Our First American Friends

When I was first introduced to Tubelord, I was immediately intrigued and the intrigue hasn't ceased for a second. The band is made up of four members all hailing from Kingston Upon Thames, England which serves as an interesting geographical location for music. Their geographic location allowed them to reinforce their sound due to their proximity to other similar sounding bands including This Town Needs Guns and Tellison. Every aspect of the band's sound seems enormously genuine and yes, unique. They fuse power pop, alternative rock, and whimsical math rock in an affecting way that seems so overwhelmingly precise and coherent that its hard to overlook. Its rare to find a band that utilizes each instrumental element of sound to its ultimate potential, and I can safely say that Tubelord exceeds at doing so.

The subtle ways that each fragment of sound plays off of the other provides endless entertainment in attempting to understand the artistic intentions of the musicians. Perhaps the most admirable quality that this band holds is their ability to effortlessly control the opposing tempos that may be included in a song. A piece can go from a highly energetic rhythm to a subtle and emotional so flawlessly to a point where the band's artistic integrity can not be denied. Another aspect of the band that interests me is the interchangeable talents that each band member holds. I've seen videos of the band collaborating and it is clear to see that the musical responsibilities of one facet of the sound can be handed over to almost all of the other band members. This is an inexhaustible resource for bands because it allows their sound to be dynamic and to evolve and for members to see eye to eye on artistic choices. The final aspect of this band that I enjoy so much is the lead singer Joseph Prendergast's vocal ability and the actual pitch of his voice. His lyrics are endlessly entertaining as they explore everything but the mundane while still remaining on a real level.

This album has an acoustic counterpart named One For The Grandparents which is equally dynamic and satisfying as the original while still being very different in terms of artistry and even structure. I am very interested to see the direction that the band chooses to follow. I can only hope that they man up and decide to tour overseas..

Stacey's Left Arm (don't be thrown off by the video haha)

                                                  He Awoke on a Bench In Abergavenny

Although I like every song on this album, these two will suffice.

American Art

I have recently been recommended this album by a friend so I haven't had a great deal of time to understand, appreciate, and analyze the album in its entirety. However, I have already become hooked and the album has been playing on repeat. The band's name is Weatherbox and the album that they have artfully put together the eponymous album American Art. Although it may seem a daunting task to  present your album "American Art", Weatherbox's youthful elements allow them to veer away from pretentious labels. In terms of my teenage mind, American Art can be seen in no other direct and immediate way than through this medium. It may not be perfect, but the album's title ultimately lives up to the music produced. 

 The band's style has definitely been heard before. I would describe it as a combination of punk rock with progressive and indie influences that are clearly seen. The aspect of the band that brings the sound out of a dull regurgitation of past styles is the emotionally charged vocals of the lead singer Brian Warren. In a review by Julia Conny she compares his vocals to that of Max Bemis (one of my favorites) in saying that his style, "is a defiant yet still vulnerable half-song/half-preach, and the howling compared to Bemis’ is undeniably similar". Warren's voice brings the music out of the drab and into the extremely dynamic sound that results from the fusion. The songs do sound redundant at times, but the album has enough musical greatness focused in some songs to carry the rest of the album with ease. A great deal of pathos is invested in the tone of the singer and the self-reflective lyrics reinforce the emotional engagement. All of these elements combined provide a unique sound that doesn't tire easily. The progressive elements of the band sound allow for this. I will continue to listen to this album until I cease to have the desire (which is unfathomable at the moment). 

Because this is one of the earlier albums (2007), I will continue to follow this band to see the improvements and contributions they will make to their sound. 

Drop the Mike (yes, the lead singer raps in this song)

Wolftank, Doff Thy Name

The Fiery Works I&II

A band that is increasingly becoming present in the music scene is Brooklyn based band A Great Big Pile of Leaves (the name may have to grow on you). From humble DIY recording methods, they have recently toured with big time contenders that include but are not limited to Saves the Day, Motion City Soundtrack, and The Appleseed Cast. AGBPOL first played at a local church near my hometown and I was struck dumb at the sound of them. Their set had professional quality and the music was exceptional. Pete Weiland's powerful yet trailing vocals matched with Tyler Soucy's technical yet soulful drumming proved to be an amazing listening experience. I caught myself in dance mode in no time. 

In general terms, The Fiery Works (I&II) has the musical consistency of a fusion between indie rock, jazz, pop, and undertones of blues. However, limiting this band to commonplace genres should be avoided. They have such a unique sound that is rare and almost unprecedented in my experience. Melodic guitar and vocals backed by unwavering rhythmic drums remain resolute throughout both albums. The only main difference between these two albums is that Pete Weiland chose to employ other band members on the second instead of performing on all parts but drums on the first. I can find only one song that I wasn't in love with. The pop aspect of the album sound allows it to be accesible to many different musical styles. If you don't believe this then you have to hear my mother screaming the words to AGBPOL songs on car rides. 

In terms of lyrics, Pete Weiland writes with a minimalistic and observational style that reveal common thoughts and behavior and even struggles. The songs are usually about experiences of simple fun which reinforce the band name A Great Big Pile of Leaves. Its almost overwhelming how many different elements of this band there are that I enjoy. 

I will follow this band with growing curiosity as the days go on. If they have the capacity to create such a fantastic album on a musical whim, then I feel that their sound is only going to grow and develop as they have already shown with Have You Seen My Prefontal Cortex? and BOOM!. 

The Mystery of the Brain (The Fiery Works)

Drought of Snow (The Fiery Works II)