music – Muse Verb

December 9, 2016

AT THE DRIVE-IN – GOVERNED BY CONTAGIONS

TheMuseVerb

Music, Progressive Rock, Rock

2017, alternative rock, At the drive in, atdi, brace yourself, dates, governed by contagions, house of blues, love, music, ORL, producer, progressive rock, rebel, Rich Costey, rock, terminal 5, the fillmore, tour

At The Drive-In announce their first upcoming album in 16 years with a brand new song! Today, they’ve announced a batch of tour dates for 2017! Find the dates below:

“Governed by Contagions.” can be downloaded at their website: http://www.atthedriveinmusic.com/

At the Drive-In Tour Dates:

03-20 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
03-22 New York, NY – Terminal 5
03-25 Boston, MA – House of Blues
03-27 Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
03-29 Toronto, Ontario – Rebel

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Follow At The Drive-In:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATDImusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/atthedrivein
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atdimusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/at-the-drive-in
Google Music: https://play.google.com/music/m/Aeiz4g3qf7ixuvztqcmxuw4e6le?t=At_The_Drive-In
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/at-the-drive-in/id41990355

December 8, 2016

DECLAN MCKENNA – BRAZIL

TheMuseVerb

Music, Pop Rock, Rock

arctic monkeys, Brazil, Declan Mckenna, England, florence and the machine, Glastonbury festival, haim, Hertfordshire, James Ford, mumford and sons, music, Pop, Simian, Singer Songwriter, UK, UK Pop

Declan McKenna isn’t like most songwriters whether young or old. Instead of penning typical pop tales of underage drinking and having his heart broken over a summer romance, or like our dear friend Usher with Confessions Part 22, the 17-year-old from Hertfordshire, England prefers tackling the forbidden subjects, that even the most veteran songwriters won’t touch. Last year he released his debut single ‘Brazil’, a massive indie-pop rock crossover tune that covers the political landscape of Brazil and its corruption and manipulation of its populace at the heart of the country’s football World Cup in 2014. Now, with appearances on US chat shows like Conan O’Brian and a record deal signed and sold, it seems like he’s about to take his talents farther than South Beach.

After recording songs in his bedroom, it is reported that McKenna debut album will be produced by James Ford (of Simian fame, producing for the Arctic Monkeys, Mumford and Sons, Haim, Florence + The Machine). McKenna won the Glastonbury festival’s Emerging Talent Competition in early 2015, which not only put him on the world stage with exposure but helped him grow more as a songwriter. McKenna with a fresh voice and original, deep and meaningful lyrics is on a solid journey to becoming one of the UK’s newest superstars.

Follow Declan McKenna and listen to his other hits!:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedeclanmckenna/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeclanMckennaMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/declanmckenna
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/deccoooo

February 26, 2016

The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It

TheMuseVerb

Alternative, Alternative Pop, Alternative Rock, Music, Punk Rock, Rock

I Like It When You Sleep for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It I Like It When You Sleep for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It, Kardashian, Love Me, Mathew Healy, music, The 1975

Possibly the longest Album Title I can recall, for an Anthem.

Fresh and Indie, just how I like it.

Held together by frontman Matt Healy’s bold-yet-earnest vocal performances, the result is as anthemic as it is intimate.

Originality6.1

Lyrics7.3

Musical skill8.7

Vocals8.6

Production8.6

The Goods

Fresh and Indie just how I like 'em

Got so many layers, you'll definitely have to repeat it like a Crystal Castles album.

The Bad

Its an Acquired Taste

For Unseasoned Indie speculators, will be something new like Vampire Weekend

7.9

Blending neon ‘80s art-funk confections with Electronica

BUY THE ALBUM

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Many experts in music agree that the year 2013 was an excellent year for indie pop, with a number of now famous bands finding their first success during that year. One such band is known as the 1975, who saw nothing less than massive success as a result of their debut album, “The 1975.” After the massive success of this piece, the band began recording a follow-up album during most of 2015, and as a result released their second full-length piece in early 2016, known as “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It,” a work that not only continues the legacy that was created by the band’s first album in 2013, but continues to show that the four-piece from the UK has what it takes to be chart-toppers with their brand of ambient electropop and creative lyrics.

Despite recording “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It” for nearly a year, fans were largely unaware that the 1975 were in the studio recording a new album. In fact, many fans believed that the band’s debut album would be their only, and that eventually the band would announce a breakup or hiatus. While the rumors began to spread about the future of the 1975 and their music, the band was hard at work creating a new masterpiece, and began to hint at its release in October. October saw the release of the band’s first single since 2013 with the song “Love Me,” a tune that truly caught the attention of new listeners and long-time fans alike.

Long-time fans of the 1975 have come to expect their unique brand of ambient indie-pop, and they will no doubt love its presence in “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It.” While the album is entirely different from its earlier counterpart by way of lyrics and themes, it continues the same legacy fans came to love as a result of the first album. “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It” continues with many of the same musical concepts as the band’s self-titled debut, but the meanings behind the songs are vastly different, ranging from the shallowness of today’s society, to drugs, to religion, and lastly, love.

It’s this brand of uniqueness that makes “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It” an excellent album, and what makes the 1975 such musical geniuses. With this latest release, the four-piece were able to capture the essence of their first album and what it did to please its listeners, make enough changes for the new album to appear fresh and never-before-heard, and released a new masterpiece which will attract old and new fans alike. The 1975’s brand of indie pop is far different than any other on the charts today, and the release of “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It” really cements the 1975’s reputation as some of today’s best musical innovators.

The 1975’s newest release was prefaced by the release of the track “Love Me,” a single which captured the attention of indie pop fans everywhere. The song discusses fame in today’s culture, and how little it truly means. Lead singer and songwriter Matthew Healy approaches the obsession many people have with celebrities and musicians, and tells them it’s misplaced, ultimately asking his fans not to follow him as they would someone like a Kardashian (who he mentions by name in the song). This song was risky to say the least, as most bands thrive off of the inordinate amounts of attention they receive from fans, and most would agree that any artist looking to top the charts should appeal to the attraction of their audience. The 1975 does away with this idea, and outright tells their fans that such petty obsessions are misplaced, making for a highly interesting (as well as ear-pleasing) song to kick off the band’s new era.

While the 1975 brand themselves as an indie pop artist, their latest release features many songs which could be considered otherwise. In fact, tunes such as “UGH!” and “She’s American” are notably heavy for the typically smooth indie quartet. This rolls back into their traditional indie pop sound with songs such as “The Sound,” and brings listeners back to the band’s first album with very similar tones.

The final song on “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It” is quite heart touching, and its meaning is almost unexpected from an otherwise upbeat artist. The last song on the album is titled “She Lays Down,” during which Healy gets real with his listeners and talks about the effects of his mother’s post-natal depression, during which she chooses cocaine and essentially causes trouble for herself and her son (the lead singer of the band). This somber yet relatable song is an excellent note with which to end an otherwise fantastic album, and really shows just how versatile the 1975 can be.

After listening to “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It,” it’s very clear that long-time fans of the 1975 will enjoy the albums subtle connections to their debut album, and new fans will be drawn in by its peaceful, ambient tones. The diversity of the music on the album is sure to appeal to fans of all types, making “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It” truly worth the listen, whether it be by fans of old or those simply looking to explore a new type of indie pop.
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Follow The 1975:
Facebook: The 1975 Official
Twitter: @the1975
Instagram: @the1975
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/the1975
Website: http://the1975.com

February 19, 2016

Simple Plan – Taking One for the Team

TheMuseVerb

Punk Rock, Rock

blink 182, maroon5, music, Pierre Bouvier, Punk Rock, simple plan, Simpleplan, taking one for the team

A New Effort, Same Story.

Could've been something different.

For new millennials born after the 90's will be something new to hold on to. But it is still amazing the French Canadian band is still kicking around.

Originality4.5

Lyrics3.6

Musical skill3.3

Vocals6.1

Production5.5

4.6

They're Still Around in their 30s but music & lyrics in the 90's

Buy Taking One for the Team

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Director: Mark Staubach
Cinematography: Chady Awad

Any music fan during the early 2000’s remembers the days of pop punk and “emo” music; who could forget legendary bands such as My Chemical Romance or Fall Out Boy, bands who narrated the teenage lives of many of today’s 20-something year olds. While many of these bands have broken up or diverted their style of music to one that is more radio-friendly by today’s standards, one popular pop punk band of emo’s glory days still remains – and they’re back with a full-length album.

Early 2016 has seen the release of many new albums, many of which by already established chart-toppers. While Simple Plan has been wildly famous since their first release back in 2002, they created albums consistently through the early 2010’s, during which they stopped to take some time and re-create themselves as a band. Many fans believed the band had no future, as they provided few updates with regard to their future plans, and were very much absent from the live music scene. Many fans even forgot the band existed, realizing just how long it had been since their last release. In fact, 2016 marks the 5-year mark since the band’s first full-length album, and the 2-year mark since the release of their last EP. For a band that was once legendary, this behavior is odd to say least.

Despite rumors of a considerably possible breakup, Simple Plan came through with the first single off their new album “Taking One for the Team” in fall of 2015; the single was titled “I Don’t Wanna Go to Bed,” and marked noticeable differences in style compared to previous releases by the band. Simple Plan began as a strictly pop punk entity, appealing to the inner teenager in their listeners. Their music was angsty and relatable, with songs such as “I’m Just a Kid” and “Perfect” appealing to the inner teenager in everyone. Their newest release is noticeably more pop than punk, yet the band makes this change of style highly appealing, even to fans who have enjoyed their music since the band’s inception a decade and a half ago.

While it’s clear that Pierre Bouvier and the rest of the band worked to make noticeable differences in their style, it’s also clear that “Taking One for the Team” was created with long-time fans in mind. Yes, it does have noticeably less-punk undertones, and yes the songs may be more difficult to relate to as adults than they were as teenagers, but this album truly captures what it meant to be a teenager in the early 2000’s, and makes a great effort at bringing about a new age of pop punk in music world dominated by pop and metal. Very few bands promote this brand of old-school pop punk anymore, with the annual Warped Tour often featuring heavier artists than pop punk of old. Any diehard fans of pop punk will thoroughly enjoy “Taking One for the Team,” and any younger teens who may have missed the great era of emo music will have an opportunity to experience it in a new light.

Modern-day Simple Plan can be described as Blink-182 meets Maroon 5, with “Taking One for the Team” very effectively conveying the best of both pop punk and radio pop. One downside to the album is that it is far more easily digested than other pop punk, but that has always been one considerable downside to the music of Simple Plan. While bands like My Chemical Romance looked to appeal to feelings of depression and worthlessness, Simple Plan has always addressed some of the less-intense parts of being a teen, and this shows through with “Taking One for the Team” (as it has in each of their albums). The band tried getting serious with their self-titled release in 2009, however the attempt seemingly failed as they reversed this style back to a somewhat generic brand of meaningless pop punk with their 2011 release, “Get Your Heart On!” Simplicity aside, the music featured on “Taking One for the Team” is enjoyable to listen to, although it may not have you pondering the meaning of life or questioning any life decisions. More likely, it’ll have you wishing you were back in high school, heading out for a party on a Friday night.

While “Taking One for the Team” does feature many serious undertones or even any sort of deeper meaning, it does appeal to one very powerful part of human emotion: nostalgia. While most bands of the early 2000’s have either broken up or entirely evolved into something unrecognizable, Simple Plan has kept the same factors in play with “Taking One For the Team” as they did with each of their past albums, albeit the newer songs may be less relatable. With that in mind, it’s difficult to listen to the band’s newest album without flashing back to days of old, days where the angst of pop punk filled the radio waves and hearts of teens everywhere.

Simple Plan’s newest album is not recommended for listeners who want to enjoy a spiritual experience with their music, however it’s an excellent listen for anyone looking for a trip down memory lane. It’s sure to make long-time fans smile slyly when they remember the first time they ever heard the band, and will without a doubt stir feelings of nostalgia in listeners of all ages. This upbeat, fun collection of pop punk tunes is an excellent addition to the music library of all who appreciate early 2000’s emo culture, and will ultimately remind listeners of the early days of Simple Plan and pop punk as a whole.

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Follow Simple Plan:
Facebook: Simple Plan Official
Twitter: @simpleplan
Instagram: @simpleplan
Soundcloud: Simple Plan’s Soundcloud
Website: http://simpleplan.com/