Martha-Love Keeps Kicking (2019)

 

Why I like it:

I must be on some UK kick but there's been some fantastic bands from there that I've been digging lately. Also can't decide on my year end albums yet (post coming to a device near you soon) so may as well post about these guys!

One thing that I like about Spotify is looking a people's personally curated playlists. You can find some great gems! Martha is one of those gems that I discovered from this playlist. I did hear about Martha before but never gave them too much attention until I randomly heard their song "The Void" in the mentioned playlist. That was the key that I needed to deep dive into this great band.

Holly crap was I ever missing out on Love Keeps Kicking. This album is a precious culmination of upbeat punk tinged songs with an undercurrent of heartbreak. This is 100% something that is meant for me; upbeat songs with sad lyrics? Yes please and thanks! 

Not only that but there's a neat connection between two songs: "Lucy Shone a Light on You" and "The Void". Basically Lucy is an aspiring writer that became a famous author but had some issues with bad people from her past. So she wrote a story for them, that was so harrowing, those people went insane reading it. "The Void" is suppose to be that story. More detailed info in this interview. 

Seriously check this popular (at least in the UK it seems) DIY band out! I look forward to falling in love with their other albums :)

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

The Void- "The gate fell open and summoned/ Evil, aeons old and kept in/ Non-Euclidean geometry"

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Similar bands to check out:

Onsind, Radiator Hospital, Spoonboy, Benny the Jet Rodriguez

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Reviews and links to check out:

Savedbyoldtimes.com- Review

Vulturehound.co.uk- Interview

Never Normal YouTuber- Review

Live at Indietracks

Lakes-Start Again (2021)

 

Why I like it:

Sometimes a band will show up in your live at the right place and time. For me that was the release Start Again by the UK band Lakes. I first found out about them earlier this year when one of their label mates gave them a shoutout (see the Bummer Boys link below). This album came out at the time where there was uncertainty and turmoil going on around my life. I can't begin to express how their lyrics gave me inspiration to stay positive and work towards finding better outcomes with what I can control- ie myself. 

Start Again has heart and earnest thoughts to share with their listeners. They look introspectively on themselves and share how they have tried to do better. I am also a sucker for group vocals, which this has many! The wispy guitars are also wonderful to ears. All these factors make Start Again a happy vibing album with deeper meaning to uncover, if you want to find it. That artwork is simply amazing as well. I think the kids running around fire does a good job representing what the album is about.

I hope you can find inspiration from this album like I did, or just positive music to listen to when you want motivation to get out of a funk. This is 100% making my year end list- to come soon! ;)

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Start Again-"I’m being as honest as I can/ Cause it makes me feel that I could start again"

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Similar bands to check out:

I Feel Fine, Martha, The Winter Passing, itoldyouiwouldeatyou

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Reviews and links to check out:

Thelineofbestfit.com- Review

Keep it Posi Podacast- Interview

Audiotree- Live performance

Bummer Boys Podcast- Where I first got into Lakes