Song of the Day 1/23/19

So we're at less than a month until the end and in that time I got a few things cooked up to post on here hopefully and one of those things is to cover all the songs that I give the most fucks about because they hold some special place for SOTD and with that in mind I think I should tell ya about what's probably one of my favorite songs ever.

Wolves(You Got Me)-DREAMERS

You know who fucking rules this god damn band and you know what got me into them? THIS FUCKING SONG!!!!

I remember at the time I covered this on that particular year end list I remember mentioning how this song reminded me of a song called Demon Dance with it's kind of throwback alternative tone and a set of lyrics that are simple but that impact me in a way that give it this explainable level of quality and hype that reminds me why I like these kinds of songs so much and over time it's really only continued to not only maintain that but have a host of positive memories attached to it.

These guy's where the first band to ever respond to one of my post about them on facebook when I first randomly made a post about how awesome this song is, I remember the first time I ever saw them live I was singing along to it front row and the lead singer gave me his pick, at that same show they signed my set list and wrote thanks for the kind words, and every subsequent time I've seen them this fucking song just hits me every single time especially the line, "You got me drugged up, you got me undone, falling in love like you do," at the end of the song it's just a fucking fantastic piece of music that doesn't often get the credit it deserves.

Yeah I love this song and you should to the guy's who perform it are swell dudes and will take all the fun selfies with ya...

Song of the Day 1/15/19

It isn't Love-Rachel Mallin and the Wild Type

Excuse me for a second while I fangirl out a bit on ya because this fucking group sometimes they just fucking get it.

HOLY FUCKING JESUS CHRIST ALMIGHTY IS THIS SONG FAN-FUCKING-TASTIC!

Ah ever since they dropped this little new wave tune on Spotify I've just been in awe people it's a simple song about the scary parts of love and relationships with a host of questions to ask about if the struggles make the relationship and how differences are a real thing (I'm into analogue, you're into digital) Rachel Mallin has written what's a very simple tune but the thing that makes it something special is it's lighter than air dreamy instrumentals and her just exceptional vocal performance.

There's a vulnerable charm to her subtle yet captivating singing that just hooks me in a way that she's yet to really do and in all honesty I get some these weird spine shivering feels whenever I listen to this song because of these slight vocal deliveries that are equal parts strong and sultry, weak yet confident, just the type of things I find myself obsessing over how to properly contextualize to you guy's but yet I fail at doing so beyond just telling you it's maybe the best song they've put out yet and to think I just originally remembered it as a captivating but overly feedback heavy live track the first time I heard it.

I like to give these guy's hell for not putting out I Pick Winners but when the songs coming out are this I can't be mad in the slightest this is a phenomenal piece of work you need to hear now.

Song of the Day 1-12-19

Black Soap-Ex Cops

You know I haven't done this in a hot fucking minute mother fuckers and as I'm making dinner listening to a YouTube feed of videos this song came up and I'm going to have to be honest with you this song is a FUCKING BANGER!

A slow start and some cooler than cool mildly new wave inspired guitar work with a heavy Joy Division tone you get this cooler than cool feeling that you're about to really listen to something tight just before Amalie Bruun's vocals kick in and you get something that's a little bit Shirley Manson esque and rather inviting before she just wallops you in the face with the chorus and it's exclamations about going to the city and drying your eyes you're instantly hooked on a tune that's very reminiscent of it's time in alternative music where bands like Metric where the rage and in some way it still feels like it'd fit in today's landscape.

This was rather high up there on that years best of list but I remember just kind of forgetting all about it for quite a while afterwards until I was going back through all my songs to write up about for these end of day's post and this song came up and yeah it's still probably more so now fucking fantastic and if you haven't heard it fix that RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

Sam's Best of 2013

The Mother We Share-CHVRCHES

If there was ever a time frame when 96.5 the Buzz truly defined me it was this year and looking back at that particular year end list it's like basically letting the machine dictate my taste and while there's a few odd ball choices here and there are plenty of tracks that are me doing exactly what they wanted, but even with that in mind this list holds a special place for me because even with that knowledge there's some genuinely great stuff on there and I really do legitimately still have a big adoration for this tune especially considering where this band went since then.

This song is really a sign of things to come because over the past couple of years the whole let's rip off Depeche Mode and New Order style really seems to have picked up steam and a host of new wave inspired tones are really starting to become a thing to the detest of some rock journalist and the joy and elation of some listeners I'm not a hundred percent sure my stance considering I like these things but at the same time it is a tone that could let more pop in than I'd care to listen to for any reason.

I like this band but I'm over the honeymoon phase and it was the day after one of their show's the following year that I had the worst day of my life so it's hard to look back on them too fondly or listen to a lot of music from this or the following year very fondly and while 2013-15 where some of the most involved and consistently strong year end list in retrospect they also happen to be soundtrack to a guy trying to cover up trauma.

Sam's Top 5 of 2018 #5

Well folks it's time to do this the top 5 tracks of the year as determined by yours truly and rather than to get too into details let's just get straight into today's choice with this pop infused bit of awesome:

#5

Blacklight-Yes You Are

Do you like new wave?

Trick question you fucking love that stuff and if you need a good example of why but with modern production advances and touches of the general evolution of modern pop music to give you the cleanest most dance ready tune you're bound to get stuck in your head well do I have something for you in the form of the all mighty Yes You Are's exceptional cut Blacklight.

Kianna Alarid's powerful fucking vocals are on full effect in this little pop cut from her first uttering of, “Baby you look like a stranger,” to her just BOOMING delivery of this songs chorus she commands your attention in a way that not too many other people in this city can and this song is just one of many cuts they have that showcase their overwhelming sense of professionalism present that makes them stand out well and above a good chunk of their peers.

With a fancy new video and an EP on the horizon this group is looking to take the catchy well produced and focused gems of their previous work and crank them to 11 and dominate 2019 in a way that you won't be ready for but you know you'll be dancing the whole time especially if the tunes are this deliciously 80's sounding.

Sam's Top 10 of 2017 #9

9. Teenage Bodies-Rachel Mallin + The Wild Type

Things got a whole lot more groovy all up in this bitch now didn't they?

With production courtesy of the all mighty Hembree's Isaac Flynn what we got here is a track that eludes plenty of 80's New Wave tones in it's heavy use of synthesizers with that patented surf rock vibe that little Mrs. Mallin and company are known for along with a vocal performance that has small hints reminiscent of a Cyndi Lauper with it's eccentric verses backed with a chorus that's about as pop perfect as it get's you get a late release tune I recall seeing get played in it's early stages of writing that managed to completely morph into something great whenever they got around to recording it.

This song is a step in a direction that is a bit different from the feedback heavy indie vibes of Dropout and Degenerate Matters scattered styles but it still maintains lyrics that are equally playful in both Mallin's vocal delivery and content from lines about cutting one's own hair and how growing older leads us all to take more of a conscious effort to, “Wake up before noon,” and put a better effort towards your psychical appearance that express the continued themes of growing into one's self that's populated this young performers output for the past few years.

They did an excellent little interview explaining the influences that created this track that you can view riiiiight....here:

Although I did manage to ask one Rachel Mallin what her's and the wild types plans for 2018 were and well the response was a simple list:

"Tour

Liberation

money

hopefully

new work

strong bands

more fans?"

-Rachel Mallin

Sounds like the making of the next great song to me.

These guy's rule and this song is a great late year tune that just kind of crept in and took me by surprise just how much I loved it keep on keeping on Rachel I see you really being some thing huge.

Honorable Mention

Had it All-Hembree

SO the last honorable mention to be had and boy was it a tune that grew on me just a tad too late in the year but considering the growth that this group has made since first being mentioned in the early part of my 2015 list I figured it'd of been a crime to not at the very least squeeze in this wonderfully larger than life tune.

"Had it All," is a bit of a change of pace from the kind of frantic rocker that was last year's, "Holy Water," to instead give us a very atmosphere heavy rocker that's carried by a chorus that just booms in such a way to make you feel like you're drifting to another world. 

The EP this song is from is WELL WORTH investing a few bucks to get a hold of because this is just one of many excellent tunes have helped shaped a group that's finally starting to break into the mainstream more deservedly so than even I could of ever been able to explain to you why.

Well folks that's all the honorable mentions for next week is the official start of the list where I'll be posting them throughout the weekday's around 6 or 7 central standard time so be prepared to have your face melted and mind blown at the sheer awesome to come.

Honorable Mentions

Miracle Maze-Jaenki

I've seen a lot of local acts do their thing and put out some great music and this list will be filled with a lot of it but if there's one band that I can honestly say sounds WAYYYY bigger than the sum of their parts I'd say it's definitely this little New Wave act.

This song is one slick ass mother fucking jam that has these kind of larger than life feel to it that feels like going on an adventure through space and time with it's very trippy beat and kind of frantic tone  that's offset with occasional slowdowns in pace here and there that end up giving you a track that just fucking kills and was a good launch pad to a year that included opening Buzz Beachball, doing a couple of select tour dates with Atlus Genius, and slowly plotting to take over the world because believe me these guy's have a sound that can easily fill a stadium it's just a matter of time before you can't get in there to witness it.

Sam's Show Recap 2/10/17

So before I get into details HOLY FUCKING SHIT!

Yeah so some context I skipped 96.5 the buzz's yearly Valentines day show because for lack of a better term I couldn't fucking do it there's a variety of reasons behind why we avoid certain situations and in this case I still can't stand certain things and as solid as the line up was none of it was worth dealing with a fair amount of people that for lack of a better word were going to kill my buzz, but with that out of the way HOLY FUCKING SHIT do I not regret that decision one fucking bit because yeah my fucking god this show.

I went to the Record bar yet again for a showcasing of local talent thrown by local label The Record Machine where they had local Kansas City acts Jaenki, Westside Royal, Pink Royal, and Westerners all play and yeah they all killed it so if the descriptions are short it's because the performances I was treated to this night were so good that I often found myself literally at a loss for words but let's try and piece together something for you people.

Westside Royal

Hold on I have to get this out of my system but....WESTSIIIIIIIIIDE! 

OK now that I've gotten the calling card out of my system this band is just damn great in every fucking way they brought the right energy that should be brought when opening a show and they continue to prove just how fucking great a group they really are because Michael Schley is a hell of a front man with a solid fucking voice and a way of carrying himself on stage that keeps your eyes on him, and this band rocked through a set of great tracks all full of bombast and energy that perfectly matches if not exceeds the album cuts on top of doing this excellent mix of David Bowie's, "Let's Dance," into their exceptional single, “Not the Same,” but the song that really stuck with me is a tune they are in the midst of recording known as, “Better,” which you can see in a video below this post from another show at the same venue because I didn't record video because I was too busy being blown away by it's 80's new wave grooves, kind of funk like bass work, and bombastic drum track this song is FUCKING AWESOME!

I very much advise you go out and download their EP So Wrong, So Well and see this band because they got a special something to be a real thing.

Westerners

This band was a surprise for me because I'd never heard them nor did I know what to expect and in all honesty they had a bit of a My Morning Jacket feel in their solid musicianship and jam vibes that I totally found myself really digging and I'd say they did a damn good job tonight they were a very pleasant surprise in every way and they provided an energy that had the crowd a rocking all through out their bad ass set.

Pink Royal

After about a 6 month hiatus to kind of regroup after their lead singer left for China for specific career reasons PINK ROYAL ARE BACK BABY with a fucking bad ass keytar to boot and tonight was a very welcoming return to form.

(Seriously look how fucking bad ass that thing looks)

Their playing was tight, the vocals quite great, the new songs just as great as the old but with a more rock oriented vibe and a bit more girth, and an energy that had the whole building a dancing and singing along this band just brought it and didn't let go and they gave me a show that proved why I gave a damn about this band to begin with I'm pretty pumped for them to put out some new music and do more touring so everyone else can enjoy one hell of a fucking show.

Jaenki

So....it's....I.....ok I'm just going to say it THIS FUCKING BAND HOLY FUCKING SHIT BATMAN I seriously was left flabbergasted after their set because they just straight up felt like they were on a whole other level of existence just an utterly captivating and mind blowing performance from a group that sound so much bigger than the sum of it's parts and seeing Miracle Maze live was just fucking phenomenal.

Being that every member of this act is just dripping with talent and all 3 vocalist know how to carry themselves and perform with a level of excellence that's almost unmatched you had a band that were so full, textured, and rich sounding that they gave me a show that sounded and felt like it belonged in a fucking stadium they just are too good for their own good and after seeing them perform and even now a day later for real I'm so flabbergasted trying to come up with the right words all I can really say is they're something special and they put on a show that was so good that words can't begin to describe why you should pay attention if you can see them don't question just do it and make sure to bring a bag to pick up the chunks of your mind that'll be BLOWN THE FUCK AWAY.

SO yeah this show was fucking great.

7 years 5 great tracks

So I haven't written about a group of songs in quite some time and there's a very special anniversary that's come today and that would be mine, yes people today Sam's Song of the Day is officially 7 years old and with that in mind I'm a do one of my favorite things a Top 5 list but rather than making a best of like I did a few years ago I'm instead going to highlight 5 tracks that you guy's should all be listening to RIGHT THE FUCK NOW!!!! maybe all at the same time if you're fancy but yeah I've done plenty of reminiscing on here and figure I'd take this year to be in the here and now so in no particular order here's 5 songs that I've on and off been rocking out to over the past few weeks starting with the newest release...

1. Be Good Boy-Momma's Boy

AH THE FUCK YEAH! Kansas City's best group of rockers are gearing up to release the much anticipated and surely spectacular Liquid Courage EP this month and on February 3rd they debuted the first single from the upcoming 6 track EP in the form of this spectacular surf rock cut, “Be Good Boy,” which is a racious little number with an infectiously catchy guitar groove, some stellar bass work, and an opening line I get stuck in my head ALL THE TIME! Seriously before this was recorded I'd get the line, “I See You Smoking a Cigarette,” stuck in my head all the god damn time partly because I'd heard this so many times when I've gone to see them play and because of my favorite story involving this band.

It was at the second show I saw them which was a house show called Manor Fest which they threw in their house and they were closing out the first of a two night extravaganza and during their set the guitarist and vocalist on this particular track Mr. Shaun Crowley had tried to use another guitar for a track and during the whole song the guitar wasn't working and as the song went on he got more and more frustrated before eventually saying fuck it and plugging back in his regular guitar with just enough time to finish out the song and to light a cigarette before then starting in on this very track singing that line with a cigarette in his mouth and I'm not going to lie that was probably the most bad ass fucking thing I'd ever seen somebody performing a show do which is kind of silly yes but you know what FUCK IT if you were there and you saw that you'd think, “wow that guy's a cool mother fucker,” and you'd be damn right because that was Rock and Roll as fuck and this song is about that bad ass so yeah you should go to bandcamp and download the fuck out of this and if you're cool you can throw down a dollar or nothing at all I'm not here to judge just to tell you to download and play this awesome track repeatedly.

Also if you're really fucking awesome you can go see these bad ass mother fuckers play this song live for their release shows of Liquid Courage on February 23rd at the Replay Lounge in Lawrence Kansas or on February 25th at the Tank Room here in KCMO where you can get a copy of this album on CD or Cassette if that's your jive but either way you owe it to yourself to see this fucking band because yeah they are fucking AWESOME!

2. The One Who Got away-Shadow Rabbits

ON the topic of bad ass Kansas City acts that I've seen and covered here on Sam's Song of the Day we have the very groovy Shadow Rabbits with a very kind of dreamy-indie rock song with very 60's psychedelic rock tones in the form of, “The One Who Got Away,” which I've had on a pretty steady repeat since getting to see them play it live and I just have to say GOD DAMN is this song good.

The vocals are just on point with a level of confidence that is just damn impressive, the production is retro but still clean, and the part near the end where she echo's the line, “You're the one who got away,” that just get stuck in my head and give the listener something to REALLY sing along to with a shit load of passion similar to it's lyrical themes that are pretty much explained in the title and admittedly are very minimal and possibly could stand to have a verse just kind of cut out for the sake of making it not drag on awkwardly but hey when you're harking back to a time of 3 minute rock tunes that's acceptable and of course that outro is just damn great.

This band is super dope people and I this track is just one of many they have available that are well worth your time to go check out.

3. To The Fire-DREAMERS

Now for me to talk about a band that I've covered for quite a while on here and who isn't from Kansas City and a band that I'll be seeing live again here next month with one of MANY exceptional cuts from their debut album, “This Album Does Not Exist,” in the form of this just fucking jaw droppingly great track, “To the Fire,” which is a very kind of 80's New Wave dreamy cut with a chorus that's just fucking pure unadulterated FIRE like for real I could just hear those echoing cries of, “Into the fire,” on endless repeat people because I just love the effects that they use on the vocals and the steady pace of this tracks instrumentals on top of those kind of dragged out echoed vocals and the run time of just 2 minutes and 50 seconds is fucking perfect because it makes the song stay around for just long enough to make you down right crave it.

For real it's super fast pace along with awesome structure and addictively catchy echoing woo's will leave you just saying, “To the Fire,” over and over as you hit repeat to unsuccessfully try to get this awesome piece of music out of your head.

I can't wait to get to talk to these guy's again so I can tell them how great they made last year with their support of Sam's Song of the Day over their Twitter and little fun fact they were actually the first band to ever comment on one of my song of the Day post whenever I wrote about how fucking bad ass a song Wolves is and it's something I'll probably always be a little bit proud of and one of many reasons why I'm so god damn fond of this band.

4.  Can You Deal-Bleached

Yet another newer band I love and have gotten the absolute pleasure of not only seeing twice but getting to talk to them personally Bleached recently announced that they're getting ready to put out a new EP and Zine called Can You Deal which you can read about on their various social media accounts and their website and they're also gearing up to tour with The Dammed for their 40th anniversary tour which is fucking wicked as hell but with all that in mind let's talk about this fucking bad ass new single of theirs.

Can You Deal is a very kind of 90's tinged grungy rock and roll track very reminiscent of something you'd expect to hear from a Veruca Salt or maybe the Pixies and Jessica Clavins Guitar Work on this track is very VERY good and I love her changing of pace when she goes from kind of softer parts during most of the verses before kicking things into hyper drive and just fucking pounding through the chorus and her solo around the 2:50 mark is quite nice and of course Jennifers Vocals are just more confident than ever and she seems to really feel this song from how she sings it.

This band get's progressively better with each release and, “Can You Deal,” from just this track alone sounds like it may end up being possibly better than Welcome to The Worms because this band is finding a groove and will be taking over the world before we know it.

5. I Palindrome I-They Might Be Giants

So I'm a go WAYYY back to ye mythical Year of 1992 with the second track to the masters of quirky 90's alternative rock They Might Be Giants partly overlooked masterpiece of an album Apollo 18, “I palindrome I,” which in the title and a lot of it's lyrics ironically enough is a palindrome which is just one of many examples of how this quirky little duo may be the most ingeniously intelligent band around.

“Some day mother will die and I'll get the money, Mom leans down and say's my sentiments exactly, You son of a bitch I palindrome I,” start a very kind of dark and almost jerky little number that again doesn't over stay it's welcome and is dripping with this bands patented brand of charm and spontaneity in it's rapid fire pace you're delivered a stellar track that'll wiggle it's way into your subconscious and serve as one of MANY reminders that this band is more than a couple of bad ass Looney Tunes tracks.

For real if you get the time look into this bands catalog because they have made a fucking shit load of REALLY good songs that are very quirky in nature but at times can be surprising in just how well written and clever they actually are.

SO there you go people 5 bad ass songs I'm listening to right now it's been pretty fucking fun to of been doing this whole site for the past 7 years which is still FUCKING CRAZY to wrap my head around because I didn't think just how long it'd been and my facebook on this day memories thing are loaded with my post of these different songs of the day's and I've written some cringe inducing shit for sure but at the same time this little project has also given me some fucking spectacular memories especially from all the people who've read the different post and told me how much they liked them those people are the fucking best and deserve the biggest thanks along with all the bands and artist I've covered thanks for giving me a reason to go on for 7 years and the years to come but hey let's quit being sappy and go ROCK THE FUCK ON!!!!!

Sam's Top 20 of 2016: #10

10.DREAMERS-Sweet Disaster

I can't lie I fucking love this band so much so that I literally bought a ticket to a show just because they were opening it and finally getting to see them play live FUCKING TWICE! Front row and getting the set-list both times is really something especially since Wolves is still an outstandingly phenomenal piece of alternative rock that only solidified itself as a song that I just can't help but adore whenever I saw them play it at both shows.

So whenever they finally put out their debut album, “This Album Does Not Exist,” I've been racking my brain trying to figure out which of it's other 10 bad ass dance able new wave tinged tracks I'd put on this year end list because in all honesty it's one of the few albums this year that I actually enjoyed and not only purchased but have managed to still listen to all the way through semi consistently since then without it wearing out it's welcome and that's quite the feat because almost all the acts that I've enjoyed years prior have just put out some real clunkers this year and in what's been maybe the most disappointing year of my life it's quite nice for at least one thing from the past year to be worth getting invested in.

Now what song could I possibly pick? Well in all honesty it was tough because, “DRUGS,” is a fucking bad ass tongue and cheek message to society, “Come Down Slow,” is an introspective feel good of a jam, and “Shooting Shadows,” is a personal favorite in it's deliciously dirty lyrics over a very ominously depressing beat but when I kind of listen to the album all the way through and think really hard about it I think this is one instance where I kind of have to go with the main promo single of the whole thing.

“Sweet Disaster,” it's a semi introspective feeling rocker filled with plenty of references to the likes of The Ramones, Rolling Stones, and Talking Heads in-between the various feelings of doubt in what's a sounds like a relationship that's been through a variety of things to lead to a crossroads and while the song has a very optimistic tone there's still an undercurrent of doubt in it's lyrics that help give meaning to the phrase Sweet Disaster and it's that theme among a lot of their tunes that like WOLVES before it I can't help but be attracted to.

These guy's are one of the better bands I've seen come along in qutie some time and I'd very much advise picking up their record because it's quite the listen from beginning to end and their live show is absolutely phenomenal.

Sam's Top 20 of 2016: #11

11.The 1975-UGH!

I have to give Matt Healy and company credit for really becoming a phenomenon in and of themselves off what was really quite a good debut album that I still feel is a strong record but if I were to be honest if there was a band I could say that I fell out any harder with it'd be this little group of Englishmen.

It's not to say their music is trash because on the contrary their newest effort, “I Like it when you sleep,” and the overly long title galore has plenty of good songs on it...that happen to sound just like a host of other more interesting musicians that either are more significant or are terribly underrated like INXS, but when they're good they are in-fact quite great and in terms of all the songs I can recall from what was the most spectacularly forgettable release of the year and of all the good ones that actually sounded like a genuine 1975 tune I'd have to go with this slice of groove in the form of UGH!

So this song is probably the best lyrically of all the tongue and cheek that this band is pretty well established in with my favorite line about how, “This song only last 3 minutes,” and it's actually 3 minutes which is very stupid funny I'll admit but when you contrast that with this song being a not so thinly veiled tune about Healy's drug habit over a very unassumingly catchy melody you realize just why kinds think their so edgy and cool listening to what's a formula that's been done for years.

Although I will admit formulaic or not this song is fucking catchy and I sang along to it way more than I'd think I would considering, “The Sound,” and, “Somebody Else,” are significantly better tunes overall but they both just kind of didn't really capture my attention or weren't really only good because of somebody else like a great local act doing a solid cover or sounding like one of Daft Punks best songs.

Overall I haven't lost faith in this band I just hate squealing obsessive teenage fan-girls and this groups fans are some of the fucking worst because they've yet to realize that they aren't a particularly good band as much as an incredibly fashionable one.

Sam's Top 20 of 2016: #15

15.BROTHER-Mobbin

I remember the first time I heard this track it was when I saw that they were opening for X-Ambassadors on St. Patrick's day and I wanted to get an idea of what to expect and this was the only song they had available for listening and whenever I got to see them I was a little too drunk to properly remember it which in all honesty is kind of funny when I think about it in retrospect but I guess that's kind of irrelevant here.

Fast forward to all of a few weeks later and quite a bit more sober I saw these guy's open this years Homegrown Buzz Showcase and I was impressed that this group that's a bit like Kansas City's 1975 put on one bad ass show so of course I made sure to follow them on the social medias and give a few more shows a viewing an over time they've really managed to grow and make some damn good songs that could help take them away from that local band that sounds like the 1975 title.

Now while I was really tempted to put their incredibly bad ass jam, “Rolling Thunder,” this songs success on the buzz has been pretty impressive and even now months later while yes it's a bit too much like the 1975 it's still a solidly catchy tune that still is really quite good and a great introduction to a band that can potentially go on to do some great stuff and I fully expect them to do so.

Song of the Day 8/30/16

Rolling Thunder-BROTHER


BROTHER are a KC based group that I've been wanting to write about for quite a while now ever since I saw them back in April but with only one bad ass single in the form of Mobbin' that for lack of a better term was pretty easy to describe in a single sentence I kind of decided to wait off until they decided to get another tune out to really get a comparison of just what this band is all about and they've done so with their newest cut in the form of a blisteringly catchy cut, “Rolling Thunder,” and it's a groover for sure.

If I were to describe this band to the unfamiliar I'd say their A LOT like the 1975 in that they have a vocalist with a voice that's equal parts frail as it is a good compliment to the synthesizer heavy groove laiden tracks that are equal parts catchy as they are reminiscent of a variety of sounds and influences and while Mobbin' is a very steadily paced number that's built on a killer hook and a really solid guitar line that has an incredibly New Wave feel to it again very similar to a 1975 and bands of that variety.

Rolling Thunder as a track gives me a lot of R&B feels with very simple lyrics like, “She moves like Cleopatra,” being carried by an infectious but simple groove that's very complimentary to the verses and Quinn Pudenz's voice has a kind of Mat Healy meets BORNS vibe to it that which is slightly frail but really focused on trying to deliver on all the high notes.

Overall this song is fucking dope people and I most certainly say you should give it a good listen and keep tabs on these guy's because I get the feeling that they're going to find a sound that can give them a bit of a distinction from some of the acts that they're very heavily comparable to and could be making a strong impact here sooner then later.

Song of the Day 7/7/16

Coastless-The Way

So I saw this band open for MOBS at their EP release party and I remember hearing quite a few good tracks at that show and figured I'd go check out some of their stuff and among the small selection of tracks available to listen to on their Soundcloud this one has been on repeat for me quite a bit.

The Way it's a very New Wave sounding tune that's reminiscent of a group like CHRVCHES with it's kind of 80's synth heavy sound and minimal guitar work here and there to remind you that you're listening to something more substantial than you're average pop song you have a steady little number that get's things moving.

The vocals exibit quite a bit of really good harmony and both members of this little group seem to bounce off one another quite well and showcase quite a good chemistry. This is a band who's visibly in the early stages of getting a sound to call their own but this song's a really good sign of things to come and if they do get to releasing their EP here soon I'll definitely make the time to give it a listen.

Song of the Day 5/5/16

The Sound-The 1975

So this year's been a bit slow in terms of newer music rolling in and actually making me take notice and while I'm aware this song and album have been out for quite a while now my inability to consistently write something until just recently has left me with plenty of time to really look into this song and kind of come up with my own opinions.

I'm just going to put it out there and say the new 1975 album at best is an alright collection of tracks that is more a couple of really good songs surrounded by mostly subpar tracks at least when compared to the album before it but I will admit what's good is pretty god damn good even if I have this bad habit of just thinking the songs sound like other artist.

The sound it is just a straight up bad ass danceable track with a slight addictive quality that leaves it stuck in your head for months at a time and with probably the most clever set of lyrics of any of the tracks on the album it's a wonderfully tongue and cheek little romantic tune that's more, “William it was really nothing,” then it is, “Digital Love,” which in all honesty it sounds almost too much like and leaves me wishing they'd of just took the guitar solo from that and put it inpalce with the one that already exist on the track because it's more a series of lazy held out notes that are effective but nowhere near as bad ass as Daft Punk tapping along that fret board.

Really this may be one of the best songs of the year and that's no bullshit from beginning to end with all the gospel like chorus' and that 1975 charm in Matt Healy's delivery you end up with a song that'll move you in some odd way and get you moving.

Song of the Day 5/3/16

So recently one Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees fame has recently announced that he's denounced the Mormon faith and has decided to drop a very strongly worded solo single and video to let the world know about this recent deceleration of loss of faith.

The song in question isn't bad it feels like a more electronic focused cut that could have fit onto the last Neon Trees album but hearing it so many times I think it's soul purpose as a song is to express an idea of a clash between religion and sexuality and the fact that he's gay and will never get a complete acceptance by the faith he's spent his life following his whole life and how he's done with it.

While it's nice to see him step out I kind of hope that this doesn't delay any new work from Neon Trees or at the very least his solo album have more variety in sounds instead of just doing kind of club beat sounding new wave but only time can tell otherwise here's a track that kind of acts as more a think piece and expression of a desire to expand one's material as well as being the first Song of the Day in god knows how long...

Sam Reviews a Video Songs I can't Listen To-Neon Trees

So Tyler Glenn is out and proud...wait we already knew that so I guess this video is just more him being adorable as hell showcasing the build up and decline of a relationship inter-spliced with band shots, some performance clips, and other random shit to kind of showcase the point of how emotions effect us all....and that's about it as typical as it sounds I'm highly disappointing really because this song is a pretty bad ass bit of 80's new wavey rock goodness and the video isn't really anything at all so I guess you can say rather then being underwhelmed with the single this time I just feel that way towards the music video....

Song of the Day 5/29/15

So I was at work and this song just kind of randomly came to mind and the fact that Playing the Angel probably had the strongest first few tracks of any album I've ever heard while also being a fairly religiously heavy record about repent and life which after 10 years is starting to finally show up to me which is kind of odd considering this track is an overly political piece that was very much accurate to my thoughts and feelings at the time and this little fan video is something to this day I still stand by....

Song of the Day 5/28/15

So for whatever reason I just can't get enough of this awesomely new wave tune in the form of Neon Tree's newest ode to a failed relationship in the form of this faced paced energetic rocker, "Songs I can't Listen To," which is an awkwardly appropriate tune when the occasions right and one accurate side effect of relationships gone wrong in it's exclamations of how music really can take you to a time and  a place and whenever someone ends something good those songs go with it which is saddening but still at the very least we can all accept it and of course rock out to this song which sounds like it'd of fit nicely tucked away in the middle of Picture Show.