Thursday, March 28, 2024

“Silver Stain” by Maudlin Strangers – A Song Feature

 

     With “Silver Stain,” Maudlin Strangers engage in another dark exploration of the complexities of human emotions. This time, this song intelligently delves into the difficulties of a troubled relationship. Their other 2024 release, “Don’t Worry, I’m Fine” addressed burnout and the need for recovery. That release is also included in this post. Late last year, Maudlin Strangers tackled the subject matter of addiction and the resulting inner conflicts and turmoil.
 
     The first verse of “Silver Stains” is misleading in its description of a willingness to be led and molded into shape. But the second verse pivots to a less appealing description and the third goes even further by declaring:
I’m sick and tired of playing games with you
All the losing streaks you put me through
That’s just the luck of my draw
 
     Maudling Strangers is the brain-child of Jake Hays, who is based in Los Angeles. Originally, it was a solo Indie Rock project, but Hays added members as a touring band. After a hiatus that started in 2016 and continued into 2023, Maudlin Strangers re-emerged as the combination of Hays, Richie Gonzales (drums), Alexander "Schmorgle" Morgan (guitar, keys), and Drew Bruchs (bass).
 
     “Silver Stain” by Maudlin Strangers

Lyrics of “Silver Stain” by Maudlin Strangers
I’ll go wherever you take me
Follow however you make me
Lost souls dance in a daydream
I’ll go wherever you’ll save me
 
Sweet like a honeymoon
But I lost my sweet tooth
The flavors making me crazy
 
I’m sick and tired of playing games with you
All the losing streaks you put me through
That’s just the luck of my draw
 
You’re like a sunny day
If it starts to rain
And washes away
That golden sky
 
Like a silver stain
You won’t go away
It’s all just the same shit we did before
 
Why’d you have to go out and change me?
I wish I wasn’t someone you know
Tattooed the words you’ve been saying
But I wish I wasn’t someone you love
 
Our songs weigh on me, lately
But I keep them playing on repeat
Losing control is our safety
So we keep driving the same street
 
All your mirrors and smoke
Are making me choke
The glass in my throat
Won’t wash it down
 
You’re silver in my veins
You make me insane
Doing all of the same shit we did before
 
Why’d you have to go out and change me?
I wish I wasn’t someone you know
Tattooed the words you’ve been saying
But I wish I wasn’t someone you love

 
     In discussing “Don’t Worry, I’m Fine,” Jake Hays said:
  “I wrote this song about dealing with a burnout I experienced, and how I needed to recover from it. I took a long hiatus and always kicked myself for it, but I realized it was all necessary to make it to the point where I am now, mentally. Sometimes you have to give yourself time to reflect to figure out truly what it is that you want, and what will make you happy.”

     “Don't Worry, I'm Fine” by Maudlin Strangers

Lyrics of “Don't Worry, I'm Fine” by Maudlin Strangers
Headstrong
I found out by dealing
So long with my own damn head
I′m feeling so wrong
Forgotten by my own self, yeah
 
I'll be honest
(I′ll be honest)
I needed the time to know what I wanted
(What I wanted)
Whatever it is I think I'm on it
(I'm on it)
Tired of running back
 
Don′t worry, I′m fine
Funny how
It's been a long time coming
Yeah, it′s been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
 
Settle down
I know just how you′re feeling
Bad sounds made by anxiety
It's so loud
I hear it with my own ears
 
I′m being honest
(I would hope so)
You need to make time for your honest self
Whatever it is, I think you oughta try
(Just give me a minute)
Stop running back
 
Don't worry, I'm fine
Funny how
It′s been a long time coming
Yeah, It′s been a long time coming
It's been a long time coming
 
Don′t worry, I'm fine, now
Funny how
It′s been a long time coming
Yeah, it′s been a long time coming
It′s been a long time coming
Don′t worry, I'm fine, now
It′s been a long time coming
It′s been a long time coming
Don′t worry, I'm fine, now
It′s been a long time coming

"We're Lost" by Little Oil – A Song Feature

 

     The initial 21 seconds of “We’re Lost” share the tonal personality and charm of the guitars in The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” despite the melodies being fundamentally different. Then, the complexity and skillfulness of the instrumentation leap forward into the second part of the intro of Little Oil’s song. This two-part introduction establishes high expectations, and the entrance of an engagingly distinctive voice only serves to raise the bar higher.
 
     Still, there is more to the appeal of the song than guitar and vocals. Shortly before the one-minute mark, the harmonica enters with a warmth and elegance that aren’t inherent to that instrument. Similarly, “We’re Lost” showcases the ukulele played with the adroitness that isn’t typical.
 
     Victor Mitrani records under the performance name Little Oil. While talking about “We’re Lost,” he explained, “Very pretty finger-picked folk tune at least initially inspired by an attempt and ultimate failure, at moderation. Getting lost on a whim and paying the ultimate price for it.
 
     “We’re Lost” is a song from the album “Twelve Songs,” which was released on March 28, 2024, on Fountain Tapes Label. On the album, multi-instrumentalist songwriter Victor Mitrani is the vocalist and plays guitar, bass, piano, harmonica, ukulele, and percussion, although Mike DeVito provides the bass for “We’re Lost.” “Twelve Songs” is available via the Bandcamp site of Little Oil – CLICK HERE.

     Mitrani was born in Mexico City, but Little Oil is now based in the San Francisco Bay Area (Richmond, California). He is described as “A lover of Punk, Classic Rock, Indie, and old time Country & Blues; his music is a voodoo brew that sounds both familiar but fresh and original.”
 
     "We're Lost" by Little Oil
Lyrics of "We're Lost" by Little Oil
Just a little and I want it
Put my head in the light socket
 
It was easy to fly
After so long
Oh even I can't see
That I'm lost
 
Dumped the river of ice on it
Burnt that bridge but I'm still on it
 
It was easy to sigh
After so long
Oh even I can't see
That I'm lost
 
Just a little and I want it
Put my head in the light socket
 
It was easy to die
After so long
Oh even I can't see
That we're lost
 
Lost, lost, lost, lost
Lost. Lost, lost, lost
 

Friday, March 22, 2024

“In My Kingdom” by The Bogmen – A Song Feature

     "In My Kingdom" offers a rare fusion of sophistication and unfettered entertainment. It possesses the ability to grab the attention of listeners, urging them to prioritize checking out The Bogmen's tour schedule immediately; the song encapsulates everything that makes a favorite among gig-goers. It's intelligent yet uncomplicated, and is substantial yet exuberant and full of life. It's akin to a 1960s muscle car that can kick into another gear (or two) even after seemingly reaching its peak performance. Those extra gears are engaged after the three-minute mark of “In My Kingdom.”
 
     The Bogmen begin the song with a recipe for Utopia. Initially, the thought might be that it’s similar to John Lennon’s “Imagine.” But “In My Kingdom” doesn’t imagine that there’s no religion. To the contrary, the intro lists personalities from various faiths whose advice would be valued, although not necessarily for their views on theology. Moreover, there is a King; however, “In my kingdom, everyone would be King for a day.” Still, this potential Utopia has no law, since there isn’t a need.
 
     The band was originally formed in 1990 by lead singer Billy Campion and bothers Billy and Brendan Ryan. By 1992, bassist Mark Wike, percussionist P.J. O’Connor, and drummer Clive Tucker were added. The Bogmen disbanded in 1998. But they are now working toward an album release in May. “In My Kingdom” is the title track. The album can be pre-ordered at via Bandcamp https://thebogmen1.bandcamp.com/album/in-my-kingdom. The Bandcamp site explains:
   This is the first ever vinyl release by The Bogmen! Written in the heart of the pandemic as a way of coping with the loss of a good friend as well as being inspired by the unusual circumstances of the world being shut down - In My Kingdom, has everything fans of The Bogmen love about them, it is melody driven, poetic and seamlessly goes from sounding old-timey and rootsy to orchestrated and electronic, Americana with an ethnic flare, lyrical themes of grief, love, rebirth and transcendence through imagination, populated by old friends, animals and colorful mythological characters yet intensely personal so people can relate to it.”
 
     Bandcamp also lists credits. Clive Tucker and Mark Wike contribute to songs on the album, but the primary contributors are:
  Billy Campion: lead vocals, guitar, baritone ukulele
  Brendan Ryan: keyboards, accordion, trumpet
  Billy Ryan: guitars, mandolin, banjo, backing vocals
  P.J. O’Connor: percussion, backing vocals
  Paul Frazier: bass, backing vocals
  Mathias Bossi: drums, omnichord, marxophone     
 
     The official video for the title track is almost as entertaining as the song itself. Interesting information about the video includes:
   “The animated music video ‘In My Kingdom’ was created by Jack Powell (Opus Thimble, Hot Mustard). Musically, the song is classically Bogmen-ian, but could be considered a bold proclamation in today’s fractured times - a message of inclusion that reminds us of our universal desire for openness and kindness, one that illuminates a path forward. A path to the sacred, precious and always hard-earned love, compassion and understanding that has characterized The Bogmen’s music for more than 30 years.”
   “Jack Powell created a hypnagogic video by extracting album artist Gregory Stovetop’s artwork and turning it into animation. Campion and I discussed various religious iconographic images, natural and spiritual concepts with Gregory, as well as, like the Star Wars Bar, were all a little freaky and different. He nailed it with the album art and Jack took his work, ran with it to create this amazing phantasmic video.”- Billy Ryan