Song Review - West Coast

West Coast

by Lana Del Rey

Album: Ultraviolence (TBA, 2014)
 

You might think that Lana Del Rey has released a new single about your fave budget bubbly in a bottle, West Coast Cooler but you'd be wrong. Well not totally. There is mention of a saying on the west coast where drinking equals playing and I imagine the only drink available in Perth is West Coast Cooler... Wait! I've just been informed I'm referring to the wrong west coast. Eh!

So Lana is one of those musicians with love or hate sensibilities that I've never seemed to join the party on. I don't hate her, in fact I enjoy some of her previous tunes but then I don't love her because some of her other tunes really irritate me so I'm happy to stay here on the fence mostly. When the buzz of her new single hit I was doing something I thought to be more interesting at the time but then a friend said, "Like dude you totes have to get into this tune like it's so good that I just can't. I can't even!" (that's how Lana fans talk duh) so I like totes gave it a listen and you know what? I LIKE IT!

The first couple of seconds in immediately made me think of that awful Paris Hilton song that I thought I'd forgotten with it's loosely reminiscent reggae vibe however it quickly transitions into something, dare I say sexy. Something sexy like a version of Chris Isaak's 'Wicked Games'. It even shares a similar video shot beautifully in B&W, it's the usual convincingly romantic *cough* affair of two frisky young pups frolicking on a beach; Del Rey and the "too beautiful to be bad, blonde locked, leather jacket clad, too rough to be good" kind of guy looking longingly and writhing coyly around each other. I'm not clocking it as an appropriation of 'Wicked Games', more of the way Shania Twain reworked the clip of Robert Palmers 'Simply Irresistible', though maybe less deliberate.

'West Coast' is actually a rather soft and beautifully dark story of youthful desire in a world where status and possession means as much as the emotion and when approached from a neutral ground her poetry, though simple, can appreciated. Del Rey in this 90s surf rock inspired number vocally transitions along with the undulating tempo, from a silver screen starlet-esque voiced goddess to that languid, breathy damsel in distress character she plays so well, but apparently 'West Coast' has been polarising even amongst die hard fans. I'm not the the most ardent fan to ask why but it seems at least for me this song that feels like an early 90s throwback draws me in and almost (not quite all there) makes me feel part of her world. Maybe that's why I've never dived into Lana's pool because she's never quite sold me anything convincing as her music can sometimes seem contrived. However even though some of my comments may feel a little critical I actually really like 'West Coast'. If previous haters can put away their prejudices against Lana they'll find a tantalisingly simple broken love song. If previous fans finding themselves polarised can take their minds out of the neon-retro landscapes of Del Rey's previous affairs they will find a bittersweet film-noir tinged journey through youthful love/loss transitions.

Nayt Housman gives 'West Coast' four PJ Harvey heads out of five...

Album Review - Wild

WILD

by Amanda Rogers (out now)
 

Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Amanda Palmer. I'm a fan of singer-songwriters who create piano driven music with a certain rock and roll edge. Artists that deal in this particular musical wheelhouse tend to win me over with their ability to wear many different faces or play a wide variety of roles in their music. The energetic front and musical force of nature 'character' comes just as easily to them as the brokenhearted mess on the bathroom floor or the quirky weirdo, the villain, the hero. They take that saying 'Jack of all trades, master of none' and blow it to high hell. They usually put words together in a way that leaves you scratching your head at how no one had thought to do the same thing before. And they usually speak to you in a way that most performers could only dream of. Amanda Rogers ticks all of those boxes with her 9th album Wild, an ambitious double album that will undoubtedly earn a lot of love from fans old and new.

I sadly fit into the 'new' category of Rogers' fans, so there's a lot to catch up on from this Syracuse, NY native. "I'm a ten cent songbird, my heart and soul done take a turn, in a jukebox spinner, I'm a lowdown singer, begging for my dinner, I'm a saint gone sinner, with my dimes dimes dimes." While 'Welcome To The Show' theatrically opens the album, it's '10c Songbird' that introduces us to Amanda Rogers. She wears her heart on her sleeve on a track that grows from humble beginnings into a heavier sounds that weaves the piano around some roaring guitars. If I had a lighter on me I'd be lighting that bad boy up and throwing it in the air like I just don't care. You'll feel like its the 90s all over again and I say that with the intentions of it being a huge compliment. To go from that to the gorgeous, bluesy sounds of 'Walking' should be jarring, but Rogers shifts gears with ease. Think Bonnie Raitt by way of Norah Jones.

Rogers jumps between conventional genres, switching up the pace and showing a new side on so many of the tracks. The poppier vibes of 'Honey You'll Be' lead straight into the jazzier 'More, More, More'. With double albums, the larger track list makes it easier to pick favourites. Sad, but true. Sad is something I go for and the track 'Sad Song' earned a lot of replay from me. It's borderline anthemic with Rogers telling us, "a sad song rights the ocean of wrongs, I keep on singing it, I keep on listening. The vocal performance on 'Sweet Sleep' is also incredibly easy to fall for. That Raitt-ish piano returns on the track too and I'm going to say you just don't hear enough of that kind of piano sound anymore. '10 Years Closer' highlights Rogers' strengths as a songwriter and reveals much of her journey up until now. I could be way off, but the words are telling the story of an artist that continues to fight to create. "There was a sound that I'd forgotten in me, and I never minded the thoughts they pulled from me, and I never meant to be exactly what they'd see, and I never mean to be what they'd see... see the life I'm bleeding see me crawling back for more."

Listening to nineteen tracks should be quite laborious, but Rogers finds new ways to reward you for persevering. The final (and title) track, 'Wild', is the album's best. The connection Rogers builds in what comes before pays off in such an awesome way with this last song. It's an arresting pop anthem you'll immediately want to listen to and then once you've finished you'll want to listen to it again. The music, the vocals, the words... everything comes together for a beautiful and memorable finish. Amanda Rogers? She is one singer-songwriter I want to hear a lot more of and I'm looking forward to going back over her 15 year career. She's the right mix of passion, ambition and artistry for me. Singer-songwriter fans are going to feel the same.


"Every woman every man, where the sky meets the land, dream between every place you stand, and you'll feel wild."  

Matt Bond gives Wild four Beatles heads out of five...

Album Review - Obsidian

Obsidian

by Jessie Frye (out now)

At the very end of 2013, I stumbled upon a review of Jessie Frye's song 'Dear' on The Wall Street Journal's music blog. Now, I didn't even know The Wall Street Journal had a music blog, but I'm really glad they do. "Slow motion lover, we die with no last words, here I am grieving you tonight." One listen of Frye's passionate rock track and I was hooked. The voice, the words, the guitar solo... Yes, this introduction to the Denton, Texas artist and her band definitely left me thankful to The Wall Street Journal and that's something I never thought I'd say in this lifetime. This week saw the release of the debut album, Obsidian, and it is quite the unforgettable ride.


Obsidian shows an artist unafraid of taking a risk or two by dipping into different genres and styles. Frye has a remarkable way of not just wearing many hats on the album, but wearing them and owning them. To take this metaphor a step further, let's say that Frye would be able to pull off that hat Pharrell Williams wore to the Grammy Awards. 'Dear' has all the attitude you could want in a bonafide rock star and then some. It's got the big hooks, loud guitars and heavy drums that will get you ready for a rowdy night on the town. Contrast that with the track that immediately follows, the piano ballad 'Sabotage'. The simple tune, combined with some emotive and moody vocal work, tugs at your heartstrings. The one-two punch of 'Dear' and 'Sabotage' is the best example of how talented and versatile Jessie Frye is, both as a vocalist and songwriter. They're polar opposites, yet they sit so comfortably next to each other on the album.

'Teenage Luck' has a beautiful meloncholy to the music, but the words are going to break your heart, no doubt about it. "If this world can't save me now, nothing ever will, you've been getting off way to long, loving in this hell." It's definitely a deep album closer and I've said it before (and I'll say it again), albums that end with a powerful, memorable ballad are the best. These quieter moments are well spaced out and you can tell the Obsidian track placements were carefully considered because the ballads don't get lost amongst the more energetic uptempo numbers. 'White Heat' is one of the most exciting moments, walking an electronic-pop-rock tightrope to perfection. This is the song you'll get up and start dancing to each time the build to the chorus begins. You know how you listen to some songs and know they would be perfect for radio? 'White Heat' is one of those songs.


On the strength of an album like Obsidian, Jessie Frye is sure to have an incredible 2014. I've got a feeling this album is going to spread from her native Texas through the USA like wildfire and then, hopefully, over to Australia. Because I think the only thing that will top listening to Obsidian is seeing it performed live! This is a stellar debut LP from a stunning talent and well worth a listen, music fans. And hey, you can get it as a digital download for $9 on Bandcamp. Given the quality of the music, that's a steal.   

Matt Bond gives Obsidian four Shirley Manson heads out of five...