Scottish band Dropkick have a new three-song EP, appropriately titled Style (November 2013) which includes the song Style as the single-and what a single it is. Dropkick shows off their tight melodic hooks and their propensity to harmonize. Formed on the East coast of Scotland in the late 1990’s by brothers Andrew and Alistair Taylor and friend Ian Grier, the band has transformed itself over the years from punk-pop, to power-pop and alternative country after being influenced by the likes of The Jayhawks and Tom…
Read MoreUpdate: The original video does not appear to exist. There is a studio-quality audio-only version here: The Parlotones make a pop-rock with an eye towards progressive rock. Here on Stand Like Giants, the title track to the band’s 5th studio long-player (September 2013), the band takes aim at what can be a thorny subject-our own feelings of inadequacy. When we understand that we are not alone, that there are others like us, and that everyone has these feelings, we can tap that energy to “Stand…
Read MoreMore 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…
Read MoreSister folk-popsters Lily & Madeleine made their Vodka debut this year a few months after their critically acclaimed EP The Weight Of The Globe (January 2013) was released and since then, they have garnered air play on forward-thinking radio stations, such as Serious XM radio’s The Loft and others, while tending to an ever growing fan-base. On October 29th, the duo released their debut self-titled long-player and it is more of the same great music. While Globe seemed to focus on a single…
Read MoreThis guy has been on my radar for awhile. I’ve checked out some of his songs, and even purchased some digital content. Marijn writes largely dreamy pop music that insinuates itself into your sensibilities. Often lyrically melancholy, his words tell stories of pain, loss or introspection. Here on Sailing South the title song for the 2013 movie, Valentino, you get a little more up-beat taste of Marijn. You can find plenty of good information on Marijn by visiting his web site, which includes most of…
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