Boom! Bap! Pow!

It's a rare and special occasion that I deviate from my doom metal dorkery to write about a pop band, but every once in a while I find one that merits it. Today I bring you Boom! Bap! Pow! who are the kind of act who lend legitimacy to pop by showcasing the musicianship behind it. There is something fun and organic about Boom! Bap! Pow! that goes beyond their whimsical name. The self-applied genre tag "Rock 'n' Soul" seems to sum the band up pretty accurately. Sure, these guys are lighthearted and even a little bit silly, but at times we need that to maintain sanity. There is a sense of serendipity and joy that permeates the upbeat splashes of guitar on songs like Suit. Toss in some spectacular drumming and occasionally sassy vocals and you have yourself a band who it's hard to stop listening too. Delve into Boom! Bap! Pow!'s fairly simplistic soundworld and you will find yourself feeling better about the darkness that threatens to consume us all. Boom! Bap! Pow! get what pop music can be, and they bring it hard, dealing in raw emotion and poetic song structures that rend the heart.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/boombappow?_rdr

Johnny Wore Black - Walking Underwater Pt 2

It's rare that I find a record as unique sounding as this one, when I reviewed Johnny Wore Black when their debut came out I was fairly impressed with the distinct music they created, it seems like they took the idea and ran with it. Reminiscent only of Menace's Impact Velocity (A little known Mitch Harris side project) Johnny Wore Black are doing something truly special with their music and Walking Underwater Pt 2 speaks to the incredibly in depth and artsy music that these guys have become renowned for crafting.

There is something wonderfully anthemic about Johnny Wore Black, even though they almost never rely on big choruses. There is a distinct arena feel, you dig into this music and you start to feel it grooving its way into your bones. The soundscapes here are incredibly rich and as you sink into them it's easy to close your eyes and not want to find a way out. Johnny Wore Black are a lot more exciting than many of their peers and don't seem concerned with a lot of the boundaries that limit their peers. Here they stand, triumphant sitting back and enjoying the fact that they have just released what is quite frankly a masterpiece of an album.

Inherently progressive and singularly interesting to listen to I'm very excited for the future of this band. Johnny Wore Black understand what they want to do with their art and they've been able to craft it such that it can have a massive appeal, from pop kids to fans of more underground music. Deeply fascinating and immaculate in its conception this promises to be an extremely iconoclastic release and shows a deep wellspring of potential. Who knows what these modern masters will be up too next?

Kontrust - Explositive

Rare is the record that mixes danceable grooves with technical virtuosity, big hooks with jazzy riffs, male and female vocals, and perhaps more importantly, does it extremely well. Yet Kontrust do exactly that with their fun and poppy Explositive, this is a record that pops, it's fun to listen and has a clear vibe that you won't soon forget. Mixing dance music with metal, yet significantly less obnoxious than you might imagine, Explositive is simply a pleasure to listen too, an epic travail, this is a truly interesting listen.

I think the raw diversity of influences that impact the Kontrust sound is what makes them so appealing to me. These songs feature thrashy bits, groove metal parts, and even touches of death metal directly contrasted with poppy lines featuring lines like "You've to dance and maybe you'll turn me on" There is something distinctly fun about this record. Yet, let me emphasize, it is very far removed from the mallcore that I and so many of my peers hate. Kontrust are doing something that requires a ton of skill, fusing diverse genres in a way that makes a lot of sense and culminates in some of the most wonderfully satisfying heavy music I've heard in years.

So go forth and let these grooves force themselves upon you. Kontrust are truly unique and I think that Explositive is only hinting at greater things to come. As strong as the songs on this record are I think the band can take it farther. Fusing Kraftwerk with Lamb of God Kontrust seem to have the artistic vision to continue pushing their unique sound for years to come. Simply put, I have never heard anything quite like Explositive and I am fairly certain that you haven't either. A wonderful fusion of absolutely everything you can think of, Kontrust are definitely going places!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/kontrust

The Blue Van - Illusion

It's not often that I review singles on here, perhaps because I feel that in many ways they are a kind of lost art. Yet The Blue Van seem to get what a single is about. Sure it's self contained and tasty, but it hints at great things to come from the albums deep cuts. With stellar production and a catchy melody, it has everything a single traditionally should have. Yet the layers of music here leave you craving for more. Sure this song is satisfying, but can you possibly imagine having ten more like it? That is what makes The Blue Van's new track Illusion so special. It is the kind of thing that says, "Hey, you think I'm cool? Wait until you see my friends!" Ultimately I think what really impresses me about this song is that it is infinitely replayable, but not just because it's catchy. It's a truly interesting piece of music that speaks to what this band is capable of doing and makes me very excited to check out more. So as I sit in wait for the bands record to come out, what can I do, other than spin Illusion again, and again...and again.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/thebluevan

Shorthand Phonetics

Shorthand Phonetics are an Indonesian pop-punk band who do not shy away from catchy hooks and powerful choruses. These guys may not be the most serious thing in the world, but by god is their new record Sansa fun to listen too. These guys have a finely polished sound and their talent is obvious. Sure these tracks aren't too technical, but the songwriting prowess behind the band is apparent. Simply put, Shorthand Phonetics are the kind of band you put on while you're working, and makes you feel better about yourself. These guys speak to the heart with their cautious innocence. If you're looking for a serious exploration of the human condition, you might not find it here, but you'll definitely get something that lets you cheer up and crack up, music that humanity needs to keep going. As the band descends into chaos on their EP's final track, The One That Endures Now you realize, that no matter what, this is the kind of band who will stick around, and give us all a hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/shorthandphonetics

The Oversight-Far From Gone

I have a weakness for pop punk, I don't know why, it just reminds me of childhood, it's strangely beautiful, and sometimes it even makes me cry a little. Does that make me some sort of weak heavy metal softie? Probably. In the long run though, music like that which The Oversight put out on Far From Gone reflects something about my generation. We're kids who grew up on artificial drink mixes and fascistic churches, something pure and honest is what we need to make it through our day to day existence.

For a five song EP, The Oversight succeed in capturing a pretty diverse mixture of emotions. While the record is predominantly fairly sad there are definitely a lot of very happy and triumphant moments here too. There's something about pop punk in the way that it can reflect the totality of human emotion in just a few short minutes, not a lot of genres of music can claim to do that! So sure, one of my earbuds died while writing this review and I'm going to need a new pair even though I'm already broke, but that's not the point! The point is simply that The Oversight get pop punk and by extension they get the human experience.

The stellar waves of production on Far From Gone are going to capture your heart and hold you in thrall to the sort of magic that few other bands can really compare too. The Oversight understand what pop punk is all about and their stellar songwriting, crisp production and distinctly human vocal lines will keep you interested for many a spin. The record is concise and fun, I've spun it maybe five times now and am still finding cool new twists and turns. Open your heart and join the music, maybe you'll find all is one. 

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/TheOversightBand

Buffalo Sunn

Buffalo Sunn is the kind of artsy rock band who understand the value of lush production and stellar musicianship. Their new track, By Your Side is a delicious debut, and seeing as they're working with one of the best music promotion companies in the world right now, you know that we'll be hearing more soon! A band with four biological brothers and a pair of honorary ones Buffalo Sunn are the kind of group with a refreshingly direct sense of what they want to do. Furthermore, there is a real depth to the Buffalo Sunn sound, showing us that with By Your Side at least they understand the amount of work that needs to be put in to create a beautifully crafted and very emotional piece of music in the modern alt rock scene. With memorable hooks and touching lyrics, this is the sort of inspiring stuff that sticks with you, regardless of your favorite genre, and I think this is what will ultimately allow Buffalo Sunn to triumph. Honest and bold, By Your Side will come out and touch the hearts of thousands.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Buffalosunn?fref=photo

Villainettes

Villainettes are the kind of unique and proggy pop band who break boundaries and pursue a wholly singular sound. Suffice to say, they know where it's at. The stellar production of this band entraps you, bringing you into a simply epic soundscape that often goes beyond the limits of human comprehension. See, Villainettes aren't bothered with a lot of the things that most bands concern themselves with, and this allows them to make some of the most poignant pop rock since Joy Division. This is not a band who are going to change for a scene, or a girl, no, there is something much more important going on here, the sort of rock and roll redemption that only comes once a generation. Villainettes are pursuing a sound that could become legendary. They have a unique take on popular music and it is strangely hypnotic, I could see myself listening to these guys for days on end. Just let yourself fall into the otherworldly magic of a band seemingly destined to succeed!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Villainettes

Mangoseed

Mangoseed is an exciting rock band from London. Their sound, while based in tradtional rock roots, actually has a lot more going on, with touches of world music and pop to augment the sound. Why, on many of the tracks off their new album, Basquiat its possible to find bits of rapping. The electronic elements here also add a lot of flavor the music and give Mangoseed a unique vibe. See, what makes Mangoseed so interesting for me is that they take a lot of elements that we, as music fans, are pretty familiar with, but they deploy it all in a unique way and give the group a color that no one else has really achieved before. As you dig deeper into this record you find that Mangoseed really aren't to be taken lightly, they simply have so much exciting and new stuff going on that it boggles the mind. Filled with a variety of ideas and emotions, Basquiat is a shape shifting beast who transcends many of its contemporaries. Suffice to say, I think the future will be very bright for these English innovators!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/mangoseedband

Rinch-Odysee

I don't get a lot of progressive and exciting modern rock, yet Rinch provide it proudly with their new record Odysee, the kind of album that gets to the spirit of what bands like The Killers are trying to achieve. Really, that's what makes these guys special, a stripped down approach to a genre that has gotten too complex. Through that they find a certain beauty that few of their contemporaries can touch on, the sort of magic that only really comes from when a group of guys with guitars, drums, and copious amounts of hair get together and decide to see what happens when they make music.

Rinch have really pulled back all the stupid layers that cloud modern rock and so their music takes on what can almost be described as a punk edge. The anthemic choruses are easy to latch on to and demonstrate the kind of triumphant magic this band has, soaring over top of its peers simply because no one else on this particular scene is willing to get rid of all the lies. Driven by a thudding bass and simple, almost shouted vocals that find beauty in what can only be called a basic attack we get a sense for where Rinch is going. The sound is not at all guitar heavy, instead the rhythm section gives this band an incredible forward momentum that means that it is impossible to stop listening.

Odysee is magical, it takes the listener on a musical journey, much like the title promises. Not a lot of bands are this good at mixing in there pop elements to the might of the music. this is the sort of deal that you might not think would triumph at first, yet as you get deeper into it, it makes sense. People have a hunger these days for simple and easy songs in 4/4 with fun choruses. In a world where rock tries to be to smart for you and have more class than it ever deserved it is reassuring to have a band like Rinch, unpretentious and easily approachable, they don't care what you think, there music is fantastic and you can't do a thing about it.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/RINCHROCK/timeline

Eyes of Verona-Ex-Voto

Eyes of Verona are one of those bands on the scene who basically play by their own rules. Sure there are elements of other genres thrown in here for flavor, but essentially, Eyes of Verona are crafting the sort of exciting new sounds that the world of female fronted rock acts really lacks. Sure, they are probably more likely to be classified under the alt-rock moniker than metal, but there are definitely heavier elements here that should be acknowledged. And anyway, most female fronted bands in metal are pretty boring, it's nice to have something of a change!

Now, one of the key elements of their new record Ex-Voto is the simple beauty of singer, Sophie's voice. It evokes a stripped down and laid back magic, the sort of basic magic that not enough bands pay attention to these days, regardless of genre. The songwriting as a whole is very tight too, using a lot of pop elements and some top notch production to really shine. Perhaps the best example of this is in the track The End of Babel with it's moving build up and powerful climax. The drumming is particularly moving, it demonstrates a lot of skill in that it perfectly captures the dynamic shifts and really pushes the Eyes of Verona sound forward, one  step at a time.

Eyes of Verona are really getting at something special now, the kind of sound that few of their peers can imitate simply because the bands skill is so great. With their special emphasis on epic keyboard parts and clearly driven song structures you won't find yourself soon bored with these French rockers. They can easily go far and as their sound evolves I think they could make a serious splash internationally. As is their songs are memorable, fun, and often touching. Able of evoking pure emotion on a fundamental level I'm looking forward to getting more from these guys!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/eyesofverona

Midday Committee-Girls in Open C

Longtime readers know that I have something of a weak spot for pop punk. Something about the very natural vocal lines and simple guitar riffs reminds me of the music of my childhood. Midday Committee though are something more, something greater. Using unique tunings and all sorts of interesting songwriting twists and turns, this band have gone to become something more than just another pop punk group. Instead they are triumphant masters of a genre that many have left behind. Their new EP Girls in Open C is the most exciting thing to happen in pop punk in years.

From the first its clear that these guys have a great understanding of melody. The way that the vocals layer on top of high powered riffs on these tracks is impressive. Filled with a vibrant energy it's simply fun to listen too Midday Committee rip on their guitars and get bodies moving. Sure it isn't super intelligent black metal, or totally brutal death metal, but it's still good. See, Midday Committee are singing the songs of the people, getting at the struggles of the common man in a universally acceptable sound. I think this is what's going to really set these guys apart in future years. The fact of the matter is few bands are as simply human as Midday Committee.

Now normally with EP's I complain about them not being long enough and not giving the band enough time to really develop their ideas. Well, this may just be the exception that proves the rule. Girls in Open C is simply the perfect length, leaving the listener feeling complete and whole. The riffs are a joy to listen too, but they don't overstay their welcome. Worth quite a few spins and many a smile Girls in Open C is good vibes in music form. Midday Committee understand the pure magic of pop punk and bring it straight to the listener, this is the friendliest frontier of rock and roll, so come on and join the fun!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Middaycommittee

Foreign Affairs

Seamus Heaney is one of my favorite poets, in large part due to the way the he uses a down to earth simplicity to communicate a beautiful message. This is the sort of thing that his Northern Irish fellows in Foreign Affairs seem to be doing too. They get at a certain beautiful human innocence thats we all can relate too. Their is something much deeper in the sound of Foreign Affairs, a power that not a lot of bands can really claim to have. Foreign Affairs get at the heart of the human condition, through a unique brand of anthemic pop punk that features catchy riffs and moving choruses. From the first, it is clear that Foreign Affairs know how to write a tight pop punk track. Though they only have a couple of songs up for the moment, their is al ot more to Foreign Affairs than meets the eye. How else could a band who put out their first single in October of 2013 already be at more than 1,500 Facebook fans? So lovers of pure and sacred pop punk across the globe, get ready, Foreign Affairs will be taking the world by storm!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/ForeignAffairsNI/app_204974879526524

The Intersphere-Relations in the Unseen

Progressive and powerful rock and roll magic, this is the kind of thing that we don't get nearly enough of in modern rock and roll. The Intersphere have created something special and truly unique with their new record Relations in the Unseen progressive music for the masses, incredible compositions for the master plan. March 7th 2014, the world will shake at the incredible might that The Intersphere have showcased on this new effort. If nothing else Relations in the Unseen  is proof that there are always exciting new things happening in rock music.

One of the first things that struck me about this release, was the incredible way that these guys fuse masterful compositions with poppy sounds that could easily appeal to a listener of more mainstream music. With all sorts of complex and beautiful lines one might not expect to hear in a release that seems to be turned towards the mass market The Intersphere have done something truly magnificent. This is the sort of release that could possibly change the entire rock music scene, technically complex stuff that appeals to the masses. Anthemic and passionate there is a raw energy and beauty behind the music of The Intersphere that few will forget, Relations in the Unseen stands tall not just as an album, but a statement.

In closing, if you want a record that gets at the beating heart of rock and roll and shows the undying magic of the genre then look no further, Relations in the Unseen is the album for you. Contrasting dark with light in a way that hasn't been done since the days of Led Zeppelin I feel pretty confident in saying that The Intersphere have a very strong chance of being the next big thing in rock music and maybe even the saviors of rock and roll. The time has come to rejuvenate hope in a dying genre and The Intersphere are the shining light guiding us forward.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/theintersphere

Whyskins, Déklic, Sound of Memories, and Moven.S at Le Petit Bain

Saturday night we're heading on out to Le Petit Bain, it is time for some rock and roll anarchy at one of the few venues in Paris I had yet to visit. Le Petit Bain is actually a most excellent venue, it has a great sound (Although it is rather quiet) and a lot of space with lots of places to get a good view of the action on stage. Meanwhile, the stage is sufficiently low to permit stage diving and get a great connection between the band and the audience. I saw six bands tonight and will be reviewing four, each playing a 25 minute set, and with the special highlight of Sound of Memories things got crazy.

The first band I got to see was Whyskins, a pretty fun local rock act who are just starting to pull some good stuff together. The problem I feel is that these guys haven't really fully identified their sound. Yet still, their show was highly enjoyable. One special highlight for me was the second to last song which was a sea shanty, their unique brand of alternative rock gave a special flavor to this song and made me almost wish the rest of the bands music was like that. As is though, these guys were pretty interesting to see, and with a little bit of polishing they could make for a most excellent live band. I'd be interested to hear a recording of theirs, it could be pretty great.

Déklic came on shortly after and they were...interesting. This was the first time I've seen a wholly pop band live and while its definitely not for me I guess I can see the appeal. Their singer made a special effort to connect with the audience and I think he definitely made some good progress. It was especially impressive to see fans of all ages singing along to and dancing with Déklics music. Sure it's not my cup of tea, but I see where the fun lies, the way that people were grooving is definitely something I can respect, so if you are a fan of pop music, then this may very well be a band you want to check out, their unique brand of synth heavy work is pretty cool in it's own way.

Sound of Memories were the fifth band I saw and by god, they blew everything else right out of the water. You see, these guys were the most brutal (And the most popular) band of the night, and their unique brand of hard hitting melodic death metal hit where it counted. Getting a pit started three songs in (note the previous bands had not been heavy in the slightest) and getting the whole crowd involved seeing these guys play was a blast. Led by a wonderful frontman, Flo, the way these guys charged into their music had to be seen to be believed. From start to finish Sound of Memories delivered a great 25 minutes of music, 25 minutes that often felt like it was much more than that. They are simply that good. Suffice to say, Sound of Memories is one of the best local bands that I have seen in a very long while.

Moven. S were the last group that I would see play on the night and I have to say I really enjoyed their unique brand of Nu Metal. As Nu Metal ages, much of it is actually getting better and Moven. S is a great example of that. Their groove and live energy is pretty impressive. One thing I didn't get was why they had two female lead singers, it often seemed kind of redundant, but hey, their music certainly sounds cool. I'd especially like too note their bassist who really drove the music forward, partially through the power of his awesome mustache, but mostly through his killer riffs. These guys are tight live and the way that they blast, rattle, and roll is really fun to see, if you like your new metal full fledged and furious then this is the band for you.

In closing, tonight was a lot of fun, and best of all, the band I came to support, Sound of Memories, advanced to the next round of Fallenfest, a sort of battle of the bands. These groups are all pretty solid, especially when considered in the context of their respective fanbases. Yet Sound of Memories were the true highlight for me, with two new songs on their setlist and a load of energy to drive into the fans faces these guys know how to rock. Be sure to join up with them, and the others who advanced in Fallenfest at La Cigale on January 24th!

Find the bands on Facebook!

Whyskins: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whyskins/226656260781017?ref=ts&fref=ts

Déklic: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DEKLIC/129057700441868?ref=ts&fref=ts

Sound of Memories: https://www.facebook.com/soundofmemoriesofficiel

Moven. S: https://www.facebook.com/Movensmusic


Details on Fallenfest!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fallenfest/5977664309?fref=ts

Celleste

Female fronted rock inflected alternative pop band. Admit it, even if you're not into this kind of music (I'm certainly not) it's still pretty awesome. See, what Celleste does that is so cool is that she mixes in crazed elements of 40s Cabaret music and 70s rock to keep things interesting. Celleste's music is rather unique, not just because of the songwriting, but also the heartfelt passion that she pumps into her songs. It helps to keep the music alive and beautiful, showcasing the inner joy that these songs so clearly give her. That is what really makes Celleste fun for me, sure things are perfectly produced and wonderfully mastered (By the same guy who does U2 and Sheryl Crow), but the spirit behind the music stays bright and fiery, showcasing a wonderful dedication to the musicians craft. Burning bright and triumphant in a time that is very dark for pop music I hope to hear more from Celleste in the future. Her head is certainly in the right place and her songs have the potential to touch the hearts of millions.

Find her on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Cellestemusic