Tired of mainstream pop? Not really feeling your latest album? Not looking for any of those short-term cures for aggravating familiarity? (I’m looking at you, Disclosure; I can’t hear a bar of “Latch” without getting it stuck in my head.) Well, boy have I got the thing for you! Follow these eight simple steps to listen to more Dan Croll, one of the most interesting pop musicians on the scene today. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Pop
Be Impressive with The Griswolds
22 Aug
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
Dog Songs – Vote for Your Favorite!
3 Jun
This is Tully. Say hi to the Music Court community, Tully. As I type this, Tully is nestled into a ball with his head on a soft, green pillow. He is adorable. The picture is worth more than my words.
As you might have deciphered from the opening to this post, I adopted a dog! Thus, I have been solely in a dog mood over the past few days. Musicians are often in dog moods. Whether it are songs about dogs or song titles/ideas that use “dog” in popular sayings or with different connotations, dogs often find their way into popular songs of all genres. Off the top of your head I’m sure you are already thinking of 1-2 songs you know that have the word dog in the title.
In line with my puppy mood, I bring you the first Music Court poll in months. There are a plethora of dog songs in the vast musical catalogue of life; what song is the best? First, let’s fetch some songs.
1. “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley
This is the version most are familiar with, and it is hard to argue that it is not the best recording of this Lieber and Stoller classic. Originally recorded in 1952 by “Big Mama” Thornton, “Hound Dog” has transcended decades and has garnered a long list of cover versions (included Elvis’ 1956 cover) and popular media references. Contrary to the lyrics though, I will certainly feed Tully!
2. (How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window by Patti Page
I had to. Tell me you don’t think of this song when you walk by the window of a pet store! Written by Bob Merrill (also wrote “Mambo Italiano”), the song was most famously recorded by Patti Page, and I first heard it through Kidsongs (my pre-kinder source for all music).
3. “I Love My Dog” by Cat Stevens
Because the song includes lyrics like the following:
“I love my dog
As much as I love you
But you may fade
My dog will always come through” (Note: I love Tully and my fiancé very much)
4. “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by The Stooges
Oh, Iggy and your Stooges. Recorded in 1969, “I Wanna Be Your Dog” is a quintessential example of the budding hard rock/punk movement that would sweep the music world for the next two decades (and beyond that if you count the 90s, 00s, and 10s). The song was produced by John Cale of Velvet Underground fame. The Velvet Underground is often cited as the grandfather of punk. No coincidence there folks.
5. “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin
Classic Zeppelin riff over lyrics inspired by a sexually promiscuous retriever that would amble around the recording studio. It also has the mark of a Zeppelin song that was not stolen. Haha. I kid. I kid. It’s a killer riff.
6. “Dog Days are Over” by Florence and the Machine
Florence Welch, otherwise known as the goddess (according to my sister), took a commanding hold of the Indie/Art/Pop genre with the release of her first two albums (Lungs and Ceremonials). “Dog Days are Over” is featured on Lungs, which is a tremendous first release.
7. “Martha My Dear” by The Beatles
Wild Card! This jaunty Beatles tune was written by Paul McCartney and most likely inspired by his sheepdog (named Martha), although it was probably about an old love interest. It, like all Beatles songs, is excellent.
There you have it. What is the best bark – I mean, song! Vote below.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go, Miko and The Musket
22 Apr
While Indie singer-songwriter extraordinaire Miko de Leon delicately croons for his listeners to “slow it down” in the single “On Your Mark,” this proves quite difficult when you do not want the infectious rhythm to end! But at least when the song ends you can always hit repeat, which I’ve done several times in the last hour. This is the case for most of the music released by de Leon’s band Miko & The Musket. The 7-piece Indie band exceeds what one expects from most Indie bands, for instead of falling into a consistent sound, the band provides diverse instrumentation and vocals that provide a diversity of sounds much like a variegated strobe light in a dark room. There is such richness in the multifaceted vocals, and this is only accentuated by the folk/funk/pop rhythms evident in each piece. Thus, in a sense, Miko & The Musket is genre less, a fascinating combination of a slew of sounds and rhythms that form a pleasant amalgamation of sound. This is perhaps best portrayed by the single mentioned above, “On Your Mark.”
“On Your Mark,” combines a fresh funky rhythm with creative folk harmonies. The song begins with an Americana funk sound much like that of Rusted Root. The percussion almost takes on a World music quality, and the band seems to ride the wave of many different types of rhythm. de Leon’s voice is like whipped cream: light, fully, and tasty. He blends well with his supporting vocalists – Molly McAdoo and Lannon Killea – who both provide fun fills – much like UK Indie folk. There are just so many catchy qualities of this piece, and it is difficult to not sing along or at least bop your head to the rhythm. The song falls off towards the end and quite literally slows itself down, but, much like the style of choral pop bands, rises back up into a culmination of sound and instrumentation.
Great piece by an up-and-coming Indie powerhouse in New York. Check out more about the band on its website, Facebook, and Twitter.
A Lazer Gun Show from Brisbane
11 Apr
In his epic War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy wrote “The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.” This was particularly apt because it took an inordinate amount of time and patience to write this work, which eclipsed 1,000 pages! I mention Tolstoy’s quotation because I have not posted on The Music Court since February. It’s weird typing these words, greeted once again to the blank “Add New Post” canvas. When I started the Music Court several years ago, I made you – the reader – a promise that I would never produce rushed, unimaginative content. Every post would be structured with care. You have responded favorably by helping us reach nearly one million views since our creation. Over the past few months I was simply unable to concentrate on writing keen posts for the blog. Thus, minus the excellent contributions from our concert reporter, Mimi Hong, I have let the blog sit (and my emails pile up). I am excited to write that I am back, and to celebrate my first post since April and thank you for your patience, I have an excellent Indie Pop single for you to check out from a band hailing from Brisbane, Australia!
Famous Apache Indian leader Geronimo once said, “While living I want to live well.” If I might be so bold, I’d like to add a component to this quotation – “live well” … and listen to great music. It should come to no surprise then that Hey Geronimo, the subject of today’s Music Court feature, is creating some top-notch, effervescent Indie Pop music that you should listen to … right now!
This sub-three minute jitterbug infuses upbeat rock elements with staccato beats and carbonated harmonies. These elements are all wrapped up into a loaded firework and shot off into the sky to explode with wild colors and shapes. And, like a firework, the music attracts the listener’s attention and doesn’t let go. Instead, it explodes in the ears of listeners like pop rocks. There is just so much energy in this song. The spacey electronics to the crashing drums are both incredibly effective. It’s an excellent release from an up-and-coming band.
Hey Geronimo released its sophomore EP back in November and has since been touring the new EP (Erring On The Side of Awesome) throughout Australia. The band has found permanent residence on several music charts seemed primed for break-out global success.
Follow the band on Facebook or Twitter. You can also check out its website.
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