The Japanese House - Face Like Thunder

And you question your lover, did she really believe
That this new taste of love is obsolete?
It just couldn't compete and so you'll
Keep dragging your body through life by the hair
So you can say that you've been somewhere and you don't care
Of your receipt, you're sentenced to death and you can't be reprieved

Babe, you've got a face like thunder
Always trying to get in and under
Just stay still 'til I say it's over
Babe, you've got a face like thunder

Say sorry for what, for what, for what?
You know I didn't mean it
I said something terrible and I tried to redeem it
I can be so cruel but now I don't seem it
 

The Japanese House were another SXSW discovery, although unfortunately a casualty of my overfull and overlapping who-to-see wish list, didn't get to see [her] perform live. The solo project of Londoner Amber Bain, she chose the moniker based upon a childhood vacation, staying in a thusly-named cottage in Devon, during which she pretended to be a boy. England appears to be the capital nation for androgyny (amongst all the obvious music history examples that leap to mind, see also Eliot Sumner).

RIYL: Imogen Heap, Chairlift, Frou Frou, Christine and the Queens

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Bleachers - Don't Take the Money

Will we fight, stay up late?
In my dreams I'm to blame
Different sides of the bed
Roll your eyes, shave my head
Now we're stuck in the storm
We were born to ignore
And all I got is a chance to just sit
(I'm in love and you've got me, runaway)

You steal the air out of my lungs, you make me feel it
I pray for everything we lost, buy back the secrets
Your hand forever's all I want
Don't take the money
Don't take the money

I've been casually listening to 80s-influenced Bleachers (often featuring awesome guest vocals) for a couple of years, but only read up on who they are/he is this week! How fun to learn it is the solo project of fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff (pun intended), who has also co-written hits for Sara Bareilles, Taylor Swift, and Lorde, among others! It's so much more interesting to be a knowlegable/nerdy music fan. Anyway, looks like Antonoff is getting ready to release another album (his third) as this track is one of two singles released recently, matching his m.o. in 2015 leading up to the release of Terrible Thrills. I love a happy, anthemic, dancy music (i.e. 80s, i.e. Bleachers) so I'm looking forward to hearing whatever is next from this guy. 

RIYL: Walk the Moon, Smallpools, The Heydaze, Fitz and the Tantrums

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Snow Patrol - Called Out In The Dark

It's like we just can't help ourselves
'Cause we don't know how to back down
We were called out to the streets
We were called in to the towns

And how the heavens, they opened up
Like arms of dazzling gold
With our rain washed histories
Well they do not need to be told

Show me now, show me the arms aloft
Every eye trained on a different star
This magic
This drunken semaphore
And I

(Many hours later than a usual post, it's bedtime already and thus I was called out in the dark to write up a song. Heh) It's been four years since we've heard from this lovely band out of Northern Ireland - and that last outing was a "Greatest Hits" compilation. I'm forever hopeful that Gary and the gang are going to keep on creating (and touring) together but for now, this cleverly written and belated entry to TMIS.

RIYL: The Boxer Rebellion, The Killers, Editors, The Fray

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Bad Cop, Bad Cop - Cheer

Early afternoon...or maybe lunchtime?
All I know is daylight is creeping through
The covered windows behind me, neon signs fluorescent flicker:
"this Bud´s for you!"

By light of day it´s hard not to notice
Just how filthy this place can be.
The smell of bleach and cheap shots
Drowning out my ugly company.

So line ´em up, my lonely friends.
raise your glass and knock ´em down.
A little salt to sap the sting
from the last words that we spoke

So CHEERS! Here´s to hoping
I never see your face again.
This one´s to chase
The awful taste of your name from my tongue
And one more in hopes that I´ll hit the floor
And knock the thought of you from my brain.
And last, hopelessly wishing
I never met you.

It's a fine Saturday afternoon, how about some good old-fashioned pop-punk? I stumbled across Bad Cop, Bad Cop the other day while searching for some live videos of Meat Wave. You know, as you do. So, yeah, Meat Wave to hard rocking girl band? Sure. Makes sense. Anyway, it's fun stuff, just check out this video, and after that you might try some more from Live From The Rock Room. They've got some good stuff there.

RIYL: Bad Religion, Teenage Bottlerocket, Against Me, Amazombies, Tsunami Bomb

Upcoming Shows

Wilderado - Bottoms

Speak up now, I know you said it before
Why don't you say it again but louder
I hate it that it takes a load from my back
That you never even needed at all

Can we meet at the bottom?
Can we call that home?
Can we both admit that we're just not fit
To be alone? 
We come here alone

Formerly calling themselves Bird Dog (two earlier EPs that have been re-released under the new name), Wilderado (Google does NOT like that spelling) are currently on tour with Judah & The Lion (whom I find ridiculously overrated), grinding it out on the road and releasing several singles over the past year, all of which I adore. Not sure what else to say about these four dudes based out of L.A. but I'm so happy that Spotify helped me discover them! Oh, and their videos are totally lo-fi throw backs, kinda fun. 

RIYL: Run River North, Pinegrove, Ha Ha Tonka, My Morning Jacket

Upcoming Shows