We Moved Like The Ocean

May 5, 2015 // A&R Music Bar in Columbus, Ohio

In the cramped pit of the LC Pavilion in the heart of the Arena District as I anxiously awaited The 1975 was the first time I experienced Bad Suns. And to be completely honest, I was underwhelmed. Their set was subpar compared to the first opener and they seemed rushed and showy. Later that summer, the band released their debut album Language & Perspective (Vagrant Records) which impressed far beyond my initial impressions. Exactly one year later, the Southern California quartet returned to the Arch City to headline their own show and I'm honored to say they killed it.

The night began with local group Indigo Wild, who charmed the crowd with their indie rock sound and meaningful lyrics that made me feel nostalgic about things I have never experienced. The real gem of their set was the power anthem "Rowboats" which highlights this group's strengths, their dynamic harmonies, smooth rhythm, and strong percussion. Indigo Wild is genuine through and through with songs that are full of spirit and unique to the core. Their energy was infectious and a solid way to begin the evening.

Second to perform were Californian alternative rockers Kiev. Gracing the stage with a set from their latest Falling Bough Wisdom Teeth, their music was hypnotizing and intricate with an obvious attention to detail. Kiev also performed their song "Be Gone Dull Cage", written for the fifth season premiere of The Walking Dead, a song of grit and nostalgia. This five piece, led by singer and guitarist Robert Brinkerhoff, organically combines psychedelic funk, indie, and jazz styles with effortless ease.

As the main attraction, Bad Suns, finally rolled out to the stage, the crowd was ready for them. These Los Angles indie rockers took the stage with power, eager to perform. Lead singer Christo Bowman, along with bandmates Miles Morris on drums, Ray Libby on lead guitar, and Gavin Bennet on bass, took the audience on a whirlwind trip through their debut album. Language & Perspective is the epitome of an indie rock love child, with clear inspiration from the hits of the 80's and the early 00's alternative scene, a hint of dance-punk, and hits it's highs in it's catchy lyrics and funky smooth melodies. 

Opening with the ever angsty and upbeat "Transpose", Bad Suns transitioned swiftly through their set to the rhythmic and "Dancing on Quicksand" and the anthemic and groovy "Pretend". Bad Suns are performers at heart and truly know how to entertain. Bowman, an alternative age heartthrob, indulging the crowd with enviable falsettos and roaring guitar solos. 

This show's high points were in their last three songs, their first single "Cardiac Arrest", "We Move Like The Ocean", and "Salt". With their set drawing to a close, Bad Suns let out all of the stops. Bad Sun's fanbase is small but mighty, their voices near drowning out the sounds of Bowman and his crew. In those last few songs, those in the crowd truly did move like the ocean, jumping and swaying to the sounds of the Los Angeles natives. Their west coast roots ran deep from beginning to end, the guys exuding that endless summer vibe all night long. With such a 360 improvement from our last encounter, I expect nothing but great things in Bad Suns' future. 

xx. Sheridan

MIXTAPE MONDAY: On My Way

on my way
because i only have a few days left of  freshman year and these songs will always remind me of it //

+listen

brother by gerard way // girl almighty by one direction // hurricane by misterwives // if you ever want to be in love by james bay // wildest dreams by taylor swift // run-around by blues traveler // africa by toto // tear in my heart by twenty one pilots // galapagos by the smashing pumpkins // what's up by 4 non blondes // another night on mars by the maine

//Angelia//

MIXTAPE MONDAY: fernweh

fernweh

songs about places I've never seen

+listen

budapest by george ezra // beverly hills by weezer // aberdeen by cage the elephant // i will follow you into the dark by death cab for cutie // perth by bon iver // cologne by clean bandit feat. nikki cislyn & javeon // feather on the clyde by passenger // hello, i'm in deleware by city & colour // holland, 1945 by neutral milk hotel // the city by ed sheeran // harlem by new politics // amsterdam by imagine dragons // take me home, country roads by john denver

xx. Sheridan

MIXTAPE MONDAY: Old Man, Look at My Life

old man, look at my life

some of the songs my father gave to me//

+listen

sympathy for the devil by the rolling stones // the unknown soldier by the doors // a day in the life by the beatles // don't let the sun go down on me by elton john // old man by neil young // california dreamin' by the mamas & the papas // ohio by crosby, stills, nash & young // killer queen by queen // comfortably numb by pink floyd // silver, blue, and gold by bad company // won't get fooled again by the who 

//Angelia//

MIXTAPE MONDAY: indie pop princesses

indie pop princesses

an appreciation mix of these ladies and their killer sweet vocals

+listen

this song's not about you by chlöe howl // hands by alpine // white teeth teens by lorde // you're in love by betty who // best i can do by misterwives // everything is embarrassing by sky ferreira // elastic heart by sia // the mother we share by CHVRCHES // this love (will be your downfall) by ellie goulding // wings by haerts // grandma's hands by mag mac // paper heart by chlöe howl // if i could change your mind by haim // kiss with a fist by florence and the machine // no need for dreaming by misterwives

xx. Sheridan

MIXTAPE MONDAY: Better Than the Original?

better than the original?
my personal favorite covers //

+listen

ain't it fun by tyler carter ft. luke holland // fourfiveseconds by james bay // iris by sleeping with sirens // are you strong enough to be my man? by haim & lorde // can't help falling in love by twenty one pilots // me and bobby mcgee by janis joplin // ain't no sunshine by coeur de pirate // jolene by miley cyrus // hallelujah by jeff buckley // song 2 by my chemical romance // good morning little school girl by jonny lang // don't fear the reaper by pierce the veil // the house of the rising sun by the animals // wicked game by phillip phillips // god only knows by jamie cullum 

//Angelia//

REVIEW: Future Hearts//All Time Low - Their Hearts Are On Their Sleeves

3.5/5 Stars

Waves to Watch: Don't You Go, Tidal Waves

Genre: Pop punk

Goes great with: Blink-182, Yellowcard, State Champs

Inevitably, any pop punk act will begin to deviate to pop and neglect punk, but All Time Low have taken a U-turn back into the punk side of town after their 2012 release, Don't Panic. These four boys from Baltimore had to grow up at some point, so why can't it be now? On their fifth - arguably sixth by some - LP, Future Hearts (Hopeless), All Time Low, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Alex Gaskarth, guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson, are now the veterans, long past the time of being the newcomers around the likes of Blink and New Found Glory. 

With this new found dominion over their scene, the four-piece pay their respects to those who reigned before them with a hearty blend of eminent pop punk influences, ATL's own clever juvenility, and the recruitment of producer John Feldmann. The harsher-sounding "Kicking & Screaming" is laden with a Blink-ish character, coincidentally hinting that they're not forgetting what (or who) made them who they are. 

The quartet of singles, led by the zombied-out "Something's Gotta Give", were intimations into a new sound, with their mature boyishness still intact. The anthemic "Kids in the Dark" is, in fact, an anthem for their fans, who are such rabid a fanbase that their dedication deserved an equally neon song. "Runaways" is an odd blend of sounds, from claps to swinging bells, capturing the idea of being stuck and taking the chance to leave it all. 

The final of the singles, "Tidal Waves", features an appearance from mentor and Blink co-founder Mark Hoppus (FINALLY), ebbing and flowing like a slowed-down ocean. Joel Madden (ex-Good Charlotte, Madden Brothers) adds a dash of his current project's sound to ATL's pop punk charisma on "Bail Me Out". 

"Don't You Go" is the most pumped-up out of the thirteen, reminding listeners of the dawn of pop punk in the early 2000's. Paired against the folky, acoustic "Missing You", Future Hearts becomes a fusion of sounds, sometimes colorful, sometimes a little bit dowdy. The best indicator of this falls upon "Cinderblock Garden", another mismatched love story that sounds like a handful of the other twelve songs thrown together. Gaskarth's voice, however, shines brightest, saving the track from the grave. Sadly, the bulk of the album does not flex his lyrical prowess as past releases have done. "Satellite" is an understated first song, meant as a short introduction, as well as a look into their past as "just kids". What it does best, perhaps not the intention, is show off Dawson's prowess behind the drum kit on any song he kicks into. 

Oddly enough, "Dancing with a Wolf" and "Odd Scars/Future Hearts" are both evocative of Fall Out Boy's - arguably the biggest band to come out of the scene in the past fifteen years - sound circa 2007. Along with the majority of the songs on Future Hearts, particularly "The Edge of Tonight", these two tracks sound as if they could fit along with Top 40 radio just fine. Perhaps it is time, after all these years, for All Time Low to relish some time in pop radio's limelight.

On a highly anticipated U.S. tour nearly underway, All Time Low will be bringing out old international friends, Tonight Alive, along with promising rookies ISSUES and State Champs. For old fans, there will not be a shortage of classics, and for new fans, there will not be a shortage of bras thrown onstage at Barakat, as he jumps around like sugared-up toddler. Future Hearts is steady at best, but once the songs come to life on bigger stages, anything goes for All Time Low. And that means anything.

Future Hearts will be released worldwide on Hopeless Records on April 7th

//Angelia//