1. BAD BAD NEWS – Leon Bridges (4)
2. PINK LEMONADE – James Bay (1)
3. THIS IS AMERICA – Childish Gambino (2)
4. I FEEL LIKE I’M DROWNING – Two Feet (5)
5. HANDYMAN – AWOLNATION (3)
6. &RUN – Sir Sly (6)
7. ZOMBIE – Bad Wolves (8)
8. THOUGHT CONTAGION – Muse (9)
9. BROKEN – lovelytheband (7)
10. CELEBRATE – Dirty Heads, Unlikely Candidates (10)
11. WHATEVER IT TAKES – Imagine Dragons (11)
12. DEVIL – Shinedown (12)
13. SAY AMEN (SATURDAY NIGHT) – Panic! At the Disco (13)
14. HUNGER – Florence + the Machine (16)
15. I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY – Blue October (14)
16. UNWIND – John Defeo (17)
17. FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE – Robert Delong, K.Flay (18)
18. COLORS – Beck (19)
19. FOUR OUT OF FIVE – Arctic Monkeys (23)
20. SILVER LINING – Mt. Joy (21)
21. LIFE TO FIX – The Record Company (22)
22. GUIDE YOU IN THE DARK – RECKLESS JACKS (15)
23. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (27)
24. RED MOON SKY – Face of Stone (26)
25. QUARTER PAST MIDNIGHT – Bastille (27)
26. WITHOUT WALLS – Lyia Meta (20)
27. 44 – Oli Barton & the Movement (29)
28. FRACTURED NATION – Future Theory (30)
29. THE JOKE – Brandi Carlile (24)
30. THE NIGHT HAS AN ALIBI – Wons Phreely + the Horses (25)
1. PINK LEMONADE – James Bay (1) 4th week #1
2. THIS IS AMERICA – Childish Gambino (2)
3. HANDYMAN – AWOLNATION (3)
4. BAD BAD NEWS – Leon Bridges (5)
5. I FEEL LIKE I’M DROWNING – Two Feet (7)
6. &RUN – Sir Sly (4)
7. BROKEN – lovelytheband (6)
8. ZOMBIE – Bad Wolves (9)
9. THOUGHT CONTAGION – Muse (10)
10. CELEBRATE – Dirty Heads, Unlikely Candidates (11)
11. WHATEVER IT TAKES – Imagine Dragons (8)
12. DEVIL – Shinedown (15)
13. SAY AMEN (SATURDAY NIGHT) – Panic! At the Disco (14)
14. I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY – Blue October (16)
15. GUIDE YOU IN THE DARK – RECKLESS JACKS (13)
16. HUNGER – Florence + the Machine (26)
17. UNWIND – John Defeo (19)
18. FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE – Robert DeLong, K.Flay (20)
19. COLORS – Beck (22)
20. WITHOUT WALLS – Lyia Meta (18)
21. SILVER LINING – Mt. Joy (24)
22. LIFE TO FIX – The Record Company (25)
23. FOUR OUT OF FIVE – Arctic Monkeys (29)
24. THE JOKE – Brandi Carlile (12)
25. THE NIGHT HAS AN ALIBI – Wons Phreely + the Horses (17)
26. RED MOON SKY – Face of Stone (28)
27. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (RE)
28. QUARTER PAST MIDNIGHT – Bastille (30)
29. 44 – Oli Barton & the Movement (N)
30. FRACTURED NATION – Future Theory (N)
UK band Oli Barton & the Movement have been making quite the splash on the London music scene over the past year and a half. Beginning with their deliciously menacing debut single “Photograph” in late 2016, they dropped two more singles in 2017, then released their smashing album Into the Back Room that August, which I reviewed. They now follow up with a new EP How Would I Know, featuring three new tracks plus a live performance of the title track “How Would I Know?” that originally appeared on Into the Back Room.
The five member band is headed by the brilliant mastermind Oli Barton, who does the majority of the songwriting, plays guitar and sings lead vocals. The ace musicians helping Barton bring his songs to life include Ryan Wilson on lead guitar, Jamal Lagoon on Rhythm Guitar, Marco “Fuzz” Paone on Bass, and Josh Needham on Drums. With a winning combination of talent, creativity and personality, their eccentric style of alternative rock is a crazy-good mix of post-punk and psychedelia, fortified with touches of funk, grunge and pop. They employ all sorts of instruments, sounds and textures to create music that’s original and unconventional, and their direct, tongue-in-cheek lyrics are delivered with an abundance of irony and humor.
This is immediately evident on the frantic head banger “Stayed In.” The wild track has a bouncy punk/rock beat with a cacophony of plucky distorted guitars, galloping drums and tons of crashing cymbals. I love it! The amusing lyrics are a litany of bad shit that happens on those nights when you go out, drink too much, and get into trouble, thinking afterwards that you should have just stayed home to begin with (I’ve certainly had my share of those nights):
There’s blood on the dance floor I’m fighting Mickey Mantle for the last place in the queue
There’s puke down your shirt from that girl who’s a flirt and said she’d only had a few
Yeah you should have just stayed in And no one would have thought any worse oh yeah
“How Would I Know?” is a terrific live performance of the song at the University of West London. The song speaks to teenage relationship angst, specifically the frustrations of a 16-year old boy wishing he was older so he could marry his girlfriend and “cause everyone just seems so cool.” Then, with much exasperation, Barton implores ”But are you happy? “Cause that don’t seem such an awful thing to me. Yeah, did you ever try to deceive me yeah? How would I know?” It just occurred to me that the song has a bit of an early Weezer vibe, sort of like a more punkish take on “Say It Ain’t So.” I love the barrage of jangly and heavily distorted guitars and Paone’s funky bass, and Barton’s wonderful animated vocals are passionately delivered with his charming British accent. It’s a fantastic song.
As I listen to each track I decide that one is my favorite – until I hear the next one, causing me to reassess my earlier decision. “Turning the Noose” is a phenomenal track that really showcases the band’s outstanding musicianship and Barton’s jaw-dropping vocal gymnastics. God, I love this band!
The rousing “44” is a hard-driving rock’n’roll song that addresses the debauchery of celebrities like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey who use their fame and power to abuse others to get what they want. Wilson, Lagoon and Barton dazzle us with their adept guitar work, and Needham pounds his drum kit with abandon. Barton snarls the frank lyrics that get right to the point:
Would you ever so mind if I put it in raw, I’m 44 I’m sorry young girl but I’m wanting more, and I’m 44 And I look 26 but I am much more, I’m 44 I eat up every guy on the dance floor, I’m 44 Will you mind me closing that bedroom door, I’m 44 I’m sorry young boy but I’m wanting more, and I’m 44 My best friend told me the other night This ain’t the way to be If you swallow me I’ll give you the right And I’ll show you how to get your kicks for free
How Would I Know is a tasty little EP that packs a hell of a punch in just four tracks. Oli Barton & the Movement excel with every single song they’ve ever recorded, and I’m excited to hear what they come up with next.
1. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal. The Man (1)
2. PAIN – The War on Drugs (2)
3. ONE FOOT – WALK THE MOON (3)
4. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (4)
5. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (6)
6. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (7)
7. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (8)
8. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (9)
9. ALL ON MY MIND – Anderson East (10)
10. I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU – Royal Blood (5)
11. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (11)
12. HAPPY HOUR – Weezer (12)
13. RUN FOR COVER – The Killers (17)
14. ALL THE STARS – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (18)
15. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (16) 23rd week on list
16. BORN FOR GREATNESS – Papa Roach (N)
17. GOD’S PLAN – Drake (19)
18. KINKY – Oli Barton & the Movement (13)
19. PASSION – AWOLNATION (14)
20. YOU WORRY ME – Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (N)
1. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal. The Man (1)
2. PAIN – The War on Drugs (3)
3. ONE FOOT – WALK THE MOON (2)
4. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (4)
5. I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU – Royal Blood (5)
6. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (6)
7. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (8)
8. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (11)
9. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (12)
10. ALL ON MY MIND – Anderson East (13)
11. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (16)
12. HAPPY HOUR – Weezer (15)
13. KINKY – Oli Barton & the Movement (7)
14. PASSION – AWOLNATION (10)
15. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (9) 19th week on list
16. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (14) 22nd week on list
17. RUN FOR COVER – The Killers (20)
18. ALL THE STARS – Kendrick Lamar, SZA (N)
19. GOD’S PLAN – Drake (N)
20. RX(MEDICATE) – Theory of a Deadman (17)
1. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal.The Man (2)
2. ONE FOOT – WALK THE MOON (1)
3. PAIN – The War on Drugs (3)
4. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (5)
5. I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU – Royal Blood (6)
6. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (8)
7. KINKY – Oli Barton & the Movement (4)
8. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (12)
9. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (7)
10. PASSION – AWOLNATION (11)
11. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (13)
12. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (15)
13. ALL ON MY MIND – Anderson East (16)
14. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (14) 21st week on list
15. HAPPY HOUR – Weezer (18)
16. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (19)
17. RX(MEDICATE) – THEORY (9)
18. ANGELA – The Lumineers (10)
19. NO ROOTS – Alice Merton (17)
20. RUN FOR COVER – The Killers (N)
1. ONE FOOT – WALK THE MOON (1)
2. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal.The Man (3)
3. PAIN – The War on Drugs (8)
4. KINKY – Oli Barton & the Movement (2)
5. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (7)
6. I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU – Royal Blood (9)
7. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (4)
8. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (11)
9. RX(MEDICATE) – THEORY (5)
10. ANGELA – The Lumineers (6)
11. PASSION – AWOLNATION (12)
12. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (13)
13. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (15)
14. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (10) 20th week on list
15. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (17)
16. ALL ON MY MIND – Anderson East (18)
17. NO ROOTS – Alice Merton (14)
18. HAPPY HOUR – Weezer (19)
19. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (20)
20. I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST – Tears For Fears (16)
1. ONE FOOT – WALK THE MOON (3)
2. KINKY – Oli Barton & the Movement (1)
3. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal.The Man (4)
4. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (2)
5. RX(MEDICATE) – Theory of a Deadman (6)
6. ANGELA – The Lumineers (7)
7. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (9)
8. PAIN – The War on Drugs (14)
9. I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU – Royal Blood (10)
10. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (5)
11. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (12)
12. PASSION – AWOLNATION (13)
13. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (15)
14. NO ROOTS – Alice Merton (8)
15. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (20)
16. I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST – Tears For Fears (11)
17. TWO HIGH – Moon Taxi (N)
18. ALL ON MY MIND – Anderson East (N)
19. HAPPY HOUR – Weezer (N)
20. WORLD GONE MAD – Bastille (N)
1. KINKY – Oli Barton & the Movement (2)
2. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (1)
3. ONE FOOT – WALK THE MOON (3)
4. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal.The Man (6)
5. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (4)
6. RX(MEDICATE) – Theory of a Deadman (7)
7. ANGELA – The Lumineers (8)
8. NO ROOTS – Alice Merton (9)
9. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (10)
10. I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU – Royal Blood (15)
11. I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST – Tears For Fears (5)
12. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (17)
13. PASSION – AWOLNATION (16)
14. PAIN – The War on Drugs (N)
15. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (20)
16. LOVING YOU IS SO EASY – Wide Eyed Boy (11) 20th week on list
17. LAY ME DOWN – Candid (12)
18. DEVIL IN THE DETAILS – VERIS (13)
19. THE SKY IS A NEIGHBORHOOD – Foo Fighters (14)
20. LOS AGELESS – St. Vincent (N)
1. WITHOUT YOU – Disciples of Babylon (1)
2. KINKY – Oli Barton & the Movement (3)
3. ONE FOOT – WALK THE MOON (5)
4. SIT NEXT TO ME – Foster the People (2)
5. I LOVE YOU BUT I’M LOST – Tears For Fears (4)
6. LIVE IN THE MOMENT – Portugal.The Man (11)
7. RX(MEDICATE) – Theory of a Deadman (10)
8. ANGELA – The Lumineers (12)
9. NO ROOTS – Alice Merton (13)
10. SOBER UP – AJR ft. Rivers Cuomo (14)
11. LOVING YOU IS SO EASY – Wide Eyed Boy (6) 19th week on list
12. LAY ME DOWN – Candid (8)
13. DEVIL IN THE DETAILS – VERIS (9)
14. THE SKY IS A NEIGHBORHOOD – Foo Fighters (7)
15. I ONLY LIE WHEN I LOVE YOU – Royal Blood (17)
16. PASSION – AWOLNATION (18)
17. SAFARI SONG – Greta Van Fleet (20)
18. HIGHWAY TUNE – Greta Van Fleet (15)
19. SO TIED UP – Cold War Kids, Bishop Briggs (16) 19th week on list
20. SCARY LOVE – The Neighbourhood (N)
ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER 