2024. Week 18, 10 singles (2)

It's almost May and is spring finally really upon us? There's no way to predict yet, but let's hope so. Today a catch up on singles. There are so many of them, that it is impossible to keep up. It starts with one of the most exciting bands out there and from my city of birth at that. Not that I can make any claim to fame, besides having recognised how special the band is from its very first single. (And, yes, I cheated, I put it on top of my list on purpose.) What comes after, is once again truly diverse, so enjoy the exploration into new music.

Beech. Tramhaus

Very recently I wrote in a review "where is Tramhaus"? It must have been a gut feeling, as yesterday, on writing, an album was announced, 'The Final Exit', for 20 September and a single released. I am one of the people who can say to have heard 'The Final Exit' and that it is as good as the band promised all along, if not better. The touring and playing together clearly have a very positive effect on the band. Just as long as I don't have to take the title literally where the band is concerned please. How big a band like Tramhaus can become is always a question, as it makes confrontational and loud music. Beech is no exception to that rule. All the familiar elements are there. It starts with a driving rhythm played by the bass and the drums. The two guitars come in playing notes that are not straightforward for pop ears. Then the chorus comes and everything explodes. The link with a band like Personal Trainer is there, but then just a bit more alternative and wild. If anything Tramhaus is wild and exciting. The band is not afraid to let all the brakes loose, cut them off even to leave them by the wayside and see what happens next. The result is a song like Beech. It rocks, it's electrified, it's here and there a 2024 version of U2, it's loud, it's wild, it's the best what this country has to offer in postpunk and ready to conquer the world.

Shimmer. Two Headed Horse

Only two weeks ago Two Headed Horse found its way to this blog for the first time with debut single 'I'm Not Hidden' and already the band is here again. Shimmer is a song that keeps reminding me of things I liked (a lot) in the past, without crossing the line of being too over familiar. The foursome, James Gable (vocals, guitar), Tristan Gable (keys, guitar, backing vocals), Gary Hanratty (bass, backing vocals) and Leigh Baines (drums), obviously has a well-stacked record collection. They manage to blend these influences into a great song of their own. I hear Radiohead guitar work, Marjorie Fair singing, folk from the ages and modern pop from Half Moon Run to City and Colour and some complexer forms of rhythm than most bands would opt for. Shimmer is not an easy song to digest in one go. For most listeners it will be too complex. Take your time to follow all that is happening here and you will find so much interesting elements to listen to and enjoy. Fans of The Smile's last album will find a lot to their liking in Shimmer.

The Greasy Pole. The Carnivals

In The Netherlands we had the legendary TV programme 'Te Land, Ter Zee en in de Lucht'. Glouchester, Massachussetts has "The Greasy Pole". Watch The Carnivals' video and all will be explained. Usually events like these has ordinary people place themselves in 'Jackass' situations with a severe chance of hurting themselves. For the rest to laugh about of course. The song, as that is what this blog is about, presents a Pat Boone or Bill Haley kind of rock and roll, that is nice and neat, but not less fun to listen. The lyric celebrates Gloucester's highlight of the year of slipping and sliding on the greasy pole. The music sounds very familiar, like a grown men's version of The Stray Cats or The Paladins. No one can take offence, but it's okay. The Greasy Pole is great fun, just like the greasy pole fest is.

Replace It. Tiny Wine

From traditional rock and roll we move to some more alternative rock with a darker, querky sound. The Dover, New Hampshire duo Tiny Wine do not make music that is easy to define. Lo-fi, sure, Sparklehorse, okay, but there's more to it than that. This music is not made to be perfect, it just is. The basis is electronic drums and over it a very prominent bass plays, a synth plays the lead melody, until later electric guitars come in; enter Lou Reed/The Velvet Underground in the guitar hook. The singing is muffled and through an effect. It all gives Replace It a detached feel, but it does not push you away. Label mate Astral Swans comes to mind here. Listening to Replace It more often makes me discover more and more details. The song may be lo-fi, it is not as if the duo has left it at one recording session. There are numerous overdubs and parts in this song and that is what makes it so interesting and good.

Poppies. La Luz

It is still a month before 'News Of The Universe' is released. In the meantime we are allowed to hear another single from the album and it is simply beautiful. With Poppies La Luz presents a dreampop single that allows anyone to ravel into dreamland unobstructed and without a worry in the world. If The Bangles had ever recorded a song like this I may have been a fan at the time. I was a lukewarm listener, with the exception of 'Hazy Shade Of Winter'. Poppies is oh so sweet in sound but somehow it has this edge. I can't put my finger around what that edge is, except that I feel it. My best guess is the melancholy longing in Shana Cleveland's voice. This makes me listen to the song in a different way than to say 'Eternal Flame'. Musically this song is simply beautiful. A mix of things past and today. Part psychedelia from the past, part 2020s ballad, Poppies delivers the goods on both sides. Poppies is a very beautiful song.

Cellphone. Night Court

On route to an eight song split album with The Dumpies, Night Court releases its new single. For the first time since 2022 the band finds itself on this blog with another preppy, upbeat punkrock song. The Vancouver, Washington band plays loud music but manages to give Cellphone the mood and pace that simply makes me happy when listening to it. It invites to listen, to sing along and to dance. You may not hear a new approach to alternative/punk/garage rock. Whatever the label you would like to opt for, what you hear is the pleasure of making, arranging and playing this music. Night Court is able to write a good punkrock song and then take it further. Just listen to the backing vocals. They take Cellphone to the next level and it already was at a very good one. Early May the 'The Shit Split Part Duh' is available. Something to look out for alright.

Reckless Heart. Arrows of Athena

Welcome to WoNoBlog Arrows of Athena. The Boston duo, Scott Lerner: guitar, bass, synths, drum programming and Jac-Lyn Gibson: vocals, attracts in a way that bands playing this kind of music can. It rocks hard enough, it manages to blend in a pop element and has a seductive sounding singer. In a very self-assured way Arrows of Athena manages to combine the likes of ABC with Garbage. It always rains on the look of love, something like that. Lerner lays down a very heavy groove for Gibson to sing over. Just listen to that bass. As a band from Cottbus, Germany does not easily reach the U.S., listen to Para Lia, another duo that excels in this kind of music. And the lyrics? Let me just point to the video. That starts with a glass of wine. The lyrics end with one. Quite abruptly. Stop talking baby, the message appears to be.

Barrow Boys. Marcel Wave

Marcel Wave? More like a make over of Gruppo Sportivo with either Meike or Josée singing the lead. Coincidence has it the singer of Marcel Wave is called Maike but not Touw at the end. Barrow Boys is a post punk single which could just as easily stem from 1979-80 as from 2024. The Stranglers e.g. could have recorded it as soon as they left their original sound behind. The singing of Maike Hale Jones has that mix of declaiming and enthusiasm the ladies of Gruppo Sportivo were famous for around 1980. Listen to 'Hey Girl', 'Superman' or 'Beep Beep Love' e.g. and you will know what I mean. Barrow Boys is the only song I can find by Marcel Wave, so it's hard to tell whether the London band will sound like this all the time. It seems a fair prediction though that the Farfisa organ and stocky rhythms will play an important part in this band's music.

She Hulk. Beebe Gallini

Beebe Gallini returns to this blog with a cover of The Traits'' 'Nobody Loves The Hulk'. Miss Georgia Peach, Amy Pearson and Travis Ramin recreate garage rock as if it never went out of fashion in the decades since 1969. She Hulk has the energy to convince as a rock song, it has the spunk to convince as a garage rock song and the attack to be called Iggy and The Stooges inspired. Miss Georgia Peach not only attacks the song vocally but would have splintered a 45 RPM to smithereens with her guitar solo. This is some rock and roll for the 2024 masses alright. The cover art tells it all. A guitar can better not be handed to a she Hulk, to Miss Georgia Peech is totally other matter. We should not forget the rest of the trio. Amy Pearson's driving bass is a great support and a strength on its own. Travis Ramin's drumming is powerful and filled with great breaks and fills. Together they bring the song totally alive and to great heights. She Hulk is an extremely strong song.

Going Out. Jennifer Tefft & The Strange

Not long ago Jennifer Tefft & The Strange debuted on this blog with a great rock song called 'Caffeine'. Today the band returns with another great rocker. As Tefft explains this all about (young) mothers finally going out for the night, once again, and "might" fly off the rails as well. The riffs and rhythm may sound familiar, the lyrics certainly provide a fresh perspective on modern day life. The music is a mix of T.Rex, Blondie, Joan Jett and 90s Britpop bands like Supergrass. The combination not only works but sounds extremely fresh besides. This band knows how to rock without having to do anything exceptional. Just play like a song has to be played. "I want to hear my favourite song" Jennifer Tefft sings. Going Out has all the qualities to be one for the coming weeks. Going Out not only rocks, it begs singing along to.

Wout de Natris