Enjoy New Descendents Music
Enjoy New Descendents music, sort of, 9th & Walnut is early Descendents material finished up for 2021. The Fruit Bats take the seminal 90’s album Siamese Dream and fearlessly cover the entirety. Lucid Express ? Clearly breathtaking shoegaze from Hong Kong. Another Quicksand single, man I’m getting antsy for the LP. Finally but not leastly Mess Esque bathe you in shallow warm watery tones. If only the beach and tropics were not so far…
Descendents – 9th & Walnut – Epitaph Records
Assuming you know the backstory of The Descendents. If you don’t that is an assignment you must undertake on your own. A seminal punk band they are. Taking hiatuses over the last 40 years but never officially stopping which is also another story. May I recommend documentary Filmage. Leaving Prime in a few days, choose wisely. If you have Prime already , great. I do encourage to not patronize them and Spotify, but I must digress Here’s a link https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/filmage-the-story-of-the-descendents-all .
Filmage tells the story nicely and succinctly. It’s beyond fun and must see for Descendents fans.
9th and Walnut, the way I understood, is material that was written many pieces back and brought into fruition for 2021 release. If my timetable serves right it was the era of Milo Goes to College (give or take). There are hordes of Descendents fans that can correct me if I’m wrong. Rightfully so, they’re a fucking excellent band. Musicianship, melody, songwriting and that indescribable punk edge that is simply best felt or listened to rather than me blather on.
Baby Doncha Know has that early mid 80’s foot stomping feel. It’s a minute of punk fun. Nightage is covered here. https://meatsheetfanzine.com/5-ways-to-be-cool-hypnotizing-chickens/
Like the Way I Know is close to the Baby Doncha Know feel. All three singles have been fun and contain the proficiency you would expect if you are a fan or air conditioner of this band. How can one love the Descendents and not dig on this slab? The first four tracks? Clever and classic blasts of trademarked Descendents sounds that are under a minute. Bill Stevenson, always a beast on the kit. Milo’s voice duties are fully dialed in.
Consider writing a song that is tuneful, aggressive , and yet must resolve in about 60 seconds. I didn’t think so. Not easy as it may seem.
Very difficult task to do and yet still have it sound like anything worth listening to. That is unless you are into crust punk (LOL !! )
Tired of Being Tired contains the irony of being tired yet still slaying on every instrument. I’m Shaky allows you to hear Tony Lombardo’s fluidity and sheer power of bass. Harmonious call and response that would turn Brian Wilson’s head. Grudge gives you more of the classic SST inspired Minutemen / Descendents stompy twang. The beat is a shared communal cadence. The guitars are closely tonally related even though the two bands are different.
In addition to all those numbers you have alternate versions of Ride The Wild and It’s a Hectic World. It is hotly debated that these versions are better than the previously released versions. Who cares?!? These versions are great, the originals are as well. My 18 year old skate rat self may have taken the bait, didn’t care much for either track. Time has vindicated all versions. To Remember, all about forlorn love. If you dig on that topic this song will not disappoint. Think of the sentiment (not sound) of the great Sour Grapes.
Next, no spoilers. Peep the lyrics to It’s My Hair. I Need Some, see To Remember above. Only maybe there’s a glimmer of hope that Milo will get a kiss. Contextually, 1980’s Milo. By now I’m sure no longer an issue.
Ah to be in your high teens. This is what the spirit of these songs is all about. Youth, being a bit unhinged. New Descendents 9th & Walnut encapsulates this well.
Conversely, as said teen , you may have some musical sensibilities rooted in your youthful truths and you are willing to play your face off.
So you love the Descendents, you should already be downing your bonus cup and on multiple spins of this fine retro active LP.
Fruit Bats – Siamese Dream – Merge Records
I must qualify this review by saying this is a cover of Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream entire record and I am more than able to compare this with the original. I’m very under-qualified to cross reference this with the Fruit Bats other material. Additionally this is an ambitious undertaking to say the least.
Going back to early 90’s… when Billy Corgan recorded and released Siamese Dream the process took a huge toll due to the amount of overdubs and trying to get the perfect tones and layers. I think Gish and Siamese Dream recordings taxed the Pumpkins. When it comes to production on top selling records Siamese Dream is probably in my top five if not number one.
Production-wise it’s up there with the self-titled Boston.
I’m not counting the thousands of amazing records that sold less copies or they just didn’t want to put 30 + guitar tracks on one song. That being said to tackle the sonic juggernaut that Siamese Dream is, well that’s a pretty tall order Nordberg.
The short of it Fruit Bats do this record justice. This achieved by adding a twist on each original. Let’s face it how boring is it to hear a cover that sounds exactly like the original artist? You don’t have to worry about that on this record. Listen in. https://fruit-bats.bandcamp.com/album/siamese-dream
By the time I got to 7th the song Soma it was getting repetitive. The album is very acoustic guitar heavy. Luckily by the time you get to Mayonnaise ( one of my personal favourite SP songs) the Fruit Bats takes are clever and fresh enough to keep me on board til the end. It is almost as if they know that this is about halfway through and they better bust some shit out. If you know Siamese Dream as well as I do then you will notice Fruit Bats skillfully clip some of the intros and outros and long parts from a lot of the songs. They strip them down to the essence and get right down to spinning their take on each song. For example Silverfuck is pruned down to 4:18. Quiet clocks in at 1 minute and 21 seconds.
Quiet entertained and tickled me. It is a vaudevillian playfulness.
Today is haunting and enchanted sail down a sunny river leading to the 90’s.
A point to consider, based on opinion of me or reader. At times the vocals are refreshing. Let’s face it. I’m sure there are those who would love Smashing Pumpkins if not for Billy’s voice. I get it , I’m a super fan of at least half of their work or more and at times Corgan’s voice can be grating. Conversely the vocals on this LP ? Similar, but not grating. Sometimes they work , sometimes they don’t. However, regardless, if they work for me or not on each song or part of a song doesn’t matter. They’re earnest and authentic. The main vocal recalls Gerry Rafferty or Marty Balin with a quirkier snap / crack.
Back to the songs. Rocket is approachable and warm. A splash of country with a side order of pop.
Disarm, the same, but maybe less country. Whimsy synth. Far from the original in the sense I don’t feel the artists pain. Soma is clipped down in time. Such a strong composition. Rather than the quietness and explosion of the original.. This version is even keeled with a plinking keyboard. I wouldn’t have the guts to cover this song in this way. Take that for what you will.
Geek USA is minimally interpreted. Another hard one to capture. The guitars are so big. Fruit Bats choose a more confined space on Geek USA.
Mayonaise is a hard song to screw up if the artist really dials in anywhere near the frequency of the original. A farfisa like organ sound backs an folky acoustic ensemble. Crisp beats and backing vocal accents that could be a doorway back to disco / 70’s pop.
Spaceboy is probably the closest you will get to the O.G. Pumpkins on this. Matching acoustic guitar for acoustic guitar.
Silverfuck is one of my least favorites on the original, yet maybe my favorite on Fruit Bat’s. They give you only the essentials of the track. The off kilter pulse of bass and drums. The guitars are warm and soft. Providing a compelling contrast to the original and what else the Fruit Bat’s added to this version.
Sweet Sweet is close – ish to SD . The focal point is the interplay of male and female vocals which give it a twist. Also a triangle pings away throughout.
Finally, Luna a track that gets me every time. If you can’t feel either version of this song, someone may have to check your pulse. This song is a quintessential love ballad of the 90’s. If I was not a fan of either artist, I’d have to give a little a nod for this song. It’s stunningly beautiful in its original. Fruit Bats version? Less stunning but they score points for capturing the spirit of it.
In conclusion, picture if you will. You are out at your favorite dive bar, coffee house, etc.
If you didn’t know this record existed yet it was randomly played, it would if nothing else grab your attention and curiousity.
That is providing you know Siamese Dream and are a fan. The more you are a fan of that 90’s masterpiece, the more captivated you are likely to be by this rendition.
Lucid Express – s/t
WOW – Shoegaze from Hong Kong. The dreamy dial turned all the way up. So much though that the walls and roof start to melt. The trees and surroundings melt into that. This primordial sound soultion blends with the sky. This sounds become one with the source on North Action and Hotel 65 . Listen up https://lucidexpress.bandcamp.com/album/lucid-express
Third track Ado gets ever so slightly less seamless. The tap tap tap of the beat, trebled out soft metal guitar work. however Ado still maintains the ethereal underpinnings of the first two tracks. Soaked in reverb / delay and brimming with euphonius singing.
Sore is cosmic and full of phosphorescent reverb that is slightly woozy and unsettling. The bass and singing keeps me tethered to this plane of existence.
Next you say ? Hollowers ? A contender for a slow danceat the shoegaze ball. Complete with a crashing wave undulating guitar. Wellwave seems to have the makings of an indie ‘hit’ song. It could a slow groove clubbed out remix.
Prime Of Pride soars above the storms below. The synth driven arpeggiation does aerial tricks with the My Bloody Valentine ish guitars. I don’t want to come down.
Alas all things must pass, and Ride The Night is the last stop on Lucid Express to Slumberland. Dreamy, effect heavy , late night bus ride tune, and album. Gazers, promptly grab your earphones or earbuds and the most comfy seat with your favorite beverage and get lost in this.
Blurbage
Quicksand – Brushed – Single- Epitaph Records
It’s getting close to the release and this single shows some effect pedal experimentation that is outside of what I expect from Quicksand. To Walter’s credit, he has mastered song and riff writing.
I’d be super stoked to hear Quicksand breach the more experimental side of post hardcore. As in finding Crystal Pepsi in stores unexpired stoked.
The tremolo pedal is set faster than How Soon Is Now but it oscillates with fervor.
The beat is straight out of a NYC drum circle in which the participants are students of hip hop. Walter is strumming what sounds like an old Martin acoustic that is rich with a decade or more maturity. In addition to the warbling electric drone. This is an earthy and organic number. I’m surprised in a good way. The vocal melodies show more harmonious experience akin to the acoustic guitar that I can neither confirm nor deny is vintage and in top notch tonal quality. I am hoping to catch the full LP Aug. 13 and live Quicksand in October. Let’s roll to that gig.
Mess Esque – Take It Outside – Single – Drag City Records
A verdant lush lagoon of sounds awaits thee on Take It Outside . Hailing from Australia, Mess Esque are bent on giving a treat to all listeners this October. This is looking like another power duo for the books.
Marvel at the sun drenched vocal tones reflecting off the sun warmed wet guitars (wet as in variable amounts of drenched signal)
Together small flashes of bright and dulled sounds welcome you as if the sun hits off the water blinding you for 1/64th a second. If that’s not enough, Helen Franzmann aka McKisco can sing but also uses her voice as the instrument. Meanwhile Mick Turner’s guitar plays off her, or is it the other way around. He gives Take It Outside what it needs. The strum is varied between driving and gliding, yet consistent like photosynthesis. The underwater fauna need nourishment too. Stay tuned for more..
Thanks for reading as always, hope you Enjoy, my good friends, Enjoy
(New Descendents and ALL the others) .
If you want to support me, share me, or better yet, zines and shirts are available. I invest any money back into small bands by buying their tracks. That is until bands stop skipping this town on tour. UGH. If you stop in the greater Phoenix area though, you are the best.