“Sweeter” by Whiner– A Song Feature

     “Sweeter” showcases the appeal of contrasting attitudes in a musical composition. Depending upon your focus, the song from Whiner is enjoyably methodic, moody or adventuresome. It is the percussion that it methodical. Following a few seconds of establishing itself, the percussion settles into a persistent rhythm for much of the remainder of “Sweeter.” In contrast, the guitar is adventuresome, as it progresses through different demeanors that sometimes show themselves in Shoegaze and other times in clear, short notes. The moodiness is in the vocals, which are simultaneously melancholy and sultry.
 
     Adding to the attractiveness of “Sweeter,” the keys texture the sound and accentuate the different personalities. The bass seldom steps into the spotlight, but should not be underappreciated. Whiner is based in New Jersey. The members are Cameron J. Castan (vocalist), his bother Christian “Boon” Castan (guitar), Bridget Bakie (bass), Henry Heissenbuttel (keys), and Johnny Dynamite (drums).

     “Sweeter” is a single from the Whiner’s album “Peace Out Cruel World.” It speaks well of the album that different blogs have selected other tracks to feature from the collection of eight songs. The album can be streamed and purchased at the Bandcamp site https://whiner.bandcamp.com/     

     Quoting Whiner’s bio:
Steeped in the tradition of “not being able to do anything right”. Whiner is that band from New Jersey you love to hate. Dramatic rock n’ roll anthems about what it’s like when the depraved are let loose for a big night on the town. The dark lords of emotional pop are here to spill their drinks and hearts on the dance floor. Frontman Cameron J. Castan’s bleak operatic vocals equal parts Top 40 and Motown, are melancholically belted like its 1980. Younger brother Christian “Boon” commands the guitar with biting sound that dabbles in the best sounds from each side of the pond, think pixies meets brit pop. The futuristic keys and production of Henry Heissenbuttel add a blissed out hypnotic alternate reality of melody and texture. Asking the listener, what just happened? Rounded out on the rhythm section by hard hitting human drum machine and lost boy Johnny Dynamite and the tight tasteful disco punk bass grooves of refined Glam rocker Bridget Bakie.

     “Sweeter” by Whiner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wwwhiner
Bandcamp: https://whiner.bandcamp.com/