Next up in my series on obscure new(ish) bands that have recently come to my attention one way or another is The Joy Formidable, a British trio that released their second album in January.
They are often described as having a “large” sound (“gargantuan” is the adjective of choice for AllMusic), which reminds me of the line in Spinal Tap when they are described as “one of England’s loudest bands.”
Caveman is an indie band from Brooklyn that has released two albums over the past two years. AllMusic describes their sound as a blend of “experimental rock, post-rock, wistful indie rock, and African music traditions.”
Listening to ‘In the City,’ the single from their self-titled new release, I’m hearing a whole lot of 80s influence — it sounds like a long lost Tears For Fears track. And in my book that’s a very good thing.
I know Morrissey is not very popular in these parts, but ‘Hairdresser On Fire’ is another example of why I dig him so much.
Morrissey’s sound, both solo and with The Smiths, is so distinct. Plenty of bands have imitated, or drawn inspiration from, that sound but nobody has done it as well.
I’m interrupting today’s Random Weekend choice in order to post an update on the Tift Merritt concert situation I wrote about a couple of weeks back.
My wife and I arrived at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and were directed down a byzantine path toward the Abdo New River Room, a lounge about the size of one of those small side bars on a cruise ship. Fifty or 60 folding chairs were arranged in the middle of the room directly in front of a stage that barely rose above the floor.
I’ve never been ashamed of my affection for Hanson.
Even when they were a trio of tow-headed pre-teens, these guys could play (and sing). And though they pretty much disappeared from the public eye after their brief heyday in the 90s, they continue to release solid soul albums.
