A Bunch of Fives (New Challenge Thread)

[Flex]

If these 5 had shown randomly on a playlist, I'd have been thrilled.

Lesibu Grand
Really catchy. Love the bass too, especially during one of the instrumental bits where it sounded a bit John Entwhistle-y.

Viagra Boys
There's something strangely compelling about VB. They're the only one of the five I'm familiar with which came about because Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods promotes them a lot. I enjoy "Welfare Jazz' a lot.

Bad Cop/Bad Cop
I love this kind of punk/pop. Maybe more for nostalgic reasons than anything else and this would fit right on those tapes I used to lovingly make and share back in the day. I find the bad acting in the video somewhat endearing too.

Jaya the Cat
Reminds me of the 'The Way' by Fastball which was one of those songs I'd *love* when it came on the radio but never bought it. I'd probably feel the same way about Jaya the Cat - I like it a lot but probably wouldn't buy it with real money.

Bad Waitress
I did play this one (and the rest to be fair) at about the highest level my PC setup allows (which a least has an external amp and Klipsch speakers) and it was much more enjoyable for it. I wonder how many songs I don't get the full effect on because I'm too lazy to switch the cable and make do with the tinny internal PC speaker. My neighbours probably hate me even more now, but it's worth it when I hear songs like this.

Oliver, good comments and glad to hear someone else knows Viagra Boys! Appreciate the work you want through to follow my volume instructions, lol

[Heston]

GK BILL

Cowbell - Tallulah.
Yeah, I like this. A bit bluesy for my usual tastes but this is rather enjoyable. 7/10

Sons of Kemet - The Castle of my Skin.
Not for me, just made me feel uncomfortable. 3/10

Streetlight Manifesto - The Three of Us.
A bit too much of a barrage of sound for me. Some good ideas there but the arrangement seems overcooked. 5/10

The Bobby Lees - Drive.
A bit too basic for me, many have done this kind of thing better. 5/10

Unschooling - More is More.
Nope, my liking for melody and structure means this leaves me cold. 4/10

Sorry I couldn't be more positive but I'm finally catching up.

[Dr. Medulla]

I care about my hearing, so I played at a sensible volume and you’ll all do well to follow my example.

Lesibu Grand, “Hot Glue Gun.”
The arcade noises at the start gave me “Play To Win” sweats. But this is a fine bit of straight-forward fuck you. I’m not sure it’s memorable, but it’s fierce while it’s playing, which is what matters.

Viagra Boys, “Ain't Nice.”
I’m a sucker for slow fuzzy bass, so you got me there right away (note to Kory—this is how you’ll win my heart … and more). And it just cruises along with deliberate nasty until some mad scronking sax. This shit is awesome. Heston will hate it.

Bad Cop/Bad Cop, “Nightmare.”
This song made me realize that, like ska, pretty much all pop punk sounds the same to me. I basically dig it all while it’s playing (tho, intellectually, pop punk is a complete betrayal of punk’s higher principles, but that’s neither here nor there right now), but it’s just tasty empty calories. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Jaya the Cat, “Closing Time.”
I feared it would be a cover of that terrible Semisonic song. I don’t dislike this—as in, hit skip—but I think I’d like it a whole lot more live and with a few drinks in me. It’s a solid tune and everything, but needs environment to be more than that.

Bad Waitress, “Let's Get Fucked Up!”
Oh yeah, saving the best for last. Note the fuzzy bass again (Kory!). Short but joyously grouchy. This is ideal punk-as-therapeutic-release music. Yeah, really fucking good.

[Flex]

I care about my hearing, so I played at a sensible volume and you’ll all do well to follow my example.

Okay, found the cop

Bad Waitress, “Let's Get Fucked Up!”
Oh yeah, saving the best for last. Note the fuzzy bass again (Kory!). Short but joyously grouchy. This is ideal punk-as-therapeutic-release music. Yeah, really fucking good.

Glad this one hit those notes. I think you've made the punk-as-therapy comment about some other picks in this thread and it stuck with me as I was selecting a couple of these.

[Dr. Medulla]

I care about my hearing, so I played at a sensible volume and you’ll all do well to follow my example.

Okay, found the cop

Canadian.

[gkbill]

Hello,

Lesibu Grand: decent rock stuff - reminds me a bit of Alice Cooper-style - I'm curious to hear other tracks

Viagra Boys: I've heard and seen this elsewhere - strikes me as a bit forced punkie-ness/snotty-ness - lyrically without redeeming qualities but I actually like the music

Bad Cop/Bad Cop: fun guitar pop (not punk pop as I'm starting to think punk pop is an oxymoron) - upbeat stuff that's what guitar rock should be - Green Day-ish

Jaya the Cat - I like these guys - I think I either saw or posted Here Comes the Drum elsewhere - kind of ska with a lean towards rock

Bad Waitress - a bit more aggressive than the Bad Cop/Bad Cop track but also good guitar rock

This is a good set. Thanks for posting.

[revbob]

I care about my hearing, so I played at a sensible volume and you’ll all do well to follow my example.
...

Ok gramps. Heston has some nice Phil Collins for you. In the meantime try not to have any fun. Oh its past 10pm so you've already had your warm milk and are fast asleep. Got any butterscotch candies?

[Flex]

Jaya the Cat - I like these guys - I think I either saw or posted Here Comes the Drum elsewhere - kind of ska with a lean towards rock

Damn, I even had a couple of other tracks that I skipped because I thought I remembered them in this thread. You probably turned me onto these guys with this thread and I forgot, lol.

[Dr. Medulla]

I care about my hearing, so I played at a sensible volume and you’ll all do well to follow my example.
...

Ok gramps. Heston has some nice Phil Collins for you. In the meantime try not to have any fun. Oh its past 10pm so you've already had your warm milk and are fast asleep. Got any butterscotch candies?

Yes, but they're one big glob now, so you have to use my special candy hammer and chisel to break one off for yourself.

[Marky Dread]

Am I due next?

[revbob]

Am I due next?

Yes

[matedog]

Au Revoir Simone, “Crazy”
Def heard of these guys, but haven't done a deep dive. Very hipstery as you noted and I'm okay with that. Vocalist reminds me a bit of Asobi Seksu, so though it's not shoegaze, it is giving me shoegaze feelings if that makes sense. Doesn't wow me, but I like it. Vocals are appealing, nice driving tempo, and the hooks are there. 7/10.

Kitten, “Cut It Out”
Got into these guys not too long ago. "G#" and "Strange Embrace" were the ones I was digging. Hadn't heard this one, but it's almost as good as those. Similar vibe with big chorus, smart drumming/programming, airy vocals and synths. Gotta like it. 8/10

Drug Store Romeos, “Frame of Reference”
Getting more shoegaze vibes from this one. Vocals are a bit too light and girlie for me. Instrumentation, drums/programming are all really well done, but the vocals don't do as much for me. 6/10

Midwife, “S.W.I.M.”
That first chord caught my attention. This is moody as hell. The vocals sound great with almost everything having a distorted layer. It's a bit long without much change, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing in this case given the subject matter. 7/10

The Innocence Mission, “There”
Jangly guitar pop isn't really my thing, particularly with another precious vocal. This isn't bad, but just doesn't do much for me in spite of indirect connection with the gloriously 90s film Empire Records. 5/10

[Marky Dread]

TV Smith - Immortal Rich


Age old story really. Lyrics say it all. Great feel to this track.

Eddie Floyd - Big Bird


Some of you may know this from the live cover version by The Jam. This is a killer slice of Stax beat.

David Rovics - The Draft Is Coming


Does what it says on the tin. Paired to a Guthrie/Dylan style tune.

Richard Thompson - Dad's Gonna Kill Me


Another anti war song. Love the feel to this and it has great energy.

Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band - Apache


This cover of The Shadows tracks grooves like a mutha!

This completes my five for this time out. Have fun.

[Heston]

I should get back up to speed tonight, looking forward to it.

[Marky Dread]

I should get back up to speed tonight, looking forward to it.

Go easy on that speed.