Tuesday Tunes--May 17, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
A good mix of upbeat, and/or melodic, indie music on this weeks' Tuesday Tunes, as well as my favorite track off of the fourth album of one of the most underappreciated (in my opinion) bands in Canada today.
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new and different music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website, so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Avalanche - Bad Sounds
First up this week is 'Avalanche' by Bath, UK's Bad Sounds, a funky alt-rock song that I just can't seem to get out of my head. This is one of those well-produced tracks that feels familiar, yet completely different at the same time--'Avalanche' has a retro-70s baseline, and bit of a psychedelic fuzz to it that really showcases a 'strut down the street' vibe to the whole song, that made me, the second I heard it, get it into my heavy rotation playlists at home.
Bad Sounds are super new, so hopefully, with this (their second 'single') we are inching toward a debut EP soon.
Below - White Lung
Vancouver based indie punk/rock group White Lung returned this May with their fourth studio album Paradise, and it is yet another example of why this is one of those bands that, as far as I am concerned, is criminally unknown in wider music circles. 'Below' is an excellent example of the slightly less ragged-edged, and definitely more anthemic punk-infused rock that really makes White Lung shine.
White Lung is one of those groups that, since their beginning in 2006 have been garnering critical acclaim, but have yet to really break into the wider consciousness that their excellently produced and executed work deserves...now hopefully with Paradise (an 81 on Metacritic, by the way, which is pretty much 'universal acclaim' when it comes to album scores), that will change.
Live Life - Zayde Wølf
Nashville's Zayde Wølf has been releasing some catchy, cinematic pop for a little while now, including garnering recognition both for his cover of 'Save Tonight' as it was used on the Teen Wolf series, as well his song 'King' on the NFL Networks' advertisements for Thursday Night Football. For me however, it is this upbeat, stomp-clap pop song that really caught my attention--very well produced, catchy, and featuring a feel-good message that sometimes you just need in your day, "Live Life" is a song that I can easily imagine listening to on my way out for the evening, or being snatched up for a commercial soon.
Shut the Lights - We Are Magnetic
I believe We Are Magnetic is the first Swiss band to appear on Tuesday Tunes--the indie pop band hailing from Bern have a slice of retro-infused (read: 1980s) europop in 'Shut The Lights'. That's not to say that it's completely 80s to the extent of something like 'Dancing on Glass' - St. Lucia, but it would not feel completely out of place (excellent production, and sound quality aside) on an 80s playlist.
If you miss 80s euro-pop, I think it's time to start paying close attention to We Are Magnetic.
Hands That Held Me Back - Alert the Medic
Canadians will probably recognize the name Alert the Medic, as the Halifax-based rock group has been featured a great deal locally in the media (particularly 'Echo and Fade' of late, which has a tendency to find it's way into NHL, CHL, and other hockey coverage...not to mention that it is a damn fun song).
If not, Alert the Medic has just entered their tenth year together making music, and I thought that their change of pace ballad "Hands That Held Me Back" really demonstrates the range of Alert the Medic's talent: the piano is perfect, Ryan MacDonald's vocals really stand out from the pitch-perfect (melancholic?) melody, sweet little guitar solo...while 'Hands That Held Me Back' may never get as big for them as something like 'Echo and Fade', it's just a great example of a talented, hard-working band crushing a shift in tone.
Here is the latest Apple Music Playlist (for April). I have done my best to mix it all together like I'm spinning a set for you, but as that is hard to do without being able to fade, mix, or talk through the transitions, you will have to forgive a few hard edges...although this one was really fun to put together as it has something of a flow to it.
The March Tuesday Tunes Apple Music Playlist is available here! February Tuesday Tunes Apple Music Playlist, with all the songs put together the way we all like it, the Massive, 2-month (and almost impossible to blend together) December & January Tuesday Tunes Apple Music Playlist is right here. The November Tuesday Tunes Apple Music Playlist and the October Apple Music Playlist is still available of course as well, in case you have not caught those yet (or just need more theguysfrom.com in your life).
Support what you dig! It's soooo much cheaper than anything else out there. You cannot even buy lights for what one of the songs listed here would cost you...even the sun seems to cost now...stupid sun tax...we should've voted against that.
We will see you again next week with 5 more Tuesday Tunes!
-S (@Shauncord)