by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 27, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
After nearly a decade since his last release, Clint Michigan has just released his brand new LP, Centuries. Following several difficult years struggling with sobriety and other issues, Clint Michigan (irl Clint Asay) is back and better than ever. Clint Michigan has displays the strength he possesses and the difficulties he has faced since 2009’s Hawthorne To Hennepin.
“Knickerbocker Street” starts off Centuries with a mellow, and emotional folk-pop track, highlighted some well-composed guitar playing and vocal harmonies.
Next up is “Beg for It”, a hauntingly beautiful track that follows up “Knickerbocker Street” in the perfect manner, alternating soft, nostalgic vocals with an irresistible, off-kilter beat.
“Steven Says” follows “Beg for It”, starting off with the trademark guitar playing that makes Centuries so excellent. Bringing in some violin towards the second half of the song, “Steven Says” explores many of the issues and despair that we face.
“The Way Out” will give you goosebumps from its astonishingly beautiful piano intro to its touching lyrics. Filled with a childlike, yet adult sound, this song is truly a treat.
“Centuries”, the title track of the record, is found in the middle of the album, and invites the reader along a nostalgic sonic journey. You won’t be able to help looking back on your own life as this track plays.
“Tired of Being Kind” is a unique track that lends itself more the folk side of Clint Michigan’s sound. Relevant and honest, “Tired of Being Kind” voices what many of us have on our minds but never say. “Shirt Off” muses on some memories of growing up as well as the present, again including some excellent instrumentation. “Eager to Leave”, the penultimate track on Centuries, takes a look at some of the stupidity of modern experiences (like unnecessarily taking pictures of our food before we eat it) through a timeless sound.
Appropriately, “That Is All, That Is It” closes out Centuries, along a simple beat that gradually brings in more instruments. When the piano and bass come in about 1:00 into the song, this song really gets going, creating the bittersweet goodbye of the record.
Centuries is truly a beautiful record. Check it out today.
Stay connected with Clint Michigan:
Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
by Chad Bennett | Apr 26, 2018 | snapshot, visual
No Coast Criminals brought street punk to Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines on March 28th. Wrapping up a Midwest tour, the band unleashed their Oi! styling on a lively crowd. Keep up with them here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 26, 2018 | albums, review
Toronto-based musician Bossie is set to release her latest album Not Pictured on April 27th. Not Pictured covers a wide variety of topics including modern culture, consumerism, and social media, among others. Bossie sparked public attention when she released her first single “Meteror” in 2015. Now, with her debut album, we are reminded of that infectious and beautiful sound that we have been falling in love with over the last couple of years. The album places emphasis on the sound of bubblegum pop with Boosie’s amazing, robust vocals.
First tack “Mild At Heart” discusses the mild nature in a relationship. “Take your headphones off we need to talk” says Bossie. Pondering the relationship she says, “What if we need to grow up?/Maybe we’re just mild at heart.” “Mild At Heart” really digs into the frustrations of a relationship. Bossie sings on falling in and out of love, not moving forward, and not having that “zest” in a relationship. “Strawberry Moon” shows off the artist’s quirky side. With the funky beat and electronic sounds, “Strawberry Moon” shows off Bossie’s diverse style. “Don’t set fire to the strawberry moon,” proclaims Bossie. What does it mean? Luckily enough, she leaves that up for interpretation. On “There Will Be Time,” Bossie takes a stab about the timing in life. A track about there being a time and place for everything, Bossie is transparent on “There Will Be Time.” “Yeah there will be time…there will be time to decide,” we hear on “There Will Be Time.” Bossie recognizes that whether it be a relationship, career move, or personal, not everything in life needs an immediate decision.
We are enamored by Bossie’s new album, and KNOW you will be too! Not Pictured is out everywhere April 27th. Keep up with Bossie here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Nashville-based Pale Houses has just released their new EP, Songs of the Isolation. Collaborating with producer Brandon Owens (Mutemath), the four-piece follows up their 2013 self-titled debut with this EP. Pale Houses is made up of drummer Ryan Rayborn, vocalist/guitarist Aaron Robinson, bassist/guitarist Aaron Yung, and Joshua Hood on lap steel/guitar. This long awaited second release encapsulates the beautifully different sound that Pale Houses so wonderfully owns. While the title of this EP references isolation, it is anything but uninviting. Pale Houses touches on familiar emotions and experiences in a deeper and different way through their lyricism and instrumentation.
Songs of the Isolation:
1. “The Ocean Bed” starts off the EP with a metaphoric track, featuring some hitting lyrics and carefully crafted guitar playing. Leading into the chorus is a beautiful moment of rising percussion that is truly the clincher for this track.
2. “Tenderfoot” carries a sound of persistence along with earnest vocals and an energetic beat. This song simply has to be amazing live.
3, Who Will I Be For You?”, a unique track, layers soft synth in its beginning, questioning the roles we play in each others’ lives.
4. “Ring Around the Moon” brings the listener into a nostalgic, gentler soundscape highlighted by smooth vocals and a yearning, soulful sound.
5. “Hideaway” is a moving track with a strong beat and emotional lyrics, featuring a beautiful medley of guitar playing.
6. “Olivia and Courage” is a slightly abstract piece that hovers on the edge of breaking, while maintaining a quiet strength that keeps the listener in its hold through the entirety of the track.
Moving along a variety of instrumentally breathtaking tracks, Pale Houses manages to be both flexible and focused with their sound. Songs of the Isolation is simultaneously different and perfect. This EP is not one to miss, so check it out today.
Stay connected with Pale Houses:
Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Bandcamp
by Madison Blom | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Coming out of a very successful year with a new album Sweet Decay that has already risen on some of the most acclaimed foreign charts is Ireland based singer/songwriter Ciaran Lavery.Not only has he had the opportunity to play on some of the biggest stages and has gathered thousand of dedicated fans, but he has the skill and talent that support his rapidly growing success. Recently, he has been awarded the Northern Ireland Music Prize for is 2016 album Let Bad In. Along with this tremendous achievement, Lavery has acquired over a million followers on Spotify and he doesn’t plan to stop there.
Throughout this wonderful album, Lavery explores self-growth and reflection through his smooth, hypnotic beats and rhythm. Vocally, it can be said that he has a very melodic voice that blends easily with the beautifully composed guitar and percussion portions of each of the tracks on the album. This attribute of Lavery’s sound is especially highlighted in, “Bones 4 Blood,” which is then followed up by a much lighter track, “Wicket Teeth.” Without a doubt, however, one of the greatest skills that this up and coming artist exhibits is the ability to fill each lyric with the appropriate emotion that almost seems tangible in the atmosphere as one sits and enjoys the musical masterpiece that Lavery has put together for his fans. In he future, this international star hopes to move his success across a grander demographic and hopes to continue to perform for adoring fans that appreciate the poetic lyricism of all of his music.
Keep up with Ciaran Lavery here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Following up on his album Home, singer-songwriter Nathan Evans Fox has released his new album Texas Dust. The Atlanta based singer has a penchant for folk, and is bringing his country roots to his latest work. A North Carolina native, Nathan was immersed in the sounds of folk, bluegrass, rock, and country at a young age. He is also well versed with a range of musical instruments such as the fiddle and the guitar. Texas Dust displays all the talents of Fox’s songwriting, instrumentation, and musical inspirations from his hometown.
A natural storyteller, Nathan’s lyrics tell the tale of his difficulty with religion and heritage growing up. The album is composed of eleven tracks, including the album’s title track “Texas Dust.” Out of those eleven tracks, my personal favorites are “Texas Dust,” “Saint Louis,” and “Great Sky.” A bittersweet ballad to a lost love in Texas, “Texas Dust” tells the story of Nathan’s grandfather- a Southern migrant worker turned Army Sergeant who eventually left the military following the death of his young daughter. The opening line sparks personal and political controversy saying “I was raised by violent men- drinking daddy and Uncle Sam.” The chorus keeps its foreboding tone, “I can’t change all my ways, can’t change the laws of grief—back when I was 21, I was Texas Dust and you were Tennessee.”
“Texas Dust” encompasses the salty and sweet of folk, while staying personal. “Saint Louis,” a wanderlust track, discusses all the places Nathan plans to go across the USA. “It’s been a full year in Saint Louis and we still ain’t getting used to it,” sings Fox. With the Midwest blues, Fox goes on “Now I’m dreaming about that boat taking me where I want to be.” “Saint Louis” holds a feeling of hope and longing, even though Nathan is stuck there. To me, “Great Sky” is perhaps the most uplifting track on Texas Dust. With talks of starting new, Fox sings “What more do I seek from this Heaven upon me?” Fox is looking to turn a spiritual new leaf. While those three tracks remain my favorite, Texas Dust has a little bit of something for everyone- even if you are not one for folk, Nathan’s lyrical talent alone will blow you away.
Look out for Texas Dust and more from Fox here.
