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Monday, August 21, 2017

Features: Frankie Rose-Cage Tropical, Tempers, Psychic Selves, Birds, gods, Autodrone

Making a triumphant return with her latest album "Cage Tropical," Frankie Rose delivers a veritable treasure trove of sonic amalgamation.


Drawing from classic 80's "new wave" rock sources (as well as the sci-fi movies of that era), the album presents 10 perfectly executed songs that still manage to sound fresh, avoiding the trapping of a mere nostalgia trip.  What you get instead are abundantly layered vocals and revealing autobiographical lyrics with enough auditory easter-eggs for those who enjoy pinpointing potential references.

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Opening track "Love In Rockets" describes Frankie's ultimately disappointing time spent attempting a residential move from New York to Los Angeles.  While poetic lyrical lines describe her "resting my head like a wilting flower," others stating how she's "done 500 degrees in my ivory tower" imply that at least some of the fault may not be all on the city alone.   The hook centers around a vocal chant ("ah-we-oh, ah-we-oh") stylizing the initial word to lyrics "a wheel of of wasting my time here."  Strong percussion dominates with an emphasis on rolling toms coupled with synthesizer enhancements capture the golden age of 80's "new wave" textures.

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"Dyson Sphere" is an interesting song on a number of levels.  For those who don't know already (or are curious) the title refers to a hypothetical mega-structure that completely encompasses a star and captures most or all of its power output.  It should be noted that this is a theoretical concept and currently far beyond humanity's engineering capacity.  Instrumentally, the track is driven along by a Simon Gallup-of-the-Cure sounding bassline (A Forrest being as good a reference point as any).  Frankie's voice on verses are processed with a sandpaper-smooth quality that morphs into a catchy "ah ah oh oh" bridge.  The chorus is a big bold hook that declares "Days long - when you live without the sun - Days long - and we knew this day would come.  Under skies of grey - never light (phonetically delivered as "La-Ah-Ah-ight") my way."  Melodic guitar licks, keyboard pads and meticulously dropped-in percussion all contribute to an extraordinary listening experience.



Built over a steady motorik drum beat and teutonic bass pulse, "Trouble" features enhanced layered vocals covering both the smooth midrange and higher end harmony stating "sometimes I want to walk, I want to walk, I want to run - away."  In addition to her keen sense of melody, Frankie has always been able to create vocal qualities that rises above nearly all of her contemporaries.  The chorus here is merely one more example of that, with it's combined descending ("trouble follows you") and rising ("you can't run no matter where you") dual harmony lines.

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Emerging via four curiously angular organ-like chords, "Art Bell" serves as a tribute to the cult figure who provided hours of entertaining theories about extra-terrestrial life on late night radio.  With it's big chorus stating "we'll never have to say goodbye" cascading down amidst huge guitar licks, synth bursts and thundering drums, the wonder of what might actually be "out there" goes on.

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Clocking in as the albums longest track at five and a half minutes, "Dancing Down The Hall" uses that extra space on an ambient, trippy, jazzy-percussive intro.  After a minute and a half, bass guitar textures enters the mix as Frankie sings "we don't have to go together, we don't have to stay forever.  In the end we fall together - dancing down the hall together."  While those sentiments furnish catchy rhymes and song title, lyrics "letting it go again - and you see another day" convey the songs primary hook and emotional core.  Icy chiming bell synth tones usher in rolling toms, bringing to mind the best sound qualities of 80's instrumental "new age" music like Sanford Ponder and Patrick O'Hearn.

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Title track and album centerpiece "Cage Tropical" demonstrates more than any other track on this album how a band like The Cure has influenced successive musical generations.  While that band may be better known for their gothic doom and gloom contributions, they've also produced a fair share of bouncy, upbeat melodies.  This song falls distinctly into that latter category, with it's perky intro melody and similar sonic textures.  However the author laments a "special kind of hell on a sunny day" (with stark piano chords underneath) - "cafe tropical, make it go away."   The lushest of hooks emerges as uplifting, cascading vocal melodies declare "on and on - you're on your own again."  Impeccable production weaves in 80's hand clap (hand clack) percussion and subtle touch synth buzzes that immediately brought to mind Duran Duran's 1985 one-off project Arcadia and the coincidentally appropriately titled "So Red The Rose."

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It's mostly keyboard ambiance and no guitars or any of the more typical rock instruments on the synthy "Game To Play."  However, once again the central focus is a strong, catchy sing-along chorus which is the title line.

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Another song to receive an interpretive video release is deeper cut "Red Museum."  An existential realization statement proclaims that "everything you know is a lie, and everything you have will die."  Regardless of those sobering thoughts, Ms Rose can't seem to help conveying it through elevating choruses with rich counter-melodies and vocal augmentation.




Immediate reactions, noted


Riding a wave of pitch-bended keyboard pads and succinct piano notes “Epic Slack” is a moody instrumental interlude for moments of calm introspection.


Album closer “Decontrol” could have been positioned much higher in the track order as its one of the best on the entire record. Once again tapping the appealing synth and bass guitar sounds of classic 80’s era British rock (a distinction necessary to make so as to avoid lumping in with American 80’s hair metal rock – also an influential sound source of that decade, but having nothing to do with this album) bright retro sine waves support chorused vocals. “And though I’m sinking fast, you run from me – one momentary glance, could set me free” are the lyrics to another glorious bridge. However, it’s the chorus (once again) that is most impressive. While singing the lines “De-Con-Trol – you’re not losing sleep,” the cadence and meter is punctuated by a clipped breathy vocal technique and pentatonic keyboard scale.


On Saturday, August 12th Frankie played her release show for this album at Baby's All Right in Brooklyn.  The set included four songs from her new album along with a number of her best tunes from previous records.


Festive post-show backstage banter made the whole experience that much sweeter.


Social Media Awareness

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Frankie Rose heads out on a Big Tour beginning in September with scheduled dates running all the way through November.


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Performing on the same evening just prior to Frankie, were the alluring duo Tempers.

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Having had opportunities to catch them live at various stages of their musical progression, front-woman Jasmine Golestaneh never fails to impress with her casually magnetic presence.


The duo work well as a tandem (reminding of the similarly synchronous Raveonettes) with guitarist / electronics generator Eddie Cooper driving the instruments.

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Earlier this year they released their "Fundamental Fantasy" EP which included four new songs and an extended remix.


There’s a slow-burn tension building on featured track “Tail Is In My Mouth” that deceptively masks chugging guitars and dance floor ready drum beats. Even the repeated “just for a moment” phrase feels like a holding pattern, floating above the overall rhythm. The bittersweet feelings of desire and the projections we place on others (to fuel our own illusions) comes together in a wonderful chorus that goes [Ahhh –Ahhh-Ahhh] “Oh and how I miss” [Ahhh–Ahhh-Ahhh] “who I wanted to you to be” “Oh and how I miss [Ahhh–Ahhh-Ahhh] what will never be” - “I thought you didn’t care” leading to the curious title line, all enveloped in an aurally spacious, melancholy longing.








First meeting - April 2013

First Dave Cromwell written feature on Tempers - on The Deli Magazine



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Having last covered the musical output of Brooklyn dream-psych collective Psychic Selves a few months back, the word was that new music would soon be on its way. The Pep G led collective has now delivered on that promise with a new cassette single (affectionately referred to as a cassingle) released on Time Castle Records.


Featured single "Rosemary" (which has been given the full video treatment here) emerges via a steady bass drum thump and ringing single note guitar progression. That quickly changes as vocals begin and the rhythm shifts to bass guitar and high-hat cymbals. It all eventually leads up to the catchy vocal hook that goes “I’m trying for you – you tell me – to sit myself down” - “time is wasting for you – you tell me – to sit myself down.” Numerous funky interludes create the necessary space between emotional high-points. There’s even a mini psych-out jam at the 2:35 mark for good measure.




Psychic Selves play live at The Knitting Factory on August 22nd as part of their cassingle release show

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Speaking of live shows and record releases, melodic psychedelic pop rockers BIRDS will be celebrating the release of their latest album "Everything All At Once" at this very same show.



Emerging from a two-chord progression similar to Iggy and The Stooges “Search and Destroy,” the albums’ lead single “Get Away” adds bass counter-melody and rising background vocals, positioning the track closer to a pop song. “I’ve been awake all morning, watching the light pour in. I keep away from stealing – I do my own healing,” describe the self-reflective lyrics.



Catchy melodies unfold via speedy guitar lines woven in and around emphatic vocals. “I get away so easy” becomes the ultimate key line towards the end of a power-packed two and a half minute song.



“Everything All At Once” is now available through Greenway Records and through most listening formats.

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Catching up on Asbury Park legends gods most recent output inspired this snapshot analysis of their of their epic proggy psych-out track “Wash.”


Another gem floating out on their Soundcloud is the creatively inspired track "Couch Ride."



With syncopated accent drum beats leading things off, a number of quick shifts in song structure make this track an unpredictable delight. Brief call-back guitar melodies and 60’s sounding organ becomes the focus while vocals perfectly mimic the spirit of the classic 1965 No. 1 hit “Hang On Sloopy.”  That’s followed by a plateau of quieter moments where vocals are sung as if in a dream.  It all builds back towards the initial clattering groove, making way for a tasty guitar solo and jam-out. The briefest interlude of calm serves only to set up the next furious drums, bass and guitar solo rave-up. Ending on the softer angelic sequence seems only fitting for this equal parts heavy and light composition.



While we wait to hear about upcoming gods live show appearances, parent band The Parlor Mob (including a number of the same members) are headlining the Saturday September 23rd portion of Asbury Parks Indian Summer Fest.  More info about all that (including how to get tickets) can be found here.

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Having spent a two year period recording, mixing and finally mastering 10 fully realized tracks (while performing much of the material out at live shows) gothic rockers Autodrone released their album “This Sea Is Killing Me” at the end of 2016. That long journey produced a number of engaging results touching on a range exploring psych, darkwave, drone and dreampop.



Opening track “49:51” is an edgy just over 2 minute ambient instrumental that leads into more structured follow-up track “Corvus.”  Making full use of classic buzzing synths and shimmering tremolo guitar chords, the stage is set for dreamy ethereal vocals. Even with the full band effect in motion via a solid drum track, the vocals remain angelic and unintelligible like the best of The Cocteau Twins.



Epic closing track “Thunderbolt” mysteriously unfolds through synth pulses, cymbal rushes and passionate reverberated vocals.   The band will be playing The Safari Room At El Cortez next on August 29th, and Pianos after that on September 6th.

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19 comments:

Mirror said...

Psychic Selves posted:

Cool review by DaveCromwellWrites on our new single along with other music scoops! Check it!

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David Raphael Taveras shared Duane Lauginiger's post.

Thank you Dave Cromwell!! Psychic Selves will be playing Knitting Factory Brooklyn with BIRDS and Hot Curl!!

Duane Lauginiger shared a link.

DaveCromwellWrites on BIRDS Psychic Selves. Double release show tomorrow at Knitting Factory Brooklyn. Come hang.

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BIRDS shared a link.

Dave Cromwell wrote up our album and release show tomorrow with Psychic Selves and Hot Curl!!! See you at Knitting Factory Brooklyn tomorrow!

DaveCromwell said...

After spending a good amount of time focusing on the recorded works of both Psychic Selves and BIRDS, I'm very much looking forward to checking out each of their respective live shows.

ViewFromSpookysDoghouse said...

Gods have certainly made a believer out of me. It's also interesting that "Wash" summoned the desert caravan image for you, as major religions have often arisen from the despairing minds of the earth's harsh climate dwellers.

DaveCromwell said...

Ha, ha! Well said VFSPD. That image of extended caravans traveling across great windswept lands is a powerful one, so there are certain passages of music that seem to conjure it up for me. Never mind that "Wash" is a killer song overall (as is the current one featured here - "Couch Ride").

Mirror said...

Force Field PR, Frankie Rose and Slumberland Records posted on Twitter:

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell

Wonderful show with @heyfrankierose #frankierose + @tempersmusic

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Frankie Rose, Slumberland Records, c0NzO and IHeartNoise posted on Twitter:

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell

Full track-by-track #review of @heyfrankierose amazing #CageTropical here http://tinyurl.com/ydc5mzav #MondayMotivation #SolarEclipse2017

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DaveCromwell said...

Always great to see the Social Media acknowledgement and appreciation of the time and energy spent listening to and analyzing every song of an artists album.

Special thanks to Slumberland Records and the site IHeartNoise for the the full recognition of this feature.

Mirror said...

TEMPERS and Lesbajam posted on Twitter:

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell

New feature on alluring duo @tempersmusic (with never-before-seen photos and original words!) here: http://tinyurl.com/ydc5mzav #MusicMonday 🎤🎸

TEMPERS Retweeted

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell
New feature on alluring duo @tempersmusic (with never-before-seen photos and original

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TEMPERS Retweeted
Dave Cromwell‏ @DaveCromwell Aug 13

Wonderful show with @heyfrankierose #frankierose + @tempersmusic #tempers at #babysallright for… https://www.instagram.com/p/BXuTLV0gUsM/

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TEMPERS‏ @tempersmusic posted Aug 15

We had such an incredible time on tour!! Thank you to everyone who came to our shows!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX0b6EHgdn4/

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DaveCromwell said...

Much love to TEMPERS – who are one of those bands that continue to find their way back onto my radar. I see by their tour itinerary just completed that they played some magnificent shows from all around the world. Not surprising at all how well they are received in these cities and countries who know how to appreciate their edgy sound and visual presentation.

Mirror said...

Greenway Records darcy Jo-B Sebastian BIRDS
Greenway Records and 3 others posted on Twitter:

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell
Great night at @BIRDS3737 + @psychic_selves #NewMusic release show last night! And a pleasure to meet you face-to-face @ricastylez ����������
ISAIAH BISHOP Jesse Torres Pressure Drop Radio
BIRDS‏ @BIRDS3737

Replying to @DaveCromwell @psychic_selves @ricastylez
❤️��

IHeartNoise posted on Twitter

✨RICA ✨ @ricastylez
Epic show @psychic_selves @KnitFactoryBK last nite ��������
BIRDS
BIRDS Retweeted your Tweet Aug 23

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell
Great night at @BIRDS3737 + @psychic_selves #NewMusic release show last night! And a pleasure to meet you face-to-face @ricastylez ����������
✨RICA✨
✨RICA ✨ Retweeted your Tweet Aug 23

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell
Great night at @BIRDS3737 + @psychic_selves #NewMusic release show last night! And a pleasure to meet you face-to-face @ricastylez ����������
✨RICA✨ IHeartNoise
✨RICA ✨ and IHeartNoise liked your Tweet Aug 23

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell
Great night at @BIRDS3737 + @psychic_selves #NewMusic release show

DaveCromwell said...

The currently very productive PSYCHIC / / SELVES 👽👽👽👽👽✉ now have a BRAND NEW video and song. Check it out here:

https://youtu.be/yGEqZ1PiQO8

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BIRDS are just simply a very cool band consisting of Duane Jess Jess and Tim and have a colorful Instagram account worth following:

https://www.instagram.com/birds3737/

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Misty said...

wow, that's one thought provoking review of Frankie Rose's latest album. i love the way every single track is covered here. most so-called 'professional' reviews never do that. they mention a couple of songs but you certainly don't get this kind of in depth coverage. along with her excellent music, i enjoy the link outs here, that show possible sources of inspiration.

Tempers is a wonderful discovery for me, here. i don't think they've been featured on this site before (although i see link outs to a Deli feature and an Instagram post after a show) so i'm pleased to be introduced to them.

the new up and comers here like Psychic Selves and Birds are also pleasant discoveries, and previously featured great bands like gods and Autodrone seem to always be coming up with great new music.

DaveCromwell said...

Doing track-by-track reviews is a signature feature of this site. You are correct in stating that most (if not all) of the so-called "big sites" would rather post "reviews" that are usually big on headlines, but leave much to be desired as far as actual content goes. Too many of them believe in the social media-style model of underestimating readers attention spans. I know for me, I'd much rather read more original commentary from writers, as opposed to the rehash of PR talking points that get more attention simply because of the financial backing and reach of the website.

My favorite books are by writers who’ve done all of their own research and come to their own original conclusions. That’s the approach I take with each and every review I do here.

Mirror said...

autodrone_nyc wrote:

Thanks @davecromwell @davecromwellwrites for this sick write up! #livemusic #postpunk #dreampop #shoegaze #gothsofinstagram #davecromwellwrites #thedelimagazine #psychedelic #psychrock

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autodrone‏ @autodrone posted:

davecromwell's photo https://instagram.com/p/BYOqydaAQz2/

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margaret schwartz, jeremybastard and autodrone posted on Twitter:

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell
New #music #Features on @autodrone Here: http://tinyurl.com/ydc5mzav #MusicMonday @jeremybastard @Iheartnoise @Best_New_Bands #Writer #Review ✏️

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margaret schwartz and autodrone posted on Twitter:

Dave Cromwell @DaveCromwell
Thanks @autodrone! https://twitter.com/autodrone/status/902279116283666432 …
jeremybastard autodrone

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DaveCromwell said...

Glad you like the review Autodrone. In addition to this solid recording you’ve made, I’ve been to a number of your live shows and they always rock out.

Check out the very first piece I wrote about you here:

http://tinyurl.com/ycsz6lcu


Mirror said...

autodrone_nyc wrote:

@davecromwell

I can't believe we've never seen this first one!!!

DaveCromwell said...

I figured you might not have originally seen that one, Autodrone. Sometimes these things get overlooked the first time around, which is why I showed you now.

AnimeRuby said...

some really great music featured here! am totally loving that Frankie Rose album. Tempers has a great look and feel to them as well, so i'm looking forward to hearing new music from them. i see that psychic selves, birds, gods and autodrone have all gotten the Deli mag treatment first before getting additional coverage here. that's pretty cool.

DaveCromwell said...

Yeah, I have to say that the Frankie Rose’s “Cage Tropical” is really one of the best albums I’ve heard all year so far. It really hit the mark for me with so many of the sonic reference points. Tempers is a band that I’d periodically check in with over the past few years and I was delighted when discovering they’d be playing with Frankie at that show. Their newer music is excellent and they’ve recently posted they are working on brand new stuff. That’s great to hear. The gods/Parlor Mob family have been on my radar for a number of years now, and I know they are going to shine during the upcoming Asbury Park Indian Summer Fest. Ditto for Autodrone at their Pianos show this week. As for the up-and-coming bands like Psychic Selves and Birds – they sky’s the limit for them.

Mirror said...

Ray K wrote:

I enjoyed reading the latest two live reviews on July 27 and Aug 21!

I hope to see the shows of Frankie Rose and APTBS oneday in the near future.
(I wanna see their "bonus show" of electronic set as well.)

Thanks for sharing inspiring music as always Dave.

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Frankie Rose posted on Twitter:

@DaveCromwell
So cool @SlumberlandRecs Check out this full track-by-track #review of @heyfrankierose amazing #CageTropical here http://tinyurl.com/ydc5mzav https://twitter.com/SlumberlandRecs/status/904412804345671681 …

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Slumberland Records Retweeted:

@DaveCromwell
So cool @SlumberlandRecs Check out this full track-by-track #review of @heyfrankierose amazing #CageTropical here http://tinyurl.com/ydc5mzav 🎼Dave Cromwell added,

Slumberland Records @SlumberlandRecs
Frankie Rose’s N American tour starts September 12! All dates with @suburbanlivingz #CageTropical @heyfrankierose

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Chad K and jane woodman posted on Twitter:

@DaveCromwell

Dave Cromwell Retweeted Slumberland Records
So cool @SlumberlandRecs Check out this full track-by-track #review of @heyfrankierose amazing #CageTropical here http://tinyurl.com/ydc5mzav 🎼Dave Cromwell
@janewoodman
noisemaker. designer.
san francisco
janewoodman.bandcamp.com

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