Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
The Static Dynamic
“Spotlight”
2015
If “Relentless” served as my pre-Rumble introduction to The Static Dynamic, “Spotlight” puts an exclamation point on the whole experience. This song, like the band, is arena ready and made for the big stages. A wistful intro leads into a driving, fist-pumping anthem. The sound is huge. The execution is precise. The Static Dynamic aren’t messing around. Go ahead and sing along.
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Gracie
“Jesse”
2014
Self described “bummer jam” artist Gracie delivers on that stylistic promise. “Jesse” is a dissonant, down-tempo number. At the risk of being cheekily alliterative, I could have thrown desperate, droning, dreary or dirge-like into that mix. It’s depressing stuff, for sure, but darkness can be therapeutic. Sometimes being in a funk is good for the soul. Misery loves company. Darkest before dawn. All that jazz. Here’s your soundtrack. Besides, the fuzzed out guitar melodies and angelic backing vocals sound good enough to crack at least a bit of a smile, no matter your mood.
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Soft Pyramids
“Tweakin’ On The Weekend”
2013
I had seen Soft Pyramids before, but the band really won me over during this year’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. Naturally, I had to walk away with all of their vinyl, which included the laid back and hip single for “Tweakin’ On The Weekend.” Jangly guitars and a just-right tempo provide an easy groove below the drifting vocals. Soft Pyramids are swimming in the sweet spot. The B-side, “Don’t You Tell Me,” picks up the pace and provides a nice counterpoint to the first number. The digital download, included with the vinyl, tacks on a couple of high quality bonus tunes in “Bellwether Lullaby” and “White Deadnettle.” Nice.
The vinyl itself is a basic black 7″ that plays at 45RPM. The record, download code and accompanying lyric sheet are wrapped in a craft board sleeve with black printing. Simple and cool.
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Party Bois/Petty Morals
Split 7″
2015
Do you like to party? No, do you like to party? Party Bois and Petty Morals like to party. They’ve got a new split 7″ to prove it. Party Bois offer up their biggest hook yet on “Loving Arms.” That’s saying something with the singles they’ve been putting out. It’s also the most straight-up rockin’ tune they’ve done. The electric guitars share equal time with the synths and electronic drums. Whoa-oh-oh! The flip side has Petty Morals hand clapping their way through another number ready for the ’80s guilty-pleasure flick running through my dreams. “Go For Broke” is a call to action. I suggest you answer it.
The 7″ record comes on snazzy pink vinyl and plays at 45RPM. Small hole. Full color jacket. Digital download. Get it.
Where to get it:
Le Roxy Pro
Le Roxy Pro
2014
Le Roxy Pro are cooler than cool. One listen to their debut album will convince you of that. The band crosses The Dandy Warhols with The Beach Boys to wonderful effect. Give “Get It Out” a spin and you’ll see what I mean. “Coral Coralles” basks in a summer glow. “Bushkill” is a study in tension and release. “The Green Path To Nowhere” calls Teenage Fanclub to mind. They got me. Sometimes, straight. Sometimes spacey. Always compelling. What a sound.
The physical product is an eye catching, 12″ slab of blueish/greenish vinyl that comes in a full color outer sleeve and black & white inner sleeve. Lovely.
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Eddie Japan
“Albert”
2015
Wow. I don’t even know how to describe what Eddie Japan is up to these days. “Movie music without the movie” doesn’t cut it anymore. Their sound is grand and layered. The lyrics, in this case inspired by Albert Camus, are colorful and well-considered. They play with passion and purpose. “Albert” brings all of this together in stunning fashion. Strings! Horns! Backing Vocals! Guitar twang! Breakdowns! Outros! Eddie Japan have found the perfect middle ground between their unabashed pop (“You Will Find Me Dead in My Comfort Zone”) and their love of the epic (“A Town Called Nowhere”). It’s the sound of thirteen musicians coming together for love.
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Full Disclosure: Nicole Anguish of Daykamp Creative did the artwork for this single. That’s why it’s so awesome. The artwork, not the song. I mean, the song is awesome, she just can’t take credit for that.
The Daily Pravda
“1999”
2015
“1999” sparkles with The Daily Pravda’s if-it’s-British-and-has-a-flair-for-the-dramatic-we-don’t-care-what-year-it’s-from-we’re-inspired-by-it sound. Bowie? The Psychedelic Furs? Radiohead? They’re in the mix. Layered guitars and well-placed backing vocals add dimension to this spaced-out melodic morsel. The whole thing is refined, precise and expertly executed. I like where this is going.
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The Static Dynamic
“Relentless”
2014
I’m not a slacker. The 2015 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble starts in just about a month and I aim to be ready for it. That means listening to a lot of new (to me) music. One song that caught my attention and made me hit repeat was this tune from The Static Dynamic. “Relentless” is compelling, dynamic* and melodic within its postmodern hard rock sound. Jess Collins’ vocals are stellar, deftly balancing power and restraint. The arrangement and energy are spot on. The band even flirts with prog rock tendencies while managing to keep things to a tidy 2:42. That kid of focus should make them a lean, mean, Rumble machine. The Static Dynamic are onto something.
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* I mean, it sort of had to be dynamic, right?
Watts
Flash Of White Light
2014
Opening with the one-two punch of their recent 7″ and never looking back, Watts are keeping the flame of song-driven classic rock alive on Flash Of White Light. Right from the get-go it’s clear that Watts have logged more hours listening to Cheap Trick, The Raspberries, Kiss and AC/DC than I’ve spent doing just about anything. It’s in their DNA. When they toss out rippers like “Rocks”* or “Wasted Angels,” it’s clear where they’re coming from. They channel The Cars on “Better (For A Girl Like You).” They evoke memories of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on “Flying Over With Bombs.” It’s everything I’ve come to expect from these guys. Thankfully. And then, with a sense of wonder and ringing in my ears, Watts reveal the man behind the curtain on “Trick.” Nice move, gentlemen.
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* Dig the left speaker guitar at the 1:10 mark. Awesome.
Parlour Bells
“Celebrities On Ice”
2015
I remember the first time I heard “Celebrities On Ice.” Parlour Bells had taken a bit of time off from live shows to do some writing. They returned to The Middle East last March with this stunner. I was hooked. Proving opposites attract, the cryonic preservation theme and raw, guttural guitar riffs team up for mischief. Other players in this sci-fi tragedy include martini robots, uncomfortable future truths, spacey synths, fleeting fame, holographic phones, extrasensory deception and a heavy hitting rhythm section. What does it all mean? I don’t know, but it sounds really cool.
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