Courtney Barnett - Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (Album Review)

          I need to clarify a statement that some of my viewers/readers don't even know about, most likely. I stated "I don't really feel like I missed out on anything in 2015 all that much." What a dumb thing to say, especially after hearing this gem of a record. Courtney Barnett is an alternative rock artist from the wonderful land of Australia, a country that's easily #1 on my top 10 places I want to see in the next 10 years. 

Barnett's music didn't grab me at first, I tried out a few songs because of all the acclaim, but "Avant Gardener" was the first to stick. A friend sent me a few tracks from her then upcoming record, but I don't feel I gave them a fair chance to sink in. Months breezed by, and I finally queued up the long winded Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I just Sit. "

Elevator Operator" plays. "Okay, this is fun" I'm thinking to myself. Not only this track, but really all throughout, we see Barnett allowing her thoughts to run wild, without feeling messy in the slightest. Imagine your brutally honest friend that spews out a stream of consciousness. Now imagine that same friend making an album. THIS IS THAT, AND IT SOMEHOW WORKS MAGICALLY! 

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. Don't go please. I just want you to know that the indie rocker's debut is worth your time, and your money. I bought a copy recently, and you bet your Rolling Stone collection I don't regret it. I've been kind of vague up to this point, so let's briefly talk about what went RIGHT with this record. 

Musically, this is top notch work. Her backing band kills it on nearly every song. From the lighthearted swimming pool love story "Aqua Profonda!", to the scorching single "Pedestrian at Best", they keep things fresh with ridiculously entertaining surf punk meets alternative riffs and drum patterns. Do they line up with Barnett's semi droll (not a criticism, just her style) vocals? Hell yes they do! In fact, I couldn't picture Courtney being backed by anything other than this garage rock-ish style, other than maybe grunge or...okay I'm not getting into Barnett conspiracy theories. 

I've already mentioned some of my favorite tunes, but I haven't even named some of the best yet. "An Illustration of Loneliness" is the perfect ode to the lonely lazy mind, sitting back and watching the paint dry while the clock circles round, as you think of that special someone. The fuzzy guitar line seems to have a few pedal effects thrown in there, and I really really dig the sound that it provides. "Dead Fox" has some damn catchy notes as well, and I can't fail to mention the wonderful build to the blissful little guitar solo in "Small Poppies" either. It's never a bad thing when you have a hard time narrowing down your favorite moments, now is it?

The album doesn't take itself too seriously either, Barnett has a snarky (and wonderful) sense of humor that pours in on "Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go To The Party", which would have easily been in my top 25 songs of 2015, if I had actually heard it last year. I already mentioned the cackle worthy "Aqua Profonda!", which is quite simply just the best, but we've got "Debbie Downer" stealing the spotlight right out from under it. I love how 90s this song feels, featuring those splashy and colorful keys, a sunny sing along chorus where Barnett swears "I'm not fishing for your compliments", and the lovely drumming that is quite frankly some of the best percussion on the entire album. 

It goes without saying that the epic 7 minute "Kim's Caravan" kicks ass, as Barnett proves here and on "Depreston" that she can crank more down-tempo songs and still win. Lyrically, these are two of the more interesting cuts, in the sense that they require a bit more thought in order to absorb them. 

There's moments of songs here and there that I don't care for, as songs like "Dead Fox"get a little repetitive for me, "Small Poppies" overstays its welcome by a slight bit, and then the dull closer "Boxing Day Blues" really just dragging this album to its final resting place. It's a bummer to go out on a less than captivating moment, but the rest of this record more than makes up for a few moments that stall out. 

If you were like me and missed out on this album in 2015, give it a listen on Spotify and see what you think! It gets a glowing reccomendation from me, I hope you it enjoy it as well.

Thanks for reading! You can find me posting reviews every week on my YouTube channel, be sure to subscribe!

"Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit"
Release Date: 3/20/15
Album Rating: 4/5
Mom+Pop Records

-Jon from ARTV





















 

State Champs - Around The World And Back (Album Review)

 So I'm sure there may be a few of you guys that are upset that I'm doing the State Champs review in a text format instead of my "business as usual" video style that I'm known for. Well, here's the thing. I've been feeling a bit burned out as of late, especially whenever I try and film certain reviews. This one was especially tiresome for me just because I didn't have a ton to say. I didn't feel like the reviews I recorded for Around The World And Back added enough to the conversation to merit an upload. From time to time, you may see me link to a blog post, and just know that it's saving me the headache of uploading something that I don't have my heart in. (I've only done that a handful of times, and let me tell you, that sucks to post something you aren't proud of.)

Pushing that aside, State Champs are a pop punk outfit that have been rising in the ranks over the past few years since the release of 2013's The Finer Things. Even though they really haven't reached a huge audience with their music yet, they do have a very devoted fan base, one that has requested this review of me quite often since it was announced back in June.

This band plays pop punk and pop rock music like its the early 2000s, or maybe even the late 90s, all over again. I say that because they bring a certain sense of energy and charisma that lacked for awhile in popular pop punk music, but I'm happy to see the torch being carried by bands like this. You'll notice strong and driving guitars, peppy vocals, and a sense of fun that really helps this album stand out.

Now before I praise some of the tracks I like, I have to note this records major flaw. A lot of these songs are very similar. There's a very clear formula being used, big sing along choruses, bouncing riffs, and lots of build up in the verses, three elements you'll see plenty of in this album. This may sound like the perfect idea on paper, but trust me, it wears thin on some of the cuts that don't have enough variety in their instrumentation. 

I loved the energy and attitude that the lead single "Secrets" brought, and in fact, its turned into one of the best pop punk songs of the year! I love the thumping bass work, and the angst that fuels the vocals on this track. The problem is, I heard the same idea and vibe cashed out on several other moments on the LP.

I'm stoked about some of the creativity I'm hearing in songs like "Losing Myself", which has some awesome guitar work going on, as well as "Perfect Score", which puts a nice fresh take on the 'girl I can't have' story. "Shape Up" drives home a solid message about being responsible for your own actions, with the backing vocals feeling particularly strong on this song. Super catchy as well, so this could be one of the tracks that has some staying power long beyond some of its peers. 

The token slow song comes in the form of the title track, but I was actually pleasantly surprised at what we got. I'll admit that the chorus is fluff compared to the verses, which are where the real meat of this song lie. The female voice in this track belongs to Ansley Newman of the band Jule Vera, and pairs up really nice, adding a sweet change of pace to this mainly high tempo album. 

When the album fell of its game, it seemed like it was mainly because it let certain areas drown in their influences rather than taking and making them something new. "Back and Forth" felt like a copy of a bad New Found Glory song about not being happy with ones own self in the context of a relationship. Shaking off "All or Nothing" isn't hard either, it just exudes standard on all levels. The trickling guitar, the try hard emotionally charged vocals, the basic drum work... you've heard it before, I promise. You've also heard it done a lot better, this is skippable at best. 

I was pretty bummed that the album went out on a couple of merely 'in one ear, out the other' jams in the form of "Breaking Ground" and "Tooth & Nail". I don't want you to be confused I genuinely like a good portion of World, but it's a spotty release. It's unfortunate, but the spirit is often brought down with a mediocre song here, or a visibly weak one there. The album goes on its strongest run from the single "Secrets" until "Perfect Score", with things getting a bit inconsistent after that point.

State Champs are oozing with potential, and I can't wait to see what they accomplish in the future as a band, especially once they start to incorporate new influences and ideas into their songs. This just wasn't the album I was hoping for after loving the key track "Secrets". Overall for Around The World And Back, I'm feeling a strong 3/5 with a moderately low replay factor as a whole body of work.

This was just my opinion of course, feel free to let me know yours in the comments section, or on Twitter @ARTVReviews. If you've stumbled onto my blog and aren't familiar with my work, you can find me on YouTube which is where almost all of my reviews are posted. Thanks for reading, I'll see you soon with reviews of Beach House, Coheed, and Demi Lovato. 

-Jon