Night Visions

I know this is my second indie rock suggestion in as many posts, but I was always intrigued by this particular band, and it wasn't until I heard one of their songs during the Olympics that I gave them my attention, for which I'm glad I did.

Album: Night Visions

Artist: Imagine Dragons

If you can get past how amazing their name is, the Imagine Dragons are quite the talented group. They're fairly new to the scene, having formed in only 2008, but have they've released 3 EPs and one full-length album, which is the subject of this post.

Night Visions encompasses all that's great about the indie side of alternative music, at least to my ears. With an ample dose of thumping bass, a measure of flowing vocal theatrics, and an abundance of general musical talent, this record has hit the recipe for awesome dead on.

To me, the biggest allure is the songs' catchiness. All too often, it seems as though a song that's labeled catchy turns out to be a stereotypical, sellout, pop song. However, here it's nothing like that. The music is original, and has a deeper meaning than a lot of what's out there nowadays. Also, not to hate on the music industry, but here the songs actually sound genuine, a rare find in today's market.

Some standout tracks include;
• The whole album

And I'm not just saying that to make a point or anything; I honestly tried to list out all of the ones I really wanted to suggest, but by the time I was done I realized I had listed pretty much the entire album. Which obviously is a good thing, and means you should probably go give this one a listen from start to finish if you find yourself liking their sound.

The Lonely Forest

Every so often, you come across that one band that, at least for the time being, becomes your new most absolutely favorite band. Well today I give to you my new most absolutely favorite band. 

Artist: The Lonely Forest

An American indie rock band from Anacortes, Washington, The Lonely Forest formed in 2005 and have since released 2 EPs and 3 full-length records to date. On their website biography, their music is described as having a core of John Van Deusen’s soaring vocals and keyboard melodies, wrapped tightly around Tony Ruland’s expansive guitar anchored by a heavy, yet nimble, rhythm section. 

Even from only having known about them for less than a day now, I'd still have to agree that the music is very vocally driven, but the guitar and rhythm parts are most definitely right there to back it and give their sound a very unique texture.

Lyrically and stylistically, their songs entertain a contrast of “brilliant pop songs featuring lyrics about spiritual longing wedded to an almost prog-rock sensibility” according to their site. Because of this, they apparently appeal to broad range of listeners, from “wide-eyed teenagers to jaded scenesters.”

From my own experience, I can only add to that by saying that their music sounds to me like a combination of Arcade Fire, Chevelle, and a little Angels & Airwaves perhaps. And honestly, I’d have to say that that’s a combination that really needed to happen, based on how amazing this band sounds. 

Some standout tracks include;

• Tooth for Tooth

• Coyote

• We Sing In Time

• Blackheart vs Captain America

• Are You Afraid of the World? 

• Nuclear Winter

I’m sorry I don’t have more songs to suggest, but I just found these guys yesterday and was a little impatient to post about them, so I haven’t gotten the chance to be able to explore their discography in any kind of depth. However, you can obviously go forth and discover on your own, which I strongly encourage! It's not nearly often enough that bands such as this get the attention they deserve, and these guys definitely deserve any and all attention they can get.

Four Seconds

It's nice to find a song that's just really fun to listen to. Be it a catchy beat, comical lyrics, or something else entirely that creates such an atmosphere, there's nothing quite like it and it makes for a great listen.

Song: Four Seconds

Artist: Barenaked Ladies

I had heard of this band before, but I had never come across any of their music and had never been inspired to seek it out, probably because that's quite the loaded Google search. 

When I found this track, it only took a few seconds for me to fall in love with it. After finding out what band was responsible for it, I was pleasantly surprised that it was a band I had heard mention of before.

Overall, it's an insanely catchy track. with heavy emphasis on the beat behind it. Not only is it unique, but it's quite involved with a neat guitar part, a driving drum rhythm, and even what sounds like a few baritone saxophone notes near the end. The vocals are also catchy in their own right, and honestly hard to not sing or hum along to. The lyrics are nothing overly profound or cohesive, but that just adds to the intrigue.

This track is definitely worth giving a chance, if for no other reason than that these guys found a way to rhyme with "orange," which is obviously a pretty unique undertaking. Really, it's just an overall enjoyable listen, from the uptempo to the quirky lyrics and everything in between. 

Minus the Machine

While eagerly awaiting an album's drop for months has its build-up appeal, there's something to be said for just finding a new record that you didn't even know about.

Album: Minus the Machine

Artist: 10 Years

This record, 10 Years' sixth studio album, just came out a couple of days ago, and I was lucky enough to stumble across it on an accidental iTunes exploration. When I fell in love with the first three tracks I listened to, I knew it was more than deserving of a shout-out on here.

"Minus the Machine" adopts a kind of ambient/spacey feel that works to create an intriguing emotional atmosphere found throughout pretty much the entire album. But, not to be lost amidst that overarching style is the technical success of the musicians themselves. 

Jesse Hasek's vocal style is very reminiscent of that of Chevelle singer Pete Loeffler as he channels a very intense performance that compliments his instrumental backing; From the grungy guitars and straight-forward drumming and even to the solo piano on one track*, it's rather remarkable.

Some standout tracks include;

• Minus the Machine

• Battle Lust

* Forever Fields (Sowing Season)

• Knives

It's honestly an all-around great listen. Anyone who's a fan of rock but doesn't mind some deviation from the traditional formula should give this one a chance. Or actually, anyone who likes music in general should listen, because this record is simply amazing and deserves a lot of attention.

Break

Have you ever gone through one of those phases where for a time you find yourself listening almost exclusively to one band's discography? I've had the pleasure of going through one this summer for a band whom I have known of for a long while and enjoyed, but never given a thorough chance.

Song: Break

Artist: Three Days Grace 

For those of you just tuning in, you wouldn't know that I have a thing for music videos with intriguing plots and more substance than just the band performing their song. Not to say I don't like just general performance-y type videos, but I tend to appreciate ones with more of a movie quality to them.

This suggestion actually comes from somewhere in the middle, where the band is technically performing, but the setting is not quite the traditional stage.

The video involves putting each member of the band into their own separate room that matches the color of their clothing, and finding out what happens if those different colors were to, say, mix. And by mix I of course mean splatter over the contents of the neighboring rooms, as is partially shown in the above picture. Sounds weird, but the result is quite aesthetically pleasing.

Musically, "Break" is a rather well-rounded hard rock song. The guitars are somewhat distorted, the drums are intense, and the vocals are a mix of the clean and the grungy. What else could you ask for, really? It's very straightforward and edgy, becoming of the heavy style Three Days Grace has become known for over the years, but with a slight, somewhat lighter, twist.

Lyrically, according to lead guitarist Barry Stock, the track is about how "if you don't like the situation you're in or what's going on around you, it's entirely up to you to break out of it. That's it. It's pretty much just breaking out and letting loose. You don't have to be stuck in whatever it is you're dealing with. Whether it's good or bad, it's your choice to make a change."


Also, one last note in regards to this blog; I'm going to be experimenting in the future with putting photos in the posts to add a little more color and visual, like I did with this one. No guarantees on how long it will go for, but I'm kind of liking it already, so here's to trying something new!

Bones

I had all but forgotten about this gem I stumbled across a few months ago until an ad for it popped up on Youtube and I remembered that I had never talked about it on here.

Song: Bones
Artist: Young Guns

An alternative rock band from Buckinghamshire and London, UK, the Young Guns have made a name for themselves playing the supporting role for a range of high-profile talent, including the Lostprophets, Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses and Queens of the Stone Age. However, their own talent is something of note as well, not just that of who they've shared a stage with.

"Bones" comes across with a very traditional feel, where the drum/guitar parts are very straightforward and concise. Not to be lost among that beautiful simplicity is the precision of each note strummed or cymbal hit. It adds an open edge to the instrumental backing of the track that lends itself to the haunting ideas presented in the lyrics.

Speaking of the lyrics, I personally find the heart of this track to be in its lyrical content. Word-wise, it has a flow to it unlike anything I've ever heard. Nothing feels forced or out-of-place, and the verses are woven with a sort of deep message that is intricately crafted to a point where it seems as though every individual word was placed quite deliberately as part of the bigger theme-scheme.

Singer Gustav Wood's vocals serve to compliment the lyrics well, being clean enough to comprehend with an extra flavor of passion behind each syllable. As with many other songs I've featured on here over time, these vocals are in that range where they neither too grungy nor too light, finding the middle ground perfect for a song of this type/caliber.

I haven't had the chance to give the rest of the Young Guns' music a listen, but regardless, "Bones" is a strong testament to what a good rock song can, and maybe sometimes should, sound like. Give it a try, and if you're anything like me you'll probably wish you had found it sooner, or in my case not forgotten about it for so long.

Beyond The Fall

One of the most underrated parts of the concert experience is getting to hear the smaller opening acts who have to go out and play in front of a crowd impatient for the band they actually came to see. That being said, here's an amazing band who I would never have even heard of if they hadn't opened for a show I recently went to see with a friend.

Artist: Beyond The Fall

According to their Reverbnation page (linked above), Beyond The Fall is a "hard hitting melodic rock band from "L/A Maine" that formed mid-2009, that focuses on heavy grooves, melodic structures, and musicianship with an original feel and style."

Going from the meager handful of their tracks that I've actually heard, I would have to say that that description is pretty accurate.

Their songs have a very well-put-together feel to them, with structures that are just as clean as they are complex and intricate. The vocals are quite precise, and are neither too heavy or light, finding a nice middle to appeal to ears of all different backgrounds.

Instrumentally, the guitar and drums are impressive, showcasing the technical abilities of the band members in addition to their talent when it comes to just putting an exciting rock song together.

Some standout tracks include;
• Alone
• The Way
• Where You've Gone
• Hard To Find
• My Comfort
• Another Time

Coincidentally, it would appear that as they are a smaller, not-so-famous, band, the best way to listen to their music online is through the site linked previously. And if you decide to give them a chance, you'll find that I just listed all the songs from that site as standout tracks. The great part about that is that it's totally true.