By The Foz
Staff Blogger
This song came to me from a very good friend who will be called KTown. She recommended this song simply by saying "I like it", and we have similar musical tastes and know each other music tastes well enough to know when the other will like a song. As a result of this very minimal recommendation I decided a listen was in order. Well needless to say Ktown was right and this song is awesome. It is all synth and keys. It seems like I am in syth and keys musical mood at the moment as the last 3 songs I have reviewed have had at least 1 of those things in it. This band reminds me a bit of Postal Service in their sound excluding the fact this song is fast and furious at times and those parts I speak of are some of the most enjoyable parts of the song. Its hard to review much more of this song as its one person signing and playing the keyboard. Thats it! Nice and basic. This is a very cool song with solid vocals that melds well with the keys. Give it a try you might enjoy this song as much as I do.
Check out the video Here
By The Foz
Staff Blogger
Well this is a first two songs in a row that are not your typical rock song. This song was introduced to me at my local campus bar before the excessive amount of alcohol was consumed that made the rest of the night a bit of a blur. This song starts with an amazing keys and guitar combo that creates a very cool sound that drives the entire song. Then the lead singer breaks in with an very cool sounding British sounding voice. Reminds me of the Kooks lead singer a bit. This is vary odd as the Kooks are from UK and Phoenix are from France. Yet the sound is similar. To stick with the vocal theme for a second I would like to point out the repetitive lyrics. For example at points they repeat certain phrases 2 or 3 times and this adds a very cool edge to the song. The Keys continue to add a lot to this song through out it and at the end they even turn into the star of the song. All of this creates a truly unique sound. Give it a listen and if you can come to the Bombshelter Pub at the University of Waterloo to hear the best cover of this song...well it sounds identical to the real song so its that good.
Check out the video Here
By The Foz
Staff Blogger
So a few weekends ago Cpt. Pownzor and I where driving for food and he recommended I listen to this Spinnerette thing. So I did and I was impressed with this song. It is not a typical "Nick Song" at all so I was confused as to why I have listened to it 7 times in 3 days. For me that is a lot. The first thing that I noticed about the song was the chorus, which is so cool and catchy it had me right off the bat. The vocals are excellent and definitely the thing that got me hooked to the track! It sounds like two different people are signing I don't know if this is true, but it adds an even more impressive dynamic to the song.
The lack of a guitar does not bother me like normal... yet again impressive. The song is very repetitive, but just an excellent musical experience that I recommend to anyone wanting to listen to a downright cool song.
You can check out the music video for Baptized by Fire here
By Captain Pownzor
Staff Blogger
The Sunpilots are an alternative band out of Australia with a pretty interesting sound. Its hard to put my finger on, sort of like collective soul meets early Our Lady Peace in the song "Metric system" especially. Raj Siva-Rajah certainly has a unique and very rock friendly voice. Metric system is slow and persistent on getting into your head. Keys add punctuation to a driving bass line, a hint of shredding in the background shows even the guitarist is no slouch.The Sunpilots may not identify with much of today's new music, but if you are looking to reminisce or need a fix of 90's they are an excellent source. The tweens may not like em, but Captain fucking Pownzor says they're alllllright.
You can check out The sunpilots Here
Or if you are a fan of freeeeee music you can download "Metric System" In the bands 4 track ep
By Captain Pownzor
Staff Blogger
Just starting this song I was thinking ohhh shit..here we go. But no, strangely I like RAC. They use a time honored rocking simplicity that makes them a great band to head bang and drink with. To me anyway they sound a bit like the early offspring. The guitars in state of the union are simple but catchy and the production quality isn't great. The song sounds as if it belongs in a club about 8 years ago, It makes me think of a bar in my hometown where I have seen many an act like RAC. Cool sound bites in the middle break up the party tunes. Bass is a bit loud in the mix but the playing is good so its not a totally overpowering. It's a good song to throw on with a bunch of friends or in the car and I'm sure this band would not disappoint in a live show.
Check out RAC's Myspace
By Cpt Pownzor
Staff Blogger
Well first of all this album concept is a little weird. Take Hollywood movie star Ryan Gosling (The Notebook) add his good friend Zach Sheilds and The Silverlake Conservatory Of Music's Children's Choir. Now lets make a creepy do-wop/goth/folk album about the afterlife. That's about what happened here. The album was released yesterday and the tracks range from Arcade Fire anthems to just downright creepy soundbites. The song my body's a zombie for you sounds like a mixture of old time 60's pop music/Do wop and a great lost song from Arcade Fire's Neon Bible. Gosling's voice is surprisingly good and the choir really compliments the song as well. The main percussion loop is really the choir clapping along. The instrumental track is rather simple but it creates a very interesting old time feel. This is a standout song on the album. If your looking for a time warp or for the perfect album for your Ouija night pick this up.
To hear the song
Check out the Dead Man's Bones Myspace
By Cpt Pownzor
Staff Blogger
This song started off and I thought it was a parody. It's like something that your uncle would sing shitfaced at your wedding circa 1982. Yeah that's right..chyme effects for the masses y'all. The vocals are just purely corny except for the howlie part at the end.It’s a sensitive song that has been done 1000 times. Woe is me there is suffering in the world. I'm going to wail (literally) in song. There is a string breakdown, where the artist does, in fact caw a bit like I'd imagine an albatross would. Nothing original and done poorly. Save this one for your girlfriends mixtape. The solo keyboard midi sound only detracts from the emotional nature of this song. Hey you, get a real piano, get a voice, rewrite, do it again and profit.
If you feel like a lul or some form of torture, check out the artist's profile
By Captain Pownzor
Staff Blogger
Its not often we get to slow things down around here, but its nice when we get to and especially to Brielle. Brielle is dramatic in her vocal talents, in fact the song blue sounds like it is worthy of Broadway or a film score as it is. A piano and a beautiful voice creates a Regina Spektor like atmosphere. Powerful emotion is involved in this song, the vocals are strong and the paino seems to whisper along with her, it is a moving piece. There is no doubt Brielle has talent, if you are a fan of the slower, quieter more classical side of songwriting give it a listen.
Check out Brielle's myspace
By Captain Pownzor
Staff Blogger
Sunlight Ascending is an instrumental band based out of Detroit Michican. They remind me of Explosions in the sky, which if you have heard anything off of the Friday Night Lights soundtrack, you know is a high praise comparison. This song could have fit in seamlessly on that soundtrack. The song is inspirational and uplifting, you could play it to study to or maybe for a nice walk in the park. Its even got a Sigur ros esqe reprise. The arrangement is damn near orchestral and the playing is top notch. Strings ring in the background, guitars play with echos, reverb, and heaps of distortion in places while drums lay down an every changing rhythm. If you are a fan of explosions in the sky I really suggest you check this band out, they are for you.
Check out the myspace
