Five Songs You Don’t Know But Should

Review by: Sean Kayden

Crystal Antlers – “Pray” – Not too familiar with this California band until the release of their third LP, “Nothing is Real.” This ferociously crafted tune is pure rock with heavy emphasis on guitar, bass, and drums. The last part of the song dazzles with crazy guitar riffs and the energy level throughout is beyond comparison. With heavy rock, garage rock, and punk rock at the core of its influence here, “Pray” feels entirely unique. As we get into a sleepy fall season, Crystal Antlers will make certain you’re wide awake throughout. Listen to this one with the volume turned all the way up.

Bear Hands – “Giants” – Perhaps not the most innovative song the band’s come up with, but “Giants” is explosively energetic. It’s an insanely catchy track that embodies this vaguely hip-hop sound. It’s not until it breakouts into the chorus, where we know this is a full-blown synth-pop song. In the lyrics department, there’s not a whole lot to be deemed spectacular. However, it’s the arrangements that make “Giants” a summer inspired tune that will liven up your cool autumn days.

Los Campesinos! – “As Lucerne/The Low” – Los Campesinos! continues to make good albums over the years. Their fifth LP, “No Blues” is no exception. One of the best records of the year, Los Campesinos! truly make beautifully executed pop music. “As Lucerne/The Low” starts off with the line “There is no blues that can sound quite as heartfelt as mine.” However, frontman Gareth Campesinos never succumbs to whiny, self-indulgence. While sarcastic, self-aware lyrics have always been a staple for the band, “No Blues” feels much more mature. The band from Wales is still having fun, but the record balances earnest lyrics and lighter arrangements. “No Blues” is a display of band aging, but never losing their whimsical youthfulness that makes them who they are and who they seemingly will always be.

Motorama – “Winter At Night” – Russian indie rock act, Motorama continues their trend of incredible song making. “Winter At Night,” the light as a feather b-side to their new seven inch single, “Eyes,” is an extraordinary gem. Motorama, topping my best of 2012 list, are at it again with effervescent melodies and smooth guitars. Influenced by New Order and The Radio Dept,, the dream-pop rockers craft such an indelible sound that it is almost criminal how they’re not bigger in the indie scene than they are. Motorama is one of the best bands out in today’s music scene and yet in the US, they’re virtually unknown. Something just doesn’t add up here.

Shine 2009 – “Running Around” – “Running Around” is off Shine 2009’s latest sophomore record, “Our Nation.” The Finnish duo’s recent track is snyth-infused that’s both soulful and downtempo. Shine 2009 definitely have a distinct style of all their own. They’re an unconventional synth-pop group that has plenty of flair and poise to spare. “Running Around” is a very elegant tune that will put you in a hypotonic state of mind.  The duo’s beats will utterly pull you in and have you become lost on the dance floor. Dreamy and as smooth as any song released this year, Shine 2009 have positioned themselves to which it would be inconceivably wrong if they don’t have a big year in 2014.   

Mutual Benefit - Love's Crushing Diamond

Artist: Mutual Benefit

Album: Love’s Crushing Diamond

Label: Other Music Recording Company

Release Date: October 25^th, 2013 (Digital Release)

Review by: Sean Kayden

Mutual Benefit is the experimental baroque folk project of Jordan Lee. He’s been releasing music for several years, but “Love’s Crushing Diamond” marks his first proper LP release.  Already a buzz artist for a few years now, this debut record may launch the man from obscurity to indie folk stardom. “Love’s Crushing Diamond” may only be seven tracks in length, but these ardent tunes are entirely heartfelt. The arrangements consisting of guitar, violin, banjo, percussion and other interesting sounds are always graceful and heavenly. However, what really pulls you in is Lee’s fragile and elegant voice that sends chills down your spine. His ability to create these atmospheric sounds is relatively stunning. There is optimism and a yearning latched onto the record even when the songs appear to be downbeat and somber. “Love’s Crushing Diamond” is romantic at heart but the record runs deep creating an emotional landscape filled with beautiful experimental sounds, emotive vocals, along with celestial arrangements. “Love’s Crushing Diamond” is filled with hope when all hope seems gone these days.

Lee’s whispery vocals occupy the record and the results are rather lovely. On “Golden Wake,” Lee boldly states, “we weren’t made to be afraid.” This sentiment is kind of a theme for the record. A collection of songs to get yourself back up from the ground, stand tall, and take care of those you love. The record glides as much as it moves you in ways you could only wish for in a record. The music seems more like art than anything else. It’s a canvas with panorama of meanings. Each listen may give you another interpretation. “Advanced Falconry” is the most expansive track and undoubtedly the best one. The romanticism on display is divine. It’s a sweet, gorgeously crafted song that would have one becoming lost within their personal daydream. Lee isn’t heavy handed with his lyrics. The harmonies found on “‘Let’s Play/Statue of a Man,” are exquisite.  Lee sings, “There’s always love/when you think there’s none to give,” which stays true to the idea that “Love’s Crushing Diamond” is idealistic even in a world increasingly becoming disparaged.

The debut record from Jordan Lee is truly an accomplishment. I believe that the album is quite effective, as all the songs feel super connected. “Love’s Crushing Diamond” is an album you’d have to listen in the comfort of isolation. If you allow it to sink in, you’ll be quite stirred by the experience. It’s one of the better folk type records to come around this year. Lee has constructed a small album with a big impact on the human spirit. Just like with love, if you let this album get inside, you’ll be amazed at what it can do. And if love is truly the answer, then this album is the medicine for an ailing heart.

Grade: 8.5 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Golden Wake,” “Advanced Falconry,” “That Light That’s Blinding,” “"Let's Play" / Statue of a Man”

Heavenly Beat - "Prominence"

Artist: Heavenly Beat

Album: Prominence

Label: Captured Tracks

Release Date: October 14^th, 2013

Review by: Sean Kayden

“Prominence,” the sophomore release from John Pena a.k.a. Heavenly Beat is essentially the first album revisited all over again. Some may deem it a dead on sequel to 2012’s “Talent.” Since the first album was a pleasant surprise it’s not all that alarming this one is too. Moreover this was also a complete departure from the previous band (Beach Fossils) he was a part of. The tropical pop resonance with daydream lyrics is a fitting fall season release. The lulling arrangements may alleviate some past wounds one may still have. While I mentioned the album feels identical to the first record, it goes a bit deeper. Pena is more comfortable in his own skin now and it shows with his lyrical abilities. The music here is a bit morose, but he’s able to liven things up from time to time.  Another key component to Pena’s signature sound is the grouping of sounds that stem from popular music of other countries. However, “Prominence” lacks variety, which makes it the experience a bit stale toward the end of its 9-track run. The songs are better played throughout a mix CD, popping up periodically, instead of listening the record track by track.

The echoed low voice of Pena is extremely calming. With his proclivity for electronic beats, lush, and layered melodies, Pena is a masterful composer of pop-orientated songs. At the same token, most songs blend together, making it rather difficult to differentiate the tracks. I’m a fan of Pena’s work, but I find myself bored with the album as it comes to a halt. It’s less than 35 minutes in length, but feels greater since most songs have overlapping sounds. Heavenly Beat creates a very ethereal atmosphere from beginning to end. The record sort of glides throughout, but could be due to the lack of diversity. With nearly every song sounding overwhelming similar to the next, the record never takes a much-needed detour. One of the better tracks here is, “Expectation.” Sure it’s not a whole lot different than the other songs, but Pena’s voice is a lot clearer here. The lyrically gloomy tune displays words such as, “I wanted that and so much more/won’t accept that I lost out/it hurts to think that all I’ve felt was only leading me nowhere.” Overall, it breathes such beauty and warmth. “Forever” is another highlight that has Pena painfully reciting the lines, “can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel awful,” and “it’s so hard believing there’s nothing more I could do/forever’s a long time to spend hurting for you.” The man’s sensitivity shines throughout even if sometimes it appears more on the doom and gloom side.

“Prominence,” is a decent record that puts on display a musician with many talents. However, it would be great to see (and hear) what Pena can do beyond this sound he’s cultivated over the span of two albums. I will say his music doesn’t sound like any other American musician since the influences span different cultures. While I applaud his creativity, I can’t say that I was utterly enamored by this experience. There are things to appreciate with “Prominence,” however becoming completely stimulated by it may not be the case. Heavenly Beat has a lot of potential but with “Prominence” it’s only shown in small doses. Not bad by any means, just kind of substandard seeing how Pena has a lot going for him artistically.

Grade: 6.5 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Honest,” “Forever,” “Expectation”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - "The Speed of Things" Review

Artist: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. 

Album: The Speed Of Things

Label: Warner Bros. Records

Release Date: October 8^th, 2013

Review by: Sean Kayden

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., the Detroit duo, cook up carefree, pop-induced tunes for their sophomore record, “The Speed Of Things.” The band’s first record, “It’s A Corporate World” demonstrated the guys proclivity toward humorous lyrics and saccharine electronics. With their latest LP, they expand their sound, but keep within the same realm. The debut record was a modest outing from Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott, who came from other bands to join forces. However, “The Speed Of Things,” shows the band to be more comfortable with the sound they’re conveying. They made not be treading new ground entirely, but the catchiness and ramped up melodies on the sophomore release exemplifies much improvement.

“It’s A Corporate World” offered many simple compositions. I never thought the album fully came together as a whole. The band had a few innovative ideas that sprawled over the course of a few songs, but exhaustively ran out of gas midway. On “The Speed Of Things,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.  keeps the energy flowing quite smoothly. They know when to slow it down like on “I Can’t Help It.” This tune shows a different side of the band, more melodic, more sensitive. I prefer the toned down electronics rather than completely going overboard with them. There’s still a carefree vibe attached to most of the songs they perform, but something about this album feels more grown up. They may still be delivering the fun without being taken too seriously. However, the growth they’ve made from the last record to this is rather striking. There is still a lightness to be found yet this records runs much deeper than previous material. The harmonies are in full force here especially on “Dark Water.” Epstein and Zott effortlessly pull off Beach Boys style arrangements.

With a combination of fast and mid-tempo tracks, glowing harmonies, and a penchant for dazzling electronics, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. surprised me with this latest effort. I thought they only had a decent first outing which inevitably led them falling off the grid for me. Now they’ve come back with such a cool, nearly seamless second LP that impresses me a lot more. When the interlude hits, it tilts the record into a slightly slower speed from then on out. Nonetheless, it’s still incredibly joyous. “A Haunting,” puts on display a different side to the band. It demonstrates a more heartfelt, serious tune compared to their appetite for lightheartedness. “Run,” is probably the best track here. It’s high energy, super charged electronics and purely addictive sound makes it one of the most entertaining songs of the year. “War Zone” is absolutely intoxicating.  It’s another prominent song for the band. In the end, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. might not take over the world with this record, but it’s a great addition for anyone looking for a good time with an album that balances buoyancy and sensitivity in a near perfect fashion.

Grade: 8.3 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Run,” “I Can’t Help It,” “Don’t Tell Me,” “War Zone”