Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good “room sound” on a recording. Sometimes you get this naturally with a raw recording and sometimes artists go for this sound. It literally puts you IN the room. This week’s song sits you down next to the guitar and lets you just be. I spun “Photographs” by Wild Child and was transported to the room where it happened. The song starts off with room ambience before the guitar begins ever so slightly, pulling you into what will happen next. Gentle sounds of the Rhodes piano guide you into the beautiful and gentle vocals. They are complimented with a keyboard or guitar pedal that sounds almost sick, trying to fight its way into the song. The chorus is catchy and layered with horns. Rimshots, hand claps and snaps change the dynamic of verse two. The vocals become syncopated and full of attitude before we glide into the chorus again. The horns add so much here, not what you expect when the song begins so sparse. There are also subtle strings and keys that round out the sound. The sick guitar effect comes back at the end to stake its claim, it never overwhelms but keeps you interested. This song will surprise you all the while making you feel like you’ve heard it before as the chorus has a familiarity even after the first spin. Highly recommend this tune, starts simple and ends simply fantastic.
November 17, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Wild Child
Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good “room sound” on a recording. Sometimes you get this naturally with a raw recording and sometimes artists go for this sound. It literally puts you IN the room. This week’s song sits you down next to the guitar and lets you just be. I spun “Photographs” by Wild Child and was transported to the room where it happened. The song starts off with room ambience before the guitar begins ever so slightly, pulling you into what will happen next. Gentle sounds of the Rhodes piano guide you into the beautiful and gentle vocals. They are complimented with a keyboard or guitar pedal that sounds almost sick, trying to fight its way into the song. The chorus is catchy and layered with horns. Rimshots, hand claps and snaps change the dynamic of verse two. The vocals become syncopated and full of attitude before we glide into the chorus again. The horns add so much here, not what you expect when the song begins so sparse. There are also subtle strings and keys that round out the sound. The sick guitar effect comes back at the end to stake its claim, it never overwhelms but keeps you interested. This song will surprise you all the while making you feel like you’ve heard it before as the chorus has a familiarity even after the first spin. Highly recommend this tune, starts simple and ends simply fantastic.
November 3, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Moonglow
Today’s song teaches us about space. The room awareness of “Nobody Cares (You’re Sitting at Home) by Moonglow is uncanny. The song starts with dry yet brash drums and in your face vocals repeatedly singing “You’re sitting at home, and nobody cares about you”. You feel like you’re sitting in the room with the band, at home I suppose. There is a nice drum break with what sounds like a keyboard adding tiny bird like sounds. There are choir-esque backup vocals in the first verse, they are washed with so many filters and a bucket full of reverb where they are almost unrecognizable as vocals. Despite all of the effects they work in the mix really well. The song decrescendos with the bird like sounds again and the vocalist repeating “nobody cares about you” until we fade out completely. The song is smooth and simple yet has some heavy lyrics that are stated quite frequently. The words gently flow from the vocalists mouth like he is jaded by years of being out of the house and uncared for. You can imagine him telling the song like a story over a cigarette. The drums and keyboard are simple as well but important to the melody and rhythm. I liked the song, it was over before I knew it but you can always listen again….
October 20, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Markus Nikolaus
This week I had the pleasure of spinning “Bicycle Day” by Markus Nikolaus. I usually don’t recommend watching the accompanying music video but for this one it really makes sense. The imagery mixed with the sonic cuts and changes really makes the song hit. We open with imagery of a piano being hit with a sledgehammer once it connects, the song begins. Lo-fi at first, I almost thought the drums were sampled. The way the guitar plays with the sonic space makes the snare shine in a way only an acoustic snare can. Vocals washed with filters and reverb make for a calming first verse. We join Markus and his drummer in a dark warehouse like basement. It fits the song perfectly. When the sparse piano brings us into the next stanza, we get the gratifying shots of the piano being destroyed by said sledgehammer. I really enjoy the effects on the guitar in this song. They are brash and gritty but warm and mixed in perfectly. Markus slowly crescendos with the lyrics “why wont you see me?” as we are gifted the imagery of him behind said piano which is now on fire. Something about the keys getting destroyed and lit on fire really resonated with me. It truly juxtaposes the smooth nature of the song by matching the lyrical emotions. The bridge brings us sonically back to the crescendo, but it never becomes too brash to overwhelm. You get to the full climax of the song without tiring out. I know I say this a lot but give this one a few spins to get the full experience as it comes on smooth but so quick you don’t realize the song has ended and you are ready for more. I quickly added this artist and tune to my favorite playlist and cant wait to hear more. I’m not sure what Markus went through to evoke such a tune but I can say beware all pianos, you are not safe here.
October 6, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Waste Youth
Sometimes when you get high, you freak out. That’s our disclaimer this week for “BFF” by Waste Youth. We jump start with a lighter being lit in the 1-2 1-2-3-4 punk rock fashion. This “freak out” on steroids runs you down and flattens your core like an old rusty pickup truck you used to trash in high school. Probably a stick shift, so shift into the first verse for high RPMs on the vocals, guy is giving it his all. The music is somewhere between evil surf and punk rock. It’s reminiscent of some of the best bands from the late 90’s and early 2000’s. The bass is a beast on this track, its low and driving but on the edge of breaking up completely. The upbeat changes in between slow tom heavy and fast chaotic parts really separate the madness. Kudos to the drums for the thought-out drums parts. Vocals are clear even though climaxed into screams most of the time. He trails off leaving you wondering if the lines are questions or statements. The song ends with “oh my god, I feel fucking stoned”. Do you? If you want to take another hit, spin it again, it’s short and on second listen is even more satisfying as you are familiar with the changes making them fun to ride along with. Big fan of this group, check out their stuff.
September 1, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Tommy Alexander
This week I learned just what quiet can do with the track “Silence” by Tommy Alexander. Drums and bass bring us in and they are well produced, thick and dry with great bass drum and snare tones. The guitar comes in lurking behind a beautifully dark melody. It reminds me of George Harrison in the best way. Tommy’s vocals are haunting, soft and buried in the mix yet dark with lyrics that cut through you. Words like “heartbreak on my shoulders” and “the red birds flying by your window” leave you feeling like you’re starring in the latest AMC show, dark and racy yet relatable. The song structure is common with the verses and choruses dancing in tandem, each taking its turn. My favorite part of the song is hands down the guitar. It flows in and out with the chorus and tremolo laden rhythm guitar. Just when you arrive the second electric trills and rips and bends on note after note. I wouldn’t say its ever enough to classify it as a solo, just really tasteful lead electric guitar. Silence is the way, if you’re listening to Tommy on this track preach it over and over, but I say bring the silence, turn up that knob and give it a few spins. Turn that silence up as loud as you want to. Great tune Tommy, I’ll be back for more.
August 11, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Brooke Surgener
This weeks track begins on the one. Gently strummed acoustics, chorus-y sliding guitars and possibly mandolins flow in. There is nothing not to love about the track, “I Hate You The Least” by Brooke Surgener. Brooke makes us wait for the first chorus and it is worth it when it bellows from its cave…..both times! Her gentle voice filling each word with meaning, leaving our brains to piece together why there was any hate there in the first place. Where is this person from? What have they been through? They seem happy. The slide guitar during the humming vocals is just gorgeous sounding to the ear. She doubles her vocal parts with ease, they sting in the best way because of this. The lyrics are great, “I hate you the least, it’s my highest compliment”….so good. She leaves us hanging with the lyric about keeping a picture of them in her wallet. A sentiment from the days of this songs influences’ which range from shoegaze to country in my opinion. Really great arrangement and performance, highly recommend this artist, she does not disappoint.
August 4, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Near Beer
When you see the submission for the week is titled “Dead Drummers” you may not expect the first thing you hear to be drums. Just like the beverage the group is named after, this tight yet poppy jam by Los Angeles’ NEAR BEER may not be what you expected. Almost distorted drums come in hard and fast droning and driving the tune immediately. We’re then hit with a memorable guitar line that sounds theme song worthy. The bass crawls around the four and the six to lay a foundation that’s pleasing to the ear. Really good use of effects here, doesn’t sound too washed out yet there is a lot going on. The vocals are upbeat and sang with conviction. They have a hope to them that leaves you saying “WE DID IT!” whether you did, or not. The chorus washes in with great backup vocals, sounds like doubles from the lead singer, one of my favorite things when done correctly. The open chords late in the song, remind me of older Americana artists in the best way. The chorus comes back at the end to bring us home. This song leaves you feeling hopeful and full of life. Interesting how it is titled Dead Drummers because it woke this drummer right up and gave me life.
July 7, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – xox
Thursdays with J.R. is our new weekly column from lifelong musician and lifelong-er music fan J.R. McIntire, drummer of Arctic Char and multi-instrumentalist on more projects than we have bandwidth to list.
Pick up that phone! This weeks track “Queens” by xox starts with what sounds like an archaic ringtone buzzing in the receiver just before the bass starts to drone a fuzzy, yet groovy bass line. The guitar and drums wash in perfectly. Great room sound on the drums and guitars. “Queens” is the first single from their new record Sell the Kids (out July 15th on Mishap records). We’re only a minute in when the vocals come in, brash and intentional. There aren’t many lyrics but the way they’re sang give them a weight that I cannot explain. “I saw you waiting” is repeated before an intense guitar noise break, very cool. Almost like a noise solo, tightly packed and then back to “I saw you waiting” as the song starts to groove again and diminish into the end. I know I say this a great deal but give this one a few listens, it gets better and better with each spin. Tight, short, rocking doom-groove. I quite enjoyed this from the simple 1-3 riff to the aggressive drums throughout. Fun in-car listen as well. Looking forward to the full record, great job xox!
June 30, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Little Killer Bears
Mr. Petty said it best. “The waiting is the hardest part”. This weeks track “Waiting” by Little Killer Bears wasn’t hard at all. The song is gentle though full of emotion within the lyrics. I really like how the song opens up with acoustic and electric guitars intertwining like they can in a beautiful, Americana style groove. The drums are simple but direct the song train down the track. The chorus makes you wait, and is over before it begins. This song also has a guitar solo, and a good one. I love guitar solos, they just rule when done right. This one is done right. I hear shades of older American rockers in the shadows but never fully copied. I hear Bruce, even Johnny Cougar influencing this song. What a great name as well, Little Killer Bears, yes! The song builds to said chorus and solo only to leave you Waiting and hanging on the last note. This one begs for a second listen or for the next song on the album. I think I’ll go listen to some more of the tiny savage teddys as this is something I can get into. Great work from a solid band.
June 16, 2022
Thursdays with J.R. – Boss Rush
Welcome to the “Vagabond Inn,” our dirty little hotel room for this evening. This just happens to be the name of this week’s track. Husband and Wife duo Boss Rush hail from Alabama but for this track/video we spend the night in a hotel room jamming out with the duo. The room feels familiar as the group sets up their instruments and begin to lead us along the fuzzy trail of guitar and drum rock. Love the vocals, clean and powerful. There is bass on the track but no player in the video. It really makes the verses sing as the second one adds chorus washed guitar before the fuzz blast returns in the chorus. The song comes down in the bridge with a droning up beat rhythm that glides into a syncopated beat on the toms. The chorus washed guitar returns as we rush back to the final chorus. Nice, tight rock and roll. The song and video end with the hotel room phone ringing. I wanted to pick up the line, I want to hear more. Great song Boss Rush. Already stuck in my head.