the411

Listening to the sensual tones of Feng Suave feels blasphemous at 10:55 am. This is a late night song that deserves to be played into the early morning sunset. Beginning with the gently tickling of the keys and soft brush against the frets. "I swear I saw you in the Vatican" The lead singer one of the two Daniels that makes up the core of Feng Suave has one of those persuasive voices a blend of a Sam Smith pre his last song and a splash of John Legend. He knows how to work his vocals so one sways to the surfy guitar rhythm and wants to love the one you are with. "No love it's close enough... It's only fine just because your clothes are off."  The careful languid pace of this song then takes on an emotional cry from Daniel 1. He is telling his girl "I'm lonely because you know you were my only one" A song for lovers with sophisticated tastes who appreciate folding into a day dream. A ripe rich glass of burgundy song ripe with sweet smelling sm...

Not only is her name intriguing Salami Rose Joe Louis, this petite princess from the Bay Area produces music that borders on hypnotic sophistication. Very soothing. A lovely way to get a morning started is with "Nostalgic Montage", her latest offering. The track is infused with elegant whimsy interlaced with a brush of  a Wednesday afternoon California sea breeze.  Another song that captured my attention was "I Miss You So".  She does this live in a bedroom studio adding a twinkle of keys and pedal sound design. Keep to the time of the metronome, she thumb picks her pale red Fender with enticing precision creating an ascending sonic sound full of atmospheric grooves. She stands to sing clad in a pair of Mom jeans with her saggy sage sweater casually tucked into the corners . Her Hershey bar brown hair swept up in a casual updo. She is a bit of thing but grooves to her own bold beats. A casual toss to the chanteuses of yesterda...

  The Dutch psych synth pop five piece reinvents surf rock in a illustrious way. The curly haired lead singer wafts into you auditory system like a hint of perfume. It is not over the top very subtle and distinct and designed to make you elevate. The dueling guitars and tasty smoky bass beats keep time with the guy on the kit. The drummer looks like he could be your best bud at the bar.  He lays it down sans the use of a heavy hand. The smooth vocals, destined to enlighten  rather than overwhelm, remind me of Sam Smith.  The modest but wise use of key sounds take the songs to their rightful places. There is a hint of a shoegazing dynamic in the way they eye their pedals.  Masterfully crafted as a live band. So dive in for surfy synth at where it should be- the ocean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R90kVBcVgE8

Fragile Creatures, a fluid band from Brighton, pierces my heart and soul with their cheeky, irreverent music. They don't bow to any one style. Hints of the harmonizing ala Beach Boys takes you on their adventure. Self described as  "Resistant to the formulaic, going wherever the musical muse takes them" makes perfect sense to the muse believing creative creature. They  make brilliant use of their English accents which is very George Harrison like. "She makes me Nervous" flirt with Beatlesque atmospheric songs. They lose that style and go fast and furious with some sizzling guitar playing along with perfect use of a keyboard strike. Adam's vocals rise in displeasure thinking about a girl who is playing basketball with his feelings.  He is looking for the release. "I am not in love/ She just makes me nervous/ I can't sand her accusing eyes." James jams on the kit and the wild drum beats pep it back up along with spiky guitar solos that ...

Wild opening sequence  draws you in with a sweep of psychedelic, cowboy energy.  barney favors Stetson looks btw.  Eclectic guitar riffs match the lyrical sass and elegant horn accouterments.  Barney comes at you with silky smooth vocals that belie the hard truth as he tells  a little story about his journey.  He thought he should call this track Runaway but The Big Swirl spews intrigue.  He sing about being a coke a cola freak and the failure trap.  So he Runs away. "The Big Swirl" emanates from a song by "Sir Rockaby",  Frank Black tune. The particular use of the term moved Barney. He told me,  " " It's what he calls the sky and the universe and I came to use the phrase as the spectrum of human emotions and experience. Sort of like a rebirth." This is deep and poignant kind of like much of Barney's music and though process.  Barney imparts a casual vibe but his songs are ripe with world warin...