Tag: Indie Music

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 42 – Amongst Liars, Icarus Phoenix, Perpacity, Thunder Fox

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews7 Comments

As the United States – under the control of a brazenly corrupt administration headed by a team of cruel psychopaths and Russian sympathizers – quickly descends into an outright authoritarian oligarchy, at least we continue to have lots of great music to help keep us from going totally insane. February 28th appears to have been a big day for new releases, which means it’s time for another installment of my Fresh New Tracks series. Today I’m showcasing songs by English rock band Amongst Liars, American shoegaze/indie rock band Icarus Phoenix, British-Danish electronic rock duo Perpacity, and Australian indie pop-rock band Thunder Fox.

Amongst Liars – “The Insane Ones”

Photo by Vic Payne

I’m not normally a big fan of hard rock, but I sure do love English band Amongst Liars. Their aggressive yet melodic style of modern rock, fortified by fearsome vocals, have earned them a loyal and passionate following, me included. Based in the Brighton/Eastbourne area on the southern coast of England, the band consists of Ian George (lead vocals & guitar), Leo Burdett (guitar & backing vocals), Ross Towner (bass & backing vocals), Adam Oarton (drums), and James Brumeo (keyboards & piano). I first learned about them in early 2020 and was intantly blown away by their explosive debut single “Over and Over”. They’ve since released numerous outstanding hard-hitting singles (many of which I’ve reviewed on this blog) and two critically acclaimed albums, Amongst Liars in 2022 and By Design in 2024.

And speaking of trying to not go insane, Amongst Liars are back with a fiery new single “The Insane Ones“. As with all their music, the track was produced and mixed by David Radahd-Jones at Red City Recordings in Manchester, and mastered by Grant Berry at Fader Mastering. About the track, the band explains: “‘The Insane Ones’ was written and recorded in autumn 2024, in anticipation of the events currently unfolding in the U.S., but we believe it is now more relevant than ever. The song addresses fake news and propaganda that spread false narratives and brainwashing, encouraging people to bring out the worst versions of themselves and support extreme ideologies promoting unnecessary intolerance and hatred towards fellow human beings. It may be heavy subject matter, but someone needs to address the narrative – even a humble ‘lil rock band from Eastbourne.” Needless to say, given my political leanings the song deeply resonates with me, with biting lyrics calling out our duplicitous leaders: “We are the insane ones they try to blame, to blame. They set us up so we can fight for them. They set us up so we can die for them.” The dramatic cover artwork was designed by Adam Ingrams.

Icarus Phoenix – “Poor Sad Indie Everything”

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland is Icarus Phoenix, a shoegaze/indie rock band comprised of frontman Drew Danburry (guitar & lead vocals), Eli Sims (drums), Leena Rhodes (guitar, vocals and synths), Brendan Russell (bass), Peyton Rodeffer (guitar & vocals), as well as Andrew Young (drums, percussion). Originally formed in 2020 in Missoula, Montana, the band has experienced multiple lineups. They’ve released quite a bit of music, starting with their self-titled debut album in 2021, followed by two more albums that year, another in 2022 and their most recent, I Should Have Known the Things You Never Said, last August (2024), along with numerous singles at what appears to be at a rate of one every three weeks. Danburry has independently toured and released a staggering amount of solo music since 2002 , including over 400 songs on over 20 albums and 13 EPs, and has played more than 800 shows worldwide, all accomplished almost entirely DIY.

As I always do for an artist or band I’m writing about for the first time, I listened to quite a bit of their back music catalog, and I really like their pleasing sound and intelligent, poetic lyrics. Their latest single “Poor Sad Indie Everything“, is positively stunning, with a gorgeous mix of shimmery and chiming guitars accompanied by enchanting strings consisting of viola played by Kevin Nelson and cello by Alea Nelson. Danburry’s vocals are soothing and sweet as he sings “When the love we find, takes flight into a different corner. Loss of blind defines, that ducking, flowing stream when stars align.” The band provided a brief explanation about the song: “Sometimes a moment of beauty stays with us. A moment that shines through brilliantly and sears itself into our brain. We’re lucky to experience said moment. We recognize that. So we write it down. Document it. Save it for later. We go back in our memory when times are hard. Something that gives life meaning. Purpose. Joy. Well….times are hard.” Indeed they are, which is why we need uplifting and beautiful songs like this.

Perpacity – “The Void”

Perpacity is an electronic music act comprised of British singer-songwriter, composer and producer Ian Harling and Danish singer-songwriter, composer and producer Martin Nyrup. They’re both accomplished musicians with over 20 years of experience, and have been collaborating together for over a decade. Their sound is characterized by haunting melodies, lush electronic soundscapes and driving beats, with thoughtful and compelling lyrics. Since 2015, they’ve released five albums and scores of singles, two of which, “Granite” and it’s B-side “Never Let Go”, I reviewed in 2022. Those tracks were included on their fifth album Discordia, released in June 2023. 

Now they’re back with “The Void“, the second single (after “Racing With Flamingoes”) from their forthcoming sixth album Poverty Of The Flesh, due for release in August. Released through the Town And Towers Records label, the song has a dark, brooding vibe that calls to mind some of the songs by Depeche Mode. About the song, Perpacity explain: “’The Void’ grew out of a conversation about the uncertain state of today’s world, and how best to act in the face of impending doom. The track highlights the inevitability of destruction, and the many ways people cope – through belief, denial, or simply by embracing and venturing into the void.” The guys drive home their message with darkly beautiful yet almost menacing industrial synths set to a hypnotic beat, overlain by their droning vocals backed by an otherwordly ethereal chorus. The accompanying video, featuring a mix of actual disaster footage and AI-generated imagery of hellish landscapes, provides an unsettling and fitting visual for their song.

Thunder Fox – “Never Got That Far”

Photo by Del Brown

Mere words cannot express how much I adore Australian band Thunder Fox. The Sydney-based five-piece is one of the most creative, wickedly funny and insanely talented – not to mention sexiest – acts around, and I’ve gushed about them and their music numerous times on this blog over the past five and a half years. Comprised of the charismatic and silky-voiced Sam Dawes (lead vocals & guitar), Travers Keirle (Sax, vocals & rhymes), Jesse Tachibana (trumpet, vocals & synths), Max Vallentine (drums), and Jarrah Murray (bass), they skillfully blend funk, soul, blues rock, hip hop, jazz and pop into their delectable music stew. In addition to sounding great, their music has a stylish and jazzy sophistication, thanks to their outstanding songwriting and musicianship, including having both a saxophone and trumpet player in their lineup. They’ve released a tremendous amount of music since 2016, including three marvelous albums, two of which – Love at First Sniff (2019) and Sanctuary (2021) – I reviewed.

Their latest single “Never Got That Far” was inspired by Sam’s coming to terms with his drinking problem and taking responsibility for any hurt and misunderstandings he may have caused. He elaborates: “’Never Got That Far’ is our apology on behalf of all those who didn’t know themselves well enough to do right by our friends. For all the fumblers and fuckpeople who wish they did better when they had the chance – perhaps for a time machine to take us back, to try it again. We’ve been there. Let’s cry about it real quick then grow and learn together!” Though somewhat melancholy, the song is also enchanting and lovely, with great guitar work and organ accompanied by Jesse’s wonderful trumpet and some fine harmonica. Sam’s soulful, plaintive vocals are vulnerable and filled with regret as he apologizes to someone with whom he could have had a romantic relationship: “So you’ll know, I often wonder who we’d be if I had met you there. Guess we’ll never know. But you don’t have to forgive me. Never made no one love me when they didn’t. Just know that I’m sorry we never got that far.”

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 41 – Cormac O Caoimh, DelCobras, The Kid and I, Ewan Patrick

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews23 Comments

For my latest edition of Fresh New Tracks, I’m showcasing terrific releases by four acts I’m especially fond of – Irish singer-songwriter Cormac O Caoimh, Philadelphia power pop band DelCobras, London alternative indie rock band The Kid and I, and Scottish singer-songwriter Ewan Patrick.

Cormac O Caoimh – “The Little Things”

Cormac O Caoimh is a talented singer-songwriter and musician from Cork, Ireland who writes incredibly pleasing indie folk/pop songs filled with sublime melodies and beautiful arrangements. His thoughtful, intelligent lyrics exploring the intricacies of life, love, hope and loss are delivered with fine instrumentation and warm, comforting vocals that remind me at times of Paul Simon. The prolific artist has released an impressive amount of music over the past 25 years or so (both with his previous band Citadels and as a solo artist), including seven outstanding albums, the most recent being 1999​-​2012 Vol. 1, an ambitious work released last May 2024 featuring 20 tracks, 10 of which were new recordings of older songs released between 1999 and 2012, whereas 10 were the original recordings of those same songs. I’ve previously reviewed three of his singles, most recently “There’s A Crack (Heart Attack)“ from that album that’s a reimagining of his song “Heart Attack”, from his 2012 album A New Season For Love. You can read that review here.

Now Cormac returns with a new single “The Little Things“, about which he explains: “Unlike many of my songs this is a true story and a happy one. It is about 2 people who have this massive soulful connection with each other but they do not tell each other. And they go through their lives savouring the small moments they connect – a chance meeting in town, a cup of coffee at work, etc. The happy ending is …they both die, and their ghosts hook up.” It’s a sweet and poignant song, with lovely instrumentals set to a gentle melody and accompanied by Cormac’s soothing vocals. The video features vintage footage of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing in the film Broadway Melody of 1940.

The Bandcamp release also features two extra B-sides – “Does God Only Hear Sober Prayers” and “Sweet Sake” – both tracks from a country album that Cormac had planned to make but never did.

Delcobras – “The Turnaround”

Marc Schuster, Jim Lorino & Nick Cervini

Hailing from Philadelphia is recently-formed power pop trio DelCobras, comprised of Jim Lorino (lead vocals, guitar & synths), Marc Schuster (bass & vocals) and Nick Cervini (drums). All accomplished musicians, Jim is also frontman of indie power pop act Scoopski, now on hiatus, and drummer for indie alt-rock band Naive Nature. Marc records both as a solo artist and is also one-half of duo The Star Crumbles, as well as involved with several other musical acts, including Scoopski for a time. Nick is drummer for Philadelphia indie rock band Sacred Monsters and also played with Scoopski. In addition to their musical talents, they’re personable guys with a wicked sense of humor. Their name is a tribute to Delaware County, where Marc and Nick live. “We rehearse in Marc’s basement in Havertown, and Nick lives around the corner” Jim explains. “I’m from Northeast Philly, but they’ve accepted me as one of their own.”

They’ve just dropped their debut single “The Turnaround“, a rousing anthem of self redemption celebrating the eternal promise of second chances. Jim wrote the song after experiencing a raft of disappointments, including his home team the Philadelphia Phillies losing to the New York Mets in last year’s National League Division Series, his band Scoopski falling apart, and backsliding in his ongoing efforts to lose weight (something I can sadly empathize with). Inspired by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and the Netflix documentary The Turnaround, which chronicles the story of how Jim’s friend and YouTuber The Philly Captain (aka Jon McCann) spearheaded a movement to give Turner, who was struggling in his first season with the Phillies, a standing ovation at their August 4th game which resulted in a ten-game hitting streak for the player, “The Turnaround” is a marvelous post-punk infused rocker loaded with gnarly guitar chords fortified by a hard-driving rhythm of chugging bass and smashing drums. I love Jim’s exuberant vocals, nicely joined by Marc singing a few lines from the Frank Sinatra classic “High Hopes” (written by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn), in the bridge. I also love the charming carpool karaoke video.

The Kid and I – “Take My Hand”

Daniel Malek, Jacob Powell & Minky Très-vain

The Kid and I is a London, England-based alternative indie rock band comprised of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Powell, Minky Très-vain on guitar & backing vocals, and Daniel Malek on bass.  (Très-vain is also front man of scratch rock band Brain Ape, who I’ve featured several times on this blog, and of which Powell was once a member.) Influenced by an eclectic mix of acts ranging from Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Blink-182 to Tyler, the Creator, Sam Fender and Phoebe Bridgers, The Kid and I serve up a fresh blend of energetic rock and indie vibes, infused with heartfelt lyrics reflecting the struggles of modern life. Since 2020, they’ve dropped 13 singles, an EP and a live album. Last March, I reviewed a live version of their explosive banger “Good Times Go”, a song about toxic masculinity and taking accountability for oneself.

On February 20th, they released their latest single “Take My Hand“, a powerful song of perseverance in these troubling times. Jacob explains “I wrote this song back in 2021 – it’s been kicking about for a long time, but it feels more relevant now than ever. This song’s about trying to escape the hatred we find in the world right now through love, and hoping for a better future in the process.” Backed by a dynamic mix of grungy guitars, aggressive drums and soaring strings, he passionately sings “I’m scared of having children in this day and age. Where big money does what it wants, always gets it own way / Please just take my hand, and let’s run away before the devil rears his ugly face again.” In addition to the three The Kid and I members, drums were played by Elvis Quagliotto, additional guitar by Henry Avedian, and strings by Gavin Brooks. The wonderful photo and cover art design were created by Forest Smith.

Ewan Patrick – “Always With You”

Ewan Patrick is a thoughtful and talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Edinburgh, Scotland who’s had music in his blood for much of his life. He studied contemporary classical composition at Napier University in Edinburgh, then earned a graduate degree in Music Production at Leeds College of Music. He also played in many bands over the years, performing extensively across the UK, including at a number of major music festivals. In 2020 he began recording and releasing songs he’d written over the years that he says “never quite found their place in any of the bands I’ve played in.“ His songs range from pleasing acoustic, folk rock and piano ballads to stirring anthemic rock, all of which Ewan handles with ease, both musically and vocally with his strong, clear and beautiful singing voice. He also records, mixes and masters all his music by himself. Thus far, he’s released numerous singles and two excellent albums, Forever Love in 2021 (which I reviewed) and Keep On Coming Back For More in 2023.

On February 11th, Ewan dropped his latest single “Always With You” on Bandcamp, and will be available on all other major streaming platforms on February 25th. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming song that starts off gently with only an acoustic guitar accompanying his plaintive vocals, eventually building into a soaring anthem with gorgeous layered guitars, powerful bass and tumultuous percussion. The poignant lyrics speak to the overwhelming feelings of grief that envelop us after losing a loved one. Ewan elaborates: “The inspiration for this track has come from my work with children and young people that have experienced a bereavement. Losing someone who is so close to you is the hardest thing any of us will experience in our lives. I hope this song captures even an ounce of the rollercoaster of emotions we experience when dealing with some of the toughest times in our lives. It’s one that means a lot and I’m really proud of. I hope it resonates with many. ” Well, it most definitely resonates with me!

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 40 – Asa Daniels, Evrah Rose, John Serrano, Rusty Shipp

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews7 Comments

Lots of new music means it’s time for another installment of my Fresh New Tracks series, and today I’m pleased to feature excellent songs released over the past week by four talented acts – New York-based singer-songwriter Asa Daniels, Welsh singer-songwriter, poet and author Evrah Rose, Spanish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Serrano, and Nashville-based nautical rock’n’roll band Rusty Shipp. Each song couldn’t be more different than the others, but after all, I am EclecticMusicLover!

Asa Daniels – “Never Knew”

Asa Daniels is a charming and affable singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from New York City who’s also guitarist and lead vocalist of alt-rock/blues band Gooseberry, who I’ve previously featured several times on this blog, He’s also front man and guitarist of jazz/rock/funk band Baked Goods, which he formed when he was 15. Now on hiatus, Baked Goods released three albums and an EP between 2013-2020. Ever the charismatic showman, Asa appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in March 2022, where he competed in a Battle of the Instant Songwriters. In addition to his sparkling personality, intelligent songwriting and ace musicianship, I also love his vocal style, and have been a fan of his since learning about Gooseberry in late 2021.

Last March (2024), he released his debut single as a solo artist, “Historical Christ”, followed two months later with “Hello Barcelona”. On February 7th, he dropped his latest single “Never Knew“, and it was love at first listen. All three songs will be included on his forthcoming solo album I’ve Run Out of Boxes to Put Things In. Written and sung by Asa, “Never Knew” was recorded with the help of AJ Daye on drums, Guillermo Goldschmied on bass, and Dan Janis on the bluesy sax. I love the song’s sophisticated jazzy vibe, as well as the sweet photo of Asa as a young child sitting on the floor playing a guitar used for the single’s cover art. It’s proof of his lifelong love of music.

Evrah Rose – “Invisible Me”

I recently learned about Welsh artist Evrah Rose and her impactful spoken word song “Invisible Me” and its accompanying video from her fellow Welsh artist Secret Postal Society (the music project of singer-songwriter and musician Craig Mapstone, who I’ve also previously featured on this blog) when he shared it on his social media accounts. A street poet, rapper and author with two published books to her credit, Evrah has gained popularity and a loyal following for her hard hitting vocal delivery, compelling storytelling, and fearlessness in bringing attention to issues like social injustice and mental health.

Released on February 3rd, “Invisible Me” addresses how people struggling with depression often downplay or hide their real feelings so as not to bring attention to their problems out of fear of burdening others or inviting shame and scorn. Evrah elaborates: “[It’s] a spoken word film depicting the cruel nature of chronic illness. How we’re so often forced to ‘mask up’ to hide our pain, the continuous struggle to fit into society, and the impact that has on our emotional well-being and sense of identity.” As someone who suffers from occasional bouts of depression myself, I was deeply affected by her heart-wrenching words, as well as the images shown in the video. I know from experience that, while most family members, friends and co-workers may genuinely care that we’re suffering, they often don’t know how to respond, feel helpless to assist us in meaningful ways, or might even dismiss our feelings, instead encouraging us to simply “buck up”, “count our blessings”, and so on. The film was written, performed and directed by Evrah, and filmed and edited by Joey Edwards. The lovely piano music was played by Olexandr Ignatov.

John Serrano – “Granada”

Hailing from Málaga, Spain is John Serrano, a prolific singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who I cannot heap enough praise upon. Not only is he a versatile and enormously talented musician with a beautiful singing voice, he’s also thoughtful, kind, handsome and incredibly supportive of other independent artists. Drawing from a dizzying array of genres and influences ranging from alternative, progressive, punk and metal rock to blues, folk, electronica, synthwave and jazz, the man can play and sing just about anything, with vocals that run the gamut from achingly beautiful and tender to fearsome and savage. Over the past decade, he’s recorded and released an astonishing catalog of music as both a solo artist and in collaboration with other musicians. Every time I turn around, John’s dropped another new single or album, and it’s a challenge keeping up with him. He released three full albums in 2024 alone!

His latest release is the lovely single “Granada“, which dropped February 7th. Written and performed entirely by John, it’s the first single from his forthcoming album Still Alive, scheduled for release in May. On this track, he skillfully blends beguiling flamenco guitar notes and hand claps with jazz and folk elements to create an enchanting soundscape for his plaintive and arresting vocals. The bittersweet lyrics speak to feelings of regret and loss over a romantic affair he let slip through his fingers: “I really was the best version of me when I walked away to never look back. And just convince myself I don’t need you at all.” It’s a bit of a different sound from John, and I can’t wait to hear what he has in store.

Rusty Shipp – “All Aboard!”

Few acts I can think of have mined a novel theme as successfully and consistently over the years as has Nashville rock band Rusty Shipp. The brain child of front man Russ T. Shipp (his actual birth name is Russell Thomas Shipp), Rusty Shipp is a self-described “Nautical Rock’n’Roll” band, with a sound influenced by “the melodic chord progressions of The Beatles, the surf guitar of Dick Dale, the grunge rock of Nirvana, and the heavy metal of Led Zeppelin“. As their name suggests, their music features a dark, immersive sound, unforgettable melodies, electrifying guitar work, and Shipp’s vibrant tenor vocals. Like many bands, they’ve undergone numerous changes in lineup since forming in 2014, and now consist of the aforementioned Russ Shipp on guitar and vocals, AJ Newton on drums, Dave Gajda on lead guitar, and Doug Webster on bass.

Rusty Shipp have released three outstanding concept albums – Mortal Ghost in 2017, Liquid Exorcist in 2019, and Dark Side of the Ocean in 2022 – all built around nautical themes. (I reviewed the latter two albums, which you can read here and here.) Last October (2024), they released “Neck Breaker”, their first new song in two years and the lead single from their forthcoming fourth album Cosmic Innuendo, Vol. II. In keeping with the band’s nautical theme model, Cosmic Innuendo, Vol. II will tell a fictional story of an evil band of pirates who set sail on a sinister mission, dismissing the prophetic warnings of an old sailor on the pier who warns of a worse fate for them than the gallows if they stay on their course. The band states that the fictional story “is ultimately a masked philosophical message warning of people living their lives in a self-inflicted apocalypse.” 

“All Aboard!“, released as the second single from the album on February 7th, is also Rusty Shipp’s first theme song, as well as the first song to include voices of some of Rusty Shipp fans known as Shippmates. The song is a wonderful hard-driving rocker, with a roiling torrent of grungy guitars joined by some blistering surf guitar solos in the second half, and nicely accompanied by AJ’s aggressive drums, a terrific organ and Russ’s dynamic spine-tingling vocals. Given the quality of both “Neck Breaker” and “All Aboard!”, the new album is sure to be another winner. On a side note, I also love that their more recent music is published via “Shipp Wreckords”.

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 38 – The Nanners, Onism E, Marc Schuster & His Amazing Friends, Traverse the Abyss

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews10 Comments

Lots of new music continues to issue forth from more of the highly creative artists and bands I follow, so time for another Fresh New Tracks installment. Today I’m featuring new songs released over the past week by four acts I’ve previously written about, in alphabetical order: L.A.-based pyschedelic pop-rock duo The Nanners, Texas indie rock trio Onism E, Philadephia-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marc Schuster, along with an array of indie artists he calls “His Amazing Friends”, and Scranton, Pennsylvania-based metalcore band Traverse the Abyss. While each of the four songs couldn’t be more different from one another from a musical standpoint, they all address varying approaches for trying to keep sane in what seems to be an increasingly insane world.

The Nanners – “Jokes”

Hailing from Los Angeles are The Nanners, the wonderfully zany music project of Nicholas Ewing and Thomas Ferraiuolo, who have this to say about themselves: “Welcome to Banana World, where love, curiosity, angst, and nebulous speculations are explored through the lens of two meek and socially awkward grown men in banana costumes.” While at first glance they might appear to be some kind of weird novelty act, they are in fact fine musicians and songwriters who also happen to be both hilarious and charming, with their music a delightful mix of indie rock, psychedelia and jangle pop.

I first wrote about them and their song “New Pony” in a previous Fresh New Tracks post a year ago, and am now pleased to feature their latest single “Jokes“. About the song, the guys say: “When you’re tripping sometimes you trip and fall pretty hard. But when you get your face out of the mud you realize everyone and everything is laughing with you.” To drive home their message, they layer a colorful blend of twangy, jangly and edgy psychedelic guitars over a bed of quirky twinkling synths, all fueling by a pleasing rhythm of subtle bass and percussion. As great as the music is, I really love their warm harmonies as they sing of not allowing life’s trials and tribulations to get the better of us.  

 

Onism E – “Call You Home”

Photo by Jim McKay

When I last wrote about indie rock band Onism E and their powerful song “It’s Not Over” in November 2022, they were a four-piece based in New York City. Now relocated to Austin, Texas, the band is a trio comprised of uber-talented front woman, singer-songwriter and guitarist Eline Chavez, bassist Gabe Chavez and drummer Andre Atalaya. Their latest single “Call You Home“, written by all three band members and produced by Tucker Allen, is another hauntingly beautiful and compelling song in the style for which Onism E have become known.

Like all their songs, “Call You Home” features intelligent lyrics touching on life’s struggles and the human condition. In this case, Onism E explores feeling lost and untethered in a troubled world gone mad, seeking solace in people and places that can bring a little comfort and peace of mind: “The world is lost, and I’m empty. Drifting in sadness of sins I don’t even own. And I’m just trying to hold my own. I’m just trying to hold on, and all I need to know is can I call you home? When the world gets hard, and I’ve got no place to go.” I love the gorgeous mix of chiming guitars and twangy guitars, rich percussion and Eline’s always marvelous, deeply-emotive and heartfelt vocals.

Marc Schuster & His Amazing Friends – “Hole in the Boat”

Marc Schuster is an insanely creative, multi-talented guy from the Philadelphia area who’s not only an educator, author, literary critic and visual artist, but also a prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, recording both as a solo artist and as part of numerous music projects and collaborations with an ever-expanding roster of musicians. As if all that weren’t enough, he also hosts a weekly hour-long music podcast where he features songs by talented indie artists, plus has a terrific blog of his own called Abominations, where he writes about music and interviews indie artists. I honestly don’t know how he finds the time and energy to accomplish all that he does!

 I’ve featured Marc many times on this blog, most recently last May when I wrote about his collaborative single “All the Same to You” with Portland-based artist Quizboy. Now he’s back with another collaboration, “Hole in the Boat”, which he recorded with the help of Quizboy and a host of other musicians he names below. The song has a somber and rather melancholy vibe, yet offers glimmers of optimism and hope that we can come together to at least achieve a bit of understanding and empathy toward each other, even if we’re unable to totally resolve or overcome our deep-seated differences. 

About the song, Marc elaborates: “It’s a plaintive call for solidarity in difficult times. And, I suppose, a request for honesty. I had my own hole in the boat in mind when I wrote the tune back in November, but now I’m thinking of all the holes we don’t talk about. In fact, the line that inspired the song came from a Don DeLillo novel called Mao II, and the line actually refers to “holes,” plural: ‘What about the holes in the boat? All repaired?’ one characters asks. ‘We don’t speak about the holes’ another responds. Times like this, as I say in the song, all we have is each other, so I’m grateful to all of you for listening to my music — and to my friends Nick Cervini, Jim Lorino, Sam Goodman, Jaimee Jacobczak, Brian Lambert, and Quizboy for helping me out with this one!“

Traverse the Abyss – “Reasoning”

Photo by Juliana Soroka

I’ve been following heavy metal band Traverse the Abyss for over eight years, and while this genre of music isn’t one of my favorites, I do like to hear a good face-melting, speaker-rattling song now and then, and this band always delivers the goods. Their intense yet melodic sound draws from a myriad of metal sub-genres, including classic heavy metal, thrash metal, death metal, nu-metal and metalcore, as well as hard rock, rock’n’roll and even punk influences I first wrote about them in early 2017 when I reviewed their impressive debut album Gamble of Life, then again in August 2018 when I reviewed their eponymous EP Traverse the Abyss. In the years since, the Scranton-based act has undergone some changes in lineup, and from what I can tell now consist of original co-founders Eric “Abyss” Ross (Vocals) and “Iron” Mike White (Guitar), as well as Jamie Macheska (Guitar), Justin Coe (Guitar), Nick “Big Shits” Cotillo (Bass) and David “Goblin” Wilczewski (Drums). They’ve dropped a series of additional singles, along with a second EP Smiling in the Suffering, in 2022. 

Now they return with a new single “Reasoning“, the first of five tracks from their forthcoming third EP Momento Mori, due for release on April 25th. Musically, the song opens with a somber, darkly beautiful guitar riff interrupted by an occasional stab of a piercing gnarly guitar note. Soon, all hell breaks loose with an explosion of furious raging guitars, pummeling bass and aggressive drums as Eric screams the lyrics in his signature fearsome growl. The combined guitar prowess of Iron Mike, Jamie and Justin is on full display as they inject spine-tingling riffs and solos throughout the song, while Nick and David masterfully drive the rampaging rhythms forward. The lyrics speak to letting go of negative thoughts resulting from unpleasant or unhappy past events that are holding you back, keeping you from growing and achieving your full potential: “The way we feel about everything is based on our past experiences. I know negativity is haunting, lurking, stalking me. Learn from your past mistakes. How we think and respond has the power to rebuild our own lives.”

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 37 – Taylor DeRousse, Fake Empire, The Formerly Misinformed, Naive Nature

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews12 Comments

It’s been six months since my last Fresh New Tracks post, and given the plethora of new music being released, as well as the fact I’ve returned to writing reviews again (at least for now), I thought it was time for another installment. Today I’m featuring the music of four acts, in alphabetical order – Michigan singer-songwriter Taylor DeRousse, English alt-rock band Fake Empire, Texas alt-rock band The Formerly Misinformed, and Pennsylvania alternative pop/punk band naive nature. The songs were released on January 10th, except for the one by Fake Empire, which came out January 2nd. I’ve previously written about The Formerly Misinformed, whereas the other three acts are new to this blog.

Taylor DeRousse – “Growing Up Is Scary”

Photo of Taylor from her Facebook account

Taylor DeRousse is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Detroit area with an impressive resume. She not only writes, sings and records her own original songs, she also owns a music school and studio called Tailored Harmonies Music Co, plus has a B.A. degree in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance, as well as an MBA. According to her website, she’s been teaching music in a variety of capacities since 2014, including as a private music instructor, studio music teacher, group class instructor, middle school art & music teacher, theatre vocal coach, and collegiate music tutor. While her primary instruments are piano, guitar, and voice, she also plays the ukulele, violin, mandolin, and bass guitar.

Inspired by such artists as Alanis Morissette, Phoebe Bridgers, Stevie Nicks and Carole King, she released her first single “Pins and Needles” in 2020, and last September (2024), she began dropping a series of singles, beginning with “Front Porch”, that will be included on her forthcoming debut album Running Back To Me. Her fourth in the series and latest single is “Growing Up Is Scary“, a sort of coming of age song about realizing what really matters in life. The song was recorded with the help of Bryan Pope on guitar and bass and backing vocals by Cassidy Chaisson and Tom Mihalis, who also produced the track. I like the bouyant melody and great instrumentation a lot, as well as Taylor’s lilting vocals, but it’s the honest and poignant lyrics, in which she sings about the thing that frightens her more than monsters, zombies or Friday the 13th that really touch me: “I don’t wanna die doing something I hate, make a whole lot of money just to drink it away. I want something more, I’ll do whatever it takes. It’s a burden I carry. Growing up is scary.”

Taylor’s Socials: Facebook / Instagram / Threads / TikTok

Fake Empire – “Imposter Syndrome”

Band photo by Rob Luckins

I wasn’t familiar with English band Fake Empire until the other day, when I learned about them in a post by Maria Savva for her blog Rock And Roll. She’d chosen their latest single “Imposter Syndrome” as her Track of the Day, and it was love at first listen for me. The song is darkly beautiful and mesmerizing, with a brooding atmospheric feel that reminds me of some of the songs by bands like The Cure, New Order, The Church and Interpol. The song compelled me to check out more of their back catalog, which I must say is outstanding, and I’m now a fan of this band.

Based in the south of England, Fake Empire consists of Simon Brookes, Les Black and Becky Bellinger, and from what I can tell, they’ve been putting out music since 2017, all in the form of singles which now number 20 in total. “Imposter Syndrome”, which runs 7:45 minutes in length, was released along with two shorter remixes. Though the primary song is long, it’s so beautiful and flawlessly executed that it could go on for even longer. I love the lush, haunting synths and Cure-esque jangly guitars set to an enthralling beat and accompanied by droning, yet comforting vocals. It’s the perfect song for sitting back with headphones and letting yourself be enveloped by its gorgeous soundscapes. To my mind, the lyrics seem to be about living lives that are inauthentic and controlled by other sociopolitical and cultural forces, leaving us acting like sheep, unable to be our true selves or even know who we really are: “Imposter syndrome. You’re sinking like a stone. How can you live when your life is not your own? Our lives are not our own.” The original artwork used in the single cover art was painted by Nathaniel Westwood.

Fake Empire’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / Threads 

The Formerly Misinformed – “Cut To Scene (Half Life)”

The Formerly Misinformed is a family band from Texas that’s comprised of siblings Brandon Green, Erica Jones and Emily Henney, and their father Terry Green. Together, they create a pleasing style of alternative indie rock, with strong elements of folk and singer-songwriter. Brandon also hosts and produces a music podcast Gimme These Two. Formed in 2019, they released their debut album All In A Dream in 2020, followed by a number of singles and an EP Let’s Pretend it’s Fine in 2022. In September 2023, I reviewed their song “Underneath the Same Stars”, a collaboration with Welsh singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Craig Mapstone, who records music under the moniker Secret Postal Society. The two collaborated again last month (December 2024) when The Formerly Misinformed did a remix of Secret Postal Society’s song “Autumn Leaves”, which is currently enjoying a long run on my Weekly Top 30.

Now they’re back with a new single “Cut To Scene (Half Life)“, which was written and sung by Brandon, with backing vocals by Craig. Brandon also produced, mixed and mastered the track. According to the press release, the song draws inspiration from the scientific concept of half-life, a term used to describe the rate at which unstable atoms decay or how long stable atoms survive, and aims to capture the feeling of transition – of reflecting on where you’ve been while acknowledging the messiness of where you are now. I like the song’s free-form melody that almost borders on progressive rock, as well as its colorful mix of grungy guitars, spare piano keys, throbbing bass, swirling synths and spirited percussion. Brandon’s laid-back vocals have a casual air, and are nicely complemented by Craig’s backing harmonies that fully blossom in the terrific choruses.

The Formerly Misinformed’s Socials: Instagram

naive nature – “alright”

Photo by Justin Henry

Hailing from Philadelphia is alternative indie rock trio naive nature. Formed in 2023, the band is comprised of singer-songwriter and guitarist Jackson Vincent, drummer and backing vocalist Jim Lorino (who’s also front man of Philadelphia-based power pop band Scoopski) and bassist and backing vocalist Mickey Collins, who joined the lineup last September. Together, they blend grunge, pop-punk, alternative, emo and indie rock influences to create some really terrific songs. They released their debut single “the weight of the world” in January 2024, and since then they’ve dropped another four singles plus a three-track EP outsiderism (their band name and all their songs are stylized in lower case letters). Their wonderful single “childhood friends” ended up on my 100 Best Indie Songs of 2024 list.

On January 10th, the guys released “alright“, the first single from their forthcoming second EP separation anxiety, due for release in March. The band said the song “serves as a modern breakup anthem with a clear determined focus on pushing through the worst of times to find something better.” To drive home their message, Jackson serves up a marvelous fuzz-soaked guitar riff, while Jim and Mickey drive the rhythm forward with insistent drumbeats and a thumping bassline. Jackson has the perfect singing voice for this type of grunge/pop-punk song, and he’s in fine form here as he conveys a sense of sad resignation to a romantic partner at the end of their relationship: “It’s alright now. Waste your time now, you know it’s all the same. You’ll be fine now. Don’t forget how you gave me all the blame.” “alright” is a great song, and I’m looking forward to hearing their new EP.

Naive Nature’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / Threads / TikTok

THE STAR CRUMBLES – Album Review: “The Stars That Shine”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews12 Comments

There’s an old saying that “two heads are better than one”, and while it might not always be true, I’ve found that when it comes to music, collaborations involving two different musicians from different backgrounds often leads to greater energy and creativity. Such is the case with The Star Crumbles, a musical collaboration between singer-songwriter Brian Lambert, who’s based in Denton, Texas, and singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marc Schuster, who lives in suburban Philadelphia. (Brian, who self identifies as “Your Friendly Neighborhood Rock And Roller”, affectionately calls The Star Crumbles his “love child” with Marc.) Now don’t get me wrong, each is a prolific and talented songwriter and musician in his own right, putting out catchy songs with thoughtful lyrics. But the songs they create together are some of my favorite music by them.

Last October, the Star Crumbles released their debut album The Ghost of Dancing Slow, a brilliant work inspired by some of the 80s artists and music they love. In my review of the album, I provided quite a bit of background info on Brian and Marc, but will reiterate a few important facts about each of them here for context.

Brian is a prolific artist who’s been writing and recording music for many years, and says he’s “reinvented himself more times than he can count.” In early 2021, he challenged himself to writing, recording and producing a new song every week for an entire year, which he accomplished, and now has an incredible body of work to his credit. He just released his latest album Auto Matic Im Perfect on August 4th. Marc is an insanely creative renaissance man, who counts among his many talents being an educator, author, literary critic, songwriter and musician – both as a solo artist and as part of numerous music projects and collaborations, visual artist, blogger (he has a terrific WordPress blog called Abominations), and host of the weekly online radio program Tweetcore Radio Hour.

Brian Lambert & Marc Schuster

Now the dynamic duo are back with their second album The Stars That Shine, which dropped August 8th, just four days after Lambert released his solo album. I said he was a prolific artist! This album showcases their ongoing exploration and growth as musicians and songwriters, continuing to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. Brian elaborates: “When we started the process of the album, Marc and I discussed this theme of new beginnings and really letting go of the past to become who you actually are. Thematically it’s probably best surmised in “Brand New Sunrise.” I wrestled with it for a couple of months while trying to make sense of where things were shaping up with the rest of the great music Marc was sending me. I felt like I had to really bring something that pushed me to areas where I was uncomfortable. The scope and grandeur of the music Marc was sending me demanded that I dig and find something in myself that was a mystery even to myself. What I love about the Star Crumbles is how this interaction with the “other” in the form of a piece of music allows me to redefine my own boundaries and shed them. Musically I’m just blown away and of all the things that I have a hand in, it’s the one that I listen to for pure enjoyment. I’m very proud of the work that Marc and I have done.“

They kick things off with “Get What You Are“, which was released in March as the album’s lead single. Brian wrote the lyrics, while both of them had a hand in writing the music. While the song has a somewhat dark and eerie vibe, with intricate guitar notes layered over a droning melody and mysterious echoed synths, the lyrics are more hopeful. Brian urges us to find our true selves in order to live a better, more fulfilling life: “You’ve got this time on your hands, feel it slipping away. You always hurt, live for today. You get what you want, when you get what you are.“

The guys channel Depeche Mode on “My Own Hands“, a terrific electronic gem featuring a contrasting mix of gnarly and swirling industrial synths that add drama and texture to the track. Marc noted how his and Brian’s collaboration really paid off in the track’s development: “There’s a little “whoosh” right before the chorus kicks in. It wasn’t there when I recorded the initial backing track, but Brian wanted a little bit of breathing room between the verse and the chorus. It took me a day or so to figure out how to do it, but I feel like that extra measure really does a nice job of letting Brian’s vocal shine when it comes back in.“

“Radio” is a fascinating spoken-word interlude in which Brian muses about all the songs floating around out there, which is followed by the trippy instrumental electronic track “Eat Your Vegetables“. Brian remarked that he and Marc had been talking about Brian Eno and experimental music, which led him to do his “best jazz daredevil over super cool bedrock of sound.”

One of my favorite tracks on the album is “What I’ve Become“, a haunting synth-driven beauty highlighted by Marc’s simple but arresting piano riff. Brian’s languid, melancholy vocals here are some of the best I’ve heard by him as he contemplates ridding himself of dark and negative thoughts that held him back: “I had a feeling, my feeling go away, and now that’s it’s gone, I’m happy here to stay. I let go of loneliness that always tortured me. The gloom and the darkness penetrating all I see.”

On the timely and relevant “Don’t Wanna Be Angry Anymore“, Brian calls out the constant anger that seems to permeate society today, with people on both sides of the political spectrum railing about one thing or another, always at war with each other: “It’s always something else, a brand new travesty. Conspiracies I do not see, and you just seethe and shout. And I don’t wanna be angry any more. I don’t even know what we’re fighting for. Can you tell me how you’re keeping score, because I don’t wanna be angry anymore.”

Those who follow Brian on social media know him to be a thoughtful guy who frequently poses questions about the music industry, our culture, emotional well-being, and life in general. The second spoken-word interlude “Space” is a great example of this, where he ponders the impact of spaces between scenes in a film or between tracks on a record. Next up is the upbeat and catchy song “Brand New Sunrise“, where he sings of seeing things with a new, more positive outlook. “Now I see the look in your eyes, I’m waking up to a brand new sunrise. I didn’t know we could be so much more than we thought we’d be.”

Continuing on a positive note, the delightful “Quiet Wonderful Day” celebrates the simple joys of everyday moments spent with a loved one: “Silent smiles we sit there blissfully, nothing that we need to say. In the park, holding hands on a quiet wonderful day.” I love the bouncy melody, lighthearted synths and Marc’s breezy piano chords, all of which make this another one of my favorites. On “See You Want You“, Brian confides to someone he’s besotted with of his clear-eyed adoration: “I see you and I want you, exactly for who you are.”

“Read My Mind” is a fast-paced, spacey synthpop song with a melody that sounds a lot like Semisonic’s 1998 classic “Closing Time”, and while I like it well enough, for me it’s the weakest track on the album. The lyrics seem to speak of feeling fulfilled and at peace with oneself: “If you could read my mind you would know that I am done trying to fill in the holes./I am here, feeling whole.” Closing track “You Are Much More” seems to question our beliefs that form the basis of our worldview: “Are stories you tell, what you believe? Is what you’re giving, what you receive? Do memories make meanings that hold us in place? …searching for answers in the thoughts between space. Won’t you come with me. We’ll see all we can see.” I like the nifty bassline, reverb-soaked fuzzy guitar notes and crisp drumbeats that give the song an urgent, fascinating vibe.

With The Stars That Shine, The Star Crumbles have crafted another stellar album for our listening pleasure. I love these guys, and trust we’ll be hearing much more great music from them in the months and years to come!

Here’s the album on YouTube:

And on Spotify:

Connect with The Star Crumbles:  Twitter / Instagram

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Amazon Music / Pandora

CHRIS MARDULA – Single Review: “Angels & Demons”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews10 Comments

This past April, I featured British singer-songwriter Chris Mardula, an earnest and talented guy from Durham County in Northeast England, in an Artist Spotlight. To briefly summarize, his music style is strongly influenced by elements of folk, indie rock and blues. A seasoned musician, he’s played in several bands over the years, but often feeling frustrated by uneven levels of commitment by other members, he decided to go it alone as a solo artist. In November 2022, Chris began releasing singles at the rate of one per month, and has now dropped his 8th single “Angels & Demons“. 

A hauntingly beautiful piano ballad, “Angels & Demons” is a very personal song for Chris, and was inspired by the recent passing of his father. The song touches on memories from his childhood, when he was too young to understand his father’s struggles with depression and alcoholism brought on by his own tough upbringing. His father (Chris’s grandfather) was a Polish World War II veteran who’d escaped from a concentration camp and fled to England to start a new life. Witnessing unimaginable things, like having his family wiped out during the war, left him with emotional scars that were sadly passed down to Chris’s father. In the song, Chris uses angels and demons as metaphors to help him understand his father’s actions more clearly: “We need to understand why people are the way they are, as everyone is fighting battles we don’t know about or understand, unless we are in their shoes. Everyone has good and bad in them, and sometimes we need to face things head-on and try and deal with them to stop going down the wrong path. Everyone does things with good intentions and usually for self preservation.”

For the recording of the song, Chris played the somber piano riff and edgy, mournful guitar riff that arrives halfway through the track, while Ben Young, who produced the track, played the haunting string arrangements. Chris’s heartfelt vocals are filled with emotion as he wistfully sings “When you’re lost in the mayhem. When you’re lost in your mind. We’ve all got angels and demons. We’ve all got to face them sometimes.” It’s a lovely, deeply moving song.

The heartwarming video includes stock footage that helps convey the sentiments expressed in the lyrics, interspersed with old family photos featuring Chris’s dad in the second half.

Connect with Chris: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Find his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / Soundcloud / YouTube

EclecticMusicLover named one of 100 Best Indie Music Blogs

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Commentary44 Comments

I received an email today from Anuj Agarwal, the founder of the website FeedSpot – the internet’s largest curated database of bloggers and podcasts – informing me that my blog EclecticMusicLover has been named one of the 100 Best Indie Music Blogs on the site. I’m not only thrilled and honored that my little blog is included in their most recent list of indie music blogs from around the world, but that it also ranks #48.

Many of the named blogs are located in the U.S. and UK, but multiple European countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Venezuela and South Africa are also represented. Here’s the link to the full list: https://blog.feedspot.com/indie_music_blogs/

It’s gratifying that all my time and efforts spent writing about little-known indie artists and bands over the past seven-plus years has finally earned me a bit of recognition!

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 29 – Jigsaw Sequence/Machina X, Johnny Ritchie, Novus Cantus, Thunder Fox, Western Jaguar

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews14 Comments

Friday, May 26th was one of the biggest days for new music releases I can remember, at least in terms of artists and bands I follow, and from what I could tell, at least nine of them released new singles. Because I like all these artists and their songs and want to show them support, I’ve decided to feature them all in a Fresh New Tracks post. To make it easier on me, as well as not overload my readers with too many songs all at once, I’ve broken them into two separate posts. I published the first one two days ago, and this is the second, which includes a collaboration betweeen Scottish synthpop artist Jigsaw Sequence and British electro-pop artist Machina X, American singer-songwriter Johnny Ritchie, American Baroque pop duo Novus Cantus, Australian soul-funk-pop-rock band Thunder Fox, and Canadian alt-rock band Western Jaguar. I’ve previously featured all these acts on my blog, with the exception of Jigsaw Sequence. And true to my blog’s name, each of these five songs couldn’t be more different from one another.

Jigsaw Sequence + Machina X – “Late to the Party”

Jigsaw Sequence is the music project of Scottish synthpop artist Richard Tracey, and Machina X (aka Annie James) is an electro-pop artist based in Yorkshire, England. The two talented individuals have been making music both as solo artists and in collaborations with others, and recently teamed up to write and record a great new synthpop dance single “Late to the Party.” The song and collaboration marks a resurgence for Annie, after she experienced a bit of a slump, as she recently acknowledged on Twitter: “In the last 6 months I’ve thought a lot about closing the door on making music because it feels so much harder than it did. Thank you Jigsaw Sequence for believing there was more inside, and collaborating with me.”

In contrast to the exuberant, pulsating dance beat and luxurious retro 80s synth grooves, the lyrics are rather bittersweet, speaking of living in denial about a relationship that’s breaking apart, hoping things will turn around. Machina X’s lilting vocals are wonderful and heartfelt as she sings “Behind a mask where no-one sees. Hiding for the sake of sanity, ‘cos hearts like mine bruise easily when they’re washed up on the shore. Late to the party. Always early to leave. Scared by the truth, but always wanting to believe.”

Johnny Ritchie – “Chirp”

Johnny Ritchie is an engaging, intelligent and wildly imaginative young singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who I’ve previously featured three times on this blog. Originally from Indiana, Johnny’s now living in Spokane, Washington. With a lifelong love for music, he began learning to play piano and drums as a child, then went on to study Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music at Columbia College Chicago, and in 2020 earned a B.A. degree in Music at Western Michigan University. He now has his own business teaching others to play piano, keyboards and drums, as well as giving lessons in music theory, songwriting and improvisation. He also writes and records music in which he fuses alternative and experimental rock with neo-psychedelia and contemporary jazz to create incredibly fascinating and sophisticated soundscapes.

Ever-creative and continually willing to push musical boundaries, every new release of his sounds totally original and distinctive. His latest single “Chirp” is an unusual instrumental piece that couldn’t be any more different from his previous alternative psychedelic hip-hop single “Elite Deviance”. Already his fourth single of 2023, with another one on the way in a couple weeks, “Chirp” is the first that Johnny’s both recorded and produced entirely by himself. Featuring a relaxing synth groove, accompanied by deep bass and punctuated by a sharp percussive beat and beguiling piano trills, the song also features delicate bird chirps throughout that lend a charming atmospheric air to the proceedings. Johnny never fails to dazzle my senses with each release, and I cannot wait to hear what new experimental sounds he comes up with next!

Novus Cantus – “Caterpillar”

Novus Cantus is an innovative music act comprised of brothers Alexander (vocals and guitar) and Christian Herasimtschuk (drums and percussion). Based in the Hudson River Valley roughly halfway between Albany and New York City, the duo draw from a broad and eclectic mix of influences ranging from traditional ethnic music like flamenco and Hungarian folk, to classical Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque, to alternative rock, in the creation of their uniquely enchanting and exotic sound. They’ve been performing and recording together since 2010, and have released a fair amount of music. I’ve written about them four times over the past five years, most recently when I reviewed their hauntingly beautiful Civil War-themed song “Georgia”. 

Now they’re back with “Caterpillar“, a bewitching song originally written for a children’s concert last year that the brothers decided was too good to not release as a single. The lyrics tell the story of a humble-looking caterpillar who starts out crawling upon the ground and feeding on plants (“and I walked in the cool of the night“), then climbs into the trees to become a chrysalis (“and I slept in the cool of the night“), finally emerging as a beautiful butterfly (“and I flew in the cool of the night“). The most striking aspect of the song for me are the beautiful sounds from a Wot, a Thai pan flute played by Christian. I love how his fluttering notes evoke the sounds of a butterfly’s wings unfolding for the first time. Of course, Alex’s lovely acoustic guitar and warm, emotive vocals, accompanied by Christian’s percussive beats, are really wonderful too.

Thunder Fox – “Feels Like Forever”

Mere words cannot express how much I adore Australian band Thunder Fox. The Sydney-based five-piece is one of the most creative, wickedly funny and insanely talented – not to mention sexiest – acts I’ve ever encountered, and have gushed about them and their music numerous times on this blog over the past four years. Now comprised of the charismatic and silky-voiced Sam Dawes (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Travers Keirle (Sax/Vocals/Rhymes), Jesse Tachibana (Trumpet/Vocals/Synths), Max Vallentine (Drums), and Casey Allan (Bass), they skillfully blend generous helpings of funk, soul, blues rock, hip hop, jazz and pop into their delectable music stew. And while their often bawdy lyrics and playful antics would seem to indicate a juvenile zaniness, their music has a stylish and jazzy sophistication, thanks to their great songwriting and musicianship, including having both a saxophone and trumpet player in their lineup.

They’ve released an impressive amount of music since 2015, including three terrific albums – Mother Machine in 2016, Love at First Sniff in 2019, and Sanctuary in 2021 – the most recent two of which I’ve reviewed. One of the singles from Sanctuary, “Head in the Clouds” reached #4 on my Weekly Top 30, and ranks #47 on my 100 Best Songs of 2022 list. On their new single “Feels Like Forever“, Thunder Fox channels Prince, Morris Day & the Time and James Brown to create a rousing slab of old-school soulful funk. I love the song’s stomping groove, courtesy of Casey’s deliciously funky bass and Max’s spirited drumbeats, and fortified with Sam’s gnarly riffs, Travers’ hot and jazzy sax notes, and Jesse’s bold trumpet blasts. It’s one of the most exuberant songs they’ve released in a long while, and I love it!

Western Jaguar – “Better Daze”

Hailing from the picturesque Fraser River Valley of British Columbia, east of Vancouver, alt-rock act Western Jaguar was born in 2012 when singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Trainor turned to music to get him out of a low point in his life. With the help of an evolving lineup of musicians, Western Jaguar released three stellar EPs and several singles between 2013 and 2019, including their beautiful song “Disappear”, which went to #1 on my Weekly Top 30 in 2019. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, bringing things to a halt for just about every musician and band, the social isolation gave Jeffrey time to reflect on how unhappy he’d become as a musician. He’d become fixated on, in his own words, “likes, a following, positive feedback…and became hyper focused on making music other people liked.” By the end of 2020, he decided he didn’t want to make music anymore, essentially walking away from Western Jaguar, which he conveniently blamed on the pandemic.

Thankfully, after a long break he came to realize that, just like in 2012, music could once again lift him out of his slump. He decided to resurrect Western Jaguar as essentially a solo act, and beginning last November, went to work writing and recording songs in his home studio for what would become his new album Oblivion, scheduled for release on July 7th. For the recording of the album, Jeffrey sang vocals and played most instruments, though his former Western Jaguar bandmates Davis MacKenzie Zand played bass and AJ Buckley played electric guitar and drums, and sang backing vocals on two tracks, and KC Roces played electric guitar on a third track.

The first single from the album is “Better Daze“, a poignant song about going through hard times after a tragedy and trying to get back to better days. Musically, the song has an upbeat dream pop feel, with a breezy melody, beautiful chiming guitars and snappy drums. Jeffrey’s clear, pleasing vocals have a hint of sadness as he sings the lyrics about a woman named Suzie, whose fiance Harold died suddenly after a fall in the shower just before they were due to be married. Suzie falls into a deep depression, and with the best of intentions, her father insists she take medication to help improve her mood. Unfortunately, the drugs only make her feel worse: “Suzie’s felt worse since the medicine. Her lungs are burning and she can’t breath in. Her father insists on the vice, it’s the only way for a normal life. But a normal life was lost last June when Harold fell in the bathroom. She hasn’t taken them for 6 weeks. If only it was that easy. Her father asks if she’s feeling well. She gives him a smile though she feels like hell. She wants him to think that she’s okay, even though she’s thinking of better daze.”

It’s a wonderful, albeit melancholy song, and it’s great to have Western Jaguar back. I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the songs on Oblivion.

BEALBY POINT – Single Review: “America”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews12 Comments

One of my favorite indie bands I’ve gotten to know over the past few years is Vancouver, British Columbia-based four-piece Bealby Point. Named after a local beachside vacation spot, they’re comprised of four childhood friends, Jack Armstrong (lead vocals), Clayton Dewar (lead guitar), Jordan Studer (bass), and Zack Yeager (drums). I love their buoyant, high-energy alternative/garage rock they cheekily call “music to fold laundry to“, which has earned them favorable comparisons to such bands as The Strokes. Their description of themselves as “approachable guys making cool music” is genuine, based on the mutual respect, camaraderie, and joy of spending time together that’s so evident in all their photos and little acoustic performance sessions they frequently post on TikTok and Instagram.

Beginning with the release of their debut single “I’m So Bummed Out Right Now” in February 2021 (which I featured in an installment of Fresh New Tracks, and has been streamed over half a million times on Spotify) the engaging four-piece continued dropping a series of excellent singles, including the brilliant “Talk To Me”, which I also reviewed and earned a spot on my Top 100 Songs of 2021 list. They released an EP Fridays in July 2022, and on May 10th, dropped their latest single “America“, a song they say is about falling in love, then falling out of love in tragedy. When I asked the band why they used “America” as the title and the subject of a romantic relationship, drummer Zack told me “The idea to personify America as a girl is tied to the idea of the American dream, [with] living a happy successful life basically culminated into a relationship. All of your hopes and dreams, ambitions and expectations, crushed by falling out of love.”

Like all their music, “America” was recorded and produced by Matt Di Pomponio, however, the song is a bit of a departure from their previous work, with a more serious, introspective vibe. I love how it opens with a gentle fuzz-coated riff, then launches right into the anthemic chorus. As always, the guys’ instrumentation and musicianship are outstanding, with Jack and Clay’s vibrant guitars accompanied by Jordan’s sturdy bassline and Zack’s spirited drums. I really like Jack’s warm, plaintive vocals as he sings of the joys of a new love in the opening chorus: “America, she loves me. I thought it couldn’t be I get down on my knees and scream America. Her shoulder rests on mine, I’ll be here for a lifetime“, then turn emotionally-wrought in the final chorus as he laments about how their love now lies in ruins: “America, I’m a human being. The faults that lie in fate that I don’t want to make. Fuck sakes America. Her shoulder rests on mine. Now let me drift away and wallow desperately again.”

“America” is yet another superb track by this talented and wonderful group of guys, and I remain a loyal fan!

Connect with Bealby Point:  Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on  Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / YouTube / Bandcamp / Amazon