AYYYY WASSUP. So, Clark's shift is running late, and he won't be posting his portion of the music reviews until later tonight. I've opted to go ahead and post mine to keep things moving along and also because if I don't post it now I will likely forget because I'm a terrible human being. So, that's that, and here's this. Cheers. Song: Barnacle Goose Artist: Born Ruffians Album: Red, Yellow, and Blue (2008) URL: http://tinyurl.com/RuffGoose I really hate to say this, and I think this is going to become probably a regularity in these reviews between Clark and I because of our differing music preferences, but I’m not sure I enjoyed this song. I feel like, while definitely belonging to the target demographic of “people who just don’t understand what the frick is going on in their lives but are just trying to get by day to day,” it is simply so stylistically different from things that I enjoy that it’s REALLY hard for me to give a good review. I didn’t much care for the vocal stylings - to me, it was reminiscent of Bob Dylan singing Punk/Folk/Rap with his only three friends who happen to be clones of himself. Musically, the song wasn’t lacking talent or drive in any way. It was a bit repetitive, but not in what I would call a negative way. Lyrically it was uninspiring while still covering things that are relatable and important to the audience. Final Score: QWE I just wasn’t the right guy to listen to this song, is all. Please don’t hate me, Clark. <3 Song: Horchata Artist: Vampire Weekend Album: Contra (2010) URL: http://tinyurl.com/riceandcinnamon Now THIS was a song I really got into. I’ve always been a passerby of Vampire Weekend, where people might play it in their cars and I could dig into it. I had never actively sought out a track by them, and this was, I think for me, a great introduction to transition from my current musical library. The first thing I did was look up what horchata was - a non-alcoholic drink made from rice and cinnamon - in the hopes that it would clear up the meaning initially (it didn’t). Then I paid more attention to the chorus bits rather than the lackluster horchata rhymes, which felt a bit forced to me, and I found myself revelling in a song that was about one of the most common elements in my life as a metahipster; nostalgia. Oh, sweet bitter nostalgia. The dichotomous nature of this sensation haunts me at least thrice a week, managing to mostly carry my life to ruins. This song, to me, did well to portray the idea of nostalgia, particularly relating to a person. The song itself was musically very pleasant. The singer did well in his runs during his horchata lines, and I enjoyed the soothing and calm instrumental which picked up with some good old fashioned “woah-ohs,” and I always appreciate some good woah-ohs. Final Score: QWERT The only drawback for me was the slightly unremarkable/forced horchata lines, as far as songwriting is concerned. The song itself was really, really enjoyable. Song: On Your Porch Artist: The Format Album: Inventions and Lullabies (2003) URL: http://tinyurl.com/intothesunalone I genuinely thought I was listening to a Ronnie Day tune the moment I stepped into the gentle acoustic melody that was accompanied by a familair gravely-but-soft voice. Generally speaking, I’ve never been a fan of that style of singing, but I gotta say, Ruess really pulls it off in this track. This song is one of those songs you think of after you’ve moved out, after you’ve made a life for yourself, and after you’ve nearly forgotten all of your own awkward and small family moments. It reminded me of days when, even into High School, sometimes I would just walk into my Mom’s room after school and before I went to sleep (post secondary/weird sleep schedule), and she’d be sitting in bed watching some weird daytime television on her 13-inch cathode television where the color was messed up no matter how much I fiddled with tint and contrast and brightness, and I’d just sit down on her bed. We wouldn’t really talk. She might ask how my day went, I might tell her about some girl trouble - but really, it was this greatly human moment of just the two of us taking a moment out of our day to not think; to just stare at Jerry Springer and zone out in the company of a member of our very scarce family. To just sit with someone you know loves you and not have to worry or wonder; that’s what those moments were. And that’s what this song reminds me of. The guitar melody was incredibly pleasing to the ear. It carried Ruess’ vocals really well from start to finish. Ruess is and always has been a talented songwriter - I’m looking forward to more from him for his 2015 summer solo record. Final Score: QWERTY Please excuse me while I go feel some feels. Yo late night readers. Clark here. Sorry I’m writing so late. Had to work late today. Anyway, Jaron had some pretty rad suggestions for me this week. So, Let’s get into it. Song: No Eyes Artist: Baths Album: Obsidian (2013) URL: http://tinyurl.com/sexbaths So, first up we’ve got “No Eyes” by Baths. I have known of Baths for some time now. But, much like Jaron’s experience with Vampire Weekend, I never actively listened to him. So, now having actively listened to “No Eyes,” I would like to say HOLY CRAP THIS SONG IS SAD. Although the songs meaning is hidden behind some pretty upbeat and relatively happy music, once you listen to the lyrics, we see a much darker side to the song. Wiesenfeld seems to be struggling with a serious addiction problem (most likely sexual). We see this in lyrics such as “And it is not a matter of if you love it” and “But it is only a matter of my fix.” As the song continues, towards the end of the sog, the happiness slowly fades as he begins to passionately scream the lyrics. This gives us a glimpse into how this addiction is truly affecting him. I really respect how honest this song is. Wiesenfeld’s honesty really struck me and made me want to listen to what he had to say even more. Musically I thought it was pretty cool. Although, I didn’t think it was necessarily phenomenal. I really think his vocals are what drives this song. If I had one criticism, I would say that it is a little repetitive. But, it honestly wasn’t that big of a deal. Overall I really dug this song’s sound and was pleasantly surprised with Wiesenfeld’s honesty about such a personal problem. Final Score: QWERTY It’s about time that I listen to more Baths. Song: Asleep Artist: Geographer Album: Innocent Ghosts (2008) URL: http://tinyurl.com/sleepygeographer Ok… So, overall I thought this song was fine. I didn’t think it was bad, but it didn’t really do anything all too “daring.” I’m not saying that I expect every song I like to be all out crazy town. But, I felt like everything about this song was just safe. The music is ok, the vocals ok and the lyrics are EXTREMELY repetitive. Which if you haven’t guessed yet, I am not a fan of. Now don’t take these criticisms as me saying that this is a bad song. It truly is a good song. It has solid music, solid vocals and lyrics that while repetitive, are interesting.. I just felt like I wanted a little more. Final Score: QWER All in all good song, but not my favorite. Song: The Cockroach Artist: Glowbug Album: Suit of Swords (2012) URL: http://tinyurl.com/themostamazingofamzingsongs *sigh* Let me start off by saying… HOLY CRAP I LOVE THIS SONG. Seriously. This songs sound is amazing. It’s recurring bass drops mixed with it’s synthetic sound and Anderson’s unique vocals make for an absolutely phenomenal listening experience. I have known about Glowbug for awhile, but much like Baths, had never devoted too much time into the band. Let me tell you… That is going to change. Like now. As I am writing this I am downloading his discography. Yes, the lyrics are repetitive, but it sounds so flipping cool that I don’t care. I just want to hear it over and over and over AND OVER AND OVER AND OOOOOVEER. Lyrically it’s pretty rad. After listening to the chorus it’s name of “The Cockroach” seems very fitting. As far as the general meaning behind the lyrics, my brain is too tired to look into it lol. But, on the surface level it could be about a stalker? My guess is that it’s probably deeper than that, but I am too tired to look into anymore. Sorry bro :\ In closing I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG AND MUST OWN EVERYTHING BY THIS BAND.
Final Score: QWERTY SO SHOULD YOU. Thanks again for checking out this weeks session of Blind Music Reviews and we'll see you on Friday with a new set of Blind Film Reviews! Thanks again!
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