See Mesmerizing Feliz Sun Moon Lifetime
Mesmerizing Autumn music. OK kids. I am running out of Halloween – y material for you. So accept that and understand although it is Halloween.. I continue to shine the light onto bands that come my way. We got members of the Oxford band Ride. NJ noise gaze. A track from the mighty Quicksand and a stellar song from Emperor Of Ice Cream that should mix well with these others. Happy whatever you call the 31st of October
Steve Queralt and Michael Smith – Sun Moon Town – Bytes Records
If one is familiar with the Oxford, UK band Ride, then I’d assume you may know of Steve Queralt, their bassist. However if you are not, here is a chance to do just that. So Steve Q is teaming up with Michael Smith, a writer and film-maker who has previously collaborated with Andrew Weatherall. Not familiar with Andrew Weatherall? Let’s just say I suggest any one who is a fan of Ride/ Creation records and the like to look him up. Influential person is putting it lightly. So this EP exists as four tracks. Mesmerizing lyrics. At times, mysterious soundscapes that recede and advance like gentle tides. Michael Smith’s voice is natural and fitting narrator to these four tracks.
First song of this EP is Vespertina. Narration or spoken word lyrics are the type that fit so well you are gripped by them. My mind is painting its own pictures to them. I may not think of Ride if I fixate on the music. However since I know it’s Steve Queralt on bass and more.. I can totally hear the similarity to Ride. Steve does give each piece what it needs. As a bonus point, Ride’s Loz Colbert lays down drums on Vespertina
Second is Glitches. Glitches following a similar theme, spoken word lyrics with music then just music. I am no less enthused by Glitches than Vespertina. Glitches offers a more overt synth wash in which the sounds and waveforms are more noticeable, rather than background. The ominous synth ending chord is aces. Best to hear it yourself https://stevequeraltmichaelsmith.bandcamp.com/album/sun-moon-town
Third, enters Chaldean Oracle. Bell like synth morphing into a building tension. Not knowing the difference between fantasy and reality theme. Guitars that whine in and out and electronic clap like beats. This one undulates between beauty and tension.
Last and fourth is 11 minutes of song In A Wonderland. The build up is greater than other three tracks. As the tension melts, it gives way to mystery and a sense of awe. Perhaps that is why the title contains Wonderland. There is an extra voice, it seems to act as a break between lyrical paragraphs or chapters if you will. The synth waves build and recede. There is talk of dreams. This is definitely a take on atmospheric music I am not accustomed to. After that there is a build up that is nearly as epic as you may hear on Queen’s Flash Gordon main title, which seems to open up another chapter by Smith.
This Wonderland is a strange unique one that Smith paints. Lyrically, talk of wonkiness, wine, psychedelic mushrooms.
If you have a rich imagination then this track is for you. I tend to get lost in it, and yes, that is a good thing. It would seem Smith paints this picture, then Steve lets the drone and ambience carry you along in this fantasy landscape. As I said before, I can’t listen to tracks like this all the time. Contrarily, when I do, if I allow them to take me on the journey, what a sublime and phantasmagoric trip.
These tracks are not for the short of attention span. Contrarily though, if you are reading my blog, more than likely you can handle longer compositions like these. If one is questing straightforward music, then this may not be your go to choice. If you quest something a little more artsy, bordering on poetry, then this is going to scratch the itch. The words, the cadence, prose. It’s eclectic. In other words I thoroughly enjoy this for what it is, the words dancing with sounds. Michael Smith’s voice is his own unique instrument. But I need to be in the mood for this as it has a very distinct flavor. That in itself though seems like a triumph to me. Perhaps I am a cultural luddite or maybe this does stand out. Either way, worth listening to.
High. ( High As Fuck) – Lifetimes Single
It would seem this band is called High As Fuck. However the spelling is ‘High.’ I can only speculate but I reckon it has something to do with other bands that have existed under that first spelling and they chose to just call themselves High. when it comes to typing the name out. This is neither here or there and just a detail, on to the music. Lifetimes appears to be one of three singles they have out and the latest.How to hear this? Well for me its tricky as I despise Spotify. Without going on a tangent let’s just say I loathe their payout system and has nothing to do with the controversy in the near past. So tap this link https://open.spotify.com/artist/59LpxUqe2EStKGfpogJqxi
Right from the beginning I am reminded of a song by the New Jersey band Lenola called “Shared A Route”. The way the guitar weeps but also sounds siren like is what makes this reference possible. High. add some percussive and heavy riffing that is absent or not as apparent in the Lenola track. Definitely strong arrangement with push pulls all throughout. Lifetimes fits in the realm of shoegaze for sure. I don’t want to get wrapped up in labels. This track by itself is bigger than labels. Of course it has ethereal dream like qualities. To counterbalance that it has the dynamic heaviness. The vocals are somewhat effected and reverbed so that they hang in the air like mist, and then drop with weight. The bass seems to propel the guitars along. Low end underground streams and thuds that are found underneath the groundwork of the melody.
I read on social media a comparison to chasing High. with Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream song or two. That is one of my favorite albums of all time. Keep in mind the amount of overdubs on that album. High. does not nearly have as many. However I do hear the sentiment and overall comparison. Their music, Lifetimes and the two other songs here https://highnj.bandcamp.com/ are close enough in spirit to SP / SD. It doesn’t need the fury and precision of Jimmy Chamberlins drums or the solos of Billy Corgan. It does fit nicely, its not quite alike but they do share a common tonality and feeling at times. So, Bravo!
A bonus for me, the producer of Lifetimes is Matt from Kissing Is A Crime (+ others)Even though the two bands vary in sound it is great to know he has a hand in this production. I can add High. to the bands I’ll be listening to.
Quicksand – Feliz – Epitaph Records
The second of two songs to drop (post Distant Populations LP). https://quicksandnyc.bandcamp.com/album/fel-z
This is probably my bias but I think Quicksand can’t do much wrong. Feliz busts into the speakers as if it’s Cosmo Kramer barging into Jerry Seinfeld’s apartment. The last track Giving The Past Away was full of melody. Feliz is not without melody. However, the emphasis in this one is more aggressive, generously giving you riffing you might find on Slip, the 7 ” or Manic Compression LP. That is to say Feliz is heavier , slightly more aggressive.
If you’re not convinced that these guys can still throw down by this time I don’t think you will be anytime soon. After following them for so long and just seeing them live, Feliz is a force to reckon with. One can only speculate if these are leftover tracks or we’re going to get some more material by way of an EP or LP.
Emperor Of Ice Cream – I See You Everywhere – FIFA Records
Here is one track worth mentioning that squeaked by me in September. That and about 1000 other tracks give or take. Yet again though, I’ll focus on the ice cream bowl being half full not empty.
Emperor Of Ice Cream’s songs are very good. I cover some here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/infinite-granite-limited-birthdays/. This track though? Holy waffle cones. I See You Everywhere stands out even more and I love it.
Smooth blending of your “rock” instruments. That is guitar, bass, drums. The vocals are all the great things about “soft rock” or indie rock if you prefer that label. Melodiously arranged. Harmonized and or multi tracked which is probably familiar. As this is done throughout all facets of pop and rock. It skillfully fits the song perfectly.
The guitar, bass , and vocal melodies weave in and out to form a rich sonic tapestry.
I forget if I compared the vocals to Gerry Rafferty previously. I’d bet the farm I mention Teenage Fanclub. If you take the sweet vocals (not too sweet, just right) and put it with the driving rhythm, you get I See You Everywhere. The guitars just add that bonus element. The hypnotic string of notes that sit upon the bass complete the picture so to speak. There is a slight overdrive. Just enough to change the guitar from clean , to just a little grit. However it could be a few tracks, one with overdrive and other or so with clean. This is of no matter in the end. Emperor of Ice Cream do what they have to serve this song. There is a video which I will link and let you decide what you think. Do you really want me to blabber on and on? Anyways here it is https://emperoroficecream.bandcamp.com/track/i-see-you-everywhere
I may add they have more material on the way almost as fast or faster than I can stay on top of. So listen to this one https://emperoroficecream.bandcamp.com/track/i-see-you-everywhere and if this resonates then you can seek out the other material.
Hope you enjoy the mesmerizing magic contained in this autumn, sans Halloween offering of sounds. Of course its fall in this hemisphere. If you find yourself in a different hemisphere and season, work with me. I’d proudly play these artists at different times throughout the year. Stay safe out there, thank you for reading.