Song of the Day - Stand and Deliver

Today's song of the day comes from Northeast Party House, a little known Australian band who make indie-dance music, if that makes any sense. They have released four singles, my personal favourite being today's song of the day, Stand Tall.

Northeast Party House don't have too many credentials in terms of chart placements or anything similar, but they do make damn good music. They gained some attention on blogs (hey, I have one of those!) and other web-based platforms, but as of yet mainstream media is yet to catch on.

Here is Stand Tall:

So What's So Good?

I'm not a fan of traditional dance music but as is quite common, I find an artist who I like within that genre. Northeast Party House are that band, as they still rely on their musical abilities rather than over-produced and frankly boring hooks.

Stand Tall showcases singer Zach Hamilton-Reeves' (We'll call him ZHR) talent, which for me is what sets it apart from other dance music. It involves the vocals more heavily than most, whilst retaining the catchy guitar-synth mesh and the rise and fall which characterise this type of dance music. Powerful drums and offbeat percussion tie the package together with a big red bow. 

Despite not being overtly happy like yesterday's song, ZHR's lyrics give a sense of empowerment to the listener. The message is loud and clear: Stand tall. Stand tall in the face of whatever life throws at you. This gives the song a reason and you can feel that ZHR really means what he is singing.

I highly recommend giving this song a listen, even if you don't usually like dance music.

Song of the Day - Small Things

Today's song of the day comes from American Indie-Pop band Smallpools. Currently, only one Smallpools EP is available, meaning their current array of songs is limited, but they have a clear style. Those of you who have played FIFA 14 will probably recognise their single Dreaming, which reached #23 in the US Alternative Songs chart, noted for it's upbeat and fun sound.

Today's song, Over and Over, is similar in it's upbeat nature and is extremely different to the other songs so far.

So What's So Good?

Over and Over is so different to the other songs so far due to it's abundant happiness. Accurately titled Have a great summer, Smallpools' EP consists of 4 extremely happy, summer-y songs. Over and Over is no different, combining upbeat drums with radiant guitars and gleeful synths. Sean Scanlon's bouncy vocals intertwine well with the synth-heavy melodies, creating a feelgood nature around the song. Smallpools have a knack of creating catchy hooks and the chorus to this song is no different. 

Over and Over is a typical indie-pop tune, which is not always something I am a fan of but Smallpools for some reason are different. I realise that they aren't to everyone's taste and some may find their excessive joy tiresome and grating, but some happiness is always welcome.

Song of the Day - In Da Hood

Today's song of the day comes from California-based Alt-Rock band The Neighbourhood. Their album I Love You and their singles have never entered the UK charts, but have done well in the US. Today's song, Sweater Weather, reached No.1 in the US Alternative chart and 14 in the official chart. Sweater Weather is their most popular song and also in my opinion their best, though they do have some other good pieces of music - Baby Came Home and $TING are songs which could easily have featured.

Without further ado, here is Sweater Weather:

So What's So Good?

Opening on an instantly catchy drumbeat that runs all the way through to the chorus, Sweater Weather doesn't make too much use of their guitarists. The tune comes from the drums and the backing vocals, which helps to highlight the sultry vocal skills of frontman Jesse Rutherford. It's not until after the second chorus in which we hear the guitar properly, in a slower part of the song. The drum beat changes at this point to fit the slower tempo, and stays that way.

I mentioned the vocals briefly, but I don't think they can be mentioned enough. Jesse Rutherford's voice is incredibly smooth and transforms the song from an ordinary indie-pop song into a great song. The lyrics are simple and the message is clear (Hint: it's about sex), but they aren't particularly special. It truly is the singer that makes this song and indeed the band.

I do really like the band and the song, but musically they are not anything out of this world. They are musically sound, just with a terrific singer. I recommend listening to them and hey, maybe you'll like them as much as I do.

Song of the Day - I Want To Ride My Bicycle Club

Today's song of the day comes from the English indie band Bombay Bicycle Club. A lot of people may have heard of them, though a lot of people couldn't name one of their songs. Their most popular single, Shuffle, reached a lofty 64 in the UK charts, so it's not surprising that many people don't know exactly who they are. However, So Long, See You Tomorrow, their 4th studio album, reached number one in the UK album charts, so maybe they aren't quite so alternative after all.

Without further ado, here is Always Like This, my personal favourite Bombay Bicycle Club song.

So What's So Good?

The first thing that hits you about this song is lead singer Jack Steadman's distinctive voice. Whether or not you like his voice, it's certainly unique. I personally like his voice, despite it's slightly unnerving sound. Steadman's voice has a charming childishness to it, which makes the song seem more upbeat than the lyrics would suggest. 

The lyrics give off an aura of helplessness, but the subject is not entirely clear. The line 'I'm not whole' which is repeated at the end, make me think the song could be about coming out and not feeling accepted, but it could quite easily be about a relationship that is going nowhere. I think the latter is more likely, due to the line 'Oh she can wait for what I can give her', for example. 

Always Like This has a really awesome bass line and drum beat which turn the song from angsty poetry into an indie-pop song. Bombay Bicycle Club are not averse to genre switching and have some strong folk influences, though they are not particularly clear here. It really kicks in after the first chorus, with a catchy rhythm and offbeat drumbeat.

Always Like This is not to everyone's tastes, but I hope that some people will enjoy it.

Song of the Day - The First One

I've decided to start a blog about music - as I'm sure you're able to tell. I'm going to do a series of posts about one song at a time; my personal song of the day.

Today's song is by a band called The Courteeners, an English indie rock band who released their third studio album St. Jude last year. They are not a completely hidden band and many people may have heard of them and even be big fans of them. Morrissey, the infamous lead man of The Smiths, has confessed his admiration for the band on more than one occasion - either high praise or a reason to hate, depending on your opinion of the divisive singer-songwriter.

Nevertheless, here is The Courteeners' song Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips.

 

So What's So Good?

Songs about love and/or sex are so commonplace that it's not usually worth mentioning, but the almost abusive, submissive undertones to the lyrics, not least those in the song title, give this an unnerving but interesting feel. However, dig a little deeper and it's clear that the song is about a long distance relationship, one which the singer is struggling to cope with emotionally. It serves as a desperate attempt to connect with this person who is elsewhere.

Lead Singer Liam Fray's deep vocals add to the mysterious and brooding atmosphere that the opening guitar riff sets. Then the song properly kicks in, with a drum beat you want to tap your toes to and an infectious tune. 

It's after the first chorus that the title line comes in, in a breathy and emotional middle eight, where Fray reveals his desires to his absent lover. Whilst it isn't massively poetic, it's punchy enough and you understand the feeling behind it.

Scratch Your Name Upon My Lips is a song that I really love and is a worthy choice for my first attempt at Song of the Day. I hope some of you like the song and I hope you come back to see what my next choice is!