Embrace comeback with a familiar sound on their new album

I have a soft spot for Britpop and Embrace was one of the better bands in that genre in the early 2000s.  They had an easy sound with plenty of positivity and charm to make them likable.  I wondered what they would sound like after taking a long break.  I don't have to wonder any longer because their self-titled new album dropped last week and it's Embrace as I remembered them with a bit of electro-pop mixed in.

"Follow You Home" is their newest single and it's probably the song that most reminds me of my favorite Embrace album "Out Of Nothing."  It's the pure positive anthem I can see being played in the next Premier League TV intro.  It's arena ready with a catchy chanting chorus.  Not sure why Danny McNamara got a Steve Perry haircut.  Am I alone in thinking that?  Or is it more late 90's Bon Jovi haircut?

"Refugees" was the first single from the new LP.  I like the mix of electronica at the beginning colliding with their traditional Brit-pop rock sound.  This is the best hybrid in sound from this album showcasing both their more synth electronic sound with their traditional rock roots.

My verdict for this album is positive.  If you like Brit-pop, then put this one in your rotation.  I'm not a  fan of Coldplay and for some reason Embrace have always been a bit more likable.  Maybe, it's because they seem less pretentious.  Just my personal taste.  For old Embrace fans, songs like "In The End" and "The Devil Looks After His Own" will keep you happy.  Good to hear the band back and recording new music for fans.

And for those not familiar with Embrace, here's "Ashes" from their album "Out Of Nothing."  These guys know how to create some good anthem pop rock.   This is probably their biggest hit to date.

Kishi Bashi shows range and growth with his new album Lighght

Kishi Bashi's first album 151a set a rather high benchmark for us fans.  It was gorgeous and emotional in it's approach and yet stripped back and personal.  Hard to achieve all that on one album but Kishi Bashi made it happen.  I personally played that album till the wheels came off.  I still listen to it at least once a month.  It's in that official rotation list for life I imagine.

Anyhow, let's get to Lighght.  It's at times a bit more poppy than the first album.  Maybe it's the use of a  bit more electronica in his compositions.  It's a fantastic album.  I know I'm a bit biased because I loved his first album so much. He would have to really drive that train off the rails for me to jump off the Kishi Bashi bandwagon and he most definitely doesn't here.

Lighght is more lush in sound than 151a.  I think there's definite growth and some good range on this album.  "Hahaha Pt. 1" and "Pt.2" have such great soundscapes you can really get lost in all the layers.  

The song that kicked off this album a year ago is "Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It." I had a previous post about the song as a original single created for an advertisement.  I'm sure every ad company would be thrilled to have a talent like Kishi Bashi composing an original piece for their product.  This is so damn happy, you can't help but have a massive smile when you listen to it.  Certified ear-crack twice over.

I know I made the claim he's a bit more electronica on this album.  That was a bit of an overstatement. There are only a few tracks that have that vibe and his newest single "The Ballad of Mr. Streak" happens to be one of them.  It's a great attempt to make something more electronica and thumping.  It has a bit of a Passion Pit vibe but with a good amount of violins layered in.  This album is perfectly timed for that great summer fun vibe.  A must buy to start the summer.

The Faint are seriously back with "Help In The Head"

The Faint are at their best when they just punch you in the face with their fusion of electronica and guitar fuzz.   "Help In The Head" is their newest single from their upcoming album and it delivers the bum-rush with room to spare.   It brings back vibes of Dance Macabre era The Faint.

My level of excitement to get a hold of this album is extremely high.   The band had taken a long break and good to see them come back like this. Picking it up better and louder than before.  Look for the band's tour dates because they are insanely fun live.  The Faint will be at the Roxy in Hollywood June 6 for those of you in the area.

Eagulls might be the coolest new band to look for at SXSW 2014

I want to give props to all bands that decide to name themselves using an odd spelling a place or thing.  Eagulls are one of those bands.  Thanks for making it easy to search YouTube and Google, fellas.  I greatly appreciate your choice in spelling.

Now, let's talk about this new album from Eagulls.  I really dig their stripped down post wave sort of sound. I think that's how you would describe it.  As much as I like synth and electronica, it's always nice to get back to garage rock.  Eagulls deliver some catchy fuzzed out rock.  Their self-titled album comes out in a few weeks and I'm pretty pumped.

"Never Endings" is one kickass track.  Seriously, I can not stop playing this song.  I remember all the hype behind The Hives way back when.  I think these guys might be better and have even more energy.   If they deliver this same energy live, SXSW is in for a mind blowing treat.  Let's get more bands like Eagulls in 2014.  And make your way to Los Angeles after your stop in Austin, Eagulls.

My favorite Devo song in tribute to the passing of Bob Casale

Devo was one of the first synth alternative bands that I remember listening to.  They were way ahead of their time and honestly don't get the recognition they deserve.  I think mass populous dismiss them due to their costumes and crazy hats but they had some great songs during the 80's.   Sad to see artist of my youth passing away.  Brings to mind our own mortality.

Bob Casale's passing reminded me of Devo and their 80's discography.  I won't say much but post my favorite Devo song, "Beautiful World."  I remember loving this when I was a kid and still do.  I  didn't really get the lyrics and the irony of the images in the video when I was a younger.  Now, I feel like the song has grown in weight and meaning.  

Daydream Forever album by The Chain Gang of 1974 has one wide scope

I wasn't sure what to expect from Daydream Forever.  I had heard their song "Sleepwalking" more than I care to admit but not much else.  Now that I've given Daydream Forever a few listens, I'm pleasantly surprised.  It has a wider scope than I imagined.  I really think they've put out a solid effort this time making Daydream Forever one of the month's best albums.

They share a similar sound to a few other California bands like Sir Sly and The Neighbourhood.  It's a nice blend of electronica synth and alternative rock.  They go from pure synthwave on "Death Metal Punk" and "Godless Girl" to a fuzzy drone vibe on "Lola Suzanne."  I'm impressed by their range on this album.  There's a lot to explore when you dig through the 12 tracks plus 2 remixes.

"Miko" was the other official single released by the band prior to Daydream Forever's release.  It's definitely one of their more uptempo energetic tracks.  Who doesn't like the hand claps?  It's the electronica version of the cowbell.  I remember discovering that sound on my first drum machine.  Hours of fun kids. You can spice anything up with a clap sound.

I'd like to hear more songs like "Moksha" and "Ordinary Fools" from the band on their next LP. I enjoyed the tempo and fuzzy guitars on both those tracks.  Throwing some dirt on the electronica is always a good thing.

Augustines start February out right with their self titled album

Thank you Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson for continuing to make heartfelt rock music after the breakup of Pela.  I'm still bummed about Pela breaking up and not catching one show during their short lived run.  Their only full length album Anytown Graffiti is still one of my favorites of the past decade. It's a must own for anyone that just loves true rock music with a lot of heart and passion.  They really reminded me of early U2 with their sound and passion.

Now, let's jump forward to my confusion with the release of the new album by Augustines.  Originally, the guys from Pela formed a band named We Are Augustines who got decent amount of exposure with the super popular "Chapel Song"(I hope they made good money from that song).  Then, we get their new self-titled release with the band name Augustines.  They decided to drop the "We Are" from their name.  Good choice in my opinion but it took me a quick minute to realize it was the same band.  Hopefully, I cleared that up.

Augustines in my opinion is more like Pela and less like We Are Augustines.  I felt We Are Augustines' first LP was a little less cohesive of an album and felt like it was recorded in pieces.  Augustines on the other hand is seamless.  The songs just fit together so perfectly.  It's a relentless album full of McCarthy's fire infused lyrics.  

My personal favorite song after a few listens has to be "This Ain't Me."  The melodic start of this song just flies after the first minute.  I love a song that's complete.  It has a definitive beginning and an end. McCarthy is in great form with his singing when he belts out, "I can change, I can change."  We've all been there in a relationship at one point or another.

Their first official release and video for the album is "Nothing To Lose But Your Head."  It's a great taste for what the rest of the album is like but I think it's only scratching the surface.  The minute I watched the video, I knew the heart of Pela was back.  I can't wait to see them perform this album live.