Tag: pop-rock

Midlake – Antiphon

 More than a year ago, Midlake appeared on this blog, with their 2009 release of Acts Of Man, a haunting tale of forbidden love and betrayal. It’s been several years since Midlake has had a new release but the wait is finally over. Enter the title track for the new long-player, Antiphon (November 2013). Musically and lyrically, Midlake still tend towards the darker underbelly of the human experience, but the music is textural, fluid and infinitely listenable. With melodies that tend toward the minor key, these songs…

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The Bats – Simpletons

 A few weeks ago, I made reference to The Bats when reviewing Evil Eyes 2012 single, Playing With Matches. It got me wondering about the band that I’ve loved for what seems like forever. Here from the 2011 long-player Free All Monsters, The Bats video for Simpleton shows the aftermath of the Christchurch, New Zealand 2011 earthquake. The Bats may not have changed much from their formula sound created back in the 80’s, but they are truly a band with a great catalog of…

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Evil Eyes – Playing With Matches

 Evil Eyes makes pop music with an eye (or ear) towards a full, almost orchestral sound. This sort of sound is reminiscent of 80’s era Bats, the influential New Zealand rockers, who have made consistently great music for nearly 30 years. Here on Playing With Matches from their May 2012 two song single, Over My Shoulder, that Bats reference is almost eerie. Let’s be clear, however; Evil Eyes have their own creative touches.  The spoken word, nearly minimalist, bridge for Matches…

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Stephie Coplan and The Pedestrians – Mean Is The New Black

    Update: This video is no longer available. You can still find the video for Jerk on Youtube. At the start, the single Mean Is The New Black from Stephie Coplan and The Pedestrians (January 2013) comes off sounding pedestrian and formulaic, but Stephie obviously knows how to add some great complexity to her pop-rock anthems.  By the time the song kicks in, you realize there is much more here than standard pop fluff. Everyone knows that if you want to find your way in the music business, you have to find a way to invent yourself and your music in a way…

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The New Electric Sound – Heart Beat

 The New Electric Sound mines musical history archives to create their brand of pop-rock goodness.  It’s a formula used many times before but not always this successfully. Check out the video for the band’s single, Heart Beat, from their self-titled long-player released September, 2012. These are sounds you’ve heard before-a hook filled melody, syncopated guitar and drum work and fine tenor lead vocal delivery. In short, The New Electric Sound doesn’t break new ground here; It simply re-invents it in the band’s…

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