The month of July is always a reason to celebrate. Two important (personal) birthdays share this 31 day stretch with peak middle-of-summer enjoyment. Along with trips to parks, beaches and the pool, time has been allotted to critically examine the most compelling new music. While all the reviews here are of recent releases, more than a few tracks have been developing over a number of years. Trusted labels continue to support artists whose independent output are far more interesting than anything the current trends offer. DaveCromwellWrites does its part as well in this regard, with the below investigation.
When friend-to-this-site Shore Dive Records shows up with a new album to promote, it’s always a reason to take notice. When it’s a beloved artist previously reviewed here, there’s pretty much certainty it will receive a careful listen. Such is the case with the Phil Wilson lead project The Raft. The Liverpool, UK based musician’s full-length album “Summerheads And Winter Beds” was given a detailed review here a few years back. Subsequently Phil’s guest vocals on Xeresa album “IV” and the song “Fall Into Unknown” was given a thorough analysis as well. Now Phil is back with a new full-length “Look At The Patterns,” which receives a DCW focused review below.
Opening track “Save Me” starts immediately with Phil’s vocals, a cappella but layered and touched with processing. A single guitar stroke ushers following vocal lines, then finger-picked open note guitar figures fill in going forward. Fuller instrumentation joins in for the gentle, minor-chord enhanced chorus that states “I don't wanna change the world, it's not what I cling to. When love is failing . . . and fear remaining – doesn’t matter what I do.” The second verse adds clack percussion for change and depth, while lines “Stayed here for lack of anything else to do - And what you are is what I knew” is an insightful observation. Halfway through a whimsical guitar solo weaves around repeated vocal line “what I do” (as in it “doesn’t matter”). Following that are unanticipated heavy distorted guitar chords emphasizing lyrical thoughts “We've been praying lately for something to shape me -
Skimming books and papers - Looking for a clue.” A Trumpet plays for a bit and then back to the power chords on what has now become a powerful chorus.
Follow-up cut “Far Away From Here” bursts out of the box with a joyously bouncy groove driven along by off-kilter “wobbly” guitar tones. It’s a peppy pop song for sure, with Phil enlisting a back-up vocalist that adds emphasis to key vocal line. The single-phrase song title line chorus hits hard with near-gazey guitar chords and throbbing counter-melodic bass. The vocals punctuate it all with a catchy “Ah-Ah-Ah” end cap. With declarations to “hang on to my health,” the goal is still to find “a new start” – where? Well, “far away from here.” 2:15 in and a gentle picked guitar solo presents itself against that wonderfully churning warble backdrop. Additional lyrics “If I could only be around instead of underground - I could see you shine. It's hard to be a better man - Living up to all you can” add insight into the desire to get “far away from here.”
Check out this amazing track here:
Third entry “Calling Out” makes full use of that three-quarter time 1-2-3 waltz progression as beautifully as any Sundays song. A pair of Claire’s contribute female vocals in a primary way, adding further credence to the Sundays comparison. The chorus flips to a male dominated vocal blend, with dreamgazey guitars washing over it all. A tasteful blend of plinking guitars, throbbing bass and deep textured drum sounds complete the audio spectrum. A final 30 second coda appears with an a cappella vocal of the lyric “you don’t even know me.”
A slightly funky bass and drums groove serve as the initial underpinnings for “Memory Of A Day #7.” Blended vocals come on tweaked and textured as one is encouraged to “feel the breeze, see it in the leaves” so that “for a while we are free.” Soft female vocals join in for the second verse (the two Claires) “What a scene - We're a dream - Moment to moment - And for a while we are real.” All of that leads to a lush, dreamgaze chorus that reveals the albums overall title. The second pass through reveals the song title with “into the soul the memory goes.” The track is a brilliant blend of almost folk-music (quiet guitar picking) single brass elements (trumpet) and heartfelt emotions. “Windows reflect back two souls. Look at the patterns. Memories or dreams?"
A precisely syncopated drum arrangement and chiming Robert Smith style guitar tones guide fifth track “Wanda.” One more trio of backing vocalists are engaged on a sensuous chorus that implores “you can always smile.” Bass guitar and it’s six string counterpart create just the right length bridge to immerse yourself in yet-another luscious chorus.
Celestial angelic folk is taken up a level on the Jon Anderson and Vangelis sounding “Next September.” While the lyrics may be more earthly than those two aforementioned spiritualists: “You were lips you were eyes . . . You were hips you were thighs . . . Spent the night every night - Held on tight,” that sonic impression remains. A song of desire – to rekindle something once had - “Maybe I'll see you in Manchester next September. I'll come and stay the night re-live our nights in paradise.” The male-female tandem sung vocals are nothing short of gorgeous.
Heavy bass guitar plod and similarly paired drum stomp supply framework under the 2/4 time parable “The Boy Lives On The Wind.” It’s a marching progression with that bass guitar reminiscent of Paul McCartney’s inspired playing on “The White Album.” Interesting chord changes deeper in allow for a sonic respite and prevent repetition fatigue over it’s five minute length.
Check this one out here:
Reverberated guitar chords chime from multiple directions on curiously titled “The New Brighton Witch.” A previously unheard female voice adds a response melody in counterpoint to Phil’s primary lead vocal. In fact, the apparent actual subject of the song’s title turns up to convey a spoken word incantation at the tracks end.
Quick chime guitar strumming and precise counterpoint bass notes introduce the dream-folk tinged “She Gave Me A Crystal.” A trio of background vocalists are carefully synthesized into key sections, the first being a rising step “I can never tell you what you are – the sun and the stars.” A minute and a half in on this over 5 minute track has fuller instrumentation filling everything out. In particular, a buoyant bass guitar creates figures between the more grounding drum beat. The harmonies are lush, ethereal and utterly exquisite.
The album’s final entry “In The Morning When You Rise” builds around finger picked acoustic guitar notes, strummed backing chords and subtle “ahh ahh” backing voices. Quick in pace and ¾ time (or is that 6/8?) soft opening lines ask “What can I do? What can I say to get out of the way? What can I do to be fully alive?” Exploding into a full-on dreamy-gaze rock production with stabbing guitar figures, a once-again soft plateau is reached. Tender male and female voices blend together asking “how can you shine?” before revealing the songs title line. One more lovely build up of cascading voices, full band and an emphatic chorus leading the track (and album) to it’s conclusion.
There seldom is too much passing between musical releases from Sheffield UK based indie-gaze band The Suncharms. Having reviewed their full-length album “Things Lost” here last October, the band is now back with a contributing track on Sunday Records recently released multi-artist collection “Beautiful Noise.” This isn’t the first time they’ve contributed to one of these collaborations, as their track “Liquid Through My Hands” on 2021’s “Something Beautiful” release was featured here at that time. Anticipating a glorious listening experience once again this time around, their track “Saddest Sound” is given the DCW analysis.
Beginning with ambient synth-like textures, open string guitar figures lay out the four chord progression. Secondary guitars enter in with subtle pitch bend counter melodies as drums, bass and jingle tambourine fill out the sonic spectrum. Lead vocalist Marcus Palmer soon emerges with his familiar sandpaper vocals offering a soothing delivery of the song’s title via subtle psychedelic layering. Rhythms pump back and forth underneath as extended guitar note melodies ride over top and ever-present tambourine-on-snare beat marking time. After minute and a half in, a second melody line emerges echoing the opening refrain via clean twangy guitar. The heartfelt vibe is easy-going, with a touch of bluesy greats like Knopfler and Clapton. The descending bass guitar pattern warmly ushers in another round of Palmer vocals. One more guitar line enters the mix two minutes in with a deeper tonal quality, ultimately blending in with those other guitar figures already in progress.
It was just a year ago when this site did an extensive review of SoCal pop rockers sparkle*jets u.k. and their indie hit covers collection "Best Of Friends." Trusting the recommendation of frequently reviewed Burbank, California label Big Stir Records, an over 800 word highlight analysis of that record was produced. The band is now back with “Box Of Letters,” their first album of original material in over 20 years. DaveCromwellWrites turns it’s audio-scope on these brand new tracks, searching once more for the continuing evolution of what is “pop rock” music.
It’s a bold move to open an album of new material with a cover, but that’s exactly what happens here with the purpose statement “This Will Be Our Year.” Tapping the ageless Zombies classic, it serves as a testament to the endurance of finally breaking through. Packed into a succinct 2:29, the core members of Michael Simmons, Susan West and Jamie Knight make their presence felt immediately. Michael’s lead vocal tone and register share the same reedy quality of those guys in Squeeze (either Difford or Tilbrook, I confess to blurring who is who), with a touch of McCartney as well. Ultimately it’s a celebration of something that “took a long time to come.”
As the band is know for alternating lead vocals, “Goodbye X3” becomes the first entry from Susan West. Written with fellow bandmate Jamie Knight, classic rock and roll keyboards drive the songs rhythm. Sung with a bratty, adolescent flair, the title line chorus brings to mind 80’s pop sensations Scandal and their hit “Goodbye To You.” It’s a breakup song of course, and a sending off of “yesterdays problems.”
An initially twee sentiment with playful piano chords and clacking-shell percussion introduces the ultimately scathing “Princess Needy.” Blending Burt Bacharach style songwriting with bigger faux-horns production, the lyrics hit the mark again and again. “How dare the rest of us make her sad? Don’t you people know the world revolves around her?” Two minutes in, there’s a sudden tempo shift into a funky progression where 70’s “soul” voices proclaim “She’s gonna tell everybody about it.” From that point on it morphs between the initial rhythm and what sounds like the orchestral band ELO, perhaps not so subtly referencing bits of their hit “Evil Woman.”
Susan returns as vocal protagonist on the lyrically cheeky “Love Burn.” Straightforward twangy guitars are joined by shorter melody enhancements for a fun reading. Comparing heartbreak to something that can be remedied by a “bucket full of salve” is an amusing take. Two minutes in and a mad distorted guitar solo (of sorts) commences, before ultimately giving way to the all-important cowbell. Wrapped around that is a rather melodic chorus featuring a somewhat perplexing repeated line “I’ve got a heart in my song for you tonight.”
The obvious Beach Boys musical reference (“Don’t Worry Baby”) on the intro to featured cut “I Can’t Wait For Summer” is a welcome touch. Michael Simmons immediately pivots to his own melody as his lyrical story unfolds. Taking some poetic license here (or perhaps this SoCal resident *did* experience “cold, snow, bare trees” at one point in his life) references to “sandals on” and “drive the coast” seem more appropriate. Lush harmonies fill the air on key moments “someday soon the sun will shine” and “when we take that magic ride.” There’s even a touch of Phil Spector on a brief “Be My Baby” sonic breakdown. As well as a harmonica solo that fits perfectly during the “A magic summer” outro.
It’s a deliberately measured pace “stroll” progression driving Michael’s existential view on “Little Circles.” Contemplating our importance in the world, and “hoping that someone will notice” is offset by the knowledge that “we’re nothing special outside of our own little circles.” Classic Beatles-y harmonies make it all sound lovely nevertheless.
Co-written by all three principal members, the Susan sung title track “Box of Letters” emphasizes quick rhythmic changes on story telling lines (“Way – back – I remember.”) Looking back in time on a lengthy relationship that produced a collection of physical correspondence seems quaint in this age of digital communications. Those “frozen moments” and “pictures too” are now the domain of Social Media. While Susan belts out each line with gusto, it’s still the little things – “a matchbook, flower, and a napkin of embarrassing poetry” that matter the most.
70’s era soft rock/r+b electric piano (with that very specific reverberation) creates the sonic territory for Michael’s “Where’s The Moment.” The feel is similar to Paul Carrack’s 1974 hit with his band Ace “How Long (has this been going on).” Wrestling with making plans and “trying to recapture something great” takes away from the joy of living in the “now.” That provides the impetus for pop hooks “Why can’t I stop and just be? Just tryin’ to shake anxiety,” and “but where’s the moment? I can’t find it, somebody tell me how.”
Susan’s voice is used for maximum pop potential on the bouncy, Michael penned “You Complete Me.” Built around brightly strummed guitars and electric keyboards, clever lyrical turns like “I’ve got 90 cents, you got a dime – you turn my change to dollar signs” is as playful as it sounds. There’s even a surprising Electric Sitar solo in the middle, giving it all a late 60’s feel. However the catchy chorus of “thing is youuuuuu complete me baby (with full handclaps) does that make us co-dependent or what?” is what sticks in your head.
Chunky, distorted rock n’ roll chords and slithering bass are featured on the lyrically clever office-worker anthem “I’m Away From My Desk.” Anyone who has ever had this sort of employment can totally relate to this running out the clock behavior. “Making copies, pourin’ coffees, killing time” leads to thoughts of “putting in for some Personal time.” Fellow label mate (and previously reviewed here) Nick Frater is credited with “Abbey Road Handclaps.” and their layered impact is felt. Additionally an 8 year old Julian Knight chips in on the soaring, harmony-laded background vocals as well.
An instantly pleasing guitar-drums trade off opens the vocal ladder climb “One Two Tango.” The Cheap Trick influence is strong here on the “one two three four five six seven ten” followed by “I’m counting on” background vocals refrain. Robin Zander would surely approve. In fact Rick Nielsen and Bun E. Carlos might nod approval as well on the tight rhythmic back-and-forth between guitar, bass and drums.
The album’s closing track is a cover of “Hey Grandma,” Moby Grape’s opening cut from their 1967 debut album. Showcasing the bands live sound, the track was recorded that way to show off their stage chops and dispel any illusions they can only play in a controlled studio environment. It’s a boisterous rendition, and a fitting send off for an album that has so much packed into it.
Four enticing musical releases from over the last few weeks are the focus here within this months DaveCromwellWrites. Critical attention is applied to all aspects of songwriting, sound design and lyrical acumen. Favored genres that focus on fuzzy dream pop, pedalboards, indie rock, goth pop, witchy magic spells. alternative, electronica and post power pop all share space here in this latest deep dive analysis.
Reaching out to the DCW universe is a new band formed within the last year out of Nashville, Tennessee going by the uniquely lettered name Hushhh. Perhaps those extra “h’s” are for their hot, heavy and huge sound. If that smacks of a writers literary projection, what’s certain is quality level of songwriting and musicianship the band delivers. Having released their debut EP "Summer Medication" last October, a new video treatment for featured song “In My Head” has recently arrived now as well. DCW digs in to it’s sound and imagery with an ear (and eye) for it’s essential components.
Compressed, forceful drum strokes lead the song out of the gate before buzz-gaze guitars and locked-together bass enter the mix. Four distinct chords are delivered in a descending sequence that immediately triggers memories of peak-era Dinosaur Jr. The band members are visible from the start of their video, walking down the street, putting stickers up on the back of street signs, getting coffees and ultimately on stage playing a show. The instruments pull back as vocals begin “Paranoid – can’t believe the words I say,” followed by that classic deep-twang hook you hear in the very best alternative rock songs (like The Cure, etc). The earworm hook is reached in well under a minute with the line “life keeps dragging – on and on and on and on and on and on through hell.” This commences a sequence of building riffs over lines “I can't tell if I will ever be well again” with higher register chiming guitar lines blending in with blurred voices against images of the band doing things in their local community.
The second verse continues the songs introspective, soul-searching feel with the lyrics “Wish I was
Happy all the time - Impossible - Impossible is what I find.” Back to that catchy chorus as imagery of video game screens, the band onstage and walking around through their community. The music continues to build and the percussive accents and instrumental turn-arounds are crisp, precise and oh-so-tasty. There’s a cool minor chord (or is it a 7th?) drop on the end these passages that points to a more sophisticated level of songwriting (all within the confines of a 4 minute plus rock song). At the midpoint, a quieter moment of guitar strumming and softer cymbals sets up internal conflict lyrics “Dragging on and on and on and on and on in my head,” before one more explosive run through the hook. At 3 minutes in the tempo shifts dramatically and the overall progression slows to a doom-gazer pace inside a glorious shimmer. A ghostly circular image appears on the video, morphing between what might be a ring light and a moon / sun-like planetary figure above.
This past JanuaryDCW reviewed the two singles gazey dreampoppers Phantom Wave released at that time, in anticipation of their full-length album “Bonfire Secrets.” Comprised of Ian Carpenter (guitar/vocals), Rachel Fischer (drums) and Yanek Che (bass), a focused songwriting style and compatible musicianship fully realizes this sound. Having put the whole album out since then, and with additional distribution from our friends at Shoredive Records, it’s time to dig down into every other song from that release.
Moving past those previously mentioned singles, deeper cut “Shook” builds around a more controlled drum pattern with floating toms enhancing the dominant snare work. Vocals again hearken back to the classic 90’s alterna-pop bands, while guitars shimmer. A rising progression continues to build, leading everything out to conclusion. “Paceline” opens with a rough edge, before dropping the harshness back momentarily as bass guitar drives along. The big emotional chorus brings that wall of guitars back for dramatic exposure.
Modulated guitar textures provide harmonic effect on introductory guitar chords for “Comet Gain.” The initial vibe is easy going and laid back, like Dean Wareham’s original band Galaxie 500. Things get punchier, though once the lyrical hook “spark it good” is reached. A more chaotic wall of sonic disturbance swirls around more structured bass and drums, so diligently attempting to hold it all together. This lengthy, over six minute track reaches it’s emotional peak with the lyrics “and you – so true.”
Reaching the album’s mid-point has the band taking the above-mentioned “easy vibe” a step further into dreamy romanticism with “Astral.” Just when you think this is shaping up to be another over six minute exercise in two-chord meditation, the tempo begins to quicken near the 3 minute mark. Feeling more now like the hurried pace and soaring overtones of Ringo Deathstarr, vocals reveal how “somehow everything’s gold.” Bass guitar cuts loose with melodies while the drums slosh and clatter with wanton impunity. “Got you up in dreams - fly along and be” is the battle cry.
Dipping back into the “Cure-style” pool with it’s open string guitar chord phrasing and Simon Gallop-esque penetrating bass comes the more “reasonable” length “Spiraling.” It doesn’t go on like this too long before a gazey wash of white noise and cymbal slosh accompanies lyrics “Hey there, hey there, hey there, right on there.” Stand out melodic guitar lines also remind why we revere that Robert Smith led band so much, right down to the middle-break of this instant classic song.
Coming in as the longest track track on the album (at 6:42) the appropriately titled “Burning Clocks” moves the bands sound closer to prime-era Cocteau Twins, with Guthrie-style guitar and Raymonde-esque bass. That vibe continues onto it’s primary change, with the lyrics “what can I tell you -
feelings transmit - stay on horizon - stay on.” Guitar riffs and their associated noisy textures become more urgent and boisterous during instrumental passages from the midpoint on. Higher-end cymbals and guitar tones pair well with the lower register bass. A plateau is reach after four minutes which allows for the songs title line to be sung “the burning clocks, the twilight smiles.” One more pivot to a sonic liftoff emphasizing the aforementioned “stay on” vocal.
“Fireworks” is introduced by way of natural sounding trap drum set laying down a warm, organic beat. Chime guitar and deep twang bass flood the sonic space as a lyrical tale of conflict unfolds. “Woebegone, don’t stay long” becomes the essential chorus placement hook. Dynamic forward-pounding, rising-note segments are repeated for dramatic effect. “So much trouble, push it all away, away” is the ultimate resolution to these pyrotechnics.
Listen to this perfect gazey album and find out how to acquire it here:
It’s been a minute since this site checked in on the distinctive style PR Rep William Z and his Moon Coil Media clientele have been up to. Having featured a number of their high-quality artists here over the last few years, the time to dip into that well has arrived once again. Digging into New York (and sometimes Vermont) based Witchy Goth Pop artist Metamorph is an eye (and ear) opening experience. The inspired project of veteran musician Margot Day, her multi-range vocals, songwriting and flute playing are blended with dark synth electronics. Recent song release “HEX” has been given an official Stabbing Westward remix by the bands founder Chris Hall. Additionally, an Official “Witchy Matrix” Visualizer accompanies that track, receiving a detailed analysis below.
With large pentagram earrings on immediate display, Margot Day strikes the classic gothic rock figure, conjuring the spirit world with expressive imagery. The recognizable Stabbing Westward industrial synth-pulse and matching percussion charges forward, enhanced by Margot’s flute textures. Vocals commence with mystical lyrics “Your eyes, like onyx stones, a power source dark and deep - when our eyes meet we gleam.”
The visual and audio mood is seductive as Margot reveals to both “glamour up” and become “Guardians of love.” You had to expect a “spell” was coming (it “drops” and the “night wakes”) with the ambient prelude and single title word “Hex.” However, rather than an incantation calling up bad luck or trouble, the magic has amorous intent. “I want what I want when I want it - babe I want you” is how the dancefloor banger chorus goes. The spell is cast in a “dollhouse discoteque” where lovers “glimmer the night away.”
What seems like a while ago (but actually only two months) UK RockersIt’s Karma It’s Cool’s spinoff side project Solitary Bee reached out with their latest single “Love Wakes Up.” Giving that one the old Cromwell review at that time, they now return with a brand new release “Autumn Recruits.” That quirky track now receives the deep-dive DCW analysis to decipher it’s fundamental melodic and lyrical revelations.
The sound of a buzzing synth (a solitary bee?) are the introductory audible moments before vocalist Jim Styring fervidly delivers lines “all the leaves on the trees on vacation.” Byrds-ian ricken-jangle guitar chords chime and measured bass notes mark out musical parameters. Drums enter the mix while “naked branches” have “deep conversations” about earlier times (poetically referenced as “the lives fully clothed they once had”). More is discovered about these seasonal “recruits” with the twee question “but did they ever say goodbye? When they left a hole in the sky. In their golden space suits.”
While comparing the browning of autumn leaves with “golden space suits” is quite imaginative, the sonic elements now in full motion are equally impressive. A rippling keyboard line repeatedly descends while bass guitar provides counter melodic movement. The songs midpoint pulls everything back, but for an acoustic guitar, some subtle synth pulses as Jim’s reprises those thematic opening lines. The full band charges forward with the primary theme and lines “I’m hoping they all learned to fly, before they jumped from way up, all the autumn recruits.” A final quick instrumental breakdown emerges that leads the whole track out in layered call-and-response vocals and twinkling pulse arpeggios.
Listen to this sweet and sophisticated track here:
Extensive deep-dive analysis is always the primary focus here at DaveCromwellWrites, and this month of March review continues that practice. Storied legends returns with their much-anticipated brand new studio album, delighting fans old and new along the way. Additionally, a frequently reviewed, trusted music label presents yet-another dazzling new find. Rounding things out is a side project from more recent new friends of this site, all helping to unlock the secrets of this universe.
It would be difficult to name a band more influential on the life of this site’s writer and extended family than The Jesus And Mary Chain. Their now 40 year recording career has served as the soundtrack for nearly every significant passage experienced in this matrix called life. Throughout their inception in the late 1980’s and prolific “first run” albums of the 1990’s made permanent marks on all of our most significant life events. The “second phase” JAMC revival commencing in 2007 brought numerous live show opportunities shared among those of us who understand how this all matters. Many a feature on those shows have been covered and detailed here on this site. When the band finally put out a new studio album after 18 years, it too received deep focus attention. Now the Reid Brothers are back with a brand new album “Glasgow Eyes” comprising of twelve original songs. As is only right, a close listen commences with detailed analysis of it all right here.
The album opens with electronic pulses and motorik drive that confirms early promo statements of “Suicide” and “Kraftwerk” influences on the first track “Venal Joy.” An instantly catchy hook “I’m on fire – piss on fire – don’t piss on fire,” leads into the first big power chords segment. A second female harmony voice joins Jim on subsequent lines “venal heartbeat filled with hate” touches on the bribery themed song title. Rising synth twiddles share space with the bands oh-so-recognizable lyrical style. “No I won’t give up and die” is a rallying cry for us all (especially those of their own generation).
“I’m alright – I’m OK” becomes the final message as the pace slows down to conclusion.
A tinkling keyboard nursery rhyme feel, plinking guitar strokes and vocal “ah ah ah’s” opens second cut “American Born.” The initial lyrics of doing things “with Americans” is inter-cut by chunking guitar bits and over-modulated keyboard stabs. Appearing to be a looser offspring of the more realized composition “Los Felix (Blues and Greens)” from their previous album, one would hope William is still being sincere with this homage to his on-going “new home” (that being ‘Merica), if one can still call California that. “Mediterranean X Film” continues the odd beep and boop sounds, while mixing in more prominent forward-plunking guitar. A female voice is first heard, reading off a list of items, before William himself sings the words “Churchill and De Gaulle – Berlin and the wall.” Here the instrumental backing is looser than previous rigid beats, with the drumming in particular displaying a touch of that “jazz” referenced in press releases. A minute in has the band shifting to a quicker tempo enhanced by twangy guitar. Williams continued vocal recitation echoes the playful, “less disciplined” style of his later stage demos.
Reaching the fourth (and “focus track”) “jamcod” once again draws on an electronic “Kraftwerkian” motif at the start. This time a more traditional JAMC style descending rhythm soon emerges. Jim’s vocals are front and center when he sings “the monkey’s organ grinder isn’t grinding anymore.” It’s classic Jim self-critique about having “seen this dream before” and “tears are what you want – tears are what you’ve got.” That all sets the stage for a momentary blast of HUGE powerchords and then back to that familiar downward-driving bassline. “Breaking up and then falling down and my heart beats much too slow” Jim continues, followed by the clever “notify the other brother there’s no place to go.” Another pass through the bridge and power chord (chorus), leading to a bridge of “vegetable, mineral, animal – I don’t know, what you want – what you need.” It all ends on a buzzy synth wig-out while the song tile is spelled out repeatedly.
Check the video out for it right here:
Fifth entry “Discotheques” continues the conclusion of those oddball synth space noises, sprinkled around the primary descending guitar lines. William returns with his wispy vocals “everywhere around the world, every type of boy and girl, body heat and beat and sex, welcome to the discotheque.” Additional descriptions of William’s real (or imagined?) music venue with their “decks, drinks, pills and [fr]rills” are backed by this quaint, demo-level instrumentation. Points for the plunking guitar leads woven in and through the end-out. The album’s mid-point serves up the more serious, slow grinding “Pure Poor.” William vocals once again, “I wasted my time – this planet is mine – baby I was pure,” comes the late night foggy-trip delivery. The guitars are fuller, with some distortion mixed in alongside sludge n’ chime. A bright tambourine rattle provides midrange focus for the multi-layered noodling swirling around it all.
“For millions of years – and oceans of tears – baby I was – pure,” William implores. The final poetic riddle comes in the form of going to “the store” and discovering to be “poor.”
Bigger production values are present on the deceptively titled “The Eagles and The Beatles.” Deceptive in that one of those two bands are never mentioned, yet we get a litany of other legendary faves. Most notably, the center chorus hook goes: “I’ve been Rolling with the Stones, Mick n’ Keith and Brian Jones – Bill and Charlie have gone home.” Other than the early squealing synth noises in the beginning, it’s a more tight progression based around clean piano chords. The list of influences mentioned include “Dylan, Beatles (mentioned only once), Sex Pistols, Crystals, Beach Boys, Faces, Andrew Oldham (The Stones manager). Notoriously missing are The Ramones and The Velvet Underground - though a full song “Hey Lou Reid" – yeah – spelled like their own last name – closes out the album. Solid guitar chords and quality use of “Sgt Peppers”-style horns over a tight hand-clap percussion all contribute to it’s precise pop presentation.
Photo by Mel Butler
Clean, higher-production electronica provides the musical base for the lyrically amusing “Silver Strings.” “You got nuffin’ but a deep fake lake of tears. You got one billion – shiny – fings (things) - I got six dirty silver strings.” Synths are used more traditionally as ambient string sections. Plunking guitar lines and paired bass comes properly synced to the drums. There’s also the curious secondary theme lyric “you get in the way – in the way – in the waaaaaay.” Reaching one of the album’s official single releases, the much-needed Jim vocals on “Chemical Animal” is highlight material. Everything that has ever been great about a JAMC song is rolled into this composition. Brooding, dark, tension, honesty, self-reflection and the things that troubles you inside. They lyrics are brilliant and perfectly match the musical mood. “Simplify – to get by – to nullify. There is something you should know. There is something I don’t show. I fill myself with chemicals. To hide the dark shit I don’t show.” William provides the necessary plunking tonal guitar lines between Jim’s cool, emotive vocals. “Please illuminate – please don’t hesitate. I’m not pleased to meet you. I don’t need to meet you. I don’t want to meet you. You don’t want to meet me too.”
Tenth track “Second Of June” is the more upbeat version of Jim and also a welcome treat. Clearly a love remembrance of the brothers dearly departed (and Sainted) Mother. Interesting to see this song of positivity and hope immediately following the bleakness displayed in the one just prior. Reciting their own band name, lyrics follow “there’s a storm behind my shoulder, there’s a blood moon on the rise.” Those final six words are repeated over as the overall instrumentation and vocals becomes elevated to a classic MaryChain conclusion. Reaching the penultimate album track (which also comes with an official video) is the love tome to Jim’s longtime relationship “Girl 71.” It’s a sprightly undertaking in both sonic and visual form, with Jim seated and strumming a guitar. There’s frequent Japanese writing flashed quickly as the guitar crunch powers everything along. With a “Wully Bully” style chopping organ rhythm running alongside the more dominant guitars, some have noted the progressions similarity to Judas Priest’s “Living After Midnight.” Duly noted, first impressions here thought it pointed more towards Lou Reed’s “Vicious.” Lyrically straightforward, it goes “girl, you got me – you got nuthin.’” The first run through its marvelously classic JimAMC chorus delivers the hook most needed. The video imagery often looks like multiple camera film panels next to each other. The “Girl 71” eventually shows up (it’s Jim’s actual partner) and becomes a duet of sorts. “Hey – we got sumpthin’ – I got you – we’ve got sumpthin’ – you got me – we got love.” As previously stated, the chorus is great: “And that’s gonna last a day – another day – another day. We’re gonna take the time – I cant get by without you – we got what we need. Hey – Hey – We got what we need."
Check out this upbeat track here:
Speaking of the VU icon, final cut “Hey Lou Reid” (spelling duly noted) is a bass heavy ramble from William of unintelligible garble and his trusty twisty synthesizer. That’s for the first two minutes, anyway. Clocking in at the longest song on the album, it morphs into a softer musing about “girls,” their “eyes” and “cold Alaska nights.” It plunks and twangs along for these back-end four minutes, before floating away in twinkles.
Glasgow Eyes is out now on Fuzz Club Records. Order it here.
Additional Jesus And Mary Chain features on this site can be found here:
The wonderful gazey, post-rock label Shoredive Records has an uncanny knack for finding the best music out there. Many features on this site have covered previously unheard gems introduced from their catalog. This time it’s an impressive dreamgaze unit from Florence, Italy – We Melt Chocolate - delivering the goods once again. The band's latest album "Holy Gaze" is now featured in the Shoredive catalog, bringing further attention to it.
Featured track “Holy Ramen” comes with an inventive video putting the viewer in front of a bowl of that title-referenced soupy noodle mixture. Swirling gaze sounds commence and the image switches to a table view hosting that meal. Clarion bell guitar tones begin to strike as the face-down-view of ramen bowl also swirls. Much like JAMC’s “Girl 71,” Japanese language letters float into view and a screen behind the meal table projects clouds blowing by. As the dominant progression commences, well-placed snare drum percussion and hard-edged bass guitar drives a sophisticated undercurrent along. Dreamy female vocals begin with associated pale-faced, full-lipped, doe-eyed, properly-fringed hair representation. Two women appear opposite each other at the table set, engaging in conversation. The chorus hits hard with the full emotional power the best dream-gazer bands can deliver. It’s romantic, emotional, lyrically-vague, guitar-driven and uplifting.
While guitars supply a steady flow of hooky melodies, the bass rumbles along like Simon Raymonde of The Cocteau Twins. The two women (who may be the same one in split screen, one with sunglasses the other without) continue their meal and “conversation” (singing the song). The adorning chorus comes around again, bathed in an ambient wash of epic proportions and female harmonies. Drums stay powerful and focused, like Colm Ó CÃosóig in MBV or perhaps Daniel from Ringo Deathstarr. Three minutes in, a plateau is reached where sparser guitar notes and rumbling bass mark out a holding pattern. That leads to an explosive burst of sound and quicker-cut imagery. One more glorious chorus run encapsulating everything you love about this style music. The sonic headrush-to-heaven, angel-faced (and voiced) “dream-gaze” girl, and beautiful, heart-tugging melodies. The men even make a brief appearance dining at the table, enjoying that ramen delight across from each other.
Check out this gorgeous gazer song here:
Follow We Melt Chocolate on their Social Media - Facebook - Bandcamp
Connect with Shoredive Records via their extensive LinkTree
Towards the end of 2022 this site did a detailed review of UK Power Pop Rockers It’s Karma It’s Cool’s single release at that time “A Gentle Reminder.” Lead vocalist Jim Styring is now back with a side project Solitary Bee and their debut single “Love Wakes Up.” Along with the track comes an accompanying official video. The DCW audio-videoscope digs down into this new output, in search of it’s essential atmosphere.
Melodic, finger-picked guitar notes float over syncopated drums and bass as the song commences. Jim’s vocal start soon after, stating “I caught the breeze of summer, time for our luck to change – the sunshine brought those memories, those long day feelings that remain.” The video comes in black and white imagery with gray overtones, depicting an impressionistic style of the human eye. Vocals continue “she said she’ll do much better, now that the sun’s her greatest friend – and all those colours blooming, will take her home again.” On to an uplifting chorus that goes “when the love wakes up - I’ll be right beside applauding." Now the video begins to add more images of families coming together on holidays as vocals continue “won’t ever let you go.” The images of mother and child in soft focus, holding hands and running in front of the ocean is paired with lyrics “maybe a little rain has fallen – but we needed it to grow.” String synthesizers become more prominent in the audio mix, adding tenderness to those sentiments.
Crunchy guitars begin to make their presence felt as seagulls fly over the oceans in sepia tone views. Voices continue “how green the grass plays restless, announcing winters gone – and all young couples courting, to build new lives upon and on.” Opening lyrics evolve on second pass through as “the warmest breath of summer, time for our luck to change – the sunshine brought those memories, to come flooding back again.” Once again to the lovely chorus, with it’s sophisticated bass guitar counter rhythm and lush keyboards. The video now depicts holding hands at candlelit cafe tables, mothers teaching children at the family keyboard and oscilloscope screens. Other images of vintage era outdoor gymnastics and similarly classic car rides. Lyrics continue “and petals are confetti, the ceiling’s not the sky – like a heart shot into orbit, exploding satellite. And the birds came back to visit, from a million miles away – but the weather was so perfect, they decided all to stay.” One more glorious chorus with staccato-stab guitars powering it along. A momentary pause, then back into a fully backed, gentle synth melody driven chorus. Coda lines “I caught the breeze of summer, time for our luck to change” is pleasantly followed by the softer echo “Love Wakes Up” vocal fadeout.
Check out this light hearted, inspiring video and song here:
'Love Wakes Up' is taken from the EP Bloom. Available from all good digital stores.
A long-time favorite has re-entered the DaveCromwellWrites world with a brand new full-length recording. Alongside that is a previously never-before heard artist offering up their unique take on a 90's era classic. Finally an often reviewed, most-respected label has remastered and reissued an earlier catalog EP. Every song on all of the above mentioned releases now receive the infamous DCW track-by-track review.
Press releases indicating that new music from long-admired Cloudland Canyon had been trickling in over the last few months. Having already been a devoted fan of the purposefully vague and mysterious output from this creative force since the mid-2000's, each new single release added to the excitement. Now the full-length album is here, and for this reviewer it brings back all the memories and reasons for that initial fascination. Led by former New York and now Memphis based electronic music master Kip Uhlhorn, the artist has tapped into the mutual admiration of Spaceman 3/Spectrum's Sonic Boom (Pete Kember) for production assistance. The result is a magnificent collection of otherworldly music tuned into those dreamlike states some of us experience with each night's sleep.
Opening track “Circuit City” bursts out in full motion with no buildup, careening along at a bustling pace. Familiar deeply reverberated male vocals commence over (or is that under) a repeating AI voice pattern that sounds like the word “my, my, my” in perpetuity. There's a distinct pop chord progression at play, complete with a chorus (even if the lyrics buried beyond recognition). While the title line can be made out occasionally, that's hardly the point. Many wonderful sonic elements emerged throughout this over 6 minute opus. The percussion is busy, with bongo-like textures fluttering up (and then away). A driving synth-bass takes a dominant position at the 4 minute mark, with the previously bubbling sonics fading back. That sets the stage for a “battle of robotic sounds” (of sorts) to follow.
Follow-up cut “Internet Dreams” wraps itself in a dance-floor ready krautrock beat that pulls elements from both German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. Vocals come delivered with primary force from a strong female voice. “Losing time – barely there. Lose myself – light as air” are her opening lines. The hook comes in the form of a “Oh, Oh-A” vocal resolution at the end of each line delivered. “If I felt your touch – I might break apart” she initially concludes. Reading the artists statement that this song deals with something “you've already lost” and “our tendency to romanticize the past,” play out with the lyrics “old dreams light up my screen.” The suggestion that these “in tattered dreams” may be more “destructive” that we initially realized are summed in the the final repeated vocal hook “since you went away.”
“Future Perfect (Bad Decision)” taps into the dreamlike state and relaxed ambient pastel groove that initially caught the attention of this reviewer on their previous releases. Even though the rhythm is clearly defined with strong percussion, there's something about those vague and heavily reverberated vocals that instantly satisfy. Perhaps it's the dream pop and “gazey” music of initial practitioners like The Jesus and Mary Chain (and later on The Raveonettes) that has forged a connection with this sound. Something about the shifting voices that are just out of reach (like in a dream) find an emotional touchstone. The melody is romantic and builds slowly, creating the sensation that some kind of angelic experience is just over the horizon.
“SEA TACT / Whispering Waves” opens with a pulsating drone that continues while aggressive drumming thunders up from underneath in the mix. A variety of sound patterns begin to appear, some melodic and others adding to the hustling chaos. The halfway point introduces an elongated background vocal counterpoint to this otherwise hyperspeed sensation. Those vocals evolve into a more semi-coherent chanting phrase that sounds like “you don't say it's alright.”
There's a distinctive (once again) Jesus and Mary Chain feel on the slow, rambling two-chord appeal of “Recursive Excursions.” Choosing an undistorted guitar tone (like much of JAMC's 2nd studio album “Darklands”) sawing easily between chords, rattling tambourine and backing synth pads join in. Vocal delivery comes on soft and casually harmonized “we're not disappointed – just look where we've been.” Continuing in the aforementioned Reid brothers style, harsher electric guitar chords commence. From this point on, the actual Velvet Underground inspired source is more clearly revealed.
Another focus track “Two Point Zero” takes the quicker paced dance-floor electronica of earlier offerings and combines that with the preceding JAMC style vocals. A deep twang tone serves as a sonic balance point within shifting cacophony. With all that intentional aural chaos, a vocal hook “I don't want anyone but you” is purely evident. Plucking synths are pared with just enough percussion to generate the necessary forward motion. A timeless 80's through 90's feel abounds throughout, as if everything Depeche Mode, Howard Jones and other synth-pop pioneers of that ilk were put in a blender and poured out into this song.
Reaching deeper tracks, “LV MCHNS” combines buzzing brass synths, mechanized rhythms and icy female vocals that taps into the realm inhabited by bands like Ladytron. “Spacebar Blues” comes off as a less calculated studio jam, based around Kip's guitar and voice working out this “blues” progression idea over a ticking drum beat. Additional sound layers added on give it a fuller off-kilter appeal. Final entry “Gimme Tension” returns with full force everything that makes Cloudland Canyon so engaging. Swirling synths – check; forward charging percussion – check; anthemic dreamgaze vocals layered and distorted beyond recognition – double-check! Like most everything on this entire album – it's music to fall in love with someone - in an alternate AI universe.
Acquire this album at their label Medical Records HERE
Every now and then you get a message from a contact on Social Media that you haven't really interacted with. Such is the case with an Italian musician who puts out recordings under the name I'm The Villain. His latest release is a personal tribute cover of the song “Nutshell” by Alice in Chains.
Starting the track off with an acoustic guitar and 808 drum machine, an introspective, homespun feeling is the initial vibe. Getting right to the vocals, you can hear passion within his lyrical delivery. He's got Layne Staley's vocal inflections down, as he retells about “misprinted lies,” “the path of time,” and how “I fight this battle all alone.” Soon a series of slinky, echoed telecaster guitar riffs enter the mix adding depth and texture overall. Reaching the second verse and the desolate lines “my gift of self is raped” adds on to the guitar layering creating a near metal-slide feel amid the echo. While the acoustic strums throughout, those wirey guitar figures weave around with determined anguish. Building to an emotional sonic peak, the percussion, guitars and synths come together in a cacophony of sound. A single high-pitched guitar figure continues to rise, leading out the the ultimate conclusion of the strumming acoustic.
A recent release from our friends over at Shoredive Records find label boss Nicolas Pierre Wardell (a/k/a Nico Beatastic) reissuing his 2015BEATASTIC EP number 2 in newly remastered form. As the record was originally the second in a series of four, it's title goes by the numerically accurate 02 2002 02020 2 (Remastered). A careful listen inspires ideas, thoughts and words below.
Epic opening track “Butterflies” clocks in a nearly 10 minutes in length. As one might expect, there's a lot going on in that timeframe. Buzzy brass synths kick it all with quick rhythm, panning back and forth the sound field. Other synths begin to wade in, creating a more drone-like effect. As Kraftwerk-ian percussion clips and hisses, a distinct bass guitar pattern emerges creating movement underneath. Gazey guitars begin strumming busily and the thump and crack of drumlike percussion enters the fray. At the 3:20 mark a momentary halt and held ambience serves to set up oncoming vocals. Delivered in elongated diction, it's more like a mantra, before something approximating a chorus emerges. That's followed by some hard-edged (and ear pleasing) bass guitar riffing. Halfway in and the drums, drone and vocals run through that melodic chorus once more. At six minutes the track breaks down to a synth only segment that reprises the songs intro. Backward looping over top always gives this reviewer a Jimi Hendrix-in-the-studio sensation (since that's where it was first heard) or perhaps even Beatles “White Album” vibe. Vocals float in and out with “ohhh ohhhh ahhhh” placement showing keen awareness of what a studio recording can accomplish. Pushing forward into the final 2 minutes, all the previous sonic elements return in full force for the grand finale.
Following cut “The Ebb And Flow” comes on with high-pitched synth pulses, before solid drumming and vocals join in with a full progression. Fast strummed “gazer” chords are positioned over top of it all, along with harmonized melodic vocals. A shearing guitar and drums instrumental breakdown adds powerful juncture to the final vocal conclusion.
“Perfect Moment Perfect” emerges out of an ambient mist, before high-hat and snare percussion enter in. Vocals come on initially softer and introspective – as single line guitar figures weave around. As the synth pads rise and fall back, percussion stands out in front of the mix – as muted voices sing about taking a “moment” and “make it perfect.” More guitar lines step forward in a dominant way, as the song moves to it's conclusion.
After an ominous deep-buzzy synth intro, “Try Harder” quickly shifts gears as it bounces along bright strumming guitar and a solid drum pattern. Vocals come on in a softer, undistorted way, providing contrast to the bold rhythmic undercurrent. A Cure-like bass guitar and drum break provides thunderous reprieve before vocals return with the song's repeated title-line. “Stop Crossing Oceans” takes that bass guitar driven, matched with higher note six string guitar pairing and rolls it out in classic (once again) The Cure-style slow-build progression. Distinct forceful drumming joins in and the lyrical story commences. The dynamic chorus leans into gazey guitars (not really Robert Smith's thing) moving everything over to a more modern dreampop vibe. The song “ends” (then it doesn't) as a two minute coda floats everything away with textured guitar finesse.
The previously unreleased “Winter Bliss” emerges out of rising muted percussion before full-blown gazey guitar shear over top. The track then alternates between quiet verse passages of intimate nature (repeating the word “birthday”) and the shearing guitar enhanced chorus that goes “embrace me with a kiss – feeling the winter bliss.” Final cut “The Ebb And Flow (Country Version)” replaces the original's “fast strummed gazer chords” with down-home pedal-steel variations. Bass guitar and drums fall into an easy slow groove as the vocals are given an appropriately fresh reading as well. Country banjo pickin' can be heard within the mix, behind fiddles and those haunting pedal-steel strains.
Listen to and find out the multiple ways to acquire this album here:
Previous recent features covering Shoredive Records on this site can be found Here and Here.
Dave Cromwell has been writing about music since the dawn of the internet age. In addition to the steady flow of features here on this site, he has been a regular contributor to The Deli Magazine (both Print and Web) since 2010. With numerous Print Issue cover features and weekly contributions on the Deli website, scores of artists have received the Cromwell point of view. Along with ongoing contributions to this site and The Deli Magazine, Dave has written for Dingus, My Social List, The Waster, Spin and Rolling Stone magazines.
