spent the past 10 weeks on my Weekly Top 30. Now the guys return with an dark and explosive new single “Faceless“, which I’ve chosen as my New Song of the Week.

About the song, the band explains: “‘Faceless’ deals with an individual who struggles to form an identity, and tries to do so by piecing together scraps
of different characters. To capture the essence of this inner conflict, we invited people of different backgrounds and upbringings to collaborate, and create several layers of vocal overdubs that interpret the lyrics with contrasting emotions. The claustrophobic cluster of voices ultimately explodes in a bombastic chorus, which blends rock and metal with elements of industrial, hip hop and dubstep.”

“Faceless” is the band’s most experimental and intense song yet, incorporating the aforementioned elements of rock, metal, industrial, hip hop and dubstep to create a volcanic eruption of sound. The song blasts open with Jozef’s distorted guitar, punctuated by an explosive torrent of staccato riffs, firing through the airwaves like a rogue machine gun. Marco lays down a pummeling bass line while Josh smashes his drums with all the power he can muster, driving the relentless crushing rhythm forward. All of this is accompanied by a swirling maelstrom of tortured and spooky industrial synths, adding even greater drama to the sonic mayhem unfolding before our ears. The exquisite production, mixing and mastering of the track was done by Simon Jackman.

I always love Oskar’s highly emotive vocals, and he nicely delivers here with a mix of menacing drones and impassioned wails that are downright chilling. Additional vocals contributed by Oskar’s sister Elin Abrahamsson, SERENA, ANGIE, Sean Frost and Peter Gentry serve to heighten the levels of tension and uncertainty.

“Faceless” is a brilliant song, and a testament to Heist At Five’s ongoing growth and maturity as a band. They continue to push the envelope through their fearlessness, superior songwriting and outstanding musicianship, and I eagerly await their next musical creations.

Follow Heist at Five: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Stream their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud
Purchase on iTunes / Bandcamp / Amazon

100 Best Songs of the 2010s – #49: “Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON

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The song at #49 on my list of 100 Best Songs of the 2010s is the rousing ear worm “Shut Up and Dance” by pop-rock band WALK THE MOON. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, the band was started in 2006 by singer-songwriter Nicholas Petricca while he was a student at Kenyon College. The inspiration for his band name came from the Police song “Walking on the Moon”. In addition to Petricca, who also plays keyboards, the band includes Eli Maiman on guitar, Kevin Ray on bass, and Sean Waugaman on drums. They first gained success on the Billboard Alternative and Rock charts with their 2012 single “Anna Sun”, but it was their massive hit “Shut Up and Dance” that brought them international fame.

The song was actually a bit of a sleeper hit. Released in September 2014 as the lead single from their second album Talking is Hard, the song first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 in late November 2014, then fell off after spending only two weeks at #98. It re-entered a week later, and slowly climbed the chart, ultimately peaking at #4 in May 2015, however, it spent many weeks at #1 on the Alternative, Hot Rock Songs and Adult Top 40 charts. It was also named the #1 song of 2015 on the Hot Rock Songs and Adult Top 40 charts.

Petricca and Maiman had initially developed the infectious verse that formed the beginnings of the song, but it all came together the following weekend while Petricca was at a nightclub in the Echo Park district of Los Angeles. The place was packed, it was taking forever to get a drink, and he was frustrated because he wanted to dance to the great music that was playing. His girlfriend told him to stop complaining and just dance with her, inspiring the title “Shut Up and Dance’. He envisioned the song “as an anthem for letting go of frustration and having fun”, and set the lyrics to a jubilant, catchy-as-hell dance beat, embellished with rolling riffs of jangly guitar, jazzy synths and thumping drums.

The endearing and funny video portrays Petricca as, in his own words, “an incredibly uncomfortable, awkward dork who is 100 percent me” at a bar, trying to look cool.

100 Best Songs of the 2010s – #50: “Breakeven” by The Script

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We’re now halfway through the countdown of my list of the 100 Best Songs of the 2010s, and #50 is “Breakeven” by Irish alternative rock band The Script. The beautiful song is also one of the saddest and most bittersweet on this list. From their self-titled debut album The Script, “Breakeven” was actually released as a single in the previous decade, in late November 2008. It quickly became a hit in Ireland and the UK, but didn’t appear on the U.S. music charts until a year later in late 2009. It eventually peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Top 40 charts in May 2010. It was one of my favorite songs of that year, so as far as I’m concerned, it qualifies for inclusion on my list of best songs of the 2010s.

“Breakeven” is about how the breakup of a relationship can affect each of the two parties involved quite differently, leaving one feeling free while the other is heartbroken, and unable to move on: “I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing. Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in. ‘Cause I got time while she got freedom. ‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even.” The lovely mix of strummed acoustic and chiming guitars, snappy drums and sparkling keyboards provide a stirring backdrop for lead singer Danny O’Donoghue’s heartfelt vocals that beautifully convey feelings of intense sadness and desolation after a painful breakup: “What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you? And what am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up and you’re OK? I’m falling to pieces..”

The guitar work on this song is phenomenal, and it always impresses me when musicians choose just the right kinds of guitar notes and textures – along with any and all other instruments for that matter – to make their songs sound the very best they can be.

100 Best Songs of the 2010s – #51: “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA

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The song at #51 on my list of 100 Best Songs of the 2010s is “All the Stars” by songwriter and rapper Kendrick Lamar and singer-songwriter SZA. One of many outstanding songs featured on the soundtrack for the hit superhero film Black Panther, the gorgeous song is a stylistic departure for Lamar. Unlike most of his rap-heavy hip hop songs, “All the Stars” is highly melodic, with vibrant sweeping synths and lush orchestration, set to a strong thumping drumbeat. His vocals are mesmerizing and powerful as he sings the biting lyrics about duplicity and betrayal, while SZA captivates with her bewitching soulful vocals. She passionately sings about her inability to resist another’s charms despite the fact he’s no good for her, always putting her faith in love and the stars: ” This may be the night that my dreams might let me know / All the stars are closer.”

The song received much critical praise, but also a few withering reviews. Most critics and fans much prefer Lamar’s edgier rap songs like “Alright” and “HUMBLE” for their artistic innovation and how they speak to issues in the Black community – which I certainly appreciate – however, I’m just personally more drawn to this type of beautiful and melodic song. Sheldon Pearce of Pitchfork called it “generic and so nondescript that it reeks of compromise, devoid of personality or any true vision, and pales in comparison to both Lamar and SZA’s recent works,.” Well I say screw him! He’s entitled to his opinion and I’m entitled to mine, and I love it!

The dramatic and richly colorful video, directed by Dave Meyers and the little homies, is visually stunning, and one of the best of the year.

BLACK BEAR KISS – Single Review: “When I Break”

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Since the release of their terrific debut single “Hooks” in the spring of 2018, British alternative garage-rock band Black Bear Kiss have consistently put out a series of stellar singles – all of which I’ve written about on this blog. (You can read some of those reviews by clicking on the links under ‘Related’ at the end of this post.) With their exciting guitar-driven sound, strong charisma and rowdy live performances, the talented five-piece have built a loyal following in their home base of the West Midlands/Shropshire region of England and beyond. Making this great music are Chris Leech on lead vocals, Colin Haden on lead guitar, Rob Jones on rhythm guitar, Rich Sach on bass, and Chris Bagnall on drums.

Following up on their last single “Reach Up Higher”, an excellent song decrying the dominance of mainstream media and its often negative influence on the public, Black Bear Kiss are back with their latest single “When I Break“, which dropped October 30th. The song is a stylistic departure from their usual harder rocking sound, with a mellower, more introspective vibe, though the band once again serve up a memorable melody and the outstanding instrumentation we’ve come to expect from them. Highlights for me are the bluesy guitars and those beautiful keyboards that come in late in the song.

And then there are Chris’s warm, distinctive vocals that are particularly stunning on this track. He told me the lyrics are somewhat reflective, but he seems to question his relationship and his lover’s commitment toward it: “So we get somewhere we wanted / When does this feeling of fulfillment begin? Are we there, you know I’m counting on you, but this funny little feeling goes / So when I break darling, everything you take will wash over me.“

With “When I Break”, Black Bear Kiss keep their perfect score for producing great singles intact.

Follow Black Bear Kiss:  Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Stream their songs on  Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud
Purchase on  iTunes / Amazon

100 Best Songs of the 2010s – #52: “Renegades” by X Ambassadors

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The song at #52 on my list of 100 Best Songs of the 2010s is “Renegades” by Ithaca, New York-based rock band X Ambassadors. The beautiful song of inspiration was already in the process of being written by the band when their label Interscope Records was approached by Jeep, who wanted a song to promote their new Jeep Renegade SUV. The band and label delivered the song within a few days, and it was simultaneously released as a single in March 2015.

The uplifting lyrics speak to courage and perseverance in living one’s life to the fullest, no matter the obstacles placed in our paths. This not only satisfied Jeep’s goal of having a song that would appeal to young people’s sense of freedom and exploration, but also had personal meaning for the band, as one of its members Casey Harris was blind since birth. The video that was later produced for the song shows several people with disabilities working to overcome their challenges. Musically, the song starts off with a lovely strummed acoustic guitar riff that slowly builds, then a thumping drumbeat ensues along with a deep bass line and swirling keyboard synths to create a stirring soundscape. Lead vocalist Sam Harris fervently sings “Long live the pioneers, rebels and mutineers, go forth and have no fear, come close and lend an ear. And I say hey, hey hey hey Living like we’re renegades.”

The song was a sizable hit, peaking at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #1 on the Rock Airplay, Adult Top 40 and Alternative charts, where it spent many weeks at the top spot.