After making music for over 30 years, Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s The Innocence Mission has yet another hauntingly beautiful album to offer up to the public. The band, led by married couple Kerin and Don Perris, is set to release their twelfth studio album on January 17th via Thérèse Records. The alternative folk band’s newest project is eleven tracks long and includes a rich collection of instrumentation, with guitars, piano, pump organ, accordion, electric bass, melodica, drums, timpani, upright bass, mellotron, and an old prototype strings sampler keyboard all gracing the songs in clever and achingly beautiful arrangements in addition to Kerin’s unique and aching vocals and Don’s well-placed harmonies.
The album’s introductory track, “The Brothers William Said”, is one of the standouts on the album. Soft and sweet piano combined with Kerin’s airy vocals alone carry us through the first half of the song, and her beautiful lyricism could easily be mistaken for poetry. “The kindness of your face / Does not go unrecognized / Has not refused to shine / In this most difficult time” she sings, bringing hope and understanding to a song meant to shed light on those who are often misunderstood due to their quiet nature. “I’m drawn to titles that are phrases, especially ones that seem to be a fragment from a conversation. “See you tomorrow” is the phrase that turns the song around to possibility and hopefulness.” says Karen about the song that yielded the albums title. While the track starts off sparse instrumentally, it builds to include a myriad of beautifully arranged instrumentation before dropping back off to finish the way it started with solo piano.
“St. Francis and the Future”, like many songs on the album, deals with themes of change and the passage of time. In this track Karen sings of how a painting she viewed on a family trip with her children came to represent looming changes that she wasn’t ready to face. In “John as Well”, echoey vocal layering and heavenly background vocals flirt with the lead vocal as the song builds. This track, as well as “At Lake Maureen”, gently but firmly reminds us of the importance of getting to know the true selves of those around us and the necessity of being understood ourselves. The album’s conclusion, “Would be There”,is a twinkly blend of Karen’s light-as-a-feather vocals and skillfully arranged, thickly-textured sections skillfully building to the outro, where the album goes back to basics and ends the same way it started; with a charming piano outro that subtly lets the listener know that it’s time to slip back into reality.
Canadian-based alternative duo Rachel Bobbit and Justice Der may have released their new album When This Plane Goes Down at the end of October, but the talent keeps getting thrown at us, this time in the form of a music video for their track “Beneath Our Feet (Exit Music)”. Placed appropriately at the end of the 9-track stunner of an album, it maintains the largely playful energy of the album, moving at a clip that is both fun to dance to and easy to relax to. But that’s what their music is. With light as a feather and yet somehow still sultry vocals, there isn’t a track on this album that we don’t adore.
That, coupled with layers of bizarre and fun visuals on what seems to be a night out, and you’ve got a very gorgeous video to enjoy. Check it out below, and let us know what you think on our Facebook page!
When This Plane Goes Down is out now. Keep up with Rachel Bobbitt and Justice Der here.
Chris Davidson started his music career as a jazz drummer. The New Yorker now taps into that discipline and experience with his project CHNNLL, an alternative rock four-piece with Davidson on vocals, keys and guitar. Named as a tribute to his father, CHNNLL is in the middle of a Midwest and east coast tour called Age of Outrage. On September 24, CHNNLL returned to Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines.
On Friday, Kills Birds released a self-titled full length that is sure to keep you on your toes. From the very first frantic chords of “Worthy Girl” to the last lines of ninth track “Ok Hurricane”, there is equal parts surf pop and punk influence in this alternative collective’s new release, and we’re thrilled with the cadence of it all. Second track “Jesus Did” is something we would actually find ourselves moshing to in a dingy club, if you’re truly wondering, and “Ow” follows suit with a subtle, beautiful darkness and slower pace. “Volcano” builds like a vintage rock track, intricate percussion leading the way, while “New Friend” slows everything down and builds the instrumentals to a trudging, intense soundscape despite the more leisurely pace.
While “Only Yellow” feels melancholic in title, it’s a garage rock gem that is equal parts chaos and intricate observation. “Tear Up” finds itself in more of a Weezer realm lyrically and vocally, while “High” prefaces the last track with a hard bass line, the most Nirvana-esque of the tracks on this record.
Quite frankly, we have been waiting for a soundscape like this. Something to match the way the weather is going in North America, something to take us into autumn with appreciation and a sense of reality. So check it out below, then tell us what you think on Facebook!
On the heels of their latest release, Phases, Chase Atlantic’s hardcore fanbase stormed into a sold-out Webster Hall for the final show of the Phases tour. Often referred to as “alternative pop,” Chase Atlantic, hailing from Australia, also integrates both R&B and rock into their unmistakeable sound. It’s this fusion that draws fans with different musical tastes together, resulting in an eclectic audience decked out in all kinds of dress.
Taking the stage amid thick smoke and low lighting, strobes flashed on and off, lending itself to a joyfully chaotic atmosphere that allowed the music to speak for itself. The interaction between crowd and creators was unmatched, with the band members spending more time at the edge of the stage than further back. They jumped around, holding the mic out to the audience and enthusiastically encouraging them to sing along.
It was a perfect show to conclude a triumphant tour.
Never before have I heard – and perhaps never again will I witness – such an inspired and heart-wrenching album vocally than Salt Lake City act Ritt Momney‘s debut 13-track collection, Her and All of My Friends. Brainchild Jack Rutter speaks from a space of loss at many levels – Rutter spends his time writing alone mostly, since his friends and girlfriend have gone off to college and pursued missions in other regions – and delivers a highly relatable album, christened with his beautiful vocals
The album opens raw with “I”, which leads into “Lew’s Lullaby”, a very literal telling of his loss of people in his life to circumstance. While “Command V” – computer nerds, we got you and that shortcut for “paste” – might give us some dramatic lyrics that truly resonate, the faster paced “On Love (An Alternative Response to Almitra’s Request)” holds a fondness in our hearts, as we got to witness it live and it features the vocals of Rutter’s adorable girlfriend. As the rest of the album unfolds, you realize how much heart went into its creation. Thirteen tracks that draw an emotional response, amidst thousands of releases that dedicate that type of attention to one or two songs, is incredibly thrilling to see.
What Ritt Momney has accomplished – at a level higher than most of what we have witnessed thus far – is the creation of a new genre, as he integrates an r&b flare into his indie alternative music, at times rock, sometimes more electronic, and, interestingly, percussion heavy. But, save for the lines of spoken word or rap, more or less, there isn’t a moment void of Rutter’s airy, breath of fresh air vocals. This album is definitely one to hold onto, especially when you’re missing someone.
Rhode Island plays host to some pretty stellar acts, but who knew it would be the home of one of our latest favorite alternative rock acts? Wild Sun – a trio comprised of Glenn Kendzia, Paul Fazio, and Padraic Fazio – has a brand new, 9-track release titled Closed Door Talks and it’s one of those albums that is best enjoyed from beginning to end. We’re not saying don’t check out a song here and there right now, at your desk at work. (We won’t tell anyone!) What we ARE saying is, it’s truly an impact album full of a slew of psychedelic instrumentals that give the already edgy vocals a heightened sound. We’d consider cozying up with a nice glass of {{insert favorite summer beverage here}}, a starry sky, and your loved ones to enjoy this one. You’re in for quite the ride!
Alternative indie band Slenderbodies made up of Max and Benji have done it again with their new hit single, “Away From You”. This smooth and dreamy tune will have you texting the person you love in a matter of minutes due to silky vocals and crisp background beats. If you could imagine a Glass Animals and LANY song child, you’d be left with this Slenderbodies masterpiece. Having caught the attention of millions on youtube, as well as major corporate support from Billboard, Notion, and Complex, it’s only a matter of time before they’re one of the major names in the indie-pop world. Who knows, maybe “Away From You” will be the track to launch them into the hearts of everyone.
Be sure to listen for yourself and keep up with the band and what they’re doing here!
Nashville-based alternative rock duoCITYSILOS have harnessed an effortlessly cool vibe in their latest single “Give It To Me Straight.” Also known as Chris and Kristen Butler, they work together as husband and wife to create a track that is as catchy as it is full of vulnerability and angst. Kristen’s voice is reminiscent of Paramore’s Hayley Williams with her powerful range and ability to bring a certain raw emotion to the song. What makes this song stand out is that it is something you can dance around your room to, but also relate to it’s revelations about being in a dead-end relationship. “Give It To Me Straight” is just a sliver of what’s to come — their debut full-length album Happy Thoughts is to be released on August 30th.
