goingundergroundblog

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[goingundergroundblog]

So seeing as there hasn't been a lot going on for going underground recently lets kick off a new feature called BANDS YOU MUST HEAR IN YOUR LIFE. Firstly do you have any suggestions. This will be literally any band, famous or not and posted at random but often for you. Our first band is the awesome WILLE AND THE BANDITS

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White Denim - Corsicana Lemonade Album Review

White Denim are an indie rock band based in Austin Texas. I think they are one of the most unique bands around at the moment and although they roughly fit in the indie rock category it is hard to define their genre as just indie as their music varies so much and they pull influences from everywhere. Their music is full or funk, punk, soul, rock n roll, folk, blues and progressive influences as well as a number of other sounds.

Their latest release Corsicana Lemonade was released back in October and is an epic album full of all levels of sounds and emotions. Although the album has the upbeat feel of a lot of their previous releases the songs progress a lot and change feel throughout and there are probably a lot more slower paced songs on this album. This is not a bad this though as it brings out the emotions in the songs a lot better instead of the rougher but more technical playing on previous releases. Mixed in with these slower tracks are funky bluesy tracks full of soul and great guitar riffs and southern rock soul vocals. The whole combination and how the tracks flow between each other makes this an amazing album and the kind of album you could listen to over and over again.

The album kicks off with the super catchy ‘At Night in Dreams’. This song is one of the funky styled tracks on the album but with grungy guitar sounds and an almost swung funky drum beat. There is literally a bar or 2 of intro and then the song gets going so there is no hanging about with the start of the album and it immediately draws you in. The only slight down side to this track in my opinion is the amount of reverb on the vocals at times. Although it does pretty much work and definitely doesn’t ruin the song, I am not a fan of heavy reverb on vocals (usually) and they could have toned it back just a tiny bit.

The funky vibe continues onto the second track ‘Corsicana Lemonade’, the title track. This has a very similar feel to the last track but is less grungy and focuses on a more funky rhythm guitar, harmonised vocals and harmonised guitar riffs. The guitar harmonies work particularly well on the guitar solo section.

The third track ‘Limited by Stature’ progresses the sound of the music even more as is slows slightly and adds more of a soul feel as well as a more classic rock type sound. The song is still full of funky riffage though. This song has a very 60s to early 70s type sound and has been mixed to sound almost psychedelic. Although I do not believe there is any Indian type instruments on this track (I may be wrong though), the way the riff is mixed between 2 electric guitars, acoustic guitar and the reverb type effects gives that kind of feel.

Track 4 on the album ‘New Blue Feeling’ as the name suggests is less funky and bluesier. This may be one of my favourite tracks on the album. The lyrics are brilliant and pretty emotional. I love how this song starts of really simple and mellow. The guitar mixes perfectly with what I think is strings and woodwind instruments (could possibly be keyboard too though). As the verse progresses and becomes more emotional the song fades out all dreamy and changes, becomes more upbeat with a kind of double time feel. I really like how they do this. The guitar reminds me of some of the best and more classic bluesy rock riffs. The song goes back to the emotional verse before finishing. I love this track and would happily hear an extended version.

Track 5 ‘Come Back’ might just be the funkiest track on the album. Although you can hear influences of true funky, such as sly and the family stone, I think this track pulls more from funky southern rock band. Check out bands such as JJ Grey and Mofro if you don’t know what I mean. Although this song has great feel and is really well written I would say this one is more of a fun jamming track and has less depth to it compared to a lot of the songs on this album.

Track 6 ‘Distant Relative Solute’ is another of my favourites on here. The verses are mellow and simple but made so much more upbeat and driven but the funky jazzy drumming. What really makes this song though are the guitar sounds and chords in the chorus. I love the simplicity of the guitar chords ringing out mixed with more melodic guitar, really cool drumming and super soulful vocals. The vocals go and the vide gets even better as the guitar solos. None of the guitar solos on this album are that complicated but they are just about fancy enough and well written enough to keep your attention and seem to work perfectly.

Track 7 ‘Let it Feel Good’, continues the funky southern rock feel. It has a very classic bluesy structure starting really simple and telling a tale/ sending a message to someone. It has an off beat almost country feel. Then has another funky chorus. Although the chorus isn’t bad at all I find it’s a bit repetitive and lacking something, especially in the vocals as it just repeats the same line over and over. The second verse also feels like it is lacking something but it is very hard to place. My favourite part of the track is the outro guitar solo which sounds like a cross between Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynard. This may be my favourite solo on the album but unfortunately fades out there. Songs fading out on solos annoy me as it feels like lazy song writing but at the same time leaves it open to have a pretty epic jam section when they play live and maybe that is what they were going for.

‘Pretty Green’ is the next track on the album. This was one of, if not the only, single on the album. Although this is a catchy song it feel less catchy to me as there isn’t as much of a solid riff in most of the song. This makes it a surprising choice of single for me but it still is a solidly good song. The drums have a simple boppy (if that’s the right word) feel that helps make the song a little poppier and catchier and maybe that’s why it is the single.

Although I don’t think there is a single bad track on the album ‘Cheer Up’ might be my least favourite on here. The verse lacks the extra energy it probably needs and then becomes even less energetic in the chorus. I think they were going for a soul sound but it’s just not pulled off right. They try to improve on the song by adding a weird alternative blues type jam at the end and although this is cool sounding doesn’t add a whole much extra to the feel of the song. Again the jam fades out and as I said previously I am not a fan of fading jams/ solos.

The last track on the album is ironically named ‘A Place to Start’. This is by far the most soulful and mellow track on the album. This could have easily been written by a soul artist from the 60s. It is full of simple smooth keyboard and guitar. The vocals finish half was through the song and they jam out a really nice ending. For once on this album the jam ending of the song does not fade out and this works really nicely. The album doesn’t sound ready to be finished though and I wander if either it is lacking a little something or it is an intentional way to make you want to make you want to put it straight back to the start and listen again. Whatever it is I don’t mind as I love this album and would happily listen to it again.

This is an amazing album by one of the most creative bands around. I honestly can’t see anyone not liking this, no matter what you usually listen to. I highly recommend it. Oh and if you haven’t seen my top 50 albums list of 2013 it came a very good third. Anyway check out the album and let me know what you think, do you like it as much as me, agree with what I am saying or not?

Check out the song At Night In Dreams here

Don’t forget to keep a look out for more reviews and bands to discover coming soon.

[goingundergroundblog]

Newly Archived Bands of the Week

We have spent some time sorting out the blog and adding old bands of the week and updating them. Hopefully you are interested and can discover some great bands. Check out out contents page for our bands of the week to see all the reviews we have added. This is not all of them though and there will be more soon.  Here's the link

[goingundergroundblog]

So my new discovery of the week for you to check out in Israeli alternative grunge band Big Blind Special. Other than having a pretty good soundcloud following they are pretty much unknown. To me they have a similar sound to a lot of extremely popular American bands and if they were more...

[goingundergroundblog]

So my new discovery for you this week is The Circus. They are an alternative grunge rock band based in Delhi in India. I would say they are most comparable to bands like A Perfect Circle. Again I really love the driven rock sound, quality vocals and willing to experiment a little with their...

[goingundergroundblog]

So my band for you to discover this week is London based electro-pop-rock duo Death Rattle. They have so far released 3 singles and an ep. Hopefully with an album to come in the near future. If you like the sound of the current alternative pop scene and industrial rock all mixed together...

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So this week’s band to discover is the Canadian indie band The Good Luck Foundation. They do a solid catchy mix of Americana (if you can say that about a Canadian band) rock and are currently finishing work on their new album. I think the sound is like a mix of the rockier side of radiohead...

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So my band for you to discover this week are the awesome indie girl rocker Heliotropes. This is probably one of the better known bands I have featured on the page but I really think they still deserve more fans, particularly over here where I think they fit in with the new wave of harder...

[goingundergroundblog]

My pick for this week is the amazing NovemberDecember. They play a kind of indie-folk sound like some of the most popular bands around at the moment and I really believe they could be huge. Their music is kinda like a cross with Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver, Three Blind Wolves and Good Old War....

[goingundergroundblog]

The Night Marchers - Allez Allez

The Night Marchers are an alternative rock band from San Diego California. They pull their influences from punk, grunge and rockabilly. The band was formed back in 2007 by John Reis who was previously most famous for being the front man of Rocket from the Crypt. John Reis seems to be one of the busiest guys balancing running a record label, a night club, working as a DJ, him numerous band as well as a number of other things. This has meant after the band’s first release See You in Magic in 2008 there was five years to wait before we heard from them again. This was worth the wait though.

The album kicks off with the song Tropical Depression. The song is layer up of clashy grungy guitars that somehow work really well together and are very effective. Then pounding heavy drums come in with create an almost rockabilly feel and this solidly follows an equally pounding bass guitar. I love how when the chorus progresses in this song the chords change and give a more melodic feel in a minor key. This is very effective and they do use this sound and technique throughout the album.

Although the first track was pretty upbeat they take it up a notch on the song Loud Dumb and Mean. This is just a super solid anthemic grungy punk song and has the catchiest riff and guitar solo on this song, even though not the most complex of songs. I also think this song has one of my favourite choruses on the album. Saying that though, if you like your guitar riff simple and catchy then you will love this album.

I think although the chords are solidly punky and simple they have been chosen well and you can tell it comes from experienced musicians who know how to make the perfect combination to create awesome music. Again I think the chorus in the third song All Hits is really good. It emphasises the minor chords with out sounding typically sad or anything and has big group singing and harmonies.

Track four Thar She Blows again has the pounding rockabilly feel. I haven’t really looked into this but it reminds me of the sort of songs you sometimes see in adverts for cars or like the one where people are kicking footballs all over a town from windows and other places. Maybe this was used in something.

The pace is taken down quite a lot on the fifth track Pain as the album takes a surprising turn with a punk rock ballad. This is a good song but probably one of my least favourites on the album, simply because I have never really been a fan of punk ballads but saying that, this is one of the better ballady punk songs I have heard.

Track six Two Guitars Sing is like a mix between the previous song and the more upbeat songs as the drums are pounding and the riffs are quite heavy but the pace is still slow and when the chorus comes in it is full of these minor chords again and big harmonies in a ballady way.

Although I didn’t mind these two tracks I am glad the album went upbeat and paceier again with the next track. Then the track after although not quite a paced, it was a half time feel, makes up for this too. This song is full of brass and sounds like slow ska punk mixed with Sex Pistols (but better as I don’t really like the Sex Pistols) and the Ramones.

I wear the horns is the kind of song I’d love to see live with lots of drums and a pretty cool bit of brass. The brass in this song follows the vocals in the chorus which is an interesting idea but I honestly feel like there is something lacking in the chorus compared to the other songs, maybe the vocals are just too repetitive and monotone sounding for me. The song is still pretty awesome as every other part of the song sounds really rocking and riffy.

Ned Lud is a little different as it has an evil sounding riff and the song goes through a larger range of emotions. This is a good song but the riff in the guitar sounding almost percussive along with very similar drums (this is obviously intentional) just makes the song less catchy than a lot of them.

I’m not very impressed by the next song Roll On as there is nothing that particularly stands out from it other than a hint of brass and some nice backing vocals. Luckily the album finishes on a better song. Fisting The Fan Base is full of great riffs, breakdowns and anthemic sings which summarises all the different sounds and feels on the album really well and is a great song to round it all off.

Although there is nothing too fancy going on, on this release the songs are just so catchy and really get stuck in your head. It is definitely one to be cranked up loud. Sometimes that simple rocking music is exactly what you need. It is proven by so many classic bands sounds that I can hear throughout this album. I could name heaps like Ramones, Violent Femmes, Cracker, Eighties Matchbox B-line Disaster (don’t know if you would call them classic but you know what I mean when you hear it.) and many other bands especially the more classic American punk bands.

Give it a listen; let me know what you think? Do you like it, hate it, whatever.

[goingundergroundblog]

Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone age, Dave Grohl and Lindsey Buckingham at the Grammys. Awesome performance and what an epic line up but can’t believe the tv channel cut it short terrible. What you think of it all?

[goingundergroundblog]

Interesting selection here, some are a bit odd but mostly good shouts. Who else do you think should have made the list?

[goingundergroundblog]

Read Jeremy D. Larson's review of Transgender Dysphoria Blues, the first Against Me! album since leader Laura Jane Grace came out as a transgender woman.

[goingundergroundblog]

Check out rolling stone magazine's list of new artists you need to know. Some are good suggestions but others are already famous and have been around for ages. What's up with that? You'd think the longest running music magazine ever (I think) would be better clued into all music scenes. Weird and kinda stupid. What do you think?

By the way I will be releasing my list of bands who I think will be doing great things this year soon so keep a look out for that.

[goingundergroundblog]

These are albums which either I overlooked at the time or just weren’t quite good enough to make the list but are still worth mentioning.

Chvrches – The Bones of What You Believe

This is one of the most highly rated albums of 2013 among many people but for me didn’t stand out enough. Still a...

[goingundergroundblog]

Albums Which Didn't Make the List of 2013

These are albums which either I overlooked at the time or just weren't quite good enough to make the list but are still worth mentioning. 

Chvrches – The Bones of What You Believe

 This is one of the most highly rated albums of 2013 among many people but for me didn’t stand out enough. Still a good band though and definitely looking out to see what else they do in the future.

Check out their song Gun

The Knife – Shaking the Habitual

 I love alternative experimental music and this album definitely falls into that category but in parts gets a bit too weird and it sometimes can make it a bit of a hard listen. The music needs more hooks with in it to hold my attention. Good album still though.

Check out their song A Tooth For An Eye

Savages – Silence Yourself

Good solid punky album. Some of the songs sound a little samey though. Love the vocals on here though. Reminds me of really old PJ Harvey stuff or like some of the classic 80 punk women.

Check out their song Marshal Dear 

The Ocean – Pelagial

This is a pretty epic progressive rock release and was definitely on the line of making the list. It covers a range of sounds a little like the Deafheaven album but with a lot more clean vocals. Some parts are like Pink Floyd, some parts like dream theatre and some are totally heavy anthemic metal. As the album progresses it gets heavier and heavier.

Check out their song Bathyalpelagic II: The Wish In Dream

  Pinnick Gales Pridgen – Pinnick Gales Pridgen

 This is a pretty epic power trio super group. If you don’t know who these 3 are look them up, they have done some amazing stuff in their usual bands. This is just super solid rock and roll with a slight stoner rock edge. Some amazing playing on here but wasn’t quite enough to make my list. The album is a grower though so worth a few listens.

Check out the song Hang on Big Brother 

My Bloody Valentine – mbv

 The long awaited release from this band. They did not disappoint at all but I have never been a big follower of them. It’s good but not list worthy. Maybe just a little too much reverb used on here and a little trippy. Definitely worth a listen though.

Check out the song Only Tomorrow 

Steven Wilson – The Raven That Refused To Sing (and other stories)

  This is an amazing piece of progressive rock and an artful masterpiece. It has so much going on in here. Check out the live videos too as the performances of it are stunning. I forgot about this album when doing the list. I guess if you aren’t a prog rock fan though you might not like it but if you like artful stuff worth listening to it anyway. It goes through so much different soundscapes and has an amazing feel to it. Very Pink Floyd influenced.

Check out the song The Raven That Refused to Sing. Amazing video for this song.

  The Bronx – The Bronx (IV)

 Heavy totally rocking punk and a great album with some super catch choruses. Love this album. Was just on the line of making my list of the year.

Check out the song Youth wasted

  Balance And Composure – The Things We Think We’re Missing

 An alternative punk, kinda emo, album. Good songwriting on here. Pounding drums. The vocals seem to be mixed a little lower than the instruments in a lot of parts which sound a little odd but cool album still.

Check out the song Reflection 

The Swellers – The Light Under Closed Doors

  This band is pretty consistently good and catchy. Some great songs on here. The kind of music you can listen to over and over again as it’s so catchy. Could have made the list but was on the line of making it and didn’t quite when I made it.

Check out the song Got Social

  Deap Valley – Sistrionix

 Cool album full of bluesy grungy music. The band is just two women rocking out to the max on drums and guitar with some great vocals. This strongly reminds me of the Kills. For some reason I am not convinced about this band, almost like they are trying too hard to fit a popular sound or image but who knows, maybe I just need to give it more listens so it grows on me.

Check out the song End of the World

  Motorhead – Aftershock

 It sounds like pretty much anything they have done before, which is an awesome thing as their sound is great but it would help to vary things a bit sometimes. Possibly one of my favourites of theirs but still too much like what they always do.

Check out the song Heartbreaker

  Night Beds – Country Sleep

 I liked this album at first but some of the vocals have started to almost feel annoying, like a bad imitation of Bon Iver. Some good stuff on here but gone off it a bit, especially the more country influenced songs. I will keep a look out for more from this band though as I think there could be something better to come.

Check out the song Ramona

  TesseracT – Altered State

 Another pretty good prog rock/metal release. I love how all the songs build up on here and the musicianship is brilliant with this band. I also love the mellow atmospheric parts to this album. Not quite my taste in music though in parts but for people who love bands like dream theatre then you will love this.

Check out the song Singularity. Don't know how this video goes with the song thing they just wanted an excuse to make a video with this girl in it. 

Child of Lov – The Child of Lov

 Experimental hip-hop featuring Damon Albarn of Blur. I don’t follow heaps of hip-hop but this is a pretty interesting release and definitely worth a listen. Not much is known about this rapper/band so worth keeping a look out for more of what they are doing.

Check out the song Give Me

  Bring Me The Horizon – Sempiternal

 I hated nearly everything this band had done so far other than the very occasional song but didn’t hate this album at all. Don’t love it though but best thing they have done

Check out the song Go to Hell for Heavens Sake 

Chelsea Wolfe – Pain is Beauty

 Very dark album and quite experimental. I really like it but her sound can get a little too much at times. You would have to hear it to know what I mean so give it a listen. Good for the occasional listen.

Check out the song Feral Love

  Miriam The Believer – Blood Donation

 Didn’t know about this album when I made my list but it is a great album. Kinda experimental and psychedelic. Some songs remind me of Kate Bush, Some sound more 60s like Jefferson Aeroplane. Not heard this on vinyl but I think it could sound pretty amazing. Probably would have made my list.

Check out the song The String of Everything 

Dead Sara – Dead Sara

 Epic album. I just simply forgot about it when making my list of the year. Great vocals, catch choruses and totally rocking. Reminds me of bands like Against Me or like the heavier side of Tegan & Sara or even punky bands like the Distillers. One of the best grunge bands to come out in a very long time. Definitely worth listening to.

Check out the song Weatherman

Dillanger Escape Plan – One Of Us Is The Killer

 Totally nuts and heavy in parts but also got some cool mellower songs and some great anthemic stuff too. Some very technical playing on here too, especially rhythmically.

Check out the song One of us is the Killer 

Killswitch Engage – Disarm the Descent

After their vocalist left the band nobody knew what to expect but the very quickly went back and found his replacement, with the original singer who was with them back at the start. He is screamier and works even better for heavier music where as I felt the other vocalist was better for big anthems. They manage to do a bit of both on here. This is a very rock and heavy release.

Check out the song Always

  Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mosquito

Another album I forgot when making the list of the year and should have been on it. Not their best release but still a great album from a consistently good band. Not much to say about it here without doing a full review but definitely worth listening to. I will be improving the look of this list soon with pictures and links but this will have to do for now.

Check out the song Sacrilege  

Bosnian Rainbows – Bosnian Rainbows

 An amazing album made by ex-members of the Mars Volta and their friend who sings in a crazy Mexican punk band. This is a lot mellower and chilled compared to a lot of stuff any of these people have done before but is great. I would describe the sound as experimental synth pop-rock. Should have been on the list of the year.

 Check out the song Turtle Neck

Ms Mr – Secondhand Rapture

 This is another amazing album. I have been listening to this heaps recently. It covers an indie synth pop-rock type sound like a cross between Florence and the Machine and Bat for Lashes. Amazing album but until recently had only heard the singles and totally forgot about the album. Would have featured high on my list. The way the songs build up and flow with the deeper emotional vocals works perfectly. Brilliant album. Nothing bad on here.

 Check out the song Bones

Stone Foxes – Small Fires

 Great blues rock. One of my favourite modern blues rock bands. Again forgot about this release. Great album though. Some upbeat rocking stuff and some slower blues jams too. Love the vocals on here too. Sounds a little like the Black Keys in parts but unique enough to stand out and not just like another one of these blues rock albums people seem to be releasing heaps at the moment.    

 Check out the song Cotto