Madam Lee

Having seen this local band several times, I can safely say, I much prefer them to many others content wise. A muggy night in Brattleboro at the Tinder Box can be a hard thing to deal with, and usually the crowed thins out because of the stifling heat. But Madam Lee kept everyone there and dancing, a great feat. Madam Lee having been together for a good chunk of time (5 years) and play very well with each other. They know their instruments and fellow band mates well enough so no one part overpowers any other. There were only a few times where balance became a noticeable issue. This was not due to their lack of listening to each other, but to their volume, when getting louder they were also mixing in more intricate parts. This caused a rushed feeling, and you had to really listen in order to hear exactly what was going on.

Malcolm Donaldson (lead singer and bass) writes the majority of the songs they play. Unlike most singer/songwriters at his age his songs are well composed, and are not based on immature/trivial subject matter. Malcolm, a well rounded musician, plays the bass in a way that supports the bottom, it's not trying to override or take control of the music. He keeps his lines simple, engaging, and steady. Adam Kyle (lead guitar) had some stunning moments, during their set. He played every bridge and transition well with little to no flaws. At time I heard some predominant blues influence, which was refreshing. Even in the parts that didn't sound as clean as they could have been, you could still get an idea of what he was going for. The confusion was mostly due to mixing as I said. Lee Mohr (drums) was a driving force, with great energy coming from him without being overwhelming. He knows how to consistently support them without dragging behind. You can tell Lee is thinking about what he is doing, but his thoughts aren't clouding what is coming through.

The set started off really really strong, from the first song they drew the crowed in. 'Much Too Much' is strong in all departments. 'Bound To Be' filled with lots of guitar rifts and steady drumming, With lyrics such as:

"The odds they wrote. Were just played into the hoax.
Just to feed into your greed. Begging to go broke.
You spun the wheel even more. Just for a little relief.
The odds they wrote Were just played into the hoax.
Just to feed into your greed. Begging to go broke.
You spun the wheel even more. Just for a little relief"

There is a winning combination of content and catchy playing. Malcolm wanted me to issue a disclaimer: "Although my lyrics are probably depressing as fuck it's not a reflection on the Madam Lee lifestyle" Madam Lee's lyrics are one of the most distinctive parts of their music. 'Coincidence' is a song where lyrics and instrumentation go hand in hand. This song shows just how comfortable they are with each other. Throughout the event nothing felt uneasy or hurriedly put together at the last minute. All in all Madam Lee is a band that has the best of all worlds and puts on a great show.

Madam Lee (facebook)'Coincidence' - Madam Lee
'Much Too Much' - Madam Lee
'When You Come Home' - Madam Lee
'Bound To Be' - Madam Lee
Lyrics to the above songs

Cars Can Be Blue

It’s a muggy June evening, and we girls of Drop Magazine are cross-legged on the side walk talking to Georgia-based band Cars Can Be Blue. The streets of Brattleboro, Vermont are fluttering with tourists and locals alike. The background noise on this recording is, at best, fairly noisy, but what can we say? The interview is interrupted by cell phone calls, old friends, new fans, and one friendly dog, but that’s okay, too; Cars Can Be Blue churns out music flooded with personality, spontaneity, and humor, and we quite like that the setting and atmosphere of this particular interview seems to reflect that. We learned about how Nate’s mother reacted to the phrase “deep dicking”, how Becky made the leap from musicals to composing songs like 'Dirty Song' (perhaps you can guess what that one is about), and how a girl whose first guitar was spray-painted and stringless and a boy who was not allowed to have a drum set ended up in a band together playing guitar and drums, respectively. We suggest you take a listen; close your eyes, and you can basically see the dusk-dusted streets of good ole’ Bratt, noisy music oozing from the Tinderbox, Nate and Becky sitting out front, ignoring each other like pros.

Thanks to Cars Can Be Blue for this interview.

Cars Can Be Blue (myspace)
Cars Can Be Blue Interview

7 Dollar Taxi

These youths from Switzerland, are very appealing in the sense that they look like kids that would walk down the halls of your school. Their personality appeal is a contributer to why they have had as much success as they have had. Talent and personality are two of the most important things in my mind. If you have the right amount of reliability and talent then it's a winning combination. That's what they've got here. They're not just another commercial band thrown together to make cash, they seem to genuinely enjoy the music they make, and each others company, which makes them more enjoyable for the rest of us.

While gathering ideas for this review, I had several of my friends listen to 7 Dollar Taxi. The only complaint from them was the fact that they would be going about their normal business, and then the chorus from 'Do The Robot' would spring into mind. Filled with "You Know" and "I Know" galore, it is a hook that is sure to stay with you. Their songs have an interesting balance of pop appeal, and a rock-esque tempo. 'Red Lips' is a tune that is enjoyable for everyone, lyrics that will keep your attention, and instrumentation that doesn't over shadow anything, but supports the track as a whole. The balance in this band shows just how well they work together. Nothing is dragged down or covered up, all parts have a clear voice and there is no struggle. They are strong and assertive tunes, and never sluggish, always light on their feet. 'Jurassic Heads' is a good example, it's sound is what you will hear on a best of album many years from now. If 7 Dollar Taxi keeps on the track they are headed, their sound will have people talking about them for years to come

Do The Robot (Megatron Remix) - 7 Dollar Taxi

7 Dollar Taxi (myspace)

Paul Hodgson

Surprisingly catchy songs, the kind that you know if you go to see Paul Hodgson at a venue he has played regularly, you will see people singing along. Best described as upbeat music with great hooks, Paul Hodgson radiates through his music. It seems like you can get a very clear idea of who he is as a person. And what's better then music with a personality. His songs are filled with catchy and relatable lyrics. 'Its too easy' is a steady tune that trucks along and makes you sing along with it and put a great deal of emotion/effort into whatever comes out. 'From Tyne to Thames' catches you from the first moment it begins. The chorus filled with short guitar strums and picks makes you dance as if no one is watching. This tune will make its way in and out of your head on a regular basis. ' Call Out Charge' creates a whole new genre, cross over between rhythm n' blues with various other influences. It has a very different energy then his other songs, but nonetheless the energy is still there. While listening to this song, you can't help but see yourself at some festival, filled with young people dancing the night away. Paul Hodgson, for such a young age, seems to write songs well beyond his years. They aren't simply catchy tunes, they have character and content. This may be why his stylings are so memorable, you feel as if you have had a conversation with him after listening. You can see him playing for many people and giving a great performance, and giving one in your own living-room with the same energy. After hearing his tracks you will be the first to offer your home to him if and when he goes on tour. I know I would.

Paul Hodgson (myspace)

Count Fisher

Count Fisher may just become your go-to artist for a soundtrack to summer. ‘I’ve Got a Heart’ has an addictive piano line, and you can’t help but crack a smile as they whine “ba-bop, I wanna tell you baby”. ‘Where Are You Now’ is more relaxed and has a pleasant acoustic vibe, perfect a for summertime playlist. The clunky pianos which are key on ‘I’ve got a Heart’ take a backseat to the guitars here, but the track does not feel like it’s lost anything. 'A Little Romance' is a very catchy tune, that will have you hooked from the first line. "I want to know the make of your underpants", ‘Just Go’ is the best of everything Count Fisher has to offer: simple but interesting sing-a-long pop. The sound affects (“o’s” and “ah’s”) are also good fun. Who doesn’t love music that puts you in a good mood? Count Fisher’s songs will do that for you.

Make sure to visit their myspace for downloads.

Count Fisher (myspace)

Catalan Corruption

Often, when one finds power in guitars and vocals of a teenage band, the driving force is angst. Catalan Corruption is not a victim to this trap that young bands tend to fall into. Their driving force seems instead to be ambition to craft well constructed, good music. It is safe to say that they succeed. Each song has multiple guitar parts and a rather complex construction, something you wouldn’t expect to hear coming from teens. The song writing suggests that these 13 and 14 year-olds are a bit beyond their years in that department as well, lyrics about childhood pets no where to be found. Nathan Grace’s vocals resemble a slightly squeakier Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys. The big sound of the Arctic Monkeys can be found on nearly every one of Catalan Corruption’s tracks as well, and luckily, the noise never gets clumsy.

‘The Other Stage’ grabs you from the moment it starts, and the chorus suggests a Bloc Party influence (who, if you check out the myspace, actually is listed as an influence, and in caps lock, no less).The track has the same sort of graceful panic that Bloc Party is known for, with an electricity that reels you in like a fishing rod. ‘A New Way’ has a lighter vibe but is still well constructed.

As far as a favorite goes, ‘Your Loss’ is a top contender. From the beginning it all sounds vaguely, and delightfully, dark and evil. The slightly threatening underlying chug of the track, like something may blow up at any second, has a surprisingly sexy vibe, and “Am I demented or disturbed?” is surely a stand out lyric from the whole bunch of tracks. In the second half of the song, the boys briefly break it down and present a bit of funk influence, a nice surprise that points again to the group’s maturity level. You’d think they’ve had a lifetime of experience to come up with this stuff.

The band’s age is an important thing to consider, not so you can go easy on them, but so you can realize how truly talented these guys are. Smile; there is hope for the music of the next generation.

Catalan Corruption (myspace)