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End-of-Summer Song: “Running Around” by Young Maverick

31 Aug

Let’s face it: summer is coming to a close. We only have a few short weeks to wrap up our summer fun, which means I can finally shed this bikini body that I put on back in April. It’s both cleansing but also disappointing, to know that the weather is about to turn and theaters will lose mindless blockbusters in favor of Oscar bait. And what we’ve learned from those fall movies is that summer romances just aren’t meant to last.

 

“Running Around” is summer love. It is fast, fun, but also causes a little heartache once it ends. But then again, summer romances are disposable, not to be taken seriously. Young Maverick takes heartbreak and forgets about it, because wouldn’t you rather dance than wallow in misery?

Young Maverick is an Aussie quartet that labels their music as “holiday pop,” which made me initially think that they sang Christmas carols. The Americanized translation of their new genre is better stated as “vacation pop,” intending to invoke memories of the fun and carefree times when you were on summer retreat. And it turned out that there could not be a more accurate genre. The swift guitars reminiscent of “Cousins” contrast well with frontman, Robbie Keith’s bored tone to create a great summer song that resonates with all young mavericks who revel in summer hi-jinx.

“Running Around” is off of Young Maverick’s newest EP, Holiday Popular, out now. Visit their website for more information.

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Colony House releases Van Jam Session of hit song “Silhouettes”

27 Aug

Sometimes all it takes to have a hit song is a sing-along chorus. Everyone loves to sing along with all the woohoo’s in “Song 2,” those na’s in “Hey Jude” (for far too long), and the hey ya’s in, well, “Hey Ya,” and because we can’t get them out of our heads, they become hits, then classics. Looks like Colony House has taken notice with their newest van jamming rendition of their hit single “Silhouettes.”

 

 

The studio version of this song is like hearing tinny Young the Giant; the vocals are dripping with reverb and the cute, infatuated lyrics all come together to form a sunny indie pop tune. A great summer song, but seemingly forgettable. But in the van it all changes- they strip away the exact production, add a hiccuping drum machine and kick up that quivering falsetto on those killer whoo-oo’s. We are all driving down the road, down the road in that van with you, hooting like adorable owls.

I have to admit though, their focused expressions do make the van version a personal experience. I loved watching their excited faces, especially when they held eye contact to time the final refrain. Colony House ends up matching the adorable nature of their own song with their body language. “Silhouettes” is on their debut full-length release, When I Was Younger, which is out now. Visit their website for more information. 

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Be Impressive with The Griswolds

22 Aug

The Griswolds

The Indie music world is abuzz with Griswold fever in anticipation of monday’s U.S. release of the four-piece Australian band’s debut album Be Impressive. The album, which was released today in Australia and New Zealand, has already received rave reviews from those who have had an opportunity to listen to the 11-track LP, and I can confirm that the jaunty, alternative/pop sounds of The Griswolds is not only infectious but also packs a major sing-along punch that finds a nice-sized one-bedroom apartment in that little sector of your brain where songs live.

The Griswolds, for those who have not heard of the band before, have been on the music radar since singer/guitarist Christopher Whitehall and lead guitarist Daniel Duque-Perez founded the band in 2012. Quickly, the band was picked up by several blogs on the heels of the band’s debut EP Heart of a Lion, which features four excellent tracks (one of which I am including below). The band  became Australia’s Triple J “Unearthed” feature artist, won a slot on the 2012 Parklife Festival lineup, and toured with Indie staples St Lucia, San Cisco, and Django Django. The Griswolds represent a strong “media” band, in that the band has garnered so much attention through online music pundits (myself included), and this is mainly because the band is so downright exciting.

In advance of monday’s U.S. release let’s take a listen to the song from the album that has been receiving the most airplay thus far, “Beware the Dog.”

The song starts with a cheerful solo riff followed immediately by the riff behind a felicitous rhythm fit with claps and creative percussion. The mid-verse harmony tease is concise and melodious. The chorus is classic Indie dance, a hint of dominican island mixed with fun pop harmonies. It’s the audio version of a good time, and it’s tough shaking the drive to get up and dance along. The track combines the pop synth of Vampire Weekend with the dance rhythms of Grouplove and Passion Pit, but, in a sense, The Griswolds are a bit edgier than these bands, and that is one reason why I like the tunes.

“Red Tuxedo” is my favorite track off the EP because it is so simple. The song, therefore, is different from most Griswolds tracks. The listener is greeted to a delicate guitar riff, dulcet vocal, and harmonies. It is an easy listen and I cannot shake the beauty in its structure. Great stuff.

 

Check out more from The Griswolds on the Website, Facebook, or Twitter

 

 

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Young Rising Sons are Kings of the World

19 Jul

Young Rising Sons

 

From the first few harmonized notes of “King of the World,” the second released song off of New Jersey quartet Young Rising Sons’ first EP (to be released on July 22), one can quickly hear why Young Rising Sons are shooting stars in the music world. The band has already been featured on the NHL Awards, the MLB Network, and NBC’s summer television campaign, and it will not be long before both “King of the World” and the more widespread track “High” are staples on mainstream radio. Why? How do I know? The band has all the makings of success. Both tracks off of the soon-to-be-released EP are infectious pop/rock hits with neat harmonies, sprawling lead vocals, and effervescent instrumentation. The band combines the upbeat rhythm of Phillip Phillips with the bubbly jollification of American Authors. In short, the band creates fun music, and who does not like the sing along to fun music?

To celebrate their self-titled debut EP, the members of Young Rising Sons are taking off on an American tour in August with Little Daylight, and soon, as I predict now, the band will be in even higher demand. So, do you want to hear what I am talking about? The band’s music will certainly do a far better job than my words. Let’s first take a listen to “King of the World.”

Drums, guitar, and harmony. A little upbeat Vampire Weekend mixed with Imagine Dragons. The difference? Young Rising Sons seems happier. The music is carried by clicking rhythms, quick keys, and sing-along harmonies. Even the short, intra-verse vocal proclamations are tremendous. The song is rich in sound and excitement, and one is tempted to put the song on repeat and listen to it all day. My favorite part? The short bridge breaks the song down and combines all of its elements in a tasteful and skillful combination of influences. It’s a killer piece!

“High,” which you may have heard before (it’s been making its rounds), begins with a sweet whistle followed by lead vocalist Andy Tongren’s effortless vocal. What makes this song? Did you get to the Mika-like chorus yet? Tongren’s falsetto is sweet and uplifting. The whistle is a bit Noah and the Whale-esque. The song is just a testament to the band’s efficacy. I can’t stop listening to it.

Tell all your friends about Young Rising Sons because when the band hits the big time you can say you heard them first!

Check out the band’s website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Runaway Dorothy in the Blue Kentucky Rain

15 Jul

Runaway Dorothy

Dorothy has run away with a Brooklyn-based four-piece into the blue Kentucky rain. It sounds like a mix between a pastoral film about America’s heartland and a horror movie. But don’t worry, there is nothing horrible about Runaway Dorothy; on the contrary, this band, which has already been featured on a variety of TV, Internet, and Print outlets, successfully melds a bucolic snapshot of America with Northeastern edginess. Runaway Dorothy tugs at the heartstrings of Americana, and much like The Avett Brothers, connects southern folk and country together effortlessly.

Runaway Dorothy is the pet project of Dave Parnell, who, after playing guitar for a showcasing rock band, chose to pursue his own tunes. After moving to Brooklyn, Parnell enlisted the permanent support of his brother Brett “Bert” Parnell (electric guitar), Sam “The Reverend” Gallo (bass), and Evan Mitchell (drums), who aided in the release of the band’s first album, The Wait, in February of this year. The album, a skillful take on classic folk harmonies and subdued country, plays like a potent combination of The Head and the Heart and The Everybodyfields. All of the flowery language and comparisons aside, the album is worth a listen … or two or three.

How can we best showcase the band? Well, let’s take a look at two of its hits – one more country and one more folk. First up, a trip into the “Blue Kentucky Rain” for a little slow-dance Country/Americana; more simply put, a ballad.

A melancholy acoustic guitar strums in the background of Dave Parnell’s smooth, clean croon. There are no rough edges to his voice; he draws out notes effortlessly and with the precision of a professional (which he is). The dulcet harmonies in the chorus help carry out a lugubrious guitar riff of the song’s primary melody. The song is a bit of a lamentation and/or an entreaty. Parnell plays the part exceptionally well; his vocal a testament to desperation mixed with some hope. And the Springsteen-esque harmonica is spot on.

“Sing With Me” has more hop to its step. I love the rhythm of this song. It fulfills all one wants in a song. There is neat harmony when there should be neat harmony. The acoustic guitar is apt, and the lyric falls off the tongue of Dave Parnell with tenderness and ease. The song is just a joy to listen to.

Make sure to check out more about Runaway Dorothy on the band’s website, Facebook, and Twitter.

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