This weeks single review will be looking at a five piece band called New Hands. Coming from a Canadian/Leeds background, the group have a lot of influences for its style and the way the music is produced from artists such as Caribou. You can check out the song at the bottom of this review. The electronic blends of guitars and synths bind together to create a pulsing beat to drive the music forward. Using layers of music within each section of the song keeps the listener wanting more... and they get more.The vocals seem to really become a major part of the song when everything is kicked up a gear mid-way through song like some sort of chorus, but doesn't have the major distinct features of a chorus. From simple beat textures added to the baritone vocals, this song has got it all. Produced by 'Holy F***s' Graham Walsh, it is clear that the electronic textures used are spaced evenly with a great sound. This track is recommended for headphone users to really get an essence of each layer and texture added to the track. From synthetic melodies to tambourine, its clear that the producer has thought about how to make this song sound big and it has paid off.
The vocals on the record give the track another dimension, the range makes the whole track seem rather disco-punk, but with the flamboyancy of electronic stages pushing and driving the song forward. If you enjoy the track, be sure to keep an eye out for the bands debut album release that's due in 2015. With thanks too to Partisan PR for introducing me to the band, I'm looking forward to seeing what is in store for the band in 2015.
Thanks for reading and until next time Lewis Soundcloud Link - Strange Attractor
This weeks 'Single Of The Week' comes from the band called Skinny Lister. These guys are an English folk infused punk/rock 6 piece band from London that are all about making a scene. They play wherever their hearts desire and they perform it in emphatic fashion. With the likes of double bass and accordion added into the mix of their sound, you're bound to love these guys. Having newly signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, (home to the likes of Frank Turner, To Kill A King and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) their new single 'Trouble On Oxford Street' is a very bubbly, happy and good ol' fashioned all round dance folk record. With the vocalists unique blend of English come Londoner accent, it makes for a really interesting track. The song gets right into it from the off with the whole band singing part of the chorus. The verses are telling the tale of a guy who's been in a fight on Oxford Street where he's 'lost a little blood and a couple of teeth'.
The words to the song could be quite dark, but because of the melody and energy of the track, it makes the whole thing seem like a lot of fun. A little bit like if you went out with your mates one night, things got a little bit out of hand and then the next day you all found it funny. The video (which I will leave a the bottom of this review) is again, lots of energy, fun-filled and involves London as a whole. The band play on the streets of what I presume is Oxford Street, playing their song on a bus and at a live venue. With double bass twirling, accordion throwing and lots of dancing between the six of them, its no wonder these guys are making a name for themselves. Skinny Lister have announced a massive Spring tour too which starts at the end of April and carries on into May. If their live shows are anything like the video, then you're all in for a treat and I may have to go buy myself a ticket too! Here's the tour dates: 22/04 BirminghamThe Rainbow 23/04 GlasgowNice N Sleazy 24/04 EdinburghVoodoo Rooms 25/04 NewcastleCluny 2 28/04 Manchester The Deaf Institute 29/04 LeedsBrudenell Social Club 30/04 SheffieldThe Leadmill 01/05 NottinghamBodega 02/05 CambridgeJ2 @ Cambridge Junction 05/05 BristolThe Exchange 06/05 CardiffClwb Ifor Bach 07/05 LondonO2 Islington Academy 08/05 NorwichWaterfront Studio 09/05 LeicesterO2 Academy 2 So head on down to one of these dates next year for what is guaranteed a great night. Their new album lands next April 20th 2015 called 'Down On Deptford Broadway' which I personally cannot wait for! So go on... check out this very energetic and thrilling folk/punk band and have a good ol' dance in your house (or work if you're brave enough). With thanks also to Partisan PR for introducing me to the band. Thanks for reading and until next time. Lewis
Hello! Welcome to blog post 36! Today I have an album that I have been listening to since its release last year and a band that I've been following for a good 2/3 years. We The Kings are a pop-punk band from Florida, USA and have always been a band I can fall back on for some great music. Their previous albums were a fantastic listen, as it was some ace American pop-punk tunes. Catchy, grungy, rocky with that dose of pop sprinkled on it to make me not listen to them. We The Kings members are: Travis Clark - Vocals/Guitar Hunter Thomsen - Guitar/ Backing Vocals Charles Trippy - Bass Coley O'Toole - Keys/Backing Vocals/Guitar Danny Duncan - Drums/ Percussion I originally got into the band through Youtuber and bassist of the band Charles Trippy (CTFxC) when he had just joined the band (along with Coley O'Toole). I checked them out and I loved their sound they were producing and was surprised they weren't as well known as they were back in 2011. Releasing albums such as "Sunshine State of Mind" and "Smile Kid" they have just been escalating in their fame which is great to see because these guys deserve it!
I went to see them live at the beginning of 2013 at Scala in London. Its safe to say, these guys rock on stage. The amount of energy they put into their shows is insane. They even made Hunter disappear with the insane amounts of smoke they were churning out in that small venue. A fantastic night and I was lucky enough to meet the band afterwards (expect Travis).
So when the announcement of "Somewhere Somehow" was being announced I was really looking forward to some more music from the band. My first impressions on the album was certainly that it was...different. They have definitely matured with their sound, but I can't help but feel its lost its 'punk' side to the other albums and the sound that I was so familiar with.
Giving the album some time, I have grown to love the album personally. Yes it does sound a lot different to the older albums, but they have always had that 'pop' persona about their sound. Songs like "Feel Alive" and "See You In My Dreams" have great chorus' that you can still head bang to, but not with so much grunge or punk. That doesn't mean they've lost their rock taste or that their live performances have numbed down...oh no! At points I do personally feel like its moved too far away from the punk sides in songs such as 'Live Young Die Forever'. Purely for the fact that its electronic drums being used and as a drummer myself, I personally think acoustic has such a more powerful effect on songs. This is just personal preference though.
I think some bands need that change to really make it in the business. This album has given the biggest step forward so far for the 5 piece and its easy to see why. The band have produced a fantastic record full of catchy rhythms, powerful chorus' and an all round lovable record to listen to. If I could describe the album in one it would be 'Fun'. The reason for this is just because each song doesn't make me really focus on anything too seriously. Each song has a 'fun' tone and has this vibe throughout to reflects on the bands live performance too. I have to give some major credit to the vocalist Travis for his wicked voice and great songwriting. If you look up the lyrics for each of the songs on any album, they have been really thought about and fit with each song We The Kings have released. That isn't easy to do either, but he makes it look easy!
The songs you should go check out are "Find You There", "Feel Alive", "Just Keep Breathing" and "Art Of War". All the others are great, but these are the ones to check out if you don't have time. Somewhere Somehow is out now in all good record stores and let me know what you thought of the songs/album if you've heard it! Thanks for reading and until next time Lewis
