Do You Wanna Party
Spontaneously good music is addicting and exhilarating. Case in point, when I first heard Fleece's "Do You Wanna Party" I listened to it another nine times in a row. I maxed out the volume in my truck and danced my way home amid my post work commute. Songs like this grab me and don't loosen their grip until I've beat the wheels off and metaphorically cut the groove through to the other side of the record.
I'm always looking for new music to try out and sometimes it just falls in your lap without you having to do a thing. I'm grateful one of the many hockey podcasts I listen to features artists at the end of their show. With a request from another fellow listener, the pod chucked on Fleece's newest single and while most times I'm drawn to skip to the next episode the opening phrase of this track caught my attention immediately.
This has been my go to track of the week and is poised to make my year end list. If you're feeling down I've got a remedy for you. Do you wanna dance? Do you wanna party? Get up and have a good time. Fleece does a great job of getting you there.
Forgetful Assistance
Amongst a great selection of tunes on the Elwins' debut album And I Thank You a standout track emerges in "Forgetful Assistance." Long on my radar, "Forgetful Assistance" has a groove that I just can't get over. It holds a place on my list of love letters to music (a series I've been developing for some time) with its hooks, production, and impressionable drum parts.
Most times less is more. That's why I love this track and the way it utilizes simplicity with creativity to launch a fun and energetic sampling. Good drumming really gets me and when the creativity soars through the speakers I can't help but notice and get that fuzzy feeling.
Shut Up and Dance
"Shut Up and Dance" is my biggest guilty pleasure song and my go to wedding reception request. Much like the first two tracks on this playlist, this song gets me moving and doesn't let up for the entire three minutes. I want more of it, I want it louder, I want that feeling over and over again.
While I don't listen to Walk the Moon's other material, I can't get this song out of my life and I'm not sorry about it. It is an instantaneous mood lifter that gives me goosebumps and makes me bop up and down. I'll sing it to myself anywhere I hear it and I don't care who's around.
Give this track a chance and you'll feel its magic powers hit you like a freight train.
Playing the Game
"Playing the Game" found me in a mystery acquisition as a track that's always been on my Spotify library or so I'd like to think. The truth is a don't remember where it came from but I'm sure glad it did.
Acting as a classic example of British prog rock, "Playing the Game" scratches all my music itches I haven't been fully able to identify until this track came along. The first half of the song drew me in with pristine production and sound and catchy song writing that stood out amongst the others.
What made me stay and come back again and again was the break and middle section that grew and built up perfectly into one of the grooviest asides I've ever heard in music. I remember showing my brother and protesting that he need to "wait it out until the middle breakdown." Safe to say he wasn't disappointed as he donned the mutual stank face we know all too well as a sign of admiration and approval.
Lucky Seven
I'm pretty sure this track came to me in way of my Discover Weekly playlist and while most times Spotify provides scant offerings of "like-minded" artists and songs, Chris Squire's "Lucky Seven" was a spot on recommendation that stuck from first listen. The longtime bass player for one of my my most beloved bands, Chris Squire took Yes and his own music to the extreme with his progressive playing and composition.
"Lucky Seven" grabs your ears and forces you to pay attention. As a drummer I know I tend to lean more towards the composition and musicianship in a song and that's why the uncommon 7/8 time signature made it stand out as the snare and high hat drive this track deep into my body.
With a twinge of the creepy and eerie, Chris Squire scores a hit that fills spots on multiple playlists of mine. I can pull out any emotion I want as I listen to "Lucky Seven" and whether that's a good thing I don't know. It just means all those emotions are there and Squire has created a masterpiece of persuasion and groove.
Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun
In a tie for my favorite classical composition, "Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun," both alike and unlike the previous track, evokes a certain range of emotions that beg me to ingest and savor the instruments as they saunter through with such grace. I don't understand classical music, but I can admire and appreciate it as the beautiful art it is.
My co-front-runner, "Clair de lune," was the inspiration for me to find one of my favorite records in my collection. Utilizing my resources, a quick search for records with "Clari de lune" at my local record shop took me to find Greensleeves by Eugene Ormandy and The Philadelphia Orchestra. It just so happens that upon further ingestion, most of the tracks on the album in question made an impression on me. Side B quickly became my favorite as I fell in love with every composition.
I love this record so much I bought a second sealed copy that I will not be opening unless there are dire straights ahead. Hopefully I don't wear out my first copy too soon.
Check The Mirror
This week's final track belongs to the band that I've done the most recent review of. A personal favorite artist of mine, Natural Child has reunited after years of hiatus and come out the other side with a new piece of music I am pleasantly delighted about.
One of my stand out tracks on Be M'Guest is the oh so groovy "Check The Mirror." Upon showing off the new album to one of my close friends we reached this repetitive track that doesn't hold up and doesn't get old. Musicians in our own right, we discussed the track's ability to take a motif and repetitive riff from start to finish and create a memorable four minutes of driving rock and roll.
The boys came to prove that the wait was worth it. "Check the Mirror" will get your head bobbin' and your foot tappin'. Strap in for a good time if you've got the time.
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