The Neighbourhood - Band Review

The Neighbourhood

Coming out of nearly thin air, The Neighbourhood snuck their way into the top 10 charts this past year. Though they happen to have a very small following, they are a great and enjoyable band. Their song "Sweater Weather" being their most popular hit, gives you a little hint of everything this band is about; with small tastes of their pop flavor, the great vocals, and the instrumentals brought out by them. The band is comprised of a vocalist, two guitarists, and a bassist. The band used to also have a drummer, who was present during the release of their album "I Love You," but left the band in early January in an attempt to pursue a solo career in music.

With a unique, alternative rock and dark pop sound to them, The Neighbourhood has been gaining extreme popularity since the explosion of their song "Sweater Weather." The Neighbourhood has a knack for bringing a fond meaning to every song they produce. My attention was caught by the song "Afraid." This song was released as a part of their full album, and was a song that exemplifies the meanings found in their songs, as well as great instrumentals and vocals to cope. Found in the second verse of the song, "Keep on dreaming, don't stop giving, fight those demons, sell your soul, not your whole self," it can be easily drawn that this song is about individuality. The lyrics are simply saying that it is okay to sell your soul to get to where you want to be, just don't let that thing you sell yourself to consume you, or forget who you are. As the lead singer Jesse says, "You're too mean, I don't like you, fuck you anyway." Never let anyone tell you who you are, or who you will be; as you shape your own future, not them. 

Though the band presents extremely well thought out lyrics with great meanings attached, their accompaniments can use some work. An ambient and unique sound is found within nearly everyone of their songs brings extreme attention to the lyrics of the singer, the words sung are not always audible. This does appear to be a problem with the mastering and recording of their songs, as their live performances are significantly better balanced. Another thing that tends to bug me about their instruments is the over-use of harmonics, though these do draw great attention to their vocalist, they can get tired very fast. With easily half of every song being drenched in harmonics it can get extremely tiresome to listen to, albeit enjoyable the first few go-arounds it loses replay value.

Live performances always tend to make a band for me, as I feel most people are the same. Luckily this band, unlike most popular bands these days, happens to have a great sound while live. Their unique, pleasant, and ambient sound is held up while performing live, and this is a trait that is extremely rare. The only complaint found about their live performances is their lack of movement. If a band was to represent their emotions or state of mind, this band would be dead. Though their music tends to be slower, they could sway  or lean with the music, this band lacks that ability, and it becomes extremely boring to watch, however good the music is. 

With a top 10 hit on the charts now and a solid album released early last year, hopefully this band will find a new drummer and continue to release wonderful, meaningful music. Their album "I Love You" is definitely worth checking out if you get a few minutes, (A link to a collection of their music is a clickable link right here).

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Daughter - Band Review

Daughter
(This title is a clickable link, it will bring you to a playlist of Daughter)

With some of the most chilling, deep, and fantastically phrased vocals I've heard in a long time Daughter stole my heart from the first strum of the guitar. With their first studio album having dropped last year, Daughter is a little known gem among Alternative and Indie Rock musicians. With a very unique and ambient sound to them Daughter has been gaining a large amount of popularity these last few months.

 With phenomenal instruments to support the very unique and modest voice of the lead singer, it is no wonder why the band has been gaining so much popularity. Not only does every song have a very unique sound, great instrumental sound, and even better vocals; each song has a meaning. With every word sung by Elena (the lead singer), you begin to imagine the picture she wants you to paint. The ambient strums of the guitar, the soft beating of the drum, every single detail about each song seems to draw you into the world of her words. A story to accompany each note sung, not only hers, but your own. Her story of pain and sorrow, Daughter's most recent single "Still," telling this perfectly. Listening to each word drop, with your eyes closed you begin to paint her picture. Surrounded by darkness, a relationship taking it's final breaths. With the lyrics "Still with feet touching, Still with eyes meeting, Still our hands match, Still with hearts beating," I feel that they trying to hold onto their last moments together, because they know that when they say goodbye, it will be the last breath they will ever have.

I feel like I have plenty to write about this band, though I've only been following them for a short amount of time. Due to my lack of ability to have seen them live (though I would move mountains for the chance to see them), I am unable to comment on their live performance and stage presence.

 Daughter is a band that most would be able to connect with in their happiest of times and their darkest of hours. This trait seems to give them quite the unique following, and allows you to explore and discover your own mind.

My Rating: 5/5 

Disclaimer: Rating is pending to change, live performances tend to make or break a band for me. See: Alt-J Review. 

Alt-J - An Awesome Wave, Album Review

An Awesome Wave
An Awesome Wave is a perfect name for this near perfect album. The light piano intro on the first song of the album "Intro," was the exact thing  that this ground breaking album needed. Throughout the album you'll find psychedelic, mind entrancing and jaw dropping music. With some of the greatest synthesizer and drum combinations in 2013 by a mile, this album drew immediate attention to all of those that bothered listening to the album or any of the songs on it. "Breezeblocks," was most probably their most radio famous song, has a very enjoyable and melodic entrance with an immediate pick up right into the chorus. This song has an extremely catchy chorus and one of the most simple rhythms and beats throughout any of their songs, explaining the general media success.

The fan favorite "Matilda," starts with a very dark sound, making you feel lost and dreaded wondering who Matilda really is; but, soon after the song picks up, bringing you into the song still curious as to who she is; and, why does she need me? The lyrics help you depict this girl, and who she is. Do you know her? You may not, but you feel like you have to help her now; which, leaves you interested in the song throughout and enjoying the rhythm. Sadly, the question is never answered and you remain lost, never really knowing who Matilda is. 

Many of the songs on this album leave you with questions, or help you answer a few of your own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Alt-J - Band Review

Alt-J

   Now, Alt-J is a band a fell in love with the first time I heard their music. They have a very unique sound that draws in a listener right away, whether you like it or not is a different question. A friend of mine I was spending some time with one evening decided to show me this band. Quite honestly? I was scared at first, the music seemed a bit odd and I wasn't sure if I would like it; but, then I heard the vocalist and the way this band seems to create break-downs. Nearly everyone of their songs has me entranced when I hear it. Their first and only album thus far An Awesome Wave is probably in my top 50 albums of all time. Be warned, their music has a very unique sound and is not for everyone. 

      This band, unlike Drayter I have had the opportunity to see this band live, and I was the most excited I have been in a very long time to see a band live. Sadly, the performance was disappointing. The band lacked a lot of stage presence, but that can't be helped, they have performer locked behind a keyboard, and a drummer locked behind a drum kit and synthesizer. The lead singer of the band was stuck center stage the whole time, strumming away at his guitar and it was unappealing to the eye. The only active member of the band was the bassist, and I enjoyed watching him the whole show. Another thing I noticed while watching them live was that they had an entirely different sound to them. Perhaps it is hard to mimic their very unique sound live, but it felt like both of the vocalists were off pitch and their timing was a bit off as-well. 

Though their live performance lacked on many levels; but, I am in love with their album, and they are still a band worth checking out for sure.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Drayter - Band Review

Drayter 

    As my first review, I would like to touch on a band I recently found through Slicethepie (a music reviewing website). At first I was scared, as most music I have reviewed on this website happened to be pretty terrible, Drayter was a great refresher for that thought. This song began to play and I was immediately drawn in by the soft but gritty riff to start the song, followed by extremely clean female vocals. The chorus of the song is amazingly simple and easy to catch on to; which, is a huge plus for most newer bands, or any band for that matter. Throughout the song there are no significantly harsh vocal parts that stick out to the naked ear, which is great. Most would agree when I claim that rock bands should NOT have insanely harsh or crazy notes that they need to hit throughout their song, (unless of course you happen to be in Queen). Another notable feature of this band, (and this song is particular) is that they have great breakdowns that bring you just that much further into the song. The instruments throughout every song I have heard have been absolutely phenomenal and accompany the lead singer on a perfect level.

 My only complaint, (though I have yet to see them live) is that they seem to be lacking a lot of stage presence on their Youtube videos. This may be due to the stage; or, just the fact that they have none, but they seem to remain generally stationary, which seems to be the only flaw I can pick out.

With unique female vocals, and a very interesting set of songs released thus far. The up and coming band Drayter is definitely one you'll want to keep your eyes out for.

My Rating: 4 out of 5.