This music reminds me a bit of Bryan Ferry but with the lounge flavor that’s always been Alex Pardini’s trademark ever since he started his musical career. While trends come and go, it looks like neo disco is making a big splash in the mainstream as proven by the likes of Roosevelt. “I Wonder” pays tribute to the 80s both musically and visually. And it is always a pleasure to know that this singer-songwriter continues to create a kind of music that can make us dance and chill at the same time.
The Joys of Modern Life by The Dennis McCalmont Band has a dreamy and positive vibe. This is shown in the opening track Best Days of My Life which foretells the atmosphere of the whole record-energetic, smooth and timeless.
The introduction of funky guitars, groovy bass and smooth percussion call to mind Jazz and R&B influences. His slick voice is the pillar of this release. I like singers who have big voices and great range. He embodies the likes of great 70s singers-combining the styles of Smokey Robinson and Phil Lynott.
The Joys of Modern Life boasts 12 songs that articulate the maturity of the singer-songwriter and his band. There is nuance in every song and there is also great passion. Each song feel like a holiday with their breezy melodies and apt instrumental arrangements.
This recording is a follow-up to his successful #SoulRecall which I also featured in this blog. What can I say? It is always a pleasure to write about an artist who is fond of making amazinf albums. The Joys of Modern Life is filled with eloquent essays about how we live our lives written in song form. And I know listeners can identify their sentiments to each song and hopefully pick one of more stand out tracks as their favorites. I know I have mine.
Here’s an interesting blurb about the album:
One of The Joys of Modern Life is having the Musical Technology available to allow Four Musicians to go into a Room for Three Days and Record An Album… Now that’s just Brilliant!
However the content of The Dennis McCalmont Band’s latest offering takes a more ‘tongue in cheek’ look at The Joys Of Modern Life.
The Album kicks off with ‘Best Days Of My Life’ in a rush to get ready for the Day ahead!
We’re living in a very uncertain World right now and McCalmont’s Lyrics seem to be right on Point, he addresses this from a Personal perspective on ‘Pure’ he laments ‘Once I Was Uncertain, but now I’m not so sure..’ and from the bigger picture ‘Your Life could change in a moment’ on ‘Nature Of Life’, and no one could argue that the Global Landscape has certainly changed recently, leaving us all a bit more insecure about our future.
McCalmont and his Band of Soul Mates, Donal Hoban (Drums) Craig Donaldson (Bass) Michael Buckton Lead Guitar, John Flatley (Piano) and Tony Bambrick (Guitar), Rock and Groove their way through some tougher subject matter too, including reflections on Domestic Abuse ‘Leave’, Alcoholism and Addiction ‘Wasted’ where other Songwriters might fear to tread.
But there is Hope…
The Closing tracks ‘Time For Truth’ address Modern War and Conflict ‘When the World goes Crazy, You gotta trust Yourself ‘ is a hopeful lyrical Anthem with a clear message to continue to chart Your life course regardless of the difficulties around you.
Yes Modern Life, with all it’s Technological Highlights can still be a very Dark Place for Real Lives to Survive, but they do…
So is this release different than #SoulRecall? Yes and No. I think his every release speaks about the time of their creation. I think it is different in a sense that the topics/themes are different from the last album. The style is distinctive. It is purely McCalmont with his love for good melodies and unique chord patterns. Though I must say this one feels more pop and upbeat while the last one has an acoustic/jazzy feel-mostly.
So how do we assist this musically? I think McCalmont is already a better musician before he ventured into recording. Which I think a lot of indie artists out there can learn from. Creativity is not enough these days. You need the gift of eloquence that your listener can relate to, and can listen to time and time again. Here’s the track listing for The Joys of Modern Life:
1.Best Days Of My Life 03:27
2.Suffocate 02:57
3.Pure 04:26
4.Nature Of Life 03:47
5.Leave 03:25
6.If You See My Girl 02:47
7.Something She Said 02:56
8.Wasted 03:51
9.Fall 03:48
10. Time For Truth 03:39
11.When The World Goes Crazy 04:03
All songs from this release are generally lively. All eleven tracks crafted artfully. When The World Goes Crazy closes the album. And I think it is a timely song for these turbulent times. It says that you need to trust yourself. Trust your instinct..trust your humanity and the vallues that you’ve been taught as a child. Because I think in the end when everything crumbles, there will always be that light inside us that will never die-the light of love given to us by those who nurtured us to become who we are now. And that is our thread out of every labyrinth. Thanks to The Joys of Modern Life for making me think that way.
Life can be stressful depending on where you are or how you look at it. That is why the idea of having to go somewhere after a hard day at work is such a pain. Why not stay home and listen to music? basicLux Records has gathered the best under its label and chose the the most beautiful track from each artist for your listening pleasure.
Hear out Lemongrass, Gabriel Diggs, Madison Park, Groovecatcher and more…I’m sure you’ve heard them in various sites including YouTube while you were searching for songs with keywords like chill chill-out, house, electronica, dance etc right? So here’s your chance not to look further. They are all here. They are the best and the brightest in the genre.
Don’t Let Go, It’s Easy are just few of the introductory songs that will set you on the mood. The quality is pure and crisp. Whiter you are listening to your expensive headphones like the The Sennheiser Momentum 2.0, Beats Studio Wireless or just the basic Apple EarPods, these compilation emanates that inherent sonic quality that sets the standards! And if you are listening with huge speakers, please pump the volume up and share the music.
I also urge you to check out each artist when you visit http://www.basiclux.net.
I don’t know why it took so long for me to write something about Mr Little Jeans. I remember watching an episode of iZombie. And there’s this track playing in the background. It thought it was a cool tune as it reminds me of Til Tuesday with a bit of Cocteau Twins. Turns out it was Heaven Sent taken from her current album Pocketknife(she is now working on a new album).
He real name is Monica Birkenes. According to her bio, the pseudonym Mr Little Jeans is inspired by Kumar Pallana’s character in Wes Anderson’s film “Rushmore. She is a Norwegian singer-songwriter who is now based in California. Yes she makes awesome tunes that you can take with you to the gym while you do cardio or weightlifting. But there is more. Her music is atmospheric. I think this is what appeals to us-or people like us who dig this kind of style. She also makes fantastic melodies. Her music is really different. She doesn’t rely on loud vocals and generic ‘hits.’ There are moments when she layers her voice to create that ethereal effect, but then again she sets the balance by adding more bass and drums. And yes she sometimes create dissonance through chords and studio effects.
In her single Good Mistake, there is that part during the ad-lib secrion when the songs quiets down into drum and bass. There’s that unique bass line that deserves many Ridley Scott movies! I love her craft and her singing. I wish she continues into that atmospheric path no matter what style she incorporates in her new album.
Download Mr Little Jeans, Pocketknife Now!
http://smarturl.it/MLJ_iTunes
http://smarturl.it/MLJ_AmzLP
Dane Di Piero from Radiolab said that he is putting the Radiolab name
to rest since he will be starting a new band soon. This came after he posted a picture of himself with his left hand in a cast via Instagram. Surprise, surprise we have the same situation! Mine is healing though, after I broke the right hand after fallingl two weeks ago. It strikes me that accidents can change a person’s perspective about life. You know, fresh eyes, fresh perspective, new direction, realisation etc….
Radiolab is a good project but like anything in life, change must happen. He said:
“This is a bandcamp.com exclusive release and free for you readers to download.
https://radiolab.bandcamp.com/album/city-sketches-ep”
City Sketches is an EP with three songs. If you are familiar with the band Love Spirals Downwards then you will find that this duo share a bit of their sound in terms of atmosphere and vocal styles. City Sketches has an urban ‘pop’ feel without sacrificing the edgy appeal that they are known for.
It doesn’t matter if I don’t really pay attention to the lyrics of the first song City Sketch (feat. Sarai Jazz) because I think the song has accomplished what I want it to do-elevate the mood. My City Sleeps has that 80s New Wave synth sounds and again the Liz Fraser inspired vocals. From the Gutters of the Penthouses closes this EP with its instrumental goodness. It’s something you would like to listen to, coming home from work and staring at the ceiling while the moon swallows the metropolis.
It is sad that Radiolab is no more and that is why you better grab this EP. It’s so good!
All music by Dane Di Pierro
vocals by Sarai Jazz
The indie music blog 