Album Review:: Watching the Sky | Sheppard

So, full disclosure: I didn’t even know this album was coming. And that was such a treat, because I’ve been wanting more from this band for a while. I was a big fan of 2015’s Bombs Away, and their set in Albany when they rolled through town a year or two ago was a blast. So, when I heard Sheppard were finally back for their follow-up, I was eager to see where these last three years have brought them.

The angelic, calm introduction “Watching the Sky” begins the album on a build, dropping directly into “Coming Home” after a brief minute-long instrumental. Early on, it seems like during this gap between albums, the six-piece perfected their layered, swirling-vocals brand of pop, and Exhibit A shows its face immediately. Following right on its heels is “Keep Me Crazy,” another top pick, with George Sheppard carrying the weight. Sister/co-vocalist Amy takes the reins on “Love Me Now,” a swaying, swooning example of the success that Sheppard’s multi-vocalist formula can create.

Watching the Sky has its patches of clouds. There are things that I’m probably just nitpicking (and I’ll admit I am), that aren’t quite negatives, but could be better. “We Belong” is good, and it only reaches “good.” The pre-chorus of “now that we’ve lit this fire / we’ve got to fan the flame” has the potential for a huge note, but instead gets held in-check. Like I said, still good, it just could have hit a peak. Amy’s strong vocals on “Live For You”  reinforce this notion, proving she can deliver. Here, however, a powerful vocal performance can’t fully recover from the cringeworthy lyrics  – “Are we really breaking up / Wasn’t I enough for you / I gave my very best / But I failed every test you put me through.” It salvages itself, for the most part, but the first impression is a wince.

“Choke” is catchy and “It’s been a little while since you even said a word / if you never get to first then you’ll never get to third” is a great line but the track feels like Macarena 2.0 and I can’t shake that comparison. Sorry. And I swear, I’ll get back to more positives very soon, but I there’s one more moment I need to mention and if you’ve heard the album you know exactly what it is. “Edge Of the Night” is an upbeat, funky dancealong. And then out of nowhere, it drops into an almost comically deep-voiced chorus that is too sexy for itself. And yet, here I am again, convincing myself that it doesn’t not work? It’s wild and unexpected and confusing and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t at least fun. Plus, if you imagine Amy Sheppard as the one bellowing along, it makes it much better.

As promised, there’s more here to be appreciated. After the lukewarm “Live For You,” “Sorry” is the perfect reset; a wall-shaking power ballad with some of George’s best contribution on the record. Saving the best for [near] last, “Castaways” makes a late appearance and a lasting impact; a track so perfect for summer you’ll wish it were longer than just three months. Last, “I Was Lost” is a culmination of everything Sheppard can do well and know they do well. Starting gentle, it builds and adds elements throughout, with both Sheppards’ voices bouncing off one another as it gains momentum before a soaring conclusion.

After a week of play-throughs, I was torn. Still kind of am, if we’re being honest. On one hand, I told myself Watching the Sky doesn’t really do a whole lot of anything drastically new, so I should be bummed, right? But on the other, that’s not to say it’s all just more of the same here. Where they have found their best success – bold, bright, infectious pop music, these aspects are more refined and expanded on than ever. So where it might seem similar to things you’ve heard, it’s a better version of that. Like I said, I’m torn. So I’ll say this: some moments fizzle and some lyrics fall flat here and there, but all in all, Watching the Sky is a fun, energetic celebration that has the band showcasing great improvements and big steps forward.

Release Date: June 8th, 2018
Rating: 3.33/5
Run Time:

Check Out: “Castaways,” “Keep Me Crazy,” “Sorry”
For Fans Of: Bleachers, MisterWives, Gin Wigmore

Track Listing:
1. Watching the Sky
2. Coming Home
3. Keep Me Crazy
4. Love Me Now
5. We Belong
6. Edge of the Night
7. Live for You
8. Sorry
9. Choke
10. Call Me Up
11. Hometown
12. Castaways
13. Ride the Wave
14. I Was Lost

The Weather Report: Rich Aucoin

Canadian singer/songwriter Rich Aucoin has never been one to do things normally. On top of executing his musical releases in brilliant ways, such as how his debut EP Personal Publication syncs up perfectly with How The Grinch Stole Christmas, he is also an extraordinary person looking to give back to the community. He previously biked across Canada and back, running a half-marathon in every city and raising money for childhood leukemia research for The Childhood Cancer Foundation. As if that wasn’t enough, Aucoin decided on round two, an untraditional tour titled Press On where he rode his bicycle from Los Angeles to New York,  raising awareness for mental health by donating 100% of tour proceeds to Mental Health America and The Canadian Mental Health Association. 

Needless to say, when we heard about Rich Aucoin’s mission to raise money for mental health, we knew we had to ask him the question: If you were the sky, what kind of day would you be? You can read Aucoin’s Weather Report below.

Album Review: Here We Go Love | The English Beat

The English Beat have returned to the scene with their first album since 1982’s Special Beat Service. A lot has happened since then, much less in the short span between their 1980 debut I Just Can’t Stop It and 1981’s Wha’ppen? which denoted a departure in sound from their ska influences towards Caribbean and Roots Reggae. The English Beat is known for taking fun and sunny tropical arrangements with subject matters that are dark, frank and cerebral. With the release of Here We Go Love, a title that indicates optimism, we dive into lyrics that are even more unsettling with an undercurrent of dread. This would seem appropriate, given the current political climate, and it would seem Dave Wakeling has decided, with decades of observation under his belt, that this would be the time to release a new album.

Here We Go Love is a collection of songs that have the same frantic energy and frenzy of their debut album. The album still has a familiar feel, with melodies that are reminiscent of their two tone ska days but with a modern kick utilizing lyrics that pertain to the today’s climate (lyrics that may be categorized as dark, confused, questioning, and pessimistic). In other words, it’s a natural progression in the band’s sound over the last few decades, a progression which we had not heard until now, where it was built up to a loud crescendo in the form of this release. The songs still retain the bright, Calypso-infused feel, but lyrically, Dave goes into the paranoia, fear, and corruption of the 21st century.

The album opens up with “How Can You Stand There,” a catchy organ opens up before going into a steady, rhythmic ska beat. The track explodes with upbeat energy while the lyrics draws on themes of taking action at a time of despair. The production on the album is superb, making use of the clarity of each instrument- like an 80’s production with an extra sheen. The lyrics here are intelligent and expressive, drawing upon themes of a tumultuous time within the last few years. The tunes are catchy, as to be expected, and the rhythm section is thumping, fast, and driving.

“The One and the Only,” a surprisingly cynical song, has a lovely piano solo in the middle of the song that breaks up a song about an unlikeable man. The song deals with themes of blame and finger pointing and, according to Wakeling, examines “the Donald Trump in all of us. The cutting condemnation of leaders and situations leads to multiple use of expletives scattered throughout the album, which juxtaposes with the cheery, happy-go-lucky melody and upbeat instrumentation. The song, “Here We Go Love,” has a carefree attitude, yet questions the logic of that attitude- “sick and tired, mad as fuck, that much lying can’t stand up,” Wakeling surfs through a pulsating drumming section and background vocals while simultaneously proclaiming, here is what I want to say, take it or leave it.

The album becomes a musical rollercoaster as the the music and themes become two separate entities, yet there are moments of earnest happiness. “The Love You Give” starts off with an excellent guitar lick and, as a change of pace, has optimistically romantic lyrics that may be jarring yet provide reprieve from the darkness. “Every Time You Told Me” has a danceable, grooving background chorus – “I told you I told you I told you” that I found to be irresistible. Every song here has a strong hook that keeps the album moving at a breathy pace, despite a runtime of almost an hour.

Here We Go Love is a very clever album, one that may not reveal its sophistication upon an initial listen. You’ll find yourself moving to the music, but a close listen will reveal the lyrics of a dark time and coming to terms with it through a bright, splattered burst of Ska, Reggae, Dub, Latin and other tropical influences. The vocals throughout are very strong- I was reminded of Elvis Costello, but backed with even more swagger. The band still retains its edge while creating grooves. They leave no stones unturned, and while the songs themselves may be too heavy under lesser hands, they present it in the from of clear-eyed, rhythmic tunes that instead become healing.

Release Date: June 15, 2018
Rating: 4/5

Track listing:
1. how can you stand there?
2. the one and the only
3. redemption time
4. if killing worked
5. here we go love
6. never die
7. the love you give
8. you really oughtta know
9. you’re stuck
10. every time you told me
11. dem call it ska
12. drive her away
13. be there for you

Album Review:: Saved | Now, Now

It’s been 6 long years since Now, Now released their emo indie album Threads, that gave us the contagious taste of aggressive strumming and vocals filled with ethereal emotional tension. With years to write and produce the follow up, there comes pressure to deliver the perfect album of originality, newness, and pleasing the masses. Though Now, Now already teased us a year in advance with “SGL” that left us anticipating more. The first single only showed a glimpse of Saved–some slow ease into the departure of the familiar gritty sounds of guitar and the first introductions of an indie pop beat.

It’s not an easy feat to switch music stylings, unless you’re Taylor Swift of course. Though Now, Now saw an opening with Saved. With the introduction of the new softer acoustic tones and upbeat synths, Saved is a more subdued emo that focuses more on moody upbeat melodies. It’s more trendy indie pop. Tracks like “MJ”, which pays tribute to the King of Pop, and “Yours” showcases this new direction with electric melodies at the forefront. Though, not songs you’d want to dance to if you listen closely, which creates a bit of confusion. Instead we enter a new realm of taking serious lyrics of love and creating a new feeling of melancholy around it.

However, the duo behind Now, Now have not completely ditched their emo roots that brought their claim to fame. Dalager’s unique and lazy alto vocals float heavy melancholic lyrics about lovers through songs like “Can’t Help Myself” and “Window.” You’ll find yourself coming to terms with a road trip album with songs like “Drive,” which is a personal favorite of mine. Emotional tension delivers strong in the midst of synths, drum machines, and vocals as smoke in a smoke filled room. We see this in the title track, “Saved,” where as the tempo builds, so does the electric drum beats and echoed vocals. Meanwhile, “AZ” will entice older fans to revisit and unravel the layered vocals of Dalager’s the synth lead guitar solos.

Now, Now delivers a solid album that maybe older fans weren’t expecting, but it gives the band much needed space to shape their own style and fill an cross between of indie pop and emo music that doesn’t overlap often. I hope to take Saved on solo road trip into the horizon one of these days.

Release Date: May 5th, 2018
Rating: 3.5/5
Runtime: ~45 minutes

Track listing:
1. SGL
2. MJ
3. Can’t Help Myself
4. AZ
5. Window
6. Holy Water
7. Yours
8. Saved
9. Knowme
10. Drive
11. Set It Free
12. POWDER

The Weather Report: Imani Givertz

Back in October, our team collectively decided to share our voices in honor of World Mental Health Day. While some people struggle silently, we wanted to open a conversation on mental health in a way that was comfortable and free of judgement. Months later, I asked why couldn’t we continue that conversation? What was once seen as something to be fearful of discussing has turned into a relatable topic that has no boundaries. Our journeys may all be different, but they’re also similar in ways that we wouldn’t imagine.

While attending Launch Music Conference and Festival in Lancaster, PA roughly a month ago, I was surrounded by panels and discussions with industry professionals, musicians, and friends on their journeys with mental health. It sparked something in me that wanted to find a way that would allow having these types of conversations comfortably. During a chat with a talented friend of mine, Imani Givertz, a question came up: if you were the sky, what kind of day would you be? It’s a question that seems simple at first glance, but actually allows for a dialogue that may be difficult to openly talk about. There are plenty of questions to be asked in an interview, but very rarely is someone asked how they are truly feeling. Using this question that Imani brought up, we decided to launch a new column called The Weather Report that will allow those struggling with mental health to talk about how they’re feeling in a genuine and authentic way.

I thought the best person to kick off The Weather Report would be the inspiration behind the column, Imani, a photographer, social media manager, friend, and avid tea-drinker. Working in the music industry for about 8 years, Imani has had the opportunity to tell artists’ stories through photos and writing for publications including Cliche’ Magazine. She has a drive for being an advocate for those that struggle with mental health and to be a friend that walks with people through their mental health journey as she continues to walk through hers. You can read Imani’s Weather Report below.

Flashback February: STACEY

Back in September, I caught up with STACEY for one of the most stunning sessions I’ve done yet. With the sun setting in New York City, we were treated to a live version of “It’ll Be Alright,” which you can see below. The session also included performances of “Daydreaming” and “First Move.”

Flashback February: Ben Talmi

With quite the impressive resume, Ben Talmi has not only worked on creating music for himself, but has also composed scores and string arrangements for television, film, and artists including Manchester Orchestra. Last year, we caught up with Talmi for an acoustic version of his track “Someday”  and a cover of “Kathy’s Song,” originally by Paul Simon, which you can listen to below!

 

 

Flashback February: Seth Glier

As continue our Flashback February posts this week, we’ve realized that…well…it’s no longer February. This last month flew by and we easily lost track of time. That being said, we’re just going to pretend that it’s February through the end of this week and share with you the remaining sessions we’ve got lined up for you! Let’s jump in, shall we?

We caught up with Grammy-nominated Seth Glier, right before the release of his album, Birds. A personal project for Glier which was written after the passing of his brother, we were treated with a captivating acoustic version of “I’m Still Looking.” Give it a spin below!

Flashback February: The Delta Saints

Following the release of their album Monte Vista last April, we caught up with the band for an incredible stripped down performance of “California” and, my personal favorite, “Sun God” which can be seen below!

The band will be heading out on their Farewell For Now Tour, details can be found over on www.thedeltasaints.com.

Flashback February: Kylie Hughes

Last year, we sat down with Kylie Hughes in New York City for a short acoustic session. Hughes did a stripped down performance of her hit single “Heat,” which can be seen in the player below, as well as “Hungover” which can be seen here!

For more on Kylie Hughes, head on over to www.KylieHughesMusic.com.