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Tag: Indie

  • in the garden by Stone Skipper

    in the garden by Stone Skipper

    Album: in the garden

    Artist: Stone Skipper

    Released: February 23, 2024- Bored Science LTD

    “In the Garden” is the first and newest album from the Folk Punk Band: Stone Skipper. The band hails from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia specifically. I have no clue what they are putting in the water out there in PA but that state produces an exceptional amount of really good bands. Stone Skipper’s strong first release is proving that observation true yet again.

    “1991 Jeep Comanche” is the first song on the album and it is pure vibes. I am a sucker for banjos and this song has some great banjo melodies. The lyrics sing of finding peace in a secluded lifestyle in the country away from harm. The vocals and music are calming and work to create a serene atmosphere. I spent most of my teenage years in rural Ohio and this song makes me a little nostalgic for that time and place in my life.  While this is a tough call, I think this song is my favorite on the album, because of the amount of visceral nostalgia it makes me feel. “Too Young” has a great vocal performance that is rhythmic and catchy. It works well in conjunction with the drum beats and banjo. The lyrics sing of feeling overwhelmed by all of life’s problems and wanting to run away from everything to avoid it. Even though I’m quite literally a middle-aged man, I find this a very relatable feeling. I again really love the cadence of this song it is endlessly enjoyable. “I Never Paid a Toll” is the most heartwarming song on the album. It is about the joy of finding a person that truly and completely gets who you are as a person and the courage and freedom to be yourself you get from that type of relationship. The lyrics are humorous and a little cheeky. The song is definitely a bop. The last track I want to highlight is actually a cover of “I Don’t Even Smoke” originally by the band Stick and Poke. It’s a great cover. Plus, I think the song fits very well with the sound and feeling of this album. It’s cool it seems Stone Skipper is paying homage to a band that hasn’t been active in a while but made great music that I really enjoyed.

    Stone Skipper’s “In the Garden” provides everything I want from a Folk Punk album. Catchy instrumental performance, meaningful lyrics that are ripped straight from personal experiences all crammed into a punk rock soul. This album is a solid must listen for any fans of the genre.

    This review was originally posted on March 23, 2024 on the former LFDH substack.

  • Yerba Muerte! by The Last Arizona // Everybody’s Worried About Owen

    Yerba Muerte! by The Last Arizona // Everybody’s Worried About Owen

    Album: Yerba Muerte!

    Artist: The Last Arizona // Everybody’s Worried About Owen

    Released: February 23, 2024- Flowerpot Records

    Spotify

    Yerba Muerte! is a split release with 4 new songs from indie folk artist, Emma (The Last Arizona) and 3 new songs from folk punk artist, Owen (Everybody’s Worried About Owen). Being that I am a big Arizona fan, to say that I was anticipating this release is an understatement.    

    The Last Arizona’s opening salvo for the album is “Shotgun”. The song begins with an amazingly catchy guitar lick that is sure to get stuck in listeners heads for days or even weeks to come. The lyrics speak of the loneliness of travel and missing the comforts of a loved one. Then, it compares the biochemical reactions of all those feelings and emotions to the blast of a shotgun. Sudden and intense, barely controlled bursts of emotions is a strikingly visual metaphor. In Finish folklore the afterlife is called “Manala”. The song of the same name is about exactly that. It is a somber tale about dying and waiting in the afterlife for those left behind. “Magnolia” features a synthesized organ which is a fantastic addition to the song’s sorrowful lyrics and sound.  I would not be sad if more organ found its way into future The Last Arizona songs.

    Everyone’s Worried About Owen starts their half of the album hard and fast with “Scatter Me!”.  The energy is infectious in a way that makes me want to not only get up and dance, but also drag everyone else around me to their feet to do the same. Towards the middle of the song there is a section that riffs on “Yesterday” by the Beatles that is as unexpected as it is highly clever. I smiled wide the first time I heard it. “Homebody Modifications” to me is the most interesting song on the album and hands down my favorite. While it amuses me to envision it as a body horror song where someone literally turns into a house, it really works better as a metaphor. The lyrics are extremely poetic, abstract and visual.  Deep down the song is about growing up and changing to the point where your home becomes a reflection of you and vise-versa. Home, as in the community you live in, not just your house. I, honestly could continue to break this song down for many more words, but I got to keep these reviews around 500 words. It is truly one of the best pieces of musical poetry that I’ve come across this year.

    With this album, The Last Arizona delivers yet another stellar collection of songs that come straight from the heart. Her ability to make soul filled and emotionally resonate music never ceases to amaze. Everybody’s Worried About Owen also brings an unforgettable set of songs to the album. His energetic performance and absurdly poetic writing style has made them instant hits. Yerba Muerte! is without a doubt a must listen for Folk Punk fans.   

    This review was originally posted on March 1, 2024 on the former LFDH substack.