1. BROKEN – lovelytheband (3)
2. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (1)
3. WHATEVER IT TAKES – Imagine Dragons (4)
4. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (2)
5. YOU WORRY ME – Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (6)
6. THE JOKE – Brandi Carlile (11)
7. &RUN – Sir Sly (9)
8. SEVERED – The Decemberists (10)
9. ALL THE STARS – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (5)
10. HANDYMAN – AWOLNATION (13)
11. THE NIGHT HAS AN ALIBI – Wons Phreely + the Horses (12)
12. PINK LEMONADE – James Bay (15)
13. THOUGHT CONTAGION – Muse (14)
14. THE GOLD – Manchester Orchestra (16)
15. RUN FOR COVER – The Killers (7)
16. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (8)
17. BAD BAD NEWS – Leon Bridges (26)
18. ALREADY GONE – Brett Dennen (20)
19. PAIN – The War on Drugs (17)
20. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal. The Man (18)
21. GUIDE YOU IN THE DARK – Reckless Jacks (21)
22. SATURDAY SUN – Vance Joy (22)
23. MY MY MY! – Troye Sivan (24)
24. IRREVERSIBLE KNOT – DENSE (25)
25. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (19)
26. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (23)
27. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (27) 33rd week on list
28. I FEEL LIKE I’M DROWNING – Two Feet (N)
29. BEST FRIEND – Sofi Tukker, NERVO, The Knocks, Alisa Ueno (28)
30. WITHOUT WALLS – Lyia Meta (N)
Tag: DENSE
Top 30 Songs for April 8-14, 2018
1. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (1)
2. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (3)
3. BROKEN – lovelytheband (6)
4. WHATEVER IT TAKES – Imagine Dragons (7)
5. ALL THE STARS – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (2)
6. YOU WORRY ME – Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (8)
7. RUN FOR COVER – The Killers (5)
8. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (4)
9. &RUN – Sir Sly (10)
10. SEVERED – The Decemberists (11)
11. THE JOKE – Brandi Carlile (17)
12. THE NIGHT HAS AN ALIBI – Wons Phreely + the Horses (14)
13. HANDYMAN – AWOLNATION (16)
14. THOUGHT CONTAGION – Muse (15)
15. PINK LEMONADE – James Bay (20)
16. THE GOLD – Manchester Orchestra (19)
17. PAIN – The War on Drugs (12)
18. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal. The Man (13)
19. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (9)
20. ALREADY GONE – Brett Dennen (21)
21. GUIDE YOU IN THE DARK – Reckless Jacks (23)
22. SATURDAY SUN – Vance Joy (26)
23. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (18)
24. MY MY MY! – Troye Sivan (28)
25. IRREVERSIBLE KNOT – DENSE (29)
26. BAD BAD NEWS – Leon Bridges (N)
27. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (24) 32nd week on list
28. BEST FRIEND – Sofi Tukker, NERVO, The Knocks, Alisa Ueno (22)
29. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (25)
30. WE FIGHT – Dashboard Confessional (27)
Top 30 Songs for April 1-7, 2018
It’s taken a while to get there, but my new number one song is Bastille’s “World Gone Mad.” Though it was featured in the fantasy crime film Bright, the song addresses the strong political divisiveness and turmoil in Britain that resulted in Brexit. Many of the lyrics also describe the current fucked up political situation in America, where we’re led by an evil, narcissistic sociopath who has encouraged racism and nationalism, which is why it resonates so powerfully with me. The song was a modest hit, charting only on the Billboard Alternative Chart, however I think it’s Bastille’s best song since “Pompeii,” if not their absolute best.
Debuting at #17 is “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile. I was not very familiar with her music, but was floored the first time I heard this song, it’s that beautiful. This song is a certainty for a future #1 spot. And new at #20 is “Pink Lemonade” by James Bay. Wow, this song is HOT! Such a big departure from his former look and sound, which I really liked, but I’m loving this!
Additionally, I’ve expanded my list from 20 to 30 songs, as there are just so many great ones to choose from. I also want to include more indie artists who I believe are putting out some really excellent music.
1. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (3)
2. ALL THE STARS – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (1)
3. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (4)
4. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (2)
5. RUN FOR COVER – The Killers (6)
6. BROKEN – lovelytheband (7)
7. WHATEVER IT TAKES – Imagine Dragons (13)
8. YOU WORRY ME – Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (10)
9. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (5)
10. &RUN – Sir Sly (11)
11. SEVERED – The Decemberists (12)
12. PAIN – The War on Drugs (8)
13. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal. The Man (9)
14. THE NIGHT HAS AN ALIBI – Wons Phreely + the Horses (16)
15. THOUGHT CONTAGION – Muse (17)
16. HANDYMAN – AWOLNATION (20)
17. THE JOKE – Brandi Carlile (N)
18. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (14)
19. THE GOLD – Manchester Orchestra (21)
20. PINK LEMONADE – James Bay (N)
21. ALREADY GONE – Brett Dennen (N)
22. BEST FRIEND – Sofi Tukker, NERVO, The Knocks, Alisa Ueno (15)
23. GUIDE YOU IN THE DARK – Reckless Jacks (N)
24. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (22) 31st week on list
25. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (19)
26. SATURDAY SUN – Vance Joy (N)
27. WE FIGHT – Dashboard Confessional (23)
28. MY MY MY! – Troye Sivan (N)
29. IRREVERSIBLE KNOT – DENSE (N)
30. HAPPY HOUR – Weezer (24)
DENSE – Single Review: “Irreversible Knot”
DENSE is an awesomely talented psychedelic garage rock band hailing from Leeds, England. In March 2017 they released a mind-blowing debut EP Third Eye, which I reviewed and you can read here. They’ve now returned with a new single “Irreversible Knot,” and it’s fantastic.
Their unique psychedelic garage rock sound is at once retro and futuristic. They claim as their inspiration such bands as Wand, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard and Queens of the Stone Age, but I also detect hints of 60’s Yardbirds and early 80’s Billy Idol. If I had to put a label on their music style, it would be ‘industrial surfer metal rock.’ DENSE consists of Charlie Fossick (Guitar/Vocals), Dylan Metcalf (Bass) and Sam Heffer (Drums). Charlie also produces, mixes and masters their music. Despite their youth, their intense music style exhibits an impressive maturity and density – implied by their name, perhaps? – that would be expected from a more seasoned band. Of course, based on the photo below, they still retain a playful sense of humor that would be expected from a group of young guys.
“Irreversible Knot” opens with a grainy echoed synth chord, then an ominous rapid surf guitar riff and buzzing bass line enter the scene, propelled by a tapping drumbeat. Just as we’re becoming mesmerized by the hypnotic beat, we’re hit with a thunderous barrage of fuzzy distorted guitars steeped in reverb, Sam’s wildly crashing cymbals, and Dylan’s heavy throbbing bass. Charlie’s echoed, distorted vocals go from sultry drones to savage wails, while he shreds and distorts his guitar even further, creating a trippy, psychedelic wall of sound.
Halfway through the track, things calm down to just echoed synths and throbbing bass, then with a scream from Charlie, a cacophony of distortion comes crashing back like a tsunami wave. A second lull occurs three quarters of the way through, with a final return of heavy chaotic sounds. This back and forth ramps up the song’s tension to the breaking point, clearly with the aim of tying us into irreversible knots. The track is so delicious that, even at over four minutes long it seems over in an instant, leaving me craving more.
Connect with DENSE: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Stream their music on Spotify
DENSE – EP Review: “Third Eye”
I continue to be astounded by the sheer number of talented young bands today that are making some really great music. Another recent find is DENSE, a psychedelic garage rock band hailing from Leeds, England. Their music is unlike any other band I’ve heard lately, with a sound that’s at once retro and futuristic. They claim as their inspiration such bands as Wand, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard and Queens of the Stone Age, and though it may be entirely unintentional, I also detect hints of 60s Yardbirds and early 80s Billy Idol. But whatever their influences, their sound has what I would describe as an ‘industrial surfer metal rock’ vibe, and I love it.
Making this awesome music are Charlie Fossick (Guitar/Vocals), Dylan Metcalf (Bass) and Sam Heffer (Drums). Despite their youth, their intense music style exhibits an impressive maturity and complexity that would be expected from a more seasoned band. In March, DENSE released their debut EP Third Eye, which according to their bio “was crafted by Charlie Fossick in his bedroom one summer.” And while it may be lo-fi, it certainly makes up for it with a thunderous wall of sound.
The title track “Third Eye” kicks things off with a barrage of gritty, distorted guitars and throbbing bass steeped in reverb, while Heffer hammers out an aggressive beat on his drum kit. Fossick’s electronically enhanced, otherworldly vocals are mesmerizing, and hold their own with the power and intensity of the music note for note. This is one hell of a song!
The video is awesome, with clever psychedelic visuals that perfectly complement the song and its theme.
Distorted buzz saw guitars are in full force on the scorching psychedelic instrumental track “Glutton Free.” At times, the guitars wail and scream like a raging elephant. Metcalf’s pulsating bass gives the song incredible strength, with added help from Heffer’s pounding drums and crashing cymbals.
“Stone” starts off with what sounds like small explosions or basketballs hitting the court on heavy reverb, then a nifty little bass line ensues, followed by an eruption of frantic shredded guitars. At roughly the two minute mark, we’re treated to a catchy guitar riff before the onslaught of shredded, gnashing guitars return to close out the track, which immediately segues into “Shade.” Almost as if DENSE didn’t want “Stone” to end, “Shade” sounds like a continuation of it, but with a slight change up in the melody, and minimal vocals. It’s OK by me, as I didn’t want “Stone” to end either.
Connect with DENSE: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Website
Stream their music: Spotify / Soundcloud
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 