"Sweet Dispoition" is one of those diamond-in-the-rough songs you find sometimes on Free Single. Do you remember that rush you got when you first heard the guitar gallop in on Coldplay's "Fix You"? Of course you do, that's why the song was such a massive hit. Well, this is one of those songs. The harmonising of the twin vocals when the tune cranks itself up a notch provides a brilliant chorusline that soars higher and higher into deserved acclaim. As for the general sound of the band itself, they resemble a mix between Passion Pit and U2; the latter's influence is clearly discernable on The Edge-like guitar riffs, and Bono's singing style also comes through - though with the delicacy and refinement of Passion Pit's youthful zest.
It's one of those tracks that seems to evoke summer, colour - being a teenager, and the repeated lyrics of "Don't stop till it's over/don't stop to surrender" compliment this aural aesthetic accordingly. Once I'm finished writing this I'll go and buy the album, and then investigate whatever suggestions the internet comes up with afterwards because, discovering this new area of music, this new brand of chamber rock has changed my week.
Genius reccomendations for this track were: British India; Van She; Expatriate; Red Riders and Children Collide.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
"Get Over It" - Solid Gold
Yet another 1980's reboot I'm afraid. Although "Get Over It" is pleasing to the ears, it's unremarkable. Solid Gold have cashed in on the recent craze of sounding like something that would be played on Flash FM, though have tried to gain a middle ground between pop and eighties rehash - and not done very well.
It is an okay song, just predictable. It's got tones of Calvin Harris and Kasabian, but ultimately is destined for the graveyard. This is hardly a new trick and, the reinvention of music long past its sell-by date has to be done right - otherwise you end up with this; boring, shop-front soundtrack - TV advert music.
As part of an overall scene of music, this is a good solid track, but from a band that is clearly a bit of a one-trick pony. If you wanted to buy into the genre as a whole, then by all means get the album. Their credibility has been proven in other means; The Ting Tings handpicked them to as support, and they obviously can make a good pop track - but that's just it. This song has no hook, no sonic-boom of a chorus, and no discernable features differentiating it from the better artists out there. Or maybe I've just got a spot of review-fatigue (it seems that the last three IFS offerings have sounded exactly the same).
Genius reccomendations for this track were; Cloud Cult; Haley Bonar; Wild Beasts; Chris Koza and Jeremy Messersmith.
It is an okay song, just predictable. It's got tones of Calvin Harris and Kasabian, but ultimately is destined for the graveyard. This is hardly a new trick and, the reinvention of music long past its sell-by date has to be done right - otherwise you end up with this; boring, shop-front soundtrack - TV advert music.
As part of an overall scene of music, this is a good solid track, but from a band that is clearly a bit of a one-trick pony. If you wanted to buy into the genre as a whole, then by all means get the album. Their credibility has been proven in other means; The Ting Tings handpicked them to as support, and they obviously can make a good pop track - but that's just it. This song has no hook, no sonic-boom of a chorus, and no discernable features differentiating it from the better artists out there. Or maybe I've just got a spot of review-fatigue (it seems that the last three IFS offerings have sounded exactly the same).
Genius reccomendations for this track were; Cloud Cult; Haley Bonar; Wild Beasts; Chris Koza and Jeremy Messersmith.
"You'll Disappear" - The Phenomenal Handclap Band
"You'll Disappear" could have been the soundtrack for GTA Vice City. The slick, streamlined intfo is about as eighties as Topman's latest collection - the music video should simply be footage of people in suits with shoulder pads and rolled-up sleeves walking the streets of Miami, carrying an oversized tapedeck over their shoulder. And yet, although this is yet another song infused with the spirit of reaganomics, The Phenomenal Handclap Band seem to have made it into a very catchy tune. Although sparse with lyrics, the mesmerising vocals keep make You'll Disappear into a hypnotically relaxing track. In layman's terms, Belle & Sebastian plus Neon Neon equals The Phenomenal Handclap Band.
Having looked at the most popular tracks from the rest of the album, this act seem to have every base of the decade everyone wants to forget covered. For instance, "Baby" sounds like the credits music for Columbo, and "15 To 20" is so bubble-wrapped and resonating of materialistic lust it might be a radio commercial for a bank loan - even the album's artwork resembles a stage show by Iron Maiden.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band's debut album is available right now on iTunes, and if you're a fan of artists like Sam Sparro or Neon Neon, this is your foot in the door into the non-mainstream quarter of the genre.
Genius reccomendations for this track were; N.A.S.A.; Camera Obscura; The Bravery; Grace Jones and TV On The Radio.
Having looked at the most popular tracks from the rest of the album, this act seem to have every base of the decade everyone wants to forget covered. For instance, "Baby" sounds like the credits music for Columbo, and "15 To 20" is so bubble-wrapped and resonating of materialistic lust it might be a radio commercial for a bank loan - even the album's artwork resembles a stage show by Iron Maiden.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band's debut album is available right now on iTunes, and if you're a fan of artists like Sam Sparro or Neon Neon, this is your foot in the door into the non-mainstream quarter of the genre.
Genius reccomendations for this track were; N.A.S.A.; Camera Obscura; The Bravery; Grace Jones and TV On The Radio.
Monday, 29 June 2009
"To Ohio" - The Low Anthem
This week's Free Single is a laid-back road song from songsmith trio The Low Anthem. "To Ohio" is a chilled out, summery track that seems to conjure up images of campfires and cowboys. Saddle up the ponies, its rustlin' time! Aside from the clichéd use of the harmonica amongst the acoustic melodies, lead singer Ben Knox Miller does kindly refrain from actually talking about sleeping under the stars, which would make sense seeing as he's from New Jersey. It'd be like me slapping on a Cockney accent and complaining about how my market stall in the East End isn't attracting very much business these days, and how I'm having "an auntie an' uncle finding some bunsen".
The folk-rock feel of this track evokes similarities between Iron & Wine or even José Gonzales, though keeps a marked independance from the more recognisable artists present in the genre. It seems odd that even though The Low Anthem have two full studio albums, they have only just been featured on IFS; this song appears to have "compilation album" stamped all over it.
"Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" and "What The Crow Brings" are both up for sale on iTunes right now - get them while they're still cheap because they're probably not worth spending real money on (it would damage the hobo-image they are so painfully projecting. "Look at me, I have fingerless gloves and I eat out of cans! Let me play you a bluegrass song!!!").
Genius reccomendations for this song were; The Felice Brothers; Jack Johnson; Alabama 3; A Weather and Iron & Wine
The folk-rock feel of this track evokes similarities between Iron & Wine or even José Gonzales, though keeps a marked independance from the more recognisable artists present in the genre. It seems odd that even though The Low Anthem have two full studio albums, they have only just been featured on IFS; this song appears to have "compilation album" stamped all over it.
"Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" and "What The Crow Brings" are both up for sale on iTunes right now - get them while they're still cheap because they're probably not worth spending real money on (it would damage the hobo-image they are so painfully projecting. "Look at me, I have fingerless gloves and I eat out of cans! Let me play you a bluegrass song!!!").
Genius reccomendations for this song were; The Felice Brothers; Jack Johnson; Alabama 3; A Weather and Iron & Wine
Saturday, 27 June 2009
"I Go I Go I Go" - Wave Machines
The reason I enjoy the iTunes Free Single so much is that it's completely random. Far from being that obnoxious friend who forces their music onto you at the slightest provocation, it knows its place. You've got to take it with a pinch of salt; sometimes it will be absolute crap and sometimes you find a diamond in the rough.
"I Go I Go I Go" by Wave Machines is an example of this cross-section of music at it's finest. Similar to the hybrid-genre edginess of previous IFS resident folktronica act James Yuill, this track is quirky pop gold. With clear influences eminating from disco, Bowie and the current New Romantic resurrection reverberating throughout the indie world, I Go I Go I Go is fun and eclectic. The mishmash of acoustic guitar and polka-dot electronica scream 80's revival. If you want a overview, think Pet Shop Boys in a car crash with The Invisible. It really should be in the charts because most of the stuff up there is rubbish; alas, nothing on IFS ever makes it on there (it would defeat the purpose).
"I Go I Go I Go" is a bouncy, chromatic, careless track - what it may lack in emotional substance it makes up for with its sense of youthful energy. Wave Machines' album is currently available on iTunes and elsewhere, so listen to the track and decide for yourself.
The Genius reccomendations for this track were; Brakes; Detachements; Phenonema; White Rose Movement and We Have Band.
"I Go I Go I Go" by Wave Machines is an example of this cross-section of music at it's finest. Similar to the hybrid-genre edginess of previous IFS resident folktronica act James Yuill, this track is quirky pop gold. With clear influences eminating from disco, Bowie and the current New Romantic resurrection reverberating throughout the indie world, I Go I Go I Go is fun and eclectic. The mishmash of acoustic guitar and polka-dot electronica scream 80's revival. If you want a overview, think Pet Shop Boys in a car crash with The Invisible. It really should be in the charts because most of the stuff up there is rubbish; alas, nothing on IFS ever makes it on there (it would defeat the purpose).
"I Go I Go I Go" is a bouncy, chromatic, careless track - what it may lack in emotional substance it makes up for with its sense of youthful energy. Wave Machines' album is currently available on iTunes and elsewhere, so listen to the track and decide for yourself.
The Genius reccomendations for this track were; Brakes; Detachements; Phenonema; White Rose Movement and We Have Band.
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