Alex Siegel – Last Try
There are always suspicions harbouring into metal communities about what veteran bands are up to in their personal time. There are some who suggest that famous musicians, or semi-famous in the case of extreme metal bands, no longer listen to the music belonging to their chosen genre. They suggest that this kind of music no longer entertains them.
Of course, if these dirty rumours would turn out to be true, it would be paramount to treason in the eyes of the community. How could it heroes turn their back on the music that ended up defining much of their life? But, while I am certain that the rumours are, in fact, the truth, maybe we should think about cutting them some slack. Extreme music is wonderful, but, usually in small doses. In the same way that you wouldn’t wake up and fall asleep with a bottle of whiskey between your fingers, it’s hard to find nurture exclusively in dark, depressing, mentally punishing art.
Alex Siegel is not sad and not about to start pretending now, no matter how much this would help his career. In fact, despite some setbacks in his love life, Siegel is soaking up the Sun and what is left of a once-thriving love affair. “Last Try” is meant to sound warm, Summery, chilled and relaxed. It manages to do all of these things and the gentleness of the track ends up being its calling card, not the thing pushing it away from greatness. Can’t listen to extreme metal all the time and enjoy the Summer as well.
Charm of Finches – Middle Of Your Mess
Pop music plays with everything you know about everything. It works by juggling the things with which you are familiar. Hollywood movies do that as well. There’s a reason why a scene is filmed in black and white. There’s every intention for you to react to an older character being dropped back into the plot. The people who make these know that you have expectations and that working with them is the best way to grab and hold your attention.
There’s very little chance that you’ll be confused about whether a song, a television show, or a movie is new or old. You’ve seen enough of them to tell the difference! And, it’s very unlikely the same forms of entertainment will confuse you as to whether they are joyous or filled with melancholy. The entertainers know that you know, so use these elements to stir particular feelings inside of you.
Charm of Finches’ “Middle Of Your Mess” is excellent at piecing together warm, harmonious sounds of old. Ideally, regardless of your age, this will have the effect of throwing you back into your past and, perhaps, revealing some of the secrets still lingering there. The two vocalists work very well, with their singing blending together seamlessly over a soft but melancholy-filled instrumental. Charm of Finches’ are among those artists who know how to summon up the past at will.
