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ARTISTS TO WATCH: Cusses

Cusses

Savannah, Georgia rocks a good bit more now that these up-and-coming indie-rockers are taking the region by storm. “Worst Enemy” is a fantastic introduction to a band which features a lead singer as immediately ear-catching as Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O, with a crunching assault of guitars which more than supports the comparison. The song’s a slow builder, just the way I like it. Just a few echoed guitar chords provide the base for Angel Bond’s voice to reach into our heads and latch on. Then fifty seconds in the drums and guitar arrive full-force as Bond’s vocals fully take off.

The band won’t have an album to release until later this year, but with the fuse ably lit, expect Cusses to burn up the summer. I’ll definitely be keeping my ear to the ground for more from this group. They’ll be playing a handful of tour dates still in the coming weeks if you’re in Georgia, Tennessee or North Carolina, though for the rest of us the single, and the anticipation of more on that yet-to-be-issued debut album, will have to suffice.

May 31 – Savannah, GA – The Jinx
June 1 – Charlotte, NC – The Evening Muse
June 2 – Asheville, NC – The Lexington Ave Brewery
June 15 – Chattanooga, TN – JJ’s Bohemia

Posted by  |  May 22, 2012 | Categories: Artists To Watch, Featured Songs, Music | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

Turning The House Lights Down

House MD

When all is said and done, I’ve got a great deal of respect for how classy the finale of House was tonight. It’s not every show which gets the opportunity to go out on terms which stay true to the characters, and then actually seizes that opportunity and runs for it. And to cap the show with Warren Zevon’s “Keep Me In Your Heart For A While” was inspired. The show certainly hit its highs and lows over the course of eight seasons … which quality show doesn’t? But in the end David Shore brought the house lights down with a quiet dignity few shows have managed in their swan song.

Posted by  |  May 21, 2012 | Categories: Commentary | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

ARTISTS TO WATCH: Frenetics

Frenetics

Leeds-based rockers Frenetics revive the classic muscular rhythms and ear-catching melodies of 70s era garage punk. In turn they’re dragging their influences, everyone from Television to Iggy Pop, kicking and screaming into the modern rock world. “Ella” is a single which sticks to the inner reaches of the skull upon even a cursory listen, and though there’s nothing particularly forward-reaching about the single, the band clearly romanticizes those figures of the British music scene who played a huge role in developing punk music in the first place. So bringing some attention back to the sounds of a genre’s birth seems appropriate if they’re soon to be taking the lead in pushing said music into the future.

The band’s EP Broken Hands will be released on June 11th, and it further showcases their musical direction. “Satellites” is a tight production which owes more to bands like the Hives in the way they craft the ear-catching hook at the chorus. “See You On The Other Side” features blistering guitars and a wall of thundering percussion to back up the immediately singable title line. But it’s the unforgettable “Swing Kids” which will draw you in for good — given the chance to slow things down and illuminate the depth of their musical chops, it’s hard not to think of bands like Oasis, who were as capable of looking to the past for inspiration as they were at pushing modern alternatives to fans ready and willing to rock. This is definitely a band you’ll want to keep on your radar.

Posted by  |  May 20, 2012 | Categories: Artists To Watch, Music | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments »

SINGLE REVIEW: Leonard Friend – “Every Woman”

Leonard Friend Every Woman

Leave it to Leonard Friend to continue to spread the funky mantle of white-boy soul in the absense of Justin Timberlake. “Every Woman” ups the ante* from what we’ve already heard on his Lynyrd Frynd EP, building on an eerily oriental-tinged melody with enough hints of Michael Jackson and Prince-inspired audio fuckery to keep even the most jaded listener pressing repeat long into the night. This is what “Hear! Hear!” was made for, and if it doesn’t convince you of the immediate hook-worthiness of Leonard Friend, nothing I ever say will. “This must be something else,” he sings, and he bloody well means it. Nothing else in today’s musical landscape can properly prep you. Just listen!

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* download the mp3 for free: right click, then “save as”

Posted by  |  May 18, 2012 | Categories: Single Review | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

ALBUM REVIEW: My Arcadia – “Stay EP”

My Arcadia, particularly on their single “Sail On,” brings to the table a particularly fresh blend of alternative pop which bridges the gap expertly between melodic punk and vocal elements as far-flung as rock and alt-country. In short, this is an EP which will surprise first, then convert instant fans.

Album Review
My Arcadia – “Stay EP” (2012, Independent)

 New York’s My Arcadia hasn’t wasted a lot of time fighting for major-label deals or other outside bullshit. Their latest EP, Stay, establishes the band as one focused fully on the music itself, dedicated to pushing their sound in a direction few of their peers have attempted. Led by the fearless, peerless vocals of Jacqui Sandell, the band merges hard-hitting melodies with vocals of surprising depth and variance. My Arcadia, particularly on their single “Sail On,” brings to the table a particularly fresh blend of alternative pop which bridges the gap expertly between melodic punk and vocal elements as far-flung as rock and alt-country.

In short, this an EP which will surprise first, then convert instant fans. “Sail On” is the immediate highlight, but the title track allows the band, and Sandell in particular, to put an immediate stamp on what their music can be when everything comes together at one place and time. “Dreamer, keep on dreaming,” she sings. “I swear we’ll press on.” This is music for a generation weaned on alternative rock, still looking for bands willing to take a risk and write music they believe in rather than playing to current trends. When the band finally gets the exposure they deserve, it’ll be for this anthem. Here’s hoping Stay is just a glimpse of what My Arcadia still has up its sleeve.

Posted by  |  May 18, 2012 | Categories: Album Reviews, Artists To Watch, Music | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

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