Ed Sheeran Has Perfect Pitch

My fellow blog followers, here now, if it hasn't been officially declared as such already, is the High School Prom and Wedding Night Dance Tune of 2018...the extremely lovable Ed Sheeran delighting us with the first cut from his Billboard Magazine Top 10 album, "Divide". The title essentially says it all. We humans can't claim to be perfect but "Perfect" the song is about as close to an ideal puppy dog eyed romance as there's bound to be. I can see why Elton John is one of his influences. "Perfect" is the song Elton wishes he wrote. It's a lavish production number full of his prime acoustic guitar playing alongside orchestral decoration not to mention timely percussion. The venerable news man Charlie Rose had Ed on his show recently. Is there any question why this meeting occurred? Never once has Ed had any doubts about his life direction either personally or professionally. He's got swoon worthy pipes which will be ringing up sales until I'm old enough and God willing lucid enough to collect Social Security. "Perfect" ought to have the Valentine's Day market covered, too. If "Perfect" was a tract of land it would be a palatial estate with multiple columns out front. It flows nice and easy so those stolen kisses will be easy to pick off. Mr. Sheeran is one of the most heartfelt musicians working the industry today. The crop of red haie alone makes you want to make like Grandma and pinch his cheeks. He's one of those rare souls who has given himself the opportunity to stay grounded as his career unfolds and inevitably evolves. The accompanying video defines joyful experience. The pile of books makes for a winning touch. Lyric-wise well...breathe it in for yourself..."I found a love for me. Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead. Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet. Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me. Here's your shot at Kleenex to dab away the happy tears. Every single verse from here on in only ups the Niagara Falls factor. He's found this girl against all odds who he wants to carry his children for him. The third verse screams cellphone photograph moment..."Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms, barefoot on the grass listening to our favourite song. When you said you looked a mess I whispered underneath my breath but you heard it, darling you look perfect tonight. I'm playing for the same masculine team and I'd agree to date him based on this song. I can feel him taking me in his arms and embracing only me, locking out the outside world. The focus starts out on his guitar but the bells and whistles follow soon after. He blends the two styles flawlessly and what loose stitching you do see only adds to the allure. "Perfect" adds nicely to a fully budding career that likely won't stop until he's comfortably ensconced in a local nursing home or sails off to Heaven while reclining in front of the telly, pipe in his lap.

Knuckle Puck Has Gone Crazy With Its Melodic Capabilities

Out of Chicago, Illinois, Knuckle Puck unearths quite an impressive soup in "Gone". This outfit puts together a seamless mix of audio excitement alongside Joe Taylor's unobstructed vocal range. John Siorek takes credit for most of the backbone here. He's not lazy in the least. Each beat lands flush like it's supposed to. Kevin Maida goes heavy into the trenches on lead guitar. Could say he's the color commentator portion of this band. Everybody else lays the muscle down as Kevin throws in the special seasoning. Ryan Rumchaks amounts to not just a small hit part player on bass. He steps into the fray quite handily and makes his contributions count long after the song ends. Sounds appetizing so far. Throw in the pity inspiring choral refrain and "Gone" has you at attention for as long as it wants. The opening chorus shows Joe knows how to create a mood, even if said mood is a mite depressing. The starting line goes "I did what I do best...forget myself. Got overdressed like everybody else. A glance and a half smile. Black heels on the white tie. It took seven years for your path to realign but I'll still think of you on the 5th of June cause when I saw you I lost you all over again. Boy sounds like he's one bad break away from hurtling himself over a bridge. The chorus isn't inspiration for rebirth either..."Gone. Doesn't it feel good to be invisible? Gone. Just like the way I used to be. Gone. Have I been fading away? Yeah, I'm so gone, gone." The love interest's stare pierces him like an unforgiving knife, severing what emotional ties there ever were. Rob claims he's not who she remembers but that's primarily because she stole his personality away. He's not without sympathy though. He admits she could stand to have a break from his ghost. Yet his intensity of feeling remains a constant. This song's tempo reflects the psychological desperation Joe's shooting for. The instruments are spread out evenly which makes it an exciting construction job to witness. Broken love's a time honored theme in music. In Knuckle Puck's hands there's a fresh burst of pluck. "Gone" stays in the here and now with compelling results.

The Front Bottoms Flood Us With a Nice Taste of Oddball Pop

Straight from New Jersey I give you The Front Bottoms. These two gentlemen pack a lot of strange into one 3:10 song, that song being "Raining" Brian Sella does vocal duty here and he quite clearly embraces the strangeness he's peddling. Matthew Uychich smacks drums here and how off to the races he gets. What needs to be said about the video. Brian (I presume anyway) wanders from the hospital straight into a party where all his matea are waiting for him and he takes many bizarre twists and turns along the way. I'm surprised at how bubbly the song is given this is an escaped patient we're talking about here. Nevertheless The Front Bottoms harmonize beautifully. Way to do more with less. I don't think I am really sure what that voice affectation is that provides giggle moments throughout. I guess it'll have to remain a closely guarded secret. Let's hope The Front Bottoms doesn't end up in that category because it succeeds in getting your attention with programmer friendly indie-pop that willfully holds onto its eccentric sensibilities. On a clear sunny day "Raining" wouldn't be out of place. In fact, when the band was noodling around in the recording studio composing the song, who thought "Raining" would be an appropriate title. It hasn't stricken me with Seasonal Affectation Disorder. There are no Kleenex boxes in view. It's extremely easy to like. Even the lyrics aren't too unbearable. How could you be grief stricken over a song that shares lines like "We went flying over all the trees to see a house built by a mafia member."? Isn't possible in my book. Brian doesn't appear to be the most level headed cat if the video's any indication. He's still wearing his hospital bracelet for cripes sake. But anyway "Raining" sounds perfectly okay when placed in the framework of a corny cross town trek. When the bridge comes into play, what wonderful chaos Brian and Matthew make. Where did that explosion come from? Again, maybe it's best left alone as a magical secret. Brian goes from feeling all torn up to needing magic just to fall asleep. What a miraculous transformation. All the while Brian asks "How do you think that felt?" Rest assured he has brushes with feeling "absolute fantastic". One doesn't expect such a rosy outcome to the video but there have it. It's all smiles, festive, uproarious but...THE DAMN BRACELET'S STILL ON HIS WRIST!! Could be something in the water over in Woodcliff Lake or some really choice LSD. Either way The Front Bottoms make abashed merry and don't care who knows it. "Rsining" smacks you across the face like a bracing April shower. Looking forward to new insanity real soon. Took 'em over a decade to seize their moment but here they show they're ready to shine.

Evanescence's Imperfection Strikes a Perfect Chord.

Evanescence essentially had me at "Bring Me To Life" back in the early aughts. Amy Lee, given her goth styled persona, honestly does have a voice that could wake the dead. Everything about the song made for a killer introduction to how seriously the band kicks ass. The guitar playing cooks, the lyrics are foreboding, and Amy cuts through the clutter like the pro she is. Here in 2017 a new album, "Synthesis" is slated for release really soon and I couldn't be more pumped up about it. If I may be so bold, I think Amy's one of the top 50 female vocalists of all time. What sets her apart from the distaff crowd is that her vocal style betrays a real maternal protective instinct that comes from a rough edged soulful place. You can hear it full on in "My Immortal". They sort of toned down the creepiness so radio wouldn't get turned off by it but the pure CD version gets you reaching for a light switch because you wouldn't want to be left alone in the dark with it. "Synthesis" starts off with one of the most generous opening piano solos I think I've ever had the good fortune to hear. Is that all? We're getting a style change-up consisting of power ballad parlor tricks? Patience my friends. Amy's got your need for explosiveness within easy reach. Boy is it pulverizing. In 2017 the Little Rock band has in fact added layers of complexity to its bulldozer intensity. "Imperfection" operates at a midtempo level which gives it time to worm its way into your bloodstream until you've gotten a virus you want no cure from. Lyrics point to desperate pleading as is evidenced by "Don't you dare surrender. Don't you dare leave me here without you cause I could never replace your perfect imperfection." The only head scratcher I can make out is, "Don't look now but the little girl's got a grenade." Way to get all military strategist on us but what was the point? Despite this left turn "Imperfection" shows Amy at her very best, voice cued up to stun, cross to bear sticking out of her pocket. Will Hurt's drums incite one to gulp one's throat in dread. Troy McLawhorn's lead guitar digs under the surface of Amy's impassioned delivery. Relative newbie Jen Majura holds on in the rhythm guitar department. Will Boyd's bass is the final delectable nail in this inviting rock coffin. You'll need strong coffee to keep up with this tune. It clocks in at 6 minutes and 40 seconds. That might make it a bit unreachable for radio programmers who want to add some bite to their playlists. To you and I that shouldn't matter. Evanescence remains captivating some 16 years after its inception. "Imperfection" reveals not a chink in the armor.

Manchester Orchestra Goes For And Takes The Gold

It glides on smooth like latex paint and can leave the consumer equally satisfied with the result. I'm referring to indie band Manchester Orchestra's new single "The Gold". I describe this track as a jigsaw puzzle well-meshed. Given we're nudging towards autumn "The Gold" strikes as an ideal segment of your life soundtrack at this point. Luxurious and ornate it has that one percenter smell of old money but doesn't flaunt it much as they might. Andy Hull has a beautiful set of pipes propelling him forward. Andy Prince has intensity to burn and it shows in the way he buoys Andy's sound. The video is a hodgepodge of intriguing imagery that lends itself well to a song steeped in provocative dialogue. Lyrically entropy takes the lead here with words like "Couldn't really love you anymore. You've become my ceiling. How does one pull that off exactly? I guess if anyone can do it Andy can. But wait, there's more. How about, "You don't have to hold me anymore. Our cave's collapsing." What part of his brain keyed in on the Flintstones to come up with that line. It impresses me in any case. Tim Very's drum work doesn't render him a non-factor but he does err on the quieter side of the spectrum. Steadily contributing but not overblown. Still gorgeous though. Ditto for Robert McDowell's keyboard and lead guitar work. You like the novelty value of a song that treats you gently, but not with kid gloves. The MTV Video Awards would be wise to at least consider "The Gold" for a Best Cinematography Award because it's that pretty to behold, but I digress. If you like intellectual music "The Gold" ought to keep you in high cotton for a spell. Favorite lyric has to be "I don't wanna bark here anymore." I feel you buddy. The thrill's gone for me too. "It all tastes like poison," leaves nothing to the imagination. So much poison floating through the ozone these days that I get the connection to the media circus of President Trump instantaneously. Not that that's what he's driving at but can you blame me for connecting those dots? That guitar brings bounce personified to a track already primed for motion. One way to sum up the video for "The Gold" is that it's an extended stream of op art stretched out taffy wide. "The Gold" is precious just like the mineral and just as rewarding to have in your hot little hands too.

HELLYEAH Rises With "Love Falls"

Somebody needs a hug and that somebody is HELLYEAH'S lead growler Chad Gray. Anger permeates his every breath. We sense the tight noose wrapped around his neck, a hopelessness point he draws to again and again during "Love Falls". He doesn't have those often used Cookie Monster vocals but if you want nightmares for yeara, take a look at the expressions he gives us in the band's video. The song starts out innocently enough structurally but then, moments later, it kicks into high gear. Vinnie Paul kicks into high gear on drums. He puts down some mighty flourishes in the most appropriate places. Christian Brady electrifies, no pun intended, with guitar that sounds like either he or somebody he knows left the pot burning on the stove too long. The steady boil pays huge dividends. Everything about the attitude benefits from such raw emotion. Love is often cruel and not an end result one opts for. Chad lets his wounds seep out for all to see as is personified in the video by the young woman cutting herself at the sink. How hard up for love does Chad feel. Well...check out this scorched Earth poetry..."Have you ever wished for death and prayed all night for your last breath?" Well personally no because I'm too attached to the planet at this point to beg for a hasty exit. Chad digs deep during the chorus. I don't think in all the time I've been blogging that I've heard a man so at the mercy of torment. That's put on full display in, "I'm hanging by a thread, a rope, the noose around my neck. I choke, cuz every time I'm fallin' love falls out of me. I'm hardened like a rock, a stone, the brick inside my chest. Alone cuz every time I'm fallin, love falls out of me. Kyle Sanders explodes on bass. His tone matches Chad's rasp stride for stride. It's a love gone cold saga that grows more and more painful to experience the longer the song goes. It is hard to take your ears off of. A lover's quarrel not meant to end well. Chad's putting up too much of a fight for any of us to suggest putting him out of his, and, possibly our misery. He's not doubling down on the misery card. But the weight of his world does seem to be crashing down on him. If that makes for crunchier rock I don't know. In this case I'd say yes. If you're claustrophobic as a rule, I'd give "Love Fails" a wide berth. However, if you need people to commiserate with, HellYeah's got you covered. "Love Falls" rises to the battle scarred occasion.

Fall Out Boy Cuts a True Gem.

The kitchen sink's in here...trust me. Fall Out Boy's latest single "Last Of The Real Ones" does what a good football team does which is get everybody in the offense involved. Andy Hurley's drumming makes you sit up and take notice even though that doesn't get cranking until we're well into the proceedings. Patrick Stumpf's pipes are haunting whether it's through the main stanzas or the chorus. Pete Wentz blends in perfectly on his bass guitar. You get chills just pondering the possibilities he could whip up but you're too engrossed in what he's doing in the present moment. Joe Trohman adds fuel to this inferno effortlessly. Put them all together and Fall Out Boy has created a true nail-biter where the suspense quotient is off the charts. If you're not smiling as the video rolls you must have missed out on the humor gene when you were hatched. Fall Out Boy is known for its wacky videos, but this is weird even for them. They actually stuffed a guy in the trunk of a car in the name of artistry. That's really creepy but the dark humor seems to work for them as Pete belts out his lyrics for the ages. How do you top "I was an only child of the universe." You don't which makes things all the more impressive. I'm enthused at the band's roaring out of the gate tempo. It adds excitement to a song and title that didn't really need the help. Pete knows how to flatter the ladies. Take "'Cause you're the last of a dying breed. Write our names in the wet concrete. In front of Mann's Chinese Theater I presume. Wherever the location it's an effective statement loaded with passion. It's hard to tell the real ones are in the digital age. Nice of Fall Out Boy to bring that up for discussion. In an industry where careers don't tend to last very long, Fall Out Boy's managed one and a half decades which is to be commended. What a blast they appear to be having. You get the urgency right from the start and that stays faithful to the boys right down to the last note. That's a state of being the band builds on to impressive effect. As the song builds in tonal intensity we love being along for the ride. "Last Of The Real Ones" winds up being the latest addictive Fall Out Boy production.

Pat Benatar Boldly Walks Through The Wreckage

I don't usually play favorites when it comes to this blog but for today I'll make an exception because I'm spotlighting a true living legend, Pat Benatar, the woman who made my subscription to Billboard magazine worth the sticker shock. Time and again she has delivered. Her latest, "Dancing Through The Wreckage" adds a delicate layer to her astounding body of work. There's none of that balls on full blast sensibility of her earlier work. Here she's tackling the sad and completely unnecessary plight of homeless female veterans. The band flanking her knows the huge importance of the topic so it declares itself in hushed fashion. The drums pour down from above like shampoo lightly penetrating the hair shaft. Piano strikes the maternal note that all moms and daughters should be fortunate enough to have. Guitar gets toned down as well. But make no mistake, this track from the critically acclaimed film "Served Like a Girl" is a 100% Benatar production. Doesn't matter who she shares the soundtrack credits with (for the record that would be Gwen Stefani and Natasha Bedingfield among others). When Pat plays the mother hen card there's a not a woman alive who can challenge her supremacy. The voice of the 63 year-old has naturally obtained some added rasp over the years but that was what was pulse pounding about her in her salad days. She's had social gravitas back to the late '70s when she had to defend the child abuse tirade "Hell Is For Children" as not being a veiled reference to sending children to Hell. Being a mother of two has not lessened her fierceness one iota. The video's black and white appearace underscores how you can't put a Band-Aid on something like homeless female veterans. This is a wrong requiring concentrated boot strap pulling effort. Some of the lyrics very much mirror Pat's own struggles with Chrysalis Records which insisted she continue to play the goose that played the golden hits. The last line of chorus 1 hints that..."I was raised to always hold my head up high." The last line of Verse 2 sums up the story adeptly..."Even with the pain, beauty still remains inside." Pat doesn't have to do the heavy lifting but she still totes around the something to prove attitude and that's what makes her stand a cut above any number of pop princesses dotting the landscape. "Dancing Above The Wreckage" struts its substantial stuff with patriotic aplomb.

BORNS Not Destined To Do a Fast Fade

He's a one man band. The new video for his "Faded Heart" shows that he's not at all uncomfortable playing around with skeletons. His given name is Garrett Clark Borns but to the music world he's simply BORNS. His future looks dazzlingly bright because not only can he project as a singer his wide range of instrumental zing definitely has his fan base's attention. "Electric Love" had more color than the brightest post storm rainbow. "Faded Heart" doesn't have that much Candy Land rated glitz but the potency of the multi-faceted instruments he plays (those being guitar, piano, and keyboards among others never flags at any moment. The drum beat behind him gives "Faded Heart" an extra kick in the cojones. Meshed together you find yourself having more fun than BORNS should be allowing you to get away with. Doesn't matter though. The journey's an honest God spectacle that no rational person would want to turn away from. As he winds his way through the video's various outfits and scenes, BORNS does let his sensitive side seep through. The lyrics pay testimony to that. A religious perspective starts the show as evidenced by "Galaxy, galaxy, won't you be my consolation? I need someone to kiss my hands and feet and make me more complete, oh yeah. Mysterious universe I know you're unrehearsed but I see the light in your hands. You're the man with the plan, oh yeah. Another searcher hunting down divine answers. BORNS does add some genuine flair to this oft traveled pursuit. The instrumentation sounds like it wouldn't know miserable if it was standing in a police lineup waving "Pick me! Pick me!" The chorus clearly shows BORNS has a vulnerable heart that he doesn't show to just anybody. "Don't you break my faded heart," he pleads. It can be claimed that BORNS has a sound and look all his own. Even as he meanders throughout his playground he maintains his zest. The closing piece tells you that being buried up to his head in sand isn't a deterrent. Just a day in the life. As the music fades we'll remember BORNS as a man worth cheering about. "Faded Heart" has a gigantic heart worth loving.

P!nk Puts Together One Of Her Most Emotionally Charged Efforts...Just For Us

If you've been anywhere near the music scene lately you know that P!nk's a true battler. She'll tell you exactly what's on her mind whether you like it or not. This time she's hit very close to the cosmic nerve. That says something given this is the woman who gave us the tear jerker "Family Portrait". The oft times cited musical question she asks is "What About Us" and she does so as we might expect...ferociously. She lets out each note as if it were to be her last. The dance routine in the video gets you right in the old ticker. This is a P!nk production after all which means no pathos spared. Using minimal synth drum and keyboard to back her up, her vocal talents reach the most world weary listener. We're talking major morale shakeup. P!nk speaks out on behalf of the marginalized around us who don't feel American society hasn't given them a puncher's chance at succeeding. These lyrics can and will melt your heart. Let's get those water works started with "We are billions of beautiful hearts and you sold us down the river too far. The chorus can bring even the most miserly man to his knees begging for a chance at redemption. How about, "What about us? What about all the times you said you had the answers? What about us? What about all the broken happily ever afters? What about us? What about all the plans that ended in disaster? What about love? What about trust? What about us? If that wasn't enough she goes for our weak spots with heart breakers like, "We are problems that want to be solved. We are children that need to be loved. We were willing, we came when you called. But man you fooled us, enough is enough." Like I said P!nk knows how to strip away the bullshit without you knowing there's a lump in your throat. The accompanying video could easily be extended to its own feature length movie. The anonymous orator at the outset hints at that idea. "What About Us" shows off its versatility. You can dance to it, cry to it, maybe even fornicate to it. It's hard to imagine P!nk ever having been a twentysomething R & B light performer. Ever since her encounter with Linda Perry, the one time 4 Non Blondes singer turned writer, she's turned up the edge. It's put plenty of butts in the seats and dollar bills in her pocket. "What About Us" is about as good as this Philadelphia native gets. The album this comes from may be called "Beautiful Trauma", but to my ears it's a gorgeous resurrection.

AWOLNATION Brings Some Explosive Passion To The Forefront

Even if all I had to go on was the video for AWOLNATION's new single "Passion" I'd already be amazed. This song makes you scratch your head quizzically but it's a riddle you'll have fun unraveling. I can't even do the ending any justice because it's so milk out the nose funny. Metal does bombast really well so hearing an alt rock act emulate the sexual promiscuity is a nifty trick. Vocalist Aaron Bruno's the ringmaster for this circus. All the bandmates and actors in the video have to do is follow his lead. As the title indicates passion's a really big deal that cuts across race and color lines. Zach Irons struts his substantial stuff on lead guitar. Isaac Carpenter bangs away at the skins, a definite two points in the name of masculinity and deeper exploration of the title's meaning. Marc Walloch bass brings heftier doses of adrenaline. Not that "Passion" needs it that much but every drop works in AWOLNATION'S favor. The song has lyrics your grandmother would blush over. For example "I found a potion for fixing passion. Go tell your homegirls, get their reaction. Out on the ocean for satisfaction. Go tell your homegirls, what's their reaction? The chorus puts us in high silliness mode. It's a pleasure to watch it unfurl though. And when you thought the final chapter had been written on the song, up pops multi-part harmony followed by the actors hamming it up with glee. Lots of hair flicking plus bicep action. The song isn't your standard alt tune. It's actually a tour de force journey to the center of a man's mind. Although to be fair there are women going for gusto here too. As a unit AWOLNATION has this cohesion that allows them to stand out in a crowd. "Passion" doesn't lack passion one bit. The gear shift stays locked in fourth throughout and we reap the rewards. Not once does AWOLNATION rest on its laurels. Change-ups are quite common. You're not lulled to sleep by a one trick outfit. By the time the fade out descends upon us we have to come up for air because we're making ourselves sick from laughing so hard. "Passion" leaves sweat all over the sheets and we can only shake our heads in obvious amusement.

Mastodon Breathes A Lot More Than Steam.

Mastodon's "Steambreather", to these ears sounds like what the best sex must feel like. It grinds. It pulsates. It's super aggressive and is that way for a wonderful purpose...making the music business snarl a bit more. On the basis of the title alone I had to give this one a test run. Boy am I glad I did. My teeth are chattering in a good way. Chills down the spine, people. That's what top notch rock has the ability to do to you. Not one note lacks the bite of a starving tiger. That guitar weaves up and down hellaciously. Thanks Brent Hinds. You just made my month. Average music weekend warriors can't comprehend what kind of aural connection this is. Thanks to the video director for keeping the mood light. Oh...and another thing...Brann Dailor's drumming is nothing short of epic. The man goes from delicate to brutal in a single bound. When a artist goes freestyle like that the results depart the physical plane and head straight to otherworldly. This Atlanta band should know how to rip off the volume knob by now. It's been around since 2000. These children have learned well. Brann's vocals are equally impressive. With a surgeon's precision he roars through the material, daring any of us to stop his reign of terror. Turning to the lyrics I'll BFF any of you who can tell me what Nazca lines are. Is this a thing now or what? Brann has personality issues from the looks of things. Stanza three essentially tells the story. "I wonder who I am. Reflections offer nothing, I wonder where I stand. I'm afraid of myself." I feel your pain man. I wonder what benign deity would've created an enigma like me. He hates watching her crumble to the ground. It was easier to stay after helping her find the golden crown. Even his issues have issues. Poor guy could use flowers. "Steambreathers" is one of those songs where the lyrics become an afterthought because the instrument playing exceeds any and all expectations. Turn this up to eleven. You'll thank me later. Each band member gets to show off his talents to phenomenal effect. The actors and actresses in the video camp it up brilliantly. Watching items get sucked up someone's nose surely counts as an added bonus. And you claim you've heard or seen everything. Any blah Monday would benefit from octane this supercharged. "Steambreather" isn't totally accurate. Fire is the prevailing element here. However you describe it, "Steambreather" defines awesome.

Jack Johnson's Strong Selling Point Is His Savoir Faire

Jack Johnson has managed to do something I never thought possible...turn a song called "My Mind Is For Sale" into something celebratory. The lyrics certainly venture towards the deep end of the intellectual pool. The video's remarkably charming given the subject matter. According to Mr. Johnson it was made on his iPhone for $0. The results are remarkable. Jack's whimsy takes a central role which boosts its buying power. Guitar starts the show and it's not spread too thick. Gentle, consistent, easy to slip into. Add some lively percussion while you're at it. Like I said the lyrics are for the deep thinkers among us. There appears to be a road race. Jack's opponent apparently uses six or seven words not at all in good taste. Jack's gist is he's not one for paranoid commentary. Us against them walls just won't cut it. In verse two Jack boldly admits that his mind's for sale, speaking from a real estate standpoint. He claims it's all been subdivided, divided into reasons why my two opposing thoughts at once are fine.I'm intrigued at how chipper and troublesome overlap over something as vexing as a exploitable mind. If anyone can pull it off Jack certainly can. "Upside Down" was proof that breezy is definitely part of Jack's repertoire. Watching bricks magically acquire words you can bet will take you back to your childhood days. His contention that reality's a slippery slope couldn't be any more appropriate given the maddening political climate going on right now. "My Mind Is For Sale" serves as the banana cocktail counterpoint to the emotionally loaded lyrics. Watching it lumber along gracefully should delight even the most hardened music cynic who claims to have heard everything. That the animation trickles along slowly enough for you and I to appreciate the labor that went into making it shows real class on Jack's part. His artistry really comes through loud and clear. You'll like the chorus's sunny composition as well. "My Mind Is For Sale" has amply demonstrated that it's worth shelling out a few bucks for.

Alice Merton Strikes Gold With "No Roots"

Newcomer Alice Merton lights an enticing fuse for her debut single "No Roots". She puts the beat together like a master chef prepares a soup. First you throw in a mouth-watering bass roux that goes down really smooth but leaves a favorable aftertaste as the payoff. Next let's add the resounding thump of an infectious drum. Scatter a caffeinated guitar at appropriate intervals, a spastic camera trick to say the least and you've got the makings of a track that's definitely going to turn heads. Alice's voice commands your attention and won't let go. One thing's for sure... Alice's roots aren't tethered to solid ground. The fierce lyrics make that point perfectly plain. She likes digging holes and hiding things, a topic she and her therapist should discuss at greater length than a rootsy blog can tap into. Continuing on she hopes old age won't be a deterrent to her finding her buried treasure. It's the memories she covets most given her gypsy lifestyle. The best thing I can think of to say about "No Roots" is that the narrative's easy to follow. She's the night watchman (Or is that woman?) for her human experiences and there ain't nobody going to take what's rightfully hers. The defiant Ms. Merton asserts in the chorus that her home was never on the ground which sounds like LSD consumption at its finest. Verse 2 goes on explain that she prefers standing still but that concept at best smacks of wishful thinking on her part. Verse 3 elaborates on her mindset a little bit more by insisting that "I count the gates and numbers, then play the guessing game. It's just the place that changes, the rest is still the same." For a vagabond she's got plenty of grit. People trapped in that sort of box don't often come out the other side better for the experience. I like a newbie not short on determination. Alice isn't hiding anything from anybody. She does so in a way that slaps across the face without a word to say in apology. The intermittent guitar riffs elevate "No Roots" to the level of art that invites curiosity seekers of all stripes. She may not have a happy ending in the cards but listening to her motor along in this wronged woman persona easily compensates. Alice was born in Frankfurt, Germany so maybe that explains the militant stance. Whatever the justification "No Roots" deserves to put up its feet for a spell and absorb some accolades.

Foster The People Sits Well With Anybody Who's Nostalgic For Hall & Oates

If I didn't know any better I'd suspect Foster The People had a thing for golden era Hall & Oates. That exact same studio polish shows up in spades throughout the band's new single "Sit Next To Me" which comes off of said band's new "Sacred Hearts Club" album. This song doesn't try to hammer home its point with a jackhammer. Rather, you're invited to coast along the band's gold dust highway, twinkling magic and all. Lead singer Mark Foster unspools the tale of Foster trying to do right by an ex-lover who he'd like to once again hook up with. Verse 1 definitely casts itself a shade on the bleak side. Listen to this... "Yeah it's over, it's over. I'm circling these vultures. Got me praying man these vultures. Got me praying man this hunger. Feeling something rotten. Last time I saw you said "What's up?" and pushed right through. Then I tried to catch you but we're always on the move. And now it's over, we're sober, symptoms of the culture, and the night ain't getting younger. Last call's around the corner. Wow. Anybody else want to jump off a bridge? Kind of runs counter to the light fluffy arrangements I alluded to earlier. He does make a convincing case for why he should be given a second chance to turn this woman on some more. He delivers in heartfelt fashion that no girl could resist. The chorus simply states "Come over here and sit next to me. We can see where things go naturally. Just say the word and I'll part the sea. Just come over here and sit next to me and I'll take you high." Mark Pontius does a fine job on drums, coaxing out each drop of romantic tension available. Sean Cimino's keyboards are a welcome addition to the mix, and more of an apt layer to the song. Isom Innis is no small contributor on percussion either. "Sit Next To Me" lays its foundation on the not so lost of compiling something better from the wreckage of previous relationships. Foster The People is at least smart enough to put the bricks on gently.

Welshly Arms Uncorks A Legendary Blues Rock Jam

Cleveland, Ohio. Home to the much revered Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The stories those walls could tell. Cleveland's also the birthplace of Welshly Arms which the good folks at Wikipedia inform me was a name lifted from a Saturday Night Live sketch so we can glean some sense that these guys have a sense of humor. They make their intentions early on in "Legendary" by draping a mouth watering keyboard over the session. That gets your heartbeat pumping in record time. The video adds to the overall amusing tone. Seems a bank robbery's going down and our illegal capitalists have donned cat masks in pursuit of the monetary version of the oft bandied about American Dream. Sam Getz tells the story in full on bravado mode. Mikey Gould drums his way along this sure to be on the nightly news highlight reel. Jimmy Weaver pours on the octane in bass guitar land. "Legendary" equates to an affable rock interlude with blues chorus shavings thrown in. The video gives loads of eye candy to all who seek to be enticed by that. The tempo ambles along just enough to keep anyone from being left behind during the trip. Welshly Arms isn't shy about injecting some political commentary into their music. The second stanza tells the entire story chapter and verse..."You know the truth can be a weapon to fight this world of ill intentions. A new answer to the same question. How many times will you learn the same lesson?" To answer that question some people don't ever learn their lesson until it's too late. The female backing chorus gives "Legendary" some definite heat. Welshly Arms stands out among current bands in that it features five vocalists. In addition to Sam Getz we get Brett Lindemann, Jimmy Weaver, Bri Bryant, and Jon Bryant. That's bound to help them stand out in a crowded alt-rock field. This song surely is fun to digest. The choral refrain makes it that much more special. How could you not smile at "'Cause we're gonna be legends. Gonna get their attention. What we're doing here ain't just scary. It's about to be legendary." Welshly Arms has been around since 2013 and with songs like "Legendary" in the hopper there's no reason to think long term prospects couldn't be rosy. "Legendary" may not be legendary in and of itself but it's quality rock at agreeable bargain basement prices.

Spoon's Latest Is Worth Grabbing a Seat For

Spoon's back and ready to shove you into that disco frame of mind. "Can I Sit Next To You" insinuates itself into your marrow via a dance groove plucked straight out of 1977. What makes it such an infectious head trip to get behind? Well Rob Pope's bass guitar has more than a little to do with it. I'm not saying you need to pull out your vintage Saturday Night Fever garb and shuffle your way through the night but how could you resist the temptation when there's such a mouth-watering framework to step to. It's clap along fun at its best. Just add some buds along with hooch and you've got instant party in the making. The lyric sheet comes complete with various twists and turns sure to make you wonder what kind of lifestyle these guys really lead. Inherently touching are the words "Get the stars out your eyes come and bring them to me. Sort of gives you warm fuzzies like Tinker Bell's pixie dust only with a modern spin placed on it. Lead vocalist Britt Daniels performs his role of devoted boyfriend quite well as gets demonstrated with the lyrics "I walk to Memphis alone 'Cause you'd do it for me." That sort of reciprocity and dedication to it is a rare commodity among humans. If he isn't proud of his chivalry there's something very wrong with his cranium. The language grows more graphic but the story it tells speaks of two young ones galivanting about getting into as much trouble as possible and secretly loving every minute of it. As only Spoon can the band puts across such gems as "All the kicks from the sticks. All the kicks from the sticks. All the hits that we took. All the stitches we got. All our brains so cooked. Oh oh oh." Now that's what I call a busy afternoon. Jim Eno adds just the right amount of pluck on drums to make it look like Britt's not doing the lion's share of the work. Spoon definitely knows what a collaborative effort is all about. As one might expect from a band residing in the home of weirdness that is Austin, "Can I Sit Next To You's" accompanying video takes the craziness angle to an extreme only Spoon could pull off. Someone please give me a language translator if you can figure out what on earth is going on. No doubt Spoon's having a blast with the material. It comes across like snippets from a bad B-movie. The voyeurism factor rises quite high here. The pleasure cruise will have you grinning from ear to ear. "Can I Sit Next To You" doesn't deserve to be relegated to the outcast table since they brought a wonderful soup with them.

All Time Low Basks In The Good Times

The musical cohesion present in Towson, Maryland's All Time Low's single "Good Times" proves to be its ace in the hole. From the outset lead guitarist Zack Merrick gets the momentum going, setting us all up for a fond reminiscence of high school memories one is loathe to leave behind for the memory bank. Likewise Rian Dawson kicks out some worthy beats on drums underscoring the youthful playfulness this song uses as its bread and butter. I like the well worn feel of the video, scratchy but well-loved. The silhouette of what I presume to be the band members makes for an air of mystery. You get nothing but tenderness from the lyrics to the song. Try not to get all choked up recalling the sweetness of the moment. Verse 1 gets right to the point..."On a fault line, late night. Underneath the stars we came alive. And singing to the sky just felt right. I won't forget the good times while the punks started picking fights. with the skater kids under city lights. Remember how we laughed 'til we cried. I won't forget the good times. If that's not tear jerking enough the chorus should help you rip through a box of Kleenex or three. Check this out if you're not believing what I say..."I never want to leave this sunset town. But one day the time may come and I'll take you at your word and carry on. I'll hate the goodbye but I won't forget the good times. Alex Gaskarth delivers a hearty storyteller vocal which makes only too clear how bittersweet parting really is. Jack Barakat does singular work on lead guitar. Again it speaks to the devil may care attitude possessed by the band as a unit. The end of the video concludes with the shutting of a scrapbook with a spade on it. The collection of memories made complete. As sounds go "Good Times" has this light ethereal quality about it that goes well with a warm sunny afternoon. Drop some nice power chords in view and what could be an average jam turns into a real passion play. It's a great time for "Good Times" given our ever present need for nostalgia. Welcome to the party boys.

Highly Suspect Crafts a Big Tribute To Romantic Anguish

At the beginning...acoustic guitar. At the end...acoustic guitar. In between the story of a man brought to his knees by a romantic entanglement gone horribly wrong. Highly Suspect knows how to push the right psychological buttons throughout "Little One". If the video plot is to be believed lead vocalist Johnny Stevens is having a discount store meltdown as a way to vent his frustrations over this twosome fallen by the boards. Lyrically he's a broken man down on his luck and ripe to be tossed into any one of a number of alcohol induced self medicating situations which don't promise happy endings. Check out verse three for confirmation..."I'm tired, you're angry and everyone looks blurry. I love you. I'm leaving; so long. Rampant throughout the chorus bursts the sentiment: Hey little one I'm so scared of what this could've been. I know that today I lost my only friend, my little one. Highly Suspect feels Johnny's pain on multiple levels. For example Johnny's lead guitar bristles with the sting of his deteriorating state. He's a man carrying around an open flesh wound that no medicine can alleviate much less cure. Ryan Meyer drums his way to a new level of angst whereas Johnny's brother Rich does an unbelievable job on bass. The opening salvo doesn't prepare you for the all out assault on your senses that comes on its heels. When it comes you're dropped back on your heels, finding that escape is bound to be futile. Haven't we all had one of those moments where we wish to trash the local Dollar Tree until it's nothing but a huge pile of rubble. We live vicariously through Johnny, and our hats go off to him for allowing us the privilege. Throughout the song Johnny slips deeper and deeper into a black hole somewhat of his own making. This is where the rhythms are at their most convincing. At the closing portion we hear the instrumentation begin to quiet back down even as the video shows Johnny's mental collapse complete. The cops have him dead to rights and he comes off as totally overwhelmed. The man doesn't even care about the weather, a point driven home by "It's raining. It's sunny. It doesn't make a difference." You'd like to offer him a tall cool one but you're suspecting that might exacerbate the situation. "Little One" makes a big noise on behalf of bereft lovers everywhere. The wounds are palpable and we empathize in no small measure.

Walk The Moon Puts Its Best Foot Forward

It's with great pleasure that I announce to you that Cincinnati's pride and joy Walk The Moon has returned with a smashing new single "One Foot". This band's previous effort "Anna Sun" knocked my socks off as this blog has reported in the past. That had such aerobic workout intensity to it that I couldn't help but cheer for their rapid rise through the alt rock ranks. Now to be honest "One Foot" doesn't have the same brand of vigor but make no mistake when it comes time for Walk The Moon to take its plucky carnival out on the road there will be much dancing in the aisles, not to mention the obligatory sea of iPhone cameras ready to snap pictures for posterity. Lead singer Nicholas Petricca has maintained the verbal agility that made "Anna Sun" so fantastic. This effort comes from what I imagine is more of a spiritually emboldened place. His voice sounds armed to penetrate the thickest pea soup fog that anyone can come up with. Bassist Kevin Ray lends muscle to the proceedings. Especially during the chorus he comes forward to shine. Eli Maiman does due diligence to his guitar as well. There doesn't appear to be any clutter in the song's arrangements thus making for more of a pulse pounding result. The tempo takes you to places you never thought possible. It's like the musical equivalent of watching two master skiers flying neck and neck down a mountain, each man only competing with himself. Strangely enough you can even hear a bit of hip-hop sensibility in the lyrics "Ain't nothing left of us, this is the exodus. They're just testing us, they can't flex with us. They can't mess with us. They can't mess with us." Who knew Nicholas had it in him, but here's the tangible proof. The chorus gives off wave after wave of jubilation in service of a track caught up in live or die dramatics. How can you get more serious than "Not a soul in the road, not a star in the sky. It's a desert in my heart and nowhere to hide. I'm your king of nothing at all. And you're my queen of nothing at all. Kind of reminds me of that Simpsons moment where Mr. Burns declared rather brashly that "Homer Simpson is cock of nothing." Just a fun pop culture reference. I'll get back on the highway now. Drummer Sean Waugaman looks hyper focused in the video which has a mountainous terrain feel to it. "One Foot" benefits from his percussive backbone. The band itself benefits from its catchy new album title "What If Nothing", a signal that Walk The Moon doesn't take itself too seriously. In closing I'd say that "One Foot" has positioned itself for a nice run on the rock charts. Welcome back dudes.