Emo
Bright Eyes’ Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was Dances Through Grief and Love: Review
The Lowdown: It’s been nearly 10 years since Bright Eyes released an album, and somehow everything and nothing has changed. Gone, this time for good — as Conor Oberst once declared — is the “rootsy Americana bullshit” that colored career-defining records like I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning. Sonically, the reunited trio’s newest work has one foot in the stylized hyper-production of their last album, The People’s Key, and another in the Gothic, orchestral sweep of Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground. Sure, some of the old emblems remain: the cryptic overture, the half-sentimental, half-ominous soundbites, Oberst’s brooding and beautiful lyrical histrionics. And yet, the album isn’t an outright gloomy one. In the past decade, the members of Bright Eyes have grown up....
Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon Urie Demands Trump Campaign “Stop Playing My Song”
Brendon Urie, photo by Samantha Saturday, and Donald Trump, via YouTube: White House On Tuesday evening, the Trump campaign held a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, during which Donald Trump, Jr., used the entrance song “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco. Within hours, Panic! frontman Brendon Urie tweeted out a response, sending a “Fuck you,” to the White House and demanding that the campaign “Stop playing my song.” Trump’s June 23rd rally took place in a tightly packed megachurch, as the state of Arizona reported record numbers of coronavirus hospitalizations. During his speech, Trump referred to COVID-19 by the racist term “kung flu,” and spoke of the need to preserve monuments to Confederate soldiers. “Donald Trump represents nothing we stand for,” Urie wrote. “The highest hope we have is vot...
Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba Gets into Motorcycle Accident, Supports BLM from Hospital Bed
Never doubt the conviction of Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba. On Thursday evening, the singer-songwriter shared a message on Twitter, reporting that he’s recovering from a nasty motorcycle accident earlier this month, complete with a photo from the hospital room. However, that did not stop him from showing his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. “Hi friends on June 6th I was in a motorcycle accident,” Carrabba wrote. “My injuries were severe, but not life threatening. I owe the amazing doctors, nurses and medical team treating me my endless gratitude. I am determined to make a full recovery, but I have surgeries and months of rehab to come.” From there, Carabba pivoted away from himself and to the world at large, adding, “I have not lost sight of the social issues at hand...
Bright Eyes Share New Song “One and Done” Featuring Flea on Bass: Stream
A release date for Bright Eyes’ new comeback album still hasn’t been set, but that has stopped Conor Oberst and co. from teasing their fans with new music. Following “Persona Non Grata” and “Forced Convalescence”, the reunited outfit is now sharing “One and Done”, and single that once again features cameos from members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Queens of the Stone Age. Similar to last month’s “Forced Convalescence”, today’s offering sees RHCP’s Flea on bass and additional percussion courtesy of QOTSA drummer Jon Theodore. Also like the preceding single, Oberst can be heard ruminating on the current state of the world — specifically the bleakness of its collapse and final days. “This whole town looks empty but we knew it wouldn’t last/ Behind b...
Remo Drive Belt Their Hearts Out on New Song “Ode to Joy 2”: Stream
It looks like A Portrait of an Ugly Man will be quite a musical leveling up for Remo Drive. The Midwest indie rockers have shared another new song from the album, a tongue-in-cheek number called “Ode to Joy 2”, as well as a music video to go with it. From the sound of it, they’re ready to start wooing new fans over the radio with the track. “Ode to Joy 2” is the second single we’ve heard from Remo Drive’s upcoming full-length, following “Star Worship”. Whereas that track was an uptempo primer for a return to the sound of their breakout debut, 2017’s Greatest Hits, this new song leans back cooly, taking its time with a slow-burning funk bass line and suave vocals. Come to think of it, “Ode to Joy 2” almost sounds like an Arctic Monkeys ballad. In a statement, vocalist Erik Paulson explained...
