“I Fall Over” by Wild Cub – A Song Review

     With “I Fall Over,” Wild Cub fully embrace the influence of Talking Heads. The Nashville-based band has evidenced the influence in their past releases and their videos, but this song goes the extra step. The guitar work and the vocal style are consistent with those of the 1970s and 1980s band from New York. But “I Fall Over” includes elements that belong to Wild Cub. We particularly like the multi-member chorus.

     The members of Wild Cub are Keegan DeWitt (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Bullock (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Dabney Morris (drums), Harry West (bass), and Eric Wilson (synth). The band will release their second album, “Closer,” on September 8th.

     Wild Cub will be on tour in September and October. The tour will include a stop in San Francisco. On September 14, they will perform at Rickshaw Stop. For ticket information, CLICK HERE. In an earlier visit to SF (at The Independent), they paused their show to allow a marriage proposal. That sideshow will be difficult to top, but SF crowds are up to the task. Right?

     “I Fall Over” by Wild Cub 

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

Website: http://wildcubmusic.com/

Wild Cub tour dates (ticket information – CLICK HERE):

9/11 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern

9/12 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

9/14 - San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop

9/15 - Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room

9/22 - Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room

9/23 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club

9/26 - Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall

9/27 - Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar

9/29 - Washington, DC @ DC9

9/30 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry at the Fillmore

10/01 - Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

10/04 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

“Leaving California” by Jack Shields - A Song Review

     It’s a song about returning home. The video of “Leaving California” shows a respect for the joys of the state, but California does not hold the number one position in the singer’s heart. At first, we interpreted the song as a triumph of romance over geography, with the proclamation of “But I’m leaving California… for you” being directed to another person. Since then, we’ve concluded that Jack Shields is informing Connecticut that he’s returning home. That conclusion was verified by Shields' description on SubmitHub:
  "My name is Jack Shields (aka atolla and steve irwin to many). I am 20 years old, and have been producing and performing music for 10 years in my hometown of Ridgefield CT. On this new release I have departed from my forays into electronic music and returned to my roots of folk, rock, guitar, blah blah blah blah… This music video was shot over a 3 week road trip of California embarked on by 3 of my close friends. A defining experience of our lives, we learned more about ourselves and each other than we could have ever imagined, maybe too much. My hope is that this video can inspire people to take their own trips, put down their phones and see the world."

     The video for “Leaving California” evidences the attractiveness of the western state. There are scenes from the spectacular drive on Highway 1 as it runs along the steep cliffs adjacent to the Pacific. Yosemite National Park and San Francisco are well represented. In various locations, Jack Shields and his mates are shown. When walking, it’s always at a leisurely pace. Humdrum tasks, such as packing the van and setting up camp, carry an urgency, but the video primarily shows an easygoing lifestyle (when the van isn’t having troubles).

     The melody is similarly relaxed. The vocals are attractive and nuanced. The pauses during the two occurrences of “I’m leaving California… for you” are effective in communicating the message. And we particularly enjoy the somewhat anguished, slightly raspy voice that enters at the 2:14 mark.

     Instrumentally, “Leaving California" rests on the back of an acoustic guitar. Still, an electric guitar plays an important in establishing an instrumental bridge (at 2:32) and the percussion (kick drum?) pulls its weight with a tempo shift at 1:08.

     “Leaving California” will be on a 5-track EP by Jack Shields. The EP is scheduled for an August 15, 2017. It will also include "Cop Car Kids," "Unfamiliar," "Driveways," "Emma," and "May u all."

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

Lyrics of “Leaving California” by Jack Shields (some best guesses)

Pack the suitcase

Bring the smog

Leaving California for my home

Fill a jar with that ocean air

Setting sail with salt up in my hair

But the ink is on the paper

And the writing’s on the wall

I got silver in my pockets

And the sun within my heart

I got no enemies

And the ocean’s just so blue

But I'm leaving California

For you

Start the wagon and get me out of LA

She said don't look back

Unless you plan to stay

And all I is is rain

On the run away

Elementary eloquence

You are the wall

We cut the fence

I’m looking at the fifth break for the cold

Run my hand through your hair

A twist of fate the clear the air

I Know, you know

Now I'm livin’

In a place I won't call home

Suddenly my bones don't rest so young

So I ask you all to listen

Don't tread upon her faults

And the stories that she gives you

Play them through the halls

Your Majesty

You gave me all I got to lose

But I'm leaving California

For you

“Shadow Of A Wave” by The Vryll Society – A Song Review

     The reasons for getting excited about The Vryll Society continue to mount. Their most recent release is “Shadow Of A Wave.” The vocals remain strong, but the greater draw for this track is the guitar. One example occurs at 1:14, when the guitar re-entry after a short absence is non-intrusive, but ear-catching. The better example occurs one minute later. Through listening to music for years, we all have expectations as to where a song is heading. It’s disruptive when a band takes us elsewhere. Often it doesn’t work. The Vryll Society make it work at 2:14, when the guitar “solo” isn’t aligned with our path leading to that point.

     The Vryll Society are a Liverpool band formed of Michael Ellis (vocals), Ryan Ellis (guitar), Lewis McGuinness (guitar), Lloyd Shearer (bass), and Benjamin Robinson (drums).

     “Shadow Of A Wave” by The Vryll Society 

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

Lyrics of “Shadow Of A Wave” by The Vryll Society (Click the picture to enlarge.)