Browsing Tag

The Black Keys

The Talking Hours cast the first stone in the indietronica blues-rock revolution with the swagger in their latest seminal release, Stop the Sound

Posted on 5 December 2024

The Talking Hours have returned as unrivalled pioneers of post-punk panache after a four-year airwaves hiatus with Stop the Sound, a track from their third LP, Transmissions to Missy. If you’ve ever wondered what The Black Keys would sound like if they traded in their vintage bluesy tones for indie hooks and Arcade Fire-style swagger, look no further.

Mauricio and Karie, the fierce force behind The Talking Hours, weave magnetic indie vocals through a dense fog of percussion and angular guitars that slice through the track with post-punk precision. The visceral rhythm and sharp riffs deliver jolts of energy while the vocals cut through, commanding attention with their arcane deliverances of deadpan drawls and euphonic harmony.

The way the duo push against the constrictions of sonic conformity by pairing rock, blues, and indie elements with electronic pulses amplifies the hypnotic gravity of Stop the Sound. You’ll come for the perfect equilibrium of style and substance, yet it is the emotive anatomy of Stop the Sound which allows it to establish itself as a playlist staple, with the same sense of magnetism as Editors and Interpol in spite of the abstract nature of the lyricism.

Stream The Talking Hours’ LP, Transmissions to Missy, in full via Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Swing back to the late 60s with Sarah Streitz’s dusky groove-led rock hit, Time Passes

Posted on 23 November 2022

Ahead of the release of her 2022 album, Different Space, we got stuck into the retro grooves of Santa Fe and Minneapolis singer-songwriter Sarah Streitz’s single Time Passes. While there’s no arguing with the titular statement, clearly, Streitz doesn’t conform to the linear passing of time if the tonal nostalgia that the dusky rock record spills is anything to go by. With just a few licks of the bass and her effortlessly cool vocal performance, you’re doused in late 60s synaesthesia.

After leaving Americana and country (mostly) behind her, Streitz teamed up with the Grammy-winning sound engineer Marc Whitmore to deliver soundscapes that would make Tarantino’s head spin. Evidently, Whitmore poured the same magic into Time Passes as he did with The Black Keys records – there’s something infinitely intoxicating about her demurely vintage vocal timbre colliding with the bass lines that roll around the shimmering organs and spacey sonic effects that bring a touch of modernism to the trippy swing of the single.

Time Passes is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cam Schnell sings the Movin’ On Blues in his latest decade-spanning hit

Posted on 1 June 2021

‘Movin On Blues’ is the latest scuzzed-up blues-rock single released by the archaically-inspired artist Cam Schnell who pulls inspiration from different genres and decades to create contemporary hits that make our modern existence one a little less disconnected.

With Movin’ On Blues, you get the ultimate redemption story told through whiskey-soaked vocals that groove along with the rockabilly walking rhythms and hints of 70s psych-rock. The single offers the anthemic furore that you’d expect from any self-respecting rock n roll artist in 2021. If you find space on your playlists for the Black Keys and the Jim Jones Revue with their revivalist sounds, you’ll also want to make room for Cam Schnell’s retro magnetism.

Movin’ On Blues is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Walking Trees have made their psychedelically despondent alt-rock debut with ‘SOUTHSIDE aLIVE!’

Posted on 5 March 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElQG9ES4f2Q

Racking up over 10k streams and garnering major airplay with a debut release is the dream for many aspiring artists, The Walking Trees first single ‘SOUTHSIDE aLIVE! is equally as ethereal.

By channelling post-punk despondency vocally, infusing Depeche Mode-style atmosphere and exuding frenetic Black Keys-style blues through the guitars and keys, SOUTHSIDE aLIVE! drips with Marlon Brando-level cool.

The Frank Zappa-Esque. Spoken word verse was so much more than a nod to an icon, the serpentine canter of the poetry is utterly transfixing as it affirms the amount of artistic intellect behind The Walking Trees sound which carries reminiscence from everyone from Gorillaz to the Cramps.

The Walking Trees is everything a modern alt-rock act should be. From their image to their experimental intrigue, everything points in the direction of success for The Walking Trees. With their forthcoming single due for release in late February, they are well-worth having on your radar.

You can check out the official music video which premiered on January 23rd via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

 

Breaking artist DiLisio blooms in their latest Alt Rock Hit “Flower Bed”

Posted on 25 October 2020

Pittsburgh-based artist DiLisio (Mark Jeffries) may be renowned for his ability to cook up rock n roll earworms, but that barely alludes to what is on offer in their standout single “Flower Bed”.

Yes, you’ll want to listen to it again. Yes, it has all the infectious appeal which will leave you itching to hit repeat, but there’s so much more to the mind-melting feat of Alt-Indie Rock. The guitar tones in Flower Bed will tear right through you. DiLisio’s approach to Garage Rock which incorporates nuances of Blues, Pop and RnB is one of the most cutting sounds we’ve had the pleasure of being lacerated by in 2020.

While you try to keep up with the sonically seismic changes in momentum, you’ll become aware of just how intrinsically arrested you are by the artist’s rhythmic prowess. Then there’s the vocals, the unpredictable volatility of them and the sheer level of emotion which will crawl under your ribs as you listen to the candidly introspective lyrics. I have an overwhelming amount of awe for any artist willing to bleed their soul into a soundscape. Naturally, I’m awe-struck with DiLisio.

There are some aural nods to The Black Keys and Jack White, but the visceral full-throttle nature of the track affirms that assimilation had very little to do with the orchestration of this unforgettably eruptive release.

You can check out DiLisio’s track Flower Bed via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rya Park – Bad Name: A Feisty Alt Indie Earworm

Posted on 1 April 2020

The latest single “Bad Name” from up and coming Indie artist Rya Park isn’t to be missed. Especially for fans of Amy Winehouse, Garbage, Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen, and The Black Keys.

The Australian artist mixes the soul of Winehouse, the magnetic attitude of Shirley Manson, and absorbing Blues Rock riffs similar to The Black Keys. All wrapped up in a polished, pulsing, visceral massive sound which Arctic Monkeys used to offer before Alex Turner tried to assimilate Bowie.

It’s quite a potent mix. And it leaves us with no question about how much potential lingers in Rya Park’s resounding approach to Indie. Another thing it leaves us with is an all too welcome Indie Pop earworm which means that Bad Name will require repeat attention.

If you’re ready for that much aural commitment, you can check out Bad Name for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Banisters – Weary Pilgrim: A Sound That Would Leave Jim Jones Shaking.

Posted on 18 December 2017

Weary Pilgrim starts with a preserved introduction that doesn’t allow you to anticipate what’s going to follow throughout the sweet duration of this Soul-full rock track.  Whack up the volume and indulge in the Old School funk of The Zombies and the contemporary shine of The Black Keys. As you’d expect from a band of this genre they graciously indulge you in on point guitar styling with bone rattling riffs and chord progression so heavy that your head will spin.

Even after I’d listened to the track ten times I couldn’t get over the monstrous instrumental arrangements. When Weary Pilgrim crashed to its ending I was quite literally left with Goosebumps. The Banisters are a 5-piece cohort from Austin, Texas, the true home to soulful American Rock.

The vocalist invokes some sweet lyrical nostalgia as he reals through his devil dancing lyrics to create that ultimate American Rock sound. It’s hard to believe they’ve been around since 2015 and still linger on the underground scene when they can orchestrate such a nostalgic contemporary sound!

Check out the official YouTube video to Weary Pilgrim via the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO77n2RJlpM

Head on over to The Banisters website for more info on these lusciously talented creatures music:

http://www.thebanistersmusic.com/

Kurtis Simmons – Safe Place: Unadulterated Pop Rock

Posted on 29 November 2017

First impressions? This track wouldn’t be out of place on a Disney soundtrack. But beyond that, even as one with more raucous tastes, I became enthralled under the charm that US based Pop Rock artist Kurtis Simmons created with his debut angelic hit ‘Safe Place’.

With a backing track that kind of reminded me of the Lion King, it took a lot for his vocals to win me over, yet ultimately, they did. He leaves the window wide open to his soul, inviting you to come inside with his poetically lyrical fixings which are a constant feature throughout his work. With better direction, as a vocalist Kurtis could be unstoppable. Yet with such sickly melodies the sound hinders his true musical talent, I was waiting for the passion, the anger, the real feeling. But sadly, the cacophony never came. His influences include Steve Perry, Paul McCartney and David Bowie, if only their attitude was more evident throughout his back catalogue.

Safe Place is available to listen to now! Check it out using Soundcloud via the link below:

https://soundcloud.com/kurtissimmons/safe-place

Check out Kurtis’ website for more information on how to download his music & keep up to date with his tours.

https://www.kurtissimmons.com/

River Lynch and The Spiritmakers: Resonant Reverb For The Revivalists.

Posted on 28 October 2017

River Lynch and The Spiritmakers have dropped their brand-new track ‘Straight Through’ complete with a stunningly visual video that’s a serendipitous dream for all of my fellow rock revivalists. Their combination of Rock n’ roll, blues, and folk rock is insatiably delectable combined with the charisma of one of the most charming front men that’s graced the rock genre.

Originating from Rochester, New York; Lynch has his work cut out for himself contending with a drift of musicians that are all as heavy as the snow fall. Fans all across NY who have had the pleasure to witness this enigmatic foursome live, all know that they transcend the typical Rochester noise.

The band exude the same style of The Black Keys, Black Rebel Motorcyle Club & The Jim Jones Review, but with so much soul and modern energy behind their music the comparison hardly seems fair. Their debut track is packed full of resonant reverb from the effortless talent of lyricist, vocalist and guitarist River Lynch. There’s not many guitarists that are blessed with the ability to create the jingle of Johnny Marr, the guitar solo is everything you’d expect from a band that exudes vibrantly vintage nostalgic sound.

From start to finish the track is a true audiophiles delight. Undoubtedly by far my favourite element of this track was the lyrical diversity from Lynch as he transgressed from graunching gravelly vocals to hitting the resonant highs, whilst drenching you in gloriously riff heavy ensembles combined with piercing drum rolls and a uniquely delectable organ infused sound.