Hotspur is Super Haute

Goodness, gracious, great powerpop! Purevolume really delivered today with Maryland indie rockers Hotspur. With sleek rhythms, crystal clear vocals and accents of piano and electronica, I could hardly find fault with any of Hotspur's songs. Their lyrics were even a win! Members Joe Mach, Coop Cooper, Scott Robinson, Dave Trichter and Evan Anderson know their craft and know what they are doing.

"$$$" is layered with vocals and instruments, giving it a very full sound. I caught a bit of a Panic! At the Disco vibe from this song, especially in the vocals. They are very aggressive, which pairs perfectly with the tense lyrical content. I like this song because there is so much going on in it, but the band makes sure to blend all of it together.

"If These Walls Could Talk" is an upbeat, yet melancholy, tune with thoughtful lyrics. I especially enjoyed "If these walls could talk, would they tell you all the things I said while you were fast asleep lying next to me?" I think those lines capture that universal feeling that presents itself in relationships that suffer from the partners not saying what they really think. I appreciate Hotspur's honesty and ability to convey common situations through beautiful lyrics.

"You Should Know Better By Now" is a piano-driven song with fierce vocals. The chorus is catchier than the common cold. There is a bit of synthesizer thrown in that really makes the song pop right before the verses. It sounds a little bit like The White Tie Affair, and it works.

I would suggest Hotspur to anyone interested in high-energy pop rock with a dark side. Here is a video of them performing my favorite song of theirs, "Alphabetic File."

Thank you for reading. Shuffle on.

Photo credit: http://www.purevolume.com/hotspur/photos/2712547

Say Hello to Goodbye Blue Monday...or Not

Purevolume gave me a dreadfully mediocre post hardcore rock group today that made me feel underwhelmed and unaffected. Goodbye Blue Monday, from San Diego, produces close-to-catchy riffs but comes up short lyrically, vocally and stylistically.

"The Last of the Golden Palominos" left me with a horrible first impression. The guitar parts are sloppy, basic and too jumpy between riffs. The vocals are so digitally altered I found it difficult to understand the lyrics. The lack of cohesion between verses and choruses makes the song sound like a rough draft. The song is amateur at best.

"Help is on the Way" consists of more edited vocals, offbeat drums and technically unimpressive guitar. The song's choppiness goes unappreciated because the tempo is not fast enough to make that characteristic stand out in a positive light. The tone of the vocals wavers at an annoying rate. While the title insinuates an imminent rescue, the lack of skill shown in the song comes off as a cry for help.

"Christian Rock Anthem" also exhibits very basic instrumentation. The percussion is loose and unpolished against the mechanical guitar riff that dominates most of the song with grittiness. The vocals bear no life or color. I felt like I was listening to a blank wall, if a blank wall made sound.

Goodbye Blue Monday did not hit a home run for me. I think they need to develop their talent more and hone in on articulation.

Thank you for reading. Shuffle on.

Photo credit: http://www.purevolume.com/goodbyebluemonday/photos/440932