The Rumble Strips- Girls and Weather

Hi,

Today's post will be about a band that you probably know some of their songs but may not have heard of before. I'll be introducing you to their album "Girls and Weather". This is definitely my album of the month!

Background Info:
The Rumble Strips were a 5 piece indie-pop/rock, soul English band from Tavistock, Devon. The band took their name from rumble strips, which are small, continuous lines of bumps along the edge of a road. They went their separate ways in 2009. You can buy their album on iTunes HERE for £5.99 and other album "Welcome to the walk alone" HERE for £5.99. You can stream some of their music HERE

This album is a gorgeous blend of indie-pop and rock with soul and jazz managing to worm its way in there too. Their catchy rhythms and wonderful story-telling lyrics paired with the infectious, lyrical melodies make all the tracks so hard to get out of your head. Their music is full of funky brass and jazzy saxophone with exploding electric guitars and fabulous piano bringing it all together. Vocalist, Charlie Waller has an '80s alternative feel about him. He really gets to show off his amazing range and unpredictability in songs like Time and Building a boat. The style is kind of similar to Peace's Harrison Kossier. Great sounding lyrics are spat out by the bucket load and fit so well with the style of music and Waller's powerful, closed throat, grunge-y, scuzzy vocals. The whole of the album sounds so full of life and human that it'll all stick in your head for a long time.

Favourite Track: Clouds HERE

If you listen to girls and boys in love I bet you'll recognise it even if you don't know where from!! Its played in loads of films and TV shows. You can listen to it HERE

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed and take the time to listen to their music!

iTunes Single of the week #14

Hi,

This week's free download was "Feel of love" by Tensnake & Jacques Lu Cont ft. Jamie Lidell.

Tensnake is a 38 year-old house and electronica music producer and DJ from Germany. Jacques Lu Cont is a 36 year-old electronic, synthpop, house and electroclash DJ, songwriter and record producer from North Yorkshire, England. Jamie Lidell is a 40 year-old soul, funk and electronica artist from Cambridgeshire, England.

Review:
This funky, electronica track is constructed with layers, adding on more slowly but surely. The steamy beats with electronic 'noises' behind the start off, then adding electric bass bringing more melody and variation. The alternative-techno vocals are brought in next. The tone of them are not to my taste as they are too high pitched, undefined and warble-y. They don't sound like they are quite right, or like thy have found their proper style yet. As there isn't much vocal melody, they aren't the main attraction which is fine when you have a strong backing to fill out the spaces and cushion the lyrics. This track doesn't have either. This is very much a '90s techno-pop track which doesn't really appeal to me.

Overall, I think this song hasn't got much cop but isn't un-listeninable. 5/10

iTunes Single of the week #13

Hi,

This week iTunes' free single was "Walk this way" by MØ.

MØ is a Danish soul, pop, electronica, R&B and alternative dance singer/songwriter who is rapidly making herself known for the right reasons. She is from Odense in Denmark and is 25 years old. She has one EP out called bikini daze and one LP called no mythologies to follow, which came out on March 10th this year.

Review:

This track is electronica but cleverly constructed with fast up-tempo choruses and slowed down more relaxing verses that are similar to '90s pop. MØ's voice is high pitched and a has youthful tone but the techniques she uses sound mature and skilled. Almost all the way through she has recorded at least one more track of her vocals on top of the main lyrics. This effect is often not used very well but MØ uses it to it's full potential in my opinion with great outcomes! The track starts straight away with street party like beats and her main vocals cushioned in the echoed effect which sounds great. This song is so catchy with quite simple and popp-y lyrics but with really effective hooks! 

Overall I think this song is really pretty good, so I will give it 8/10.