Jeanette's lyrics are fun and carefree. She paints a picture of the perfect Christmas day with a sweet intimacy that makes you feel like you're sat right there in front of the tree.
Showing posts with label Acoustic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acoustic. Show all posts
18 December 2016
Jeanette Lynne - It's Gonna be a Good Christmas // Advent 18
A very 'real' Christmas song for you today, sang with a smile by a songwriter we can all relate to this time of year.
Jeanette's lyrics are fun and carefree. She paints a picture of the perfect Christmas day with a sweet intimacy that makes you feel like you're sat right there in front of the tree.
Jeanette's lyrics are fun and carefree. She paints a picture of the perfect Christmas day with a sweet intimacy that makes you feel like you're sat right there in front of the tree.
17 December 2016
SunStock Interviews Learn By Sight
'The Long Time Gone' is a newly released concept album by Sebastian Howarth.
The album features short, intimate tracks alongside some instrumentally wider tracks that represent the expanse of its setting and theme. Though the production has a rough around the edges, home-grown vibe, it does well to use this to its advantage in telling the story of a man who's doing the best with what he's got.
Favourite tracks include 'The Great Escape' and 'The Great Disaster'. These two conflicting songs highlight Sebastian's ability to convey the opposing emotions and energies of a story that create dynamics both in the music and narrative.
The album features short, intimate tracks alongside some instrumentally wider tracks that represent the expanse of its setting and theme. Though the production has a rough around the edges, home-grown vibe, it does well to use this to its advantage in telling the story of a man who's doing the best with what he's got.
Favourite tracks include 'The Great Escape' and 'The Great Disaster'. These two conflicting songs highlight Sebastian's ability to convey the opposing emotions and energies of a story that create dynamics both in the music and narrative.
Le Mieux - Let it Snow // Advent 17
Here's a traditional song in its simplest and rawest form.
This beautifully smooth a cappella cover is fun, free and an enjoyable listen. She's covering a new Christmas song every day for the month so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for more!
15 December 2016
Dante Bucci - Carol of the Bells on Handpan // Advent 15
Here's an alternative take on a classic tune. The handpan is a beautiful instrument and Dante's playing is incredible.
Carol of the Bells is one of my personal favourites. The handpan is my favourite. I love this take on the track. Today's feature is entirely for myself. But I think you'll love it too!
Carol of the Bells is one of my personal favourites. The handpan is my favourite. I love this take on the track. Today's feature is entirely for myself. But I think you'll love it too!
13 December 2016
Communal Bathroom - Peace and Love and Spilt Gravy // Advent 13
'Save your beef til boxing day'. It's day thirteen!
Dispatches From The Communal Bathroom is a podcasting project but here, Chris Delamere writes a funny, clever and charming Christmas song about mishaps around the dinner table. Listen to the end. It's ace!
Dispatches From The Communal Bathroom is a podcasting project but here, Chris Delamere writes a funny, clever and charming Christmas song about mishaps around the dinner table. Listen to the end. It's ace!
11 December 2016
Learn By Sight - Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere // Advent 11
So we've had a couple of winter tracks and songs about snow so far this month. But here's one from the other side!
South Africa based musician Learn By Sight is outside in his t-shirt? What? Where's the snow?
Watch out for another feature for this guy with the release of his new album, The Long Time Gone.
South Africa based musician Learn By Sight is outside in his t-shirt? What? Where's the snow?
Watch out for another feature for this guy with the release of his new album, The Long Time Gone.
9 December 2016
The Village - Christmas Song // Advent 9
A Christmas song with a message. I can dig a bit of that. Here's The Village
This track builds up throughout with some good instrumentation. It's a down-to-earth, rough-around-the-edges, genuine Christmas tune that has a lot to offer lyrically. Check it out!
This track builds up throughout with some good instrumentation. It's a down-to-earth, rough-around-the-edges, genuine Christmas tune that has a lot to offer lyrically. Check it out!
5 December 2016
Liberty Hall Collective - The Holly and Ivy // Advent 5
Day five brings back the wonderful Liberty Hall Collective who were featured here on SunStock many moons ago!
Their cover of The Holly and the Ivy is track two of their short Christmas EP 'Gather 'Round The Libertree' and just so happens to be the first thing the young pop-rock band ever released back in 2013. They're still going strong and have come on leaps and bounds since! Check it out.
Their cover of The Holly and the Ivy is track two of their short Christmas EP 'Gather 'Round The Libertree' and just so happens to be the first thing the young pop-rock band ever released back in 2013. They're still going strong and have come on leaps and bounds since! Check it out.
3 December 2016
Joe Solo and The Hatfield Brigade - Merry Christmas From Hatfield Main // Advent 3
Day three of the special advent features and this one is a little different!
Joe Solo, the Scarborough based political musician and activist worked with a choir of former miners and their families to release this poignant Christmas single.
Every penny raised from iTunes sales goes to independent food banks in the UK.
29 June 2016
Victory Kicks - Get Blurred // LP Review
Victory Kicks release their sixth record since 2013. This lo-fi, pop rock LP combines catchy melodies with experimental effects and samples to create a strikingly independent sound like you've never heard before.
John Sibley, the man behind the songwriting, has already proven himself with some incredible past releases, so it's no wonder this album is so spot on.
Opening with a super lo-fi yet crisp short track, the tone is set beautifully for the rest of the album. Subtle layers of noise and sounds fill out the space to create a vibrant and rich atmosphere.
Theres's some pretty happy-go-lucky pop rock vibes coming from the first half of the album with punchy riffs that swing and piano melodies that interlock with the vocal lines (particularly in the second track 'You're a Flame'. Sound effects are a great touch, adding to the charm and character of the songs. But then in this track, we suddenly cut to an even more lo-fi, bedroom acoustic sounding little snippet, which disappears as quickly as it arrived. I like this experiment, it reappears throughout the album and keeps you on your toes.
Flowing effortlessly into the next track, there are some gorgeous rustily, noisy distortion sounds to start it off. I know it's probably not normal to call that kind of thing gorgeous but seriously, stick your headphones on and just let yourself be surrounded by it. It's just ace. Oh, and there's a pigeon in there too. Sound strange? I'm telling you, it works! Anyway when it all kicks in it turns all indie rock with some really pretty riffs.
Everything in this album sounds so raw and yet so... clean somehow. It's the perfect blend between lo-fi, homegrown edginess and and well mixed, well produced togetherness. It feels very humble and independent but also 'proper' if you know what I mean.
This independency means that there's no fear of experimenting, which has led to some really interesting sounds throughout the album. With a few songs featuring little acoustic sequences tagged onto the end contrasted with some noise infused sections, it's constantly turning sharp corners and taking new directions. But it always guides us right back to the familiar sound of a really good lyrically driven song with some pretty anthemic riffs (Fake Parade comes to mind). It's pretty damn clever.
I like it. It like it a lot. It has a lot of charm.
Far Away From Here, the penultimate track of the album, clocks in at less than two minutes long. But that doesn't stop it from feeling really inspiring and uplifting. It makes me wanna go places. And you know who is going places? Victory Kicks. Because this album is a masterpiece.
John Sibley, the man behind the songwriting, has already proven himself with some incredible past releases, so it's no wonder this album is so spot on.
Opening with a super lo-fi yet crisp short track, the tone is set beautifully for the rest of the album. Subtle layers of noise and sounds fill out the space to create a vibrant and rich atmosphere.
Theres's some pretty happy-go-lucky pop rock vibes coming from the first half of the album with punchy riffs that swing and piano melodies that interlock with the vocal lines (particularly in the second track 'You're a Flame'. Sound effects are a great touch, adding to the charm and character of the songs. But then in this track, we suddenly cut to an even more lo-fi, bedroom acoustic sounding little snippet, which disappears as quickly as it arrived. I like this experiment, it reappears throughout the album and keeps you on your toes.
Flowing effortlessly into the next track, there are some gorgeous rustily, noisy distortion sounds to start it off. I know it's probably not normal to call that kind of thing gorgeous but seriously, stick your headphones on and just let yourself be surrounded by it. It's just ace. Oh, and there's a pigeon in there too. Sound strange? I'm telling you, it works! Anyway when it all kicks in it turns all indie rock with some really pretty riffs.
Everything in this album sounds so raw and yet so... clean somehow. It's the perfect blend between lo-fi, homegrown edginess and and well mixed, well produced togetherness. It feels very humble and independent but also 'proper' if you know what I mean.
This independency means that there's no fear of experimenting, which has led to some really interesting sounds throughout the album. With a few songs featuring little acoustic sequences tagged onto the end contrasted with some noise infused sections, it's constantly turning sharp corners and taking new directions. But it always guides us right back to the familiar sound of a really good lyrically driven song with some pretty anthemic riffs (Fake Parade comes to mind). It's pretty damn clever.
I like it. It like it a lot. It has a lot of charm.
Far Away From Here, the penultimate track of the album, clocks in at less than two minutes long. But that doesn't stop it from feeling really inspiring and uplifting. It makes me wanna go places. And you know who is going places? Victory Kicks. Because this album is a masterpiece.
27 June 2016
Wylder - Rain and Laura // LP review
Rain and Laura, the newly released album from indie pop and folk band Wylder has an incredibly optimistic sound with traditional folk instruments such as the mandolin, acoustic guitar and fiddle, combined with the wide sounds of piano, percussion and beautiful harmonies.
I love this album. Everything about it - especially the driven, upbeat instrumentals - is incredibly inspiring. Listening to it in the early morning got me pumped! I was ready to get out and face the world, which probably had something to do with the repeated lyric that I found myself singing along to in the opening track: "The sun came up above the city, I'm awake my heart is in my chest". Today is a good day!
Opening on a super strong track, I was immediately taken by the band's ability to combine lyrical depth and complexity with memorable melody and lines easily sung along to. It is often hard to get the blend just right, but these guys do it well, ensuring a path to success!
The crispness of the vocals, along with his great dynamic range, gives the band a distinct sound and energy, and stands out clear and strong against the multi-layered sound supporting it.
During the song Swells, I had the descriptive 'cute' coming to mind. But for some reason people don't often seem to take that as a compliment, so I'm just gonna leave that thought there and move on with the review. (It is a compliment by the way, the happy-go-lucky vibe is cute). Also, I was totally digging that fiddle solo, and the drop down to the delicate piano melody following that was just perfect!
As the album progresses I'm starting to get Fleet Foxes vibes, maybe a bit of Death Cab for Cutie. I like that Wylder have a really independent sound, and yet take enough influence from the current music scene to make themselves totally radio friendly. This LP could really go places.
In the track Bayhouse, the nice clear electric guitar shares the same melody as the vocal line, building a sound that stands out a little bit from the album, and yet remains of the same style and feel. Done well, this technique really brings a song to life, and with the help of the ever-brilliant backing harmonies it sounds great.
But then Snake in the Grass drops right down and becomes a little more delicate with beautiful interlocking picked patterns on the guitar and mandolin.This is a really moving song with really great instrumentation from the band members.
I like that throughout the album, and within each song, there is a constantly flowing emphasis from one instrument to another. Every now and then there'll be little half-bar breaks that stitch the song together with expert technique.That's what keeps an album fresh and gives a song that little nudge it needs to go from good to great.
I could go on singing praises for this album but I think I've made my point pretty clear. It's a bit good. It's very good.
For an album with mounds of energy, songs that drive forward with constant rhythms, and lyrics that emote and inspire, Rain and Laura is the one you need to listen to.
I love this album. Everything about it - especially the driven, upbeat instrumentals - is incredibly inspiring. Listening to it in the early morning got me pumped! I was ready to get out and face the world, which probably had something to do with the repeated lyric that I found myself singing along to in the opening track: "The sun came up above the city, I'm awake my heart is in my chest". Today is a good day!
Opening on a super strong track, I was immediately taken by the band's ability to combine lyrical depth and complexity with memorable melody and lines easily sung along to. It is often hard to get the blend just right, but these guys do it well, ensuring a path to success!
During the song Swells, I had the descriptive 'cute' coming to mind. But for some reason people don't often seem to take that as a compliment, so I'm just gonna leave that thought there and move on with the review. (It is a compliment by the way, the happy-go-lucky vibe is cute). Also, I was totally digging that fiddle solo, and the drop down to the delicate piano melody following that was just perfect!
As the album progresses I'm starting to get Fleet Foxes vibes, maybe a bit of Death Cab for Cutie. I like that Wylder have a really independent sound, and yet take enough influence from the current music scene to make themselves totally radio friendly. This LP could really go places.
But then Snake in the Grass drops right down and becomes a little more delicate with beautiful interlocking picked patterns on the guitar and mandolin.This is a really moving song with really great instrumentation from the band members.
I like that throughout the album, and within each song, there is a constantly flowing emphasis from one instrument to another. Every now and then there'll be little half-bar breaks that stitch the song together with expert technique.That's what keeps an album fresh and gives a song that little nudge it needs to go from good to great.
I could go on singing praises for this album but I think I've made my point pretty clear. It's a bit good. It's very good.
For an album with mounds of energy, songs that drive forward with constant rhythms, and lyrics that emote and inspire, Rain and Laura is the one you need to listen to.
22 June 2016
The Minerals // Album Review
The Minerals beautifully marry two genres that you didn't think worked together.
Using lo-fi acoustic vibes alongside prog rock riffs and topping it off with some great lyrics and tight harmonies, these guys rock!
15 June 2016
Tristan Bouchard - Little Nights // EP Review
Tristan's beautiful, passion-driven music is not something to be overlooked.
We were moved by his heartbreaking lyrics and well crafted song structures, and we think you will be too.
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