E. Duncan Webster of Hammer No More The Fingers. Photo by Elizabeth Lemon. Used under Creative Commons License
I was first introduced to Hammer No More The Fingers during my discussion with Jeremy Leonard, NC State architecture professor and former WKNC DJ.
Emerging in the mid 2000’s, this band is pure indie rock power.
As I learned within my discussion with Jeremy, there was limited means or finding new and underground artists just a decade ago. WKNC was a leading platform for finding under exposed artists and local bands such as this one.
One of the initial break-throughs for this band was at WKNC’s very own Double Barrel Benefit.
Not only is this band musically extraordinary, but it local to the triangle area– emerging from Durham, NC.
Members, Duncan Webster, Joe Hall and Jeff Stickley formed the band after their graduation from UNC Chapel Hill and East Carolina University in 2007.
They thrived in the local Durham scene. Later touring across North Carolina and the US.
Upon listening to their discography, I was surprised we are not talking about them more at WKNC and beyond.
To highlight some of their success, I will be doing a dive into their 2011 album, “Black Shark”.
Ambitious, robust and high energy, this album will not disappoint.
“Black Shark” Review
“Black Shark” by Hammer No More The Fingers cover art
This band is a great example of the power and versatility of a guitar, some drums and a voice.
This three piece band is able to create such rich and fulfilling tracks through timeless elements and skill.
Right out of the gate, “Atlas of an Eye” displays their indisputable harmony and skill together. There is a clear distinction between bands that have been performing together for years and those that collided recently.
This trio has been performing together since 1994– giving this album confidence and harmony that can only be achieve through consistent collaboration and time.
One aspect I adore about this band is the vocal harmonies they achieve. Especially in opening track, “Atlas of an Eye” they achieve some beautiful vocal layering and echos. This layering is reflected in overlapping waves of strings and percussion.
Simply a great opening track. It builds so much momentum for the album to come.
Track number 3, “Shark” was the true hook for me in this album. The chorus is so strong. This track alone captures the energy and style of Hammer No More The Fingers– simple elements, unhinged skill.
I love that this band does not over complicate their lyrics. This is true for every song, but I particularly love the lyrics in “Shark”.
Further into the album, “It’s About Caring” has some of my favorite guitar lines. This track has very melancholy vocal work, giving the album an angsty, emo rock undertone. This weighty angst is contrasted beautifully with heavy guitar.
The strings are the star in this track.
Continuing the outstanding guitar work, prior track “Steam” is high energy and well balanced. All three band members shine here. This track feels like the true climax of the album– although every track competes for this title.
“Steam” has some the best moments of collaboration in the album.
This collaboration results in the highest energy in the album. The ending section combines all the strengths of the band– vocal harmonies, strong guitar and solid drums.
Simple elements executed with excellence.
Final track, “Fingernails”, is perhaps the most perfect ending for such a well crafted album. It provides low and high energy moments to lift the listener out of the album while reflecting on the best moments.
There are many tracks on this album that I did not mention, but they are truly all fantastic.
Concluding Thoughts
Many leading indie rock artists tend to over complicate music. In our modern world, there are so many resources and endless elements that can both enhance and diminish music.
Bands like Hammer No More The Fingers give a refreshing reminder that great music can be achieved without any excessive elements or fancy tools.
The true excellence in music comes from the passion to create and collaboration.
Origami Angel, the D.C.-based emo/pop-punk duo, is touring all across the United States after the release of their album “GAMI GANG” in 2021 and two new EPs, “re: turn” and “DEPART” right before their tour. They are visiting Blind Tiger in Greensboro on November 15, 2022. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show is at 8 p.m.
I have been a fan of Origami Angel since the release of “Somewhere City” in 2019. They have a great sound and put an excellent twist on a genre I already love a lot. When I saw they were coming to Greensboro for only $18, I couldn’t turn down the tickets.
Rooted in the sounds of emo and pop-punk, Origami Angel has been releasing music since 2017. Origami Angel puts a fun twist on the genres they are rooted in, using a sound that is typically very angsty to create mostly very hopeful music.
Origami Angel’s focus on this tour is their 2021 album, “GAMI GANG”. However, they released two EPs right before their tour with polar opposite sounds which will also be performed. “re: turn” is heartfelt and acoustic, and “DEPART” is a screamo EP.
Fans can also expect songs from their older releases, of course including songs from “Somewhere City”. They can be expected to start the show by playing Sweden by C418 before moving into their set. The encore will consist of “Noah Fence” and “Find Your Throne”.
Nonetheless, I am extremely excited for the show, it seems like Origami Angel has put together an excellent setlist which is a wonderful representation of their discography.
The Openers
I found out about math-influenced emo band Pool Kids earlier this year through their album “Music to Practice Safe Sex To” and loved their new self-titled release which came out in July. They will be playing songs mostly from their new album, but will also play “Erso” and “$5 Subtweet” from their first album.
insignificant other is an indie band that I started listening to in preparation for this concert. They have one album, “i’m so glad i feel this way about you” from 2019 which will make up the entirety of their setlist. Everything I have heard from the band is super fun and I am excited to hear it live.
This show has a very stacked lineup. I am thrilled to have the chance to see the show. Tickets can be purchased through the etix website. If you are a fan of Origami Angel and have the time, this would be a great show to go to see.
2hollis is making a name for himself in the zone between cloud rap and hyperpop. Autotune and floaty flowy vocals on his earlier albums “THE JARL” and “FINALLY LOST” call to mind the same aesthetics as artists operating in the same space as Drain Gang.
The production on these projects is just varied enough to set it apart from the rest of the pack, with some witch house influences surfacing from time to time. On 2hollis’ newest album, he leans further into this noisy witch house sound, delivering something truly unique.
Right out of the gate, the track “gate” opens with heavy oscillating noise juxtaposed with high vocals. This sets the tone for the type of production littering this album.
The electronic backings swell and clip, flooding into the distorted vocals. A healthy dose of reverb gives most of the tracks an organic feeling of space. The result is a sound that feedbacks and folds back onto itself.
Over the past decade or so, several hip hop artists have used vocals primarily as a way of adding to the texture of the music rather than as a means of communicating information. There are several spots on “White Tiger” where this is the case. In the track “raise,” the vocals are completely buried under a pile of reverb, and yet, they still add to the track.
The production is absolutely the highlight of this album- a blend of trap, witch house, industrial, and hyperpop. At times this sounds ethereal, like on the wordy track “the light upon the surface that beckoned deep into the moment and the tiger stepped forth”, and at other times it sounds dark and looming like on “actor.” However, this album operates best when it achieves both, like on “king of the darkness.”
“White Tiger” can feel a bit repetitive at times, and if you’re looking for something really substantive, you might want to look elsewhere. Some lyrics drift into cliché, and when mixed with a thick coat of autotune, it sometimes results in discomfort.
Overall though, if you’re looking for something bigger and more grand than your average cloud rap offerings, or something several shades darker than your average hyperpop album, this is definitely something worth checking out. It’s a standout album in the field.
I give 2hollis’ “White Tiger” a strong ★★★☆☆. Good Album.
Thursday, Nov. 3 was a university-wide wellness day.
The wellness day has brought further attention to the importance of mental health resources and the overarching mental health crisis.
If you or someone you know is in mental distress, the university counseling center can be reached on campus at 2815 Cates Avenue, directly across from Witherspoon Student Center, or through their website.
The counseling center helped me find the support I needed in the beginning of my college career. College can be daunting and overwhelming at times– reaching out helps guide us to support needed. Support from peers. Support from parents or guardians. Support from professors and mentors. Support from the University. Support is vital to both our mental wellbeing and general success.
Above all, it is important to look after ourselves by doing the things we truly enjoy. Whether that be something as simple as getting a coffee or singing; doing the things that bring life meaning is simply refreshing.
I spent much of my wellness day listening to music.
As many, many individuals can relate, music has been such a source of support and love in my life.
To share some of this passion and wellbeing, I have selected a handful of songs that have brought me a lot of wellness. I hope you all enjoy, take care of yourselves.
It’s been three years since The Backseat Lovers freshman album, “When We Were Young”. In many ways, their first album was a compilation of songs rather than a complete, cohesive album. Each song was very good in its own right, but there wasn’t much flow between the tracks.
Their sophomore album released today after three years and three singles of waiting. “Waiting to Spill” is a complete project that flows consistently throughout, blending classic indie-rock with a variety of new sounds.
The quartet that makes up The Backseat Lovers includes Joshua Harmon on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Jonas Swanson on lead guitar and vocals, KJ Ward on bass guitar and Juice Welch on drums and backup vocals.
NC State students got the chance to see the Backseat Lovers live for free last year at Wolfstock 2022, which was an awesome experience. Even though they were playing for a crowd of a lot of people who didn’t know them, they put on an excellent performance.
A Bottle of Wine
“Waiting to Spill” centers itself around the challenges of facing time head-on and the desire to live in the past. I greatly appreciated that this theme is on display throughout the entirety of the ten-song record, shown in various lenses.
As The Backseat Lovers thematically focus on growing up and developing in their songs, their sound also develops into new grounds on this record. Staying rooted in indie-rock, The Backseat Lovers grows into areas such as country on “Snowbank Blues” or more piano-based songs on “Words I Used” and “Follow the Sound”.
Each member of The Backseat Lovers allow each other to shine in their performances. When one member pulls back, another one fills in the spotlight immediately. At moments where all four take the spotlight together, they create a truly incredible sound. The explosion of the soundscape at the end of the album in “Know Your Name” is extremely satisfying to listen to after 40 minutes of highs and lows.
I am somewhat split on the ending of this album. On one hand, I think “Know Your Name” would have been a very conclusive finisher that would have ended the album with a satisfying bang. On the other hand, “Viciously Lonely” ties the album together thematically in a very conclusive way.
While I probably won’t go back to the first or last track very much, I think they do help make the album feel more full and cohesive. It is a difficult task to find the perfect balance to create album cohesion and songs with a lot of replay value.
Conclusion
“Waiting to Spill” is an excellent record. While not as catchy as it’s predecessor, “Waiting to Spill” has a cohesion and depth that “When We Were Friends” never truly reached.
The Backseat Lovers has also grown in talent over these past three years, putting on an impressive display on all fronts. They incorporate a more complex vocal and instrumental performance to highlight the complexity they are attempting to reach.
The Backseat Lovers is currently touring across the United States and will start their European leg of the tour in 2023.
I greatly enjoyed this album and look forward to whatever work The Backseat Lovers ends up doing next.
