Songs Of The Week #5: MinneSarah & TCDroogsma

Bob Mould, Divine Fits, The Grates, and Pony Trash...

Hey everybody! Welcome to Songs Of The Week #5. Yet again we asked regular contributors MinneSarah & TCDroogsma to give us their thoughts on last week's Song Of The Day podcast from 89.3 The Current.

As we've mentioned many times, this is a free song given away each day by The Current. If you enjoy free music be sure to click here and subscribe to the podcast. It's worth every penny.

Only four songs this week thanks to Labor Day on Monday. Kids, what'd you think?

Bob Mould – The Descent (from the album Silver Age)

MinneSarah:

     Ahhh, this song reminds me of Rev105.  What's that, Bob?  You've found the secret to time travel?  Awesome.  This song is not off the beaten path, if anything it beats the path down further Mould road.  It is kicky, guitary, and even the lyrics are nostalgic.  I wouldn't want to listen to a Bob Mould that didn't sound like this.

TCDroogsma:

     It seems weird to me to describe each new Bob Mould single as the aural equivalent of putting on your favorite old sweater.  I mean, this is the same guy who wrote "Black Sheets Of Rain."  Still, Mould has reached the same point as Morrissey, Westerberg, Springsteen, etc... where you can pretty much guess exactly what his new single will sound like before you even here it.  However, just like those artists, that doesn't mean the single will be any less awesome.  Much like "The Silence Between Us" and "I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore," (the lead singles from his last two albums), "The Descent" doesn't offer anything new, but if it ain't broke...

Final Score: MinneSarah - 3.5/5

                   TCDroogsma -4/5

Divine Fits – Would That Not Be Nice? (from the album A Thing Called Divine Fits)

(Editors Note: If contributors Justin Meyers & TCDroogsma somehow defied science and had a child it would look exactly like Britt Daniels.  Frreal.) 


MinneSarah:
     
     The beat of this song is pretty low key.  This is the lead singer of Spoon, right?  Well, in any case, he croons that he wishes he was in Minneapolis, so that is a good thing, I guess.  I like the bassline and the shakey percussion, it even has dreamy keyboards that fuel the transitions.  There is nothing wrong with this song, in fact, there is nothing that would not be nice about this song.  However, how to put this delicately, Spoon sucks.  So therefore, this also sucks.

TCDroogsma:

     Like just about everything in life, the main question to consider when dealing with side projects is, "What are my expectations?"  If you've followed Spoon at all over the last 15 years (and let's be real, if you're a white person between the ages of 25-40, you're at least somewhat aware of them), then you know that Britt Daniels is far too much of a perfectionist to create a side project in which he freaks the fuck out.

     
 "Would That Not Be Nice?" is essentially a really good Spoon b-side.  This is not a band thing.  They catch a real nice groove and Daniels sells the hooks as best he can.  Personally, I hate the phrase, "would that not be nice?" but that's no big thing.  Still, this one grew on me each time I listened to it.  Plus, I'm morally obligated to give any song with the phrase, "I wish I was in Minneapolis" at least a 3 of 5.

Final Score: MinneSarah -2/5

                  TCDroogsma -3.5/5

The Grates – Turn Me On (from the album Secret Rituals)

MinneSarah:

     This song has an unmistakable start with some strong vocals.  I hear this song's start on the Current, and immediately I turn the volume down.   The guitar and drums weave in and out of a 90's vibe, which is much appreciated.  They added in tambourines to take away what joy I was gleaning from the upbeat guitar and drums.  It's no secret here that I'm not a huge fan of female vocals, and apologies here, but this song really "grates" on me.  I gave it an extra half point because repeating the chorus in talking words reminds me of Placebo.  Minus the vocals, this song could be pretty good.

TCDroogsma:

     As the week went on I started liking this one more and more despite the fact that it is completely devoid of an original thought.  Musically they do a nice job of breaking up the sounds.  The dancy vibe during the verse gives way to a nice drop-out for the chorus and then a rock n roll bridge.  Whoever arranged this song deserves a hell of a lot of credit.

     Still, this one never really jumps out above background noise.  The hooks are good but not great and the lyrics are kind of vapid.  I don't mean to sound like an asshole, but I'm willing to bet this is the best song on Secret Ritual.  That's not a bad thing, I guess, but it's not a good thing either.

Final Score: MinneSarah -1.5/5

                  TCDroogsma -2/5

Pony Trash – Down To The River (from the EP Pony Trash)

(Editors Note:  Sorry for the lack of audio.  Our usual embedding site is on the fritz and this song has not found it's way to YouTube yet.)

MinneSarah:

     I love that this song could have been made in England in the early 90's. It has a dark, marauding presence, but before that has a chance to bring you down, they temper it with some chimey, upbeat guitars.  The vocals are soft spoken, which makes them sound serious and important alongside the wailing guitars and steady drumbeat.  I don't know what is at the river, but this song makes me want to check it out.  It's probably bad - or maybe this is how you get to Bob Mould's time machine.  Let's go!

TCDroogsma:

     "Down To The River" sounds like what would happen if My Bloody Valentine was impregnated by the Revvy Horton Heat. Sweet.  The twanged-out whirlwind of guitar is the perfect canvas for some reverb-filled vocals and those 'ooh-ooh-ooh's' that you all know I'm a sucker for.  Well done, Pony Trash.

Final Score: MinneSarah -3/5

                  TCDroogsma -3.5/5

So there you go everybody. Another week in the books.

Of course, this blog and its contributors are in no way affiliated with the artists, The Current, or MPR in any way, shape, or form. The views expressed here are only those of the contributors. And again, we highly recommend that you subscribe to the podcast yourself so that you know what they're on about.

For more of MinneSarah, be sure to follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@MinneSarah). When she's not reviewing songs for this blog she's probably winning trivia.

For more TCDroogsma, he can also be found on Twitter and Instagram (@TCDroogsma). You can also check out his personal blog Caffeine &Obscenities for pictures of cats and coffee mugs. Y'know, if you're into that sort of thing.

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