Vol. 4 Episode 7

Some interesting things have come up in the past week in support of various things. This will be a singles episode because of this.

There really hasn’t been much in music news since the Grammy’s disaster hit so we will just get on with it…

Family Force 5 – Next Level

This is the third track to be released in support of NGen Internet Radio, the first two being the tracks Phenomenon and Chainsaw. Both of which you could buy on CD during Christmas. There may still be copies left at the bands web store if you are interested. In order to get this new track at the moment you need to download the NGen Radio app. There is a graphic when you start it up that takes you to a page to enter some information. Type in the information and check your email to download the track. This song also features a Christian rap artist from the UK calling himself LZ7.

Next Level is even harder and electronic than the previous two NGen Promo tracks. It talks about exactly what the title says, bringing “it” to the next level. The song comes from Christian artists so it is truly meant to push Christians to bring their best and step out from the shadows of their former selves.

The Postal Service – A Tattered Line Of String

With the re-release of the tenth anniversary edition (Loser Edition) of the album Give Up comes two new tracks. One of which has been pre-released to those that preorder the album A Tattered Line Of String. The second unreleased track is called Turn Around.  The backing vocals on the track are sung by the former Rilo Kiley singer Jenny Lewis. She will be touring with the group on the up coming summer tour schedule with the group. As will, of course, the lead singer for Death Cab For Cutie, Ben Gibbard who is the lead singer for The Postal Service too. If you watch the video you get to see all of the potential colors of vinyl that may be released for the three record version of this tenth anniversary edition of Give Up. Edit: the vinyl colors will be red, white and clear

The song is a great track filled with the classic beeps and boops that the band is known for. The drums and synth parts are the foundation for the song. The added guitar work sweetens the deal with the lovely vocals from both Ben and Jenny. It is really a great track but I can also understand why it was left off the album.

All The Saints/These Arms Are Snakes split single

This was a tour single that was released in 2009. It is the only single that All The Saints have released. When I first heard the track I could have swore that I had heard it before but it is not listed in the track listing on their first album. The track is just in such a similar style as the first album. I had never heard of the group These Arms Are Snakes before or since learning about this single. They are a post-hardcore group. After hearing this track I have no interest in finding out about more of their music.

The All The Saints track, Host, is a slow song that could have easily fit into their first album, Fire On Corridor X. It is almost a trip hop track except for all of the distortion and reverb soaked guitars on the track. I am very happy that I found a copy of this single. This track, like the album, is dark and filled with sounds from the beginning of heavy metal along with the sounds that inspire the idea of shoegaze music. This combination is awesome to say the least.

The track from These Arms Are Snakes, Washburn, is hard and in your face. They don’t seem to say much though. I think I would rather hear from At The Drive-in than this group. There isn’t enough melody for me. It is hard to understand the lyrics too. It makes it hard to like the song and the band.

Golden Grrrls – New Pop/Red Sea

This was the first single that Golden Grrrls released. It is not the first release but the first single. It was released late in November 2011. Both tracks are fun indie pop. This single can be downloaded on a pay what you want price including free if you so choose from their BandCamp page.

The A side track, called New Pop, is a fun, fast paced track that comes off as a pretty punk track. It is a short track at about a minute and a half or so. I recommend giving it a shot. I guarantee it will not be a minute and a half you would desperately want back. You’ll be bopping in your seat just like I did.

The B side track, called Red Sea, is a bit slower than the A side but is just as pretty. I love the female vocal style. She reminds me of the vocalist for The Sundays but not so depressing. The male overlapped vocals still leave something to be desired in my head but I think I am getting use to them. It doesn’t bother me as much as it did when I started listening to the group.

That is all I have for now...