The Clox – Jules Verne

The Clox are an indie rock band from New York City, NY. They just released a video for their single, “Jules Verne”. The sound of a subdued dark night cascades across the delay heavy leads and layered vocal tracks. Among many things the lyrical content covers, I really enjoyed the idea of changing the world for the better. Not in violent rebellion, or power struggles, but by being true and kind to each other. Giving in to compassion against the dark and uncaring future, it’s a very well presented and positive message. The Clox blend the sound of the indie rock scene with modern alternative rock, while somehow being more interesting and dynamic than both. There’s a quiet serenity in the music video, minimalistic with close ups of each member looking pensive. I think this is meant to capture the internal nature of this song, the quiet serenity in which all the answers to solve the issues that plague all of us living in modern society. In that way, The Clox are taking the existential pain of existence and providing a solution, a way to close that wound. If only for three minutes.

 

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6x6xd2oP5Y

Doll Baby: Demo

Doll Baby is a garage rock band from Richmond, Virginia. The music on this demo is has a soft and subdued sound, it’s beautiful and engaging. It reminds me a lot of artists like Neko Case, Florence & The Machine, Radiohead, and The Wipers. For as serene as the sound is, there’s also a lot of punk influence. The clean guitar becomes overdriven, and the sound of the late 70s punk scene comes roaring through. That’s part of what makes this demo so interesting, the way the vocals and instruments build up and crash against each other. Waves of sound, cascading and washing over my ears and crashing down with its emotional weight and power. Doll Baby has made a really great demo, and I am eagerly anticipating a full length release. Also I probably listened to softee 15 times while writing this little review.

Listen here: dollbabyrva.bandcamp.com/releases

 

Josie McQueen- The Man Is A Thief

Josie McQueen is an alternative/grunge band from Richmond, VA. The Man Is A Thief is a very well crafted and composed album, with elements of early 90’s grunge power and emotional honesty. The bass licks are smooth, the way slide and groove across the soundscapes add a wide range of depth to the album. The vocals are tight on every song, and the lyrics are very well written. I’m reminded a lot of Layne Staley, Brandon Boyd, Jack White, and Gavin Rossdale.

It takes a certain kind of poet to make the listener pay close attention to what’s being said. To step back and analyze, think and consider what’s being said. There’s a lot of music out there with a lot of sound and no substance. Josie McQueen is all sound, all substance. The guitars are heavy, over-driven with a healthy dose of delay and face melting leads. The drumming is tight and solid, with plenty of fills bringing the full range of sound together.  There’s an element of danger on this album, the themes of running, monsters, violence, and fear. I have always been a fan of exploring these darker parts of humanity in songs. The world can be a cold dark place, and seeing that through the lens of songwriters as talented as Josie McQueen gives the listener an unforgettable experience.

Side note: Rabbit Hunt is my favorite song, it’s so good!

Listen here: http://www.josiemqueen.com/

Party Like It’s-Clockwork Lover

An introduction to Party Like It’s…

Party Like It’s is a ska band from Washington, D.C. This is one of the catchiest songs I’ve ever heard. After one listen, it absolutely will be stuck in your head, days or weeks after. It’s a fun, poppy, energetic song that highlights the talented musicians in this band, and at the forefront Cathy DiToro shines. I really like the transition from being a cover band to writing original music. I hope this trend continues for Party Like It’s, and maybe all their fans out there can help encourage this! I might even start a petition for a full length EP. There’s a lot of different influences in this band, and the comparisons to No Doubt or The Might Mighty Bosstones are obvious but I think that Party Like It’s isn’t really any of those bands. They are their own solid, unique, fun, beautiful and engaging sound with a wide range and endless fun and excitement about their music and performances.

Not that I have a problem with covers, they are always fun and this is definitely a fun band, but I think that this Party Like It’s has so much talent and skill, a full album of original music is something I’m dreaming of. Full of solid fills,  great guitar fills. and one of the most solid  rhythm sections around, Party Like It’s is a very solid, high energy band that can perk up any rainy day.

That aside, I can still listen to Clockwork Lover and a plethora of good covers and videos on the Party Like It’s youtube channel. Ska music isn’t something I’ve seen much of recently in the DC music scene, but that could be my fault for being too much of a square to see right shows.

Check out the video, check out the band, and go to one of their shows! Support your local ska band today!

Find more about shows, videos, merch at partylikeits.com

Clockwork Lover video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5_BtlHthdo

 

 

My Friday Anthem: Way To Be

An album review

My Friday Anthem is an alternative rock band from Frederick, Maryland. A lot has changed since we last talked about this band, and I have to say that Way To Be is a high quality, high production value, beautiful piece of artistic expression. Way To Be is an album that is brimming with passion, honesty, pain, and strength. It’s not overtly any one genre. They have come across on this album a little heavier into the shoegaze sound, but while still being able to keep that from taking over too much. There’s a certain dream like quality about the tone and sustain of the guitar. The lyrical content is a big highlight of this album. The songs come across poetic and significant, and in their sequence tell of being jaded, broken, and how to deal with that.

I love the exploration of darker emotions in music. It’s important to me, to explore the idea of writing with pain. Taking what negative things about one’s life and channeling them into expression, transmuting the struggles of existence into musical release. I feel that a lot of musicians know and create this way, and for some it becomes more than a hobby. The physical need to release emotion, and to perform it live. There’s nothing quite like being at a show, and seeing a band really reach someone. Even if it’s just one person, the look in on their face when they realize that someone else has felt the same struggle they have, and it’s going to be alright. It won’t be every show, and it won’t be every song, but My Friday Anthem has captured that feeling throughout Way To Be, and I was floored by how talented every member of this band truly is. I don’t want to give too much away, since the album will be available for purchase on May 17th, but I will say this.

My Friday Anthem has something important to say, and they broadcast it magnificently.

Way To Be will be released Tuesday, May 17th on Dead Industry Records.