One Liner: Bad ass female rapper Poster Position: 17 Thoughts: I have been genuinely grinning by myself in my office all morning jamming this fantastically unexpected, bad-ass woman. Totally out of left field here, I expected "Lizzo" to be another gentle indie girl group singing plain but harmonic tunes about getting high and being bored, and instead, I get this genuinely funny, hella cool, big mama spitting rhymes. You just have to start with her new single, which is also her most popular track right now, but lives up to the name easily. This is "Good as Hell," and has 2.2 million streams.
I'm going to be singing that all day. That song, that beat, those lyrics, it all is a great package. It makes me think of the Mark Ronson and Mystikal track "Feel Right," in that I want to sing it and strut around. And then the next one that got an out loud chuckle from me was "En Love," from her 2015 album Big Grrrl Small World.
"Wit myself..." Ha! But she's got so many that I think are awesome. I really don't think I can do it justice by just adding links here. "Let 'Em Say," "Batches and Cookies," "Ain't I," "Bus Passes and Happy Meals," I mean, this is just lighting me up. You should at least go check her top ten on Spotify. It's a little bit Missy Elliott, a little bit Nicki Minaj, but its all fun as far as I'm concerned. I bring you "Batches and Cookies" now.
That is from 2014's Lizzobangers. Also in 2014, she did a remake/remix of Blondie's "Rapture" that is pretty tight. What is it? Why am I so tired of most other rappers I'm hearing right now but this just clicks right and is making me bob my head and grin? What is the deal? The male rappers right now who get all sing-songy in their raps (Drake, Torey Lanez, etc.) annoy the crap out of me right now, but I don't mind Lizzo doing it at all. Am I sexist? I don't know. A few ideas: (1) her cadence and pronunciation is clear, so I can hear the jokes and the entendre; and (2) her beats are pretty dang good, brawny and swaggerfied. Whatever it is, I'm lovin' it. "Faded" is reminiscent of Outkast's "Bombs Over Bagdad," "W.E.R.K. Pt. II" is that Missy/Nicki sound, and the out of control flow and badass sample on "Pants vs. Dress" are unhinged and fun. Who is this bad mamajamma? She is apparently originally from Houston, but moved up to Minneapolis a few years ago. She had a few other bands she sang with, but this solo stuff is the real deal. Good as Hell indeed. I want to go see her live. Like, now.
One Liner: Jazz and soul delivered with a honey smooth voice Poster Position: 14 Thoughts: When I pulled up this guy's music, and saw a picture of him, I remembered him from somewhere. His particular look is very distinctive. But it wasn't until I went and read his bio that I remembered that he was one of the guys who contributed vocals to Disclosure's most recent album, and when I looked him up I couldn't take that hat then either. I mean, what is that thing? He's like a hobo who found a jockey's helmet and now won't take it off. Is he in a wetsuit under his short and tie? Is there a helmet in the hat to avoid head trauma? What is going on here? Well, now I went and looked it up, and found this: "He has referred to it as both a security blanket and his “jazz hat”. In a 2012 interview with Jazzweekley.com he explained why he started wearing it: "I’ve had some surgery on my skin, so this has been my look for a little while and will continue to be for awhile longer." Crap, now I'm an asshole. Greg, sorry I made fun of your weird hat. Hope the surgery went OK. Enough about the jazz hat, his music is absolutely freaking gorgeous. I'm no big jazz aficionado, but holy damn, his voice is melting honey gleaming in the sunshine. I mean, he's just smoove like a fine lady's backside, warm like the steam that rises when you cut homemade bread fresh from the oven, soft like my beer gut, he is all things at once in all times in all places. Like God, but with a weird hat. It's making me think of the fun tunes that I was in to from Jamie Cullum years ago, except with God singing. I kid, but here is the top tune on Spotify (well, the original version, his top three songs in terms of listens are versions of this tune, called "Liquid Spirit," the original at 5.2 million, the Clapton remix at 8.0 million, and the Claptone Remix Edit at 5.6 million. Pretty impressive.
This song is on an album by the same name, and that album won the 2014 Grammy Award for best jazz vocal album. That song right there is all sorts of funky action and requires some dancin'. Kind of has a gospel sound in addition to the jazzy soul funk. More popular than that track right now (but with many fewer streams at only 833k) is a reinterpretation of that track that he appeared on for Disclosure, which appears on 2016's Take Me To The Alley, called "Holdin' On."
Feel that? Some Barry White sounding action at the start. Just beautiful, man. Awesome sound. I'd never go out of my way to listen to this type of music, unless maybe trying to set the mood for the wife or something, but we've had an unseasonable rainstorm or two the past few days here in Austin, and it sure is nice to have this playing while the rain dribbles down my office windows. Prior to those two most recent albums, he opened with 2010's Water and then 2012's Be Good, which has his third most popular track, another gentle jazz beauty, again the title song, "Be Good (Lion's Song),"
Another really nice track. It would be out of character to go see something like this at the festival, but I just might, just so I can hear some of this in person. It seems like this would be way better in a club setting, more intimate and with better acoustics, but maybe he'll surprise on a big stage? Either way, I'll keep enjoying this music.
One Liner: Pop rock mastermind Poster Position: 12 Thoughts: So, if you have been a loyal and faithful reader on my blog, you might remember the summer I spent in Corpus Christi, playing Yorn's Day I Forgot album on a loop. So I've got a deep soft spot in my heart for that album, and the great tuneful poppy-ness of his tunes. That album came out in 2003, which seems like a long time ago for a disc that still feels fresh to me. Interestingly, none of the songs from that album crack Yorn's top ten. But screw it, I'll play you the hit from that album anyway before I get to the big hits. Or not, I figured "Come Back Home" would be the most popular track, but at 109k streams, its actually third place on that disc. "Crystal Village" (244k) and "Turn of the Century" (166k) have more streams. Weird. Well whatever, you're getting "Come Back Home."
Great, driving rock and roll. Touch of the drum machine before the real drums kick in, and Yorn isn't afraid at all to use some basic electronics. This album was his second, and while I love it for personal reasons, the first one is the real classic for me, called musicforthemorningafter. Its tunes occupy 5 of his top ten most popular tracks, despite being from 15 years ago. Once again, I incorrectly assumed the song that would be his top hit from the album. I would have guessed "Life on a Chain," I guess I just like upbeat pop rock, but it is actually "On Your Side," with 3.7 million streams.
I bet people put that track on their love playlist mixes they Snapchat to their bae in the DM. It really is a nice song, so I get why it is popular. This whole album is good stuff. His next albums are fine, but none of them has ever done it for me the same way as those first two. 2004's Live from New Jersey is fine. 2006's Nightcrawler has one song that I've always liked more than the rest, the Natalie Maines-assisted "The Man."
222k streams for that one. It's no all-out jam, but its beautiful and kind of loose, like a Ryan Adams track but with more harmonies. 2009's Break Up was an interesting album, in that the whole thing has actress Scarlett Johansson as his duet partner. I don't love any of it, her voice is surprisingly good, but she keeps it in a torchy, sultry register the whole time that comes off as contrived sounding to me. Check "I Don't Know What to Do." However, either I am wrong, or the rest of the world just likes listening to her jam with Pete, because three of his top ten songs are from this album, and his most listened to, by a bunch, comes from this album. Here is "Relator," with 8.5 million streams.
Snappy little tune, not bad or anything, something about the album just bugs me. 2009's Back and Fourth is just fine. 2010's Pete Yorn is a more straight-forward rock album (until the country-soaked album closer "Wheels") that sounds like grunge-y Soundgarden and Eddie Vedder at different moments. It also includes a tune called "Velcro Shoes" that made me grin. And then the most recent album is 2016's ArrangingTime, which is the best stuff he's done since Nightcrawler to me. "Lost Weekend" is the biggest song, with just over 1 million streams.
I'll give Yorn one thing for sure, he is dedicated to that hairdo. His look in photos and videos stays remarkably the same over the past 15 years. Also, go nerd drummer boy! Get you some, dawg! So, what does all of this mean? I like Pete Yorn. He isn't breaking major musical barriers or anything, but his music is tuneful and fun and would probably be a good time live. I'm going to plan to go see him.
One Liner: Strong, soulful voiced Brit singer over dance beats Poster Position: 16 Thoughts: When listening to this music, I see in my mind hot women dancing out on a crowded dance floor, whipping their hair back and forth, and scanning the room with their eyes to make sure they are being noticed by everyone in the crowd. She's got a great voice, but the music behind her is pretty plain jane dance electro with some disco influence. Her big hit (and I mean massive, with 171.2 million streams) is "Hold My Hand," and will show you exactly what I am talking about.
Happy, sunshine-y track. Catchy thing, although it sounds like a million other tracks that have used that (or a very similar) piano riff of a bouncing chord beat. I'm not sure what the video is all about with the weird sand-spitting ATV crowd cranked up all around her? Anyway, it is a fun track. And I happened to hear it while sitting in a bar in Boston last weekend, which made me feel super cool for being able to identify her and the fact that she is coming to ACL this year. It's the little things, folks. She's also got several versions of her song"Kill the Lights," which was apparently used on the HBO show Vinyl. Never saw the show, saw it was cancelled before a second season, so I think I'll leave it alone. Anyway, here is that disco-fied track, her second most popular on Spotify.
More good times are balled up inside of that track, and as with her other tunes, her voice is weapons grade awesome. However, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that listening to her whole album (2015's I Cry When I Laugh) a few times was a little tiresome - catchy beats and piano riffs for days. This isn't the type of music I'd choose to listen to on a normal basis (I'm comparing it mentally to Rihanna - dance music that is well sung), so it doesn't change my generalized opinion about that music now. That being said, I bet people will have a fun ass dance party at her show. I doubt I'll be part of it, but I can see it happening.
One Liner: Pleasant indie rock with terrible remixes Poster Position: 23 Thoughts: First impressions are a bitch. See below the videos for a changed tone, but I thought I'd leave in the review that I started when I first cranked up their music. The top track they have on Spotify is called "Neon Hallway," and it is available on a compilation album called Ibiza Poolside, which just makes me want to throw my laptop out the window. But they make it so that we can't open windows up here, because the lawyers are known for jumping. It sounds less like something you'd listen to poolside in Ibiza (as if I have any clue what you would listen to poolside in Ibiza) and more like something you'd hear blaring in Abercrombie & Fitch as you walk by. Do they even still have Abercrombie & Fitch anymore? Apparently so! They had revenue of FLIPPING 3.518 billion last year. BILLION!!! If I walk by their store it makes my eyes water and my gag reflex start. Anyway, this is not the Abercrombie house band (although it could be!) but is instead a chilled house dance music kind of thing. What was the term from the other day? "Post club?" Maybe. They have no Wikipedia presence, no Spotify bio, so its hard to know anything about them, except the fine folks at Stereogum have noted that they are a "Brooklyn indie/electro pop outfit that creates soaring, glimmering explosions of energy and rhythm." <burp up some artisanal quinoa-based, free-trade vodka mixed with goji berry juice> <re-swallow> That review notes that they have an album, which is not available on Spotify (and therefore must not truly exist), but they do have one of these songs available to play on YouTube, so here is "We Are Sound," which is their #2, #3, and #4 song on Spotify.
Wait, that sounds nothing like their most popular tracks. Hold on. Shit, ignore the majority of what I said up above. Apparently their most popular music is just remixes of the rock-ish indie tunes that they make, which are actually pretty good. I just listened to the actual "Neon Hallway" song, which is not the version on the Poolside in Ibiza thing, and it is better than the stupid remix. Here is that one:
Not as good as the "We Are Sound" tune, but still MUCH better than the remix. And the rest of this music is significantly better than those remixes. Fo sho. I actually like these guys well enough. Without a full album, I can't say that I really know what they are like, but the few non-remix singles are pretty cool.
One Liner: YouTube only, some raw funky live shows. Poster Position: 22 Thoughts: This band is not available on Spotify, but their ACL bio says "Los Coast's music is a punchy, psych-tinged, lyrical variety of rock and soul." Mmmkay. According to the bio they have an album out, I guess they are just taking a stand for the quality of their music like Neil Young, as you can't find anything on Spotify. They have a few live performance videos on YouTube, each with less than 1,000 views (except for the next one, because I just jammed it three times to make sure they broke the 1k plateau! Thank me later!)
That one is called "Monsters," and is a good enough little groove of a rock song. No comments on the video, which just looks weird. But eight likes and 1 dislike, so WINNING! Here is another live video of them playing, apparently at Maggie Mae's during SXSW in 2016, doing a smeared up cover of The Clash's "Train in Vain."
I mean, that is an excellent song. That particular version sounds like the singer is inside of a mattress that is sinking into Lady Bird Lake, but its a solid choice of cover for sure. The three other tracks available on YouTube have the sound of a relatively funky rock band that is pretty basic on the groovy bass line, a negligible guitar part, and not bad overall sound. But frankly, hard to know what they really sound like with just those as examples. Like this one, "Weekend Lover," get that funk going:
I doubt I'll go see them, but I bet they may very well be fun to watch do that funky thing in person.
One Liner: Good music, annoying singer Poster Position: 6 Thoughts: I saw these guys a few years ago at a SXSW show at Stubb's, and I recall being underwhelmed. I had it in my head that they were going to be amazing, as I'd had multiple people tell me that they liked their sound. Unfortunately for these dudes, I saw them right after wandering back to Stubb's from a Diarrhea Planet show at the Longbranch, which was loud, fast, and generally bad ass, and to transition to this vaguely whiny indie rock was likely impossible, so it is no big surprise that no sparks flew. I stayed for a few songs and threw in the towel. So, in giving them a more robust listen, they've got a few hits that you have likely heard before on alternative radio, and then a bunch of older albums that started to truly get on my nerves after a while. So, despite really wanting to like the band, I've pretty well established that this is not my thing. In an afternoon of listening, by the time I got to 2008's Loyalty to Loyalty, I decided that I had to change the music or I was going to fight something. Their top track is "First," from their 2014 album Hold my Home, which fires up 42.5 million streams.
Fine tune, pretty sad. Funny thing, after listening to these dudes all day, I had a moment where I forgot who I was listening to and thought it was fun. The band, not the adjective. The vocal tone on most of the album is not as high pitched, but it has that same whiny quality that I associate with the fun guy. Their second most listened to track is from 2013's Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, and is called "Miracle Mile," but I'm going to play the third place song instead, which is "Hang Me Up to Dry," from 2007's Robbers and Cowards."
19 million streams. Again, the music itself is just peachy keen, but something about the vocal tone just grates on my nerves. Its like one of my kids whining for the iPad when I just want to CHECK MY FREAKING FANTASY SCORES YOU LITTLE SON OF A WHORE! GO WATCH WILD KRATTS ON THE DAMN FULL-SIZED TELEVISION IN THE FREAKING LIVING ROOM! GIVE ME FIVE DAMN MINUTES OF PEACE! Seriously, listen to the last 30 seconds or so of that song, its just the singer squawking about HANG ME UP TO DRIIIIII over and over again in a way that makes me want to commit crimes against humanity. Although, here is the thing, critics loved their first album. So maybe I am just the outlier here. You may love everything they do. I have to admit that I was hoping for a super schmarmy tongue bath review from Pitchfork so I could make fun of them, but instead, they actually gave it a poor review, saying "With superficial storytelling, monolithic melodies, and the heavy-handed symbolism of a school project, Robbers and Cowards insults our intelligence a few times too often." Unless forced by my wingman, I do not plan to go watch this band at the festival.
One Liner: Female version of Gallant; electro alternative R&B Poster Position: 17 Thoughts: Well, this gal gets the unfortunate circumstance of me just having listened to Gallant for a morning, and now I feel like I'm just listening to the exact same thing. Her most popular track is called "Bad Blood," and while I have no data to support this, I wonder how many millions of track streams she has from people trying to find Taylor Swift and then just gave this track a shot when they could find the TayTay song of the same name. No way to know, but I believe in my theory. Here you go for a taste test. "Bad Blood," with 7.6 million streams.
Uh, that girl is straight up naked as a jaybird. Not safe for work, and watch out if seeing people grow trees from their orifices will also disturb you. I'll say this, like Gallant, her voice is kick ass. If you are in to the slow jam R&B electro action, then this should be your thing. Play it with your lady friends and you have a nine percent chance of action. Guaranteed. No real albums available, just two EPs and some singles over time. The tunes all have that same flavor - like a SWV for the electronic age. Except with only one singer. And no Free Willy tie in song (that I know of). Her second-most popular track is her most recent single, called "Girlfriend," which has 813k streams right now.
Yep. Like I said, strong voice, boring music. If only this lady could sing over the Cold War Kids music, I'd have a power band for the future of rock and roll. I don't plan on seeing this one live.
One Liner: Electronic alternative R&B with a golden voice over boring tunes Poster Position: 12 Thoughts: Crap. I thought this was the kick ass rock band Two Gallants this entire time. Those guys can freaking jam. I had been kind of saving my time to listen to this because I thought I'd do it after I had been through some boring music and needed a pick me up. Instead, this is an R&B-ish singer guy whose main hit sounds like something that Disclosure would have produced. I'm sure others would have closer comparisons, but I don't listen to much in the way of "alternative electronic R&B." For your edification, here is that hit, with 11.1 million streams, "Weight in Gold."
His vocals start out all feathery and soft, and then he kicks in with the real deal - nice vocals. The music leaves me uninspired, pretty generic electronic beats. He's got one album (2016's Ology) and one EP (2014's Zebra) and then some remixes and singles. None of this appeals to me at all. I've tried, but nothing sticks or is even memorable that I've heard in these songs. His second and third most listened to tracks are both remixes of that song above, but here is the next one, an eighties R&B ballad that reminded me of Miguel's "Coffee" for a sec, called "Bourbon."
Despite the fact that I don't care much for the music, just read some of these lyrics, they are actual poetry. "cuz I loved in cold blood and got used to it angels say trust the detox, but I’m shaking I need it like bourbon in my coffee cup I’m a tritone bible with misprint logic; I count lunar cycles with faithless prophets I’m a mountainless valley never comforted crashing I'm just another stone on broken walls racing the wind in a hurricane I’m not as brave as I once was I’ve been kicking these rocks in a river and they’ve been sinking low." No freaking clue what that is all about, but it sounds sad? Deep? Either way, I'm not going to go watch him do his thing at the festival (despite the fact that I can freaking guarantee this will be the hit show where people come away from it absolutely enamored with the guy and effusive in their praise for how amazing he is. Like everyone who tells me that the Twenty One Pilots show last year was the greatest thing they've ever seen in their lives, and I want to vomit, partially because I skipped it and partially because I think they are terrible).
One Liner: Local band with an unhinged, fun sound and harmonies Poster Position: 11 Thoughts: Wild Child is an Austin band, and I've heard great things about their live shows in the past from friends. I've never seen them, and their top three songs on Spotify rang no bells, but their fourth most popular track is one I've heard a bunch. Not sure if that is local radio or commercials or what, but you'll likely recognize the poppy, catchy, whistle-laden "Crazy Bird." Its got 2.6 million streams.
In a video of odd images, how awesome is the hand holding a sandwich coming out of the fly? And then getting chomped? Totally awesome. Nom nom crotch sammy. And I don't know why, but the walking on bananas thing is creepy. Anyway though, good tune! I feel like the majority of their tunes are a lot more chilled and quiet and pretty than that one, which is too bad, as I'd rather rock out than be lulled. The whole picture kind of reminds me of the Lumineers/Head and the Heart/Of Monsters and Men thing that has been going on for a while. Their most popular track by a large number (just over 7 million streams) is "Pillow Talk," from the 2011 debut album of the same name.
Sweet ditty. I think it is their name that is messing me up. A band named Wild Child should sound like Wyld Stallyns covering "Poundcake" (complete with drill vs. guitar) or something. Not these precious ballads full of harmony that make you want to sway and hold hands. My weird hangup be damned, this music is really quite nice. "Break Bones" almost sounds like an Adele track. I'm definitely going to keep some of it to continue listening to, and I'll probably forward a track to my wife for a song-shout-out dedication. Maybe the new track "Fools," from 2015's album Fools, is the semi-rocker I need to feel these guys - the drums are certainly rock n' roll.
Ugh. Those fans dancing make me want to vomit. So forced and irritating. Are there 30 people in this band? I felt like they just kept scanning the band and revealing even more people manning even more instruments. Screw it, I like this band. Dorky hispter over-dancers in that video notwithstanding, that song jams. I bet they really are a blast to see live. I think I'll make them a priority to go see in the fall.
One Liner: Classic reggae sound from a new school guy. Poster Position: 14 Thoughts: Chronixx is a traditional sounding reggae guy, from Jamaica, who apparently got his big break in the States because of Jimmy Fallon noticing him on vacation in Jamaica and inviting him to perform on his show. I'd link to a video, but all I found on YouTube were garbage homemade videos of the screen of someone's TV. Anyway, the big song that caught Fallon's attention, and his most popular track (except for a Major Lazer song that Chronixx is just featured on) is "Here Comes Trouble," from 2014's Dread & Terrible.
That is that cool, classic reggae sound I remember. Funky, groovy, but still feels kind of light and friendly, despite the lyrics. He's only got that one album, but then he has a mess of singles on Spotify that you can also taste test. This is classic sounding stuff, and I generally enjoy reggae. I'm no true connoisseur of the genre, but I've purchased and jammed a bunch of Bob Marley, some Toots, Jimmy Cliff, and Peter Tosh. But I can't sit here and tell you that this is legit or a bad facsimile or whatever - to my ears this sounds cool. Here is a little love song that came out as a single in 2013, called "Smile Jamaica."
Hella breezy love song, super smooth. Just over 2 million streams of that track. Finally, although this sounds nothing like the rest of his music, in case you want to try out that Major Lazer collaboration and hear what reggae EDM sounds like, jam this:
Kind of bad ass, man. Also, kind of weird to read those lyrics, which are kind of nonsense when you actually read them. Reggae drops! Aw jeah! As for Zincfence Redemption, that is apparently his travelling band, named after his label, but I can't find any definitive reason for that name. When I search for it on Google, I get a lot of images of corrugated metal fences that are corroded, so maybe those are actually known as Zinc Fence and are prevalent in Jamaica? I'm going with that as an explanation. Although I'm preemptively uncomfortable with the thought of how much dank-ass weed smoke is going to waft around when this guy plays, I'd be interested in going to check him out.
One Liner: New Orleans jazzy singer/songwriter Poster Position: 25 Thoughts: I was calling this ragtime in my head all day, and I suppose that could be accurate, but its more like the sounds of New Orleans from a guy who is standing on the corner singing his heart out. According to his bio, he came from Michigan but went to school in New Orleans and ended up making it his home. He's got four albums out, with the most recent being 2014's Everlasting Arms. His most popular track comes from that album, called "Swing that Thing."
This is more of a straight-forward rock song, but believe me, the majority of his music is more of a jazz-based strolling music. 414k streams for that track. He frequently collaborates the lyrics with a female singer, who is named Esther Rose on some videos, so I assume it is always her. Here is his second most popular track, called "Moving On (Towards Better Days)." This track has 91k listens and comes from his 2013 album The Coming Tide.
Nice little toe tapper. I've made a run through all four albums, and they are all quite nice. HIs top ten songs on Spotify are all from those more recent two albums, and in a strange development, guess where his most popular city is on Spotify? You'd think New Orleans, right? Or maybe Houston. Or Brooklyn. Nope, it is Madrid. And Barcelona somehow comes in third. Maybe he just had a Spain tour? Ah yes, the Internet says he played Spain in June and is in Italy now. So maybe that is the reason. This is good music. I hope he brings a full band of brass instruments and hammers us with some loud Crescent City funk and jazz.
One Liner: Rootsy Folk Revivalist Kings! (if you ignore that 2015 album) Poster Position: 1 Thoughts: Look, I get it. That last album (2015's Wilder Mind) was disappointing. But people need to chill out about the hate. One album where these guys branch out and try a different sound shouldn't somehow invalidate the two albums of really excellent and kick ass music that they put together before then. I know someone can likely argue with me about the genesis of the throwback stomping roots folk rock movement, but to me its these guys. And they did it with no warning, just a guerrilla attack blast of banjo and emotionally-charged power. When "Little Lion Man" started getting alternative radio play, from 2009's Sigh No More, I think we were all kind of confused about what was going on, and then you found yourself standing on top of your Accord, ripping off your shirt, pumping your fist, and yelling about how you really f'ed it up this time.
That chorus, and then the soaring aaaaaahhhhhaaaaaahhhaaaaaaa! in the middle are just so great. And they still feel real and unsullied after several years and a load of copy cats. That one clocks in at 124.5 million streams on Spotify, which is only good for second place on their list. I actually would have expected that "The Cave" to be the top track off of that album, but it only fires up 118.8 million listens. The banjo speed on that track is impressive. But that album was massively popular, selling enough to become more than 3x platinum in the U.S. and similarly huge in other countries. The second album, 2012's Babel, didn't sell as many copies, but won the Grammy for Album of the Year and felt even bigger than the first disc. They didn't stray from the original formula, sticking to fist pumping banjo rock and earnest lyrics with great sing-along choruses. The big hit from this album, and the band's biggest track overall, is "I Will Wait," with over 150.5 million streams.
I have a special spot in my heart for that song because when my youngest kiddo was still very small, that was about the only song she knew the lyrics to and it was damn cute when she would repeat along with it in the back seat of the 'burb as we tooled around life. Anyway, Babel picks up right where Sigh left off and is excellent. I can get it if you don't like rock or dislike bluegrass or whatever, but it is hard to deny the propulsive joy I feel when I hear these songs. And then the third album. Oh, that third album. As I said in my original review of the album, it isn't actually bad music, its just disappointing because of the legacy created by this band. If this album had been released under a pseudonym, no one would have noticed it because it is generically blah, but people wouldn't have crapped all over it either. Just another middling soft rock album in a pile of eight billion that have disappeared into history. But because it was Mumford, and they turned their back on their core sound and style, everybody hated it. I just read something in Rolling Stone where one of the band members said they could have made Sign No More 2, but then they all would have been depressed. I don't know, man, is it better to be depressed because fans and critics alike hate your new album, or to be depressed because your massively popular third album just won some more Grammys and created world peace? My assumption is that they wouldn't make their set all about the new album, but then again I figure they will introduce a few of these songs. From looking at setlist.fm, it looks like we can expect to hear "Snake Eyes," "The Wolf," "Believe," "Only Love," "Wilder Mind," and "Tompkins Square Park," so maybe a third of the set will be the new songs. More than I expected. But I suppose things could change when they are not on their official "Wilder Mind" tour. We shall see. And since that weak third album, they just recently decided to go even further afield from their original sound and go full on Paul Simon and give their music the Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints treatment. A short five song EP called Johannesburg came out a few weeks ago, and is actually really enjoyable. Of course, I am a sucker for Graceland and even facsimiles of Graceland (like Vampire Weekend), so this one hits a sweet spot for me. The EP was a project with Baaba Maal ("legendary Senegalese singer"), The Very Best ("Swedish-Malawian" "electronic pop collective"), and Beatenberg ("South African pop trio"), hammered out when Mumford & Sons toured down to South Africa and decided to make something with all of these disparate artists. I get that some people may continue to crap on the band here, for a imperialistic appropriation of sounds or sonic tourism or whatever, but if anyone seems earnest and real about just wanting to join up with these people and make music, its these guys. Screw it, I like these songs. The album opener is "There Will Be Time."
I see the poor banjo guy picking at his axe during that video, but I can't say that I hear any of the old school banjo-fied soul Mumford, but you definitely get the fist-pumpingly earnest sing-along that honestly just gave me goosebumps in watching that video. The second track, "Wona" sounds just like Vampire Weekend to me. I couldn't find who sang it in a 3 second google search, but if it isn't Ezra Keonig I'd be surprised. And then the closer, "Si Tu Veux" is a real beauty. I've been bummed for years that I missed out on a special show they did in Austin. They had a show with the Austin High Band, in which I was a player back 20 something years ago.
Man, I wanted to be part of the drum line something fierce. And I think this was part of this cool tour they did where they traveled across the country on a train (the Railroad Revival Tour) and played shows with Edward Sharpe and Old Crow Medicine Show from the train. Sounded so cool. But I missed out on that. I don't plan to miss out on them at the Festival this fall. Excited for the show.
One Liner: Fine singer/songwriter tunes from a local guy Poster Position: 21 Thoughts: Oh, man, this guy just knew right where to stab a tuning fork into my eighties nostalgia button, with a bluegrass-y cover of Rick Springfield's "Jesse's Girl." I love that song. And that is, without a doubt, his most popular track on Spotify, with just over 1.7 million listens. Matt is Austin-based, which is cool, and has a kind of laid back, folky vibe that matches Austin well to me. Funny thing is that I'd heard his name over the years, but had never experienced his music. It is nothing like what I expected, very melodic and kind of quiet. It's nice.
According to his website, he actually was an electrician when he got started. He sounds a little like Paul Simon to me, that gentle inflection and nice tone. Also sounds a little like Bob Schneider. He has some silly songs ("Bacon Song," as a good example, declares bacon to be healthy and able to help you kick Popeye's ass), but also some really pretty ones, like his second most popular track, the lovely "I Will Do The Breathing," which is from his most recent album, 2011's Accidental Thief.
"I will do the breathing, until you are able to come up for air, I will be the feathers on the wings of the bird, that guides you wherever you need to go." Damn pretty song. 386k streams on Spotify, and even that jenky live video has 16k views, which is kind of rare for the live videos I've watched for this project. I've made may way through all of his albums, and he has a bunch (available on Spotify: 1999's Home, 2003's Made for Working, 2004's Long Way Home, 2006's One Thing Right, 2011's Matt the Electrician is Alive, and 2011's Accidental Thief). They are all pretty good - the live album is nice as well. Like some of the other people I've reviewed recently, I don't know how this intimate sound will translate to the big stage of the festival, but I bet seeing him play at the Cactus would be amazing.
One Liner: Funky gospel Poster Position: 27 Thoughts: While I'm a little bummed that the kiddie limits portion of the ACL lineup has disappeared, and as doubtful as I am that I'll ever actually go watch any of the gospel bands, I'm glad that this is still a thing for the fest. We need something to make our festival different from everyone else. And to be honest, this group is kinda badass. Nothing is available on Spotify, but if you take the following performance of "He's Comin' Back," performed at Maria's Taco Xpress, the groove is funky and the guitar solo is straight up legit.
Look at those weird ass hippies! At about 2:18, the guitar solo kicks in, and then the camera pans over to the right to a pack of Bernie Sanders supporters who just ate ten tacos and a tray of magic mushrooms before this song kicked in and they ARE FEELING THE BURN, BABY!!! This is what I imagine happens at every Phish concert. As soon as this song was over, two of those dudes just straight up died because of massive heart failure and pure ecstacy. As for the music though, I say I'm right there with those dirty hippies. Those guys are on fiyah! There are others with this same band name, so I am still assuming that these are the same dudes in this next video, but because this one is at Threadgill's, I'm making a safe assumption. Here is the Doobie Brothers classic "Jesus is Just Alright With Me."
The video and sound quality could use some help, but that band can actually play. This is pretty solid. If you are going to choose some gospel this year for your Sunday morning start, these guys seem like the right choice.
One Liner: Annoyingly spelled electronic pop Poster Position: 18 Thoughts: These guys have been a buzzy band for a bit this year, with shows at three of the big four festivals (Coachella, Lollapalooza, and now ACL), although none of these songs sounded familiar to me as I listened today. And although I don't know how to make the computer type the way their name is spelled, the "A" and the "E" are written as Siamese twins sharing the vertical beam of the E. Ah, I can just cut and paste it: HÆLOS. So there you have it. They are a UK trio, with one album of atmospheric electronic pop, 2016's Full Circle. Their Spotify bio makes a good call likening this music to Moby - "Pray" and "Full Circle" especially have that vibe to me, just with a female vocalist over most of the top. Few of their tunes crack the half million streams mark, so they aren't nearly as popular as I thought they'd be when I started on them. Their most listened to track is called "Earth Not Above," and has 978k streams.
Got that funky drummer added in there as well as the Moby synths. I kind of thought we got past the Moby moment in music back in the mid-90's, right? Did I miss something? Now that I have that thought in my head, every single song sounds like Play B-sides. Their most popular track right now is "Separate Lives," with 714k streams.
Yeah, none of this does much for me. Not actively bad music at all, but I just don't care for it. Kind of boring and with a strong sameness about the whole thing. Then again, I am not the right guy to have a deep knowledge of electronic music. Doubt I'd go see them play.
One Liner: Beautiful acoustic folky emo Poster Position: 20 Thoughts: Very simple stuff, but this is damn pretty music. She's got one album, 2015's Sprained Ankle, that showcases the songs she write with very little in the way of instrumentation or flourish, and then a live Spotify Sessions set of songs as well. Her most listened to track is also her most popular, with just over 5 million streams, this is "Everybody Does."
Criminy, man. That is beautiful, and powerful, and sad. Hot damn. She's got three other songs that top 1.5 million streams, so she's not burning up the world but is getting a good number of listens. Here is the title track to her album, "Sprained Ankle," which has 1.5 million streams.
If she's a day over 12, I'd be shocked. Weird video with no explanation for why she's rocking an eight grader's basketball uniform. But another lovely song. Super simple, but the lyrics are so good. Here is a good interview with her about what it is like to be queer and Christian in the south - interesting read. This is beautiful music, and I'm going to add this to my Q of music to keep listening to in general, but I can't imagine that these quiet and precious songs would translate well to the big stage in Zilker. Maybe I'm wrong.
One Liner: Acoustic indie folk Poster Position: 26 Thoughts: This is one way that the poster position is so deceiving. You'd think that this artist, fifth last on the poster and second to last if you don't include the gospel bands, should be terrible. Instead, her most popular tune, "Lost," with 4.4 million streams, is freaking gorgeous.
Haunting and pretty, with the banjo tweaks to make it a little more grounded. I like that song a lot. This is from the newer album, 2015's Two, which is good overall. The second most popular track on Spotify for her is also on that album and is a little less ethereal, called "Take It Back," which has 1.1 million streams.
Full band sound, a little bit of a rock n' roller. Very different from the first single, but equally pleasing. I've been busy at work today, and just kept this rolling all day long and liked it a good bit. Its nice music, not so sure how that will translate to the big stage, but she has a nice voice and write good songs. She has one older album, 2014's The Colder Months, which is also good. I kind of doubt I'd go see her play, but I wouldn't be opposed.
One Liner: Sister party rock with some pop flourish Poster Position: 3 Thoughts: I'm kind of surprised that their album is already 3 years old. I would have guessed that it was more recent than that. When it came out (2013's Days are Gone), I put it in pretty heavy rotation and liked it a lot. And then I went and saw their set at ACL Fest that year and was in love with them. Their original songs are good - rock with a little 80's swagger and fun - but they did a Zeppelin cover that was spot on real deal rock and roll. I can't recall the song, but it was bad ass. So I'm definitely up for seeing them again, although I'd expect that a new album will be out by then for me to check out. The most popular track cracks me up every single time because I can't help but think of The Eagles, because the guitar lick and beat clap sounds exactly like "Heartache Tonight" to me. This is "The Wire," which has 51 million streams.
Great tune. Walks a tight line between real rock and pop drum machine action but I still think it works just right. Second biggest song is "Falling," which has 37.3 million streams, and has more of the same throwback but original sound. Something about the music makes me want to call it sideways, but that isn't quite right, its just kind of sneakily fun. Definitely makes me want to groove.
I don't feel like I can fully complete this review, since they have a new album anticipated. I didn't find a release date in the 20 second of research I just did, but they were apparently close in March. We'll revisit later, but needless to say that I expect to go watch this show.
One Liner: Real deal new school gangster rapper, buddies with Kendrick Poster Position: 3 Thoughts: I've seen Schoolboy live more than any of the other artists in this year's lineup, so I have a pretty good idea of what we will see this fall. I got to see him play first at Fun Fun Fun Fest a few years ago, right after the excellent Habits and Contradictions (2012) came out, and it was a blast. A friend of a friend was being really weird about the fact that I knew all the lyrics to "Hands on the Wheel," the A$AP Rocky-assisted single from that album, but this was right when I'd discovered A$AP, loved him, and thereby discovered Schoolboy. I dug it. Whats the deal? That track is down to #5 on the Popular list for Schoolboy, but at 65.5 million streams, its his third most listened to track.
I've also heard that track repeatedly at other people's shows, as the on-hold music before the show starts. Bomb ass beat, great yell-along hook, and dumb lyrics you can chant as you think about how tough and awesome you are while you listen. The other big song from that album, which you will almost certainly hear at the show, is "There He Go," which Schoolboy usually turns into a call and response with the crowd. Maybe "Druggys Wit Hoes Again" as well, which features Ab Soul. I saw him twice around the time he released 2014's Oxymoron, at SXSW shows, one of which was pretty damn small, over at the uphill stage at Stubbs. Even with a tiny crowd (I didn't get there early but was still like 3 rows back), he was high energy, talking tough and bouncing around having fun. He walked out in the crowd at one point and it was fun to just see him clowning around with people as he rapped. The big hit from that one was "Collard Greens," which features Kendrick Lamar. Again, this song won me props by knowing the lyrics, when I showed up at the old fraternity party for my college homecoming, and the stoner dorks in my old fraternity were amazed that an ancient alum: (a) knew what rap is; (b) knew who Schoolboy Q is; and (c) knew the majority of the lyrics to a brand new song from him. I ran this school back in the 90's, suckers! Bow down!
70.7 million streams, and another cool sounding beat that just breaks from the pack of other current rap sounds. The bassline is bouncy and kind of playful. And of course, it helps to have Kendrick on your track... His most listened-to track overall is "Man of the Year," with 78.7 million streams, which also comes off of Oxymoron, but the track I'd rather feature is "Hell of a Night," which was featured on a Mr. Robot episode I watched just last night and it was perfect for that moment.
That smoothie he makes at the start! Holy Hannah! You're gonna die, holmes! But the best part of this one is the build up and drop into a laid-back verse, which when seen live, works the crowd into a frenzy. Kind of an EDM move. Q came up with the Black Hippy crew, which included Kendrick Lamar, but before that he was apparently a Crip dealing Oxycontin and then other drugs until he got sent to prison for a felony charge he won't discuss. The stage name apparently comes from "When I was in school, all the homies called me Schoolboy. I wore glasses and I had a 3.3 in high school, before fucking up my senior year gang-banging. My name's Quincy, so I just stick to Schoolboy Q." In addition to his own albums, he has been featured on a lot of other rappers tracks - Macklemore, Anderson Paak, A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, YG, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Ab Soul, Childish Gambino, Mac Miller, Action Bronson, Vince Staples, The Game, The Weekend, even a remix of Disclosure's "Latch." He just released a new album, 2016's Blank Face LP, that sounds good after my first few listens. The big hit so far is "THat Part," (15.2 million streams) which features Kanye West on a kind of clever verse. But I won't say that track has Schoolboy's strongest verse. The other early single with some play is "Groovy Tony" (3.6 M), but the tracks that I am liking more are "JoHn Muir," "WHateva U Want," and "Big Body." But none of those yet have a YouTube presence, so here is "Groovy Tony"
Back to that gangsta rap image right there. The E-40-assisted "Dope Dealer" is pretty tight too. This album, so far, has my head bobbing in a good way. We'll see how it is once I really dig into the lyrics. I'm a little surprised that none of the A$AP mob is on here, but so far I don't notice any dropoff. I'm sure you can tell that I'm interested in seeing him play again. I'll try to make it happen, we'll just see how the schedule plays out.
One Liner: That other long ass band name doing kick ass soul revival rock Poster Position: 9 Thoughts: After Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, and the James Hunter Six, adding in these cats as well shows that the ACL folks are fully committed to the retro-soul movement. Or at least they believe they'll get ticket sales if they offer these guys up. I dunno, but if you are a fan of that old school soul rock party sound, then these guys will tickle your fancy as well. The lead singer, Paul Janeway, cranks up the James Brown power vocals some of the time, but then serves up slower burners with some Al Green action for much of the album, and the band rolls out the brass/organ Stax sound to go along with the drums and guitars. Robust and authentic, I enjoy all of it immensely. Before I get to the most popular tracks, I've got to show you the one that first caught my ear on my listens of the one album (2014's Half the City), called "Sugar Dyed." Here is a live version dripping with sweat and action:
This gives me the feel of one of the unhinged moments on the Alabama Shakes new album, and I dig it. The most listened-to track from their album is not that one, it is "Call Me," which slows things down and grooves a little.
5.8 million streams. Smooth and groovy. That's that Al Green sound right there, with a couple James Brown-ish "I need!" and "ha! gottu!" exclamations in there. Then, it looks like a new album is coming out soon (you can pre-order!) and the intro single from that one is called "All I Ever Wonder," and is up to 277k streams right now on Spotify.
Damn that is smooth too. And then the choir comes in for the chorus, which I think speaks to the Presidential election this year for the majority of people I know. "I can't tell which side I'm on, I can't tell whats right or wrong, we ain't ever gonna sing one song, love goes hate goes now I'm left all alone." Sounds about right. Cool band, I like the old album, and it sounds like I'll have more listening to do when the new one is released. I'd expect that I'd go see them at the Festival.
One Liner: Soul revival masterminds who will hurt you with their live show Poster Position: 5 Thoughts: I saw these dudes do a taping for the ACL television show, and it was just about one of the most fun shows I've ever seen. Read about my full review here. More energy than you'll know what to do with, and just absolutely a damn good time. The radio has been hammering "S.O.B." for a while, "I Need Never Get Old" was getting play, and "Shake" has been on rotation here in Austin for a bit as well. Being that they only have one excellent album (2015's Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats), I'm just going to hammer those tracks for you to enjoy. First, the original hit, "S.O.B.," which has 28.3 million streams.
The soulfulness of the tune, the humming intro, the breakdown jam, the recklessness of his voice, it just kicks ass. Video is kinda cool too. One of the best parts about these guys is that Rateliff had apparently been in music for years, but had just never been able to make it as a folky guy, but then hit on this retro sound and has exploded. I love that, dogged success by going to something tried and true and making it sound new again. Second offering is the one that they stepped to the stage with at the ACL taping, which just builds and rocks and requires some dancing. "I Need Never Get Old," which has 6.9 million streams.
"I know that some will say, it matters but little babe, ah but come on and mean it to me, I need it so bad." Classic sound. So much tight energy. You are going to love to see this one played live. Because of Spotify, I buy so few actual CDs anymore, but I went out and bought this one as soon as I saw them play. I needed the ability to listen even when in my ancient car. Such a great disc. "Howling at Nothing" ranks third in number of plays at right about 5.2 million, but I think I'd rather play "Wasting Time," which boasts some solid pedal steel.
Nice little country lament. And because I just discovered this and enjoyed it immensely, here is one of those NPR Tiny Desk concerts that you can go enjoy.
Although the muted horns aren't nearly as pleasing as when those cats play without abandon and just flex, this is still cool. "Look it Here" sounds freaking so awesome (the second track). I respect the fact that they skipped S.O.B. and just played "Mellow Out" instead, which fits that space so much better. And that slightly sped up version is tight. In case you can't tell, I'm all in to see these guys play again. You'd be a fool to miss them. (now watch, they'll be playing at the same time as Kacey Musgraves or something. Don't do it, C3 people).
