Alternative

Listen to Immigrants & Dissidents by Will Tun and the Wasters

/ mrbaxteria2008 / Leave a comment

 

Will Tun and the Wasters released a beautiful and surprising single Immigrants & Dissidents.

I think touring brings out the best in everyone. This is what happened to Will Tun and the Wasters with their new tune Immigrants & Dissidents. By the way if you go to soundcloud it is available as a free download. I suspect this is the direction that they taking if they are going to release an album in the future. Unlike their past recordings (which were geared towards punishing punk energy),this one is ‘sweeter.’ I see the arrival of a more textured sound that’s getting more and more sophisticated as they mature as artists.

You can hear the other instruments in Immigrants & Dissidents. It has a more acoustic feel. Since their break through, I’ve been following this band because of their distinctive sound. They bring something new to the music world. They fuse styles that would have been otherwise odd in the wrong hands. But they made it. They are going steady as they evolve, releasing tunes after another.

Kudos to Will Tun and the Wasters. They know how to give their fans a good time. You should see them live if you a chance!

The BibleCode Sundays :Refreshing!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

 

Melodic, Alternative, London Pub Rock and Totally Irish!

It is a lazy Sunday. I want to make a bit of noise. And I want to represent this band. The BibleCode Sundays:Ah, great sound, beautiful album and interesting members.

Ghost Of Our Pasts is an album of party vibes in an Irish sense-they are composed both of English and Irish members. From the first track Dockside Lullabies up to the last track McBratney From The Kitchen, you will be guaranteed of the fun this lads will bring into your living room with your speakers tuned to a high volume.

There are jigs interlaced with alternative rock guitars and vocals sounding like a cross between Chris Isaak and Tony Hadley(of Spandau Ballet). If you are into 80′s and 90′s Alternative Rock and appreciate Irish music in between then this will make your Sundays.

Dockside Lullabies
Lyrics by Ronan MacManus

I hear you knocking but you can’t come in
Don’t tell ‘em where you live you gotta shed your skin
Liverpool echoes to the sound of drums
& if you wanna work then don’t sing your songs
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies in my head
Walking down the dockside you could be walking through the Bogside
Change your name, play the game, don’t get on the wrong side
Liverpool echoes to the sound of drums
You’re staring down the barrel of a Thompson Gun
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies in my head
Liverpool echoes to the sound of drums
Keep your face hidden when the boss man comes
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies in my head
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)
Dockside lullabies (too ra loo ra)

Buy the album here:

http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Past-Bible-Code-Sundays/dp/B001CW7LW0

Grada: Softly…Surely!

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 4 Comments


Once in a while  there come a band with a bit of everything and yet sounding like no other. Grada’s approach to traditional music is fresh, evocative and often times laced with optimistic spirit that soars high. I came across The Landing Step recently and realized that I have been missing something. The music is close to American Blue Grass with Annie Marie O’ Malley’s lead vocals sounding a bit like Alison Kraus(current vocalist Nicola Hayes is closer to  Sandy Denny of The Fairport Convention).

From the first track “Tread Softly to the last ” A l’Envers” one is drawn into a Folk, Acoustic and Alternative experience.  The band has a new album out called Natural Angle(released January 26, 2010 with previews available) You can check more info about the band, each members and tour dates right at their official website:

Band members:

NICOLA JOYCE vocals & bodhran GERRY PAUL guitar, banjo & vocals ANDREW LAKING double bass & vocals DAVID DOOCEY fiddle, whistle & concertina STEPHEN DOHERTY flute, whistle, accordion, bodhran and cajon

Sources: http://www.myspace.com/gradamusic

http://www.gradamusic.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%A1da

Celtic meets Gothic

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 2 Comments

Black Tape For Blue Girl andFaith And The Muse are two bands I am keeping my ears to these days. They’re not new. They’ve been around since the eighties but it is now that cyberspace has given them ‘accessibility.Truth to tell , I’ve heard about them since the mid-90s from a Goth friend but records are hard to find . So you are at the mercy of whoever would lend you his or her tape.  The common thing that they both share is the reference to Celticism, not only in lyrics but also on arrangements.

BTFBG boasts  the talent of frontman Sam Rosenthal (also manager for Projek records) on programing and keyboards, Lisa Feuer on flute and vocals, Elysabeth Grant (also of Rachael’s.Surrender) on vocals and violin, Brett Helm (of Audra) on vocals, and Michael Laird (of Unto Ashes) on acoustic guitar and vocals. The most notable former member is the long-time vocalist Oscar Herrera.The band also explores themes like loss,vulnerability, isolation and a lot more.

FATM on the other hand is composed of Monica Richards and William Faith. So now I get it, Faith would have  to be  William while the Muse is Monica Richards. Makes sense? The band is also very eclectic in their approach to arrangement do it would be unfair to put them in a single category.

These days as depression sets in like the Autumn of the soul, it is not surprising to find both darkwave and Celtic on my playlist. It’s like a combination of velvet and green curtains, bellowing as the dusk wind chills the bones. There is really comfort in knowing that a style or artistry in music has the capacity to tell you ” it’s OK, I am here.You can turn to me in times of pain. I know you and I would never leave you”.