Fractured - Fractured Masses

 Ladies and Gents I have an unusual one here for you. I'm coming back from my Christmas break to review a collection of singles by the guitarist Reckless Velvet, who is collaborating on these tracks with another artist by the name of Shawn Sidetrack. Together they form Fractured Masses, and their first record Fractured is aimed for release in mid January of the new year. However, you can get an early listen to the album as every track slated to be on it is already live on streaming services as singles released within the past year. So while this is not yet an album, but rather a collection of singles, I am going to move forward as if it were a full album. Away we go.

The track listing was given to me in the following order, so I am unsure of the actual track order on the finished record, but I will comment as to what I believe should be the album opener and closer.

1. "Lost In You" is a ballad, and a piano ballad at that. It's somber, features a piano and no guitar, which is odd for a musician who describes himself as playing mostly guitar. I truly hope that this is not the real album opener, as opening a record on a slow note is not the way you would want to go. The melody is sweet, though repetitive, and I'm not sure how I feel about the vocal pairing here. I would consider using another featured artist on the record Jenny Stevens on this one. Maybe.

2. "Til The Well Runs Dry" picks up the tempo and energy a hair, though not enough to get my motor running. It's grungy and bluesy in it's sound, and features a nice guitar solo just over halfway through. While I don't love the vocals and disinteresting song pattern on this track, it certainly is a step in the right direction.

3. "Fractured," if my information is correct, will serve as the title track of the upcoming record. It's a higher energy, punk sounding rocker track that is most definitely a bigger step in the right direction. I dont love where we started, but I do like where we're headed.

4. "She Left Me In Nashville" is another ballad, bluesier than the first. I think I like it better than "Lost In You," but I'm still not completely sold on the ballads from this collaboration of artists.

5. "Still Ridin" is arguably the best match between the song's overall sound and the vocalists tone I heard on the whole record. The energy is high, the badassery is high, and it's my pick for what should be the opening track on the record. 

6. "Deep Drop" is a close second for my pick from this whole list. It continues on the high energy badass train, though maybe more metal than its predecessor. What caught me off guard with this one was the singer's lower pitch in his vocal delivery. Perhaps the song title should have given me a heads up... I also have to note the guitarists solo work here, it works it works it works until its suddenly over before I was ready. The abrupt ending could have used some more polishing I think.

7. "Nothing In Particular" is another good energy rock track, featuring another fantastic solo. I believe the guitarist's solos are the shining star of the whole record. Hands down my favorite component of each song. However, to the contrary of my previous song analysis, this solo also ends in an abrupt manner, however it fits rather seamlessly in the song this way, and I can actually forgive it. I still don't love the shortness of the solo's end, but it is less clunky and awkward here than in the previous track.

8. "Watching The Waves" is another ballad, which, to continue my previous thought, ends again rather abruptly. But the biggest caveat to me with this track is the long samples of crashing waves in the beginning, and the seagulls at the end. I get why artists use these samples, but it just never lands with me. I always get taken out of the experience with these things. Long samples are on my list of Synic Sins.

9. "Flower Woman" is probably my favorite ballad on this whole list. It features a different vocalist, this time Jenny Stevens replaces Shawn Sidetrack, and all due respect to Shawn, but having Jenny step in to deliver this ballad was most definitely the right decision. While the lyrics are a little too repetitive for my taste, her tone and the harmonies work so much better here than on the previous ballads. I would love to hear a full collaboration record between Jenny and Reckless Velvet.

Album Artwork Not Provided

Fractured - Fractured Masses

Due Mid January 2021

Favorite Track: Still Ridin

Least Favorite Track: Watching The Waves

Rating: 6.2

Look Both Ways - OrangeG

 Folks, I've been trying to be better about not letting so many days go by before doing another post, and you guys certainly have been helping me stay on top of things with all the requests you've been sending. The support is greatly and sincerely appreciated, and I do hope that they keep coming in the upcoming new year. Tonight I have the honor and pleasure of discussing the newest single "Look Both Ways" by Philadelphia's own one-person DIY musician OrangeG.

On this new single, OrangeG takes a departure in technique and sound from his previous recordings, as he is now working with a more full-band sound. And as a result, he found himself with an intriguing fusion of folk, grunge, and the blues. And being totally honest, maybe I've said this before and maybe I haven't, but I truly hate grunge. That said, the blues is one of my favorite genres, and the fusion here works actually quite tremendously. And it's capped off brilliantly with the featured use of a harmonica. In fact, the harmonica feature is my favorite element of the entire track.

There's something poetic about him using grunge and blues to deliver his message here. The message of the song, as OrangeG would describe it, is about assuming the worst, and reminding oneself to consider a more positive perspective. So he is putting a positive spin on an otherwise bleak topic, yet he does so while employing a bluesy grunge sound, which are arguably two of the most somber and melancholy genres out there. Looking at the lyrics, OrangeG's songwriting becomes even more poetic. His metaphors and verses are truly quite wonderful. This is something seldom seen in songwriting today, as many rock vocalists deliver lines that are totally straight and to the point, (see Sammy Hagar) and they are forgetting that lyrics are essentially an edgier poem, with rhythm (see David Lee Roth.) A line I am particularly fond of would be... Look both ways at your fellow human / The Gorgon's gaze, or nothing much to say / It cuts both ways and I see one edge of the blade These lines create a tragically familiar feeling, something I can relate to from my college days of being the new kid at a party, not knowing anyone and being afraid to really be yourself because you're unsure of how people would react. On one hand, you should never be afraid to be yourself. But on the other hand, people suck, don't they?

My biggest drawback with this song, is that while it does have all the components of a full song, it still feels incomplete in a way. It sits at just over 5 and a half minutes, and for those 5.5 minutes the vocals stick to one pattern, and there's not much variance to them. I like my meat and potatoes with a little kick, if you know what I mean. But again, for a grunge-blues track I can forgive this. OrangeG has found himself a fantastic musical path to follow, but maybe he could consider picking up a little more speed and edge along the way. I would love to hear a song of this tone with a higher tempo and a squealing guitar/harmonica solo thrown in there. There's my Christmas wish, OrangeG, can you make it happen?

To sum up, I did enjoy this song, and the direction that OrangeG is going in. There are a lot of things that were executed quite well here, and other things that I think could be added in later on to really perfect his new sound. Kudos on the new single, OrangeG, I look forward to hearing what comes next.

30 in 2050 - Time To Act

 I'm getting this one out there early this morning, because I've been distracted the last few days and didn't release it when I originally intended. Recently I had the honor of getting an early (now 3 days late) look at the second single from the fearsome foursome outta Belgium; Time To Act. Their mission is to target today's global issues in their lyrics and spread the word as far and wide as possible to get people to understand that a change is necessary. While their first single dealt with racism and violence, this new track, released December 18th, discusses global warming, pollution and extinction.

Sonically, "30 in 2050" reminds me very much of USA For Africa's "We Are The World" with a Thunbergian update to the lyrics. Rather than serving as a call to aid, this is more like a cry for help. The lyrics imply that by 2050, whales, bears, fish, and possibly more will be extinct. I hate to think about how accurate this assumption may or may not be. The specific lines that made me think the most was "Your leaders let you down / But there's no hiding here / Blame is on you 'cause you failed to act" These lines got me the most because individually, one person might be better at recycling and reducing their carbon footprint than another, but collectively we as people tend to take the lazy way and just do what the leaders tell us. So often when things go wrong, we blame our leaders for having the bad ideas, but who were the people that followed along?

In the first verse of the song, there are a couple audio samples that demand attention. In the line where they mention the last whale dying, you hear the faint cry of a whale. Kinda chilling, kinda odd, I'll take it. The following line when they say she had too much plastic in her belly, you hear the pop of a soda can. So it looks something like this "The last whale died yesterday... *whale cry* So much plastic in her belly... *soda can*" Now I don't love having two audio samples like this coming line after line, but luckily that pattern stops here. My biggest issue with it is that the second sample isn't necessary, and it doesn't exactly land the way the group wanted it to. The line references plastic, yet the sample is that of an aluminum can. I see what they were trying to do, but it didn't work.

While I don't love each individual line of the song, I do sincerely appreciate the overall message that they are trying to convey here. The "We are 30 in 2050" theme is saying to the audience that we are creating a damaged and dying planet for our children, and they will be powerless to stop the decay and destruction that their parents are leaving behind. Therefore, it is up to us to make the changes necessary to leave a healthy world for our children and our children's children to grow up in.

Poor Mister Lee - Rufusking

 Here is a rare late-night post for you guys. Fresh on all streaming services come morning time is the new single by Dutch band Rufusking. I'm glad I could squeak out a review just in time for the big release.

Their newest single "Poor Mister Lee" opens using one of my favorite techniques in music. The intro comes together one instrument at a time; first the drum beat, which is then accompanied by the bass to set the rhythm. Then the dingy-twangy tone of the guitar resonates through your eardrums, taking me back to the days of The Kinks. Legitimately, as soon as the guitar joined the rest of the band, the tone immediately reminded me specifically of "All Day and All Of The Night," or, "You Really Got Me." Though unmentioned to me as one of their specific influences, I can't help but feel some Kinky flavors in their sound. 

There's something delightfully simple yet funky about the bass groove to this song, that has me bopping my head before the song even really begins. My biggest fear getting deeper into the song was that the singer's voice wouldn't match, and would lose me completely. I was, however, pleasantly surprised at how perfectly the sounds blend together. Sonically it's a beautiful marriage.

My biggest draw back, is perhaps the crescendos and treble build up during the chorus. It's mixed quite well, but something about it comes across as slightly abrasive. And just before it becomes too much, it drops back down to it being just the percussion and drums. It certainly keeps things interesting, though maybe a little jarring. I would have considered maybe turning the bass up and everything else down a little during these louder choruses, just to even it out a little more. Of course the draw back in doing so would be that you wouldn't appreciate the lone bass groove as much as you do when you get it, so it's likely safe to say this balance technique was done on purpose.

Truthfully I listened to this song a handful of times while writing this, not because I feel like I missed something, but simply because I liked the song that much. I'm hoping the band reads this and sends me the lyrics, so I can fully appreciate everything there is to this song. I'm aware of how quick of a read this review was, but I kept it short and sweet much like the song itself. It is certainly among my favorite singles I've listened to this year, and when Rufusking releases a full length album into the world, you bet I will be among the first eager listeners.

Synic Selects Vol. IX - Holiday Favorites

Well gang it's that time of year again, a time for trampling over innocent people so you can get the latest Apple product, or gaming console. You're so busy pushing, shoving, and yelling that you don't even notice Mariah Carey playing over the Target speakers for the 27th time that morning. But just in case you're one of the few sane people in the world, getting your holiday shopping done from the comfort and safety of your own living room sofa, I thought I'd take the liberty of crafting a nice seasonal playlist, containing some of my personal favorites that don't get completely used and abused every December. Some of them you definitely know, and if I really buckled down I could have made this playlist 3x as long, but I didn't want to litter it with all the usual suspects. (LA Guns has a few xmas songs out there, Rob Halford of Judas Priest has 2 whole christmas records out, bands like Skid Row, Twisted Sister, FireHouse, etc have all recorded Christmas songs, and believe it or not The Offspring came out with one just this month. Don't expect to see it on this list, however. It's hot trash.) Some of my favorite heavy hitters are still on there, because, well duh, I can't make a playlist and not have AC/DC, Lzzy Hale or "Weird Al' make a cameo appearance. Let's be real here.

Anyway, if you're in the mood for some festive fun, christmas carols, holiday hits... yuletide yodels? Sorry, I'm a sucker for alliteration... Then check out the list below. I think you might be a bit surprised by some of the things I've thrown on there.

Synic Selects Vol. IX - Holiday Favorites

1. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - The Pointer Sisters

2. Little Drummer Boy - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band

3. I Saw Mommy Kissin' Santa Claus - John Cougar Mellencamp

4. Run Rudolph Run - Bryan Adams

5. Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Brian Setzer Orchestra

6. Here Comes Santa Claus - Elvis Presley

7. Lonesome Christmas - B.B. King

8. Go Power At Christmas Time - James Brown

9. Back Door Santa - Clarence Carter

10. Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Jason Segel & Jack Black

11. I Saw Three Ships - Sting

12. Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

13. The Night Santa Went Crazy - "Weird Al" Yankovic

14. Mistress For Christmas - AC/DC

15. We Three Kings - Blondie

16. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt

17. We Need A Little Christmas - Angela Lansbury

18. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Dolly Parton & Jimmy Fallon

19. A Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives

20. Magic Of Christmas Day - Dee Snider & Lzzy Hale

21. Father Christmas - The Kinks

22. I Don't Want To Fight Tonight (Merry Christmas) - The Ramones

23. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano

24. Christmas In Hollis - Run DMC

25. Let It Snow - Vaughn Monroe

Well everyone, there it is. The last Synic Selects of 2020. Thank you all for tuning in, and I'm excited for you all to see what I have in the works for Vol. X out in January 2021.

The holiday season truly is my favorite time of the year, so wherever you are, and whatever you celebrate, may you have a happy holiday, and a healthy, prosperous, and more importantly musical and Synical new year.

High Vibrations - The John Michie Collective

 Believe it or not ladies and gents, but I have never touched a drug in my life. Okay, besides booze. Nobody's a saint. But tonight for the first time, my ears took acid. At least that's how it felt. For today I had the humbling honor of taking an early look at the debut record of The John Michie Collective. High Vibrations is set to release on February 12th of the new year, but this lucky son of a bitch got to dig into it a couple months early.

The album is quite the auditory tome - 14 tracks all recorded by the one man band John Michie himself. Not an easy feat to write and record so many unique tracks all by yourself. So kudos to you sir for the accomplishment. But then again in the year 2020 I suppose we're all a one man band are we not? John couldn't have met with his band even if he had one, else they'd have to seat 6' apart and quarantine for 2 weeks after recording a track.

The album opens with "The Mothership," a nearly 3 minute instrumental which leaves listeners feeling as though they had been mind-fucked by an alien. And I mean this in the best way. Admittedly it takes me a minute before I really get into it, but once I'm hooked, I'm hooked. I was surprised at how perfect of an album appetizer it was.

The tracks that follow make it clear to me that John Michie's primary instrument of choice is the guitar, for that is where you will hear the most variance and unique riffs. The percussion and other instruments are nice additions by all means, but their rhythms are kept very simple and rudimentary so as not to overshadow the guitar. He accurately calls himself a psychedelic songwriter, and the psychedelia comes almost entirely from his guitar. It's the slow break in the guitar where the backing instruments can really shine and mellow out your aural trip. The second half of the record is very instrumental, which I've never been into really, but it somehow works here.

Truthfully, I liked this album a whole hell of a lot more than I thought I would. That is not meant to sound like a dig at the John Michie Collective, but I have to make my distaste for psychedelic rock known. That said, Michie nails it. He has a truly enjoyable listening experience here, even for the sober audience. His vocals are a little drowned out by the instruments for my taste, but this was by design as he wanted to feature the guitar more than his voice. The effect his vocals are recorded with a very typical for the indie psych rock artist, but they work rather well in this case. If I could say one thing that I would change, it would be to ditch the staticky samples that begin each track. They take me out of the trip and I don't want to lose touch every 4 minutes. Once I'm in, I want to stay in. I'm sure these samples are used on purpose, perhaps to add to the overall message or experience, but it's lost on me. Full disclosure I found myself ignoring them each time.

All in all I have to congratulate The John Michie Collective for the impressive feat accomplished here. He wrote and recorded an entire full-length one man band solo album and got it ready for release, all in one of the worst years in human history. And what did I do? I sat on my ass and wrote about it.

High Vibrations - The John Michie Collective

2 - 13 - 2021

1. The Mothership

2. Beautiful Day

3. Wish You Were Dead

4. Nothing To Die For

5. Some Time On Monday

6. The Ballad Of John Wayne

7. Hung On You

8. Take You Home

9. Escape From San Francisco

10. Under The Stars

11. Written In The Sky

12. Penny Was Her Name

13. I'll Write Your Constellation

14. The Astral Projection

Favorite Track: I'll Write Your Constellation

Least Favorite Track: Penny Was Her Name

Rating: 8.0

Synic Selects Vol. VIII - Won Hit Oneders

 Hooolyy sheit it's been a while, huh? I've really dropped the ball lately. I mean, this post was due WEEKS ago, wasn't it? I guess I've just had a number of distractions piled up that kept me from doing this. But you guys didn't wait for almost a month just to get a fat stack of excuses, right? You guys came here tonight to get a hot new Synic Selects compilation from your favorite blogger that no one else has ever heard of. Well, wish granted. And because it's the season of giving, and also due to the fact that I missed last month, you guys can expect TWO Synic Selects editions this month! That's right, TWO! That's double the music, double the fun! So get excited! Or don't! I don't really care either way, I'm excited to be back, I hope you are too.

Anyway, in light of you guys almost forgetting about me, I thought I'd do a compilation of songs by artists who the world would've also forgotten about, if not for the song that makes this list. Full disclosure, I can't take full creative credit for the theme of this month's (November) edition. I gotta give some credit to the lovely Lady Synic, for this was technically her idea. Now away we go.

1. Autograph - Turn Up The Radio

The often overlooked group from the hair metal days. Those of you that were around in the 80s, these guys opened for your favorite band. And this was their hit. Described by Eddie Van Halen in 1984 as "the ultimate T-shirt band," as in, the perfect band to play on stage while the fans in the arena are our buying beer and merch for the headliner, Van Halen.

2. The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

Is there any possible way to craft a one-hit-wonder playlist without adding this classic track? I mean, technically The Scottish cousins did have another modest hit with "I'm On My Way," but it was heavily overshadowed by 500 Miles.

3. Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me

This is just a stupid fun synth-heavy track that you listen to when you wanna dance without thinking too hard. It is a fantastic reminder as to why the 80s were really the best decade for music. Admittedly, I almost put "Blinded Me With Science" By Thomas Dolby here instead. Or even "Weird Science" by Oingo Boingo. There's really a massive collection of synth heavy hits that could've taken this spot. Swap out any one, comment your favorite if you're so inclined.

4. Henry Lee Summer - I Wish I Had A Girl

I know what you're thinking... 'Who?!' Yes. Henry Lee Summer. He had one album, maybe two? Who knows. But honestly check out his self titled record. It's actually pretty good for someone with one hit. This song is among the lesser known tracks on there, and it's the only one that got him any attention.

5. Lou Bega - Mambo No. 5

There's only one appropriate introduction for this classic jam. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mambo Number Five...

6. The Knack - My Sharona

Dude, seriously though, how great is this song? Their record Get The Knack is actually fantastic, in my opinion. Highly recommend. There's a handful of tracks on there that are worth listening to besides this one. "Frustrated" and "Good Girls Don't" come to mind. Also, without this song, we wouldn't have "My Bologna" by "Weird Al" Yankovic, so that's something to consider as well.

7. The Vapors - Turning Japanese

This song is probably in my top 3 favorite songs on this whole compilation. It's so great. I have no idea what the guy is trying to say, and I have no interest in ever finding out. I know all the words, and can belt it out any time. Just don't ask me to. I can't sing for shit. That's why I write about people that can.

8. The Fixx - One Thing Leads To Another

I don't know what there is to say about this one. Truth be told, I don't love it. But hell, it's fun. This is another slot where you could essentially take any synth heavy 80s track and drop it off here. Consider "Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" by Timbuk 3 as an alternative.

9. Chris De Burgh - Don't Pay The Ferryman

I believe that this guy might have another mini hit, but it's nowhere near as good as this one. It's a badass tune. The Greek Mythology tie-in really does it for me as well.

10. Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl

This is another obvious one. This is one of the best of the best when it comes to one-hit wonders. Everyone knows the words to this one. Every girl wanted Rick Springfield, and every guy wanted to be Rick Springfield. and they all wanted Jessie's girl. Plus, how many songs can you think of, can use the word "moot" in a verse and not sound silly?

11. Captain Sensible - Wot

This is probably, no, definitely the dumbest track on this list. But I can't help but laugh and bop along with it. My dad loves it, I love it, it belongs on the list.

12. Macy Gray - I Try

Here's the unexpected one for you all to gasp at. But I can't put a dad track on here without also dropping a mom track. I grew up in the backseat of my mom's Buick singing this with her, so it more than surely is entitled to a spot on the list.

13. Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue

I love this song. As far as I'm concerned, it belongs on every playlist, on every radio station, in every movie soundtrack, whatever. It's catchy, it's fun, it's poignant, it's relevant, and for whatever reason, don't ask me why, it reminds me of my late grandfather. Love you, Pop. and I love you too, Eddy Grant.

So ladies and gentlemen, here it is. Pretend you're reading this a month ago, would you? Thanks. I hope you enjoyed it and find it was worth the wait. Or not. I know I enjoyed it.

Synic Selects Vol. VIII - Won Hit Oneders

1. Autograph - Turn Up The Radio

2. The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

3. Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me

4. Henry Lee Summer - I Wish I Had A Girl

5. Lou Bega - Mambo No. 5

6. The Knack - My Sharona

7. The Vapors - Turning Japanese

8. The Fixx - One Thing Leads To Another

9. Chris De Burgh - Don't Pay The Ferryman

10. Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl

11. Captain Sensible - Wot

12. Macy Gray - I Try

13. Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue