Fresh Track: High Diner “c.k.f.”
Below, I present the debut single from Boston’s High Diner. This Beantown trio is comprised of John Murphy on keys, Jordan Zylak on guitar and Colin Leeds on bass. This track is relentlessly addictive, drawing upon a delicious 70s pop vibe. The keys enter Ween territory on the bridge, offering spaced out synth lines in exchange for the song’s recurring pop chords. Listen and download a copy of “c.k.f.” below. I’m looking forward to what these kids might come up with from here.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Band to Watch: Haim
Since I began contributing to Thought on Tracks, I have not been scared to wear my musical tastes on my sleeve. It is no surprise that I have a knee trembling weakness for all things that might brush up against 90’s female R&B as an influence. Songs like Jade’s “Don’t Walk Away” and Zhane’s “Hey Mr. DJ” still remain relevant to me as I creep into the adult years of my life. The infectious flavor of female 90’s R&B has got me caught up in discovering current artists that pull from this era of music that I adore. R&B legends like TLC and Aaliyah were able to change my perspective on what good Pop music should sound like as my musical tastes took shape. Their albums are timeless and still get a reaction when played at gatherings with others that grew up with it. As I continue to play the b-sides of Crazy.Sexy.Cool. on the regular, I search to find groups that share in my fierce female fondness of the 90’s.
My weekly scour comes to an abrupt end this week as I stumble across L.A. sister trio Haim. The family group consists of early indie pop divas Alana (19), Danielle (22), and Este (24) Haim. This sisterhood of indie soul provides bloggers with an easy sell to their readers. On paper it looks like the total package: good storyline, good looks, and terrific sound. The fact that they list TLC, En Vogue, Brandy, and Monica as their influencers has got me hanging on tightly.
This family project evolved from early Billy Joel covers into great indie pop with a touch of R&B. Alana Haim summed up their sound in an interview with Vogue Magazine by saying “I think we still have the structure of old-school rock, but the R&B adds the spice.” For me, the R&B influence comes off as a larger ingredient then described. Track, “Forever” is able to produce that catchy enthusiasm that sounds like it could have been introduced by Bill Bellamy sitting regular on the MTV Jamz rotation.
Haim’s debut EP, Forever is a mere three songs, but enough to get the listener interested from the beginning. If you still have a soft part in your heart for 90s R&B then head on over to their site where you can download their EP for free.
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Written by Brett McGrath
Fresh Track: Bear Driver “Enemy”
Is it just me, or does the mood of an song and the time of its release matter incredibly to whether it takes or not? Take for instance an album like Atlas Sound’s recent Parallax. If Brandon Cox releases that album now, well quite frankly, I don’t think I could listen to it more than once. It’s 80 degrees, sunny, and humid here in Cincinnati. Listening to a dark, bleak album like that as I sweat in my apartment doesn’t really seem ideal. But in late fall, early winter? Sure, and that’s probably why I like it so much. Another great example is Dirty Gold’s “California Sunrise” from this past year. It’s a great song, and made for a sunny day, but I don’t think I listened to it after Labor Day. The piece didn’t fit the puzzle that is my life anymore after that.
I say this all because of a fab pop song that has recently caught my ear by London five-piece Bear Driver. “Enemy” is the lead single off the group’s debut self-titled debut album due out June 11th. Full of a whistling chorus and some catchy hooks, there is no doubt about this song’s genre. Labeling their sound as “sunshine slacker pop”, I’m not exactly sure how this California vibe has made it’s way to the English Channel, but it surely fits the bill of the moment. While the rest of their catalog screams more along the lines of early Broken Social Scene/Built to Spill, who doesn’t love a catchy pop song? Something has to be the encore right?
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Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 