MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 5/8/2024
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Clare Doyle "You and My Guitar"
Singer-songwriter Clare Doyle delivers a melodic, sunset-tinged country love song with “You and My Guitar,” released as a single in 2023. Rippling, subtle echos punctuate certain sentiments, heard on the end chorus line (“like you and my guitar,” with “guitar” repeating) and in opening of the songs second verse when she sings, “You’re not a warm body/You’re the heat of the night,” with “body” reverberating outwards. This effect and where it is placed on her words highlights the literal and metaphorical comparisons Doyle makes between her beloved soulmate and her equally beloved instrument of choice. This song champions the human need for relationships and creative outlets, with poignant lyrics like “I didn’t fight through the dark to give up on bright and beautiful things/Like a fresh start, a beating heart/Like you and my guitar.” It’s true - when we’ve won our fight to stay alive, we must learn to appreciate living, enjoying the time spent with our loved ones and on our passions. Doyle is playing several shows in May, with the first stop being a local gig The White Squirrel on the 9th (no cover.)
12th House Sun "222"
Up-and-coming noise-rock stars 12th House Sun use plenty of pedal work and distortion to make their guitars swirl and fuzz noisily in the foreground of “222.” As a heavier example of shoegaze sound, 12th House Sun explode into emo screams at 2 minutes in, validating the listener’s sense of tension after hearing a notable edge underlining their hazy sound walls as the track builds across its bridges, leaning on the delightfully heavy-handed drumming to guide its shifts in tempo. “222,” released on their first album Behind the Glass in 2024, has a dreamlike quality, and may be a spiritual successor to their similarly angel-numbered song “444” released in 2021.
Neighbor Dog “Darts”
Neighbor Dog have an awesome Midwestern emo track here, with plenty of angst dripping from its nostalgic melodies. It opens boldly with trauma reminders and vivid imagery - “I washed my hands again, but the scent’s still there/It haunts me/It won’t leave/It spreads to everything.” The lead vocals cry out their poem in earnest, telling a story of the anguish required to break old cycles (“Hold it in, don’t let it out/This is the last time/I promise!/What have I done? I’m not having any fun!”) In their layered sound, you can feel the duality of allowing yourself your ‘bad’ feelings while wanting to heal and feel better - the verses repeat their same metaphor of ritualistic cleansing, this frantic over-washing of the protagonist’s hands, while their instruments collectively swell with hope. Ending “Darts” with that final scream is artistic exorcism and feels truly cathartic. The sudden silence that fills the space after the abrupt drop-off of the band is powerful. Neighbor Dog released this track on their new EP, Ozzy, in April 2024.
Pamela McNeill "Boys Lie"
The high-production, poppy vibes that Pamela McNeill (who was recently inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame) puts forward with “Boys Lie” tags it as a bright song for your summer, deserving a rightful place on your party playlist for long, chilled out evenings. This track is sonically at home with the experience of a windows down, late evening drive when the temperature hits a comfortably toasty 80-degrees. There’s a fun-loving thread running throughout this song, stitching its elements together - McNeill’s rocking vocals with quiet, twanging harmonies adding body; funky basslines, and clashing drum fills - all woven into the still folksy tune over which, lyrics describe the relatably tiresome experience the protagonist has had with her potential partners. “Boys Lie” was released as a single on March 1st, 2024. You can next catch McNeill performing with a full band at her record pre-release concert on May 17th, $27, at Pioneer Place.
Garden Tigers "Tidal Wave"
“Tidal Wave” is the perfect introduction to Garden Tigers, Justin Jacobson’s high concept and self-described “Cosmic Country” solo project. The lead vocals in this track have an Americanan twang; the electric guitar solos do too, despite their rock’n’roll, amped up sound. From Garden Tigers’ brand new album Fade in Chaos, “Tidal Wave” takes the listener on a journey through the genres its creator loves, emulating pieces of each to create a genre-mashed, well-inspired tune that uses familiar aural roots in a new way. There are plenty of layers to be enjoyed in this track, where instrumentation and effects are used in equal measure to craft Garden Tigers’ signature sound.
Cannabis Kiss "tranny"
Opening with extreme fuzz, plug-in squealing, and scratchy effects signifies boldly that Cannabis Kiss are serving up noise. The weight of their sound is dulled deliberately by their method of production, melting heavy instrumentation together into a distorted and out-of-focus post-rock wall of sound. The electric guitar solo that sings out through the haze is melodic and impressive, showcasing some rapid pitch-shifting in what must be a frenzied dance across the fretboard. “Tranny” was described by the band as a “trans rage banger” (it absolutely is!) and released in March 2024 as a single. Their next show is a benefit for Twin Cities Trans Mutual Aid Project on May 18th at The Cedar Cultural Center - $20 advance, $25 day of show.
