The Peer Press on Babysun

 

We sent our Peer Press the EP, 13, from the band Babysun.  

 

KEY TRACK:

One Big Everything

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Read all about it below:

 THE PHOTOGRAPHER

My favorite songs are those where the music lets me really hear the lyrics. These songs from Babysun found me leaning into the speakers straining for the words.  The consistent rhythms in "One Big Everything", "Mid Air", and "What Comes of Life" push the melody forward, forcing me to focus on the layering of sounds and the mood of each song.

These atmospheric and mellow songs (with the exception of the up-beat song Satellite) conjured up images of a sixties peace-in. The lyrics and the global influences resonate with a Woodstock vibe. 

THE DOULA

"I enjoy living life, floating through air but then suddenly I visit one big satellite and crash."

I enjoyed Babysuns EP "13."  Great match up with voice and instrumentals that one could play while sprawled out on the floor in sweet nostalgia as they sort and embrace photos of years past, possibly sipping a glass of wine or hot cocoa, even better on a day when the sky is grey and rain is providing a background beat.  Your reminiscing over your childhood and relationships probably brings a tear to your eye and the music just fills in your soul... and then Satellite literally jolts on to your music player and you are transported to a crazy high school party or perhaps an acid trip if you played that way  In the future I would probably listen to the entire EP again and skip Satellite, unless of course I was preparing for a marathon, driving down PCH with all my windows down or practicing my emo rave moves.  Has anyone seen my glow sticks?  It shook me up after I had been in a calm zone from the other tunes.

bahahaha

THE SPIRITUALIST

The standout track for me here is "One Big Everything".  Beautiful music, impactful lyrical content, and a resounding message of hope and peace.  What else should music be used for but to bring hope and love to us all...  

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Find Babysun on Myspace Music

The Peer Press on The Castros

On

The Castros

We sent our Peer Press their cover of Michal Jackson's "Billy Jean" from the EP,

The Tiny Airplane.

Give it a listen below while you read...

THE LINGUIST:

Michael Jackson, in death, left us on our own -- whether we choose to wander in the wilderness, or to build a culture atop his records so magnificent it transcends them. We've had a couple years to process the man's complex legacy. We've all loved, lost, and lived a little since then -- and we probably will continue to do so. I didn't like this performance when I first heard it. My initial thought was "wow, you could walk into any coffee shop in America and not wait too long before hearing a folky interpretation of something by Michael Jackson." But that first impression may not be true. Just like New York and Los Angeles became familiar with electric lights decades before the Tennessee Valley ever did -- the internet accelerates the percolation and texture of our culture to level the playing field. Ohio's not a backwater. The Castros are doing meaningful work to further a cultural conversation. The next time you find yourself in central Ohio you might walk into a coffee shop or other venue and hear The Castros. I hope you do. Because they know what Michael's values were -- to inspire everyone. And you never know where you might find it. Who are any of us to argue with that??

THE DJ:

Released from the tyranny of Quincy Jones' timeless production, we can finally understand every word to Michael Jackson's testimonial from that paternity hearing.

THE DOULA:

What a beautiful rendition of Billie Jean.  Knowing the words and then listening to a song at a completely different pace in like playing a mind game.  Her voice is soothing and slightly haunting.  It would have been a welcome change to my ears if the song had been slowed down even more as there are parts when it sounds like she is trying to catch up to the instrumentals and to my ears it would have been that much more enchanting.  I actually had more fun listening to "Pumpkin Pie."  I am a sucker for original songs and a hoarder of the holiday Pumpkin Pie.
 

THE SPIRITUALIST:

I agree with my peers on this one.  There is something that differentiates this from the "coffee house" crowd.  The haunting & beautiful voice, the simplicity of the music, and the sincere delivery shines a light on an amazing composition of a pop legend.  Well done.

THE FILMMAKER:

For the size of his songbook, MJ has not been covered as often we would think.  A few keepers stand out: Chris Cornell, Fallout Boy, J-May.  It's tough to compete with a Chris Cornell acoustic powerhouse rendition of Billy Jean, and unfortunately, because of the arrangement, the Castros' version here does.  I say unfortunately because although I love the arrangement, the beautiful voice of the female lead, I don't believe a word she's saying.  Her delivery doesn't make me feel like she knows 'Billie Jean' this figure that was more 'like a beauty queen', or any of the other elements of the loose narrative of the song.  When Phil Collins cranks out 'Tonight's the Night' I don't have a single doubt in my mind that 'Tonight IS THE NIGHT'', and I hold on for the ride.  Make us believe it and I won't be losing interest half-way through this performance.  It's not a result of the arrangement - the recording is really well done.  It's in the attitude that this one lacks for me.

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Please support The Castros and buy their EP, The Tiny Airplane Here.

The Castros Website

http://facebook.com/TheCastrosMusic 

http://twitter.com/TheCastrosMusic

http://myspace.com/ILoveTheCastros

The Peer Press on Boom Kinetic

 on

BOOM KINETIC



This week we sent our press a couple great songs from the band, Boom Kinetic

Songs sent:

Love and Reason

Ordinary People

From Boom Kinetic's album - "Part Gray/Part Bright Light"

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The Peer Press is in...

The Linguist

The lineage of the click-clack lead guitar phrase in "Love and Reason" can be traced, at least in electric rock, to Harry Nilsson's "One", through David Byrne's early work in lead phrasing, through faster tones of Andy Gill, wrapped up in package right to your door. Great guitar work by design facilitates our increased interest in a singable, strong hook. That's what you listen to pop music for, and the most success here is in the second, and final choruses ... The landscape of our instant culture has never been more accessible to the new paths of opportunity that only vision and insight can find. What vision and insight do Boom Kinetic want us to think they have?? The vocals wrap up shining, anthemic choruses ready for more to sing if they choose. The questions become -- with big hooks and clear vision, how far can they hustle, how far outward do they want to radiate from their center?? 

The Doula 

About the song "Ordinary People" -

Much more "mainstream" than "Love and Reason", and a song I could imagine being an "ordinary" single.  The beep beep boop boop introduction made me smirk.  The words "undiclosed recipient" made me stop actively listening as they repeated in my head, unable to hear the song for the next 15 seconds at least.  I appreciate songs with a catch that I could sing along to and with this I see myself driving though Santa Monica on a sunny day with my windows down.  I much prefer the musical postlude, where I envision ending a night by a lake only lit by the stars and the moon,  rather than the over done repeated lyrics from "Love and Reason. " 

The Spiritualist

Love and Reason is a groovy little ditty with a great hook, perfect for those long afternoons driving down the 405 fwy with the sun shining on your face and wind blowing thru your hair...  traffic, what traffic?

The DJ

Get me a snorkel, an avocado and some radio edits! 

Trust me, I've  launched power pop careers with less.

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Find more out about Boom Kinetic and purchase their music here:

facebook.com/boomkinetic

twitter.com/boomkinetic

boomkinetic.com

reverbnation.com/boomkinetic

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/part-gray-part-bright-light/id394123742

The Peer Press on Nathan Mathes

 ON 


 NATHAN MATHES

We sent our Peer Press 5 songs off of Nathan Mathes' album Roselawn.

Just As Long As I Got You

Maybe We're In Love - FREE Download

So It Goes

Until The Sun Comes Up

Tell Me How Much You Love Me 

THE LINGUIST:

We can't blame Steve Albini's 1990s interest in "warehourse reverb" for what's been reduced to a few clicks in intermediate ProTools. Here in the 21st, you empower yourself as a listener and a fan by understanding a few basics about how music can be created and recorded. Since most people use ProTools (of course there's nothing inherently wrong with ProTools, I use ProTools, it's a great program and the industry standard) it's common to have a few "filters" or "patches" enabled which make your song sound like big, warehousey, cold northern Chicago/Minneapolis/Winnipeg blue-sky dead-trees space. In layman's terms -- make them sound like Fleet Foxes. Every track has been judiciously hit with these effects, reducing tight guitar playing and 1964-65 throwback execution in songwriting to the background. Digital processing is supposed to heighten songcraft and production, not make mockery of it. "So It Goes"' hook is in a heavily processed piano phrase -- this is an example of what lovely digital effects, evoking cold clear skies of Winnipeg, are supposed to be used FOR. The final track, "Tell Me How Much You Love Me", strikes the listener as an exercise in palate-cleansing soundscapes -- I concur with The DJ. You need this brief pause of clarity ambience like sweet, cold ginger must follow spicy tuna. 

 THE PHILOSOPHER:

Preparing to listen through my earphones to the music of Nathan Mathes, I found the first of his tracks that oozed out, “Just As Long As I Got You”, had me sitting and rocking in tempo with my eyes shut.  Nathan's lyrical minimalism in no way makes this a front running A-side single (and I hope you are old enough to even know what that term means), but what I found that it did do, after having heard more music from him, is tell me what I was expecting: that Mr. Mathes was going to be about good music.  Nathan's music reminds me of a Nick Drake- great songs for music lovers who are fortunate enough to be introduced to it, perfect for that television ad that makes you forget the product being advertised when you try to tell your friend of that great track you heard in the background, and a well of music that I foresee many musicians in the future drawing inspiration from, much like what Nirvana did for the Meat Puppets on their MTV Unplugged performance. 

Must hear track: So It Goes.  Listen to it here:  So It Goes

THE DJ:

One of these tunes was not like the others: Maybe that's why I liked  the last one best. 

Reminded me of Vincent Gallo.

Must Hear Track:  Tell Me How Much You Love Me

THE SPIRITUALIST:

Soft whispers amongst haunting soundscapes... Nathan Mathes' voice rings true and drips

with love, romance, devotion, and joy.  A gem, perfect for an afternoon drive 

with the people you love. 

Must Hear Track: Just As Long As I Got You

The Doula

Overall Nathan has a soothing voice, his songs really seem to hit me as perfect for a soundtrack.  I am interested in hearing more from him and seeing where they take me.  

1.  Just as Long as I got you

Absolutely a song to be used on an indie film.  Only a few words but they are words that we all know so well.  It makes me think of the film "Falling Overnight" and it is one of those songs I would listen to on a day when I am in the dumps with hope in my heart.

2. Maybe We're in Love

Considering I am engaged and planning my wedding, this song is so sweet.  I am such a visual person, always going somewhere in the music.  The first place I went is an old house, swinging on a porch bench in the fall and seeing my future family flash in front of me jumping in crunchy leaves.  Maybe we will have this on our wedding playlist.  

3.  So it Goes

I do not have any feelings either way towards this song... The beginning could be one of the musical tunes on a holiday commercial.  I would let it play, but I would probably zone out through it.  That is not a bad thing, it is a good zoning song.  Some of the songs from "Garden State" make me zone out also, but I love the soundtrack.  Did you know there is an awesome woman in the Childbirth community that goes by the name "birthwithoutfear," her real name is January.

4. Until the Sun Comes Up

Another song I could see being in "Falling Overnight" oddly enough.  It certainly speaks to my sleep disorder as there are times all I want to do is drive "until the sun comes up."  

5.  Tell Me How Much You Love Me

I am not sure what just happened, but I am going to look for my glass and put it against the wall and see if can get more of it. 

MUST HEAR TRACK - ALL of them!

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Find Nathan Mathes and keep up to date on all his upcoming shows and releases here:

NATHAN MATHES OFFICIAL SITE

BUY ROSELAWN HERE:

ROSELAWN ON ITUNES

And don't forget to follow him on TWITTER and FACEBOOK

Journey Into the Amazing World of The Tiger Shadow

 

Nearing the end of the last millennium while the east and west coasts
cultivated their respective pantheons of rap royalty, the musical
movement overseas was developing a very distinct take on the whole
genre. At the time, nothing held more creative promise than flowing over
an off kilter sample and banging drums.

Incredible bands like Massive Attack, Tricky and Portishead released
awe inspiring records with a much deeper, emotive quality. These
powerful songs leaked out of every back alley pub and hipster cocktail
party from London to San Jose. Then like Keyser Soze... the strength
of both movements seemed to disappear in the night.

Ten years later out of nowhere a group is now continuing this lineage
and pushing on in search of greater meaning and dynamic sound. Mix the
aforementioned bands with 2 parts dub step, a spooky pinch of The
Specials and one incredibly pensive MC and, Voila!... Tiger Shadow.

"If you're feeling this, rewind this" boasts West African MC Komla, and
we couldn't agree more. If you are a fan of true hip hop in its most
distilled essence, their new album The Adventures of the Tiger Shadow
should fill the musical void that was left ten years ago. It is a true
artistic statement in the sense of it's cinematic arch and its wonderful
ability to energize your mind, body and soul.

"Serene Trampoline" is a great little summertime track. One can't help
but bop along with the poppy bass line and Motown harmonies. "Abject
Happiness" is another standout with it's sensual 3rd world melody and
gritty rhymes, but the real gem here is "What Were They Thinking". Every
phrase is heavy handed with eloquently delivered raw wisdom, going
against every current rap trend by speaking about the over-sexualization
of our youth. The term 'conscious rap' doesn't even begin to describe
the goings on here. "The audience cant keep eating the same food. Too
much of one thing is not good" Komla explains in his hypnotic delivery.
He goes on to apologize for party pooping, but it is all to apparent
that if you are not 'vibing' the seriousness of the music... you are at
the wrong party.

With such a potent mix of lyrical content, beats, and bass - you would
be hard pressed to find another groups music that would fit in at both
the darkest, grittiest underground party as well as an elegant,
high-class soiree - and seem equally at home.  

Tiger Shadow is ready to pounce.  Be prepared.

Here is FREE download of the song, "Inner City", 

from a previous EP, "Stripe 2". 

If this song wets your chops, get ready for an amazing feast once  

The Adventures of the Tiger Shadow drops. Their new music is really, 

really awesome. It is being mastered now. 

Please check out Tiger Shadow for more info.

Support this artist and buy their music, HERE

Keep checking back for an update on a release date - 

we will be posting it on Twitter.

Get Down With Sean Cooney Before the Zombie Apocalypse

Imagine if you will... 

The love child of Rufus Wainwright and Katy Perry ran away from home, met up with T-Pain in Miami, moved to Brooklyn and laid down the most ridiculous party album known to man, “The Last Thing I Heard Before the Zombie Apocalypse”.

Sean Cooney is a very musically talented dude with a keen indie-pop sensibility that he lays on thick in almost every song. This definitely pays off. In the entertaining and campy "Party like a Kennedy" the lyrics are sung with mocking grace while in the silly “Susi Q”, written about an artist he is collaborating with on a claymation video, the seriousness is again skirted through the delivery. This lighthearted aspect is refreshing and adds to the entertaining quality of the entire LP.  The production on the album is excellent and we love that self-producing Cooney has the nerve to introduce himself on most of the tracks.

The strongest cuts off the album are the celebratory "Cali" and the groovy, down-tempo "Brooklyn".  The entire album is worthy of any late night, booty shaking, after hours soiree. All the songs are hooky and captivating,  but we can’t help but crave more stripped down moments from Cooney. They only crop up once in a while like in the beginning of "What I Like", where his vocal quality shines like a pop hungry Jason Mraz. Without all the glitz, 808's and fancy flourishes, we would be left with funky tracks that showcase Cooney’s great voice and pleasing melodies.


All in all, this album is a wonderful introduction to a gifted artist that doesn’t take himself too seriously. Or perhaps he is brilliantly commentating on the current state of pop culture in his own unique style. Either way, the album is a very fun listen. At times, we found ourselves laughing out loud.  Most definitely check it out and rock out to it on your next road trip or at your next raging party.


Download “Brooklyn” FREE – HERE


Connect with Sean – Sean’s Website & Facebook


And make sure to check back in a couple weeks for Sean's new claymation video!




Mellow Groove & Jenn-e-Fresh. Over and out.

Videos that Rock, Pop, and end up on your Desktop

Dear ones,

These are newest and grooviest videos that have shown up on my desk here at Working Rhythms.

I will tell you exactly why they are "cool" - because I was able to sit down and watch all of them the whole way through without waning interest.

There is so much crap out there but the cream of the crop does rise to the top! You never eat no pig cause a pig is a --- just kidding



So seriousley now. Top of the list is this amazing animation from Carlos De Carvalho and the band Timber Timbre. It is an amazing collaboration between music and imagery. The talent in this video is unparalleled. Must watch this one... NOW!






Next up, this video from OK GO blows our minds everytime. Anyone up for a collab? LOL. Watch it!







This is a very powerful and interesting song from WOODKID who directed the video as well. The beat will rock your socks off.







And lastly, this vintage classic by THE MORNING BIRDS. Let the bass line move your spine.







That's that.


Mellow Groove. Over and out.