Singles, week 47

Weeks fly by, don't they? You get up on Monday morning to start work, well most of us do this traditional work rhythm, and before you know it Friday is closing in once again with its alluring Friday afternoon drinks or VrijMiBo in good Dutch. It is the same with this singles round up. Before I know it I have to decide once again what to put in here. Well, usually I work with the first come, first served principal. The rest is too bad, unless I hear a song on the radio or elsewhere that I give precedence. Like this week with Elbow.

The Seldom Seen Kid. Elbow

The new Elbow album is out and to be frank, I do not expect to writing on it. My first impression is of a jazzy nightclub record. Recorded in a time of lockdown, the band had locked itself into a theatre where it finished the ideas each band member brought with him for new songs and recorded them. One of these songs is the single with the title of one of the band's previous albums. It is a beautiful song with a crystal clear sound. Like the whole of 'Flying Dream 1'. So I may get around to it after a few more tries. Just imagine Elbow without the fullness that the band's slow music can muster. The Seldom Seen Kid is brushed drums, long-held keyboard notes, a soft bass plopping away and Guy Garvey, always seemingly at ease with his music, never having to exert himself over it. Elbow is a small band here, all the big pathos has been left at home. Even a little guitar can be heard underneath the piano solo. The Seldom Seen Kid is a beautiful single that can be heard on a daily basis on the radio and rightly so.

What Exactly Are You Looking For EP. Ramkot

Ghent rocktrio Ramkot returns to this blog with its second EP. Five songs in which the band is in search of a dark sound and some great rock riffs. Ramkot does not forget that a song needs a melody as well. I have heard Soulwax rock this hard, almost twenty years ago, and forgetting the electronic beats of that other band from Ghent, Ramkot does have that in common with it. Another reference in Dutch band De Staat, like in 'Fever' where the hard rock is mixed with hard rhythms, and some Zappian interludes. In other words, Ramkot, is not caught in one hole. Although at times on verge of what I like in rock, like De Staat Ramkot falls to my right side. The trio, Hannes Cuyvers and brothers Tim and Tom Leyman, really are able to rock out and play giant riffs, yet can come up with a great melody like in 'Stevie' as well. I cannot claim Ramkot to be original, for that there are too many familiarities on What Exactly Are You Looking For. Enthusiastic in all the right ways the band is for certain. 

Morbid Fascination. Blood Red Shoes

Ghosts On Tape, Blood Red Shoes' new album is still two months away, with Morbid Fascination the duo from Brighton releases a single that is in line with some of the songs on its, now, still last album, yet unmistakably darker in nature. Again keyboards and electronics are a part of Blood Red Shoes' sound. It works, sometimes things are as simple as that. Laura-Mary Carter takes the lead role in Morbid Fascination, a song that stares the 1980s long and hard in the face and comes out winning. She is far more sensuous than Kim Wilde ever was and who could beat that in the 1980s? The synths reflect those dark ages and in a way they befit the early 20s to. A time that will be remember for turmoil, Covid, lockdown and all the things we could not do. These recent years will also be remembered for the inspired music that was created and Morbid Fascination certainly is among those songs.  

Wat Is Het Kut Om Agent Te Zijn. Sophie Straat

Ha, ha, ha, ha. Hoe anders moet ik de lachbui omschrijven die mij overviel tijdens het luisteren naar Wat Is Het Kut Om Agent Te Zijn? Het nummer begon en ik dacht even dat ik naar een reclame zat te luisteren. De muziek die ik hoorde was wel ongeveer het laatste dat ik verwachtte te horen, vandaar. Zo ontzettende bekend. Ik zal toegeven dat dit niet tot mijn favoriete nummers van de band behoort, als is het zeker altijd leuk om naar te luisteren, maar vergeleken bij 'Need Your Love So Bad', 'Oh, Well', laat staan 'Go Your Own Way' en 'Don't Stop' is 'Everywhere' toch maar een slap zaad nummer. Toch? Op de tekst van Sophie Straat wordt het nummer uitzonderlijk genietbaar. Een protestsong in 2021!? Ja zeker. "Ben jij er om te helpen of om iemand dood te slaan ... wat is het kut om agent te zijn". Tsja, wat kun je daar nog aan toevoegen, als iemand er zo tegenaan kijkt. Maar, vooral dat refrein met die zachte, dromerige stem van Sophie Straat. Het contrast kan echt niet groter. Een grap en een aanklacht ineen. Goed gedaan.

Bitter Masses. Bashford

Bitter Masses involves some bashes, well almost, in the video accompanying this grunge rock single. Kurt may be dead for closing in on 30 years, incredible but yes, he is, he and his band Nirvana keep inspiring young musicians like Bashford. Musically, the song follows the Nirvana example. From the loud all over drumming style of Dave Grohl, the bass filling all else up at the bottom of the sound, the distorted guitar sound and the shouting way of singing, it is all there. The solo is longer and better than Nirvana's. The lyrics are all about the sign of the times. Bitter Masses everywhere we look. Discontented people all over the place, over everything and everybody that is not a part of their respective bubbles. 

The upcoming album, 'Greener Grasses' is Bashford's fifth and if Bitter Masses is anything to go by, the band will be cooking up a storm on their new album. Only a few more weeks to go and we'll know.

Wout de Natris