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New Album Review

Album Review: Mexico City Blondes – Blush

Image result for mexico city blondes blush

Best Tracks: Out To Dry, Addio, Yellow Sunshine, Crimson, Planet Caravan 

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Finally! Something that strives for something different outside the realm of “conventional” Indy. This smooth release from Mexico City Blondes will make you feel like you’re on the beach maxin’ and relaxin’ or in a James Bond film during the opening credits…I say that in a good way. 

Though I’m not quite sure when Mexico City Blondes was formed, it looks to be around 2014 when their first single dropped. The Santa Barbara, California band has been teasing listeners up to this point, releasing four singles and one EP until they dropped Blush this year. The genre is labeled dance/electronica but I’m just not buying that. Yes, there are a few tracks that feature keys primarily but their rhythm section is filled with actual instruments, especially for their live set in which three local Santa Barbara session players fill the void. The drums are amazing as well. It resembles a rock feel, sprinkled with drumline extravaganzas. I don’t know who handled the recordings but I’m sure Scott Pritchet does the tracks justice in a live setting.

Working on their own terms, the band formed when singer Allie Thompson responded to a Craigslist ad by guitarist Greg Doscher. With Thompson being constrained creatively in her last band and with Doscher coming from an old school rock background, the tandem set off to create something different. Apparently, both had similar influences and you can hear the cohesion on their releases.

Out To Dry, Blush’s opening track introduces itself with an intriguing opening that seems to resonate the feel of an early ‘90s hip hop beat. That energy stays consistent but with the emergence of smooth, clean palm-muted guitar lines, along with some fast and spontaneous rim taps from the drummer. 

Some songs feature sweet bass lines and a few funky guitar swells and chords that kind of hide in the background. When some of the instruments are used sparingly, it creates a wonderful dynamic in which everything serves its purpose. Be sure to check out Thick As Thieves and Yellow Sunshine to see these attributes in action. 

Crimson is a dope blend of acoustics, electrics, and keys which progress into a blissful state of ambi”a”nce. If you’re ever feeling melancholy during a rainstorm, be sure to blast this track! Or maybe you’ve got that dopamine kicking and you want to hear it. Well, that’s cool too! 

If you’re looking for something with good beats and flow that is packaged in experimental rock while also employing a euphoric listening experience, out this hitter in your library. Maybe you’ll get lucky and hear some singles during rock hours here at WKNC!

-Justin 

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New Album Review

EP Review- Forever In a Day by Les the Genius

Earlier this week, NC State’s own dropped his EP; Forever in a Day. The album features 7 original songs with 3 local features and in all, proves to be definitely worth the listen. His lyrical style of rap guarantees a smooth listen and his R&B inspired beats give the entire album a soulful vibe.

Les features fellow young local artists like himself including; Jaheal from The Lost Gen, J Free, and Marko Luka, all of which compliment his laid back style and seem to have a fluid relationship with Les’s vocals. 

The track Onyae’s Song features young local female singer, Onyae Tybre, who provides an extremely melodic and harmonious quality not only to the track but to the album as a whole. Her voice illuminates the listener’s ears and partners with the cool flow of Les’s voice to create something like a Dreamville Effect. 

The Ep is even more significant because it features many shoutouts to Raleigh and the local culture, even including a song titled; Hometown. The track illustrates Les’s experience in dealing with a girl from his hometown (Raleigh) while being an upcoming artist and still trying to play a major role in the city. 

In all, Forever in a Day is definitely a local summertime bop. Whether taking a night drive in your car, or watching the sunset with your boo, or simply just vibing, the EP will serenade you until the very last track.

Les the Genius is a new member of the up and coming local hip-hop movement and he definitely has something to prove. So if you’re in the mood to vibe, definitely give it a listen!

 Lul Bulma

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New Album Review

Album Review: FOAMMM (self titled)

Best Songs: Isengard, Rollerblades, Hoop Dreams, Alexandria

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Euphoric, polished, and tight. That’s what you’ll get from this release by Olso, Norway’s FOAMMM. After all, the band’s genre is self-described as “dreamy” on their Facebook page. There is definitely some cool stuff going on in this album, the first full length from the band. 

Though there are many details and nuances going on, everything somehow fits cohesively together and builds momentum as each track progresses. The guitars sound thick and rich, filling spaces with pedals and synths that live harmoniously, giving the album an experimental feel. This is rather odd though as the album sounds as if all the songs were written with meticulous intent, creating a consistent, yet risk-taking dichotomy that you don’t often see in music anymore. Check out the songs Isengard and Alexandria to really get an understanding of how great the synths and rhythm section go back and forth with effortless drive while not taking away from each other.

A fine album indeed, the only thing lacking would be taking that creative sound and diversifying it a bit more. If it weren’t for the awesome overall sound and tone of the album, it would give off the impression of feeding the same meal over and over. But it’s pretty fun and for lack of a better word…”chill.” Serving as the backdrop to just about any activity, FOAMMM’s self titled should definitely make rounds in your playlist. 

There are a few transitional pieces where instrumentals and sustaining vocal melodies take over. This is where a lot of the experimentation takes place, which works to its advantage as not to cause too much of a distraction during full songs. It also serves as a spot for the meddling of guitar pedal settings to get those funky sounds that mesh so well with the synthesizer. Listen to Freedom Club Interlude give way to Freedom Club and see how well these tracks complement one another.

If you’re looking for both cleans and dirty riffs, Hoop Dreams is the one for you. The melancholy guitar chords mixed with the slightly distorted chime chord dance make for a unique blend. 

It’s crazy to think that FOAMMM has been around since 2013 and had only released one EP and a few singles up to this point. Maybe that’s how this record felt so complete in that they had the time to work out any discrepancies. Be sure to put this one in your library if you’re looking for an escape into some otherworldly bliss. The clever finesse is transfixing and will leave you in a hypnotic state if you let it.  

-Justin Capoccia

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New Album Review

Album Review: Coach Phillips – Never Is Enough

Best Songs: Chastity Jeans, Lake Michigan Dream, Tailspins, Delta

FCC Violations: Conversation With Pietro

This Seattle-based rock band is everything you’d find in an indie stereotype. From the flannel and the sound, this group seems to tally up the score pertaining to meeting the conventional image of indie rock. That’s not to say the band is bad. Actually, they are quite good.

The backing vocals and guitar tracks help deter me from leaving the Coach Phillips train due to the Pacific Northwest appeal and there’s definitely some stuff on Never Is Enough to hold my attention and keep me satisfied. The male/female vocals and instrumentation are well executed BUT side A is like listening to one dreary song for about 20 minutes. It kind of makes me think they are staying in one key because it seems like the vocal melodies stay in the same progression. But hey, who am I though? I don’t know the first thing about singing and even my shower voice makes my cat meow aggressively while throwing his paw through the curtain in an attempt to save me from whatever is attacking me. (This is not a joke)

Okay, let’s get on to some good stuff. Chastity Jeans is a fun one. I’m not quite sure if it’s an ode to a special girl or not, but the song sounds a lot happier than the rest of side A. It has some sliding riffs, a singalong pre-chorus, and chorus, along with a harmonica section which is tastefully done.

Lake Michigan Dream has an awesome bass track and some surprising guitar licks that sneak up on you. The lyrics “Let’s move back to Michigan/Stay by the lake and “I really want to jump back in/and try not to sink” has haunting appeal, especially with the melodies by Wade Phillips and Jessica Kim. There’s a lot to grasp in terms of cool sections in this one.

Summer In Seattle, the intro track to side B has some peculiar riffs and above the average rhythm section. It’s an instrumental lasting only 1:32 but transitions nicely into the next song Tailspins which has a beachy vibe to it while still incorporating the sound of the band. The guitar parts have a neoclassical feel to them, sliding up and down the neck. I can these two songs are my favorite section of Never Is Enough.

This is the first album that has come my way in a while that I’m happy to put in my library. Minus the contemporary Seattle stereotype, I can’t wait to give this another listen and let it sink in.

-Justin

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New Album Review

Album Review: Palehound – Black Friday

Best Songs: Aaron, Black Friday, Worthy, Killer, Urban Drip

FCC Violations: Bullshit, Stick N Poke

There are some tasty tracks to behold on this laidback release but also some overreaching breaks in the record that seem a bit forced. Fronted by Ellen Kempner, Palehound takes a self-displeasure approach with songs that seem to highlight the singer’s personal experiences with topics like body issues, past relationships, and loss.

Hailing from Boston, this is Palehound’s third release and from my understanding, it covers some of the same topics from prior albums and encompasses a similar sound, if not the same. Interestingly, the band started off as a solo project by Kempner and was not intended to leave the confines of her home, but it quickly transitioned into the live-stage space. This group is talented and you can definitely vibe easily to the songs across the discography. After all, Palehound won the Boston Music Award’s new artist of the year in 2015 during its infancy.

I can definitely see the appeal to Black Friday’s opening track Company, but I can’t quite get on board with it. It’s…what do the kids say today…cringy? Yeah, just a little bit but the instrumentation is pretty awesome. I’m not really a fan of the narration style of it and it deterred me at first until the riffs came in, which made it listenable. The instruments help in the transition to the next song so I can’t really be that mad at it overall.

The next track Aaron was pretty awesome. It reminded me of old Brand New and definitely brought back those 2005 high school memories. The mix of strumming and picking, along with the vocal harmonies blend perfectly together. It’s really just an excellent piece of rock n’ roll and incorporates a garage-type sound.

Kempner does a fantastic job of executing choruses and you start to realize that when the self-titled track Black Friday comes in early on the album. They consistently pull the listener in with a sense of airiness and spacious sounds. There is a purpose to them and they flow with intention but without intrusion.

If not for the abrupt breaks of experimentation involving spoken word poetry, I would be totally on board. I don’t want to seem like I’m hating and I understand that I come across that way but if I get a feeling of awkwardness from an album, it’s going to leave a bad taste in my mouth. With that being said, it’s hard for me to refrain from listing off all the good songs off this record because the number is bountiful.

Definitely, give Black Friday a listen. Though the second half of the album takes a backseat to the first, it has a lot to work with for the avid rock enthusiast. The band has a romantic intrigue about them and as far as I can tell, is very consistent in its endeavors.

-Justin

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New Album Review

Upon A Burning Body – Southern Hostility

a,Southern Hostility is the 5th album by San Antonio’s own, Upon A Burning Body (UABB). I have been a big fan of Upon A Burning Body for years now, and I have always liked their sound and seeing them live. In my opinion, this is my favorite albums that UABB has released. It is pure Heavy Metal! Their previous release, Straight from the Barrio, was not one of my favorites, so I was looking forward to what their next release would be like. I am hoping that they announce a tour soon and come through North Carolina! UABB always puts on a great show and I suggest that everyone go and see them once in your life. You won’t regret it, I promise.

This record did not disappoint me in the slightest. Right as Southern Hostility starts, the listener is immediately hooked. The title track really sets the tone for the rest of the record because it’s very intense and in your face. The riff in this song is also really heavy. I wish the song was longer. Throughout this record, you can hear that it is very Pantera influenced. UABB kept their theme of great anthems throughout, too. All Pride, No Pain and The Anthem of the Doomed are perfect examples of these anathematic songs. There are also some pretty cool melodies throughout the album. The song Burn has some great riffs and melodies that I enjoy. Never Alone also has melodies that are different for the band. Although they have headbanging riffs (and some 2 step beats!), there were some melodic core riffs that I was impressed with. I also love Danny’s (vocalists) voice. It is very strong, which I am a big fan of. I like how he can do highs and lows, and also sing!! He also sounds good life; he does some really cool gutturals when they play live.

I like how UABB’s songs are packed with riffs and mosh filled moments. Southern Hostility has a feel-good vibe to it that I could play throughout the day no matter what my mood is. I really like how the overall theme of Southern Hostility gives me an “if you mess with me, I will whoop your ass” kinda tone. I think that is the right mentality to have all day, every day.

Favorite song(s): All Pride, No Pain, Reinventing Hatred, and The Anthem of the Doomed.

Rating: 7/10

Have you listened to Southern Hostility? What do you think of it?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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New Album Review

Album Review: Money For Rope – Picture Us

Album Review: Money For Rope – Picture Us

Best Tracks: Hold, O’Chelles, Earl Grey, Look

FCC Violations: Actually

Melbourne, Australia’s Money For Rope has found its niche by crafting their art outside of the traditional context of rock n’ roll and have successfully done so. The band features two drummers and while one would think that would be an overbearing undertaking, they do it quite well, without oversaturating tracks with meaningless noise. Blending various styles, including surf, soul, and psych rock, Money For Rope’s forthcoming album Picture Us is a mix of slow and heavy grooves, 60s nostalgia, and fervent vocals in a contemporary mold.

The track ‘Hold’ kicks off the record with building intensity as it starts with just the guitar, vocals and melodic chanting, gearing to a more dirty but uplifting sound midway through. They also manage to mix walkie talkie parts with the melodies effortlessly, making a complimentary and subtle addition to the track.

‘Stretched My Neck’ is a fun one that stays in the upbeat blues rock realm, taking the listener on a rampage of self-sabotage through the singer’s lyrics boasting “She stretched my neck in two different places and I don’t mind/Yeah I don’t mind.” The bridge comes in with a roar of controlled aggression as the guitar settles in the pocket with pure riffage, incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs while riding the octave.

In the spirit of The Doors, ‘O’ Chelles’ kicks off with Ray Manzarak-style keys and vocals that speak more like poetry reminiscing the sounds of Jim Morrison. The 50s sounding backing vocals add more to the nostalgic feel of the track, making the listener forget it is a song of this century.

‘Remember My Name’ is an intriguing song with a delayed rhythm guitar track filled with washy, slightly distorted chord fills, eventually leading to an epic chorus led by a higher and more intense vocal range. This song definitely has some Pink Floyd influence, stemming from the sounds of The Wall, even incorporating the white noise underneath a few guitar bends that was used frequently on the album. Money For Rope seems to effortlessly refer to past talents while consistently making it sound like something different.

Picture Us definitely surprised me and surpassed any expectations. Whenever my gut told me ‘Oh, this is going to be a bland one,’ melodies seemed to come out of nowhere and were blended with perfection and clarity. Every part and every section serves a purpose with its highs and lows. You can tell there is a huge emphasis on storytelling in showcasing the album. There really isn’t a sore spot on the record and as such, I will be adding this to my library and you should too!

– Justin Capoccia

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New Album Review

Album Review: Dumb – Club Nites

Album Review: Dumb – Club Nites

Best Tracks: Club Nites, Cursed, My Condolences, Columbo  

FCC Violations: Beef Hits, Some Big Motor Dream

This is probably the most indy album I’ve ever heard in my life! Insert “LOL” anywhere you’d like and I don’t mean that in a bad way. Filled with underground angst and shenanigans intertwined with a few unknown characters that are roasted through a narration-style of vocals, Club Nites is out there in the stratosphere somewhere but I can be sure of one thing: I’ve never heard anything like this before. It’s aggressive, out of the box, covered in a blanket of punk rock, and pulls you in with its weirdness and colorful textures.

‘Club Nites’ – it’s that title track heavy-hitter that starts off the record while basically showing you what to expect in its entirety with short songs just over the two minute mark, in-your-face belligerence while holding the title of definitely not being the music your parents… well, probably grandparents listened to. Yeah, I’m just old enough to have a teenager. Where has the time gone!

Anyways, back to the intro-track. Midway through, the lines “I got punched out dissing whining trading favors for regrets/I get it you’re an artist yeah you’ve got so much to say,” has that airy pretentiousness with a hint of hypocrisy and elitism but maybe that’s what Dumb is going for here: being hipster within the hipster realm and as such, trashing out your own social community in a satirical way. I dig it and if this sample of sound was regurgitated into television, it would be a Netflix original series comedy. Maybe baby Franco could reprise his high schooler counterculture role from 21 Jump Street as a spin-off series.

The bass tracks are superb, especially in ‘Cursed’ and ‘My Condolences’ where the bass keeps a clean ride while holding the fort down so the other instrumentation can glide effortlessly in the chaos. Shelby Vredik is a talented bassist for sure. I mean, you’d have to be to keep the foundation strong in a band that excels in organized mayhem.

There’s even a cowbell! Used in ‘Some Big Motorcity Dream’ as an eight-count in the intro, it kicks in with the gritty, paving the way to an abruptly placed pre chorus with Vredik’s vocal harmony and upstroke guitar chords.

Oh, I forgot, De Mas is sung entirely in Spanish which is just another reason to take this band at more than just its name and musical ambiance. This track is a fun one with fantastic drumming and by gosh a breakdown? Yep, that’s what ended the song, lasting no more than 8 seconds.

Somehow, everything works here for the Canadian four-piece who seem to be experts at blending noise effectively to give the listener a rollercoaster of a ride. It should be known, the band made some noise while playing on the Vancouver independent music scene from 2015 to 2016, releasing three EPs and two albums in that small timeframe. Dumb is a workhorse that more than deserves a look see.

– Justin Capoccia 

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New Album Review

Album Review: The Pinheads – Is This Real

Album Review: The Pinheads – Is This Real

Best Tracks: Pure Hate, Feel It Now, On & On, Is This Real, Don’t Have A Home

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Forming on accident, as it has been described by the band, the Pinheads came together in 2013 after sharing music tastes during a few games of bowling. With a mix of punk, rock, and a dash of the British invasion of the 60’s, the band doesn’t sound like any band in particular in a given song. Rather, they unleash a sonically balanced blend of audio that grooves close to the curve that strays off into the creative stratosphere in some instances, but not beyond the realm of understanding.

The Wollong, Australia based band’s second full-length effort Is This Real, covers just about every feeling and emotion that can be simmered into existence. Ranging from upbeat, a bit heavy, and with a few slow to medium paced tracks, the album is enriched in texture that keeps the average rock listener engaged.

Like many of the albums I have reviewed thus far in the warm months, Is This Real contains some serious tones that come second to none. The cool thing about this band is that they seem to find convention in the unconventional. I’m reaching out in left field here but if you’ve ever been keen to Pearl Jam’s Ten, you’d notice a guitar playing a dirty riff and another playing something totally different in the clean, primarily a sequence of jazz chords. Well, that’s kind of what The Pinheads do as well, though in their own musical language. The textures are bountiful and you can trace all the instruments on their own path while maintaining a cohesive listening experience.

There are also some sweet filler guitar parts, especially in the verses. The use of bends, slides, dissonant chords, and the occasional blues rip makes a substantial number of songs stand out  noticeably. The self titled track “Is This Real,” is ironically the best example of this. It rushes the listener with lush sounds and marinades with satisfaction. Look no further as “Don’t Have a Home” comes in afterwards with a groovy rockabilly feel, riding the blues scale with refreshing pace and melody.

As a former closed-off rock and metal enthusiast, I thought it would prove uneventful to waste time searching for good music after 2000. With the opportunity of being handed music to review, I’ve found out how much of a disservice I was maintaining. It’s honestly quite shocking! I’ll definitely be adding this Indy gem to my library and I urge you to do the same! If you’re looking for a bit of rock n’ roll that calls on the forefathers then look no further.

-Justin Capoccia

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New Album Review

Album Review: Christelle Bofale – Swim Team

Album Review: Christelle Bofale – Swim Team

Best Songs: Moving On, Getting On, Origami Dreams, Where to Go

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Soulful jazz rock! At least that’s how I would describe Christelle Bofale’s EP Swim Team. This a first for me in regards to hearing this genre, which I’m sure there are a bountiful number of bands in it. “Well, who does she sound like?” I can hear you ask. To be completely honest with you, I have no idea but it’s pretty dope and the perfect backdrop to just about every activity.

The Congolese American songwriter’s roots in music started young as she was fully immersed in her family’s heritage. Bofale grew up listening to Soukos, a genre of dance music from the Congo, and started writing songs on her father’s guitar at the age of 13. Currently, at the age of 22, Bofale uses her instrument and voice to transcend space and sound to create a vivid dream-like state of euphoric sounds. Her guitar tones are massive – a difficult undertaking when you stay exclusively in the cleans and her voice lays over the music like a cushy blanket, occasionally hitting those sweet vibratos and high whisper tones.

At only five songs, Swim Team is a wonderful peek into this artist’s form of expression. Her first release is full of sounds of gloom and bleakness that somehow translate into happy ebbs and flows. Origami Dreams sticks out as one of those soul-touching tracks that comes from a place of genuineness and will find a way to soothe the consciousness of just about every lover of music. It is filled with everything from a chugging bass riff in the verse, to a half timed chorus with out of this world arpeggiated guitar bends, and a solo that rips while staying covert as not to overshadow the song.

Where to Go takes the listener on a journey of self-discovery. With lyrics like “Don’t know where to go/ So why don’t you show me” and “Swallow the pill and figure it out” has the possibility to touch the emotions of many, especially in the fast-paced environment we currently find ourselves in. This is probably the best analogy to describe this work, a much needed break from the outside world and an opportunity to self evaluate…not to get too sappy of course LOL.

Do yourself a favor and check out this EP by Bofale. Coming in at five songs and clocking in at just 26 minutes, it’s a quick listen. This is her first release and hopefully soon we will get a full-length album that will give us more from this amazing artist.

-Justin Capoccia