Finland’s impassioned duo OH FOR will release their debut EP, entitled curiously ‘It’s The Darkest Day Of The Year And I’m Stuck Here With You’. Ahead of its release here’s the first track. WILLOW BARK is a marvelous sonic rumination. Subtly arranged with a magical bass resonance, sensitive vocals, and an overall atmospheric feel. The song’s attractive strength is getting stronger with every spin. Capture the splendour right here…
Going back in sonic history looking for memorable albums…
22 September 2018
Band: BLONDIE
Album: PARALLEL LINES – third LP
Released: 23 September 1978 – 40 years ago
BBC MUSIC review: “The most perfect example of Blondie’s grafting of sixties power pop
with new wave, Parallel Lines was one of the biggest hits of 1978/9. Supremely assured, the group was unafraid to go disco, go art, or just play fine, fine pop. After years in the business, Debbie Harry was street-wise, confident, completely in control. Thousands of teenagers were enraptured – boys wanted to be with her, girls wanted to be her. With her musical partner Chris Stein, they created intelligent pop that referenced all of their 60s favourites, while embracing the CBGBs punk scene in New York that the group had grown out of.” Full review here.
TURN UP THE VOLUME! says: With ‘Parallel Lines‘ Blondie had the guts and the incredible talent to reinvent pop music in a most thrilling way and say goodbye to punk which became a fashion brand by then. Respect! Sing along, folks, loud!
THREE TOP TRACKS (hard choice): Sunday Girl / Picture This / Heart Of Glass
Turn Up The Volume featured colorful and multifaceted trio out of Liverpoolbefore. Their musical vibe ranges from bluesy weirdness to funky hip-hop, all delivered with a twisted touch. New single WHY? is an equally cool humdinger yet the song’ story is less fun. The band’s drummer Ashwin was recently forced to move back to his native Singapore.
Facing this disappointment it spurred the friends into action: “We made use of the only
thing that still connected us (the internet) and started piecing tunes together across continents. It’s meant to resonate with anybody who’s ever felt lonely and isolated. It’s a convoluted way of asking life “why” does it have to be so difficult? The fruits of our labour have helped us understand that it’s not impossible.”
WHY? moves from smooth to groovy. From reflective to dancey. Underneath the playful beat you feel the pain and sorrow about losing a close pal and band mate. But the band’s thoughts go even further than that. People just can’t choose where they want to live. Me, myself and I nationalism is back in the Western world for some years now, unfortunately, getting stronger and stronger. No wonder the eternal question Why? returns on repeat. Here’s no answer but the hopeful spirit creates a little bit of light…
Iconic glam rockers SUEDE released their 8th studio album THE BLUE HOUR yesterday.
As Turn Up The Volume is still in the process to absorb the new longplayer (although after two spins I’ve already heard 4 tracks I wanna have on repeat with opener As One as the most impressive one!) at this very moment I’ll give you legendary British music website NME‘s verdict: “On their eighth album, Brett Anderson and co. take the road less travelled, exploring rural decay with cinematic lushness… While there’s a comforting familiarity that comes with all things Suede, it’s wonderfully shrouded on ‘The Blue Hour’ by a very new, romantic and alluring strangeness. These are not hits to shake your bits to. Nor will these
beats shake your meat. Rest assured, Suede remain the beautiful ones, but are just looking
for beauty in ever more curious places…” – Score 3/5 – Full review here
Going back in sonic history looking for memorable albums…
22 September 2018
Band: BUZZCOCKS (Manchester, UK)
Album: LOVE BITES – the band’s 2nd LP
Released: 22 September 1978 – 40 years ago
BBC MUSIC review: “While ‘Love Bites’ – following the excellent ‘Another Music In A Different Kitchen’ – seemed a little dour and tentative at the time, at the heart lies an urge to finally throw off their past associations and forge something totally their own. The compressed twin guitars, sparse riffs and rumbling toms here reach their apogee.” Full review here.
TURN UP THE VOLUME! says: The only punk band whose songs you not only could scream along, but also whistle and hum along. Peppered pop punk without age…
THREE TOP TRACKS: Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) / Just Lust / E.S.P.
* EVER FALLEN IN LOVE (WITH SOMEONE YOU SHOULDN’T’VE?)
Who: “A Pittsburgh, PA born singer/songwriter, a rock and roller and a lifelong searcher for truth and people to share it with. Now based in Austin, Texas.”
Pick: OLD LOVE – title track from upcoming EP – out 2nd November
via DRUNCKLUCK records
Score: Heartfelt country sentiments from a compelling vox with the romantic tone of passionate Americana songsmiths, then and now, from the bittersweet symphonies by
the late Gram Parsons to the gripping melancholia of Ryan Adams. This Texas-based troubadour touches young an dold hearts. Here’s why…
Going back in sonic history looking for memorable albums…
21 September 2018
Artist: EELS
Album: ELECTRO-SHOCK BLUES – second LP
Released: 21 September 1998 – 20 years ago
ALL MUSIC review: “Eels’ second release, ‘Electro-Shock Blues’, is a much darker album
than their underrated debut, 1996’s ‘Beautiful Freak’, but just as rewarding. Singer/guitarist
and songwriter E experienced many upheavals in his personal life between making albums
(the passing of several family members and close friends), and decided to work his way
through life’s tribulations via his music… For some of the most introspective and haunting
tunes of recent times, look no further than the title track… One of the finest and fully realized records of 1998, a must-hear.” – Score: 4.5/5 – Full review here.
TURN UP THE VOLUME! says: at times creepy and pitch-black but the engrossing songs’ quality and E’s fascinating vox give you the feeling that the sun is still out there at the end of te horizon.
Who: Brighton based quartet ” has been around for a few years, self-releasing tracks of the best indie rock around via their Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages. Last year they signed to Punk Slime Recordings and released their 5-track debut EP Hold Music.”
Pick: FIX IT UP – brand new single
Score: Fix It Up has those melodic, crackling guitars that generate a sort of tranquilizing, even intoxicating feel which bands such as Pavement and Sebadoh created throughout their whole career. Hypnotic, sedative and burning slowly. Relax, fix it up, take it easy
and drift into dreamland right here…
