Looking for some new sounds to brighten up these long winter days? Read on to learn more about new releases that you might want to give a spin.
The Snaz from Brattleboro first gained attention with the song “Anna” off their 2013 self-titled debut EP. The incredibly catchy tune received some heavy airplay from radio station WRSI in Northampton and was voted the No. 2 song of the year in the stations’s 2013 listener’s poll. The four band members were barely in their teens when that song came out, and a lot of the buzz they generated focused on their age. But it’s time to put aside all that attention on age because the Snaz are the real deal — a talented group of indie rockers who have only just begun to reach their full potential.
This week the band released its second full length album, “Sensitive Man.”
Produced by the band and recorded at Sonelab Studios in Easthampton, the group mine some new sonic territory here. Working on their own, the band was able to experiment more in the studio — be it adding odd synth sounds, lusher vocals or unusual percussion. The Snaz have always defined its sound as “quirky” and on this disc they mange to fully embrace that while still making music that is totally assessable.
The sound here, while grounded by Dharma Ramirez’s guitar work and singing, is more expansive. It all comes together through Nina Cates’ fluid bass lines, the powerful, yet restrained, drumming of Zack James and the expanded role of Mavis Eaton on keyboard. Ramirez remains the band’s principle writer and her songwriting chops get better with each release. Her songs can be emotional without wallowing in teen angst. There’s a sense of restlessness in some of these songs. “Summer Underground” captures the boredom of life in a small town and “Holly Mae” conveys a sense of disillusionment with another person.
“Wanna get away, I want to get away,” Ramirez pleads on “Desert Flower” then goes on to sing that the “dreamers die within their dreams.” The song showcases the way that the Snaz shies away from typical verse-chorus-verse strong structure. It begins with a tough guitar riff but once the band joins in, it goes of into varying tempos and ultimately ends with a chorus of screams.
This song as well as the album’s closing track, “Spit n Fluff,” are knock-the-door-down type of rockers that the Snaz pull off with ease. The band could do a whole disc of loud punky music, but seem determined to not be pigeonholed into one style. Their pop side shines bright on “Gary,” a song complete with girl group sounding backing vocals, and on the first single, “Strung Out on Candy Bars.” The later has the kind of anthemic chorus that will no doubt have crowds singing along.
While there is variation in the styles here, The Snaz have never sounded as confident and as cohesive as they do on “Sensitive Man.” This disc is bound to be a favorite for old and new fans. As one of the first new releases of 2017, “Sensitive Man” gets the new year off to a great start.
The Snaz will hold a CD release show on Saturday, Jan. 28, at The Stone Church, 210 Main St., in Brattleboro. Music begins at 8 p.m. Court Etiquette from Northampton will open the show. Admission is $5 at the door. Visit: www.thesnazmusic.com for more information on The Snaz.
On the day after Christmas, the Northampton based quintet LuxDeluxe surprised its fans by releasing a new five song EP called “Midnight Snack.” But the real surprise was that they released it as a one shot 15-minute music video. The video, which includes a scene of the band cooking up a midnight snack, was directed by the band’s keyboardist, Gabe Bernini, and filmed by Jojo Renard.
Musically, these songs are a departure for the band who are known for its NRBQ influenced rock sound and raucous live shows. These songs are quieter and you will hear more pop, folk and country influence than you will rock. This is stripped down affair, with the band favoring bright plinking keyboards, acoustic guitar and other odd sounds over the usual electric guitars and drums.
“Midnight Snack’s” most uptempo song is “Anita I Need Ya,” a tune with a singalong chorus and sparky keyboards that bring to mind the Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.” Another stand out track is “Let’s Do Lunch,” a melodic pop tune in which Bernini, Jacob Rosazza, bassist, and the group’s lead singer, Ned King, all share vocals.
Overall, this EP showcases some strong songwriting and gives listeners a chance to experience a different side of LuxDeluxe. “Midnight Snack” is an enjoyable hold over until the band releases its next full length release this spring.
LuxDeluxe have no plans to release “Midnight Snack” on CD, but will have a non-video version of the EP available on Bandcamp soon. Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=266mLqKYSSU.
LuxDeluxe are currently touring the Northeast. Visit: www.luxdeluxemusic.com to learn more about the band.
This six song collection is the debut release of singer-songwriter-guitarist Santina King of Warwick. If you view singer-songwriters who accompany themselves on guitar as a bunch of navel gazing folkies, Santina King will have you rethinking that belief. Sure she writes personal songs, but they are all written from a position of strength and empowerment giving her work a boldness reminiscent of Ani DiFranco.
The disc opens with King singing the line “Take your hands off of me” in a voice full of force and anger. The song is called “Being Clear,” and it sets the tone for this entire disc. Another strong song, “So Wrong,” finds King refusing to back down when faced with someone who had wronged her.
King sings in a strong clear voice and her guitar playing beautifully bolster her words. King has been playing guitar since age 13 and broke away from standard tunings to create rich chord progression in order to better support her vocals. Not many artist can pull off a disc that’s just them singing and playing acoustic guitar, but King does it beautifully. A strong debut from an artist we will hopefully be hearing more from in the future.
Santina King will hold a CD release show at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. The Iron Horse is located at 20 Center St. in Northampton. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and available at www.iheg.com, by calling 413-586-8686, or at the Northampton Box Office.
Sheryl Hunter is a music writer who lives in
Easthampton. Her work
has appeared in various
regional and national magazines. You can contact her at soundslocal@yahoo.com.