Monday 10 November 2014

'Bored In The USA' - Father John Misty

Eccentric folk-rock character Father John Misty, aka Josh Tillman, offers a taste of his upcoming album 'I Love You, Honeybear', in the form of bittersweet 'Bored In The USA'.

Upon observing the lyrics in isolation, the song appears plainly sardonic - and quite typical of the formidably brilliant riddle that is Father John Misty. "How many people rise and say 'my brain’s so awfully glad to be here for yet another mindless day'", he asks, sadly mocking those who still cling to the long-running joke that is 'the American Dream'.

It isn't until actually hearing the song, of course, that its overwhelming poignancy is revealed to the listener. Accompanied by gentle, sympathetic piano, Tillman croons: "Now I've got a lifetime to consider all the ways I grow more disappointing to you, as my beauty warps and fades." Father John Misty transforms boredom, regret, and leftover shards of broken dreams into something both heartbreaking and strangely uplifting; there's comfort in the knowledge that there's someone out there that's just as disappointed in life as you are.

As the end of the track draws near, harsh canned laughter taunts a wistful Tillman as he pines for days long gone. He pleads for a 'President Jesus' to save him from life among a breed of modern Americans, and we listeners are left silenced by a song that's as tragically beautiful as it is painfully frank.

Wednesday 6 August 2014

'Memories of You' - Avi Buffalo

Long Beach, California band Avi Buffalo have offered a second taste of their upcoming record 'At Most Cuckold', the group's first album since their stunning 2010 self-titled debut. 

Ballad-like 'Memories of You' is vaguely reminiscent of the lamenting 'Jessica' on their first album, though this time round we're given some relief from the melancholy in the form of a clean, buoyant guitar solo. 
Frontman Avi's guitar playing throughout the track is pleasantly familiar, as is his unashamedly crude lyricism, e.g. "Bitch I'm on fire, you got Magnum desire", and something about his boner. For those who have had the true pleasure of listening to the 'Avi Buffalo' album, you'll be aware that talk of flaccid penises and 'Summer Cum' is commonplace. To the poor souls who haven't: don't worry, you won't be offended; Avi's cutesy falsetto fools you into believing that these words aren't meant any way but innocently.

For a band of such unequivocal talent and originality to have lay dormant for four years, it's not unreasonable of us to expect something special upon their return. Luckily, Avi Buffalo do not disappoint; 'Memories of You' is charming, woozy, and teases us with an almost-promise that the new album is going to be something pretty great.



Friday 27 June 2014

'Body Snatchers' - The Moons

Not only have they rubbed creative shoulders with Paul Weller, but Northampton indie band The Moons have supported Ocean Colour Scene and recorded their second album with Edwyn Collins. Given this impressive resume, it’s not unreasonable to expect something fairly special of them, however we receive an offering that falls frustratingly short of being near-brilliant.

Body Snatchers’ opens promisingly; a dark, moody riff fools us into believing that The Moons have produced something other than the mediocre – until we’re greeted by “They’re on my tail like a dinosaur/I've taught them everything they've ever known”, music-GCSE wording leaving the track balancing precariously on the edge of cheesiness.

Aside from the half-hearted word work, though, the song is haunting and admittedly kind of cool – but not cool enough for their apparent confidence regarding the single to be described as anything other than admirable. Unfortunately, the sad fact remains that it is impossible to pretend the vocalist doesn’t exist, so we’re given a taste of the song’s potential only for it to be snatched away a mere 21 seconds in. The song doesn't make for unpleasant listening, it just leaves you feeling dissatisfied – a bit like eating a packet of crisps to tide you over until dinner.

Monday 12 May 2014

'Red Tide Opal In The Loose End Womb' - Oliver Wilde

It's always nice to stumble across an artist you've never heard before and be more than pleasantly surprised. This happened to me about an hour ago, and the artist is Oliver Wilde, a singer-songwriter from Bristol.

'Red Tide...' is a blend of avant-garde pop and orchestral magic, 56 minutes of music that is as light and lovely as its title is puzzling (something about menstruation..?). Reading the track names (e.g. 'Stomach Full of Cats'), won't help you work out their meanings, and listening to the tracks probably won't either - Oliver's drawl sleeps below his instruments and at times sounds like a long, sweet sigh. This isn't a criticism - the dream-like haziness of each track is what makes the album so mesmerising, and a lot of 'Red Tide...'s beauty lies in its simplicity.

Oliver is at his most conscious during 'Say Yes To Ewans'; vocals dance alongside drums and guitar, rather than hiding behind them - and sprinkles of tinkered electronics on top make for some ethereal listening. Similarly guitar-heavy is 'Play & Be Saved', making an appearance three tracks down the line - just as you're getting comfy again.

'Plume' is arguably the most dream-like, 'follow-Alice-into-wonderland' track on the album. Wilde croons around a gentle, Asian-tinged orchestra, his murmurs accompanied by those of a female. Like every track on the album, its magic is difficult to fully explain in words - and really, you need to listen yourself. No excuses.

Sunday 27 April 2014

'Blue Blue Heart' - Gäy

Gäy are a group of boys from Denmark. 'Blue Blue Heart' is a lo-fi, pop-rock love letter of sorts. 

The track is simple, but far from lazy - a catchy riff, pally backing vocals and just the right amount of doo-wop. Frontman Asger's boyish, almost-but-not-quite-British accent makes their lyrics, e.g. "I just wanna lay in bed and love you till we both are dead", sound all the more endearing. Hell, he makes the line "Babe, I wanna drink your blood" sound like something out of a Clinton's card. 

The song is best described as something that'd play in the background of one of those film scenes in which Michael Cera gets rejected by a pretty girl. For a band with a just few songs and Youtube videos to their name, it's clear Gäy are going to be something pretty interesting.



Monday 3 February 2014

'So Long, See You Tomorrow' - Bombay Bicycle Club

Bombay Bicycle Club are incredible. We have known this for some time, but 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' has reaffirmed the fact. Their first album since 2011's 'A Different Kind of Fix', it's a blend of electronic and Asian influence. The band have conquered every genre attempted so far, and their fifth record is no exception.

We are first welcomed by the bhangra-infused and guitar heavy 'Overdone', before becoming acquainted with 'It's Alright Now'. The song is almost poppy, carried by playful vocals and 'I Had The Blues'-esque beats.
'Carry Me', their first single offering, is rich in synth and is arguably their first stab at real dance music - they do, of course, succeed. The looped vocals and upbeat feel of the the track are carried through the album until we reach the stunning, stripped repose that is 'Eyes Off You'. Similar to 'Still' of their last album, the song provides a melancholy piano-led rest from the wonderful play that is the rest of the album - only not for long. Around two and a half minutes into the track, frontman Jack Steadman's quivering vocals, accompanied by those of old friend Lucy Rose's, swell into a wonderful climax of fast beats and layered harmonies.
'Feel' is five minutes of Bollywood-tasting funk and the final song, the album's title track, is a glorious goodbye; simple, but charming.

Since their conception in 2005, Bombay Bicycle Club have matured into a staple band of indie rock music. What three spectacular albums have teetered on has finally been realised in 'So Long, See You Tomorrow', a sincere, captivating creation. I know I'm not alone in saying that I hope it's not So Long for another three years.