Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
Goddamn Draculas
“Jenny”
2014
“Jenny” was the song of the 2014 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. I can’t get it out of my head. It’s punk tough and Thin Lizzy cool. It’s got killer harmonies and singable guitar melodies. “Jenny” has it all. There’s even a ‘scuse-me-while-I-kiss-this-guy level misunderstood lyric. Goddamn Draculas had me grinning ear to ear every time they played it. I can’t thank ’em enough.
Where to get it:
Doom Lover
“Under The Alders”
2014
Haunting and intimate, “Under The Alders” is one of the songs that really stuck with me during the 2014 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. Released just before the start of the event, Doom Lover conjure ghosts with theremin and guitar delay on this track. An eerie groove underscores the delicately intertwined harmonies. There’s an intensity to “Under The Alders” that is present even in the quiet parts. It stays with you. Close your eyes. You’ll dream of Doom Lover tonight.
Where to get it:
The Easy Reasons
“Piece”
2013
“Piece” introduced The Easy Reasons as a band to watch last fall. A roughed-up riff and the opening line “If you loved me I don’t know what I would do” stick immediately. The verses are simple and effective, leading to the big payoff — that chorus. Listen as The Easy Reasons serve up thick guitars and fiery vocals from the days of smoky bars and muscle cars. Shades of “Gimme Shelter” color the sound. It’s dark. It goes for the gut. That’s a rock ‘n’ roll hook, right there.
Where to get it:
Cooling Towers
“Hard Headed Woman”
2014
Cooling Towers have put out a couple of cool NWOBID* tunes in 2014. “Hard Headed Woman” is my favorite of the pair. Cooling Towers cut to the chase on this one, jumping right into the catchy-as-all-hell chorus after a brief mood-setting intro. The song never looks back. The bridge? Please, the intertwining harmonies cloaked in desperation are p‑e‑r‑f‑e‑c‑t. I dig this track.
Where to get it:
* New Wave Of Boston Indie Disco
The Broads
“As Long I Drift”
2014
The Broads offer up dark, brooding indie rock on “As Long I Drift.” A sparse bass line plots the way. The drums ease in. The guitars hang bright in the darkening sky. Everyone keeps a safe distance through swells and lulls. No one wants to get hurt. The slightly desperate vocals make their way forebodingly. Something big is going to happen. It does. At the 2:35 mark, the heavens open and sorrow comes pouring down. Washed away into the night. Alone.
Where to get it:
These Wild Plains
Waves / Plains
2013
There’s something haunting about These Wild Plains. There’s a sense of foreboding that hangs over everything they do. The landscape is stark. The tension is palpable. This is mood music, and it’s killer. “Waves” is drenched in tremolo and reverb. “Plains” is drawn with interwoven guitars and unison vocals. Both songs are music cinema. We’re left with the lingering “Virginia” and a feeling that These Wild Plains are doing something special.
“Waves” and “Plains” come on a 45RPM 7″ record.* Basic black. It’s packaged in a plainly printed cardboard sleeve befitting the musical content. A digital download is also available.
Where to get it:
*“Virginia” is included with the digital download.
Aloud
It’s Got To Be Now
2014
Let’s cut to the chase. Aloud’s new record, It’s Got To Be Now, is pretty great. It’s a hook-filled slab of rock, soul, passion and urgency. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it plays out:
“Back Here With Me Again” opens It’s Got To Be Now with a blast of sunshine.
“Don’t Let It Get You Down” is straight up rockin’ soul.
“The Wicked Kind” smolders with biting guitar riffs and swirling organ.
“Jeanne, It’s Just A Ride” is a slice of ’60s pop heaven.
“A Little Bit Low” is an absolute scorcher, complete with a barely restrained breakdown to make you realize just how blazing this song is.
“Such A Long Time” revisits Aloud’s ’60s influence. This time around you may want to pull your baby close.
“After The Plague” has a timeless groove, harmonized “ahhs” and a triumphant chorus.
“It’s Got To Be Now” is infused with the desperation implied in its title.
“Complicity” is too bold to lurk in the shadows; it brings the shadows to you.
“The Ballad Of Emily Jane” could pass as Big Star.
“You Will Know” radiates sentimentality. The song goes through a subtle and beautiful transformation from reserved to glorious. A great way to cap off a fantastic album.
OK, that’s it. Aloud have really outdone themselves this time. Wait, here’s another picture…
The vinyl version is a basic black 12″ record spun at 33⅓ RPM. The label offers one of my favorite A/B side indications in recent memory. There’s a full color sleeve and a lyric sheet insert to round things out. It’s Got To Be Now is also available on CD and as a digital download.
Where to get it:
Airport
“Long Time”
2014
Airport get their twang and swing on with “Long Time.” This is a top shelf number from a top shelf band. Drink in the harmonies. Raise a glass when you hear the honky tonk piano; that’s your cue to get ready for the big sing-along chorus. Think it can’t get any better? Just wait ’til after the breakdown. Airport wraps the whole thing up with a outro that is perfectly desperate. I think I’ll have another.
Where to get it:
Bong Wish
“In The Flesh”
2014
Looking for a retro-blast freakout theme song of the lo-fi nature? Of course you are. Check out “In The Flesh” by Bong Wish and find fulfillment in your life, for once.
Where to get it:
The Rationales
Dream Of Fire
2014
Have I ever mentioned how much I like The Rationales? I think I have. Their latest, Dream Of Fire, is pretty fantastic. The EP opens with live favorites “Drunk All The Time” and “Radio,” a single they released back in 2012. It’s a formidable and familiar one-two punch of hooks and vitality. “This Morning” shakes up its Buffalo Tom-like vibe with fiery, spaced-out guitar solos. “Last Words” buries the dagger with the line “She won’t remember the last thing you said if you’re there.” Man. These songs are reeeeeaaaally good. The whole thing wraps up with “Let It Go.” Here’s a band so gifted in the ways of verse/bridge/chorus blowing it all up with magnificent results.
Like I said, I like The Rationales.
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