by Veronica DeFeo | May 9, 2018 | albums, review
It’s a great day for a new EP! Toronto-based Century Thief is back with their new self-released EP, Deaf Beneath the Waves, which is their second release since their debut record, Reverie. Century Thief is made up of vocalist/guitarist Omar Shabbar, bassist, Dante Matas, drummer Colin McNally, guitarist/vocalist Michael Legere, Kathryn Kearns on keys, wind, and vocals, Adam Reid on brass.
Says Century Thief about the creative recording process for Deaf Beneath the Waves,
We found it very important to have a bigger hand in the recording process, and decided to self-produce this material. In the spring of 2016, we isolated ourselves at a farmhouse in Northern Ontario for a week and a half to begin tracking, and then finalized the recordings at The Root Down Studio back home in Toronto. The result was songs that are darker, and more spacious, incorporating more electronic sounds, synthesizers, ambient noise, and effected guitars and vocals.
Deaf Beneath the Waves tracklist:
1. “406” starts off Deaf Beneath the Waves on a dramatic note. With full instrumentation and great vocals, Century Thief does not waste any time getting their EP going. Read more about “406” here.
2. “You Are Here” picks up where “406” left off. A bit mellower, but simply showcasing a different kind of strength. Century Thief clearly has an excellent hold on their composition, and knows how to display their well-crafted sound in the best way possible.
3. “Science of Solace” closes out the EP on a more upbeat tone. The most indie-rock of all the tracks, “Science of Solace” is filled with excellent harmonies, guitar, and bass. Til the last moment, Century Thief will have the listener hooked, holding onto every last note of the moving, soaring song.
Stay up to date with Century Thief:
FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY/ SOUNDCLOUD
by Veronica DeFeo | May 8, 2018 | albums, review
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Joel Levi has just dropped his self-titled album. Honest and down to earth, Joel Levi explores challenges and difficulties of life on an Americana/indie-folk soundscape.
Joel Levi:
1. “Middle of Everything” starts off the record on an upbeat note, setting the indie-folk tone of the album. Showcasing Levi’s great vocals, this first track sets the stage for the rest of the album.
2. “Will We Ever Change?” is up next, starting off with a smooth, angstier sound. As the title suggests, this track explores the fear of being stuck as you are.
3. “Honest Mistake” carries the listener into a more Americana sound, reminiscent of Springsteen. Featuring a great guitar solo towards the second half the song, the lyrics “I don’t wanna bring you down” echo throughout the track.
4. “Easy to Be Alone” is a more laid back folk song that moves along an emotional soundscape, encouraging the listener to hold onto their loved ones and fight for them.
5. “Harder Times” emphasizes perseverance, even through adversity. Well-placed guitar rounds out the track into a solid song.
6. “The Garden” brings the listener into a simple but touching melody, filled with well-constructed metaphors.
7. “All My Friends” changes it up, instantly upbeat and quickly moving into a feel-good chorus that will make any listener appreciative for the important friends in their life.
8. “Sweet Melinda” comes next, a beautiful love song that starts off with some acoustic guitar. An instant classic, “Sweet Melinda” encompasses what a romantic folk song should sound like.
9. “Blind Men Still Dream” is a painfully honest track that explores the challenges we face, and the support that we always can depend on.
10. “Hold On Me” closes out Joel Levi on a simple but touching note with a love song. “Hold On Me” shows just one of Levi’s many musical aspects and gently brings the record to an end.
Stay connected with Joel Levi:
Website I Facebook I Twitter I Soundcloud I Spotify I Bandcamp
by Veronica DeFeo | May 5, 2018 | albums, review
Seattle-based artist Damien Jurado drops his 13th album, The Horizon Just Laughed, today. In his 20+ year career, Jurado has never self-produced a record – until now. The Horizon Just Laughed is being released via Secretly Canadian.
Jurado says of his record:
From the beginning I have approached this album differently than those in the past. I snuck away to record it without anyone knowing. I sat in the producers seat for the first time in years, where I followed creativity’s every turn. It was fulfilling to watch the things come to life before me with the help of some talented friends. I am so very proud of this album and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.
The Horizon Just Laughed track listing:
1. “Allocate” starts off the record on a mellow but strong note. Highlighting Jurado’s musky vocals, “Allocate” provides a glimpse into what is to come.
2. “Dear Thomas Wolfe” begins with a rhythmic guitar intro reminiscent of Jack Johnson. Featuring great lyrics like, “Was I faking trusting you?”, this song gets the ball rolling into the record.
3. “Percy Faith” takes a different approach instrumentally, and utilizes a storytelling manner to bring the lyricism a nostalgic feel.
4. “Over Rainbows and Rainier” is the leading single off The Horizon Just Laughed. A soft, moving track, this reflective song brings the listener gently along. Jurado has also put out a music video for this track. Check out the video for “Over Rainbows and Rainier” HERE.
5. “The Last Great Washington State” features some nice drum moments and steady vocals.
6. “Cindy Lee” is a beautiful interm track that has some well-placed harmonies, and moves the listener into the second half of the album.
7. “1973” perks up with a gentle but pointedly moving track.
8. “Marvin Kaplan” gets an almost samba sound going, as Jurado is accompanied by soft female harmonies.
9. “Lou-Jean” is closer to tracks like “Percy Faith”, telling a meaningful story through song.
10. “Florence-Jean”, the penultimate track on this record, takes an upbeat take on the tales that Jurado tells in The Horizon Just Laughed.
11. “Random Fearless” closes out the album on a fun note, unafraid of the future.
Jurado will be on his “Over Rainbows” tour from May-June. More info HERE
Read more from Damien Jurado here. Stay connected with Damien Jurado:
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
by Erica Tello | May 4, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Last month, The Greeting Committee made an incredible appearance at Mohawk in Austin, TX. Photographer Erica Tello nabbed some photos for us.
by Madison Blom | May 4, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Together, Laura Larson, Corrie Harrigan, and Liz Elton have come together to form the shape shifting and ever evolving minimalistic punk trio Kitten Forever and have just released their fourth and latest album, Semi-Permanent. One of the greatest attractions that this trio can offer is their seamless ability to switch instruments as well as roles mid-performance and deliver a stunningly complex and dynamic show. United by their equal abilities in each area of their performance, it is no wonder that this band has come produce four successful full length albums together. As these three friends continue to develop both their skills and talents, not only will they develop a stronger presence in the punk/pop world, but they will also gain priceless credibility among their peers.
Throughout their track, it is clear that they have clung to their roots as each song is infused with anthemic rhythms, fast and furious beats and melodic tendencies all within two minutes. Each song is laced with powerful drums and exciting bass loops that keep the toes tapping and bodies moving. If nothing else, one thing is clear-it is hard to stay still while listening to such enthusiastic and exciting music. Overall, Kitten Forever has found their niche within the realm of punk that is cleverly mixed with pop sensibilities which enhances and creates a unique sound that is specific to this Minneapolis-based band. Another notable aspect is their incredible ability to mimic the beautiful growl of the base and drums with their voice, truly becoming the third instrument in this tricky trio. This album as a whole explores the juxtaposition of all things with its lyrically dynamic tracks that discuss self-trust in a world of dishonest decay. As this budding group continues to garner success from the general public they prove over and over again that the punk genre is alive and thriving with each beat of the drum and strum of the bass. In a recent review of Semi-Permanent, an author wrote, “Kitten Forever is proof, once again, that punk is in fact not dead.”
Keep up with Kitten Forever here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 3, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Rock group Rad Horror is on the brink of success with the recent release of their four track EP Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1. The collection of quirkily beautiful pop/rock tracks takes you back to that casual, laid back, feeling that we all crave from the 90s. The first track is called “Dark Times”, and is a song that takes you on a journey addressing people who act fake while making you feel like an outcast. Endearing as all hell, it paves the way perfectly for second track “Teenage Love”, which looks at the thin line between love and lust.
The album comes around full circle, touching on a variety of topics with “Stay Out” – which talks about all-too-relatable mind games – and “Only When You’re Lonely”, which seems to bring each topic element of the album together. Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1 is a future classic at its finest, preparing us all for the ups and downs of summertime love.
Keep up with Rad Horror here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
