London Calling

Over the years, Americans have come to expect one thing from any proper English band: from The Beatles, to Queen, to The Clash, to Coldplay, we have come to expect a certain "pop sensibility" from British rock music.  The catchier and more infectious, the better.

As always, there is a wave of new bands from the UK waiting for their turn to make a splash in the US.  Here are 3 new bands (with 3 very catchy singles) that I think might do it:


THEME PARK

These guys are a bit of a mystery band.  I haven't been able to dig up too much information on them (their band name is remarkably un-google-friendly); but, listening to their single "Jamaica" was enough to make me believe that there could be big things in store for Theme Park in the future.





THE CROOKES

The Crookes hail from Sheffield, England.  The band has a no-frills approach to their music that is a throwback to great britrock bands like The Futureheads and Maximo Park.  The sound is very smart, and oh so British

The second studio album from The Crookes is set to release in the US on October 1.  Check out their first single entitled, "Afterglow".





THE 1975

This Manchester-based quartet has created a lot of buzz with their new EP entitled "IV.  Lead singer Matt Healy said that one of the band's largest musical influences is filmmaker John Hughes (which is extremely rad).

The 1975's first single off of the the EP is entitled "Chocolate", and it is best played at obnoxiously high volumes.

Uncovering: "Intimacy" by Bloc Party

Bloc Party burst onto the indie music scene when they released their debut album, "Silent Alarm" in 2005. Following the success of Silent Alarm, the band was widely considered to be one of the best new acts out of Great Britain in recent years.  Two years after Silent Alarm, Bloc Party enjoyed another warm reception from critics with their second studio album entitled "A Weekend in the City".  Then, the band surprised everyone by quickly churning out a third studio album that took them in a new musical direction...

Bloc Party released "Intimacy" in 2008.  The album was greeted with lukewarm reviews and was considered by many Bloc Party fans to be a "dud".  The harsh reception occurred for two reasons:

1.  Intimacy was a large musical departure from the first two albums

2.  Intimacy was ahead of its time.

Bloc Party delved fully into the world of electro-infused indie rock for Intimacy.  The album was drenched with synthesizers, drum machines, voice modulation, and everything else that has become commonplace for music in 2013.  Essentially, Intimacy was a taste of 2013 in 2008.  But, that was the problem.  People weren't ready for the sound of Intimacy, and the album was largely dismissed.

Bloc Party pushed the proverbial envelope with Intimacy.  The album was a masterful fusion of the worlds of rock and electronica.  Bloc Party correctly identified the future of music, and then they beat everyone else to the punchline.  

One of my favorite songs on the album, "Ion Square", is an ethereal ballad that builds wonderfully with layers of sound.  Something about this particular song sticks with you; as the layers build and the final chorus bursts into life you can't help but feel the emotion in Kele Okereke's words:

"I carry your heart here with me.  I carry it in my heart."



Although Intimacy never reached the popularity of "Silent Alarm" or "A Weekend in the City", the album was still a wonderful achievement.  Intimacy helped usher in a new era of music.  Perhaps the greatest aspect of the album is how well it translates in 2013.  Take a listen for yourself.  You might be surprised that the album was released more than 5 years ago:

Some highlights:  Trojan Horse, Talons, Your Visits Are Getting Shorter, Biko, Letter to My Son, One Month Off

Booyah Achieved

I bought my reasonably priced $15 ticket at the door because I procrastinated and didn’t utilize the Internet, and arrived at the venue about 25 minutes before the show. Tonight, I’m riding solo because I procrastinated and didn’t attempt a coordination effort with my friends in Austin. Ten years in the making brought me here…ok, my piece of shit truck literally brought me here, but I was not going to miss this show for anything. My excitement grew as the masses piled into the bar per usual, however, this time was different. I’ve seen this group of musicians gather numerous times, however, this time was different. This was the night I saw Minus the Bear celebrate their 10^th year anniversary of ‘Highly Refined Pirates.’ A celebration capped by performing the entire album from start to finish.

I love this band. This is not a blanket statement, like “I love cashews!!1” This group opened my eyes to the intricacies of music. Don’t let the eccentric song titles deter you, frontman Jake Snider (much cooler than Schneider) knew how to capture the feeling of a single memory in time. Their sound has grown over their long musical tenure, but their vivid song-writing, unique rhythm-guitar tapping and swirling synths style can always be found. Listening to “Hooray” you can feel the warm of whiskey in your belly on a snowy night back in your hometown for Christmas break. It just takes you there. 

This is music. This is feeling. This is Minus the Bear.

TV on the Radio Returns With New Single "Mercy"

TV on the Radio have returned with their first work since the tragic death of bassist Gerard Smith.  The new single "Mercy" is vintage TVotR with their signature blending of distorted guitars and melodic synths.  Take a listen:



I am especially excited about the return of TV on the Radio because they hold a very special place in my heart.  TVotR once saved me from a strange phase in my life.  Somewhere around my fourth or fifth year in college I got into dubstep; a little too into dubstep.  Then TV on the Radio released "Nine Types of Light", an indie rock masterwork.  I sat down to listen to the album and was immediately awakened to a harsh realization: I had been wasting the last six months or so of my life listening to some pretty crappy music.

I owe TV on the Radio a debt of gratitude for helping bring me back to my musical roots.

RIP Gerard Smith

Here's the particular track that brought me back to my senses:



Let's hope that the release of "Mercy" signals more to come from these guys.