Text © Robert
Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2021
Images from the Internet
Singles/Video Reviews: February 2021
Note that
these reviews are alphabetical, not listed in a “ratings” order.
www.anyamarina.com
This is off her sixth album, Alive and Alone in New York, which was recorded at the great Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side, which has sort of become the CBGBs of singer-songwriters (with cleaner bathrooms). “Notice Me” is one of her signature songs, and on the original album, it is produced with a wall of sound that accentuates the mood with overdubs, and a much larger group behind her. For this recording, it’s just her and her guitar, and feels way more personal. With a chantable “do-do-do” chorus, it can easily be a pleasurable ear worm as she feels neglected by her lover. It’s a bit of an upbeat song and doesn’t actually feel as desperate as the topic sounds. It’s coyer and sexier, with a hint of frustration, with Anya’s lovely falsetto voice playfully calling out. The album has 17 tracks covering her career, and this is the first single. You can find the original version on YouTube if you’d like to compare.
Can be heard HERE
Ben Howard
“What a
Day”
Republic Records
From the
upcoming album, Collections from the Whiteout, Ben’s fourth full release
is a “pastoral” sound as the singer reminisces about where the time goes. It’s
a nice, light sounding ballad that has some deep thoughts imbued with a mild,
melody backed up by what sounds like a drum machine (though I could be wrong).
The production is high, but it doesn’t necessarily overwhelm here. It’s also
pretty catchy, which is always a good thing. His British inflection is also
endearing. The video seems almost straight out of a Monty Python sketch, with a
bit more seriousness. I might actually go listen to the album, at some point.
Can be heard HERE
Carla Geneve
“Dog Eared”
Dot Dash; Remote
Control Records
Australian
22-year-old music teacher hits the pop rock trail on her solo album, Learn
to Like It. Filled with encouraging girl power – as one can see in the
song’s video – Carla has a strong voice and belts out on choruses, hovering the
line between alt pop and rock. Dealing with finding self-worth because she
“always feel so useless,” but acknowledges she “still has something to lose,”
meaning there is some possibility of positivity. It’s a really good song, the
production is tight without being overbearing, and it’s lyrically smart. The
road trip video filled with her friends is cheerful, as is, on some level, the
song, as she pulls herself up. Liked this one a lot.
Can be heard HERE
The Cavemen
“Am I a
Monster”
Pig Baby Records
Thematically,
what if the early Cramps had been a hardcore band instead of voodoobilly? That
is one way to look at New Zealand “ghoul punks,” The Cavemen. The song is a three-chord
mosh fest with a horror motif. While I heard the recording rather than seeing a
video, I have seen picture of them, and they seem quite energetic, which is
definitely present in their music that seems highly influenced by the early 1980s
H/C and garage scenes. The melody of the song is certainly catchy, though it’s
hard to tell what they’re saying much beyond the chorus, which is the song’s
title, and a few snippets here and there about loneliness, due to a garage-rock
level of vocal fuzz. This definitely harkens back to a minimalist period, pre-extended
guitar solos by the likes of Ginn and Mascis, but that’s okay with me; there is
a brief and raucous burst, though. A Ramones-ish slagging of basic chords and
speed is just what I like. These guys sound like they’re a lot of fun, and this
one will get some more listens by me over time.
Can be heard HERE
Elise Davis
“Yellow
Bed”
Tone Tree
Nashville
singer-songwriter Davis released her single, “Yellow Bed,” from her third album
Anxious, Happy, Chill. I have seen a few of her videos performing live
in her bedroom or on stage, and she is really amazing. Her songs are poignant,
such as this one about relishing time with her husband. That being said, I had
a bit of trouble with this song, recorded in a studio. The sound is very flat
and electronic, including the processing of her voice via reverb, which makes
it lose its beautiful tone, giving it a kind of impersonal feel when the song
should be emotional. I hate saying this since I like her and I enjoy her voice,
but it is the production here that squashes her sound. I believe if I saw her
do this live, I would enjoy it a lot more. I say go seek her out, find her videos
and enjoy. This is the only song off the album I have heard and I’m hoping the
rest of it is more loyal to what she has to offer.
Can be heard HERE
Half Waif
“Orange
Blossoms”
Anti- Records
The first single
by Half Waif – aka Nandi Rose – is quite lovely, albeit sad. As described by
her press, it is “a desperate plea to be rescued from wrestling with
everything.” In a voice perfectly suited for the song, the protagonist is in
urgent need for help kick-starting her life at the moment, asking repeatedly
for “someone” to do things like answer an email, or “make me think I’m worth
something.” Thematically, it reminds me of The Allen-Ward Trio’s “I Need a
Friend,” but rather than folk, this is more modern singer-songwriter. Yes,
she’s listed as alt pop, but I would not personally put this song in this
category. There is some lovely harmonies snuck in, backed by an electric piano
in the forefront. It’s a powerful, lovely tune and is both bleak and, at the end,
hopeful. It’s a keeper.
Can be heard HERE
Lost Horizons, featuring Marissa Nadler
“Marie”
www.bellaunion.com
www.losthorizonsmusic.com
Lost
Horizons is the collaboration, among others, of Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins)
and Richie Thomas (Dif Juz), and this single is included in their new album, In
Quiet Moments, Part 2. They are joined by Marissa Nadler to front it (other
songs on the double album are voiced by different singers). As one might expect
from Raymonde and Thomas, the song is strongly studio-enhanced, moody and I
might add gothic. The shadowy reverb is ramped up and it almost sounds like a
ghost is singing it. Nadler has a good voice, somewhere in there, and I would
have liked to have actually heard it clearer through the production. The song
itself is a quiet, slow, and soft footed ballad, reminiscent of XTC’s “Somnambulist.”
After a couple of listens, it is starting to grow on me, more for Nadler,
honestly. Because of the production, I couldn’t make out much of the lyrics;
however, it sounds melancholic.
Can be heard HERE
Thee Sacred Souls
“It’s Our
Love”
Daptone Records; Penrose Records
Hailing from the San Diego area, this soul trio (perhaps they could have called
themselves “Three” Sacred Souls?) fit somewhere in the post-Motown category
with the likes of the Ohio Players (sans horns) and Al Green. Vocalist and
lyricist Josh Lane uses his falsetto voice to lull the listener about his love
in a Barry White ballad speed. Soul is not my forte, honestly, but I was
charmed by the sound here, as Sal Samano and Alex Garcia skillfully back him up
with their rhythms (guitar and drums). The video is quite simple, as is the
tune, mostly shot with the band in the studio.
Can be heard HERE
Yonaka
“Seize the Power”
https://www.facebook.com/weareYONAKA/
This track
is listed as “Dark Alt Pop with Heavy Riffs” on their Facebook page. That feels
accurate. It’s definitely modern, with heavy production and added with some pop
fusion. It’s like if Lady Gaga’s style was thrown in a blender with some
electronica and white rap, fed through some anger and entitlement. It’s decent,
as even the rappish parts aren’t too stereotypically done. The positive behind
it is its power, as Theresa Jarvis forcefully infuses her lyrics with drive,
almost yelling above the British band’s studio-infused minimalist melody.
Can be heard HERE
Zadar
“Upstairs
Room”
https://zadars.bandcamp.com/
Not to be
confused with the Yiddish “Zaydeh,” nor the city in Croatia, their publicity
calls them “scathing post punk [sic] from Philadelphia,” sounding like
Sisters of Mercy. Really? This song is essentially based on a dissonant B-52s-type
rhythm played electronically over an over, with Fred Schneider-style vocals without
the charm. Even the lyrics are repetitive and kind of monotonously mundane. I’m
not a fan. But then again, I was bored by Sisters of Mercy, as well.
Can be heard HERE
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