01/29/2018 10:14:14 AM
01/29/2018
10:14 AM
Royal Blood - Out of the Black
Wild video, really elevated the tune with the kinetic Superjail! style animation. It's a propulsive, fun song to begin with but the video brought it over the top. This would be pick of the (bi)week if I were in another, heavier mood. It doesn't even do anything special it's just a solid banger.
Protest the Hero - Skies
I'd really have to be in another mood for this one. Technically proficient and sprawling and it all just blows right by me, I feel like an old person in a wind tunnel listening to this. Or like it's set to 1.25x speed as the default. Or they got lost in the sauce of digital dexterity and forgot to deliver a hook. Or maybe I just need a few espressos before I can appreciate. I don't know how to identify the disconnect, but it's there.
The Roots - What They Do
Lasa - I think it's a headphones thing because these verses sounded crystal clear on my phillips. The Roots' instrumental work here is smooth is ever, restrained and flavorful even in the end jam. Black Thought is always has an understated control and Saadiq's voice sprinkles a little seasoning in between. I should listen to these guys way more than I do, they gel so perfectly and have an admirably holistic approach to their craft. Good selections this week!
The Go! Team - Junior Kickstart
Not since have GY!BE have I heard such a promising act with an exclamation point in the middle of their name. I'll take all the shaker and brass! they got. This is so rowdy and lo-fi it's like a garage big band. Why does that harmonica work so well? Tough choice between this and the Glass Animals song. Sweet changeup at 2:30. I'm all over the lively percussion throughout too, there's not really a weak point anywhere in the song.
The Ready Set - Killer
It makes me sad when these composite vids have a guy who plays all these instruments but only wears one jacket. I like costume changes! This type of music isn't my bag (vocals especially) and as much as I appreciate people playing real instruments I get the sense that I'm seeing more actual drumming than I'm hearing - are they even mic'd? I guess it's not impressive to film yourself clicking squares in a DAW even if it ends up sounding cleaner. Not a bad effort but this cup of tea ain't for me.
1 - Season 2, Episode 3
2 - Junior Kickstart
3 - What They Do
Out of the Black
While the Earth Sleeps
Kalamazoo
Down to the River
Skakin' Sweet
Enigma
Skies
Killer