Chris Church
Going 'Til We Go (Single)
Big Stir Records
Chris returns with a new sound that is the best of very early 80s new wave: think Men At Work, The Fixx, and Missing Persons. For once, drum machines and synths are used the right ways, as one of many instruments, not just the only ones. Good guitar playing too. If this is the way his upcoming album Radio Transmission sounds, it’s going to be good.
Andrea Weiss
The Weeklings return, in advance of their new album, with a new, great take on "I’ve Just Seen A Face." I’m always up for a Beatles cover, especially if it reinvents the song, which happens here.
Rocky Weekling (John Merjave), lead guitarist of The Weeklings, was kind enough to answer a few questions for me.
Andrea Weiss: Why did you cover this particular Beatles song?
Rocky Weekling: Rubber Soul is one of our favorite albums. And, yes, we know "IJSAF" was on Help! in the UK. but growing up in the States in the 60s and 70s, that's how the US version of RS opens. When approaching the Beatles' music, we always feel a bit hesitant trying to re-imagine a Beatles classic, especially knowing how beloved the catalog is. But Lefty (Glen Burtnik) had an idea to change it up a little - to come in with a drum loop, start with the verse instead of the little guitar interlude that's on the original, and rock it up a bit. He changed the overall feel of it from a country two-step to a straight-ahead driving rock groove, so it really changes the vibe of the tune. From there, all four of us just cobbled away in the studio, but most of the interesting bits, including that nice vocal-in-the-round near the end, came from Lefty.
AW: Will this be on your upcoming album?
RW: Most definitely. In fact, we're working on the new album right now!
AW: Will there be more singles released from it?
RW: That’s the plan. We want to get new music out every few months and lead up to the new album. It's the way of the music industry at the moment, very singles driven.
AW: Do you feel this is a good introduction for people new to the band? Is it a good lead-in for young people just discovering the Beatles?
RW: The way things are nowadays, with the amount of music that's being created, from both signed acts and independent ones, anything that can get you noticed is a major plus. If someone is a Beatles fan and sees our version of "IJSAF," they might say, "What is THIS?" After that, their ears will have to judge it. Hopefully they'll like it and dig deeper into our catalog (it's all out there on all the streaming services). As for the younger audience who is just now discovering The Beatles, it's hard to say. As long as it's out there - a new version with a brand new 2023 release date stamped on it - they might be a little more curious and click on it.
’ve Just Seen A Face (Single)
The Weeklings
Jem Records
To make this Beatles classic move from folk/country rock to something hard charging, psychedelic, and a real rush musically, took daring, but that’s what great about power pop. It can make the old new again. If you are a Beatles fan, you will enjoy this, even if it might take a bit of adjusting, but if the Beatles are new to you, or you’ve heard a bit, or just heard of them, this is a good way in. Originally this was on the US version of Rubber Soul, which is another way into this band; in the UK it was on Help!. But any way you want it, this song is the way to go. So, happy listening to new or old fans.
Andrea Weiss
The Plus 4
You Look Right Through Me (Single)
Self Released
The song is about unrequited love, and the music is halfway between early Byrds and the Beatles' "Ticket To Ride." It’s easy to feel for the main character, hope that he’ll get the lady, and wonder why she isn’t she noticing him. The music is fun. If you love "Ticket To Ride" as much as I do, go seek this band out. They're really good.
Andrea Weiss
R. Ring
War Poems, We Rested
Don Giovanni Records
The second album from the duo of Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery, while different from their 2017debut Ignite The Rest, compliments that album perfectly. Each album is distinct and great.
Their first comprised songs they’d had from their start in 2012, up to 2016. This album is all new songs, and with a drummer throughout, Laura King, who is very good. They also stretch their sound:“Def Sup” is very playful and danceable, “Hug” is more or less self explanatory, as in giving people hugs, "Still Life" is anti-substance abuse, Mike’s song “Likable” is very much so. The way the songs flow into each other is worth the price of admission alone.
Kelley’s songs mostly are rough and somewhat raw, the way they were on Ignite. Mike’s are more ethereal. All are good, and, again, compliment Ignite, but stand on their own wonderfully.
This album was recorded in 2019. Everything they did worked, and the album is worth the wait. If you’re looking for some different, terrific experimental music, this is an album to get. I think you will think it worth the wait too.
Andrea Weiss
Tim Reisert
Viewfinder
Sofaburn Records
Reisert’s debut for Sofaburn Records is spare, stark, but not necessarily dark indie folk. Tim plays every instrument except for Steve Bleh’s mandolin on "Tulip Tree."
The lyrics speak of solitude, of quiet, thoughtful times, with weathered, wizened singing set to equally quiet music, which looks forward and back at the same time, all of which suits the songs to a tee.
Such contemplative music is perfect for quiet times, maybe a rainy day, to sit around and think, which makes it a great album. It's gentle, but not soft, tough, but tender, empathetic, and made to listen to not just alone, but in small groups. Tell people how good it is, play it for them, and hopefully get them to buy it for themselves.
Andrea Weiss
R. Ring
Hug (Official Video)
Don Giovanni Records
The video is nicely humorous and darkly satirical. Falling apples never looked so menacing, as do shaking skeletons and other cut and pasted figures and objects in a really wonderful collage by Alex Leonard of Protomartyr and Amanda Shepard.
The song is too, and more or less self explanatory about giving someone a hug. It’s from this band’s excellent new album, War Poems, We Rested, and “Hug” is one of the best songs on it. It’s sung by Kelley Deal. She, Mike Montgomery and Laura King play great. So watch it, have some fun, and then pick up their album.
Andrea Weiss
