Black Pistol Fire – “Hush or Howl” (Modern Outsider)
I mentioned in my review of the new Pack A.D. album that there’s a frustrating tendency for promo companies/critics/fans to take any guitar and drums rock, proclaim them blues-rock and lump them in with The White Stripes and The Black Keys, even though may not sound that much like a blues rock band. Luckily, Black Pistol Fire is not one of those bands. Featuring muscular riffs and drums that could only be described with onomatopoeia like “crash,” “boom” and “bang,” Black Pistol Fire sound like a band finally worthy of the White Stripes comparison, as they try to emulate the crackling energy of albums like “Elephant” and “Icky Thump.” This isn’t necessarily an endorsement for the group to claim the blues-rock throne, since they regularly fall into tired blues-rock songwriting tropes with their lyrics, but “Hush or Howl” is a gritty and exciting enough record to warrant a couple spins for anyone suffering from a serious deficiency of bluesy riffs.
-Michael Lovito
RIYL: The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Band of Skulls
Recommended tracks: 1, 3, 5-7
Listen to Lovito’s show Truth, Justice, and the American Way on Mondays 2-3 p.m.
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The Honey Trees — “Bright Fire” (Team Clermont)
The Honey Trees is comprised by duo Becky Filip and Jacob Wick, who have released their first full length LP, “Bright Fire.” The album is mostly made up of cliché songs where the duo harmonize over strings while still hanging on to a folk sensibility. The cliché aspects of this album doesn’t just stop with the vocals, but continues into the lyrics as they describe “singing to the nightingale” and “searching for their love” as well as other absurdly unoriginal lyrics. After a while their songs become pretty similar as the follow this stable folk-country trajectory. Although I didn’t like this record, Filip and Wick are very talented vocalists. But unfortunately, they’re falling into the genre of indie-folk-dream-pop without bringing anything new to the table sonically.
-Ali Newhard
RIYL: Head & the Heart, Beach House
Recommended tracks: 3, 8
Listen to Newhard’s show Pulmonary Poison on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m.
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Dan Croll — “Sweet Disarray” (Dream Records)
British singer-songwriter Dan Croll creates an indie-pop dream in his debut album “Sweet Disarray.” Kicking off the album, “From Nowhere” is arguably the best track found on “Sweet Disarray” with a minimalistic but still sweet indie pop style and Croll’s quirky vocals. “In/Out” is another stand-out with vibrant beats and lyrics that stick around in listeners’ heads. “Compliment Your Soul” appears to be Croll’s attempt at a love song that manages to be warm and yet still catchy enough that one wouldn’t even realize that song’s message otherwise. While “Sweet Disarray” is a good indie-pop album, it doesn’t really attempt anything innovative in a genre in which changes from the standard are warmly welcomed. At times, it’s clear that Croll has the talent to create something new. In fact, there are hints of it laced throughout “Sweet Disarray.” Croll’s first album is a solid indie pop starter that will leave fans interested in what Croll will turn out next.
-Tori Tropiano
RIYL: Vampire Weekend, Talkhouse, The Vaccines
Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12
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Kaiser Chiefs — “Education, Education, Education, and War” (ATO)
For a big-name band that has been around the block, Kaiser Chiefs always manage to put out refreshing and unique records. Their fifth studio album, “Education, Education, Education, and War,” is no exception. The album is epic, chock-full of anthemic choruses and arena-sized guitar solos. With an overall sound of power and passion, the call-to-arms theme allows for cohesion in the album as a whole and great songs that can stand alone. Punk rock elements shadow traditional rock riffs and even dance beats to form that signature Kaiser Chiefs sound. Heightened fame in the United Kingdom, where the band is from, hasn’t deterred Kaiser Chiefs’ aim and execution on this album. Even for Kaiser Chiefs skeptics, “Education, Education, Education, and War” will exceed expectations.
-Anna Walsh
RIYL: Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks
Recommended tracks: 1, 4, 6, 10
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Warm Soda – Young Reckless Hearts (Castle Face)
Warm Soda’s debut LP, “Someone For You,” was one of the most underrated albums of 2013. Taking after their namesake, Warm Soda boasted a sound on that album in which the vocals were undeniably sweet, while the choruses on highlights like “Jeanie Loves Pop” and “Someone For You” were delightfully sticky. Fortunately, not much has changed on follow-up “Young Reckless Hearts,” which is still as simple and good-natured as its predecessor. Frontman Matthew Melton consistently sings in a hushed, polite tone that compliments the love struck power-pop tracks that populate the record. Melton and his band are unapologetic optimists, and if nothing else, their songs make you feel just as good about life as they do. Nowhere is this truer than on “Things That We Said,” which has a melody that serves as further encouragement that, as the lyrics suggest, “everything is gonna work out fine.” “Hearts” is far from perfect, as the production lacks some punch, and some songs simply just don’t have a strong enough hook. (However, the less catchy songs are usually supplemented by some nice guitar work, as if Melton knew they needed something to stand out.) Regardless, “Young Reckless Hearts” is another winning collection from this group of lovers who won’t leave the garage.
-Cameron Meindl
RIYL: King Tuff, The Strokes, Free Energy
Recommended: 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12
