Music

More Music from the Inbox: Esther Maria, Rend, Poor Young Things, Beams, Heaven’s Basement

By Scott Jones

Artist: Esther Maria

Album: The Abyss

Sometimes, a song or artist cannot always be read like a book; an accompanying video to showcase the general mood or intent of the artist can help every now and then. And in the case of Esther Maria, the rising fog is enough to put into perspective the cold, introspective mood she projects upon this great acoustic number, reminiscent of some of Canada’s all-time great female singer-songwriters and their craft.

Sounds like: Joni for those who weren’t born when Blue came out.

Link/Listen/Watch:

 

Artist: Rend

Album: No Lines

If this were a tune set upon the dynamics of the backbeat and guitars alone, it wouldn’t do nearly as much justice to its awesomeness if vocalist Carole-Lynne Quin wasn’t on board. Her phenomenal vocal chops really are a battle cry that lifts her band to a higher plane, and make the listener wanna jump up and down wildly, and maybe take out a friend or two in the forest and annihilate them with multi-coloured balls filled with acrylic.

Sounds like: Pop-power metal. But bring goggles for optical nerve protection on the battlefield.

Link/Listen/Watch:

 

Artist: Poor Young Things

Album: The Heart. The Head. The End.

Very rarely does a new act produce a new LP whose title accurately reflects 100% the subject matter, lyrics, and overall feel of the album. However, these Poor Young Things are a lot more mature than their namesake. The reflective nature of the music, coupled with Matt Fratpietro’s infectiously commanding vocals plainly showcase that this is a group much wiser than their years.

Sounds like: A punkish bend on grown-up country rock.

Link/Listen/Watch:  Stream at Soundcloud

 

Artist: Beams

Album: Just Rivers

The clean sound coming out of those amps, with terrific, sunny (but with a bit of shade, no doubt) vocal harmonies coming from Anna Mérnieks and Heather Mazhar add an exclamation point to the nice retro touches splashed on in every corner of the room by their bandmates. This unique brand of country-rock and folk music was meant to be listened to while walkin’.

Sounds like: Blue Rodeo and the Cowboy Junkies along a lonely pathway towards brighter pastures.

Link/Listen/Watch:

 

Artist: Heaven’s Basement

Album: Filthy Empire


This is a group that immediately blasts through your ear canals with potent heaviness that wants to be heard, and can they EVER be heard! They blow the fuse on the amps and can shatter windows with their heavy, aggressive hard rock sound; the only downer (if you can call it that) is that the songs aren’t twice as long! Yeah, they’re potent, but how can anyone wanna stop rocking to these guys after three minutes? Pump up the volume!!!!

Sounds like: Foo Fighters with ‘70s British pomp.

Link/Listen/Watch:

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 37984 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “More Music from the Inbox: Esther Maria, Rend, Poor Young Things, Beams, Heaven’s Basement

  • Great call on Heaven's Basement! Nice to hear some quality hard rock. Dig the riffs, vocals, lyrics… there's a whole lot I've heard out of just two of their songs that I like. Seems like this sound is natural for Heaven's Basement, in the same vein of Papa Roach if you will, unlike what I refer to as manufactured sounds (aka "stripper music") like Buckcherry, Seether,etc. Off to buy the album.

    Reply

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