Benny Nelson and Baltimore - Free Friday/Saturday (“FL&R”)

     Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of their releases.  The end of an offer may be based on the expiration of a set period of time or on a limited number of downloads.  But at least for now, here are songs that qualify as Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) downloads.

     Finding songs that can be legally downloaded is easy. The difficult task is to find legally downloadable music that we recommend. Our plan is to post at least one FL&R song each Friday/Saturday.

     Benny Nelson says he’s taking a new direction with his track “Talk.” We are fans of the direction! Nelson is now based in Sydney, Australia.  

     “Talk” by Benny Nelson – To access the free download, go to the Triple J site and click the download arrow (https://www.triplejunearthed.com/jukebox/play/track/7284076).

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BennyNelsonOfficial/

Website: http://www.bennynelson.com.au/

     It has been months since we posted a song from a band with a name that is geographically misdescriptive. Bombay Bicycle Club and Lisbon are UK bands, Tokyo Police Club is in Canada, and Phoenix is a band from France. Today, we add Baltimore, which is not from Maryland or any other U.S. state. They hail from the Belgian towns of Hasselt and Molenbeersel. Three of the five members share the surname Verlaak - Martijn Verlaak (vocals, guitar), Jasper Verlaak (drums), Hans Truijen (guitar), Kay Bruckers (bass), and Brent Verlaak (keys).

     “Sweet Melodies” is strong throughout, but we particularly enjoy the DIIV-style guitar.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baltimoreofficial

“Sewer Cap (Dead Sea)” by Jailbox – A Song Premiere

     “Sewer Cap (Dead Sea)” is the most thoughtfully orchestrated harmonization of lyrics, vocals and instruments that you will hear in 2018, and beyond. The track from Jailbox masterfully aligns instrumental soundscapes with lyrical content and ear-warming vocals that stir emotions expressed in that content.

      Jailbox describes “Sewer Cap (Dead Sea)” as personal reflections in the aftermath of a relationship mauled and drowned by fraud/deceit. It’s the drowning theme that is most apparent, sometimes in subtle statements and other times as a blistering metaphor. Beginning at 2:24, the line “Holding my breath, [you] taking me under” is repeated frequently, but with varying force. Fast-paced piano creates an image of rapidly moving water and strings introduce a quiet tension. The tension becomes disquieting first using increasingly anguished backing vocals and then (at 3:07) a pained guitar.

     The sound of Jailbox is certainly Folk-influenced, as best evidenced by their skillful employment of lush harmonization. Jailbox is also symphonic, atmospheric and cinematic. Listening to “Sewer Cap (Dead Sea),” there are reminders of the 1970s heyday of Kansas (who came from Topeka, less than 400 miles from Perryville, Missouri, the hometown of Jailbox).

           The band is now based in Kansas City, Missouri. The members of Jailbox are Joseph Bassa (vocals, guitars, percussion), Andrew Tanz (vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion), and Aaron Essner (percussion, drums).

     “Sewer Cap (Dead Sea)” by Jailbox – A Song Premiere

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jailbox/

Bandcamp: https://jailbox.bandcamp.com/

“Stick” by Ovlov – A Song Feature

      For those about fuzzed-out guitar, we salute you. Ovlov is a band from Newport, Connecticut.  For songs posted in Indie Obsessive, we attempt to provide insights regarding the motivation for lyrical content. We have no explanation for Ovlov’s “Stick.” In a odd way, we find the mystery refreshing. The lyrics are included at the bottom of this post, but quoting the reminders-to-live-by chorus:

Feed my fish food

Read when it's rude

And sing while the main style is hot

With the teen Kyle

And ride on the waves of the youth

     There is a picture on their Facebook page that gives credibility to the guess that the band’s name was selected because it is the mirror image of Volvo. Ovlov's Facebook site identifies the members as Steve Hartlett (vocals, guitar), Theo Hartlett (drums, vocals), Morgan Luzzi (guitar), and Michael “Boner” Hammond Jr. (bass).

“Stick” by Ovlov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ovlovbook/

Lyrics of “Stick” by Ovlov

I struggle by your side

Insisting you to try

Another way to see

Blinking eyes swell to the ground

I follow all the ways

Your argument displays

Shallow in the way

You weaken my selfish shame

Feed my fish food

Read when it's rude

And sing while the main style is hot

With the teen Kyle

And ride on the waves of the youth

I wanted you to say

Something about the way

The hollow sound you make

But your sinking eyes fell to the ground

You call me on a phone

If you're ever left alone

And laugh at all the thoughts

I sing to try and sell my shame

Feed my fish food

Read when it's rude

And sing while the main style is hot

With the teen Kyle

And ride on the waves of the youth

“Clean Eyes” by SMYL – A Song Feature

     “Clean Eyes” reveals the versatility of SYML, with its brisk, commanding melody. SYML built its loyal fanbase on songs with thoughtful lyrics touching upon serious subject matter fit to somber melodies. Songs in the SYML discography are typically downtempo, even if the message is upbeat, as with the introspective relationship optimism of “Better.”  

     The intro of “Clean Eyes” hits the speakers running. Then, “tension” enters with the vocals. From the intro, the song transitions to energetic bass-driven support of lyrics aligned with the seriousness that characterizes SYML – “Picture yourself in a room full of broken glass/ Blood on the pieces, the pieces you can't put back.” SYML is the project of Brian Fennell. In talking about the meaning of “Clean Eyes,” he explained:

  “I wrote 'Clean Eyes' as an outlet to express my least favorite thing about myself, that I’m a cynic. I think that is one of the most ugly traits a person can have. Somehow, I found someone who loves me through my cynicism, and shows me the world through her beautiful and honest lens.”

      What about the melody? Brian Fennell said:

  “I’ve been writing and producing a lot of material this year as I work towards an album. This is really the first song we approached with more of a 'band’ mentality. It was a fun challenge because of the contrast between the intimate lyrics and anthemic choruses.”

     SYML is currently at the beginning of its Where Did We Go Tour. Among the scheduled stops is an October 19 visit to the dignified The Chapel in San Francisco. For ticket information, CLICK HERE. The full tour schedule is available at http://www.symlmusic.com/ or click on the picture at the top of this post to enlarge the content.

     “Clean Eyes” by SMYL 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SYMLMUSIC

Website: http://www.symlmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Clean Eyes” by SMYL

Picture yourself in a room full of broken glass

Blood on the pieces, the pieces you can't put back

A little white light in a sea gone black

My head is the room and the room's full of broken glass

You can't change me

Can you save me?

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart in all the right ways

And no, I don't mind, clean eyes. (Clean eyes)

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart and breaking my chains

And I don't know why, clean eyes. (Clean eyes)

I'm a cynic, I told you, I fear what I don't believe

I don't know what this is, but this is a different beast

I check the lock on the door three times

Can't put my faith in what I can't describe

I'm a cynic, I told you, I don't believe

Can you save me?

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart in all the right ways

And no, I don't mind, clean eyes. (Clean eyes)

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart and breaking my chains

And I don't know why, clean eyes. (Clean eyes)

Take me home when I lost myself

Love me better than I love myself

Well my head is the room and the room's filled with broken glass

Take my home when I lost myself

Well my head is the room and the room's filled with broken glass

Oh, the pieces I can't put back!

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart in all the right ways

And no, I don't mind, clean eyes. (Clean eyes. Yeah)

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart and breaking my chains

And I don't know why, clean eyes

(Take me home when I lost myself)

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart in all the right ways

And no, I don't mind, clean eyes

(Take me home when I lost myself)

Oh, clean eyes

Breaking my heart and breaking my chains

And I don't know why, clean eyes. (Clean eyes)

Cleanin’ Out My Closet (of Deserving Songs) – September 2018

     We periodically review the list of blogworthy tracks that have undeservedly remained on the list for too long. Assuming we still find the songs blogworthy, we dedicate a post to them, although they may be in very different genres. Today, it’s time to clean out the closet.

     In this post, the songs tend toward Pop.

     Kastrup is Timmie Strandberg and Puppe Westberg of Malmö, Sweden. According to their bio:

  The Swedish duo Kastrup was formed as the consequence of an innocent lie which landed the singer and songwriter Timmie a gig on short notice at the well-known and respected festival ”The Rookie Festival”, in Sweden 2013. Timmie signed the contract with the promoters, but had no band, no finished material, but a lot of demos and creative anxiety to channel. He contacted programming wizard and master synth geek Puppe to help out with this looming disaster. With a very short time to rehearse the gig was shaky, but the guys managed to be very appreciated by the audience and the promoters. Kastrup was born.

        “Joanna” by Kastrup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kastrupsweden

Website: http://www.kastrupsweden.com/

     Haley Blais is from Vancouver, British Columbia. There is an innocence to her voice and a power to her delivery. The vocal texturing during the final minute is what makes “Small Foreign Faction” special.

     “Small Foreign Faction” by Haley Blais

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hblaismusic/

Bandcamp: https://haleyblais.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Small Foreign Faction” by Haley Blais

I’m just a foreign faction

Irreconcilable conflict at parties

I feel like a chain reaction

But sadly, I don’t know where it started

I never wanted anything

And I never got it

I never wanted anything

And I never got it

I like to sit around fires

And catch the embers on my tongue

Listening to a church choir

Sing some hymns about someone

I never wanted anything

And I never got it x4

I’m just a foreign faction

Irreconcilable conflict at parties

I feel like a chain reaction

But sadly, I don’t know where it started

I never wanted anything

And I never got it

I never wanted anything

And look I got it

      This is the second visit of Feelds to Indie Obsessive. Things are going well:

  “Feelds, the Melbourne-based project of James Seymour, has quickly grown into a fully-fledged outfit, defined by clever songwriting used to provoke a dynamic soundscape of honest storytelling.”

      The live band includes James Seymour (vocals, guitar), Ezekiel Fenn (synth, bass, vocals), Michael Best (guitar, vocals), Jarred Young (drums, vocals), and Jonathon Ferraro (drums).

     “Circle” by Feelds

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisisfeelds/

Website: https://www.feeldsmusic.com/

Lyrics of “Circle” by Feelds

This place is getting old, as you carry on

There's bluntness on your throne, but you don't arm the sword

It's heavy don't you know, so steady on

I fall just to step in line on your time - it's all manifested

You circle 'round my mind with what's left of mine

This bubble's cold

I've seen it all before and I saw this coming

Your eyes undress his shirt and you're smiling hungry

So the sun will rise slow to your wild soul

I fall just to step in line on your time - it's all manifested

You circle 'round my mind with what's left of mine

This bubble's cold

Holy racket for golden mattresses, with the coldest lines

A stolen atlas to take it all away from here

     “Frostbeat” by Sad Palace carries this post away from Pop, at least to some degree. The UK band identifies its genre as “Supernatural Groove Rock.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadpalaceband

Website: http://www.sadpalace.com/

“Feeling California” by Winnetka Bowling League - A Song Feature

     Lyrically, “Feeling California” masterfully travels that difficult to find path that progresses through sophistication and simplicity. The lyrics are included in this post. Reading individual lines, there are interesting observations, but nothing that goes beyond stereotypes and isolated statements (“The Red Hot Chili Peppers”). The portrait is the genius, as Winnetka Bowling League hit a range of topics regarding the state they now call home.

     The vehicle for the lyrics of “Feeling California” has a Beck body and a hybrid engine, since the instrumental drive is varied. And we are fans of the backing vocals. Winnetka Bowling League is “formed by brothers and features a loose collection of young L.A. musician friends, their five-track debut self-titled EP was released on September 21st and displays an impressive knack for crafting finely tuned guitar pop bursting with cinematic Golden State imagery.”

     “Feeling California” by Winnetka Bowling League

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WinnetkaBowlingLeague/

Website: http://www.wbleague.com/
Access to the EP: http://smarturl.it/wblEP

Lyrics of “Feeling California” by Winnetka Bowling League

Two Kristina's with a K

From Mesa, Arizona

Took a train to LA in the pursuit of personas

In all white track shoes drinking pineapple boba

I was the boy in the right place with my cousin's Corolla

We spent the summer singing “Come on Eileen”

Bumper to bumper, just my babies and me

Salt in the air and our fingers and hair in the breeze

I'm feeling California

I'm feeling California

I don’t care if it's lame

That the sun makes me happy

I don't care if every girl in every coffee shop’s pursuing acting

We can swim on Christmas

Everyone's high and obsessed with fitness

It's always sweater weather

The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Beautiful girls and boys

I'm feeling California

I'm feeling California

I think she's feeling me

My dog likes the big backyards

Gasolina and cigars, candy, mints, and Mars

We’re on the beach with granola, sipping RC Cola

I'm feeling California

I'm feeling California

I'm feeling California

We spent the summer singing “Come on Eileen”

I'm feeling California

Salt in the air and our fingers and hair in the breeze

“What We Do” by Itto - Free Friday/Saturday (“FL&R”)

     Free and Legal Downloads? Yes, at least temporarily. Bands often temporarily permit free downloads of their releases.  The end of an offer may be based on the expiration of a set period of time or on a limited number of downloads.  But at least for now, here is a song that qualifies as a Free, Legal and Recommended (FL&R) download.

     Finding songs that can be legally downloaded is easy. The difficult task is to find legally downloadable music that we recommend. Our plan is to post at least one FL&R song each Friday/Saturday.

     Itto is the performance name of Federico Urgesi from Turin, Italy. Right after the release of his first EP “The Night Was Long” in 2016, he started wandering across Europe as a one-man band, playing more than 100 gigs. During this time he also became the opening act for various accomplished musicians such as Jack Savoretti and the italian rock band Madyon.

     He originally released an even higher energy version of “What We Do” (produced by Italian DJs Notalike and Etta Matters). But our preference is this acoustic version, which was first shared on August 31, 2018.

    “What We Do” by Itto

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ittoofficial

Lyrics of “What We Do” by Itto

I hate getting robbed by the foreign exchange

But it always happens when I cross states in my mind

These days I'm volatile

Maryanne stay here, Maryanne go

You've got your man and I drift away slowly

With a burgundy glass and my best attire

We do what we do, we say what we say

But for some reason I always cross your way

We do what we do, we say what we say

Blame it on the current, blame it on the waves

Oh the stupid things I'd do to spend time with you

When it was cold outside and we'd share Camel Blues

You know I hate them but I did it all for you

Tonight you dance with him all dressed in black

My vision's blurred, God bless my friends and the red wine

But you are still beautiful

We do what we do, we say what we say

But for some reason I always cross your way

We do what we do, we say what we say

Blame it on the current, blame it on the waves

We do what we do, we say what we say

But for some reason I always cross your way

We do what we do, we say what we say

Blame it on the current, blame it on the waves