I absolutely love bands with singers that sing with their accents. To me, that makes the band fall into a category of musicians who embrace themselves and their true voices. The Spring Offensive DEFINITELY fall into that category. This indie-rock band, hailing from Oxford, applies their own unique take to music formulas and creates a desperate, grasping beat that, with beautiful drum work and emotional vocals, builds to a wall of choral melody in “Every Coin”. Definitely check out the rest of “Pull Us Apart” and while you’re at it, prepare for their FREE mini-release available Aug. 20th.
Within the first ten seconds of King Charles’ “Love Lust”, it was stuck in my head. To be honest, I’d never even heard of him until given this assignment, but he’s definitely a musical gem to be found. Not much can really be ascertained about the electro-rock wonder with the exception that he appeared one day in the East London music scene, and that he’s been well received at his few live appearances in the UK. Definitely be on the lookout for King Charles to blow up because his music, like love, will set your soul on fire…
King Charles is currently working on his debut album which is due for release later in 2010.
Picture taken by The Official Music Ninja Photographer Jennifer Cokeley
Toronto’s indie rock sweethearts, Tokyo Police Club, have done it again. Their sophomore album, Champ, comes packed to the brim of mix tape worthy songs of love, reminiscence, and fun. The band doesn’t stray too far away from their dance rock outline with a more polished pop sound, but that’s okay; it’s a great album to listen to for almost any mood and definitely required if you need a pick-me-up.
Each song is considerably longer than their previous releases, which had usually ended abruptly around the two minute mark, but their attention grabbing guitar hooks and melodic harmonies make it worth the while. Another new addition in this release, is a vague sense of happiness, or at the least, content. Missing from this album is the angst and yearning that could be found in previous releases and lead singer David Monks sounds hopeful and settled in to his current state, despite telling us of mistakes he’s made, or possibly going to make.
My recommendations for one-off listens include: “Favourite Colour” – full of endearing questions to a significant other and lines such as “Like K.C. and JoJo, like Sonny and Cher, you’re Tina, but I’m not Ike” make you fall in love with the song and put it on your sweetheart’s next mix. Also, there’s their current single “Wait Up (Boots of Danger)” with catchy doo-doos and a sing-along chorus, you’ll be dancing as soon as the first “So wait up!”.
All in all, it’s a great record and definitely watch out for TPC because they’re going places.
Tennis is made up of a young husband and wife, Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley, from Denver that saved all their money to buy a boat and sailed the east coast for 8 whole months (Jealous? Me too.) During the trip, they recorded their soon to be released debut “South Carolina” (July 27th via Firetalk Records) where you can find this amazing single “Marathon”. The song sounds like 60’s doo-wop girl groups at a dance party in Hawaii and in no way is that a bad thing.
Magic Kids understand pop music. They know how to use its staples, from melody to harmonies, emotion to catchy lyrics, all this can be found in their new single “Summer”. The song itself is reminiscent of Elvis Costello and Brian Wilson and is guaranteed to make you want to lounge by the pool with a cold drink in your hand. The lyrics are intelligent, yet no arrogance is felt, and the sweet, smooth ending leaves you wanting more. Unfortunately, this is the only available track off the yet-to-be released “Memphis” which is released 8/24 by True Panther.
Amidst dance inducing tracks, MNDR (pronounced man-dar), the alter-ego of the super talented Amanda Warner, has slipped in a slow, trance inducing track called “I Go Away” on her newest release “E.P.E EP”. Despite its mellow speed, the song loses none of the energy maintained throughout the 4-song EP, and is definitely the stand out track. Sweet vocals backed by a slow burn beat leave nothing to be desired and as she says “I’ll go my own way”, you’ll believe her and hope to god she doesn’t stray from that path.
