“Something About This Place” by Thrillhouse – A Song Feature

 

     A downhome warmth is spun by guitars and aided by the kickdrum to signal the song’s nostalgic message of looking back at a youthful past and also forward with a resolution to move on. Thrillhouse released the title track from their upcoming album, “Something About This Place.” The duo explains that the album in general and the title track in particular reflect upon times in the sleepy seaside resort town Bognor Regis, UK.
 
     Our sometimes embarrassingly flawed understandings of the lyrics are included at the bottom of this post. “Something About This Place” talks about remembering being 10, commenting that “things will never be that good again.” There is also a reference to the girl who “showed me how.” The lyrics shift between the recognition that it is time to move on and the irresistibility of the recollections.
 
     Thrillhouse begin their single with a cozy feel, which is driven by an appealing guitar riff having a Southern touch. Then, the tempo jumps up a level when “Something About This Place” reaches the chorus. The jump seems well timed with the idea of memories "flooding back." At that point, the rhythm becomes a driving factor within the song. Still, the instrumental highlight doesn’t appear until the guitar solo that begins at 2:47. Later, the outro holds its own, particularly with the growing presence of the piano.
 
     Thrillhouse are based in Brighton, UK. While talking about their single, vocalist Sam Strawberry explained, "I was really lucky, I had a happy childhood, we didn't have a lot back then but I swear the sun was always shining...At least that's how I remember it." The song weaves a personal tale of the trials of transitioning into adulthood, realizing many of the things you once loved are no longer here.
 
     “Something About This Place” by Thrillhouse

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Lyrics of “Something About This Place” by Thrillhouse (numerous best guesses)

Time to wake up, it's been too long
Those good old days have been and gone
The rusty frame has been replaced
Now there's nothing to climb, memories erased
 
The open gate that never closed
Well, it's been sealed up, nut by nut
It's been time to move on for way too long
What's the point of just hanging on?
 
But then it all comes flooding back
Can't keep it out
I've been here for 25 years
But I can't keep it out of my head
 
It all comes flooding back
And I cannot forget
I don't know what it is
But it's something about this place
Oh yeah
 
I remember when I was 10
Things will never be that good again
Those haunted dreams they still exist
But they’re surrounded by some thick ol’ mist
 
Well Johnnie McLeod, she showed me how
And the other two were so damn cool
I go back from time to time, things have changed
So have I
 
But then it all comes flooding back
Can't keep it out
Now I've been here for 25 years
But I can't keep it out of my head
 
It all comes flooding back
And I cannot forget
I don't know what it is
But it's something about this place
 
Oh I don’t know
But I got to look back
Maybe it's time that I start again
Oh, I can't tell which way to turn
Maybe it's time I go it alone
 
Maybe it's time to give it a try
Turn around and start again
Maybe it's time to figure it out
I don't know what it is
But it's something about this place
 

“Magical Touch” and “Otherside” by The Wans – Song Features

 

     The Wans are preparing to release an eleven-song LP on the 11^th anniversary of their first EP. The LP “Magical Touch” is scheduled to drop on July 26, 2023. Thus far, two rousing singles are available, including the title track. The album was recorded and mixed using vintage recording equipment and minimal overdubs, which regular concert-goers will readily recognize as the best formula for the ability to perform songs in a live setting without reducing the authenticity of the show by using techniques such as pre-recorded backing tracks.
 
     Interestingly, both currently available songs from the upcoming LP are unapologetically Rock while having intelligent insights into romantic relationships. That’s particularly accurate for the title track, “Magic Touch,” which was motivated by a 1958 movie. The lyrics of the song are included in this post. The third line is the name of the 65-year-old movie, “Bell, Book, and Candle,” which is a story about a “modern-day” (1958) witch who enchants a neighbor to shift his love from his fiancée to her. Thus, the lyrics reference witchcraft, stirring the potion, and casting spells.

     Instrumentally, “Magical Touch” begins with a somewhat inelegant chime and then The Wans hit the ground running. The song has an intentionally gritty feel. The energy is at its highest during the bridge that begins at 2:07. But the chorus is not far behind and is likely to induce fans to sing alone during concerts.
 
     The Wans are based in Nashville, Tennessee. The band is fronted by Simon Kerr and includes Thomas Bragg (bass), Noah Denney (drums), and Akshay Narang (keys and guitar). While talking about the upcoming LP, Kerr said:
  “There are certainly hints of 80’s and 90’s Brit-Pop influences, but the songwriting has become more focused and that’s not an overthought. My dad, Tony Kerr, has been my main songwriting partner since I was 16. Some father-son’s bond over fishing, but we bond over writing songs. It’s become effortless when we write together.”
    Bragg added:
  “Simon and I have been so excited with what’s going on in the Irish/British music scene in the last few years. Bands like Idles and Fontaines D.C have made some of the best records of the last decade and I think that definitely had an effect on our music and this record.”
 
     “Magical Touch” by The Wans

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Lyrics of “Magical Touch” by The Wans
Your love is hard to handle
Bell, Book and a Candle
You set it alight
 
Your love is what I’m under
Witchcraft
One or the other
What happens tonight?
 
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch
 
Can't shake
The charm you gave me
Daybreak it′s still on me
You set me alight
 
Midnight
Stirrin' the potion
You read every emotion
I'll take it tonight
 
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch
You got the magical touch
 
Run out of places to hide
You hold the secret inside
You cast a spell over us
You got the magical touch [3 times]
 
You got the magical touch [3 times]

     Simon Kerr explained the meaning of the second song release for the LP:
   “’Otherside’ is a coming of age kind of a song as much as it is a love song. In my earlier years, I was most likely a bit of an idiot and selfishly broke a few people’s hearts, which I regret. That’s where this song comes in. It’s about finding love and realizing that’s the person you’re supposed to be with. ‘I would break hearts one after the other until I found you.’ As much as it is about love it’s also about growth as a person and being a good human being. Ha. We can’t all be 20 years old forever can we? That’s not saying we don’t all stumble and fall every now and then. Aside from the subject matter, the song has my favorite guitar solo on the record. A 1969 Univox superfuzz into a 1964 vibroverb that was cranked. Total Search & Destroy sound (The Stooges).”

 
     The Wans begin “Otherside” with a cleaner sound than in the title track of the LP. The bass is as crisp as a bass can be. But the song soon takes a turn into the Garage sound. Again talking about the LP, Kerr said:
  “The Wans’ have always shared a brotherhood and love for making Rock n’ Roll, which is much needed in today’s overall climate and music scene. Lyrically, this record purposefully radiates self-awareness, love, and togetherness. The Wans’ are everything to me. When it comes to the song’s they’re all we have. The great Joe Strummer once said, ‘People have got to stop pretending they're not in the world. It's time to take that humanity back into the center of the ring and follow that for a time. Think on that. Without people you're nothing.’”
 
     “Otherside” by The Wans

“Colour of Joy” by Dilly Dally – A Song Feature

 

     Dilly Dally released a pair of breakup songs, but with a twist. Instead of the end of a romantic relationship, the band announced it is disbanding. The picture in this post shows an empty stage, while fans of Dilly Dally patiently stand near the stage. In an Instagram post on March 2, Dilly Dally stated:
  “We wanted to say goodbye on a positive note. That's why we are self-releasing two new songs today. Recorded close to home in Toronto, they came about naturally over the last year or so.”
 
     Ironically, one of the songs is about recovering from the difficulty of a relationship, so that the couple can again see the “Colour of Joy.” Truthfully, we are relying on the understanding of the lyrics by others, since we struggle with deciphering the lyrics given the vocal style. The highlight of the song is the strong guitar work, with the vocal passion distinguishing the song from others we find blogworthy.
 
     Dilly Dally is a Canadian band formed by Enda Monks (rhythm guitar and vocals), Liz Ball (lead guitar), Annie Jane Marie (bassist) and Benjamin Reinhartz (drummer.
 
     “Colour of Joy” by Dilly Dally

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