Here we have a hard-to-nail-down five piece. There are a ton of influences here, yet they manage to craft material that defies a simple label. “Enigmatic Groove Punk” is about as accurate a handle as I could dream up after listening to their eclectic mix of straight ahead standards to almost a 180 degree “Sir Fish”, which is my #1 pick for this batch of songs. Almost psychedelic in nature, the contrast is deep, opposing any defining cornerstone one may be led to believe..

   The individuality of each song conveys a desire to play musical “whack a mole”, with a 4/4 mallet with the odd sideways change here and there to keep us guessing. It would seem there is a huge desire to involve all band members in the writing process, as the bass guitar is showcased often, which is rare outside the virtuoso bass-guy territory. A no-fear approach of topics on the darker side of life with a smattering of edgy, sub-culture references force the ears to process the lyrics despite the rhythm.

   Bluesy overtones and clever hooks solidify the intent to produce a high quality product for an ever changing scene. I get the impression most of the material is recorded live, but I could be mistaken. Sure, there are influences that stand out, a few production issues,…….but the writing shows depth within the confines of a couple handfuls of tunes, with a green light for growth and development…..Uncountable Kings…..Have a look-see….What are your thoughts?

link to play..."Sir Fish" at Podomatic

Cheerz,
UM

Facebook......Uncle Marcus

For some reason, most of the millennial generation has evolved to despise country music. Alongside this repudiation, the genre itself has begun to evolve to appease the taste of the generation. And now, a burgeoning band may have a shot at successfully infiltrating the sound waves of the peculiar and particular 20 somethings. 

Beginning as a duo comprised of Errol Sammut and Johann Schembri, Airport Impressions has certainly come a long way from the small island of Malta. The two spent six months in Ireland, which proved to be a significant musical influence. Later on, Chris Curmi and Steve Farrugia joined, adding to the band’s creative and musical potential. 

To label Airport Impressions "country" would certainly be a stretch. The act makes it difficult to be pigeonholed into one word. As with any musical anomaly, ITunes manages to solve this problem by stamping "alternative" onto a sometimes questionable amount of bands. By combining two generalizations, "alternative country" isn't necessarily an inaccurate indicator of this band's sound. 

By focusing on the elements that could identify Airport impressions as country, it becomes evident where their strengths lie. Errol Sammut's vocals are a prominent example of this. Somewhere between rock and country, his vocal ranges never remain static, and along other vocal harmonies, exceeds what seem possible for his range. Further country esque distinctions are the occasional mandolin and banjo riffs hidden within some tracks. 


A prime example of their versatility is "let it shine," from their sophomore album "Mariette." The opening guitar riffs pave what could have been an uncharacteristically atmospheric song. That is, until the song's drums open into a much more indie rock driven sound. Next to the the previous tracks of the album, this is a stand out. 

Although Airport Impressions may not be for everyone, their talent as a band is evident. Being able to effectively pull in various influences is an appeal to outlining fans of both country and alternative. From their debut to latest release, they maintain an overall consistency that leaves room to be built upon in future releases. Although, their first album definitely leans more toward the alternative side on the spectrum. Upon first listen, the band doesn't sound particularly innovative, but the quality of what they create is undeniable.

link to play ...."Let it Shine" at Podomatic


M. Stuart
about.me/MS920


facebook link for Airport Impressions

Written by Matthew S. Persson

The culmination of effects and instrumentation that is Walla, represents a modern day Postal Service collaboration, although incomparable in terms of sound. By creating a bond via “digital means” the band’s five members came together to deliver a collection of interesting and inventive EP’s that sparked interest in the band on bill boards such as Hypemachine. Their diverse backgrounds coalesce to create catchy contributions to the ever growing music blogosphere.

Jonathan Hoonch Kim’s soft spoken vocals carry the band’s often synth laden tracks. The band’s effectively layered tracks each have a persona of their own, which can be seen as either a flaw or a strength, as the music sometimes lacks consistency. They feel vaguely reminiscent of other indie pop acts that made appearances early last year, such as The Wombats. Worth mentioning is the title track to their Gangsters of Suburbia EP, with its distinctly disco esque opening and steady beat. Collectively, their sound is best expressed by their Nature EP released in 2013.

With an interesting blend of electronic and acoustic, it wouldn’t be surprising to soon find Walla occupying the soundscapes of many alternative radio stations. They’ve explored a variety of different sounds, and it will be interesting to see which direction they choose to go. Their first four EPs have promise for the developing band, with the most recent representing their capacity to continually deliver upbeat and relevant releases.



M. Stuart
about.me/MS920