March 27, 2024

Native Sun: Too Late

NYC rockers Native Sun keep it simple on their new single Too Late, taking cues from the classic punk playbook to unleash their frustration about the downtrodden, who can't get a break. So they gave them a voice instead. The video was made by Tim Nagle & Conor Cunningham.

Too Late is released via Grand Jury.

STÄSJ: Building A Cathedral

STÄSJ

Dutch electro-pop artist STÄSJ,, nom-de-plume of multi-instrumentalist and singer Stefanie Janssen, mixes avant-garde, post-rock, synth-driven New Wave, and vocal pyrotechnics on Building A Cathedral, an album about human condition. That is big subject to cover, but she pulled it off by going all out within self-proclaimed boundaries: being adventurous like Kate Bush and catchy a la Depeche Mode.

The cathedral is not an actual building, but a metaphor for the human body and mind. She tries to make sense of her surroundings and thoughts by going in at the deep end to find out what is all about and how to connect or get away from the hustle and bustle, when it all becomes a bit too much. Grief and joy are equal partners. Janssen pull it foff with poetic lyrical imagery, draped as an extra layer upon the meandering soundscapes and crunchy beats.

March 26, 2024

Steven Wilson & Tim Bowness: The Album Years 2000 Part #2

English musicians and music geeks extraordinaire Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness have posted a new episode of their podcast The Album Years. They talk about 2000, discussing albums by The Avalanches, At The Drive-In, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and a whole lot more. This is part #2 about this year. Also: the pair can be watched on YouTube now as well.

John Cale: new album "POPtical Illusion" in June; stream lead single "How We See The Light"

John Cale is quick to release a follow-up for his Mercy album. A new full-length, POPtical Illusion, will hit the shops on June 14 via Double Six / Domino:

Despite the album’s playful title, Cale’s second album in just over a year still contains the same feelings of fierce and inquisitive rage that were present in 2023 album MERCY. He remains angry, still incensed by the willful destruction that unchecked capitalists and unrepentant conmen have hoisted upon the wonders of this world and the goodness of its people. But this is not at all MERCY II, or some collection of castoffs, as throughout his career of more than six decades, Cale has never been much for repetition. His vanguard-shaping enthusiasms have shifted among ecstatic classicism and unbound rock, classic songcraft and electronic reimagination with proud restlessness.

The Second Summer: undertow

Chicago based power pop band The Second Summer are not afraid to sound big and emotional on their new album, undertow. With plenty of life experience they have the confidence - and more importantly, the ability - to capture the highs and lows they have met along the way. It gets a bit crowded sometimes, but the passion is real. It is a tug of war between vocals and guitars, with the rhythm section keeping it grounded with a tight but swinging backbeat.

Apparently, in some parts of the Windy City the Seventies never ended. The members of The Second Summer are keeping the flame of catchy melodic pop alive. Patrons of the Montrose Saloon may consider themselves lucky to hear them live on a regular basis, tearing it up on stage. Few things can beat the joy of hearing a band playing their hearts out for an appreciative audience. Go say "hi", and buy them a drink.