Yellow Paper Planes - Feathers Touch

Jeremy Ebert of Yellow Paper Planes was kind enough to send me a copy of YPPs EP, Feathers Touch. To go with it, he sent me some notes from the band's singer Joshua James, giving some context to what the songs are about. I don't recall anyone ever providing info like that before, and it's a nice treat. Thanks, dudes. What's also kind of neat is that this is a throwback to my old "4 song reviews" from way back in the day! Good times.


Knock Once - Guitar reminds me of Beach House a little, but maybe because I was listening to Beach House earlier in the week. MARACA!!! Knock Once is somber and plodding, not in a negative way though. It's like trying to wade through the complicated muck of the past, still hoping there is something worth finding there. The music has a great layering to it, building a neatly complex melody. Everything picks up during a great crescendo to end the song. It's surprising how rare it is to hear a song end with a crescendo, and it's refreshing here.

Double Life -This is one of those songs that reminds you of other songs you've heard in the past. It reminds me of so many songs, and sounds so familiar, that I can't think of anything specific that it reminds me of. It's a good song, with great pacing and change ups throughout. I can picture this being a single.

Good Lovers - Another song that could be a single. It reminds me of the band, Hum, only not terrible and not completely boring. I guess that would make it the opposite of Hum, but it is stylistically similar. The instruments and vocals compliment each other well in this one. I don't know why, but emotionally, this song makes me a little sad. At 1:25 there is something weird that happens to the singer. I think it is a fault in the copy I'm listening to, or he chose to warble at that particular moment and nowhere else in the song.

Ghost - Man, I love fuzzy guitars. This song is a little heavier with a steady beat with killer fuzz and feedback. Harkens back to the glory days of the 90s. Is it okay for me to pick a favorite? Cause this is it. I really dig this one. It's not like Melvins heavy or anything, but maybe a little bit Screaming Trees? I dunno. Whatever it is, it's great. As I was writing this originally, I realized that the end of Ghost is actually the next track, Annex. I'm just going to go with them being the same song in my head, 'cause it's too good of an ending.

If you are interested, here are the notes they sent me. I think it is nice to have an insight into the creative process behind a piece of art.  Plus, no one told me I couldn't publish it. So there ya go.

from our front man Josh: Quick background on each song:

Knock Once - was written about a couple different women I had similar relationships with. Specifically the chorus comes from the want to help someone and keep them safe even though you aren't near them.

Double Life - was written in the middle of an existential crisis. It's a feeling I go back to a lot, that I'm living multiple incongruous lives but not leading any of them to their fullest extent.

Good Lovers - is a love song at its core, but not one about fiery passion or flowery romance. It instead pays homage to the type of love that comes after spending a large part of your life with someone.

Ghost - was written about a couple things. It's main thread is the struggle to live the life you want before you get snuffed out. It's either advice I'm giving to someone else or ruing the fact that I can't seem to give it to myself.

Overall, it is worth noting the struggles we had putting this EP together. Yellow Paper Planes came together as a four piece in the place of continuing on with the same formula Brandon and I had been operating under as Joshua P. James and the Paper Planes. We wrote an entire set of tunes and went on the road with it only to return and scrap most of what we had worked out. We were set to record a few months later when Brandon broke his hand forcing us to take some time off. During that time off we stripped everything back to the studs again and final developed in the way we all felt good about leading to the recording of "Feather's Touch".

Check out Yellow Paper Planes on their official site, with music downloads and all sorts of pizazz. 

Album Review: Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums by The Spruce Campbells

Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums is the first of five or six, 4 song EP's. Each EP has its own title, but all are (or rather, will be) collectively called, The Bipolar Coordinates EP's.

Each EP is to have 2 pairs of songs (for you quick ones out there, that's a total of 4 songs), with the songs in each pair to have similar themes or styles that bring them together.


I think I've listened to these 4 songs more times than the last 4 albums I've received or bought combined.  It kind of makes me scared as to what kind of earth-shaking, sheet-clenching, toe-curling orgasm I'm going to have when I listen to the next 4 discs.

actual review after you scroll down and look at the album art...







Black Sunshine is a gorgeous tune that is reminiscent of The Pixies with the soft female lead and a kind of obnoxious male chorus.  I don't mean that the chorus is bad in any way, I'm just saying Frank Black had an obnoxious voice and this is comparable. Musically however, it is far more complicated than a Pixies tune.  When I heard this song live, it struck me as being more similar to the Dandy Warhol's, but I get none of that here on the album.  Great song on the album, amazing song to hear live.

More O's just made me cream my jeans for the umpteenth time.  Everything about this song makes me happy.  There is clapping, and clapping is good.  The transitions from simple and soft to bombastic and crazy is amazing.  The keyboards, guitars, drums, vocals, violin; everything in this makes me want to have sex with the song.  If only that were possible.

So Tired is a Fugazi cover.  Putting a cover song on an album can be hit or miss with some bands; it's a tribute to a song or band you really like, but if you don't make it your own, what's the point?  The best covers tend to sound very different than the originals.  Spruce Campbells manage to make this song their own without drastically changing anything.  It's a beautiful song, centered around Chelsea Moore's vocals and keyboard accompaniment (sorry, I'm not sure who was playing the keys).

Far Away is a song that causes complicated emotions in the listener.  It starts with just piano and vocals (Chelsea Moore again, as on every song on this album), then drums and violin join in.  The conversation between the male and female vocalists will strike a chord with anyone who ever felt the need that to just get the hell out of Dodge and leave everything behind.  The song is on one hand sad, but on the other hand kind of hopeful.

Well kids, that ends my review of the Spruce Campbells EP, Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums.  If you want a mind-blowing experience, check them out live and buy the album.

Other places to hear The Spruce Campbells' music...
Myspace
Facebook
Bandcamp

4 Song Review: Your Favorite Assassin

(Myspace)
(Official Page)
I first saw Your Favorite Assassin a few years ago at the Billiard Club. Later, I saw them play an opening slot at Cafe Bourbon Street. At the Billiard Club, they played a fine cover of Peaches' "Fuck the Pain Away." I honestly don't remember any of the songs they played at Cafe Bourbon Street, but I remember thinking that they had a more dynamic stage presence there than at the Billiard Club. Their live show is fast paced and pretty exciting. A lot of that has to do with their Frontwoman, known as the DBK. Their Myspace page lists their impressive influences (Notables: Bad Brains, the Dwarves, X, New Bomb Turks, Brainiac). They have a couple singles recorded and 1 full length album and an EP out now, with another full length due out this fall. I recommend checking them out if you can catch a live show.

Resistor
This song is fast and furious. DBK's vocals are loud and fuzzy (both are good things) and backed by... well I'm not entirely sure, but I'll assume it is Mike the guitarist. Heavy guitars and drums through the whole song. The chorus sees the female lead wailing like a banshee with the male back-up singing behind her. I'm not a fan of that style (it seems too close to Linkin Park rap-rock to me), personally, I would rather just hear the chick scream. Bass is drowned out, which is unfortunate, but you honestly won't miss it. A fast dirty track, I could listen to this a few times in a row. In fact, I just did.

Deeper the Wounds
A slower, acoustic song. Not indicative of their other work. This song is has elements of the aforementioned 'X' in it. Unfortunately, it is kind of generic. The subject matter of the lyrics is nothing new. Everything you know is a lie, everyone you know will betray you, yadda yadda yadda. However, the recording is crisp and clear. I can see this song being a favorite for disaffected teenagers who have yet to come to grips with the fact that life sucks.

Like a Saint
This song reminds me of the glory days of 80's metal. I'm sure my metal purist friends may disagree, but the vocals and breakdowns just have a badass-ness that I can't quite put my finger on. Probably the singing. You don't hear too much actual singing in heavy songs anymore. It's either raspy screaming or dog-fart grunting. The bass is loud and clear, and the guitar compliments the singing. Good stuff. Like if DRI teamed up with Lita Ford.

Blood Oranges
The singing at the beginning of this song is ok, but what really caught me is when her voice got quiet about 20 seconds in. The transition from upper-register to the low, near whisper was very much like Jucifer (who are bad ass btw). This song seems like it was recorded as an experiment in using different vocal effects. FX aside, Blood Oranges shows the range of the singer and along with Like a Saint, really shows how powerful her voice can be.

4 Song Review: Verner Caliper

Veteran Columbus rockers Verner Caliper seem to be a local enigma; they've been playing together for over 13 years and have yet to produce a full length album. They are also producing some of the most original rock songs that you (yes, YOU) have recently heard. Several of their songs are posted on their website vernercaliper.com, but to get a true sense of their sound, you must see their live show.


Background

The recorded version of this song found on their site is a few years old. It is charming at times, but tends to drag on a bit. The current version of the song however, is something to behold. This song reminds me of an old steam engine. It starts with a slight jolt and quickly finds its chugging rhythm, pounding steadily down the track. The older version of the song arrives safely at the next station, but in its current incarnation, the train loses control and settles into a barreling rampage. It does eventually reach the station, but the passengers are shaking and the conductor is drunk.


Collapse

This song is still one of VC's staples even after 10 years. It begins soft and sensitive with a chiming, almost hypnotic guitar riff. The drums and bass join in and soon we are on a march to musical freedom, at least until the chorus rips our heads off. The maturity of this song is impressive, especially having been written in high school.


Cut and Dried

This catchy, fun little ditty will have you tapping a foot and maybe bobbing a head. Its high energy, feel-good rebelliousness, and 2 minute length will leave you wanting more.


In Response

While not technically a "new" song, this song is "newer" in terms of the Verner Caliper timeline. The opening electric riff is accompanied by a twelve string acoustic which combine for a haunting effect. If I had to compare this song to any other band it would probably be Rush, simply because of the complexity of the material, the timing changes, and the chops to pull it off. Songs like this just aren't made very often.

4 Song Review: Darynyck

Darynyk (Band web site) (Myspace)

[Disclaimer: I hate to admit this, but these guys might be too good for me to review. Aw hell, i'll try i guess. - TR]

no time
Starts slow with an acoustic guitar and soft, earnest vocals. This song makes me feel sad and introspective. Song slowly builds as electric guitar and bass are introduced. God, I want a beer to weep into. What have I been doing with my life? Daryn and Nyck's vocals complement each other. very nice tune.

chaotic
thankfully more rocking than "no time." This is a bit more light-hearted and straight-forward. "Oh, you got it." Yeah, you do. Did I hear claps? Dang, I like songs with clapping in 'em. Makes me happy.

waiting
Geez, I was unprepared for the word, "Fuck" in this song because I don't recall any swearing in any of the other songs. This is a break-up song. And a damn good one at that. I'm really diggin' the harmonica and the vocals. Actually, I like everything about this song.

people get together
this song is like a mash up of every single 60's everyone-be-happy song ever written. Tambourines and bell-bottoms, sideburns and Lennon sunglasses. A very happy song.

Dang it, I'm not used to having nothing to complain about. Damn you Darynyck! I'm going to go reread my review of Avionix to return myself to a more comfortable pissed-off state.

4 Song Review: The Injured Heads

The Injured Heads
Ohio
"Down by the river and i feel so good, O-HI-O" This would be a great song to listen to while smoking a pipe and fishing. The chorus is simple and catchy. Acoustic guitar and light drums. The recording could use some work, and the drums sound a little off around 1:30. That aside, it's a nice summer time song.

Crossroads to Nowhere
Heavy electric guitar and drums on this one. Reminds me of early Black Sabbath. Ends abruptly at 1 minute, so I doubt it's even finished. But I suppose that just goes with the title of the song.

Butter
Once again, heavy guitars and drums. Unlike "Crossroads," this has vocals. Sabbath-y riffs, with punk drums. Sloppy in places, but I can see myself bangin' my head to it.

Narc
Opening percussion reminds me of that 80's song, "Hey Mickey." That is, until the guitar jumps in. Some heavy punk shit here. Mostly instrumental; there are vocals but they are hard to make out. And then the song fades out. Track ends with someone (I think Jimmy Z) saying, "Let's play Ohio." So I'm thinkin' these tracks were all recorded in one take at the same time. which isn't a bad thing.