Filed under: Reviews, Tunes | Tags: folk music, i saw across the sound, liv hauck, nut island, our humble cross, rocknrollboston, stone walls, the points north
Wearing my coziest sweater, I sit in front of a blazing bonfire in the middle of the woods with my most cherished friends. We sip hot apple cider spiked with Goldschlager while listening to harmonious folk tunes percolate through the smoky air. The music fades out and I open my eyes to survey the idyllic scene.
Wait. I’m not nestled in a perfect autumn evening fantasy. I’m sitting in the library with my headphones on listening to songs from I Saw Across the Sound, the new album by The Points North – the band that brought me to my reverie. Chris, Regina, and Dylan of the folk trio combine lilting flute lines, hushed drums, barebones guitar and mandolin, an assortment of other folksy instruments, and delicate harmonies to warm even the coldest New England soul. The musicians create a nostalgic sound without swaying into sentimentalville; quiet honesty prevails in I Saw Across the Sound.
“Nut Island” features the band’s signature amalgamation of Regina’s haunting voice resting perfectly into place with intimate vocals delivered by Chris. The simply yet beautifully played acoustic guitar and percussion undulates under the singers while a wistful flute line glides in and out of the music.
The album is touted as the ideal autumn soundtrack; however, I look forward to enjoying I Saw Across the Sound well into warm months. Songs from this album have a guaranteed spot on my summer road trip mix cd.
Download recommendations: “Stone Walls”, “Nut Island”, and “Our Humble Cross”
*Photos courtesy of the band’s myspace
Filed under: Tunes | Tags: 30 lives, high school, liv hauck, love, the motion sick
A good ole fashioned rock ‘n roll high school love story brought to you by The Motion Sick. Witnessing lead singer Michael pine over the popular Miss High School brings back all the memories of a first crush. But don’t worry; he gets the girl. Sweet!
Filed under: Tunes | Tags: andre obin, halston!, hot pink delorean, information, matters & dunaway, new collisions, street dogs, taxpayer, the everyday visuals, the honors, the motion sick, wild light
Filed under: Reviews, Tunes | Tags: boston phoenix, electronica, matters & dunaway, mypsace, rock
Perhaps because I am a singer by nature, I need my music to incorporate human voices relaying discernible melodies. This is the reason I have trouble fully appreciating electronic/techno/house music. So when I stumbled upon electronica band Matters & Dunaway via myspace for my never-ending quest to find new music, I was a bit skeptical. Plus, their name reminds me of a law firm. But I thought, “Hey, I’m bored, and it’s raining, why not give electronica a chance?” Besides, their myspace genre is technically “electronica/rock” which gave me hope, and their profile picture looked cool. Without listening to the music first, I investigated the band’s page. I perused their “sounds like” section; download.com dubs the band reminiscent of New Order, the Boston Phoenix refers to “breathy singing” (singing? for an electronica band? plus one in my book), and the Weekly Dig claims they’re actually good live.
I took the plunge and hit “play”. “Dystopian Dream” popped up first on the myspace player. Instantly the music transported me to some swanky and steamy rave where I was surrounded by a sea of Europeans in Italian Persols gyrating under a vibrating colored light storm. “Dystopian Dream” is a vivid design of oscillating electronica enhanced and made tangible by waves of haunting vocals, distorted bass, and heavy drums. The song opens with an eruption of thickly spatial synth and laptop-generated music backed by (real) electrifying drumming. Matters & Dunaway layers the song with moments of deliberately languid synth and rich, sparkly electronica licks to create an almost symphonic-like volume of sound.
This might just be the electronica band that steals my heart. Check out their myspace. AND remember to vote for one half of M&D, Andre, in Boston’s Best Music Poll. Click here!
Also recommended: “Keep Reachin’” and “Control the Night” (can both be purchased on iTunes)
Filed under: Tunes | Tags: daydream ghosts, everyday visuals, liv hauck, monday, morning
…with the sweet musical stylings of The Everyday Visuals. There’s no way to have a bad Monday if you give a listen to “Daydream Ghosts” this morning.
Filed under: Tunes | Tags: bacardi, boston, daylight, grand, house of blues, matt and kim, mojito
…other than the fact that these two songs rock, and the videos rock even harder. You may be familiar with the single “Daylight” (Grand, January 2009), featured on the Bacardi mojito commercial. Matt and Kim aren’t a Boston band, yes, I know, but they just played at the House of Blues recently. I’m heartbroken that I missed the show; watching these videos on repeat is some consolation. Enjoy.
Filed under: Reviews, Tunes | Tags: boston, cambridge, gay, green day, liv hauck, masshole, newsweek, pansy division, sex pistols, tt the bears
Before squawking, “But they’re not from Boston!”, open your Mass-hole minds and take a listen to the band that will be taking over TT the Bears this Wednesday night. With a write-up in Newsweek, and mainstream cred (they opened for Green Day once), this band brings gay rock to the masses. Pansy Division creates a sound that can be appreciated by a diverse group of music lovers by matching irreverently naughty lyrics (“He whipped my ass in tennis/then I bucked his ass in bed,”) with abrasive punk rock instrumentals. Even the most dedicated Sex Pistols fans can find joy in the band that holds the 1970s iconic punk rockers as inspiration.
Boston bands The Motion Sick and The Fatal Flaw open for Pansy Division this Wednesday night at TTs. Be there!
Filed under: Reviews, Tunes | Tags: boston, carlos, dando, halston!, liv hauck
“SINE”: Halston!’s musical chameleons Dando and Carlos succeed in taking the three-chord foundation of rock n’ roll – the I-IV-V chord progression – and turning it into something entirely quirky and fresh with this strange yet satisfying amalgamation of electronica beats, distorted guitar, classic rock, a killer bass, cool yet passionate vocals, and hand clapping tossed in for good measure. The lyrics happen to be “Sign o’ the Times” by Prince, but that’s irrelevant. Halston!’s “SINE” is absolutely and deliciously original.
Check out Boston’s The Cinnamon Fuzz on myspace, and buy “Reboot My Heart” on iTunes!
Filed under: Reviews, Tunes | Tags: boston, great scott, john francis murphy, liv hauck, magic magic, squid hunt, summer
Magic Magic’s “Squid Hunt” belongs on every summer mix CD to be made during the warm season. The insouciant, plucky guitar and mellow vocals evoke memories of sun spotted summer days and casual love affairs. Although “Squid Hunt” certainly has a laid back feel, it is clear the band possesses serious talent. Lead singer John Francis Murphy moves with languid expertise through the dreamy melodies. Another song worth listening to is “All I Know”. Check out the band’s myspace and schedule here; don’t miss their upcoming performance on June 29th at Great Scott.
Article by Liv Hauck
Filed under: Tunes | Tags: driving in england, liv hauck, monday, the motion sick
…with the Motion Sick’s “Driving In England”. Dance around the kitchen table to this peppy tune while making your coffee this morning, and we guarantee a happier day.
Filed under: Reviews, Tunes | Tags: best music poll, best new act, boston phoenix, cambridge, liv hauck, ma, new wave, no free ride, pop, rock, sarah guild, scott guild, synth, the new collisions, tt the bears
The New Collisions brought the house down with their magnetic performance of New Wave cum dance-pop-rock. The show took place last Friday night at the intimate club TT the Bears, which also happens to be the location of the band’s first Boston show only months ago. The band, although not the technical headliner, was rightfully the center of attention at their release party. Singer Sarah Guild danced, pranced, shimmered, and glitzed around the stage, supported by her dynamic guitarist husband, Scott, and their retinue of dapper rockers. Her deliciously punchy vocals soared over feisty, synth-laden instrumentals. To find out more about The New Collisions, check out their *myspace*, and a recent interview (click *here*). Also, the band is up for “Best New Act” in the Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll…click *here* to vote!!
Article and bottom photo by Liv Hauck
Top photo by Michael Connors
