Author Archives: A Servant

The Lighthouse and The Whaler: This Is An Adventure — Perfect For, Well, An Adventure!

When I try to describe music whether a person should or shouldn’t listen to a certain band, song or playlist, I try to link the music to an emotion or an experience. As I listened to This Is An Adventure by The Lighthouse and the Whaler, I found myself thinking of riding a bike through the city, taking a car trip with my girlfriend to go hiking, or cruising around with my friends searching for a new place to celebrate happy hour. The little adventures in life deserve a good soundtrack, and This Is An Adventure is the perfect album for your little daily-grind-breaking rituals and excursions.

The album gives the listener a cheerful, upbeat set of tunes that blend together in a quite accessible album. The album begins with chimes and poppy top-shelf drumming in “Pioneers,” while the lead singer waxes nostalgic with his lyrics about being a child again. “Venice” showcases the band’s ability to diversify by providing a simple, guitar picked melody made thoughtful by the addition of a violin slowly pulling notes in the background. The singer adding his own “oh-oh-oh-a-oh” chorus suites the string addition, and gives the listener a fun opportunity to sing along with (particularly this listener, who can’t sing to save his life). The track that the album is named after, “This Is An Adventure,” is a colorful, peppy song accented with some complex guitar melodies for the music aficionado.

The album creates a positive and pleasant mood throughout. And although lyrically the songs are introspective, they never lose that upbeat feel by becoming too mired in the seriousness that can come from introspection.

This is an album for feeling good! And with our hectic lives, This Is An Adventure deserves a place accompanying our little retreats from life’s strains.

’Pioneers’

’Venice’
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Native Daughters’ War Elephant:This One’s a Keeper!

When the post metal band ISIS disbanded, I was heartbroken. My friends tried to introduce me to other potential love-affair bands—Pelican, Russian Circles, Old Man Gloom. I was flattered, but I wasn’t ready. I mean, they’re cool bands and I do enjoy listening to them, but not on that level. They just weren’t my beloved ISIS. I almost gave up hope. Then came Native Daughters…

I may finally be getting over my heart break, because I’ve got a little crush on Native Daughters! The five piece band (two guitarists, a bassist and two drummers) offer lots to listen to, and to fall for, in this album.

“War Elephant,” the track which the album is named , contains a nod to influential post metal bands like ISIS and Neurosis by showcasing a slightly Old Western sound: The song opens with a brief narrative by what sounds like an old cowboy, spinning a story about a dream he had about being on horseback on a snowy pass, before launching into the music. The song moves the listener from twangy guitar riffs to crushing throbs of electric fury all carried by intricate, interlacing tribal drumming from two percussionists.

Native Daughters offers a little variety in other places of the album. “The Glowing” starts off with an uplifting excerpt from a speech about human consciousness, then builds a triumphant song with top shelf drumming and twinkling, high note guitar riffs that remind the listener a little of Explosions in the Sky and Red Sparrow. In other tracks like “Special Sauce,” Native Daughters provides a more feel good melody that reminds the listener of a more accessible Don Caballero.

Although Native Daughers may be still finding their musical identity throughout their debut album, their soul searching is natural for a freshman effort. And it’s a hell of a lot of fun to listen to their existential search!

In summation, Native Daughters a keeper; the kind of post metal band you can bring home to Mom and Dad: That is, if mom and dad don’t mind a little head banging!

’Native Daughters – GDS’
’Native Daughters – The Glowing’
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LULS: Anticipation and Release in “Young”

Out of all the things I love in the music world, it’s song creators with a sense of story. Lots of times, music fans mistake a sense of story as simply lyrical—the lyrics tell a story using words, much like the author of poetry or prose. A truly remarkable band, however, can create a musical story without relying solely on a lyrical story. Instead, they use the anticipation and release of emotion through instrumentals, in addition to lyrics, to achieve the same effect as well crafted lyrics alone.

LULS shows just the aforementioned ability with Young. Simple drum beats and chords in the beginning of the song mark out something of a heartbeat, which leads to a powerful crescendo of sonic electric guitar, base, and cried out vocals. The song vacillates between an easy following pulse to intense explosions of sound, gently guiding the listener through a series of emotion.

Great bands do this effortlessly, as LULS does here. Keep an eye on them on their soundcloud.

’Young’
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Supreme Cuts Live: Groovy, Bouncy…Giddy!

Saturday night I got the opportunity to see Supreme Cuts at the Bluebird Theatre in Denver, Colorado. Before I continue, I should state that I am not an electro aficionado. I’ve been to a few electro shows, and I’ve always been a little disappointed at the lack of showmanship on the stage. Many times it’s just a DJ hunched over in front of equipment bobbing, and a crowd dancing along. This was definitely not the case with Supreme Cuts! This is a live show worth seeing, even for non-electro fans.

Supreme Cuts brings raw energy to the stage. It’s apparent that they are literally constructing music in front of an audience, and as an audience member, it’s a kick to have a front row view of the creative process. Each song is a densely layered work of art: smooth ambient grooves topped with staccato electronic percussion blend together to make songs that you want to glide with and bounce along to simultaneously. And unlike many electro shows, watching Supreme Cuts perform the music is as entertaining as the music itself. Both members dance effortlessly between electronic percussion, turntables and mixers in a way that is so controlled — yet chaotic — that you would swear it’s choreographed.

The net result is a high energy, giddy show. Supreme Cuts has definitely won a convert in Denver. Check them out and see if you don’t agree.

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California Wives – High Energy Indie Fun

California Wives delivers some high energy indie rock for you with this preview; be one of the first to check out this up and coming band!

“Purple” opens with bouncy top shelf drums and shingles, accompanied by an electric guitar strumming along. The lead vocalist sings over the bubbly din just enough to give it a basic lyrical direction but is notably minimalist, allowing for the listener to focus on the proficient instrumentals.

“Marianne” contains a wink and a nod to the 1980’s, using a Springsteenesque bell chime that rings out the central melody over the rhythm guitar. Similar to “Purple,” the vocals are minimal and simple, floating over a bouncy and high energy indie tune.

The net effect of both songs is joyful and makes you want to jump in place, grinning like a seven year old. Well, you know. As long as no one you knows sees you!

Enjoy here–

’California Wives – Purple’
’California Wives – Marianne’
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Yuna: Playful Youth and Deep Wisdom

I would be surprised if this album was not a huge success, as there just isn’t much not to like here. Yuna’s throaty and breathless singing style reminds the listener of Leslie Feist and is effectively showcased by simple but moving instrumentals. As a lyricist, Yuna proves a pleasant paradox: in some moments she’s a young woman, expressing an adolescent wanderlust in “Planes,” then suddenly expresses deep maturity, singing about the symbolism of everyday items in “Decorate,” or the fleeting nature of physical beauty in “Fading Flower.” The band supporting Yuna does an excellent job of showcasing her talent, while playing with a number of different styles and genres.

Yuna has a lyrical theme that centers on the idea of the spiritual value of experience and memories expressed through a variety of musical backdrops. The album begins with the track “Lullabies,” introducing a drum beat that channels Massive Attack’s “Tear Drop” (the theme song for the show House for you youngsters out there) and slowly blends in simple piano chords and nostalgic lyrics about a lost first love. “Remember My Name,” has a playful, gospel feel, using only acoustic guitar, clapping and Yuna’s vocals for half the song. The band plays with other genres as well, bringing in an island sound to “Bad Idea,” and an urban sounding and almost Motown feel in “Live Your Life.” The net effect of the album is a simple message cleverly wrapped in a number of musical styles.

This album’s worth it, particularly if you’re a fan of the female singer/songwriter genre and even if you’re not. Yuna has a youthful feel and a meaningful message that penetrates much deeper than the narcissism of so many songs by young artists. I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of this young lady in the future.

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Ben Howard – Old Pine (Ianborg Remix)

If there’s something that electro fans struggle with, it’s communicating their love for the genre to non-electro fans. If you find yourself sympathizing with the aforementioned, look no further than this Ianborg remix to show your non-electro friends. You might even win a few converts!

Ianborg takes Ben Howard’s Old Pine song and does what truly talented DJs do: he creates a new piece of art using an existing piece–without losing the effect of original. Ianborg keeps the dreamy and nostalgic feel of “Old Pines” by carefully selecting and arranging key images in the original songwriter’s lyrics and giving them front stage in the remix. The song opens with a piano accompanying the original guitar work, setting the stage for a gentle transition into the electronic crecendo. The beat never elevates beyond to anything you could dance to, but serves as the perfect backdrop for the vocals to float through. The overall tone of the song would be perfect for a cocktail party with old friends, or the completion of a long night out with new ones.

If you are a fan of the original song, give this remix a whirl. Ianborg has managed to pay homage to this original folky hit while creating something new and remarkable himself.

’Ben Howard – Old Pine (Ianborg Remix)’
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