Thrill seeking and cutting loose is the central theme of Chappo’s latest video and song “5-0.” Behind steady snare drum flams and properly reverbed crunch guitars, three rocked-out young adults snag some cash, jump behind the wheel of a sweet Mustang Ford and head out for some weed-fueled adventures. While the vocals tend to segue somewhere between Jack White and Joe Walsh (with verses delivered in the cadence of Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues”), the overall rhythm comes closer to Duff McKagan’s "Loaded." This momentary carefree youthful abandon on display masks the songs deeper lyrical content of wishing to be “older.” But for now it’s “all for the run” - the quick, cheap thrills – as they “build it up just to tear it down.” Included is a surprisingly lovely trippy instrumental break which takes things to almost prog-rock territory – before the rock stomp crunch returns. See Chappo at CMJ on 10.16 at the Bell House and 10.18 at XPO 929. -Dave Cromwell
Ambient and slightly androgynous, the duo Belle Mare released their dreamy debut EP “The Boat of the Fragile Mind” earlier this spring. The EP resonates with somber tones and almost whale-like howls, unraveling soft acoustic guitar, simple piano melodies, and occasional subtle drones. The title track features the quivering vocals of Amelia Bushell, one half of the Belle Mare duo with guitarist Thomas Servidone, painting a dreamscape portrait of longing. Charade (streaming below) gently develops an unexpected blue melody that can lull you into the deepest of sleeps - I've heard of people dreaming of sleeping, in NYC. The duo met at an open mic night in Brooklyn and recorded the album in Servidone’s apartment, but notwithstanding the DIY approach, the record is full of character and the sound mature. With their mix of rich surrealism and an almost gothic aura, these song sounds as if played through an antique phonograph inside a parlor room... located in the deepest of our subconscious. While “The Boat” could easily draw comparisons to other dream-poppers Beach House, Belle Mare’s subtleties and extreme sparsness create a stronger emotional drive and more nostalgic appeal. - Devon Antonetti
