A Real Name Behind Real Blasty

Kyle Andrews – Real Blasty (Elephant Lady)

I won’t lie; everything about this album screams “hate me!” First of all, I’m not a fan of artists that go by their real name, especially when his or her name is already boring to begin with. And the sound: synthesized pop with extremely melodramatic lyrics? Sound good to you? NO. But, but actually listening to the album, Andrews created something worth attention.

The album opens up with “Sushi.” He yearns for love and it’s unclear if it’s reciprocated. The vocals and lyrical content may come off as whiney at some points and too processed at others. It’s the mix of these extremes that made me listen to the album a 3^rd and 4^th time.

No one can say the tracks are the same. The track order is perfectly organized to accommodate all of the various sounds. Andrews appears to cover the pop-ification of today’s mainstream rock with some electronic help. One of two of the tracks reminds me of Moby and Radiohead combined making pop music, others remind me of Maroon 5 & other VH1 “boy bands”.

It’s not for everyone. But if you are a lover of pop music and variances on the pop genre, then give this Chicago soloist a try.

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Track Listing:

1.       Sushi
2.       Naked in NYC
3.       Polar Bear
4.       Call and Fade
5.       Tennessee Torture Dream
6.       Put Your Hands Up
7.       A Constant Wavering Between The Real and The Abstract
8.       Blow It Out
9.       Take It To Heart
10.   I Wanted To Paint A Rainbow
11.   Cut and Paste
12.   Bus

Image Source: Amazon

Sparks’ Pop-Opera Gimmick

Sparks – Exotic Creatures of the Deep (Li’l Beethoven Records)

Pop opera, popera – whatever, it is. It is captivating, strange but pretty cool. With pop elements and vibrato vocals and embellished sound to accompany often humorous lyrics, Sparks is a master of the genre megaship. Sparks is a 2 piece band made up of Ron and Russell Mael that has been around for a few decades. Exotic Creatures of the Deep is their 21^st release.

“Good Morning” is about getting drunk and waking up to a beautiful stranger and assuming it was a glorious night. The track walks the listener through the situation making it extremely relatable. First, he wonders who this person is and then takes time to thank God for the probably glorious night, all in an over-orchestrated way.

Sparks, is like the beginning of “Bohemian Rhapsody” before it broke into a rock song with high pitched vocals he creates something fun with a somewhat serious sound. With an ornate sound including organ, vocal rounds, and backing choral arrangements, it’s something you don’t hear everyday.

Anytime Sparks will come up on shuffle, I’ll probably listen to the whole album; it’s just that captivating. The pop makes it catchy and dancey, the opera makes it intriguing and gives it the right amount of gimmick to want more.

“I Can’t Believe You Would Fall For All This Crap In This Song” is a kick in the pants answer to the romantic songs that fill the airwaves. While “love” songs usually say over the top promises, Russell sings “I love you, only you,” he also responds by wondering how anyone could fall for empty promises like that. It makes a statement to the girls who take song lyrics and promises of love forever as something more than a rhyme. It’s just a (rhyme) scheme. (Ooh Snap!) It’s another relatable and honest song.

“Photoshop” is one of my favorite tracks. Not only does it mention something seen everyday, it puts it in the context of real life and relationships. Once again, it’s humorous and has a recognizable/relatable action. The connection of Photoshop to real life mixed with kooky musical elements and even a delicate piano makes this song so delicious. Not to mention, this song would make it on my break up playlist if I was to create one.

Besides that this album has left Sparks open to an Adobe lawsuit,  it’s a great album. When you needs something fun, but not over powered with bass, then definitely put on some Sparks.

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Track listing:

1. “Intro”
2. “Good Morning”
3. “Strange Animal”
4. “I Can’t Believe That You Would Fall for All the Crap in This Song”
5. “Let the Monkey Drive”
6. “Intro Reprise”
7. “I’ve Never Been High”
8. “(She Got Me) Pregnant”
9. “Lighten Up, Morrissey”
10. “This is the Renaissance”
11. “The Director Never Yelled ‘Cut’”
12. “Photoshop”
13. “Likeable”

Image source: Amazon

Chatham Singers Make Classic and Sexy Blues

The Chatham Singers – Juju Claudius (Damaged Goods)

With a classic blues (slightly rock) style including a harmonica on some tracks, this 4 piece UK band mixes the Raveonettes male/femae vocals with the grit and grime of The Black Keys’ inspired blues rock. The collection of power grooves and slightly distorted vocals can transport a listener to a different time and place from present day England, from which The Chatham Singers were born. I am transported into Black Snake Moan except Christina Ricci is dancing to this.

It has a sex appeal either from the “moaning”-like vocals or the sultry groove of the drums and harmonica (as in the track “Son Of Art”). The lyrics even are suggestive by saying “I’m gonna paint you, every little part of you.” With a range of moody blues to country fried blues with “The True Story of…” to a more uptempo beat that reflects a similar mood and feel as “A Man of Constant Sorrow” (from the film, O Brother Where Art Thou).

“Queen Bee” is a total chick song, which is rare to hear in today’s blues-inspired indie genre. Another favorite is “The Right Mistake”. The chorus is “I made the right mistake by not marrying you.” It’s both sexy and powerful. It’s an anti-romance song but still embodies classic blues. I guess that’s’ what I like about them. They really stay true to the blues, but they still make each track modern without becoming gimmicky.

What’s going on in the UK? Is there something in their water that is bringing out the music in a true and homage respectifully way? (See: Heavy – Great Vengeance and Furious Fire)

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Track Listing:

1. All Who Cheated and Lied
2. Juju Claudius
3. An Image of You
4. Upside Mine
5. The Son Of Art
6. The True Story of Elizabeth Sargent
7. Queen Bee
8. Evil Thing
9. Angel Of Death
10. Demolition Man
11. The Right Mistake
12. The Good Times
13. Bring Me Water
14. Baby What’s Wrong

Image source: Raucousshop.co.uk