Dienstag, 20. Januar 2015

Twanging Tuesday # 50


It is hardly to be thought that this is here already the fiftieth issue of the series. Originally I had planned to write a short series about prominent songs which is to be assigned to the classical Twang sound of Duane Eddy. But then I remembered songs which are not necessarily to be assigned though to this genre, however, on account of that that they are mostly guitar-heavy and have a relation to the Twang sound. And thus I will continue to prefer with my eclectic arrangement of guitar-oriented songs without certain genre. Be surprised what will be shown up.

Today's song is another one from the sampler 'The Roots of Psychobilly'. It's an instrumental by The Rhythm Rockers and a wild saxophone, twangy guitars and sometimes a mad shouting directly from the swamp.

The Rhythm Rockers - Madness

Her Silver Pin


There was one artist that arrived in my inbox these days and he's too special to list him with the others. Kyle Fiske aka Atlantica Vox is a DIY-musician based in Rockport, Massachusetts. He describes his music as a modern retro-wave, with roots in late 70's/early 80's post-punk and new wave music with some reggae, ska, folk and electronica influence. Most songs were based on a some straight chords, effected with overdubs and hall and sung by a deep voice. I enjoy his guitar inspired music with his dark voice. All in all it's a great work for someone who plays all the instruments, writing the songs, producing and publish them. This songs should played in many stations.




Montag, 19. Januar 2015

Warm Graves


By the end of the last year I have bumped into a video which has arrested me by the psychedelic colours going over into each other and the matching music. I always wanted to write something about this band, but always something interfered. Very often the record companies write nonsense about their artist, but this one describes the bank very well:

With her debut appearing in October, 2014 “Ships of wanting Come” Warmly Graves deliver a draught album which feels tied up concerning the contents closely with dystopic science fiction literature. Besides, this band is able to create a surreal universe whose somnambulistic 
mood is carried by afloat repetitive rhythmics, while one from the far resounding choir the role of the lead vocals takes over. The times in which almost every product turns exclusively to the person as an individual set Warmly Graves with “Ships wanting Come” an album with which consciously the group was given priority. Thus have originated seven songs which are content as well as are tied together by long fading out structurally with each other and develop together the character of a soundtrack. Between Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire and NEU! 

Warm Graves are based in Leipzig, Germany and I think they will make their way in electric music. So take some time for this music and listen (to the first two) songs.

Sonntag, 18. Januar 2015

From The In-Box


Tons of music arrived at my in-box during the last month and it took me a few day to check out what's worth listening a second time. Lots of songs I deleted at once because it's professional but mainstream, not worth to name the band or simply it didn't touched my soul. So the artists I would like to introduce ......

Let's start with Amber Norgaard a singer/songwriting nurse from Iowa. I was impressed about her passionate vocals, eloquent lyrics and beautiful piano/cello/guitar song arrangement that ignite my soul. Just a peaceful music for late in the evening.

Amber Norgaard - Light to the world

The next artist calls them Purple Eve and that's what they write in their biography:

Purple Eve is a Russian-Swedish English-singing band based in Moscow, Russia.
The band was founded by two beautiful girls who were inclined to make experiments with sound using any item they could reach. Luckily for descendants, sometimes they reached actual musical instruments. In this manner two first lo-fi albums were released. Later with acquiring several naive musicians the duo transformed into more or less classic rock band. Although weird lyrics and evocative performances were among the things that didn't change. 
Just when fans and critics agreed that Purple Eve play some kind of post-grunge, the band invited trumpet and dj, thus irrevocably baffling their audience. 
As you can hear, today Purple Eve has no specific music style. But the band definitely has style.

And indeed songs you can't get out of your ear when you listened to them. Also arranged very well.

Purple Eve - Advice
Purple Eve - Swamp

Mighty Soundscape is a project by the N.Y. musician Michael Zarucki. Listening to his music it reminds me on the better days of Jack White and a melange of heavy rock, blues and alternative rock. 

Mighty Soundscape - Set yourself free

Another band that's worth to listen comes from California: The Rocket Stars are the brainchild of musician and graphic designer, Gareth Walters. Based in San Francisco, their music is heavenly influenced by the artists birthplace, in the dark heart of England. This is what the artist says about this song:

Now resident in San Francisco, the band's roots lie in the ruined coal fields and steel mills of the industrial heartland of England, and the first track, "The King and Queen of Coal Town" tells the story of the Huskar mining disaster, in which 26 children, aged seven to 17, were drowned in a flash flood. 

The Rocket Stars - The King and Queen of Coal Town

Another fine pieces of Folk / Indie Folk comes from Kollin Baer. Most track I listened to were played in a downtempo and added with little piano parts. Kollins sad and intensive voice makes his songs to a little experience into sadness.

Kollin Baer - Graves

madelyniris is the project of Madelyn Munsell and she describes her records as indie-pop. Influenced by her father as rock musician and her mother as a classically-trained vocalist and piano player she found herself in superb and unique pop songs. If I look what's in the charts right now I wonder why her songs weren't played in the mainstream radio.

madelyniris - Ghost

From Newport, South Wales come Crisis Talk a band that has learned from a lot of independent stuff released during the last decades. Well aranged songs with classic indie guitars, stoic drums, a steady bass and a markable voice makes fun listening to.

Crisis Talk - Monsters

Samstag, 17. Januar 2015

Songs The Lord Told Us # 9




About one year ago I begun a series in which I presented songs which means a lot to me. I can't remember why I stopped it but anyway I think it's the right time to continue. In 1985 The Waterboys their third album that was in heavy rotation on my turntable these days. There are a lot of great songs on this record but one shines brightly over them. Compositionally it is rather a simple piece which is based on simple chords. What makes this song special is Mike Scott's empathic singing and the trumpet on the end of the song. Also the lyrics impressed me. It's not the ordinary words love songs used to have or a complaining about life. Basically it is a matter of reaching this what another has already reached and to admit itself that dreams can become true.

I pictured a rainbow
you held it in your hands
I had flashes
but you saw then plan
I wandered out in the world for years
while you just stayed in your room
I saw the crescent
you saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

You were there at the turnstiles
with the wind at your heels
You stretched for the stars
and you know how it feels
To reach too high
too far
Too soon
you saw the whole of the moon!

I was grounded
while you filled the skies
I was dumbfounded by truths
you cut through lies
I saw the rain-dirty valley
you saw Brigadoon
I saw the crescent
you saw the whole of the moon!

I spoke about wings
you just flew
I wondered, I guessed, and I tried
you just knew
I sighed
but you swooned
I saw the crescent
you saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

With a torch in your pocket
and the wind at your heels
You climbed on the ladder
and you know how it feels
To GET too high
too far
Too soon
you saw the whole of the moon!
The whole of the moon!

Unicorns and cannonballs,
palaces and piers,
Trumpets, towers, and tenements,
wide oceans full of tears,
Flag, rags, ferry boats,
scimitars and scarves,
Every precious dream and vision
underneath the stars

Yes, You climbed on the ladder
with the wind in your sails
You came like a comet
blazing your trail
Too high
too far
Too soon
you saw the whole of the moon!


The Waterboys - The Whole of the Moon

How good this song is, one can also see in various remixes.

Freitag, 16. Januar 2015

The Foreign Corresondent Returns - Stories About German (Rock) Music # 46

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There is with certainty a lot what one with Germany connects, but with certainty not Country music. But there is one band that I used to listen during the last years a lot. Fink were an independent band that was formed by Nils Koppruch in Hamburg in the mid 90s in Hamburg. Main influences were bands like Lambchop and Giant Sand. During the years they have extended their style by reggae, chansons and a little bit of funk. Very briefly I love her music above all at later time in the evening with a good glass of red wine. Simply relaxing and a perfect finish after a busy day.

Fink - Biscuits (album version)






Donnerstag, 15. Januar 2015

Dead End Street


No - it's not the classic track by The Kinks. This song is from Tobias Siebert and his project And The Golden Choir. He was working for six years on his first record and it is an entertaining one. There are influences of early Talk Talk and Radiohead and some borrowings from Bon Iver. Altogether not too bad for an unknown German musician.