Category: Music Review

Erin’s Prime Slices (10/28-11/3): Valley Maker, Ian Sweet

Valley Maker – Rhododendron (indie / folk rock)

This album is lyrically intricate while also maintaining an airy atmosphere that is easy to listen to casually. Austin Crane, the man behind Valley Maker, named the album after “the common plant which springs up in both Crane’s native south and his current home in Washington” –  a metaphor that is very central to the overall theme of each song and transition. It is honestly hard to pick favorites on this one, so just chill out and listen to the whole album whenever you get the chance.

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Curtis’ Prime Slices (10/21 – 10/27) Bleu, Soccer Mommy

    Bleu – Love You So – (pop)

It took about 10 seconds for me to decide I needed to review this single. “Love You So” is the feel good single I’ve been so desperately waiting for this year. Written by one of Berklee’s own, Bleu (a.k.a. William James McAuley III), the songs simple chorus and infectious melody have your finger on the repeat button every time it ends. As well as the chorus, the verses are simple. With just a few words it gets across the message easily, talking about the panic of being madly in love with someone and feeling undeserving of that level of happiness. The chorus then sums it up by saying “Why do I love you so? I don’t know, but that’s all I need to know.” It’s catchy, it’s sweet, and it’s three minutes long. CHECK IT OUT!

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Erin’s Prime Slices (10/21 – 10/27): Ocean Alley, Snail Mail

Ocean Alley – Chiaroscuro (psychedelic-surf-rock / reggae)

While the instrumentation and air of this album screams rock, the vocals by lead singer Baden Donegal evoke more of a reggae vibe. This six-piece band from Australia has made quite the name for themselves, racking up more than 539,000 monthly Spotify listeners as well as their latest album ranking #15 on the ARIA Chart. I really like “The Comedown,” a song about waking up with a mean hangover. Overall, this is a really chill album that is easy to sway along to during any mood.

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Erin’s Prime Slices (10/13 – 10/20): Mountain Man, The Jack Moves

Mountain Man – Magic Ship (intimate folk)

This album seems perfectly timed with the emergence of the recent fall weather, and would accompany a brisk walk under changing leaves quite nicely. The harmonies between Amelia Meath (of Sylvan Esso), Molly Erin Sarlé, and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig sound as if they are coming from one voice while the scarce accompaniment gives each the appropriate space to exist individually. Amelia Meath, specifically,  has one of the most thoughtful and genuine sounds I have heard in a while. Definitely  give this group a chance is you like Sylvan Esso – although its a bit more acoustic and bare, I think that Magic Ship by Mountain Man evokes a similar vibe vocally and aesthetically.

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Curtis’ Prime Slices (10/2 – 10/6): Hotel Mira, Husky Loops

     Hotel Mira – Hotel Mira EP – (Modern Rock)

Having been a fan of these guys ever since they started (originally under the name JPNSGRLS), I was very excited when I saw their newest EP pop into my E-mail. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, my very own hometown, Hotel Mira are nothing less than a power house band. They kick down the door and have everyone on their feet after the first song. The main thing I love about everything they put out is their wanting to convey a message and not revert to typical bubblegum lyricism. The first single, “3AM Lullaby,” seems to have an overarching theme of the pain in trying to find a comfortable life. Most kids live a pretty sedated life growing up with not a whole lot of responsibility other than school. Getting thrown into the open world with little training is scary for most and the urgency to get back to a stress free life can be overwhelming. Now go relax check this EP out!

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Erin’s Prime Slices (9/27): illuminati hotties, Prince

illuminati hotties – Kiss Yr Frenemies (indie rock / tenderpunk)

illuminati hotties is an indie pop group fronted by lead singer Sarah Tedzin. Releasing their debut album, Kiss Yr Frenemies, earlier in 2018, the band has been off to a really amazing start. The lyrics are personal and playful and the instrumentation is delicate when it demands to be. Other times, there is a clear, punchy energy that more closely mirrors the way in which Sarah describes her genre as “tenderpunk.” If you are in your 20s, or ever have been, you will relate hard to this album (warning: ugly crying entirely possible). Check out Illuminati Hotties next Wednesday, October 3, at O’Brien’s to live out your inevitable connection with Sarah Tedzin in person! Also check out the emotional rollercoaster of a music video/ animation by artist Sam Lane for the track “Cuff.”

link to tickets: https://www.obrienspubboston.com/

link to illuminati hotties FB:https://www.facebook.com/illuminatihotties/

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Curtis’ Prime Slices (9/22 – 9/25): The Dirty Nil, Raquel Rodriguez

    The Dirty Nil – Master Volume (hard rock)

Canadian hard rock trio The Dirty Nil came at me today with a brutal amount of force, to say the least. This being the band’s third studio album, they’ve seemed to have found a sound they’re comfortable with that consistently wants to punch you in the face (in a good way!). The problem I have with a lot of bands in this genre is they rely too much on what they listen to and end up trying to recreate something that ultimately sounds like a knock off; this however is not the case. Their riffs and melodies are fun to listen to and feel new and exciting. Fans of bands like Pup and White Reaper will definitely dig this.

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Erin’s Prime Slices (9/20): Tirzah, Odesza

Tirzah – Devotion (synth, British R&B)

Repetitive yet entirely unpredictable, Devotion is a wild ride from start to finish. Tirzah’s vocals are raw and soulful amidst some seriously hypnotic synthesizers. While tracks like “Say When” feature a simple repeated arpeggiated piano line beneath solo vocals, others such as “Holding On” involve a bit more production and moving parts. Overall, a very interesting listen I would recommend anyone try out.

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Curtis’s Prime Slices (9/11 – 9/18): Skegss, Charles Bradley

      Skegss – My Own Mess (Indie Garage Rock)

This being Skegss first full length album, it’s impressive to hear such catchy and energetic songs throughout the release. Hailing from Byron Bay, Australia, the trio have been playing together since 2013 and putting out music since 2014. their sound is not unfamiliar to most but the excitement and personality that shines through is, well, exciting. It’s the kind of record that makes you want to stay up till 3:00 a.m. on the beach with friends surrounding a campfire. Which I can’t imagine being too different from what the boys in Skegss do on a regular basis.

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Erin’s Prime Slices (9/13): Iron & Wine, Donnie Law

Iron & Wine – Weed Garden (indie folk rock)

Contrary to the implications presented by the title, Iron & Wine’s latest album, “Weed Garden”,  is full of beauty and demands to be appreciated. With echoing vocals, layers of percussive guitar lines, and unsettling strings, the album ebbs and flows between suspense and delicate satisfaction. Iron & Wine stays true to the warm sound that they have been known for since day one in this latest release.

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