Tom Milsom - Painfully Mainstream

 

I was expecting something painfully ironic from Tom Milsom’s “Painfully Mainstream”. The irony in his image  complete with the neon pink album cover, hipster sunglasses and Bieber styled hair, is well delivered. When I saw the modern day Aaron Carter look alike I was expecting another desperate attempt at fame with over produced, in your face pop beats ridden with the bitterness of Justin Bieber’s overnight success. What I got was an  array of poppy garage rock reminiscent of Ben Folds (Indigo, Jake’ Song). As I have spent most of my time lately listening to digitally produced synth beats, the live drums were a pleasant reminder that full bands do still exist! I would recommend skipping the first track; it’s painfully average and the angstiness does a poor job setting the tone for the rest of the album.. “Song for the Painfully Indie” shows that he can belt a tune, I wish he would show off a little bit more. In any case, he’s adorable and judging by this blog comment by iamobsessedwithtom:

“you are an AMAZING singer/songwriter!!!! I AM OBSESSED WITH YOU AND <3 YOU SO MUCH! INDIGO IS ALMOST THE ONLY SONG I PLAY ON MY IPOD NOW!”

North Charleston, South Carolina

I’m sure he has amassed a herd of young female fans since the release of Painfully Mainstream almost two years ago. It’s amazing how far good hair and good looks can get you.

Painfully Mainstream, released 01 December 2009

 http://tommilsom.bandcamp.com/album/painfully-mainstream   It's FREE! or $1.

On the fence about this one. 

Nothing exciting going on today so here is a photo of a tree sprouting up in a parking lot in beautiful North Charleston, South Carolina. Home of one of the highest per capita crime rates in the country!

Walter Meego, Civil War Sequicentennial

Graffiti reads "Keep out"

The album of the day today is Walter Meego's WONDERVALLEY. When I buckled up this morning and hit play on my iPhone "Magic Eye" came on and the anxiety of only having one full album on my iPhone faded right away. Justin Sconza's vocal vascillation between relaxed verse and driving chorus put my mind at ease as I battled heavy mid day traffic and recalcitrant clients. The album is wrought with heavy distortion and synth accompaniment, however it is absolutely not your average synth pop album. Walter Meego ventures outside the confines of what you would expect from a lineup of young guys with keyboards. Their sound is very complex and well developed. "Magic Eye" is wistful and energetic, while "From California" has a completely different intimate and timid feel to it, rounding out the album with an end that in no way resembles the beginning. There is no lack of diversity on WONDERVALLEY. The contrast from track to track kept my mind wandering all day, enough so that I found myself distracted by the southern scenery as I navigated from place to place. 



www.waltermeego.com  - it's FREE!
Best Consumed with:  Work to do, Bustle






In the spirit of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War that is keeping the deep south abuzz this week, here is a picture of the sun shining on some ruins outside of Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island that I stumbled upon today.  

Dinosaur Feathers - Family Waves

Rainy day at the office.

Despite the filthy weather outside I can't stop listening to Dinosaur Feathers's sun shiney 2010 album, "Fantasy Memory". The tunes are perfect for blasting in the car with friends on the way to the beach or from a sun shiney porch over a late Sunday Brunch. I can't get the groovy melody of the title track out of my head. The album is populated with upbeat easily consumed guitar riffs and drifting harmonies. While it is most definitely not a dance album don't be shy when you catch your foot tappin' and head swayin'. I came across Dinosaur Feathers when I was listening to Freelance Whales on Youtube.

Now that the weather is warming up down here in the South we're amped about the release of their next project.

http://dinosaurfeathersmusic.blogspot.com

Best consumed with:  Friends, Mojitos