Sound Skillet

My “nod to the canon.”

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I have something a little different for you today! Here’s a review of an amazing cover of “The A Team” by Ed Sheeran, created by musician Thomas W. Hagan. This was the first song that I heard by Ed Sheeran back in the day, and I love Thomas’ version of it! 

Thomas’ rendition of “The A Team” is familiar yet original with both its vocals and guitar. Thomas clearly has his own vocal style, but he doesn’t abandon the charm of the original song. I think this is most evident in his delivery of the chorus. I love the subtle, artistic changes that he makes. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it :) 

He also uses his guitar to add more of his own style. He scales the song back, and his acoustics aren’t as complex as the original track. In this case, less is certainly more. Thomas delivers a great rhythm and allows for a dynamic flow, especially towards the end of the song for the last few choruses. 

I like covers because it allows listeners to re-experience a song. I enjoyed re-experiencing this one. Thank you, Thomas! @thomaswhagan

Listen to his cover on YouTube or Spotify.

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One of the many reasons why I love music: I can travel to new places without even leaving the house! Pretty convenient in these times, I’d say. Thanks to all the cool music that you’ve shared, I’ve gone to Norway, England, the East Coast of the U.S. – Now, we’re heading to British Columbia to hear a “genre bending Alt-Rock” group named Vogue Villains. 

Alt-Rock has always been a favorite of mine and Vogue Villains’ song “New Striped Coat” reminds me of why that is. Alt-Rock has so many different sounds. Sometimes it’s soft, sometimes it’s hard, and sometimes it’s both simultaneously. “New Striped Coat” is an interesting mix of both. 

I don’t usually like to compare sounds between artists (because everyone is beautifully unique) but I couldn’t help but think of July Talk while listening to this song. The way Vogue Villains marries strong, rock’n’roll instrumentation and vocals to more delicate sounds like the piano (one of my favorite elements of this song) is done so well – in a way that I’ve always admired in July Talk’s music too. 

In “New Striped Coat”, the overall tone of the music itself is – at least to me – a little more subdued. It’s no “Smells Like Teen Spirit” vibe in terms of guitar and drums. (I know, I know...two completely different things to compare.) But what I’m trying to say is that this song has a really cool ambiguity to it. According to the band itself, this song is a “sexy threat.” Quite the paradox. I’ve noticed that some of my favorite songs do this: the music makes you feel one way until you realize that the lyrics suggest another feeling. But within that journey, the listener can find a way to unite the two feelings. Or not...it’s always up to each individual listener I guess. 

I can only speak for myself, and I say that this is a rock song with an alternative groove and a very edgy message. In other words, this is something that I’d save to a playlist without hesitation! Go take a listen.

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A new day, a new independent artist for you to check out! I’d love to introduce you to Tuvaknutsen, another talented singer-songwriter from Norway! (She was introduced to me by our friend @partyescapeplan_official [Panorama])

The very first thing I noticed when I heard Tuvaknutsen’s first single “Bittersweet Wine” was that the song took great advantage of the bass. It’s the first thing you hear when you press play. The bass riff doesn’t only hold the song together, but becomes – at least for me – a prominent element of this song’s sound. The function of the bass goes above and beyond what you typically hear. It refuses to go unnoticed, especially after the bridge. At the top of the bridge’s build, the song drops off into a few seconds of bass solo before crashing into a final chorus. I’m pretty obsessed with it. 

The bass shouldn’t take all the credit though. It’s so easy to connect to the story of a song when the storyteller is so talented. Tuvaknutsen’s voice sounds seasoned and decorated. She has attitude in her words and lacks no soul. Her lyrics are extremely vulnerable because – although it’s a breakup song – she’s more often singing about herself. One of the most emotionally charged lines in the song – “You only think about yourself.” – is pointed directly towards her. It’s a brave move. She sings of a breakup that was a very bitter situation at first, but was ultimately for the best. All of that emotion is weaved into the tone of her voice, which is I would happily listen to any story that she wants to tell. 

I give much credit to artists who are so transparent in their work. Their willingness to be open and honest allows us listeners to connect, relate, and be moved by their music. It’s one of the most powerful things about music and a huge reason why I started this blog in the first place. Tuvaknutsen, thank you for reminding me of that, and thank you for sharing this song with us.

Everyone, please go listen to it on your major streaming platforms, and follow this artist @baretuvaofficial on Instagram! She’s only getting started! 

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Read Introversion: Part Three on Courtney Barnett here!

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Introversion: Part Three

Here’s a swing at introversion that’s more empowering than the last. Part Two said, “I’m a helpless low-life.” But THIS post unapologetically says, “Fuck it. I’m hanging out with myself tonight and I’m going to have a great time.” In her song, “Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go To The Party,” Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett captures the desire among introverts to stay home and skip the party despite what the homies are doing. 

“You’re saying definitely maybe. I’m saying probably no.” 

Introverts get FOMO...but sometimes it’s not enough to get our asses out the door.

I instantly fell in love with Barnett’s style of singing. I realized this while listening to her album (Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit) in the car: Courtney Barnett is Phoebe from the hit TV show Friends but with actual, immense music talent and a successful music career that goes beyond the neighborhood coffee shop. (No disrespect to Phoebe’s beautiful soul and, of course, her iconic “Smelly Cat.”) I say this because Barnett sings about quirky topics and captures realism in her music. She rambles and thinks out loud with her guitar, voicing the thoughts that I, too, have in my mind. I find it endearing to listen to. 

Although I’m subject to this fear of uninvolvement, more often than not I justify why it’s better to stay home. This song supports me in that. Lyrics like, 

“It takes a great deal out of me,” 

“I’ve heard [your stories] all before,” and 

“I’d rather stay in bed...than have to pick my brain up off of the floor” 

makes me feel like it’s okay to say no. Not only is it okay to say no, but I also don’t need a “legitimate” excuse to do so. “I don’t want to go out” is legitimate enough. 

The song is happy, upbeat, and bouncy. Ironically, I’d play this while I slap my makeup on before a night out. Lol. But that’s the beauty of it. It makes me feel happy and content with my anti-social plans. Maybe I WILL slap some makeup on tonight...and then go nowhere!

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Read Introversion: Part Two on “Self Explained” by Cherry Glazerr!

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Introversion: Part Two

Cherry Glazerr – a trio band of lo-fi roots who, after their third studio album Stuffed & Ready, is known for grunge, punk, and new wave sounds – is an angsty listen. “Self Explained” is just one example of this and happens to “self-explain” me pretty well.

There are two types of people, right? Introverts and extroverts. Yet it’s more complicated than that. I’m definitely an introvert. Yet I’m capable of holding a great conversation with just about anyone. I know introversion is natural. Yet I feel guilty about it. I’m very social. But am I really? I really do like to spend time with people. Yet I always hit a certain point – “I [start] reeking of the people I was with” – where I need to go home and shower and sit on the couch and be in my own head.

In my eyes, this song speaks more to the guilt, depression, and helplessness that comes with introversion. In the first verse, the song says, 

“I am alone a lot, I see this as my weakness. I don't want people to know how much time I spend alone.” 

Although I NEED alone time, I totally see it as my weakness. My reason for alone time SHOULD be to refill my tank. But I often fail to realize that my tank has already been refilled. An “empty tank” becomes my excuse to seek more alone time than I actually need. When I use this excuse to justify a declined social opportunity, I feel guilty. Then I think about how others would judge me if they knew what I was doing instead of hanging out with them: doing nothing, that is.

My thoughts start to spiral until I feel depressed and helpless because I can’t do for myself what I know is healthy, which is to engage in community and invest in my relationships. I know what I need, yet I turn and run the other way. Anyone relate?

This song has some hope: “When I take you on, I try.” I really DO try. And when I do show up, I’m present. 

Part Three will tackle introversion from a completely different angle. It won’t be as sad, so stay tuned for a redemptive end to this series. Thanks for sticking with it! 

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One of the most frustrating things about being introverted is when people don't see who we are.

Introversion: Part One

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Introversion: Part One

To kick off this mini-series on introversion, let me introduce you to a brand new artist! Ben, a singer-songwriter from Trondheim, Norway, has created a solo music project named Panorama. Panorama’s first single “Hide” gives us so much in 3 minutes and 20 seconds. I’m not even sure where to begin!

I appreciate how dynamic the song is musically. We’re given soulful rock’n’roll vibes from the start, and the vocals in the verses add a hard-rock element on top of that. Before you can get comfortable, the chorus adds some major groove. I mean, this chorus is grooooovy. And among all that – just when you think you have the song figured out – we get a guitar solo that offers the best of both worlds: rock’n’roll and scaled-back groove. 

The true beauty of this song lives in the lyrics. After talking with Panorama about the meaning of the song, I was overwhelmed by how well I could relate. Transitioning from a small high school to a much larger university made me realize that I was way more introverted than I thought. Learning that about myself in college was something that I struggled to navigate through. And while I have thoroughly expressed my thoughts on the subject in two other articles – Part Two and Part Three on Cherry Glazerr and Courtney Barnett – “Hide” revealed new ideas to me! 

The greater of these – which I also believe to be the theme of the song – is the idea of time. Ben said it best: 

“I never get to show who I am to people, because I [need] time. And people don't have time.” 

In today’s digital world, an instant connection is too highly valued. We’ve become so fast-paced that we often can’t keep up. The chorus sings, 

“It’s in my mind, what you would like to see.” 

We know who we are. So one of the most frustrating things about being introverted is when people don’t see – or can’t see – who we are. 

I’d like to thank Panorama for being so vulnerable with this song while still making it super fun! Ben, the mastermind behind it all, has coincidentally communicated all the same thoughts that I have on introversion through “Hide.” So to gear up for Part Two, give “Hide” some time and love! Listen to it on any major streaming platform. 

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“A Cough That Never Goes Away” by Acrion, an artist from the Netherlands, is very lyric heavy. It works so well with the simple build of the music: drums, bass, and guitar. Sometimes, that trio is all you need. My favorite part of the song is the bridge and last chorus, where the guitar and bass really shine through. All together, it’s poetic storytelling in an alternative rock song. We love that. We always have time for that. 

The lyrics capture the essence of what reality is. This song is about the reality that life is suffering. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. In fact, I had to laugh once I realized what I was listening to because this very topic has been at the forefront of my mind for the last few weeks. 

I won’t sugarcoat it, folks. The message of this song holds a lot of truth, and I don’t say that just because of our current affairs – although, given the title of the song, it sure cuts a little deeper doesn’t it? But you could argue that the title makes this song universally relatable, giving it the  power of perspective. Suffering has always been around; some just saw it more often, more boldly than others. But for the first time in a long time, we all feel a unified suffering one way or another. This song – at this point in time – reminds me that we shouldn’t expect suffering to leave with this pandemic. Life is hard, and this is just one example of that.

So what, then? Happiness? Eh. Contentment? Closer, I guess. The key is JOY. Hope within suffering. It’s possible, my friends. Think of your happiest, safest place, and let that be your anchor in the waves – the thing that keeps you grounded in joy and gratitude. Comparison kills joy. So be grateful for what you have, and avoid thinking about what you don’t have. 

These are heavier words, but that’s what music brings sometimes. Thank you, @acrion_official for the power of your music. It gives us a cool space to contemplate some perspective. My favorite line from your song is this: 

“And let destruction breed destruction, let it start weaving death's construction, in this mind.” 

Good stuff...makes you think. Everyone go take a listen! 

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If you’ve taken any time to listen to Saint Motel, you know that the band produces nothing but major bops. They’ve commandeered our dance moves time and time again with tracks like “Cold Cold Man”, “Puzzle Pieces”, “Move”, and “My Type.” The latest of these lives in their EP titled The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Pt. 1. 

I get very excited when I see a “part one” at the end of a song, EP, or album title. It indicates that there’s more to the story. It tells me that the artist intentionally gave us those four, five, or however many songs first. I totally nerd out over stuff like that. 

Pt. 1 of Saint Motel’s three-part album project contains all of my new favorite tracks: “Old Soul”, “Sisters”, “Van Horn”, “Diane Mozart”, and “Save Me.” Yeah, I love every flippin’ song on this EP! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Saint Motel stacked Pt. 1 with their best cards. But I do know better...this album is just THAT GOOD. 

To be honest, all I really wanted to say today was that I’m in love with the western touch in “Van Horn.” I love its cowboy tint. According to the band, the song is about a wild night they experienced in Van Horn, Texas; hence the title. We’ll never know what went down in Van Horn, but all we need to know is that a cool-ass song came from it. They pair a western, underlying guitar riff with their signature use of horn instruments. Saint Motel combines their tried-and-true sounds with sounds from different decades and places. For example, “Van Horn” has western sounds, and “Sisters” has ‘50s-inspired sounds. 

In case the genius craft of their songs wasn’t enough, the live execution of their work truly sets this band apart from many. This tour had spaceships, aliens, dinosaurs, torches, mariachi bands, cowboy hats – it wasn’t just a concert. It was an experience. They brought this EP to life, and I’m ecstatic that I got to hear all of Pt. 1 live...my last concert before Covid-19. These photos are from that day, taken by my favorite concert buddy @miafortunato. She’s amazing.

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A quote from my review of “Interlude 1” by alt-J! Check it out here!

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“Interlude 1” by alt-J on An Awesome Wave caught my attention from the very first note. The acapella song immediately follows the “Intro” of the album, and the transition from a very full track to a completely stripped and raw one surprised me. In a good way. 

Gus compliments Joe with a very complex harmony. I marvel at their voices and their delivery of rhythmic and poetic words and syllables to tell a story. This was after I realized that there was even a story at all. After my post about “Taro”, this can probably go without saying...but I used to listen to this song with no regards for the lyrics. Truly illegal. 

Then finally came my “alt-J enlightenment.” I read a lot about the lyrics and came across many interpretations. Reason #158 why I love alt-J: their lyrics are ambiguous. Even if the band themselves had certain intentions with the song, they give listeners interpretive freedom.

For “Interlude 1” specifically, alt-J intended it to be about a girl who wants to live life on her own terms. No pain, no hurt, no negativity, and no responsibility to those above. But those above – who are up for interpretation – tell her that to enjoy the good, she must find balance in the not-so-good. 

“Like all good fruit, the balance of life is in the ripe and ruin.” 

While everyone typically concludes the same revelation about this song – that life is a balance – I noticed that the identity of the girl changes from person to person. I once read that the girl has OCD and is overwhelmed by the chaos of the world. She counts her steps in increments of eighteen to keep her head above water. Personally, I identify with a girl who longs to be comfortable, content, and happy. To me, the person above is God, who tells me that there is a purpose in ripe and ruined fruit. He reminds me that I have to be uncomfortable sometimes; that among the barking dogs and the “great grey world of hearts”, there is balance, goodness, and purpose.

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Good vibes are needed a little extra these days, so I’m happy to share a fun song called “These Things” by Michael Sky (ft. Danny Robinson), a reggae solo project from Ocean City, Maryland. 

This pop-reggae song gives us the good vibes we need. Its memorable guitar riff makes you feel light on your feet. Once it’s joined by the other core elements of reggae music – a repeating bass riff, vocal harmony, keyboard groove, and, of course, a solid off-beat rhythm – you can’t help but smile and take a load off. And just like any excellent reggae song, “These Things” has extremely fun drum fills. 

Michael Sky’s music is lighthearted and joyful. Its positive lyrics – like “I swear that these things will get better” and “Despite the stormy weather, we will always be together” – speak a little louder right now. It’s a message that can lock in a good day for many of us in these trying times. Thanks for spreading such positivity with your music, and for reminding us to appreciate the people who are important to us! 

Everyone check out “These Things” on Spotify and let me know what you think!

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For those who take the time to learn their language, alt-J can give you so much more than meets the ear.

Sound Skillet (Reviewing “Taro” by alt-J)

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Let me share with you not only my favorite song by my favorite band, but quite possibly my favorite song of all time: “Taro” by alt-J on their debut album, An Awesome Wave. 

I first fell in love with the song’s mysterious – and arguably confusing – sound. The intro sounds like trying to watch a movie with an obstructive sunlight glare on the screen. But once the glare shifts, the melody takes shape and launches you on a journey that you least expect. For me, this journey was strictly sound-driven at first. The beginning of the song is stripped down to vocals and ambient guitar. Then the song unfolds: Gwil’s tangy guitar, Gus’s xylophone, Thom’s creative drum beats, and of course, Joe’s delicate voice telling us a story. 

“Taro” is a story of two lovers named Robert Capa and Gerda Taro. They were both war photojournalists in the mid-1900s. Taro had died in this line of work, leaving Capa to juggle the choice between his love for photography – a passion he shared dearly with Taro – and his safety. My favorite line in the song – “Do not spray into eyes, I have sprayed you into my eyes” – encapsulates the idea that despite the warning signs presented to him through the death of Taro, Capa welcomes ignorance and accepts the potential consequences of war photography. Despite the known dangers of his passion, he photographs the First Indochina War, where he steps on a landmine and dies, reuniting with his beloved Taro. 

“Hey Taro!”

When I first listened to alt-J, I had no idea what Joe was saying and I didn’t care...the music was great! But finally, upon searching the lyrics to “Taro” – and all of their songs, actually – I was MIND BLOWN by the depth and realness that these songs hold. For those who take the time to learn alt-J’s language, the band can give you so much more than meets the ear. 

If you’re interested, you can read more about Taro and Capa here!

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“You and I” by Barns Courtney on his latest album 404 is nothing short of a ride-or-die anthem. I deemed the track the official song of my girls’ trip with my best friend. We blasted this song every morning when we hit the road – and once on the way to Universal Studios to distract the fact that we had to pee while stuck in LA traffic...we’ve all been there. Anyway...it was our daily vibe check to ensure that we always had a kickass day.

Speaking of kickass days, I originally wrote this review on Valentine’s Day. So let’s pretend it’s Valentine’s Day! I know, I know...it’s a commercial holiday that does nothing but make us feel lonely and sad. Yet for some of us, today is a reminder that we have someone special in our life worth celebrating. It’s a very polarizing day, I’d say. But no matter what side you’re on, this song has the power to create one unified outlook on today. Whether it’s a boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, mom, dad, aunty, uncle, grandparent...today is a day to celebrate the ride-or-die in your life. Not in the mood? Then press play on this song.

Barns Courtney is a concoction of folk, rock, punk, pop, swag, sweat, and good hair. “You and I” is definitely more pop than his other songs, but remains very true to his fusion sound. I’ve seen him live twice now (many more times to come), and each show solidifies why I think he’s one of the best performers out there. He gives every ounce of his energy and passion to each song, and even the recording of “You and I” captures that.

Now it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day – or pretend Valentine’s Day – without at least one love story, right? Thanks to Spotify’s “Storyline” feature, I found out that this song is about Barns’ mother’s first love. Barns said, 

“I thought it was a great story and wrote ‘You and I’ about this, instead of having to feel horrendously depressed.” 

It is an amazing story, indeed. Play the track on Spotify and swipe up to the Storyline feature to read it yourself. 

I’ll leave you with this. Remember that love can look many different ways. We ALL have a ride-or-die to acknowledge this Valentine’s Day, so no one needs to feel alone :) And Barns, please know that I’m a ride-or-die fan. Cheers.