My Raining Stars Smile With Strange Joy
My Raining Stars and two other bands reviewed. Its been a while since I post much of anything on this blog. It’s June and contributors, sales, views are not where I like but I’ll accept it for what it is. Thanks for reading, it is much appreciated. In addition to My Raining Stars is a field recording from Sarin Smile. Experimental music fans take note. Also a band from Texas called Strange Joy. Hope they are referencing Government Issue’s Strange Wine and Joy Ride songs. Even still it’s a surprise that I found the band. Read on into the summer..
My Raining Stars – 89 Memories – Shelflife Records
89 Memories opens with Behind Her Lovely Smile. The vocal inspiration of Andy Bell and Ride seems obvious regarding My Raining Stars . But don’t take my word for it, preorder / listen here https://myrainingstars.bandcamp.com/album/89-memories
Behind Her Lovely Smile features super crisp and splashy cymbals. Solid beats and warm bass thuds. The synth sound in the background adds an air of mystique. At about two minutes the vocals drop out and you get a satisfying breakdown. Classic 80’s synth begins to gently nudge itself further into the foreground of the mix as it winds down. A fun pop number.
Sit and Stare is a relaxing, yet powerful pop song with some underlying tension. Judging by the title, I don’t rule out that My Raining Stars may have surveillance on me for what I do most of my day. Seriously though, the overall arrangement is cohesive. The guitar pines and sighs but in a way that gives cathartic relief. Maybe some subtle overdrive added for emphasis? This is possibly my favorite one on here due to the chorus part where the vocals come back in …and entire arrangement. Earnest vocals asking ” Is there something I can do..” All of this makes it a winner.
The Way Things Turn may remind one of RIDE or Oasis due to the melodious vocal delivery and arrangement.
A subtle undercurrent of strings trickles through the mix. Reflective, introspective, and perhaps bittersweet.
This or Sit and Stare is a great option for an indie playlist that needs a track to bring a more sedate energy into it. At two minutes give or take a few seconds the synth leans towards shrill high tone paired with haunting vocals. A highlight moment for the track. Could be tied for favorite song on 89 memories
Too Soon features A Vapor Trail (RIDE) like drum beat, guitar intro and additional guitars that remind me of Chapterhouse Whirlpool. Maybe “Pearl” and a few others from that LP. A little wah like squawk and the track is off to the races. At about 2 min and a half the guitars volumes swell, maybe the result of a disengaged wah or volume knob pedal trickery and Too Soon leaves Vapor Trail behind for an outro that sounds cut from some of the great Manchester sounds of the 90’s. I will abstain from naming bands as I know the sound but am not extremely well versed on specific bands and songs.
Questions is a song that could have easily been inspired by the defunct 90’s Sarah records label.
Additionally label and bands like those as well. Think Summershine, Slumberland , maybe Spin Art. You get the idea, hopefully if not, it’s an opportunity to check this band out and others to come before them. The tonality on Questions is upbeat, bubbly and maybe the fastest in BPM on this LP.
Next, Universe drives bass and drums hard whilst the guitar phase sweeps up and down. Textural, and reminscient of the dance inspired 90’s alternative indie pop, Universe expands and gives opportunity to stretch out and groove. Again I dare not give reference though, I know the general sound but can’t pinpoint bands and songs. Universe is no less fun though.
After that is Time. This track is arguably as good as the rest. After repeated listens, I don’t know why I am fixated with the “bell” hits on the cymbal. As I listen I start to hone in on the drumming in general. It is highly likely that the drums are not turned up on this one track. Also I doubt My Raining Stars consciously focused on this. It is probably how my brain and ears perceive this song. The intro guitar melody , very hum worthy. I guess writing a blog in ’22 can make one like me (more) eccentric.
The closer song Emptiness saunters in with some more bittersweet sounds. Synth laying down a melancholy wash. Subtle backing vocals which add to the sentiment of Emptiness (conceptually)
Without dissecting the lyrics, Emptiness ends 89 Memories leaving me with a sense of mystery and desolation. Did a lover leave? Do I suffer from some other loss? Is it depression? It is not all woeful and bleak. Seems introspective though. There is enough uplifting instrumentation (strums, rhythms, vocal changes) to prevent Emptiness from going into a full spiral of sadness.
In conclusion 89 Memories is an LP that could live next to your favorite shoegaze records. However it doesn’t rely on heavy reverb/delays and fuzz though. It’s more driven by clean and crisped up guitars. 89 Memories captures more of the indie pop sound as far as writing and playing. Thus I say it is worth some spins if not many depending on how much indie pop you prefer. If you are a fan of the very late 80’s / 90’s stuff I mention above you may be missing out if you don’t give this your ears.
Sarin Smile – Air Bow
The second field recording track from Sarin Smile. Air Bow (bow as in bow and arrow) features more jet aero planes and additional drones. Singular spoken word motif.
This is not musical audio so much in as its more going for strictly mood and expression.
Atonal drone features a little more musicality than the other track Air Bord. However this is still more of an experimental venture rather than singer / songwriting (obviously)
Hence the more receptive to field recordings one may be, the more this may be of greater interest. You may listen and support here https://sarinsmile.bandcamp.com/ Stay tuned for more.
Strange Joy – 5 Tracks – Coreruption Records
This EP and band is uncovered by accident. I am a fan of this Texas shoegaze band Glare. Well, Glare shared this but I thought Strange Joy is their new stuff. Turns out they were just sharing a band from their state of Texas so I figure I am already on their bandcamp. Read all about Glare and a few others here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/new-powerful-heavenly-empire/ OK. Onto the music. Let’s listen.
To keep things simple, this would fall under hardcore. Driving guitars and beats that go a little beyond the normal youth crew construct. It is somewhat straightforward. There are touches of melody throughout but still harder than the melodic hardcore I hear.
The vocals are screamed, but not overly screamed. It’s just right for this EP.
This is what can happen when three to four chord hardcore bands stick with it and evolve. That is not to say that is who Strange Joy may be. Simply stating that if many of the bands stay together and evolve this is a touch more advanced level of playing.
Opening track is Leaves. Sets the tone of the 5 Tracks nicely. Forceful pattering drums. Semi melodic riffing ending in a quickening / tempo change. All just slightly over 2 minutes.
Moving right along to Lung. Conversely, with Leaves, that song speeds up. Lung may slow down in the chorus. So you get a tempo juxtaposition and lyrics that seem personal and trying to make sense of something heavy that has happened. Deny You picks up the pace almost double. Kudos for putting these songs in this order. It helps this release flow very efficiently and keeps the variety going.
Tarantula begins to venture into hard alternative rock area but it is still at least knee deep in hardcore.
This is probably due to the vocals and the mosh – able breakdown ending. I reckon this one would be fun to witness and hear live.
Last and fifth is Black Hole Love. Great name. This one is the most melodic of the five. For more than half the song, the vocals are sung. Then it hurls back into a rolling, grooving hardcore song. Again, don’t take my word for it. I am just a fan of music in general and I lack specific insight about many genres , bands, sub genres, etc.
Hardcore is getting more and more diverse. I am not anywhere near well versed enough to speak about it in too much of detail without exposing my lack of awareness. That being said, I hope to hear more stuff from Strange Joy and bands that are some what going this general direction. I find it refreshing after being bludgeoned with 90’s emo ( the 2nd wave and onward) , toughguy karate kicking core and other sub genres. Support them and Glare. TX represent.
So there it is, new stuff. Please check out my old stuff. If you can share, like, follow, and buy. It’s better to be looked over than overlooked a not so wise man told me once. That is another story. Additionally support these artists. There is nothing better than getting support for one or more to continue making music, or whatever your craft may be. I know what it’s like and it’s a great feeling. Stay cool.