Wednesday, June 3, 2015

As Summer Nears, the Fancy Turns to Anthems

      A poet once said, “In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” Paraphrasing, in June a music lover’s fancy turns to thoughts of summery songs - ones with the emphasis on lightheartedness, breeziness, escape, sunshine and surf.
     We are a little different, but there’s a logical connection. Each June, the authors of Indie Obsessive have an increased interest in anthems. An approaching summer is a time for optimism. Anthems almost gush with confidence in a commitment and resolution, which carries a positive attitude even if the resolve is less than positive. 
     It’s less than three weeks until the start of summer and our fancy has turned to thoughts of anthems. Here are two:
1. “We are young and unafraid!”
2. “We are the lucky one!”

     We “lucked into” seeing The Moth & The Flame in March. They opened for Wolf Alice at the Rickshaw Stop. We referred to their performance as eye opening, but didn’t post a song in the review. That was a mistake. The Moth & the Flame released the anthemic “Young & Unafraid” and we are impressed again. This is a band that will force its way into Indie relevance. But if we're smart, the Indie scene will just open its arms.
     The Moth & The Flame was originally based in Provo, Utah. They have relocated that base to Los Angeles. The band name uses an inverted ampersand after “The Moth,” but our keyboard has its limitations. The members are Brandon Robbins (guitar, vocals), Mark Garbett (keys, vocals), Andrew Tolman (drums) and Michael Goldman (bass).
     “Young & Unafraid” by The Moth & The Flame


     The Dunwells are a quartet from Leeds. The members are Joseph Dunwell (vocals, guitar), David Dunwell (vocals, guitar), Rob Clayton (bass) and Adam Taylor (drums). “Lucky Ones” is the song that qualifies the band for this post. “Animal” is also embedded because it’s a song we enjoyed with the first listen, and the appreciation has been building since. “Animal” begins with reflective vocals and a calming piano. As the song progresses, the lyrics increase in resolve, guitars insist upon attention, harmonization surfaces, and the vocal layering near the song’s completion provides an emotion-filled energy lift. Because “Animal” is about one person’s relationship with another person, we don’t classify the song as an anthem, but it’s close.
     “Lucky Ones” by The Dunwells

     “Animal” by The Dunwells

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