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





















 

Nothing But Thieves - "Nothing But Thieves" ALBUM REVIEW

 

         What do we when the lights go down? That's the burning question this Essex based band brought when their hit "Trip Switch" crossed over to American success. The band bring a balance of self questioning relationship centered tunes and hard hitting alternative rock jams, so its easy to find something to please listeners of all tastes. 

"Trip Switch" gained play on AltNation in the states, which was my first exposure to the band. I also have the satellite station to thank for turning me on to the likes of Big Data, and of course fellow UK rockers Royal Blood. One thing I've unfortunately noticed about a good chunk of the bands played on that station, other than the ones with established careers; a history of lackluster full length albums after dropping a hot single. Not naming names, but to say I've been disappointed a few times with a debut album from an artist I've liked a song or two from is an understatement.

I wasn't expecting a ton from this album. Hell, I had forgotten about the single before my viewers started requesting a review of the self titled album. I queued it and follow up single "Itch" on Spotify one night last week, and upon hearing them, I knew I had to give the record a shot. It's more than I could've hoped for guys, I'm thoroughly impressed. Now not every song is an instant dose of ecstasy, but there's a reason detectives cross examine the witness. You've got to look at things from every angle.

While it may not be the most cohesive record in terms of how it sounds, I think there's one thing that connects all of these songs. Conor Mason's voice is, naturally, the guiding light, but I think the poetic musings are the element that stay the strongest throughout. Whether it be on the urgent "Drawing Pins", the distant mood swing "Graveyard Whistling", or even the Snow Patrol-esque chiller "Lover, Please Stay", the talent will not go unnoticed, even if I might not enjoy some as much as others. 

"Itch" burns away at my eardrums more and more with each listen, playing with a strong lead guitar and a large burst of energy once things really get started. I'm really jamming to "Hostage" as well, and I'm really starting to realize something about this band as I unpack their record. They may present themselves as an alt rock outfit, but "Hostage" and others proves that its not all about rocking out to pack a punch. There's some pounding drums and riffs for sure, but notice the dancing vocals that range all the way up to falsetto, and the spacey synths that haunt the chorus, sounding like a combination of 80s new wave and modern rock. 

Falsetto mode gets a little bit old, I'll admit that. Especially when the instrumental doesn't suit it, like on the closer "Tempt You", or at times on the mainly excellent "If I Get High", which gets a pass for its well penned narrative. Mason has the range to pull it off, and things like the poppy hook on "Trip Switch" show when it can used to the band's advantage. Sadly on some of the more slow lit fuses, his voice proves to be less enigmatic than expected, but I definitely see room for growth in his blossoming career. 

Nothing But Thieves mined for coal, but actually struck gold a handful of times of this promising debut LP. It may seem spotty at first, but give it a few listens, I have a feeling you'll see that the power lies in repeated listens. Rock out, cry, tell a friend...whatever this record makes you want to do, really. You have my full support.

"Nothing But Thieves"
Released: 10/23/15 (US)
Album Rating: 4/5
Genre: Alt Rock/Indie/Pop
RCA Records

Thanks for reading my review. Find most of my reviews on my YouTube channel, and follow the blog to make sure you don't miss a post here. 

-Jon (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

alt-J "This Is All Yours" Album Review

There's a simple command found on Macintosh computers. You can press the alt key along with the letter J, and a delta symbol (a triangle) will appear (∆). Originally formed under the moniker 'Films', a band from Leeds settled on the name alt-J, named after the aforementioned keyboard command. 

The trio have a unique talent and sound, unlike any other band I've ever heard, effortlessly creating vivid dreamworlds with their music. The sound can only be described as ethereal, held together by charming synths, unique vocals, splashes of electronica, and intricate guitar structures. You might brush off this group as hipster trash and a bunch of nonsense, but I find that alt-J are only truly appreciated once you discover the intricacies of their music.

This Is All Yours comes off as a very diverse piece of art, with the band playing with sounds they've never tried before, ("Left Hand Free") and focusing on getting into a more consistent groove, especially in the latter half of the album. I may have set my expectations a bit too high for this album, as I still play the hell out of An Awesome Wave. I was a bit weary of a sequel song, "Bloodflood Part II", appearing, and also the lack of a bassist, as Gwil Sanisbury left the band in early January of this year. While I do feel that the band wander a bit on the instrumentals and opt for a softer and more stripped back sound, the guys still provide plenty of gripping instrumentals and lyrical puzzles that should please the majority of their fans.

alt-J are proving themselves to be pretty damn talented when it comes to starting things off on the right foot, once again providing one of the best songs on the album in the INTRO. There's some familiar 'la la la' chants from singer Joe Newman on the cut, which slowly takes form and evolves into a full blown masterpiece, boasting huge soaring synths and a sound reminiscent of "Taro" which appeared on their last record. Lyrically, we see their hip hop influences right off the bat on the title track intro, as Newman sings lines like "I pop clips, bitch, I draw my piece to my hip". That might sound extremely stupid for a band like this to sing, but it fits so well with the confidence of this piece that I can't deny it.

The journey truly begins on the tracks "Arrival In Nara" and "Nara", both referring a city in Japan which seems to have inspired a lot of the writing on this album. From its quiet yet bold acoustic structures, the former track tackles a very dark subject in an impressive way. The story revolves around a girl drowning in a tragic accident at sea, drifting away from what we can only assume was her significant other. It's not a favorite for me, but it's definitely a bit chilling.

"Nara" sees more of a full band effort, with beautiful piano and vocals eventually leading into a synth and chime climax. Is it a xylophone perhaps? I'm not exactly sure, but the instrumentation on this track is absolutely perfect. Thom's drumming is also worth noting not only on this song, but all throughout the record. His style might not be extremely fast paced, but it incorporates many different styles of music and patterns to make a really unique sound.

All throughout This Is All Yours, alt-J seem to be painting a picture for us. That's why I feel like the album cover is so fitting, as it features splatters of paints in various colors. It's not just ONE color, it's several, just like there are several different styles of music on the album. One thing that's consistent is the odd and subtle nuances that are placed on each song. Whether it be Newman's strange lyrics that have to be studied to be understood, or an almost hidden melody, it's all about the secret treasures.

"Pusher" is one of those songs that has a different pace and style. I don't think it offers as much as many of the songs do, but the chorus is inevitably warm and memorable. Joe and Gus have a knack for creating vocal harmonies, and they really get a chance to shine on this raw and intimate jam that appears near the end of the record.

Let's take a minute to discuss the singles released preceding this record. "Hunger of the Pine" struck me as some of the best work alt-J have done to date almost instantly. It's simple in its structure, but features a message that many of us can relate to. Pining away for someone so much that it pains you to carry on through the day. Imagine that, presented to you in a crisp and delectable package, encompassing everything from a light and airy synth line to a Miley Cyrus sample ("I'm the female rebel" from her song 4x4), all without compromising the integrity of the band! If you can make a Miley sample fit that well around your brooding and dark sounding song, you're doing it right. This song might start off light, but rest assured its packing a huge punch as it progresses.

"Left Hand Free" threw the world for a loop when it premiered. Whether they wrote this song to appease their label that was demanding a more mass appealing single or not, the song somehow manages to work. It's got an odd charm to it, even though I would consider it their most 'normal' song to date. Sounds like the band might have been listening to a little bit of Black Keys material before writing this one, but hey, only the band knows how this song truly came about.

But the band still hadn't revealed their best work to us yet. "Every Other Freckle" was released as single #3, but I didn't listen until I got my hands on the record about a week ago. Even after one listen, I knew that this was it. This was THE song I had been unknowingly waiting for this band to make. Every single aspect of this song works in the most wonderful way, mixing everything from a gospel styled choir, to lustful and oddball lycicism, to roaring synthesizer solos for a sound that is unmistakeably alt-J. I can't even begin to explain the love that I have for this piece of art, so I'll stop myself before I begin to ramble. This is the best song this band has released, and will easily go down as one of the best things in music in 2014 for me.

This album is one to be listened to in full, as there's an obvious start and finish to it. I almost look at it like a journey through a forest and various other landscapes in another continent. It seems like the band wrote many of the album's tracks such as "Choice Kingdom" and "Warm Foothills" from a point of observation. Not necessarily influenced by real life events, but from somewhere in the depths of ones mind. These two in particular are growers. I don't think the casual music fan would just sit down to "Kingdom" and fall in love. Maybe I'm wrong, but for me, cuts like this mainly work in the context of a record. "Foothills" is a completely different story, quickly recognizable as one of the most beautiful moments on here. Whistling, tamborines, and additional vocals from Connor Oberst & Lianne La Havas are all in the mix on this gem, don't miss out. 

"The Gospel of John Hurt" is the final track worth noting, due to its inventive feel and fascinating musicianship. They once again have a rather large build-up, which crashes into a melodic fury of chimes backed by a focused guitar line and later, guiding vocals from Newman. It's quickly turned into an overall favorite for me.
  
It turns out that alt-J can pull of a sequel track and a Miley Cyrus sample a lot better than the majority of us would have thought. The charm and creativity is there, but its not bleeding through as much as it did on their debut. They're craftsmen, making what they please, but this batch of songs does disappoint me slightly. 

4/5

-Jon (ARTV)

 


 

 
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Favorites: Every Other Freckle, The Gospel of John Hurt, Intro, Left Hand Free, Hunger of the Pine, Warm Foothills

Least faves: Arrival in Nara, Leaving Nara, Choice Kingdom