A wise pop/rock man that usually goes by the name of Paul sang the following lines:
“Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
You hung me on a line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you”
(Paul McCartney - Maybe I’m Amazed)
He obviously had a person in mind, or it just might be the music that pulls him out of time and freezes it. At least for a bit. Personally, I often relate to the latter possibility.
Very often it is just a single song that is able to do it. Recently, it has been quite a bit of them. Could be that sitting alone and staring at a screen for a few hours can do that. Anyway, here are a few that have been able to do that recently.
Small Reactions - New Age Soul
This Atlanta band seems to be hanging on to some of the best elements that usually get lumped into the alternative rock category. But then, you can lump more or less anything there. They prefer that line that goes as far back as Velvet Underground seen through the Nineties filters with guitars upfront. And they seem to be on the right track, definitely. And so is Zach Gabbard of The Black Keys who signed them to his SofaBurn Records.
Good Morning TV - Insomniac
There seems to be an old tradition among French female pop/rock singers dating from the early sixties on that seems to work a charm practically every time. No exception with this quartet and their lead singer/guitarist Bérénice Deloire, who together make ‘Insomniac’ a great piece of souped-up shoegaze with keyboards more upfront. The title fits, as you tend to play this one over and over.
Rae Isla - Lovely Lies
Americana is a completely new place for female artists since singer/songwriters like Kacey Musgraves stepped up, and Rae Isla seems to be riding on that innovation wave with these ‘Lovely Lies,’ whichever one she has in mind. More on the pop side of things, and good pop at that, but that hat in the video is a giveaway.
Paige Beller - I’ll Be Better
Another of Zach Gabbard’s signings, this one draws on the good, old (with the accent on good (psych-folk) and hits all the right spots for those drowsy three o’clock in the morning times. Possibly another great album in the wings.
Marc Ribler - Who Could Ask For Anything More
Power Pop seems to be in some deep shadows these days, but Cheap Trick seems to be back and guys like Mark Ribler here seem to be keeping the flame still alive. And rightly so, because we all need some of that bright morning, pick me up to stuff, these days, probably all day long.