10 Singles

Let me take you down, because you're going on another trip on WoNoBlog. We are taking you past 10 singles, all so different once again. Even one that disappointed our Wo.. On the other hand there's a single by an artist that he never thought he would like. In short, numerous surprises await thee, oh listener. Don't forget to click on the link below so you can follow it all. Take your seat, buckle up, this rollercoaster ride is about to start.

In My Side. Vision Video

In My Side starts off nice, up tempo. Traces of 1980s alternative rock sound out so evidently that it would not surprise me if this is a re-release. I have no clue. The singing starts and I am back immediately with a band like Big Country. Also don't cross out Bono himself. "A knife my back"... "A knife in my side" is sung over and over and Morrissey pops up as well with his thorn in hand. Spotify opens another song of Vision Video automatically and any song from 'Boy' is within the intro. I've never been one for the 80s really, but some songs always had some attraction. As long as I did not have to listen to more than three, max four songs from most bands in one go. I am sure that this will be exactly the same for Vision Video. In the meantime I'm simply enjoying In My Side and imagine myself dancing at parties decades ago. That would not have been a problem for a single second.

BTW, is Vision Video from the U.K/Ireland? No, Athens, Georgia it is. Now that is surprising.

The Weight. Danny Vera

Danny Vera, the Middelburg bard, is not for me. Even 'Rollercoaster', the single that shot him into the Dutch stratosphere, simply did not touch me in any way. That's the way things go with music. Everybody is different and has a different taste or is touched in a different way. This didn't change with all the singles that followed his big hit. Until he released an uptempo song. The Weight does the trick for me. As it is only his second single to enter the singles charts, it's not only me who is attracted. The Weight is a nicely polished song, strings and all. What is obvious, is that the budget was not a real issue to make and arrange this song. Yes, I like the melody, that's what attracted me in the first place, together with the pace of the song. Listening closer there's more. The strings have a mild case of 'Prikkebeen', there's some nice, dark lead guitar notes, but that goes for nearly all the instruments. All get their share in playing a little embellishment to The Weight. And above all that lovely little melody on the piano. Add all that up an I can only conclude The Weight is a pretty brilliant single. A conclusion I had never expected to write on Danny Vera, but deserved it is.

Permissions. Kinlaw

With Permissions Kinlaw issues her second single of the upcoming album 'Tipping Point'. Again Permissions is an electronic outing. However, the way Kinlaw sings would not have looked too far out in the time of Debbie Reynolds and Doris Day. It is the music that would have made people scream as if aliens had presented themselves to unsuspecting listeners in suburban U.S. of A. of the 1950s. It is an combination that works though. The innocence versus the exciting, the unknown. Permissions has two sides. The start is electronic soundscapes supporting an innocent sounding singer. In the second part beats enter under and over the soundscapes and (Sarah) Kinlaw's voice slowly but surely changes and becomes more confident and worldwise. It is not the kind of song I would put on by my own volition, for that it is so far detached from my musical comfort zone and beyond. And yet, it works. Permissions is intriguing and satisfying to listen to.

She's My Witch. Jiffy Marx

"She may be a witch, but she's my witch"? Not the strongest lyric ever, true, but it also brings back fond memories of a 70s sitcom about a witch. it may have been a rerun of course, who knows? She's My Witch is Jiffy Marx' debut single. It is a nice rock affair with some punky undertones. A dirty rhythm guitar frays the edges of the tight rhythm. An elementary solo adorns the song. The absolutely delicious ooh-oohs make the song shine. Having toured with many bands, Marx took a short break from recording the second Autogramm album and came up with two songs in 36 hours with friends in Seattle. She's My Witch is a nice result alright in the trade off between spending time with friends, drinking beer and eating peanut butter with making some music in between.

If Your Heart Were A City. Fridolijn

Fridolijn sets out on her second trilogy of songs. Her nice voice adorns the music on If Your Heart Were A City. The song is a mysterious affair. I do not know a lot by Enya, but I'm reminded of the Irish singer straight away. Cut out all references to Celtic music and add the mystery of ages and you may come close to the new Fridolijn single. It's the kind of song that makes me wonder whether there's more between heaven and earth. As if during the recording process the bits and bites recorded things that we were not supposed to hear. The chatter and echo are like the angels talking in 'The Discovery Of Heaven', the Harry Mulisch novel. How much echo can be put to a voice in the studio before it all falls apart? Listening to Fridolijn sing here it must be a lot. It all adds to that mystery. A piano seems to have been encountered on while someone was playing something totally unrelated to the song. Having said all this I have only one question left: When will I hear this song on Kairos? It must be soon as it would fit so well.

Water In The Well. Shame

The second single from the upcoming new Shame album, 'Drunk Tank Pink', makes me fear whether I'm going to like the band's sophomore album as much as I did the debut album. An album that I still take out for a spin regularly nearly three years later and one of my favourites of the 10s. Water In The Well starts off as a sort of drunken brawl, before the band does an Arctic Monkeys, a move that does reign the song somewhat in. Shame tries to hook up with the alternative rock bands out of The Netherlands I'd almost say, but simple isn't as good as Global Charming, Slow Worries or Price. Their songs completely convince. Water In The Well simply doesn't. Listening to it with a cold ear, I have to admit that this song is a forced affair, that does have a few moment where the band goes of with the zest and fire of the first album. Little moments of hope that perhaps there are better songs on the upcoming album. Early in 2021 we'll know more.

I Can't See The Light. Tombstones In Their Eyes

What to expect from a band with a name like Tombstones In Their Eyes? A lot of noise, would be my answer. Metal or very angry emopunk. The level of noise I Can't See The Light starts off with certainly proves my preconceptions. At the same time it's not hard to hear the melody in the noise. As soon as the singing starts, the mood and noise go down and are substituted for a dreamy kind of singing and a light form of psychedelia. The choruses are drenched in the noise, with the singing mixed somewhere in between, creating a powerhouse kind of sound. It's not overwhelming but certainly impressive. This single is taken from the new album 'Collection', released in late November with songs spanning the band's career since 2015. The music may be a surprise vis-à-vis the band name, the impression I get can only be called surprising as well. Fans of good-rocking psych rock do not have to look much further.

Divisions. Charlie Nieland

Charlie Nieland must be a David Bowie fan. Divisions has a Bowie vibe that is unmistakable. Perhaps even more in his way of singing that in the music. The basis of Divisions is a drum pattern that is repeated and repeated. Over it lies a song that is more atmospherics than melody. Some are large swabs of music others more subtle, a melody can only be construed from these large swabs of notes/chords that are long-drawn out over which some solo notes are developed. Nieland never really gives himself away while singing. There's only one level of emotion, where he starts in and ends in. Nieland isn't a great singer. As a producer he has worked with Blondie/Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright and Scissor Sister. This is my introduction to Nieland's music as a solo artist, so it's hard to judge, but a little melody would go a long way here. At the same time the mood he creates within the song is certainly intriguing.

One Shot. Madisyn Whajne

With previous single 'Sweet Talk' I've already gave ample attention to the personal history of Madisyn Whajne, so today will exclusively focus on her music. This is the kind of chugging alternative rocker that can continue forever. A nice dirty sound comes from my speakers and a female voice that sings "aiming at my heart" with the kind of innocence that contrast in a great way with the song. The rough guitar and bass set the musical mood, while the drums takes care of everything else in that department. Madisyn Whajne takes care of the other 50%. One Shot is the single of a maxi single with the same name. Three songs warming the world up for an album that is about to come, 'Save Our Hearts'. Canadian Whajne presents herself again as a singer to watch. The two singles really give a promise for more niceties to come.

Limbo Man. The Dust Coda

Recently we covered AC/DC's new single. The Dust Coda, a London based band working towards the release of it sophomore album 'Mojo Skyline' in early spring of 2021, shows that newer bands can rock some as well. Hard riffing, whining lead guitars and a stark rhythm section is what propels Limbo Man forward and forward, like running down a steep hill, barely keeping balance. As if by sheer will power keeping it all together. That impression is counter-balanced by the supertight song. Heavily muted strings are rhythmically released and muted once again. The song gets so much power from it. The singer has the right kind of mix between the light and the shade in his voice, Robert Plant, Axl Rose, without the über whine in their voices. The Dust Coda does not have to overdo it to make an impression. I already know that, well most likely, I do not need to hear a whole album, but Limbo Man is fun folks. A little headbanging at the time hasn't hurt anybody.

Wo.

Listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g