Tag: Indie Rock

EP Review: BILLY MOON – “That Which You Can’t Throw Away”

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I recently discovered the Canadian singer/songwriter Billy Moon when I was contacted about reviewing his latest EP That Which You Can’t Throw Away, which dropped in September. Billy hails from Hamilton, Ontario, and plays a terrific and thoroughly engaging mix of alternative garage, post-grunge punk rock. As he states in his Facebook bio, “Stop listening to bad music, and listen to ShittyRocknRoll (the name of his pretty respectable 2013 debut EP). After an invitation like that, how can you possibly resist?

Hallmarks of Billy’s infectious music are his honest, straightforward lyrics, fine guitar work and beguiling vocals. His unique sound is influenced by such bands as JEFF the Brotherhood, Diarrhea Planet, Makeout Videotape, PS I Love You, Frank Zappa and Surfer Blood. That Which You Can’t Throw Away features five great tunes that address the ups and downs of love and youthful angst, while showcasing his creative songwriting and musicianship. Let’s dig into the songs.

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The first track “Butterfly – Boyfriend’s Car” starts things off with Billy singing “I just want to cut the brakes on your boyfriend’s car. Listen to you cry as I hold you in my arms.” The buzzing bass riffs on this track are extremely good, as well as on “Long Drawled Out Story That Goes Nowhere – Sam + Alex” – a song about a couple who can’t decide whether or not they want to be together.

The wonderful track “Different Song (Same Girl)” speaks to the awkward, heart-tugging experience of meeting someone and immediately falling for them, hoping they feel the same about you. The song has a bit of a throwback doo-wop surfer vibe that conjures up images of a romantic summer evening by the beach. Billy’s heartfelt vocals perfectly convey his vulnerability: “Oh would you be so kind, as to tell me I’m fine. /I got a brand new leather jacket, that covers up all the holes in my shirt. Don’t be nasty. Say you like it.” His beautiful falsetto vocals in the chorus are sublime.

My favorite track on the EP is “Roads,” a tasty post-grunge tune with a catchy hook and languid beat. Our ears are treated to more of Billy’s awesome fuzzy guitars and compelling vocals. His falsetto and guitars in the chorus remind me a bit of Tame Impala (whose sound I adore). The lyrics address feelings of wasting time and not getting anywhere as the world passes you by. “Seems all the kids went out to Bangladesh. While I just stay at home and bang my head. Always in motion and always at rest. To sounds of people so alive some day. Somebody tell me what the fuck did I do with all my friends.” The imaginative video shows Billy sitting next to his little camper at night, smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer as he sings the song. An animated video plays on an inset in front of the camper, almost like a big flat screen TV.

“Ghosts” offers up more exceptional post-grunge sounds and powerful lyrics. “I am armed and I’m defenseless. Blind and naked in the dark. And all we do is try. We thrash around in the dark trying to find room. Trying to find walls. Something to hold on to./I think so much, but I’m not getting any smarter.” The guitar work in the final third of the song is brilliant.

All in all, That Which You Can’t Throw Away is a first-rate EP. Support Billy by following him on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.  Stream his music on Spotify and Soundcloud, or purchase on Bandcamp .

Artist Spotlight on L.A. band SIFTING

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Artist Spotlight3 Comments

I recently had the pleasure of being introduced to the fantastic metal rock band Sifting by fellow blogger LIFELIFETHRUMUSIC. Currently based in Hollywood, California, Sifting was originally formed in Caracas, Venezuela in 2010 by singer/songwriter Eduardo Osuna Gil. The band started recording their first songs in 2011 around the time the band Bullet for My Valentine chose them to open a concert in Caracas. Their debut single “All the Hated” was released that year on the famous line-up of games ROCK BAND® for the main gaming consoles worldwide. Their first album, also called All The Hated, was released in 2013 after Gil relocated to Los Angeles and reformed the band with new members Chris Eklund on lead guitar, Victor Ladines on bass and Abelardo Bolano on drums.

In a great interview with LIVELIFETHRUMUSIC (which you can read here) Eduardo discussed the origin of the band’s name: “Sifting is a word that gives meaning to the action of purifying, separating and cleaning things in order to get the best of them. This project uses this theory, always seeking to purify every aspect of what we are as a band, improving each day as musicians, as a group, as a part of society. In every lyric, arrangement and performance of our music we always seek to leave a message that teaches and encourages our followers and fans to improve and evolve every day, trying to make a real positive contribution to our environment.”

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The band’s music is characterized by complex, highly melodic arrangements with outstanding intricate guitar work, strong, driving beats and powerful vocals – all of which I love. Their excellent debut single “All the Hated” has all those ingredients in spades.

In 2015, the band released a 3-track EP Blurry Paintings, which includes the monumental track “Alone,” an eight-minute long tour de force. As beautifully articulated by Gil, the song is “packed with all kinds of emotions and transitions, progressive instrumentals, huge solos, incredible synths and orchestra arrangements, and thoughtful lyrics.” The song is literally a rock symphony. Eklund’s guitar solo midway through the song is breathtaking, and Bolano’s drums practically blow out the speakers. The compelling lyrics speak of man’s destructive instincts: “It’s so irrational to lead Mankind into its bitter end / And they still won’t listen / We won’t be forgiven / We’ve been left alone…”

Sifting has been recording new songs for their upcoming album Not From Here that they expect to release in early 2017.  Three tracks that have already been finished are “Nothing But Us”, the title song “Not From Here,” and “Gloom.”  “Nothing But Us” bursts open with Gil’s aggressive vocals and furious guitars riffs set to heavy percussion. The powerful lyrics speak to standing one’s ground and staying true to oneself, not allowing others to push you around or make you into something you’re not: “I know the things they think about me / Though the words hurt, I don’t care / Go on push me around now, you can’t bring me down.”

“Not From Here” is another epic song, with over six minutes of thunderous guitar riffs, pummeling bass and strong drums. At times, the highly complex guitars remind me a bit of the legendary band Boston. Gil’s raw vocals snarl and scream, backed by his band members’ soaring choruses.  This is an awesome track.

Their latest track “Gloom” is a lovely, bittersweet rock ballad about the heartache and feelings of rejection when a former love doesn’t want to continue the relationship. The great guitar riffs in the song have a bit of a Journey vibe, and Gil’s heartfelt vocals convey a deep sadness.

Sifting is a really talented group of musicians, and I look forward to their upcoming album Not From Here. To learn more about the band, check out their website and follow them on Twitter,  Facebook and Instagram. Steam their music on Spotify, and purchase on iTunes or Amazon.

EP Review: DREAMS OF VERTIGO – “Reject University, Part Two: From Six 2 Midnight”

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Dreams of Vertigo is a Southern California rock band with a sense of humor. Their Twitter bio states “We play music, we are anti pay to play, we write music that you can relate to because #weareallrejects.” And in their Facebook bio, they explain that their band “started with an idea…that recent music just isn’t up to par with the high standards of the average music listener (haha).”  Based in Orange County, the band formed in 2012, and they play music that draws from numerous rock influences ranging from Green Day and Blink-182, to the harder sounds of Avenged Sevenfold. Making the music are Doug Ferguson on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Gonz Wolfy on bass and backing vocals, Jay Bear on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Brandon Betts on drums.

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In October, the band released a six-song EP Reject University, Part Two: From Six 2 Midnight, which is a follow up to their excellent 2014 EP Reject University, Part One: Freshman 15. Are those great EP titles or what! Going with the theme, the EP opens with a 35-second intro that features a woman at a school assembly welcoming students to Reject University, then we’re hit with an onslaught of heavy guitars that immediately segue to the terrific hard-driving first track “One False Move.” Rapid-fire riffs of shredded, swirling and distorted guitars are accompanied by heavy bass and pummeling drums, all serving to pump up the adrenaline. The guys’ vocals are aggressive yet harmonic as they sing of lies and deceit: “So take back your lies / I’ll never sign or be a part / Of all your schemes and all your dreams for one night.” This is a great song.

Escaping a doomed relationship is the subject of the catchy, high-energy “Facade.” “And here’s the tragic part, we worked so fucking hard /  I lost the fight but won the war, you’re all alone. And no one cares, your selfish words they cut right through.”  This great track has a Blink-182 vibe, with fast-paced guitar riffs overlying a thumping bass line and propelled forward by hammering drums. The track features guest vocals by Tony Lovato, lead singer for the punk-rock band Mest.  The pleasing third track “If I Ever” takes a mellower tone, with gentle guitars and percussion. Ferguson’s vocals on this song remind me of pop-rock singer Duncan Shiek.

The most dramatic track on the EP is “An (Un)Easy Goodbye,” a hard rock song about depression and thoughts of suicide. “I’m the rejected, the painfully neglected. My world is a war zone. Normalcy is washed out to sea, and swallowed up by the waves. Take away the poison plaguing me.” Gnashing, discordant guitars, set to a hard-driving beat with aggressive percussion and Ferguson’s raw, imploring vocals, successfully convey the sense of chaos the band is wanting to achieve in this song. The complex guitar riffs are really outstanding. The powerful video portrays the band members acting out their internal struggles with demons and suicidal thoughts while performing the song.

The hard-hitting “Underneath the X” offers up more great rapid-fire shredded guitars and strong drums. The lyrics speak to overcoming past mistakes and self-doubt that keep holding you back: “There’s a fortune I’ve been told, underneath the X. If I keep on digging deep enough, I’ll be buried with the rest.” The final track “Girls Night Out” is a raucous ode to girls gone wild. Beginning with the sound of a woman asking how her hair looks, the song breaks open with furious guitars, pummeling drums and lots of crashing cymbals. Gonz Wolfy sings “Seven, eight, nine shots, emotions are rising, rumors are spreading, and now the girls are fighting / Amy spills her drink all over Kelly. Hailey’s pulling hair off of Stacy.” Halfway through the track, hilarious voice overs of women gossiping are heard. “She is a whore. I love your dress. I seen her with John last week. Oh, that bitch is crazy.  That bitch. She is a total slut.” Such fun!

To sum up, this is a great EP with lots of energy and awesome guitar riffs that kick ass! Show Dreams of Vertigo some support by following them on Twitter,  Facebook  and Instagram. Subscribe to their YouTube channel, and stream their music on Spotify and Soundcloud. Their music may be purchased on iTunes.

Song Review: MADE OF EYES – “Wishing Well”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews5 Comments

Every now and then you hear a song for the first time and you’re instantly blown away by it’s magnificence. That’s the feeling I got when I heard the brilliant new single “Wishing Well” from UK alternative rock band Made of Eyes. Following up on their previous, equally fantastic single “Feel Alive,” “Wishing Well” dropped today, November 28, and it’s a gorgeous work of musical art. Lush, soaring synths combine with thunderous guitars, forceful drums and a buzzing bass line to create a powerful, stadium quality anthem.

Made of Eyes is based in Glasgow, Scotland, and consists of four guys whose first names all begin with ‘J’ – JR Campbell on Guitar/Lead Vocals, Jason Stewart on Lead Guitar/Vocals, Jay Jay McMeekin on Bass, and Jacob Kane on Drums. The guys have been a band only since July 2015, but already have a definitive, polished sound.

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The track starts off with a dreamy synth melody, then blistering guitar riffs and hammering percussion take over. Jason, who’s lead vocalist on this single, passionately sings: “So throw me down the wishing well, and I hope you wish me well.” The song slows at the bridge with a brief but lovely guitar solo, then ramps back up for the finale with more soaring, thunderous riffs that bring goosebumps. With incredible emotion in his voice, Jason implores: “Why can’t you just be honest. It would save so much time.” This song is so good I had it on repeat more times than I can remember. Take a listen:

https://soundcloud.com/madeofeyes/wishing-well

UPDATE: The band released their four-track Bonds early in 2017, which you can stream on Spotify or purchase on iTunes. You can also listen to their songs on Soundcloud.  Support them by following on  Twitter  and Facebook.

EP Review: HAIL TAXI – “Apart For So Long”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews2 Comments

A recent submission to my email inbox introduced me to a new EP release by a singer/songwriter from Alberta, Canada who goes by the unusual artistic name Hail Taxi. Intrigued, I checked out the artist and his music and was pleasantly surprised. Born Nathaniel Sutton, Hail Taxi plays indie folk-rock with touches of alt-country and pop, and occasionally meanders into electronica, giving his music a unique sound and style that sets him apart.

Sutton recorded a debut album Dramatic Scene in 2005, as well as a follow-up self-titled album, for Engineer Records under his given name. Both albums were worthy efforts with some pretty good songs (I especially like “Zombies Are Everywhere” and “Worldwide Catastrophe”) . After a five-year-long hiatus, Sutton decided to resume his solo music career under a totally new moniker Hail Taxi. He told me he “chose the name because it is intriguing on how it can be taken a couple different ways: 1. Hail Taxi – when people flag down a taxi for a ride. 2. Hail Taxi – all hail the taxi, salute the taxi!  I’ll leave it to the listener to decide on how the name should be interpreted.”

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It makes perfect sense, then, that he would name his new EP Apart For So Long. The 5-track offering sounds more polished than his previous work, while still retaining his honest, straightforward folk-rock style. The first track is “Crystal Clear,” a catchy song about overcoming a painful break-up. The song has a wonderful acoustic guitar riff that contrasts with the darker lyrics: “I see you in my dreams, I see you in my mirror. I see you crystal clear, I see you in my pictures. I don’t know why but it’s so hard to move on.” Sutton sings the song in almost a monotone, at times whispering the lyrics, giving the song a haunting, ethereal vibe that perfectly fits the subject. The clever video uses some great footage from silent films, and the song on the video version starts off sounding like an old 78 being played on a Victrola.

Sutton’s signature plucky acoustic guitar and light percussion are nicely employed on the tracks “Northbound” and “We are Not Doomed…Yet.”  On “Northbound,” the gentle riff is accented by some scraping sound effects in the middle of the song, perhaps to convey the sense of traveling, and smooth electric guitar is introduced halfway through, adding complexity to the track. Sutton’s pleasing vocals reveal a vulnerability as he sings about telling his love interest how he feels: “Shaky hands, keep ’em steady. With a rose I’m standing. Come on hands, stop shaking. / You’re always in my thoughts, now I’ve been love shy. I like you a lot. / I’m glad we’ve got each other.”

The poetic lyrics on “We Are Not Doomed…Yet” speak to reconnecting with a lost love that he’d hurt, and now wanting to start over and give it another go: “And I looked into your eyes, and you looked into mine. That’s when I knew we are not doomed…yet.  And now that you are on my side, I never want to say goodbye. We were apart for so long.”

The EP contains two beautiful instrumental tracks. “Mount Robson” consists primarily of acoustic guitar, gentle drum and violin. The song is basically a simple repeating melody, but the haunting guitar riff is so compelling that the song feels more intense. The gorgeous, synth-heavy “An Untitled Ending,” has a very different sound from the other songs on the EP. I’m a sucker for lush synthesized sounds, and this song has them in spades. Some really excellent guitar work adds a dramatic flourish to the atmospheric track.

All in all, Apart For So Long is a well-crafted EP that makes for a pleasant listening experience. If you like what you hear, support Hail Taxi by following him on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribing to his YouTube channel. The EP, which drops today, November 4, can be purchased on iTunes, Bandcamp or other sites offering music for sale. You can also stream Sutton’s earlier music on Spotify here.

EP Review: STALEWORTH – “Covalence”

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Staleworth is a five-piece indie band from Long Island, New York who play an intense, yet melodic style of punk/post hardcore rock. The earnest young band followed me on Twitter a while back, and I was so impressed by their fresh sound that I wanted to feature them on my blog. Making the music are Kevin Davis (lead vocals), Brett Baehr (lead guitar), James Mann (rhythm guitar/backing vocals), Ryan Patterson (bass) and Nick Pinzon (drums, though Colin Thorson was drummer when the EP was recorded).

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The band released their debut EP Covalence in March 2016, and they’re off to a great start. Featuring five solid tracks that flow seamlessly from one to the next, the EP plays like one long rock symphony containing five movements. First up is the ear-splitting “Empty Veins, ” a melodic hard rock anthem that storms out of the gate with shredded and swirling guitars overlying Patterson’s pummeling bass. Muscular percussion sets the driving beat, and Davis’s fervent vocals occasionally turn into raw hardcore screams.  This is a real headbanger!

The high energy levels continue uninterrupted with “Patchwork,” another monumental hard rock track with blistering guitar riffs and thunderous percussion, accompanied by Davis’s impassioned raw vocals. He practically spits the fiery lyrics that speak of lies and deceit: “How could you expect that I wouldn’t question all you do?  Evil smile, blackened eyes, just another point of view / You know I’m not too fond of your intentions. But I don’t think you’ve ever learned your lesson.”

Things slow a bit at the beginning of “Moonchild,” with a lovely but rather melancholy guitar solo. The beat ramps back up about a minute into the track, with fast-paced guitars, heavy bass and forceful drums, only to return to a more languid tempo for the last 45 seconds.  The music doesn’t skip a beat as the song transitions to the one minute and 25-second auditory barrage that is the fourth track “Hang Loose.”  Davis screams his lyrics as furious guitars keep pace with a powerful military-style drumbeat.

That song seamlessly flows into the standout final track “Tiger Troubles.” This hard-driving number gradually builds in intensity, blasting through the speakers with bombastic drums and scorching guitar riffs piled atop more riffs, while Davis’s brutal vocals snarl and soar with the music, at times threatening to blow out our eardrums. The result is an awesome hard rock song of great complexity and depth.

If their excellent debut EP is any indication, Staleworth is a talented collective with a promising future. Show these guys support by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Stream their EP on Spotify and purchase it on Bandcamp.

EP Review: BRAVE YOU – “Six Songs EP”

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Let me start off by saying that this review is long overdue, as I’m a huge fan of this talented indie band. I’ve been following Brave You for a while, and am now finally getting around to showcasing them on this blog. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Brave You is Alex Meylink (guitar, lead vocals), Noah Snyder (bass, backing vocals) and Erik Burtraw (drums, backing vocals).

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The guys play alternative rock that’s highly melodic, but with an honest, post-grunge sensibility that gives them a distinctive style all their own. Outstanding, complex guitar riffs, Burtraw’s commanding drums, and their solid harmonizing vocals are the defining elements of their sound. And their skillful songwriting is clearly evident in their always compelling lyrics about life, love and relationship troubles. They released their terrific debut Six Songs EP earlier this year, and have been playing numerous venues in and around Milwaukee, which has helped build them a growing base of loyal fans.

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The first two tracks on the EP, “Cavalier” and “Here, Here,” are great hard-driving songs with dazzling guitar work and strong percussion. Meylink lays down some scorching riffs over Snyder’s buzzing bass lines, while Burtraw’s thunderous drums and crashing cymbals ramp up the already high energy levels.  The opening riff on “Here, Here” is so good it gives me goosebumps with every listen.

The guys’ impressive musical talents are really showcased on the well-crafted track “Tiny Lives.”  The song’s structure and arrangement are first-rate, and the multi-textured guitar work is phenomenal. Meylink fervently sings about how our individual lives are rather insignificant in the overall scheme of things, but we can still make them meaningful in our own little corner of the world: “We can live our tiny lives. If we want to, if it matters to us. We can live out our tiny lives. We can make something.”  

“Suspended” has a bit of a Goo Goo Dolls vibe, as Meylink’s vocals remind me of John Rzeznik on this track. The big difference is the soaring background chorus which the guys excel at. The poignant lyrics address the singer’s admission of his shortcomings, and asking for forgiveness: “These are the most honest words I’ve ever said.  I don’t deserve you, don’t deserve you at all / I always thought I was a better man than all of this.”

A standout track on the EP is the melancholy but beautiful “Vincent.” Once again, the guitars are sublime, and Meylink’s heartfelt vocals convey the feelings of despair and hopelessness expressed in the lyrics: “I want the sleep of the innocent. Wanna close my eyes / There ain’t no truth in this world when I don’t know my daughter’s name, when I don’t recognize her face.” Snyder explained to me that the song is about Meylink’s grandpa’s battle with Alzheimer’s.

The final track “North Avenue” offers up more great guitar, with riffs that go from delicately nimble to snarling. Meylink’s beguiling vocals smolder and soar with the changing intensity of the music, and the guys’ intertwining harmonies are marvelous as always.

To sum up, Six Songs EP is an excellent debut from a young band with a lot of promise. The guys are working on more songs and plan to release a full album in 2017, and I can’t wait to hear it. Follow Brave You on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to their YouTube  channel. Follow and stream their music on Soundcloud and Reverbnation, and their EP may be purchased on Bandcamp.

Artist Spotlight – audiodeluxe

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I head north to Scotland to shine my spotlight on audiodeluxe, an indie music duo making some really wonderful alternative electronic dream pop, with elements of rock, shoegaze and EDM. They are Sammy McHugh on vocals and Dez Bone on all music. Their bio on Soundcloud is so colorful that, rather than try to paraphrase, I’ll just quote it here in its entirety:

“Audiodeluxe are a couple of part time musical geniuses from a small but ever expanding village near Glasgow. They started writing songs together some time in the 90s and no one has forced them to stop yet. They have many influences ranging from the mighty Depeche Mode and Radiohead to Rage Against the Machine and the timeless Monty Python. They have also been brainwashed along the way by their crazy hippy parents and rather bizarre friends. They both exist happily writing tunes and turning out for the occasional gig. It’s a fine life really!”

The couple had early success with their music offerings, including local and international radio airplay, as well as licensing by the Fox sports channel for use in its broadcasts. After a period of hiatus while starting a family, they’ve recently resurrected their creative efforts, with an emphasis on growing their audience by independently releasing their music on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.

Dez Bones employs complex synthesizers to create a rich, ethereal sound, punctuated by gauzy atmospherics, psychedelic vibes or danceable grooves. The superb “Hold Me Back” has a fantastic electro-synth arrangement, while “The Day I Died” channels Depeche Mode, with its gorgeous sweeping synths. In “Treasure,” a simple, rather mournful guitar riff, accompanied by a hypnotic drumbeat, is overlain with sound effects like a train running on a track and what could be a flock of seagulls, resulting in a highly mysterious, otherworldly track.  So too, with the psychedelic-tinged instrumental gem “Stringthing.”

McHugh’s vocal styling extends across a wide emotional range. Her beguiling, slightly off-kilter robotic vocals in “Hold Me Back” call to mind those of St. Vincent, whereas her breathy vocals in “Treasure” accentuate the song’s aura of mystery. In the beautiful black and white video, McHugh sings the song while standing on a beach, storm clouds gathering around her. “I’m going down deep inside, for treasure / Going to a place, you’ll never find it’s pleasure. Can’t wait to go, you’ll never know / Too late now / Go to sleep / Close your eyes.”  Her vocals smolder with just the slightest bit of detachment in “Sunburned and Soaked” and “Too Late.”

One of my favorites is “How Long,” another great song with a strong Depeche Mode vibe. (Being a huge fan of Depeche Mode, it’s no surprise that I like audiodeluxe’s music so well.) The track’s seductive, synth-heavy groove set to a thumping beat, makes for an edgy, incredibly satisfying tune.

If you like audiodeluxe’s music, show them support and follow on Twitter and subscribe to their YouTube channel. Stream their music on Soundcloud and purchase it on Bandcamp.

EP Review: RED LIGHT RUNNER – “What Are You Thinking About?”

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My spotlight is still on the UK, where I now review the new EP What Are You Thinking About? from alternative indie post-punk rock band Red Light Runner, which dropped today, October 21st. The 5-track EP is their first release since their successful 2014 double-sided single “Lucky Thirteen/Just Might Find,” which itself arrived nearly seven years after their debut self-titled EP was released in December  2007. Those earlier tracks hold up well but, musically and lyrically, the band really ups their game with this new EP.

Hailing from Kent, Red Light Runner includes Dan Balson (Guitar, Lead Vocals), Russell France (Guitar), Lee Vickery (Bass) and Joe Michael (Drums).  Their fresh, high-energy music sounds like what you’d get if Blink-182 and Jimmy Eat World jointly gave birth to a new band. Catchy hooks, driving beats, assertive drums and lively, multi-textured guitars are the hallmarks of their songs. Although many of the lyrics address problematic relationships, this EP will have you on your feet from start to finish. Whether intentional or not, these are all songs meant to be performed live, and I’m sure these guys put on a great show.

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The EP starts off strong with “First Time,” as we’re hit with a barrage of shredded guitars and hammering drums. The track settles into a hard-driving rhythm with heavy melodic riffs, and Balson sings of disillusionment over a relationship turned sour. This is an exhilarating song that kicks ass!

The title track and first single “What Are You Thinking About?” speaks to living your own truth rather than wanting another’s life or living according to the expectations of others: “Someone else’s life is played out inside your head / Now it’s time to live the moments you have instead / Don’t allow yourself to lock you out / Always trust someone to turn you around / When you fall it seems a long way down / What are you thinking about?”  Rapid-paced guitars work in tandem with heavy bass and pummeling drums, resulting in a terrific song. This track, as well as others on the EP, feature backing vocals by songstress Charlie Dorrell.

Gnashing guitars announce the arrival of “Make You Pay,” another hard-driving track about bitterness over a failed relationship: “We’ve seen this road before, and I don’t think you understand / Another time, another place, another time and the moment slips too far away / I seem to find all my life, I’m left behind / I’ll make you pay.”  The powerful guitar riffs on this track are awesome, made even more so by Joe Michael’s thunderous percussion.

One of my favorite tracks is “Right Place Wrong Time.” The song rocks quite nicely, but with a bit more poignancy and, once again, the guitar riffs are superb, soaring to an ear-splitting distorted crescendo at the end. Charlie Dorrell’s sublime vocals are also more apparent on this track. The final track “Be Mine Again” is a rousing number, with more of the band’s signature complex, pummeling riffs and speaker-blowing percussion. The song addresses the singer’s need to survive life’s hardships: “Need to get out, pick myself up, carry on, and this world will be mine again.”

I have to admit that it took a few listens for me to fully appreciate the quality and depth of the songs and lyrics, but my conclusion is that this is a very well-crafted EP that gets better with each listen. These guys are really accomplished musicians who coax some awesome sounds from their instruments, and the lyrics are not as obvious as they seem at first glance – or should I say listen?  Support these guys by following them on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to their Youtube channel. Stream their music on Spotify, and purchase their music on Bandcamp, iTunes or other sites offering music for purchase.

EP Review: FLOODHOUNDS – “Look What You’ve Started”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews3 Comments

It’s back to the UK to shine my spotlight on the incredibly talented indie-rock band FloodHounds. Hailing from Sheffield, the 3-piece band plays some really exciting guitar-heavy alternative rock infused with ample amounts of blues and funk.  Making this awesome music are Jack Flynn (lead guitar and vocals), Rhys Owens (bass) and Lauren Greaves (drums). Flynn and Owens, who’ve known each other for years, started FloodHounds after the band they were previously in broke up. They needed a drummer, and lucked out when they discovered Greaves, who joined them in late 2014 to complete the current line-up.

In 2015 they released their debut EP Bare Bones, featuring three well-crafted bluesy rock tunes. Now, the band has returned with an ambitious new EP Look What You’ve Started. Let’s dig in to see what it’s all about.

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The EP bursts open with the hard-driving “A&E.”  Greaves’ pulse-pounding drums immediately set the pace for this powerful track, with lots of crashing cymbals adding excitement.  The stop and start composition of the track creates dramatic tension, with Flynn’s alternating scratchy and swirling guitars matching the ferocity of Owens’ heavy bass line. The guitars are really quite amazing, and Flynn’s vocals are mesmerizing.  The lyrics speak of someone – a friend or lover, perhaps – who’s going through tough times and in need of support:  “All the people look so tall, when you’re down on your luck and you fall. And though I know you’re on  your way, you need a little push to meet me halfway.”

FloodHounds go all bluesy with “State of Mind,” a standout track about escaping a boring, mundane existence. Flynn sings: “Time has passed us slowly from one day to the next / All my friends are 9 to 5 and cashing their checks / And I’m running round in circles again, why do we try? They never said at school that we’d amount to much / You’re barely there it seems like you don’t give a fuck / And you’re wasting all your time outside, why don’t you try?  Makes you wonder if you’re ever gonna make it in this world alive.”

The band keeps the bluesy vibe going while adding a bit of funk to the mix with “The Fear” and “Soulmates to Cellmates.” We’re treated to more stellar plucky guitar work, and Greaves’ formidable percussion skills are on full display. “The Fear” speaks to overcoming self-doubt and negativity that are holding the subject back: “Now I can’t help but wonder where you got your point of view / I don’t want to watch it bury you.”  By the time we get to “Soulmates to Cellmates,” it’s clear the EP’s theme is about dealing with inner conflict and the relationship troubles it causes.  In that track, the loved one becomes the oppressor, leaving the partner feeling shackled. “Being yours means I just have to wait / I don’t care how long it will take.”

The more rock-oriented “End of the Road” offers up funky bass and shredded guitars, and the EP closer “Greatest Mistake” wraps everything up nicely with a slower, bluesy feel. The guitar riffs in this song call to mind those of the legendary Eric Clapton – at least to my ears. This is another standout track.

To sum up, Look What You’ve Started is a solid EP, with a bit of an Arctic Monkeys vibe – a good thing, as I love that band.  Support Floodhounds by checking out their website and following on Twitter and Facebook. Stream their music on Spotify and Soundcloud, and purchase on Bandcamp, iTunes and other music purchase sites.