Sweet Disaster- DREAMERS

Nick, Nelson, and Jacob- the members of DREAMERS- are three of the best people I have ever met in my entire life. This band is unbelievably positive in a world seemingly full of negativity, and that's something that I admire them for. Life as a band- especially one that isn't phenomenally popular- can be tedious and annoying, but they don't complain. Their only goal with their music is to be able to continue making it; they don't seem to be worried about becoming rich off their music, they just want to make enough money to keep doing it. They make music that they are proud of, and everything other than that isn't at the forefront of their minds. This is a group of guys who have found something that they love doing and just want to be able to follow their dreams.

The band's EP, You Are Here, features five of my favorite songs of all time. They are all unique and beautiful in their own way; I have a very difficult time choosing a favorite song of theirs because they're all so amazing. I felt a deep, emotional connection the first time I heard "Wolves (I Got You)"; I felt like this song was meant for me the first time I listened to it, and I may or may not have cried while listening to it on more than one occasion. DREAMERS' music has a way of applying to every situation and mood I'm ever feeling perfectly; they make me feel like I'm not alone and someone else knows what I'm thinking.

I have been waiting for a long time for DREAMERS to release a full-length album and we are finally going to get that with This Album Does Not Exist which is coming out in August. The first single off this album is "Sweet Disaster"; it was released by the band when they announced their new album. The fans immediately fell in love with the new song and the band was responding to praises of their new single on social media for a good portion of the days following its release. There's a little group of fans that are always there for DREAMERS through social media- most often Twitter- and for the small size (when compared to other bands) they do so much for this band. The band's van was broken into in Los Angeles- for the second time in their career- and a fan (Makenna) created a GoFundMe and raised $1,110 in five days from 35 fans to help the band buy new equipment to continue their tour with the least amount of stress. These people genuinely care for and love this band, and I believe the band reciprocates those feelings.

I loved this song from the first time I listened to it, and that love has only grown with each listen since. The lyrics in this song are so beautiful; I would tattoo this whole song onto my back if I were asked- no question. I love the guitar on this track; it is the aspect of the song that is most apparent when you listen, but without the rhythmic synchronization with the bass and drums the song would be almost hollow. It's difficult to find a song where every piece works together so perfectly in a way that makes it seem like it was meant to be created; these three guys were meant to make music together and this song is so, so sweet and can in no way be described as a disaster (something about these guys make me an extremely corny punster).

I feel like "Sweet Disaster"- along with the majority of their other songs- deals with trying to find yourself and  understand the world around us. The reason I love this band so much is simply that they use their songs to share a good message and follow their own dreams. My favorite line from this song is "some nights feel like every night; this one feels brand new", because that's how I feel at concerts- DREAMERS' show included. I think that's the feeling that were always searching for; we all just want a new and amazing experience that will stick with us for the rest of our lives. We all want to find our own little sweet disaster that is so perfectly imperfect we can't believe it's real.

DREAMERS' Website
Buy "Sweet Disaster" on iTunes
Pre-Order This Album Does Not Exist on iTunes

"Younger Than Expected"- Cool Dads ft. Christopher Whitehall

Cool Dads are a duo made up of Jay Bonisolli and Danny Carissimi. The two came together while touring with the band The Griswolds; Danny is the band's tour manager and Jay is handles their merch. Jay has also joined The Griswolds, Magic Man, and Panama Wedding on stage throughout the Hotline Spring Tour to rap during their cover of "Ignition (Remix)" by R. Kelly. Cool Dads seemed have just sort of appeared one day, but I was in love with them from the first time- and I already loved Stoopid Danny and Hot Jay from their previous interactions with me (such as me yelling "I love you, Stoopid Danny" while he was setting up for The Griswolds' set in SLC on The Wilderness Politics Tour; Danny flipped me off). These guys have spent a lot of time together; the two have obvious chemistry and they've used that to create this music.

So far, Cool Dads have only released this single and a three-track EP titled  The Cool Dads EP . They wrote and recorded their EP while on tour with The Griswolds. They utilize all aspects used in popular music right now; their songs contain sampling, rapping, sick beats, vocal layering, and all of this is used to build a platform for their topical, humorous lyrics. Each song is full of personality and creativity. The Griswolds have been very supportive of their tourmates' endeavor and the fan base has rallied around Danny and Jay's new music. The Cool Dads EP and "Younger Than Expected"can be found on the pair's Soundcloud page.

Cool Dads recorded "Younger Than Expected" while they were working with The Griswolds on their upcoming album, and they went into another room and knocked out this song. Danny told A Music Blog, Yea? that this song came about during a conversation with Jay about rappers bragging about how young they are, and they decided to write a song about the youngest rapper of all time.  My favorite lines from the song is "step out on the stage and the whole crowd's lit, 'cause you know the school talent show sold out quick" and "younger than a baby, I be chillin' up in Heaven", but this whole song is full of little gems just like those. Chris- lead singer of The Griswolds- heard the song and asked if he could sing on the recording, and pretty soon after that Cool Dads had their newest single. 

My favorite aspect of this song is just the layering of the music; everything just works together seamlessly and leads something music experts call an eargasm. Chris' adds a certain je ne sais quoi to this song that it wouldn't have had otherwise; he makes the song something you could dance and groove to, instead of a straight up rap song. This song- with the exception of the satiric lyrics- sounds like something that could be released by an artist like Mod Sun, The Chainsmokers, or Blackbear. The Griswolds helped with the production of the track, and that allowed "Younger Than Expected" to sound professionally mixed and produced in a way that makes it something that could be used on a song featured on the top of the Billboard charts.

The group may have started as- and continue to be- a joke, but they make good music that I enjoy listening to. These two are constantly interacting with their fans via Twitter and other social media outlets, and they are always willing to take pictures with fans at The Griswolds' shows. They are some of the most genuinely nice and cool (no pun intended) people I have met, and I wish them all the success in the world. Cool Dads has not said whether or not they will be making more music in future, but- based on Jay and Danny's enthusiasm about the project- I believe there is more to come from this hip-hop duo. I'm really glad these two sweethearts are my Cool Dads.

Cool Dads' Soundcloud Account
Jay's Twitter Account
Danny's Twitter Account
Cool Dads Street Team Twitter Account (Fan Run)

Gingerale- Maudlin Strangers

I first became infatuated with Maudlin Strangers after I saw them when they opened for Bad Suns last fall; I fell in love with the funk-sounding instrumentals with their indie rock lyrics. I had only been listening to them for the entirety of my school day before I went to the concert that night at The Complex in downtown Salt Lake City. I loved how I could both dance to their music and fall asleep to it. They have the perfect mix of chill and pep, if  that makes any sense.

Gingerale is their first single since they released their EP, Overdose; it only consisted on four songs, but I spent numerous days listening to nothing else. I was overjoyed when I saw that they were working on new stuff, and this song is just what I was hoping for and more. My personal theory is that the title of the song has to do with a very simple cocktail they popularized among their fan base; it contains only two ingredients: ginger ale and orange juice. I have not yet sampled the maudlin cocktail, but I have heard nothing but good things from others via social media.

This single features the funk I mentioned earlier, but adds a new layer to the music that wasn't present on Overdose. The band has added more electronic elements to this single; it sort of reminds me of a mellowed out Robert DeLong. The lyrics tell a story following a love affair with a less than faithful girl, and trying to get over her; while there is a very serious story being told there is still some humor and positive undertones in this song. I've said this in many other reviews, and I HATE being so repetitive, but this song has a lot of the reasons that I first started listening to Maudlin Stranger, yet still shows growth as a band and individual artists. I am very happy to say that Gingerale has surpassed my expectations, and I can only hope that, when it is released, their full length album is even better.

I'm very excited and hopeful about what the future holds for Maudlin Strangers; I can only hope they can keep surpassing my high expectations. They are a very tight knit group of guys with amazing personalities. I have had the pleasure of meeting these amazing musicians, and they were extremely kind and incredibly humble. I am rooting for these guys, but I have a feeling they are going to do amazing things without my support (though I can only hope I have a small part in helping them along).


Maudlin Strangers' Website

Wait for Me- SomeKindaWonderful

I've reviewed SomeKindaWonderful on this blog, when I reviewed their single/mash-up, "The Problematics", that they made with Ratatat. I really fell in love with them after I saw them open for New Politics on the Everywhere I Go Tour; they sort of showed me what a band should be like live. Jordy, their lead singer, performs in a way that makes you sing, scream, and want to shake your ass (for lack of a better term). Sarah, backing vocals and percussion, is probably one of the hottest woman I have ever seen; I also am absolutely obligated to mention how amazingly talented she is. You wouldn't think that backing vocals are extremely important for a band, but when I have heard their songs without her in them they are so empty and sound like they have lost half of their soul. I have never heard a band that seems to mix blues, folk, rock, and even a bit of a rap-like sound all together so seamlessly.

This is the first official single that SomeKindaWonderful has released since their self-titled album, which came out in June of last year. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect with their second album, because there has been a lot of rumors about drama inside of and involving the band; they absolutely blew me away with this single. I always try to separate everything I hear about a band and its members from the music they make, so I honestly couldn't care less what is going on with the band (though that changes if there is a chance that their music, the make-up of the band, or the complete existence of the band itself could be affected). All I care about is that SomeKindaWonderful makes good music and I fucking love them for it.

"Wait for Me" is a more mellow song than what I have become accustom to hearing from SKW in the past, but this is one of the cases where change is good. When there is less of an instrumental aspect to their music, you can really hear the feelings and soulfulness in Jordy's voice. I feel like when there is a more overbearing sound to their instruments you can't get the full meaning and emotion that is present in his lyrics. Jordy Towers is one of the few singers that make me melt just with the sound of their voice; in the company of other greats: Michael Hutchence, Brendon Urie, Christopher Whitehall, and Soren Hansen (personally I believe that is perfectly good company). 

I hope SomeKindaWonderful will keep making for many, many years. Everything about their music makes me happy; they have that indescribable quality you only find once in a blue moon- you feel like you are meant to hear them and you feel like they were made just for you, your ears only. I'm not sure if anyone else has felt what I just described, but it's the perfect, yet most disconcerting feeling I have ever felt- you are so happy you found them, but you still don't know why you're feeling it and why you don't feel it with every other band you hear. SomeKindaWonderful are amazing, special, and absolutely beautiful; I will stand by that statement for as long as I live.

SomeKindaWonderful's Website
Buy Wait for Me

"I'm There"- Hey Violet

The style of music that Hey Violet is playing is pretty popular among alternative and indie musicians; it is a sort of mix between hipster rock, pop-punk, and the more rock side of country (just in the instrumental elements and influences). This band has been together, to some extent, for all of their adult lives and some of their teenage years, and that familiarity and chemistry is very apparent when you listen to their music. I fell in love with their sound after listening to them for the first time after a friend recommended them. Hey Violet is a band that I think should get a lot more recognition and radio play, but I don't make decisions regarding what music becomes popular.

Hey Violet also has a very pop-punk sound at times, but they are very versatile. They remind me of Paramore and The Blue Aces; they have a very pumped up, rock and roll sound but they also have a calmer side and can play folksy classic rock as well. They really are just a group of people from the City of Angels that like to play rock and roll. I love when a band has a really complex yet simple sound like Hey Violet does; you can hear many different influences in each song, but it's all just rock music.

This single has a more mellow indie sound with a bit of a folksy influence to it. The lyrics in "I'm There" are very heartfelt; you can hear the emotion and pain in each and every word. There are times in the song where their sound in a bit more pumped up, but most of the song is a very mellow sort of love song. This is one of those songs that make you want to feel what they are singing about; you just want someone you can let go around, be around, and rely on. You gain hope in love and humanity after listening to this song and that is a very beautiful thing.

This band is made up of three girls and one guy (not that it really matters) and they are each extremely talented in their own right, but when they come together they make something really unique and spectacular. Another reason why I could totally see them getting really popular is the sheer vanity of the music business, because each member of the band has their own unique and fabulous sense on style and they're are total babes (and a hunk). Hey Violet makes amazing music and have beautiful faces, and I genuinely believe they can (and hopefully will) do great things.

Hey Violet's Website
Hey Violet's YouTube Channel
Hey Violet on Google Play

Memories- Say It! Say It!

Say It! Say It! is a five piece pop-rock band from New York. They haven't really hit the 'big time' yet, but they make good music. I heard them last night when they followed me on Instagram and I looked them up on iTunes (when artists follow me on social media- more often then not- I look up their music). I really liked the two singles they had on there, and I found myself thinking "oh my god, people should check these guys out", I then realized that I have a blog and can tell people to do exactly that! I chose to write this review about their most recent single, "Memories" for a few reasons: It is their most recent release, they do not have an EP or album, and- in the words of Capital Cities- it's good shit.

Say It! Say It! combines techno sounds with pop punk and rock n roll to create a sound that I don't really feel fits into one category. They use a lot of synth and guitar which causes their music to sound very unique and awe-inspiring; it's as if they are the love children of Erasure, DaftPunk, and Queen, and I love it. They combine Panic! At The Disco sounding singing, synth like Skrillex, guitar like AC/DC, and lyrics like Kanye West. There are so many different genres present in this band's sound and I am absolutely impressed and confused by how well it all works together.

"Memories" begins with a keyboard track and vocals, which is soon joined by a drumbeat. This track is about having a good time, and just letting go of everything and not thinking too much. "I don't give a fuck, gonna live it up. I am young and I am living my life"; those lines really embody the thoughts of many people in their late teens and twenties. I could, without a doubt, see this song becoming a sort of anthem for you people. Everyone just wants to make some memories and have a good time; that is what this song is about.

Say It! Say It! don't have that many songs out right now, but everything of theirs I have heard has made me want to dance and impressed by the depth of the lyrics. The thing that most techno songs lack is strong lyrics and meaning (if they have lyrics at all); that is the main reason I have trouble listening and connecting to a lot of the dubstep, rap, and techno- no matter how good their music is. This is a group that I can listen to and play for my friends, no matter what kind of music they're into.

Say It Say It's Website
Buy "Memories"

The Problematics- Ratatat vs SomeKindaWonderful

Ratatat is an electronic duo out of Brooklyn, New York. They are comprised of college friends, Mike Stroud (guitar, melodica, synth, and percussion) and Evan Mast (bass, synth, and percussion), who first worked together in 2001, recording under the name Cherry. They released Ratatat's self-titled album in 2004, which was entirely instrumental. They have collaborated and remixed many well-known, successful artists.

SomeKindaWonderful is rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. They were formed by Jordy Towers (vocals) with Matt Gibson (Guitar) and Ben Schigel (drums), whom he met in a bar. Later, the added two more members: Justin Andres (bass and keyboard) and Sarah Dryer (backing vocals and percussion). They released their first album in 2014, a self-titled. Later that year, they also released a single, "California Love"; a cover of the 2Pac classic. They are now working on their second album.

The music used in "The Problematics" is from Ratatat's song "Cream on Chrome"; the vocals are from SomeKindaWonderful's unreleased single, "The Problematics". "Cream on Chrome" is a funky techno song, featuring a lot of unique and creative combinations of different synth patterns and sounds. Jordy's voice combines perfectly with the bluesy sound of the music. The lyrics are about a dysfunctional relationship, and the music builds along with the lyrics. The little 'ohs' and 'ahs' added throughout the sing give it character and really fill in the space left by the instrumental. Ratatat's music and Jordy's lyrics seem to come together perfectly to create this masterpiece.

These two are an implausible, yet completely believable pairing. They are able to combine in a way that makes it seem like this could easily be the original recording of the song. I, personally, hope they work together again in the future. SomeKindaWonderful added emotion to "Cream on Chrome", and Ratatat added a modern touch to "The Problematics" that is unlike anything SKW has done in the past.

Ratatat's Website
SomeKindaWonderful's Website
Listen to "The Problematics"

Songs I Can't Listen To- Neon Trees

Neon Trees is very well known and they are a rock band formed in Provo, Utah. They were originally formed by Tyler Glenn (vocals and keyboard) and Chris Allen (guitar and backing vocals) in their hometown in southern California; they later added Elaine Bradley (drums and backing vocals) and Brandon Campbell (bass and backing vocals) to their line up. Neon Trees have gained a lot of success all over the world and are known for Tyler's unique voice, emotional lyrics, and a sound unlike anything else.

They have released three studio albums at this point, and are working their fourth. The backing drumbeats creates a base for the songs that everything else builds off of.  They have amazing guitar riffs, coupled with great bass lines that work together to create a depth to each song. The synth in each song adds a sort of 80s inspired sound that helps to enhance the sound of every other aspect of the song. My favorite part of their songs is Tyler's amazing voice and the lyrics; they make the songs what they are. Tyler has such a beautiful voice that is unlike any other singer I've ever heard. They seem to take influences from many different genres of music and use it to create something all of their own.

This single sounds like things they have released in the past, but with a more hard rock sound. The guitar in this song reminds me a lot of Jimi Hendrix with the use of the whammy bar and hard riffs. This song has a some 80s inspired synth that complement Tyler's vocals. The drum beat adds to the emotional significance of the song; this makes the song something people can dance to and draws you into the song. The song's lyrics talk about how after a break up you can't listen to songs that remind you of them, because it causes you too much pain to think about the person you were with. My favorite lines from the song are "when you're cold, don't forget how this song kept us warm. You would dance on my bed; I would lay in your arms", because it embodies how even after you break up with someone and you don't want anything to do with them you still remember the good times you had and how much you enjoyed your time with that person while it lasted. I feel like this would be one of the worst things that could happen; you can no longer listen to a song you love because it reminds you too much of the heartbreak and hurt you went through.

I love the emotion of this song. You can feel both the love he felt and the pain that came in the end. You understand why this is such a horrible situation, and you hope you never have to go through the same thing (though almost all of us will at some point). This song is so perfect to me, because it has both happiness and sadness and is so relatable. No matter how much pain you go through with someone after a break up, all that pain is because you once loved them so deeply that it felt like your heart was ripped out when you had to live without them. This song perfectly embodies that.

Neon Trees' Website
Buy "Songs I Can't Listen To"

Fucked Up- Young Rising Sons

Young Rising Sons haven't been around for a very long time, but they've already made a name for themselves in alternative rock circles. They also have quite a few fan girls, but if you saw a picture of these guys it would be pretty easy to guess why. They don't have a full length album released at the moment, so they're ahead of the curve when it comes to building a fan base. Young Rising Sons is made up of three childhood friends: Dylan Scott (lead guitar), Julian Dimagiba (bass), and Steve Patrick (drums); then they approached Andy Tongren (lead vocals and guitar) after a performance he did in an NYC bar. Then they had their band.

"Fucked Up" is a bit more drum heavy and 'rock n roll' than their self titled EP, but it keeps a signature sound that fans would expect. It has very detailed lyrics that tell the story of a guy and the drunken party girl that he falls in love with. The story isn't very long, but it has a lot of feeling and you can kind of feel the love he has for her through the things he says about her.

This song is very unique and I think anyone who enjoys alternative rock would absolutely adore it. No matter what kind of music you listen to, I think that this song just has a really cute story and meaning behind it. It's very creative and a little bit of a scary love song about someone who doesn't exactly understand their feelings. It's a beautiful song.

Young Rising Sons' Website
Buy "Fucked Up"

Hallelujah- Panic! At The Disco

As most Panic! At The Disco fans are already very well aware, the new single is out and it is called Hallelujah. I believe I speak for many fans when I saw that the title mirrors my thoughts when I heard the amazing news of its release. I feel like P!ATD is one of those groups that you can hear (and see) their growth and change as musicians and as people in general as you look at each album. Brendon will always be the kind of awkward boy with the emo haircut, but he'll also be the ringmaster writing sins in his top hat, and even be the naughty hunk teasing you with his nakedness in the "Girls/Girls/Boys" video; each album is full of new surprises.

"Hallelujah" keeps the sound that Panic! is well known for and they build onto it. This song has Brendon's amazing vocal work, accompanied by the strong backing drum beat. and features strong guitar riffs. All of those things are elements I have come to expect when listening to their music, but this song begins with an interesting, somewhat funk and blues inspired drumbeat and Brendon laughing, then saying "A moment you'll never remember and a night you'll never forget..." I feel like that line would be the most amazing when you heard him yell it into the microphone at a live show.

The lyrics in this song, like most Panic! At The Disco songs, are strong and meaningful. The line "...all you sinners stand up, sing hallelujah..." is said repeatedly throughout the song, and I take this as a sort of call to action for any of us that have ever felt left out, judged, or mistreated. This song creates an uplifting tone, while having lyrics that are rather dark and unsettling. Panic! creates hymns for the helpless, and that is why I look forward to every song they release with unwavering excitement.

Buy Hallelujah
Panic! At The Disco's Website