Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
Ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo. Sha la la la la.
Here’s Corin Ashley doing a ukulele version of his song “Being Twelve” with a little help from Davina Yannetty. You may have noticed a little “Ram On” in there. If you didn’t, you should probably watch it again, because it’s right there in the beginning. It’s pretty obvious. They play it for, like, a minute. Hear it now? Pretty cool, right?
I Have Ears
Fourbanger
2011
Ashley Willard from Boston Band Crush made a simple Facebook post about the new I Have Ears EP rocking her world a while back. I must remember to thank her for that. Based on that simple post, I downloaded Fourbanger from the I Have Ears Bandcamp page and have been listening to this fine EP ever since. The opening track, “Jacker”, is probably my favorite, drawing me in right from the get go. The songs are hooky and fun with just enough edge to keep things from getting to sugary. It’s got shades of Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, The Kinks, Tom Petty and all sorts of other good stuff. I look forward to delving into the rest of their releases.
Where to get it:
Corin Ashley is a man of many talents. The guy plays bass like nobody’s business. He is easily one of Boston’s best. He’s no slouch on guitar, either. Now we see Corin busting out his ukulele for this uke-themed show at TT’s.
What’s really on display during Mr Ashley’s set isn’t his ukulele playing. It’s not even his outstanding vocal abilities. What really comes out during this set are the songs. Corin can write a pop tune with the best of ’em. These songs could be played on tin whistle and autoharp with accompaniment from a middle school recorder orchestra and their appeal would still be undeniable.
Plus, he has a strap for his ukulele so you know he’s serious.
Did you guys hear what they did to the chicken man last night?
Static Of The Gods
Knowledge Machine
2010
Static Of The Gods play a lush, dark, dreamy and modern sounding brand of indie rock. Knowledge Machine is mid-tempo and melodic, with varying degrees of intensity. For the most part Jen Johnson’s vocals sail along over synthesizer pads, fizzy guitars, and steady drums. They play the loud/quiet/loud card well on “Meteor Flights”. Songs like “Mean Streak” and “White Flag” ratchet the combustibility up a notch, burning bright but never truly letting go. It’s a tense burn. Even the quieter moments, like on “Eating Well”, never feel fully at ease.
While they may not vary their sound much, Static Of The Gods have a way with melancholy. It’s all a bit unnerving and very effective.
Where to get it:
Uke Springsteen is equal parts genius and playful madness. It’s hard to imagine an artist whose songs are less likely to get a lighthearted ukulele treatment than Bruce Springsteen. The earnestness of his songs seems almost insurmountable, yet Pat Healey manages to deliver them tongue firmly in cheek. So does D.A., his charismatic boombox and sidekick.
Through it all, the original sentiments of the songs remain intact. “Atlantic City” still comes across as a desperate tale of a man down-on-his-luck, even with D.A.’s playful interjections and a Casio beat. “Dancing In The Dark” becomes even more of a lustful plea. It’s all thoroughly entertaining.
One Happy Island perform a little ditty. They tell me it is tentatively titled “Weather Man”. Makes sense.
Sodafrog
Hang The Moon
2010
Sodafrog’s Hang The Moon comes from another time. It’s folk music. It is heartbreaking, heartwarming and haunting. Tom Janovitz’s voice weaves in and out of the sparse and varied instrumentation. The overall sound draws you in with its intimacy.
“Follow The Vine” is an engaging opening track. “Central Nonsense” is beautiful and timeless. “Chances At Sea” calls Elliott Smith to mind. I love when a song title perfectly describes the feel of a song. Such is the case with “Like Dancing”. “A Casting” could have come off of a Simon & Garfunkel LP. The songs are memorable, living with you long after you’ve heard them.
The circular instrumental “Untitled (For Townes)” wraps things up nicely. It’s time to go. Given the chance, Hang The Moon is an album that will grow on you with every listen.
Where to get it:
Three pictures. One Happy Island.
Full Body Anchor
The Restless EP
2011
Everyone is all worked up right now because Foo Fighters finally stopped wallowing in mediocrity and put out a great hard-hitting record. If the song “1 in 150” was on that record, it would be one of the standout tracks. But, hey, it’s not. It’s on Full Body Anchor’s The Restless EP.
“1 in 150” is the kind of song Full Body Anchor does so well. It is aggressively catchy. It will hunt you down and make its presence know. It is determined. It does not come in peace, but it means no harm. It’s doing all of this for you own good. You need this song, and it knows it.
Don’t let your guard down for the next three tracks, either. “Offering”, “Sound Searching” and “Overload” are full of intensity. They will exploit your weaknesses. One thing Full Body Anchor is not is meek.
The Restless EP closes with “Dead Inside”. Rice Edmonston’s vocals are riveting as they soar above the beautiful racket. Let it ring out. Amazing.
Where to get it:
