Rachel Kline: Manic Pixie Dream Girl

An album review

Rachel Kline is an alternative solo artist from Virginia. This is an album that cuts straight to the core. Not so much the vauge metaphor, this is a deeply instropective look into the mind of the artist. Heavy, honest, brooding, sad and sweet, Rachel Kline is a powerful songwriter. I really appreciate this music, and I think more music like this should exist. There’s no false tenderness here, no rug or cover that the real issues we all face can be swept under. This is an album for anyone who has feels isolated, alone, or misunderstood. A lot of us in the world find relief from our sadness in music that reflects our own hard times, and feel alienated by anything else that tries to pretend that the world doesn’t have a deep rooted darkness.

As much as I can compliment the excellent guitar work, vocal backups and harmonies, the lyrics that are riddled with such a genuinely sad and mournful tone, I think that Rachel Kline really said it best;

“This is a collection of songs I wrote over the course of a year to cope with mental illness, people leaving, and the darker parts of life that people usually don’t talk about. It’s personal and it’s uncomfortable, but most importantly, it’s real”.

With all the things that I could have said, there’s no one who could say it better than the one who went through the life that led to all this wonderful music. I think that we all could benefit to embrace the darkness. The music world has a lot of false light, and illusions of a perfect world that can leave us ill prepared to face the brutal truths that can be thrust upon us. Rachel Kline has tapped into the darkness, and through clever weaving and beautiful new creations, turned darkness into light. This is the glory in sound, the way we can take the things that tear us down and use them to build each other up. Check this out, I strongly recommend listening to this one.

Listen here: https://rachelkline.bandcamp.com/

diet: Gogo

A single review

diet is an alternative rock band from Staten Island, New York. This is a great single, and an excellent introduction to such a wonderfully talented group. Embracing the dark pieces of life, the pain of growing and the ways we interact with each other. diet is a band that holds nothing back, and makes their intention clear in their sound. To me this song is more than just music. It’s an expression of the way musicians communicate some of the most complex emotions.

This is a song about nostalgia on the surface, but when the layers are peeled back it’s much more than that, it’s about how disconnected we are. It’s about the way our frustrations and anger can be misunderstood, the way we bite and scratch at the world can isolate ourselves from each other, and those less experienced. It’s a song about being misunderstood, and trying to give advice to someone that hasn’t been there. When you’re young, it’s hard to try to tell someone else that has years of experience on you to let go of e damage that e weight of the world can have. I find diet to be an incredibly complex, intricate band, with astonishingly dark and beautiful songwriting. I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend listening to this single, their EP, and catching a show with them if you can. This is a band that knows how the world is, and isn’t afraid to say it

“And you may think I’m being sadisitc, but kiddo this is me at my most masochistic” – diet.

Listen here: https://dietnyc.bandcamp.com/

Ronnie Glenn Williams: Wichita

An album review

Ronnie Glenn Williams is an Acoustic singer/songwriter from Witchita, Kansas. From the first track to the last, this album is full of beautiful guitar work, skilled and soulful singing, dynamic soloing and creative songwriting. This is the kind of music that is challenging not to like. There’s a touch of bluegrass and indie to his writing, but overall I don’t think any of those definitions will ever be exactly right. Wichita is an album unique as the mind behind it, but relatable in the way we all appreciate a pretty sunset. It’s serene, without being overly sweet or obnoxious. With Wichita, Ronnie Glenn Williams has proven that he is the real thing. Accessible is the key word to me. The Americana sound, the subtle tones of the acoustic guitar, along with the vocal harmonies are all some of the pieces that make this album so interesting.

This is the kind of album I’ll put on after a hard day. Sitting outside your home, or wherever life has taken you, and breathing the freshness of the air, the soft yield of bare feet on the earth sitting in a chair having a few drinks to help ease out of the pressure and demands life has for us. Wichita is an album that I think everyone should listen to. There’s a timeless quality to this music. In any time, this album is an exceptional example of how a talented person can create a masterpiece by themselves. Ronnie Glenn Williams is brining the Kansas sound to the DC area, and I’m looking forward to seeing more work from him soon. I highly recommend listening to this album soon, over a campfire with a significant other or some good friends. Or even alone. No matter how you hear it, it’s going to be good.

Listen here: https://ronnieglennwilliams.bandcamp.com/

Fake Bodies: Sad Tales of a Trapezoid

A music review

Fake Bodies is a garage/alt rock band from Woodbrige, Virginia. Sad Tales of a Trapezoid may only be two tracks, but to me it’s a strong statement from a band with limitless potential. In my time in the DC music scene I have them pushing hard at every opportunity to jump on shows at put their name out to the public. Fake Bodies is a band that knows what it wants, and works tirelessly to achieve those goals. The music on this album is catchy and great, and reminds me a lot of the bands I used to have when I was in school. This 2 song EP really reminds me of The Dead Milkmen, and overall to me this album has a strong touch of the mid 80s.

In my life, I don’t think I’ve heard a song from the point of view of a Trapezoid, although not too long ago I wrote a song called Triangles, so maybe everyone just has shapes on thier mind. Using geometric metaphors to emphasize that too familiar feeling of not fitting in, with booming backups in the chorus, Fake Bodies has crafted a fun and catchy song. It’s also a very reflective song, about accepting yourself for who you are, and that trying to be normal is a total waste of energy. Our unique attributes help define who we are, and they should always be celebrated. Fake Bodies carries that message really well, and every musicianship this band is quite skilled.

What Now?, the closer/other song on this 2 track release has a lot more going on musically. The bassist and drummer work so well together, and leave a lot of room for some great lead riffs and subdued, almost distant and sad vocals. Not only is the lead guitar killing it, in the space between there are well composed bass licks and drum fills. Fake Bodies is a band with serious talent, and they have no issues proving that. I’m excited to hear more from them, and see what this group will bring to the table with a full album.

Here’s my advice to Fake Bodies: Trust that your music is good. Know that you are talented, and have fun. I recommend checking this music out, and maybe shooting them a message if you need a good band for an all ages show, I know I will.

Owl Like Creature: You’ll Find a Home

An Album Review

Owl Like Creature released You’ll Find a Home June 14, 2015.

You’ll Find a Home is thirteen dreams of the nighttime forest captured in a jar. Stringed instrument weave intricate scenes of leaf-like patterns, and conversations between birds in treetops. The melodies are winding trails. These songs are elegantly crafted by rhythmic acoustic guitar and expressive vocals that sometimes change from male to female, painting a lovely air of mystery.

Subtly beautiful, You’ll Find a Home has the tone of a sweet sad lullaby. The writing is tasteful, mellow and complex, and leaves plenty of musical breathing space. It reaches into some dark places, but keeps the sense of honesty and wonder. Bright and playful intricacies are scattered throughout in songs like “Broke the 6,” and “Uplift,” and You’ll Find a Home covers a good range of emotional territory.

There is something enchanting about this record, and it’s the kind you might notice something new about each time you listen. You can stream or download the album here:

https://owllikecreature.bandcamp.com

soundcloud.com/owllikecreature

By Wanda Perkins

Out on the Weekend: So it goes

An album Review

Out on the Weekend is an Alternative/Garage rock band from Harrisonburg, Virginia. This album is very reflective, with many of the tracks focusing on loss, self doubt, and the bitter taste of reality. Out on the Weekend is a band that takes personal tragedies and puts them to sound. Deep and poetic, the stories being told on this album are raw and filled with the pain of life. Love, and as much beauty and joy that there can be, when it fades or feeling die, there’s still a lot left to say. I feel that this album is an answer to questions we all have, whether the ways we fill in the darkest times are valid, or real. To me, this makes So it Goes a brave album. It takes courage to admit, accuse, and tear down the self.

Along For The Ride, the opener sets the tone for the album with great drum tracks and leads over the sorrowful tone of the lyrics. This is a song about two people, and the confusion of trying to forge the foundation of a future without a clear direction. Clearly written based on life experience, Out on the Weekend is a band that will always get personal. Although the content is very emotional, there’s still a sense of strength in this album. Awareness of your own faults, and the expression of them is the best way to heal from the way life can beat us down. I’m Really Great, the third track, is the one I identified with the most. There aren’t many songs that can bring out the feeling of being your own worst enemy in such a personal way, I think one of the best things about this band is how universal these songs are. No matter what kind of life you live, there will be a feeling, a time of frustration or sense of hopelessness that will have to be overcome.

I’ll say this though, this is not depressing music. The songs can be focused on difficult truths, admission of mistakes, or falling out of love, but that doesn’t mean it’s sad. It’s about the way we deal with these issues that makes us who we are, not the issues themselves. Through listening to So It Goes, I didn’t feel hopeless. I felt that there were people who are going through the same things I am, and that it will all be okay in the end. To me, Out on the Weekend is giving hope to the hopeless, and no matter how bad it gets, we are all here living in this world together. It’s dark, brooding, and beautiful. I highly recommend listening to this album. It might just help you get through a rough patch, and is overall just a fantastic, well written album.

Wondering Why is my favorite track on the album. It’s an incredible song, and I’m always coming back to hear it again.

Lenclair: Honeyed EP

An EP review

Lenclair is an ambient folk band from Alexandria, Virginia. This is a powerful EP, the distinct and beautiful melodies and layers of each song have a haunting, timeless beauty. This EP is quite clearly the combined efforts of many talented people. What stood out to me the most, and what I would consider the most well done are the vocal tracks. There is so much depth and wonder to be found. I listened to this EP several times over the course of a few weeks. I was entranced, hypnotized by the sound I had a hard time putting into words.

Lenclair is a band that can’t be explained in a paragraph. They are more of a force. An emotional experience taken from life and woven into music. Lenclair is able to take the indescribable moments of life and immortalize them in sound. From the first track to the last, this EP is bursting with light touches of guitar solos, steady bass and drums, and above all else the vocals are the most beautiful thing. This is an EP you should listen to if you are a fan of traditional folk music, psychedelic folk, or honest music. Lenclair is beautifully sincere, and the lyrical content of each track is well written. Lenclair is a band for writers. There has been a lot of love and care put into Honeyed, I highly recommend giving this album a listen.

Cheshi: FFF

An album review

This is an album that will grab your attention. The tracks are raw, hewn with the musings of an artist that brings the dark shadow over the sweet nature of folk. The genre of dark folk is one of my least explored, but after giving this album a listen I found an entirely new perspective. Opening and closing with only auto tuned vocal tracks, the creative nature of this music is apparent from the first 30 seconds.

The guitar holds a foundation for the harmonies and every track has so many layers. This is deep music, from a deep intelligent mind. At times serene, at times full of sorrow, Cheshi is a band that knows how to write a song that connects to the core of the mind. I think that there is a misconception with acoustic music. Atmospheric is an understatement.

FFF is an album that reminds me of the morning fog rising over the sea, beautiful and distant in its calling. Known for their songwriting, Cheshi lives up to every expectation and surpasses them with FFF. I highly recommend this album. Cheshi has a lot more to offer, with many live performances under their belt and more members joining, the future of this group is bright.

Fake Fuckin Facade, I just love the way that sounds.

Listen here: https://cheshi.bandcamp.com/album/fff-full-album/

Schroeder: Self Titled

An album review

Schroder is a punk/pop punk/rock band from Baltimore, Maryland. This is fun music. I love albums like this, great riffs, great composition, great vocals and short songs. With the longest song coming in at 2:39, this is not a very long album. I’ve always felt like if you have something to say in a song, say it. Once the idea is expressed, and the message gets out, don’t carry on longer than you feel is right. Don’t set limitations on yourself, and don’t ever try to write inside a box of how someone else might say you should try to write differently. Just be honest, trust that what you’re writing is being expressed well, and your ideas will be heard. Schroeder is a band that knows what it’s saying, and expresses it perfectly.

The choruses on this song are great, with lots of old school punk rock chanting leading into fantastic soloing. Nekron Forever is an example of this. There’s a lot going on on this album. Not entirely punk, not entirely anything. This is a collection of good songs written by a good band. Sometimes I feel so exhausted by genres. Picking and choosing what is good and bad by how much it relates to one thing or another. Good music is just that, and good music crossing all genres. Schroeder is such a talented band, and one I can’t say really fits any definition. Windshield is my favorite track on the album, it’s so interesting. The drums, bass and guitar all work so well together. The more complex the song becomes, the more complex all the pieces are. The vocal backups on this song are so good, they contrast their harshness against the melodies. Their lyrics are all available on their bandcamp site, they are really worth reading along with. It also gives you no excuse to not sing along, with an album release this catchy I’m sure people will even without the words. I’m really excited about this band, and can’t wait to see more from them.

Listen here: https://schroedermd.bandcamp.com/album/schroeder/

Pushovrs: Educate the Public

An album review

Pushovrs are a garage/punk/surf band out of Baltimore, Maryland. Educate the Public is an album with a lot of depth. Bass heavy, loose and very anti-political, this is a kind of music I haven’t heard in a while. I remember about 10 years ago there was a lot more anger in music. The bitter sarcasm is something I haven’t really heard in a while, the outrage against the injustices of the world. Pushovrs has no problem getting straight to those points and making their views clear. Educate the public at times sounds like an accusation, a stand against the conventional way of living. In this sense it also is reminiscent of the 1980s American hardcore movement. There’s a strong punk influence on this album as well. The band that kept coming back into my head was Dead Kennedys. The singer even reminds me a lot of Jello Biafra’s wild tones.

Everyone in this band is talented, and in each song that is proven. There’s a lot of atmosphere to these songs too. The psychotic laughing and high pitched speech really caught me off guard. It was an interesting touch. Even moreso after that the song doesn’t end, it carries on the higher pitched riff for a little while longer. Amazing song.

Cigarettes is the track that shows off the drum and bass chops. When the guitar does come into the song, the way the energy picks up, the sick solos would not have had as much impact without the way this band composes. Educate the Public has a great variety for 6 songs, and that they are capable of making many different kinds of songs. If you’re looking for a song to have a few drinks to, Loud Bangs is the winner there. The closer, and the only track with a semi acoustic part, the build here is so good. I love songs that aren’t limited to one style. The drumming on this song is my favorite of the entire album, they are complex, catchy, and really impressive overall. Loud Bangs has some really smooth grooves to it, and Pushovrs is a band that everyone should check out. I really enjoyed listening to every song on Educate the Public. You can see Pushovrs perform live at Electric Maid in Washington, D.C. on August 23rd.

Listen here: https://pushovrs.bandcamp.com/