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Best of Enemies

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Best of EnemiesThe kind gents from The Best of Enemies are offering music on bandcamp for just £0.99. Why aren’t you there yet?

Best of Enemies is a four piece band from London. Although the energetic four haven’t been together for too long they are already playing to packed fanatic crowds, their debut single “Brother” was released in July 2014. The press has taken heartily to the band, and it is already being nicked as ‘the new face of English Rock’. Considering their relatively new arrival, it is a big achievement.

Best of EnemiesI just went through the debut EP ‘Stay Young, Trust Me’ by Best of Enemies: the first thing that rings through my mind is that it must be a real worth listening to them live. Not to say that they are any way behind when it comes to studio recordings, the EP is very skillfully created and the production is on par with any modern outfit.

The four tracks presented on the debut EP are full of interestingly carved professional pegs, for example; all the songs are upbeat (which is a must to entice younger audience). There are some great harmonies supporting the lead vocalist, and especially the chorus part is well designed for a great sing-along, pretty clever!

The first song on the EP, ‘You are a Good Mate, Really’ is a brightly packaged song about the bond of friendship. Second song (Ignorance is Bliss) is a dark –darker- but energetic piece about mindsets of neglected youth; nothing could be more appropriate for a youth oriented output. Third song ‘Hope and Dreams’ is again a collective mantra about the fancies and disappointments of youth, and the fourth song (Wasting Away) is just a personalized anecdotal version of the ‘Hope and Dreams’.

The rhythm section is punchy and stable, and the best thing about Best of Enemies is the singing of the lead vocalist Sam Christmas, he is absolutely on the tune and his -delivered to perfection- vocal dynamics tell me, that Best of Enemies have quite rightfully started fast, and they are here to stay long!

A dry January or a month of alcohol abuse?

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There is one odd thing, common about all art forms; a thing might go out of fashion (or stop being HIP) but art forms never die!

Marshall Dane

It has been said about Rock ‘n’ Roll, but we see a new wave and fresh colors being added to the stream every now and then. The same was being said about ‘Country Music’ that it is dying out, or being reduced to attract only a marginal number of followers, but hold on to your horses’ folks!

Here comes Marshal Dane, adding new zeal to the tried and tested flavor of Country Music. Surprisingly, he comes from Ontario, Canada. Marshal Dane’s rowdy single, “Alcohol Abuse,” reached No.1 on the New Music Weekly country internet chart, and No. 60 on the Music Row Country Breakout chart.

The southern Ontario boy has a definitive style and mix of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Country, and already, he has been compared to the likes of Jon Bon Jovi and John Denver. Personally, I think he would be closer to Billy Ray Cyrus with his edgy lyrical style (I also noticed phrasing of Dolly Parton floating around in his songs).

Out of all of his songs that I have heard ‘One of these days’ is my favorite, and in Marshal’s own words, “the songs is not really about where I’ve been but more so about where I am now…where I wanna go…and how I’m gonna get there, wherever ‘there’ is.” Now, that is deep, although most of his other songs appear more focused to please ‘Easy Listeners’.

All songs are well produced and all have an ample amount of bluegrass harmonies, violin accompaniment, and well-crafted lyrics that wrap humorous anecdotes within good music; quite obviously intended for a merry time listening.

Dane’s best musical tool is definitely his voice, which quite remarkably fulfills the art of storytelling. It takes you down the memory lane, rendering back the broken and lonely heart by giving it a hopeful escape.

No wonder the majority of his fans are women!

Hence, rise of a new county star!

 

Links:
Marshall Dane official website
Marshall Dane on ReverbNation

The Regulars Band with a festive treat for your ears!

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The Regulars certainly have the unique blend and characteristics of big bands: they have elaborate compositions, bigger sound (due to the clearly organized instruments), and groomed vocals –especially harmonies- and above all, band members seems to be enjoying their respective instruments and jobs. Hailing from an extensive ‘Band forming back ground’, I can assure you that a members sharing a passion for their dedicated parts in a band, is more than often ‘The Decisive Element’ for band’s success.

The Regulars are based in Atlanta, GA. The siblings Lee and Lindsay Smith hold the combined Lead Vocals spot, but the band seems more centered and arranged around Lee’s rhythmic piano. I am most impressed with the tight rhythm section and well-crafted electric guitar sound that keeps up with high range vocals of Lindsay and melodies lines of Lee.

Although, The Regulars are labeled as a Funk band, I would consider them more than that. Here I would go back to the ‘Big band’ attitude that I mentioned earlier: going through the available songs and considering the rhythm section first, the drummer Elliott Phillips is not trying to do anything extra while he keeps a very tight and dynamically pure beat (a good sign for any live band) while the bassist Clay Davis’s concentration never drops! To have a bassist who is innovative and who doesn’t bog down just for the groove’s sake; is just like icing on the cake (best sign for a live band).

Douglas Ehlen electric guitar immediately brings back the tonal memory of late 60’s. With a guitar sound that reminds of the late Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt (Iron Butterfly) it is refreshing to see a ‘Band oriented’ guitar player who is not dying to come up with a killer guitar solos while producing some ‘Alienist’ tones, out of myriad effects and absurdly ‘Technocratic’ amplifiers (great sign for a live band).

I haven’t seen Lindsay Lee’s great dance moves yet (the official compliment about her) but she does impress with her in-tone and well trained vocals. Out of the entire band, she seems more of the ‘Funk’ lover, as it is very evident in the song ‘Mother Funker’.

The Regulars lead by Lee Smith have just released their new album ‘Spectacle’, and it’s available now on itunes…