Search: Melody
Your search returned 399 results. Viewing results 76-90MP3: Anna Frank - Happy story
No, this is not a happy story. That much is obvious from the Melody before you even hear Anna Frank say it and it's that dark mood that makes it appealing. As for the plot, I'm at a loss. There's a romantic come-on in there somewhere, but it's confused. "Still years to go" implies a deliberate end, at least to my ears. Otherwise, so much of the song is concerned with trading lies -- does that make the story pure fiction? But still worth reading/living? I would not be so compelled.
Similarly, I am drawn to Anna Frank's music, but not entirely captivated. It's sonically interesting, but there is also a sterility that puts me off: too clean, too disengaged, too well-practiced. Perhaps it's that same lack of sincerity she's singing about; it seeps into the performance. I am not so convinced.
Anna Frank - Happy story
MP3: Shoot the Breeze - Feel as a victim
This isn't the best song Shoot the Breeze has written, but it's definitely the best sounding. I've always felt like weak recordings were the one thing holding them back, so it's great to finally hear them sounding as powerful as I imagine they would/could. Producer/guitar hero Ronni Le Tekrø (TNT) did a great job helping them realize their potential; it's just a shame that "Feel as a victim" leans closer towards Nickelback-style overly-sensitive post-grunge arena-rock mediocrity than the classic hardrock they're so good at. I know they've always had those impulses though, so I'm not totally surprised. They've still got a strong sense of Melody and the solo section is fantastic. Definitely a kind of 80s-throwback shredder thing, but kept short and sweet and it really does fit the song near-perfectly. I still get bummed by the excessive half-time parts though, that won't ever change, but I love hearing this band continually progress over the years. Looking forward to what comes next!
Shoot the Breeze - Feel as a victim
Melody Club - Girls don't always wanna have fun (video)
The video for Melody Club's new single "Girls don't always wanna have fun" is now on myspace: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=55306799
Passiv Dödshjälp/Livstid
Split 7"
Halvfabrikat
Passiv Dödshjälp, completely out of the blue, blew me away with their debut CDr last year which clearly demonstrated that these Swedes were indeed able to write some 'catchy' crust tunes. Although you could clearly point out their influences, their songwriting ability and the way they incorporated dismal metallic tunes into traditional d-beat structures was simply captivating. Fast forward a couple of months, I got their new split 7" with Bergen, Norway's Livstid and I can safely say that Gävle's finest has managed to outstrip the quality of their debut. The record, which contains three songs from Passiv Dödshjälp and four from Livstid, is barely under 15 minutes and its length is perfect for those who prefer their crust punk as short and direct as possible. I don't want to downplay the caliber of the Livstid side (which is very good on its own terms), but the three Passiv Dödshjälp songs on this record superlatively fuse the ferocity of Swedish kängpunk luminaries with their contemporary, Melody-instilled protégés. One of the most striking aspects of these new songs is that the band has managed to shape this integration in an almost seamless way, which in the end greatly strengthens the overall quality of their sound. The other participant of the split, Livstid has a similar game with their Swedish counterparts in terms of performing a cross-genre variant of hardcore/punk. Yet, Livstid embraces a faster approach with regularly bursting blastbeats and a discernible black metal vibe underneath a thick layer of fast-paced picking, obviously as a reflection of their hometown's grim legacy. This split 7" is a must-have for fans of Scandinavian hardcore/punk and for those who still regard vinyl as the ultimate medium to experience extreme music.
- Burak Tansel
MP3: Underwater Sleeping Society - Saw you at my funeral
Underwater Sleeping Society achieves the rare feat of sounding like a million other bands while retaining a unquestionable uniqueness. There are obvious Radiohead parallels, both in sound and the reference to the "Pyramid song", but there's much more going on. The feel of the Melody is far more A-ha in the way it soars, yet there's also an certain undeniable Finnish-ness to it. I think it's the morbid fascination of the lyrics, the matter-of-fact way it goes about reporting the circumstances of one's own funeral. It's a ghost story, but also, who wouldn't want to see it for themselves? It's an intriguing concept, a potential life-changing experience. This song merely scratches the surface of possibilities.
Underwater Sleeping Society - Saw you at my funeral
New Melody Club album due out April 22
The new Melody Club album "Goodbye to romance" is set for release on April 22.
MP3: Park Hotell - Black hole
This isn't brand new by any stretch, but Park Hotell is well worth revisiting in this era of 24h attention spans. "Free for friends" made a couple of our year-end top 10 lists and yet the band doesn't garner nearly as much attention as they deserve. I expect that for my more esoteric/underground picks, but for an indiepop band? I'm surprised and yes, a little disappointed. "Black hole" would make for a great second single, should they get the opportunity. Taxi, Taxi's excellent backing vocals elevate the chorus to a majestic level and the clever interplay between all the Melody lines shines on repeated listens. Factor in Jari Haapalainen's stiff, but muscular drumming and you've got gold. Now as to why these guys didn't catch on with more people I can only speculate... Luleå outsider status? Lack of a promo budget? Not young enough? It's a pity. Let some light in, why doncha?
Oh, and for folks who are looking to buy a copy of said CD, I still have copies available: [click here]
Park Hotell - Black hole
MP3: Cut City - Departure in particular
To be completely honest, I wasn't that into Cut City's full length "Exit decades". A few solid tracks to be sure, but it didn't hold my attention. As for their new EP "Narcissus can wait", well, this time they hit it out of the park: five tracks, all killer, no filler. They're still mining the sounds of 80s goth/postpunk, 'cept now I think they've figured out their own path and are set on creating their own unique sound. For one, the hardcore influence is stronger. It may not be totally obvious, but I definitely hear it on "Departure in particular" in the heightened energy level, the noisy guitar stabs and the busy drum fills. The mood and the Melody still possess some of the austere quality of bands like Joy Division and The Cure, but the approach is so much more vigorous, more determined. If I was playing music now, this is the kind of stuff I'd want to do.
Cut City - Departure in particular
New Melody Club single now streaming
The new Melody Club single "Girls don't always wanna have fun" is streaming at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/Melodyclub
MP3: Pacta - Sketch
Of all the various artists I've worked with through my netlabel, Pacta (nee Sunt Servanda) has been the sleeper. His "A trap it is" EP is a fantastic example of elegant ambient/experimental music and his more recent work continues solidly along the same path, whether or not you decide to pay attention. What I like best about it is that it's never noise for noise's sake -- there's always a faint Melody or at least some sort of melodic component that gives the music weight and balance. And the ingredients are often simple, too, the layers don't go too deep as to overwhelm. "Sketch" from his latest 3" CD "Fragments" inherits the qualities of both titles: small bursts of sound are set upon the landscape and made to dance, flutter and spin. They overlap and swirl around, but never collide. Eventually a singsong tune emerges, but it's easy to miss if you don't follow as it gets passed from tone to tone, or from player to player in an orchestral sense. I can almost imagine it being performed on more traditional instruments actually - now that would be something to hear.
Pacta - Sketch
Melody Club to premiere new song at Rockbjörnen
Melody Club will be premiering their new single "Girls don't always wanna have fun" at the upcoming Rockbjörnen awards ceremony on January 22.
MP3: Champagne Riot - Scandinavian warfare
Champagne Riot's "Scandinavian warfare" is so gloriously melodramatic, so beautifully despondent. Even without following the lyrics, it's communicated in the Melody of the vocal line and the half-resigned way it's sung. Like Sambassadeur's brilliant "Subtle changes", it also has a soaring quality that makes it oh so satisfying and yes, even a little bit epic. The only thing missing: a wordless refrain to go with the strings. Still, one of the best songs of 2008 and totally irresistible.
Champagne Riot - Scandinavian warfare
MP3: Convoj - Knives and riptides
Had Convoj's new album "Exceptionnel" been released even a month earlier, there's a good chance it would have ended up on my year-end best-of list. That's the way it goes though -- there's way too much mediocre music out there for me to wade through and often the best stuff gets forced to wayside. Don't make the same mistake and let them pass you by! "Knives and riptides" is everything the best guitar-based indierock should be: driving and insistent, with Melody and power. There's not as much cowbell abuse as "Songs that maybe won't be forgotten", but it's still plenty enough to qualify as awesome. And really, that's what matters.
Convoj - Knives and riptides