“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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaudlinStrangers/
Website: https://www.maudlinstrangers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maudlinstrangers/ 

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

Bandcamp: https://littleoil.bandcamp.com/

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
 

“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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lebogmen/
Website: https://thebogmen.com/
Bandcamp: https://thebogmen1.bandcamp.com

“Close Enough” by Stress Dolls – A Song Feature

 

      “Close Enough” embraces dualities, notably in the vocals and the lyrics. The lead vocals convey an emotional vulnerability with a passionate fearlessness in a vocal register that invites listeners to join. In comparison, the song from Stress Dolls is sprinkled with an almost angelic declaration of “I can’t keep running” in a challenging-to-join, high-register voice, where vulnerability resides in the voice, rather than the words. It’s an impressive combination from Chelsea O'Donnell.
 
     When initially focusing on the lyrics (included in this post), “Close Enough” comes across as a confession of the devotion to a romantic interest. There is a warmth in relating to the desirability of the romantic attachment, assuming it’s a mutual attraction. Then, reading the Stress Dolls’ explanation of the lyrics increases the relatability, but destroys the warmth. Celsea O'Donnell says that the song was primarily motivated by the isolation most of us experiencd during the “Covid lockdown:”
   “I wrote ‘Close Enough’ in the midst of the pandemic, a period where I didn’t see some of the people who mattered most to me for weeks at a time. On a subconscious level I think that inspired the lyrics in the chorus about being “close enough” to someone, but the other half was me thinking about the process of falling in love, and how you can be so wrapped up in another person that, no matter how physically and emotionally close you are to them (“even if you were a part of me/ even if you were alive in me”), it doesn’t feel like enough to express how you feel.”
 
     The credits for “Close Enough identify O’Donnell as the providing guitar and the vocals. Other contributors are Sean Dougherty (additional guitars), Jim Wirt (bass), and Jacob Kirkwood (drums and synth). The song was produced by Jim Wirt, whose past credits include Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Fiona Apple, and Incubus. It's the fourth single from my upcoming album “Queen of No.” The album is coming out on Sun Pedal Recordings in May 2024.
 
     Stress Dolls is the moniker of Chelsea O'Donnell, a songwriter from Buffalo, New York. The band takes on several forms, including solo O’Donnell and a performance-ready “full” band.
 
     “Close Enough” by Stress Dolls

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stressdollsmusic/
Website: https://stressdollsmusic.com/
Bandcamp: https://stressdolls.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Close Enough” by Stress Dolls
I can’t keep running
I can’t keep running
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
 
I can’t keep running
I can’t keep running
 
Stand down demons, we’re breaking even
I’ll give you my word if you hand me the knife
Twisting shoulders, we’re all getting older
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were a part of me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were alive in me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
Waiting softly, for someone to save me
It feels so wrong now but once I felt it was right
It only takes a second for us all to figure out
That no one’s coming and that’s what it’s all about
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were a part of me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
So we walk, we walk, we’re straddling the line
Between our thoughts and biding too much time
And even if you were alive in me it would never be
Never be close enough
 
I can’t keep running
No I, I can’t keep, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…
 
And even if you were alive in me it would never be
Never be close enough

“All She Was” by Midwave Breaks – A Song Feature

 

     Reviews of “All She Was" have been posted, and there are comparisons to the storytelling style of classic Bruce Springsteen and modern-day Sam Fender. And we agree; there is an uncommon intelligence in the lyrical description (the lyrics are included in this post). But from the vocal and instrumental perspectives, our comparisons are to Kings of Leon and the guitarist of U2 (“The Edge”). The vocal comparison is most apparent at the start of the song from Midwave Breaks. On the other hand, the chiming timbres through echoing notes, which are perhaps most aligned with The Edge, shine through during the final 30 seconds of “All She Was.”   
 
     Midwave Breaks are a New Zealand duo generating an expansive sound. They are based in Tauranga and comprise multi-instrumentalist Bruce Conlon and drummer Paul Russell. In April 2024, Midwave Breaks will tour with Incubus. For tour information, visit https://www.facebook.com/midwavebreaks/events.

      The band explains “All She Was” as “essentially a love song from lead singer Bruce to his wife and daughter,” with a ‘positive energy, hooky chorus, and a rousing instrumental outro.” The song is one of three tracks on the recently released album “Standing Inside Out.” While the tracks may have been recorded in a farmhouse in rural New Zealand, some were mixed in the U.S by Grammy Award winning engineer Mark Needham, most notable for his work with The Killers (Mr. Brightside) and Imagine Dragons. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwavebreaks/
Website: https://midwavebreaks.com/

Lyrics of “All She Was” by Midwave Breaks
Could you come a little closer
The streetlights here are the same
They're winding like a river moon
Coming over the horizon
 
The cascading line of people's lives weaving through
The stories told, are the difference
The difference between me and you
We're in this ember light again
 
Into your arms again
We are the storm
Could you turn it down just a little?
Just give me one more day
Cos I'm falling asleep again
 
You are the vespertine, the sophrosyne
And I could catch you in the tallest tower
Just to see you again
 
And all she was, was the best thing I ever knew
Like a tidal wave of the sun
And she never was, anything but the best to you
This ember light
We can make it home just me and you
You and me
 
Coming over the horizon
With the memories slipping back
The journey we made, making up a pattern
Sinking in like Tupac
And I won't even take it back
 
And the way home is pulling me, pulling me back
And I don't even know where I am
But I can feel, I can feel, the pull of the sun and the moon
With the gravity, gravity at my back
 
And all she was, was the best thing I ever knew
Like a tidal wave of the sun
And she never was, anything but the best to you
This ember light
We can make it home just me and you
You and me
 
We can make it home just me and you
You and me
[Repeating]
 
We can make it home just me and you

“Oh Emily” by Somebody's Child – A Song Feature

      The vibrance of the instruments shines brightly right from the outset of "Oh Emily." Powerful percussion initiates the song, soon followed by intertwining guitars. Energetic drums are a near-constant through the track from Somebody’s Child, while the accompanying instrumental contributions vary. Interestingly and creatively, “Oh Emily” does include a brief segment without drumming, followed by a Beatles’ George Martin tape-manipulation sound. The sans-drum segment begins around 2:25 and the appealingly uncommon sound is heard 12 seconds later.
 
     While the instruments exude liveliness, the lyrical message maintains a somber tone: Emily why’d you have to leave and why are you being mean? Nevertheless, the lyrics are refreshingly self-aware and honest - I'm stumbling to my feet and you said I'm fine, but I'm not; And that's just the reality.
 
     Somebody’s Child is the moniker of vocalist/songwriter Cian Godfrey, who is from Dublin, Ireland. When talking about the genesis of the song, he explained:
   “’Oh Emily’ came about when we were at a very early stage of the second album writing. We didn't quite know where it wanted to live yet, and in retrospect this song belongs in its own place. It's interesting to see the development sonically, with where we are now. But at the time it's what started everything off.”
 
     Godfrey is referring to the fact that “Oh Emily” lives as a one-off release between albums. The song was first aired to fans on the band’s sold out UK tour in October 2023. Produced by SC guitarist Shea Tohill at Black Mountain Studios in Co. Louth, Ireland and mixed by Peter Katis (The National, Death Cab For Cutie, Gang of Youths) at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut, “Oh Emily” has all the ingredients of an indie rock classic - tightly wound guitars, yearning lyrics and a nagging chorus.
 
     Somebody’s Child is preparing to initiate a 2024 tour. Six performances are shown below, following the lyrics of “Oh Emily.” For ticket information regarding the six performances and others as they are added, visit https://www.somebodyschildmusic.com/.
 
     “Oh Emily” by Somebody's Child 

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

Website: https://www.somebodyschildmusic.com/
 
Lyrics of “Oh Emily” by Somebody's Child
I said it's nice to meet ya
But my head is in a cloud and I can't see
I'm stumbling to my feet and
You said I'm fine but I'm not
And that's just the reality
 
So take it all or leave it
Cause I'm gone in the morning anyways
You said it's nice to meet ya
Then you went on your way for some time
 
Oh Emily, why'd you have to leave?
Oh Emily, why ya being mean?
Oh Emily, I just don't believe ya
Cause I hear all your secrets whispered in my dreams
 
You still see me with my halo
I'm not the man you always thought I was
And that just feels wrong
I'm no saint, but I'm no devil
Cause I’mma stick it to the man
When all is said and done
 
Oh Emily, why'd you have to leave?
Oh Emily, why ya being mean?
Oh Emily, I just don't believe ya
Cause I hear all your secrets whispered in my dreams
 
Oh Emily, why'd you have to leave?
Oh Emily, why ya being mean?
Oh Emily, I just don't believe ya
Cause I hear all your secrets whispered in my dreams
 
2024 tour dates:
5th Apr - Berlin, DE @ Hole44
7th Apr - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord [SOLD OUT]
10th Apr - London, UK @ Heaven
12th Apr - Dublin, IE @ 3Olympia Theatre
25th May - Leeds, UK @ Live At Leeds
14th Jul - Glasgow, UK @ TRNSMT

“what do you say?” by QUIET CONFIDENCE – A Song Feature

 

     “what do you say?” is the first track on the recently released self-titled album from QUIET CONFIDENCE. It should include a public service announcement raising awareness that judging and leaving the song based on its start will lead to a personal disservice. The unadorned initial 47 seconds have an appeal, but probably not sufficient for the entirety of a song. The vocals are heartfelt, but low-key and low energy. And the guitar sounds as if it were a budget friendly purchase by someone considering taking the instrument seriously.
 
     Then, around the 47-second mark of “what do you say?,” a piano signals a shift in energy and contributions. And the first of multiple shifts occurs. The song from QUIET CONFIDENCE masterfully employs a steady crescendo. Still, the most ear-catching shift is the unexpected, impassioned additional vocal contributors toward the end of the song. Interestingly, “what do you say?” returns to its original minimalist approach in mid-question during its final seconds.
 
     QUIET CONFIDENCE is the musical project to Ryan Lane, who is based in Louisville, Kentucky. In an interesting explanation of “what do you say?,” he noted:
   “This song opens the album and is a reflection of why I wrote this album during COVID quarantine. I tried to peel back the layers of my thoughts and feelings at the time and why I pursued writing an album. I had some of my very close friends help shout along at the end that seems to answer the rhetorical question of 'what do you say?' A question that's a friendly offering to get lost in this music but also 'what do you say'... when the world is so broken, especially during a pandemic. So... what do you say?”
 
     “what do you say?” by QUIET CONFIDENCE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quiet_confidence/
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/quiet.confidence
 
Lyrics of “what do you say?” by QUIET CONFIDENCE
what do you say?
when time is still
and I wrote all the words
that time could kill
so what do you say?
this is where I go
when everywhere is closed
and I hope you'd want to know
so what do you say?
when I don't know which is worse
they sold some good news
like they know what it's worth
so what do you say?
so what do you say?
 
so what do you say?
when this is all I know
and my lungs can't fill my throat
with the air to find the note
so what do you say?
tonight we'll have a ball
last dance on a star
last chance to crash a car
so what do you say?
so what do you say?
 
so what do you say?
I'll gladly wear that cast again
I'll always be around for you my friend
so what do you say?
when sometimes it gets hard
cause sometimes it gets hard
yeah, sometimes it gets hard
so what do you say?
so what do you say?

“February” by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

 

     “February” showcases a captivating interplay of intense, low-frequency drumming juxtaposed with softer, higher-pitched guitar and vocals. The appealing contrast is projected from the start of the song from Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, as a calming guitar hook sandwiches bursts of aggressive percussion. In this case, the guitar prevails – the percussion is less forceful with each of its opportunities to interrupt the guitar.
 
     Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band explains, “’February’ is about apologies that often get left unsaid.” The lyrics of the song are included at the bottom of this post. The band is based in Seattle, Washington, and features three bothers. The members are Benjamin Verdoes as lead vocalist and guitarist, Peter Verdoes on second guitar, Marshall Verdoes on drums, and Jared Price playing bass. Again quoting the band’s interesting description of their single, “Marshall thunders down on the drums with carefree certainty, while the guitars and bass weave together a net for Benjamin’s soft vocals.”
 
     In 2022, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band emerged from more than a decade of hibernation to share the single “Eyes Wide Shut.” Now, the release of “February” adds to the credibility that the band has reinvented itself. While “Hollywood” and other songs from their earlier albums are appealing, this relaunch features an edgier and more percussion-heavy sound that musically elevates the band. The recent releases are through Jenny Invert Records.
 
     “February” by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mshveebee/
Website: https://www.mshvb.com/

Lyrics of “February” by Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Torn your tee shirt
Pulled it right off your back
Broken windshield
Spiderwebs in the glass
 
Hope to tell you once or twice more
Apologies still waiting on the floor
I swept them up, I tried
I tried ignoring
Memories come slow
And then suddenly
 
February swimming pools in our eyes
Ice cold showers, what, what a surprise
 
Hope to tell you once or twice more
Apologies still waiting on the floor
I swept them up, I tried
I tried ignoring
Memories come slow and then suddenly
I feel again