Oasis » froglix radio

Drago Needs Help and HUB Delivers

alt-rock, Canada, featured artists, HUB, indie pop, Ontario, power pop, rock, unsigned No Responses »

Mar 172011

artist: HUB
genre: indie-pop, alt-rock
label: unsigned

listen now:
Upside Down :: Forget Them :: Round and Round

Ok. I have something that I just have to get off my chest. My name is Drago and, under normal circumstances, I have a complete and utter disdain for “singer-songwriters.” Whew! I feel much better now. I’m not altogether sure from whence this animosity emanates or, to that end, what even sparked it in the first place but admitting you have a problem is the first step…right? In any event, I was just about to seek therapy (yes…again) in attempts to uncover the genesis of this rather troubling condition when along comes Josh McFadden and his brainchild HUB. Crisis averted. In fact, I was about half way through HUB’s latest album 8 before I even realized that HUB was actually Josh (and vice versa, of course.) I’m not sure if he is pulling a Kravitz here and playing all of the instruments on this record (perhaps he’ll weigh in via the comments and let us know) but if he is I am duly impressed.

“Upside Down” gets out the gate and in yo face from the get go with an opening chord sequence that immediately had me thinking “Oasis!” I suspect that those who consider themselves to fans of the the brothers Gallagher (and even those that don’t) will appreciate the comparison as well as the song. Other notable tracks include “Forget Them” which sports a groovy riff that gives way to a harmony filled hook that I just can’t shake out of me mellon while “Round and Round” swings a bit more to the subtle side compared to the rest of the disc and rocks it with a brit-pop kind of style.

Start to finish 8 is an energetic thrill ride and, while I can’t say I’m 100% cured of my malady, HUB certainly has opened my eyes and, more importantly, my ears to the possibility of a full recovery.

- Drago

Breaking Free

alternative, Colorado, Denver, electronica, featured artists, Modern Art Records, rock, synth pop, The Chain Gang of 1974, videos 2 Responses »

Mar 142011

artist: The Chain Gang of 1974 | genre: alternative, synth, pop
label: Modern Art Records

The Chain Gang of 1974 is Kamtin Mohager. His blog (http://thechaingangof1974.tumblr.com/) is filled with some of his favorite songs from artists like Sneaker Pimps, Talk Talk, Oasis and Smashing Pumpkins. Viewing it was revisiting music over the last 25 years and I clicked page after page to see what else I’d find.

Beyond his varied taste, Kamtin creates his own music and that is where additional fun can be found. Heavily influenced by 80s synth pop and named by Spin as one of the 35 artists to watch for at SXSW this year, The Chain Gang Of 1974 will release his debut album in June. Watch the official videos for “We At The Disco” (echoes of Nitzer Ebb and Nine Inch Nails) and “Hold On,” with a tweaked-out borrowing of a line from Fleetwood Mac’s “Never Going Back Again.” Should be interesting to see what the debut sounds like. Stay tuned.

- Thurdeen

The Exits Re-Enter

alternative, Criminal Records, electronica, England, featured artists, news, Portsmouth, rock, The Exits, United Kingdom 1 Response »

Mar 092011

artist: The Exits | genre: electronic, alt-rock | label: Criminal Records

Many moons ago, our friends at Criminal Records contacted us about this band from Portsmouth, England that we just had to hear. Had to hear? Well, to be frank, I’ve heard that before and, on more than one occasion, have been duly unimpressed with what it was that I just “had to hear.” However, such was not the case this particular time as I was quite smitten with both The Exits and their debut single “Neon City.” As I soaked in their intriguing and energetic sound, I was nearly convinced that big things lay in store for this band…but I would need to hear more to be certain. I anxiously awaited their debut album to drop. I waited…and waited…and then waited some more but, to my dismay, no album. Not only was there no word of an album, there was no word of anything. It was like they had disappeared.

Fast forward to the present. Apparently, what I didn’t know was that there was a reason for the radio silence. Tension and in-fighting had taken its toll on the band and so, as a result, they took a bit of a hiatus. We recently received word, however, that they are very much back in the mix and, more importantly, headed back to the studio to record some new material. Hooray! At the time of this writing Froglix is still awaiting confirmation from their label, but it appears that there are (4) demos posted on their MySpace page. “Dead On Arrival” and “Broken Smile” trip the light electronica with pulsating synths giving way to Manchester-like vocals. While with “Romancing In Paris” and “Black” they tone it down and a slow it down for chilled-out sound lies somewhere between Oasis and Pink Floyd. The contrast is excellent. Again, even though these tracks appear to be “demo” versions I’d say they are back on track.

Welcome back gents…for what it’s worth, we’ve missed you!

- Drago