alternative rock – BILLCSMUSIC BLOG

They Shall Overthrow: Galt Aureus (@GaltMusic) Presents “Treason”

GALT AUREUS, Treason

Galt Aureus is the American duo of vocalist/pianist Saher Galt and guitarist/vocalist Susan Williams, and they have recently released their third independent album called Treason. I previously wrote about their song “Citadels”, and the duo continues to make symphonic, orchestral, majestic-sounding alternative rock. For those of you who enjoy medieval lore mixed in with futuristic sci-fi, Treason is definitely for you. It’s highly cinematic, and would also serve well as a soundtrack to an epic kind of video game. With dogged determination and passion, the protagonist in the story throughout Treason is revolutionary, leading a charge to overthrow the dominant machines. The story is consistently compelling throughout from “Machine” and the title song, through to “Decay” (watch the animated lyric video below), “Fractures In The Steel”, and “Revive The Light”. It seems like a dark, nihilistic story but there is promise at the end, but through revolution. And sometimes you have to overthrow to save the world! Galt Aureus takes the best of progressive songwriters and artists like Jim Steinman, Alan Parsons, and Pink Floyd, channels it through classical music and contemporary modern rock to arrive at a unique sound that commands your attention. I’ve also included the promo video for the album below. You can purchase Galt Aureus’ Treason on iTunes or through their smart-looking website right here (where you can also join their “Legion”).

From Out Of Nowhere: @KongosMusic’s Album “Lunatic”

KONGOS, Lunatic

You’ve already heard the single “Come With Me Now” blasting out of car stereos, but aside from being one of those winning kind of hit songs, you probably don’t know anything about the group behind it, Kongos. Kongos is the last name of the four brothers in the band (Johnny, Jesse, Dylan and Daniel) and they are all sons of the South African singer John Kongos, who’s best known for his minor 1970 hit “He’s Gonna Step On You Again”. The brothers grew up in both South Africa and England, and their sound is heavily influenced by their father’s homeland.

The band’s diverse sound stems from classic rock, late 70’s punk like Elvis Costello, as well as traditional South African elements which you can hear through the accordion and the odd Umbaqanga rhythms. It’s not like Paul Simon’s Graceland or Ladysmith Black Mambazo thank goodness; Lunatic is best when it rocks out. I love the deep bassy rhythm of “Hey I Don’t Know” (below) and the Reggae influence on “I Want To Know” is infectious. You can hear that Umbaqanga rhythm (best exemplified by Johnny Clegg’s bands Juluka and Savuka) on “Sex On The Radio”. “It’s A Good Life” is a standout because it sounds like a natural follow up to “Come With Me Now” without sounding like anything else within Lunatic. This is a tight band of brothers who know their stuff and produced a record that took a long time before a major record label (Epic) re-released it earlier this year.

So now that you know more about the brothers Kongos, you will not be hearing the last of them. They just played my city and I’m sure will be back again. No one hit wonders these guys!

@NeonTrees Get an ‘A’ in “Pop Psychology”

NEON TREES, Pop Psychology

Their previous two releases did not resonate with me, though there’s no mistaking a catchy song like “Everybody Talks”. But Utah’s Neon Trees have made a mature third album that could easily be the romantic and sometimes caustic soundtrack for Spring and Summer for young adults.

Pop Psychology is a solid pop/rock album that falls somewhere between Paramore and The Script. There are some great songs within and all have been made better by the versatile voice of Tyler Glenn, though all three of the other members (bassist Branden Campbell, guitarist Chris Allen, and drummer Elaine Bradley) sing too. You’ve already heard the engaging “Sleeping With A Friend” as the lead single, but to be honest the best songs within are likely those you’ll get to know in concert. “Teenager In Love” is my favourite, followed by “Unavoidable” (with Elaine’s duet with Tyler), and “Love In The 21st Century”. Tyler’s lower register is also showcased in the slower and thoughtful “Voices In The Halls”, whose video you can watch below.

All in all, Pop Psychology was a big surprise for me so you can call me a Neon Trees convert, though I’m apt to favour their album tracks over their singles. Catch them on tour across North American this Summer!

Pop Psychology sees official release tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22.

Another Side of @GrahamColton with “Born To Raise Hell”

GRAHAM COLTON, “Born To Raise Hell”

Like me, many of you know Oklahoma singer Graham Colton from his deliriously happy 2008 hit “Best Days”, one of my personal faves that year, which gave him lots of exposure and attention as a sought after new performer, having had a 5 year career that started a few years earlier with The Graham Colton Band. After leaving his major record label a few years later, Graham released a number of independent records, with 2010’s Pacific Coast Eyes garnering the most attention. But different flavours of music were brewing underneath, and now we have a new and still indie single called “Born To Raise Hell” that’s a light year or two away from “Best Days”. And by gar, it works, a really short cinematic song with just enough creepiness in the atmosphere and vocal to make you shiver a bit. I’d love to see it used in any one of the latest TV horror/fantasy shows. But it does have its own video, which has a more psychological bent to it, based on a true story, about how one child’s life for a while seems to circle around that of serial killer Richard Speck, without ever meeting. So watch the video and brace yourself mentally, or think of your own scenario and keep an even keel. “Born To Raise Hell” is a free download from Graham’s 2014 album release Lonely Ones. Very well done!

Rocking Foundations: “Francis Bacon” by @CarolePope

CAROLE POPE, “Francis Bacon”

Canada’s Carole Pope is the three-time Juno Award-winning singer of 80’s band Rough Trade, which had a chart hit Stateside in 1982 with “All Touch”, but was reknown for having a succession of Top 20 hits over five gold or platinum albums in Canada starting with the provocative “High School Confidential” in 1980. While Rough Trade has had some reunions, most recently in 2001, Carole has never been away from rocking it all out, recording solo albums in 2005 and 2011. Rough Trade created some of the most innovative Canadian modern pop in the early 80’s, with lyrics laced with innuendo and sexual imagery. Carole continues this tradition with “Francis Bacon” (he’s the 20th century painter), backed by a tight melody that really kicks thanks to a powerhouse rhythm section. Although Carole is already legendary, “Francis Bacon” would fit in nicely on the radio with what you would hear from the likes of Fall Out Boy, Muse, and Pink. I caught a live set by Carole this past summer, and it was in some ways like time hadn’t passed by much, with her risqué commentary on-point which the crowd ate up, along with several new songs that will be featured on an upcoming EP called Music For Lesbians. Purchase “Francis Bacon” on iTunes and if you’re in Toronto on Friday (and there are still tickets left), you can check out a show by Carole at The Flying Beaver Pub.

Listen to a preview of “Francis Bacon” here: http://www.amazon.com/Francis-Bacon/dp/B00EKHBKJE

The classic “High School Confidential”:

Still ‘Electric’: “Love Hurt Bleed” by Gary Numan (@numanofficial)

GARY NUMAN, “Love Hurt Bleed”

“Love Hurt Bleed” shows British new wave icon Gary Numan sounding better than ever. It’s definitely not near as mechanical sounding as his early songs, and I would put this song along side of tunes by Nine Inch Nails and other 80’s/90’s performers that also broke some barriers. Gary Numan continues to break some new ground himself. The video is suitably creepy, think of David Cronenberg’s film “Videodrome” and watch what is going on inside the TV and outside of it. Looks like there’s some definite psychological drama here to mess with you. “Love Hurt Bleed” is from Gary’s new album Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind). He is actively touring and this single is available to buy on iTunes.

Retro Alt.Rock from @JakeBugg’s Sophomore Album, “What Doesn’t Kill You”

JAKE BUGG, “What Doesn’t Kill You”

It seems like 19 year old Nottingham, England-born Jake Bugg’s self-titled album was only just released, with the top of 2013 all abuzz about the baby-faced folk-rock singer with gritty, street-wise lyrics. The album went to #1 in the UK and sold out concert dates everywhere followed. Jake’s new album Shangri-La is already due for release in November, and ahead of that we’ve got “What Doesn’t Kill You” to tweak our interest. The song would have comfortably fit into the British post-punk era of rock, and certainly stands out as unique in today’s alt.rock. I don’t think there are pop radio designs on this song but perhaps others will follow. If you liked Matthew Koma’s “1998” from his EP earlier this year, that might help give some context, though Matthew skews more pop than Jake. “What Doesn’t Kill You” is available worldwide on iTunes.