I wasn't 100% sold on the standalone single, Hurt, at first, it's definitely very simple and restrained for them, but it's grown on me and it's really catchy. Great band live too.
So last week I got paired with @mad and they gave me the following album to review: Palehound – A Place I’ll Always Go (2017) So I'd never heard of this band before but a quick google tells me they're an alt-rock band from the US and that this is their Sophomore album. I’ve been really busy recently so I haven’t listened to this album anywhere as much as I’ve wanted to but on the couple of listens I’ve given it I enjoyed it. They play indie/alt-rock with quite a throwback to the 90’s in their sound, especially in the guitar tone on this that could’ve been taken straight out of a Built To Spill or Pavement song. They’re fronted by Ellen Kempner who has a lovely soothing tone to her voice, from the lyrics I’ve picked out she seems to be good at laying everything out there for people, singing about love and loss and having to grow up. If You Met Her particularly seems to be a real gut puncher of a track lyrically. So to sum it up I’ve really enjoyed this album so far and I can definitely see myself going back to this album when I have some more time, especially as I haven’t really been able to fully take in the lyrics to this yet. Thanks for a great rec @mad Favourite Tracks: Carnations, If You Met Her, Flowing Over RIYL: Indie music with a 90’s Alt Rock throwback to it.
Great review! I actually agree with it. I liked this record when it came out back in the day but I listened to it this week and it's not half as fun as it was 9 years ago.
Haha cheers, I was nervous about putting a more negative review up, and tbh this is maybe a little harsh, as I don't think it's bad, simply a little safe. But thanks for the rec!
From @iCarly Rae Jepsen: The Be Good Tanyas - Hello Love Had a feeling whatever Ian gave me would be right up my alley. This is just a really good, loose alt-country record. Never feels rushed or like they're really working too hard, which is perfect for a summertime record. The first part of the record cruises along pleasantly without any major high points, but then it hits "Draft Daughter's Blues" and "A Little Blues" and absolutely takes off. These guys can play. Some really awesome fiddle and banjo in there. The album as a whole is very good and whether the lyrics support it or not, it's a very sad album. Like I want to listen to it almost exclusively at night with whiskey.
here are my late and lame write ups! @Nate_Johnson gave me The XCERTS - Hold On To Your Heart This is the first full length I've heard by these guys having only heard a handful of songs before. There are a lot of fun songs on this album but I found it could have used more variety. Most of the tracks have the same energy/feel to them so they started to blend together a bit. I'll probably listen to this more once it stops being so grey and rainy here, it definitely feels like a spring/summer record. @ugman_2000 gave me The Jezabels - Prisoner First I've ever heard of this band. Very cool and dynamic album with amazing vocals. I'll definitely be paying more attention to this band now that they're on my radar! favourite song: thanks for the recs guyzzz
That XCERTS album is def a spring/summer album, I didn't get into it when it came out but recently it's been in heavy rotation.
For grey and rainy give the early Xcerts records a shot especially their first two records gonna fit the bill nicely. The third one is a nice bridge between those 2 records and the new one.
I was paired with @anonimito this week. We are braving 3 record this week, and the first one I listened to was Dominique Fricot- Sweet Little Fantasy. They described the record as “He's an alternative artist from Canada with a bit of 80s influence - gorgeous songwriting and lyrics” I didn’t really hear a lot of 80’s influence which I was looking forward to, but the gorgeous songwriting and lyrics were definitely there. Dominique’s voice reminded me of various people throughout the record. I’d say if I had two people to compare him to, it’d be a mix of Chris Martin(Coldplay) and Simon Neil(Biffy Clyro) which is definitely a compliment. The record has a range of songs. It had bluesy moments musically and the way he delivered his vocals like “Sweet Little Fantasy”. It had acoustic ballads including a short and sweet ballad towards the end of the record “Hermit In The Park”(accompanied with an orchestra) and some piano ballads like “Saddest Thing”(also accompanied with an orchestra) and “Those Eyes”. “Those Eyes was a good example of how sometimes his lyrics were very literal but effective in their delivery as he swoons the person he’s singing about “Love your eyes, your eyes, your eyes” The record didn’t have the great flow, as there were so many different musical styles incorporated into the record, which would probably be my only complaint. The record ends with “You Can’t Leave Me” (with an unexpected F-Bomb) and the last track “Mother’s Day” The last track is one of the best, and most unique songs on the record. It sounds like it could fit in Maroon 5’s Songs About Jane, or Matchbox 20’s Mad Season easily. He has a pretty small discography, so it’ll make it pretty easy for me to catch up on his music! Thanks for the good recommendation @anonimito ! Favorite Songs: "I Miss The 80's" "Granville Bridge" "Those Eyes" "Saddest Thing" "Hermit In The Park" "Mother's Day"
Great review! I'm very glad that you ended up liking it! He has a new album out soon, and it's very, very good. A couple tracks are out on bandcamp! I think maybe my memory of 80s influence comes from some b-sides of his mostly, but I do feel it a bit in "I Miss the 80s," for sure, since it fits with the lyrics so well. I do agree about the flow of the record. I've toyed with other orderings, but I haven't found one I like better than this one yet.
Great reviews Maddy, glad you enjoyed the albums. You should def check out The Jezebel’s EPs prior to that album as they’re amazing too. I’m not so familiar with their latest but it sounded quite good in the couple of listens I gave it last year.