Dec 14 2008

Black Tie Dynasty - Down Like Anyone

Category: Music In My Ears — dryvetyme @ 09:00

Black Tie Dynasty
Down Like Anyone
Self-Released; 2008

The best music is that which encourages the listener to create a visceral, personal reaction to it – if a song doesn’t hit me in my gut and provoke a feeling, then I’m less inclined to pay that band any attention. Moreover, music of this nature is attractive to me because I enjoy sympathizing and empathizing with my favorite bands, since it allows me the opportunity to pretend as if the people in the band are my friends. Thus, I must admit that I am a fan of ‘80s pop music; specifically, I prefer music of a darker thematic and lyrical variety: give me creeping bass lines, a painfully evocative voice, and mysterious minor key melodies over happy, sappy sing-alongs any day of the week. It’s not that I desire to feel pain, but more that I like music that supports me engaging my emotions.

Hailing from Fort Worth, TX, Black Tie Dynasty makes such emotive ‘80s-loving music, and do so by employing ominous aural landscapes created by their sumptuous keyboards, Robert Smith-style vocals, and pretty pop guitar work. Their new record, entitled Down Like Anyone, is replete with influences ranging from The Cure and Depeche Mode to Hot Fuss-era The Killers, but do so without sounding like cheap copycats. They accomplish such a heady task by relying on their own songwriting chops, crafting cuts like “The Cruel Canopy,” “Lay Low,” and the title track which equally tug at one’s heartstrings and compel the slipping on of dancing shoes. There are times when the rhythms and pacing of certain songs becomes a bit safe and predictable, but, by and large, fans of ‘80s-esque bands who manage to balance being sensitive while writing substantive pop music will find much to enjoy with Black Tie Dynasty.

Dec 13 2008

I Am The Branch - Drink Tea EP

Category: Music In My Ears — dryvetyme @ 13:00

I Am The Branch
Drink Tea EP
Count Your Lucky Stars; 2008

There are a great many faces to contemporary folk music: some lean to country for inspiration, others call upon pop and rock themes, while others tour their music backed by a 20+-person orchestra. Nevertheless, the majority of these artists are still rooted in the classic motif of a lonely singer-songwriter composing poetry upon his/her instrument of choice, barren upon a stage for all the world to see. There’s an intimacy in that level of exposure that few groups can create effectively and it’s that intimacy that serves as the vehicle for the music of I Am The Branch.

Originally designed as the stage name for the solo musings of Robbie Pieschke, his quiet reflections have expanded to include a full band (drums, keys, bass, and cello), but retain all of the deeply personal introspection one desires from their favorite singer-songwriters. The sparse production work on the six-song Drink Tea EP immediately calls to mind early-to-mid-period Iron and Wine, down to how the supporting instruments always give way to the hushed vocals.

Admittedly, for every beautiful track like “The Science of Silence” and “Like Cathedrals,” there’s a clattering song like “Charlevoix” to upset the delicately balanced sound of such a brief project. Also, while a plugged-in cut like “Fight” attempts to show a greater range for the band, there are aspects of this record that are simply too wearily familiar. On the whole, Robbie and crew are capable musicians who excel in writing songs that set a cozy atmosphere; it would be rather easy to sip a hot, honeyed beverage to the sounds of Drink Tea.

Dec 13 2008

Jive White Boy - Knives That Stab Your Face EP

Category: Music In My Ears — dryvetyme @ 09:00

Jive White Boy
Knives That Stab Your Face EP
Self-Released; 2008

Having started this website as a mere Blogspot almost four years ago now, I hold a special place in my heart for anyone and everyone who has set out on their own to chase down their dreams. I have gone to great lengths to support organic, independent music in all its forms and genres, primarily because the political scientist in me is convinced that all real change comes up from the grassroots. The world needs more people with DIY aesthetics who are out to buck the system, not for their share of the economic pie, but because they want to prove that there are other paths available than that provided by the “powers that be.”

This is the spirit evinced by Jive White Boy, the musical creation of Portland, OR-based singer/songwriter Brian Senesac, on his debut project - Knives That Stab Your Face. True, his brand of white-boy-acoustic-soul music might not change the world, but it could change his street and neighborhood, and that’s exactly the point. The subject matter of his songs are replete with ruminations on familiar topics – the pains of adolescence and growing up, struggles against the machine that is the daily grind, and concerns with family life – but the transparency of his lyrics, not to mention the honest warmth of his voice, keep the songs from dipping too deeply into cliché. The EP’s title track, “Slowly,” and “The Great Depression” serve as standout cuts on what is an overall solid debut release. I look forward to what Brian’s pen and guitar produce next.

Dec 12 2008

Free Music Friday

Category: Music In My Ears — dryvetyme @ 12:00

Yes yes - I realize that this month’s edition comes two weeks early, but after the release of my Best Music of 2008 list on Monday, December 15th, this here site will be quiet until Monday, January 5th. Think of it as a Christmas Break for Dryvetyme Onlyne. Don’t fret - we will return! Here’s some music to tide you over until then:

If You Could Get Over Me (complete EP) - One Small Step For Landmines
“The Long Way Home” (Prins Thomas edit) - Lindstrøm
“Call And Response” - Or, The Whale
“Everything With You” - The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
“Creation Myth” - Lanterns
“So Bored” - Wavves
“Meet Me In The Garden” - Dent May
“Feel.Love.Thinking.Of” - Faunts
“Went Walking” - Bosque Brown
“The Believers” & “The Believers” (Clifford Lidell Remix) - Fol Chen

Dec 12 2008

La Dispute - Somewhere At The Bottom Of The River Between Vega And Altair

Category: Music In My Ears — dryvetyme @ 09:00

La Dispute
Somewhere At The Bottom Of The River Between Vega And Altair
No Sleep; 2008

Music has been powered by emotion for much of its existence. Yes, you should take time to revel in the technical prowess of the composer and musician, because without someone first arranging the notes on the page and a collection of someones artfully play those notes on their instruments, the actual aural aspects that define something as music would be absent. However, it is possible to write intricate scores, play one’s instrument, and sing any accompanying lyrics without any emotion, without feeling the intense sensations that quality music has evinced for centuries. Humans want to be moved by the music they enjoy: they want to hum the melody, sing the lyrics loudly and proudly, and possibly even reach for their favorite air guitar in order to immerse themselves in the magic of the moment.

This is what makes La Dispute and their debut full-length, Somewhere At The Bottom Of The River Between Vega And Altair, so powerful. Calling to mind the aggressively poetic post-punk sounds of At The Drive In and mewithoutYou, this hard-hitting quintet from Grand Rapids, MI follows in the footsteps of those two modern icons with verve and intense heart. The band willfully and unapologetically projects their impassioned, angst-ridden lyrics and dual guitar onslaught at their listeners, shaking them awake from their slumber so that they might feel again, even if those feelings are quite excruciating.

Admittedly, there are times when one wishes that the lead singer would stop, take a breath, and talk to a therapist about the severe separation issues he seems to have with this one certain person that he sings/screams about so stridently. On the other hand, love, loss, and heartbreak have driven the mediums of poetry and pop music for quite some time, creating the intense emotional content that many people find so attractive and compelling. Then again, La Dispute isn’t really treading on any new territory – romantics the world over need to hear other people singing about their hurts and pain – but they do so with a fervor that should shame the wussy emo bands that only feigns at being emotive and heart-rending.

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