Wednesday is upon us, finally! The weather is changing, and I love each and every moment of fall. It seems as if these past few years we haven’t had the luck of the four seasons, and I am hoping this year changes that! Thanks to everyone who has been submitting their music for review; each and every record gets heard, so it’s much appreciated, and I promise it’s in good hands!
This week, I am going to feature a band that a lot of people already know about, but I am late to the bandwagon. Hey, you know what they say, better late than never! In my defense, they really haven’t been around for that long, having their first show at one of my favorite local venues, the Asbury Park Yacht Club. They go by the name of Smalltalk, and they describe themselves as a “modern rock band at the Jersey Shore.” What could be a better combination? I don’t know these guys personally yet, but I am planning on doing my research. They hail from Neptune City, a city I have always loved, that Nicole Atkins has since put on the musical map as well. Let’s indulge into this more, shall we?
Smalltalk are in a genre of their own. How could I describe them? Well, it’s actually kind of tough if you haven’t heard their sound, so even more reason for you to take a second to jam. I will, however, try my best to paint a picture in your mind as to what they are all about. It’s somewhat indie, somewhat upscale grassroots, if you will, and it’s extremely well crafted. I couldn’t compare them to another band if I tried, so I am not going to attempt it. Their self-titled EP is available now, and I have had it in heavy rotation the past few weeks. Well, it’s technically Smalltalk II, but you know what I mean.
The EP kicks off with a banger track entitled “The Last Ones” that I have fallen head over heels in love with. It’s got such high energy from beginning to end, leaving you no time for sitting around. I love the tone of the lead vocals. This track is a definite hit that could easily be played on the radio without becoming “mainstream.” The chorus is also extremely catchy, and will make you want to sing-along to their glorious harmonies. If you had to pick a song to start off with on getting to know this band, this would be my recommendation. In their bio they let us know that they “spent most of 2013 writing and practicing in a Neptune City basement,” which certainly paid off. Onto bigger and better things for this band, I am certain of it.
Next, I experimented with a track called “Holding Out,” which set a completely different tone, in the best way possible. The massive difference between these two tracks goes to show how broadly talented this band actually is. It starts off with a slower tempo that makes you want to groove. You can make out the lyrics a lot better in this song, and it’s definitely deeper in meaning. “Say all those things I didn’t say,” they yell, and how many times can we relate this situation to our own lives? I say it time and time again: Any time a band sings about a situation that we can all relate to, we are more likely to gravitate toward them and their fanbase. It becomes personal, which in reality, we all love. Who wouldn’t want a band that sings songs that we can pretend are written about us personally? (Don’t lie to yourself, you know you agree.)
You should also check out “People Only Die Of Love In The Movies,” and check it out sooner than later. First of all, the title of the song alone is intriguing enough to make you want to hear it. However, aside from that smart move, the song is awesome. It’s more serious that the “cover of the book” makes it out to be, actually supplying a lot of meaning here. I love the bass in this song, and it’s again, very upbeat. From start to finish, it’s one big dance party. I feel like fans of all genres will enjoy this band, but this track especially. There are a lot of things going on here, and they all blend to make the perfect recipe that goes down smooth.
They will be sharing the stage with The Orwells at The Asbury Lanes on Friday, Oct. 17, and that is sure to be a crazy night. I cannot wait to experience their live set, since I thoroughly enjoy their recordings. I can only imagine seeing how talented they are in a “real life” form as opposed to hearing them over my speakers, but either way, I will take what I can get. Be sure to check them out on Facebook, where you can also stream their music at facebook.com/smalltalkplus. I loved cruising over to this page and seeing how many of my friends actually already “liked” this band. Of course, I said it before, I will say it again: I may be late to this party, but at least I am attending! I have a feeling this band will be around for a while, for they have a steady growing fanbase and a great relationship with their fans! Be sure to check out their show schedule, and don’t forget to check them out at the Asbury Lanes on Oct. 17.
I will be back next week with another band of your liking, so keep on sending your music my way. The weather may be getting colder, but the local scene is always hot (see what I did there)? Until next week, my friends, cheers!
