Week of Feb 13, 2022

Whew! It's been an active week. 

 News 

Russia threatens Ukraine invasion

Trump destroys some documents, other classified found in home in Florida

Jan 6 committee investigating false electors submitted from seven states

Text messages released showing direct communications from Fox personalities to White House

Truckers in Canada try to impede traffic in demonstration on masking

Omacron rates high, but deaths and hospitalizations are down

Super Bowl prep for LA Rams and CIN Bengals

Music of Note

Likeable beat heavy synth guitar band. Understated harmonized vocals adds to the dreamy melodies. Drumming reminiscent of P-tree. Nice long songs kept interesting by structure changes. Could be a new favorite.

Clearly, these guys are able to make engaging prog rock compositions without resorting to excess. Consistently listenable.

Crazy mix of instrumental hard diving metal rock with whimsical. Pearl Jam with teeth, including the Eddie Vedder like vocals. Fun listen.

An edgy Britany Spears or Aimee Mann electro pop, consistently infectious tunes. Very solid. Given a nod as one of the best releases in 2015, it’s easy to see why.

If Robert Plant led a rocking bar band, it would sound like this. Straight forward guitar based roots rock. Dynamite.

Interesting Music

Clearly a band wanting to break the mold of a heavy guitar metal band by using a female vocalist and switching tempos. Kind of results in a hot mess, some of which is interesting

Described as an English space rock band that’s been around since the 90’s. Can’t see it - certainly no Ozric Tentacles.  Imagine if Bob Dylan led Thin White Rope would be closer..

Primarily a synth rock duo, the two produce an easy listenable set of pop tunes. Call it a better, more refined and elaborate version of Owl City. One song, “Making it Great Again”, skewers the nature of right wing media and populists in a backdrop of lush melodies and delicate vocals.

Energized pop tunes ala Blink 182. Not bad, just unspectacular

Layering keyboards like Philip Glass disguises the fact these are well-dressed pop tunes. As I listened to more of the album, I found myself adding several songs to my playlist destined to the portable player. They had a "stickiness" to them that wouldn't let go.

A lot of pre Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd with meandering simple segments and random soaring chords.

A southern American version of Mumford & Sons, with the same impactful songs and lovely voices.

The song “The Glass Man” is reminiscent of one of those epic Porcupine Tree tunes using different movements and instrumental/vocal mixes to paint a picture. Then "Cut My Throat" comes along and throws a whole different eeriness but engaging musical portrait. Not sure what you get from song to song, but it works.

Given that they started as a Pink Floyd cover band, it isn’t hard to see the influence.

What would you expect from a German metal band using song titles from various geological periods? Somewhat in the same vein as Tool, it is quite listenable.

A little psyche rock, grunge rock, art rock, post-punk rock and space rock all thrown together.

Music Not So Great

Belgian scream metal rock aided by alluring songs. Unfortunately, to much snarl to enjoy the evident benefits. Pass.