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Music from the Heartland:
A weekly guide to music from the Midwest
By The Music Encyclopedia
For the inaugural week of this new blog series, I’m going to introduce you to a couple bands who contrast in several ways, but both warrant people’s attention.
The Envy Corps
Upon first listening to them, it’s likely to think this band hails from Great Britain, judging from their anglophile sound. On the contrary this band originates from Des Moines, and the band was formed by the lead singer, Luke Pettipoole in 2002 at Iowa State University. Since 2002, they have released several EPs and a couple full length albums, their most notable being their latest release, It Culls You, which came out the Fall of 2011. Throughout the years they have bounced back forth between major and independent labels, and they have toured with big name acts like The Killers. Their indie anthemic rock has often been compared to Radiohead, and Corps’ anglophile sound could be a result of the time they have spent in London. Starting off as simple alternative rock band their sound has gotten progressively more serious and intricate over the years. They truly have a unique blend of sounds, from the bombastic synthy clashes of their song Screen Test, to the heart pulsing rock of the song Ms. Hospital Corners. They are an inventive and evolving band to listen to, and a very fun band to watch live as well. This Spring they were seen opening for Imagine Dragons’ tour, and currently they have no upcoming tour dates, but hopefully their success will be on the up and up, and that they’ll release a new album soon, at least for this proud Iowan.
theenvycorps.com
Night Moves
No, this is not Bob Seger’s ubiquitous 1976 album that I am choosing to write about this week though this Minneapolis band chose a name that is reflective of their nostalgic 70’s sound. This band somehow manages to make synths and twanging sounds go so well. Their debut album, Colored Emotions, which is demanded to be played in order, combines glam rock with a country Americana sound that no one could have imagined before. The lead singer John Pelant also brings freakish howling vocals to these rollicking songs as well. Each track on the album is pieced together, starting with a jangly guitar and harmonica on Headlights, the song rumbling along, the soundtrack to a night on a long freeway. Country Queen starts off acoustically and plaintive but rushes into a striking vocal chorus. The rest of the tracks play like chapters in a story, with Horses being another highlight of the album as well. For an album that sounds like it belongs in the Western landscape of the U.S., it’s surprising to believe this band is from Minnesota. Night Moves is currently touring throughout the U.S., a few of the dates performing with another country leaning indie band, Father John Misty. This is quite a distinctive band, that I would gladly see live.
nightmovesmpls.com
*Note the Midwest drawing is from Raygunsite.com. Check out their stuff!*
Review By: Sam “Music Encyclopedia” McIntosh, Class of 2016
Jim James, the lead singer of the southern psychedelic rock band My Morning Jacket, has now come out with his first solo album, Regions of Light and Sound of God. Some people think that he didn’t really need to come out with a solo album, and that this could have just been an MMJ album, but I think this album is a refreshing look into what goes on in just James’ head. This album, with only 9 tracks, was inspired by a wordless graphic novel written in the 1920s called God’s Man, so it supposes that this is a soundtrack to that book. It would be interesting to see the drawings from that book that inspired this album of cosmic and sometimes dark funk. This first track, State of the Art, is quiet and dark, and it begins with just piano and James’ voice. The song has ‘60s soul to it, and it’s a great mysterious start to the album. Another highlight is the second track, Know Til Now, which is very mystical and its repetitive ringing gives the song a very anxious feel. But it also has a great moment in it where the sound drops and the feel of the song changes, which is a highlight for me. Other great tracks are Dear One, which is very cosmic and its lyrics are pretty romantic and philosophical, and A New Life, which is the most pop sounding song on the album, which starts quiet but builds the whole time, adding instruments and all. Overall, I would say a drawback to this album is that it doesn’t have MMJ’s southern rock to balance with James’ ethereal lyrics and sounds. Regions of Light and Sound of God may not be the kind of rock that you love about MMJ, but it’s a great music experiment made by James.
Recommended tracks:
1,2,3,4,6
Review by: Sam “Music Encyclopedia” McIntosh, Class of 2016
Another great super group has come along, called Middle Brother, which is comprised of Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith, Delta Spirit’s Matt Vasquez, and Deer Tick’s John J. McCauley. I’m not familiar with Deer Tick but I am a fan of Dawes and Delta Spirit, and I think Middle Brother is a great blend of both of the bands’ sounds. All three artists share singing lead vocals on the album, and harmonize frequently throughout. Part of the album, like the songs Wilderness, Blood and Guts, and Thanks for Nothing, sound like Dawes’ stoic mellow Americana rock, and the part of the album that McCauley sings lead on like the title track and Portland, the former showing a more faster paced but Americana sound. There are other great highlights of the album, like the feel good song Blue Eyes, which features Vasquez singing lead with Goldsmith providing the harmony, and the song Someday which takes quite a departure from the rest of the album with a unique blend of sixties pop guitar and drums and Vasquez’s gravelly vocals. Another highlight from the album is Middle Brother’s take on a song by Dawes called Million Dollar Bill, which I actually prefer over the original. Overall, this album is a great listen for fans of Dawes, Delta Spirit, and Deer Tick.
Recommended Tracks
2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12
Review by: Sam “Music Encyclopedia” McIntosh, Class of 2016
I’ll admit right off the bat that I’ve been listening to Rufus Wainwright constantly, and this album is mostly to blame. A great alternative-soul rock songwriter, singer, and balladeer, this album is probably his most danceable out of all his albums, with the style ranging from ‘70s rock, to motown, and then to what I can only describe as “swirly synthy pop”. It’s a welcome return to the clever pop/rock stuff he did at the beginning of his career, compared to his previous somber album that was released after his mother, Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle passed away from cancer. This album reflects on his younger years on the title track, on the track, Rashida, he cheekily sings about how a certain actress that took back a Vanity Fair invitation gave him “ a reason to write a song”. This album, especially the track, Montauk, was inspired by the birth of his daughter Viva. Although the album gets monotonous in the middle, I greatly recommend this album because of Wainwright’s enchanting albeit nasal voice, and the slick production by Mark Ronson, known for producing people like Amy Winehouse. It’s great music to listen to while you’re hanging out, or needing inspiration from the genius of Rufus Wainwright.
Recommended Tracks: 1,2,3,4,6,7,9,10
Review By: Sam “Music Encyclopedia” McIntosh, Class of 2016
If you like Canadian acts like Metric and Tegan and Sara, you will love a band that hails from the not-too-far-away Minnesota, Now, Now. Now, Now’s latest album, Threads. The band describes their music as “sad pop” and that is a simplistic but accurate description of the band. The album is very cohesive, and it demands to be play from start to finish. The first track, The Pull, is a reverberating intro that smartly blends into the song Prehistoric, and no track is a disappointer. Each track is like a link in a chain of dark mellow rocking sort of poppy music. There are hooky choruses and guitar riffs throughout, and the lead singer/guitarist Cacie Dalager and guitarist Jess Abbott voices blend perfectly as well. This band is certainly on the rise, and this album deserves a listen or fifty.
Recommended Tracks: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12
Review by: Sam “Music Encyclopedia” McIntosh, Class of 2016
Soul and rock and roll singer Dr. John, probably best known for his ‘70s hit, Right Place Wrong Time, still shows how musically talented he is 40 years later with his latest album, Locked Down. Locked Down was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, so this album is really good for people who like the blues rock sound of The Black Keys. This album is soulful rock with a voodoo medicine man feel, especially noticeable from the album artwork. Listening to this album, makes you feel like you’re in the swamps of the Louisiana south, but with a new fresh feel to it that doesn’t sound outdated. One stand out song is Revolution, which is the lead single that is played on AAA radio on rotation. Not one single disappoints though!
Review By: Nick “VP” Utter, Class of 2016
Soft vocals, but surprisingly catchy songs. I was genuinely impressed by Sam Beam, stage name Iron and Wine. Plus who doesn’t love some saxophone? I wouldn’t necessarily call their songs fun, but the instrumentals really make this album. It’s funky, but also soft, soulful, and meaningful. Well written lyrics are just the foundation that the rest of this album is built off of. Now I’m not jumping up and down for this album, but it’s very well put together. The opening track, Walking Far from Home, takes you on a journey making you want to hear what stories the rest of the album has to offer. The songs are really diverse in sound and meaning, so for the most part the album entertains well. Obvious there is the exception of a few songs that the album could do without, but what album doesn’t. Turn on this album, go on a journey, get nostalgic, bob your head, tap your toes, fall asleep for eight minutes, wake up to some beautiful harp sounds and soft vocals, get funky, and repeat to taste. Also did I forget to mention Sam has got a really awesome beard? In all seriousness I would check out this album, but don’t get discouraged if you’re not diggin it after a single listen through.
Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 3, 7, 11
Review by: Nino Erba, Class of 2016
Hailing from Sweden, The Radio Dept. is another indie band to people quirky, often synth and drums music, though guitars certainly show up here. Some songs show a lack of accessibility, and the reverbed (processed?), not-exactly-passionate vocals take time to get used to. But when they get the right mix (as on “We Made the Team”), they help support the cred that indie music can be cool and fresh compared to some of the mainstream drudge out there. No, they’re not ABBA or Max Martin, but these Scandinavians have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Recommended tracks: 3, 6, 8
Review by: Sam “Music Encyclopedia” McIntosh, Class of 2016
The Church of Rock and Roll is 21st Century Glam Rock at its finest. The album has rocking Queen-like anthems like “I Like It” with its catchy “come ons”, and the song “Holy Touch” sounds definitely inspired by Sweet. The band doesn’t shy from its softer side, with the very poppy “Last Chance at Love” which the lead singer Eric Sean Nally reminds me a lot of Christine McVie. The whole album is just rocking feel good fun.
Recommended Tracks: 2,3,4,7,8
