On this edition of LITM Rock Picks, tracks oscillate between variations of energetic, quick-paced loops. Some that dare to dream, while others veer on the side of reflective. All hold this sense of optimism and bright hope, featuring Todd Capps, The Heligates, Tom Minor and more!
1. Todd Capps - Dare With You
‘Dare With You’ by Todd Capps is an energetic, quick-paced track that begins by building a dynamic pace before its lyrics elaborate on its theme. The soundscape spirals and cascades with an air of bright, hopeful optimism. “...I will dare with you with determination…”, the narrator declares, highlighting this sense of brightness with this sense of hopeful surrender.
The soundscapes holds onto this dynamic pacing, much like a train rushing past, fueled by this bright sense of wonder, love and optimism that feels wholesome. The lyrics and soundscape seem to yield to the liberating sense of adventure and inspiration on offer, moving with it.
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2. The Cravens - Big Ole Sky
‘Big Ole Sky’ by The Cravens is a nostalgic guitar track with melodies that seem to move through the track in slow oscillations. The lyrics complement this mood, with lines that find brightness in the mundane. The whirring mundanity of the verses soon gives way to the slow, expansive tone of the refrain.
“...My oh my it’s a big ole sky,...I keep forgetting we’re just passing by…”. With those lines, the narrator (and song) urges us to slow down in a way, smell the roses. Find a way to find those pockets of brightness in the oscillating mundanity and dullness that seems to be our only constant.
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3. The Heligoats - Goodness Gracious
‘Goodness Gracious’ by The Heligoats is an acoustic track that holds in its melodies and lines a bright sense of love and gratitude. The lyrics flow past in a stream of consciousness, walking us through the narrator’s thoughts while the soundscape lays down the song’s track.
By the halfway point, the soundscape attempts to rewind, while the narrator reflects on how far they’ve come and where life has left them. The song embraces its vulnerability while celebrating its wins with a sense of quiet pride. A sweet, grateful groove: “...you gave me something I never knew I needed…”.
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4. Tom Minor - Expanding Universe
‘Expanding Universe’ by Tom Minor and The Creatures Of Habit is a quirky track that takes on juxtaposition with a bright and renewed sense of energy. The soundscape shuffles through the song, while the vocalists use their alternating lines to drive perspective with their lines.
“...So smile, don’t worry, could be a whole lot worse…”. This line seems to capture the apathy that comes with an expanding universe, a place where everything is fast-paced and on the move constantly. “...Don’t scurry/tarry, expanded universe…”. The song’s unique vibe rushes past, offering thought-provoking clarity that seems to expand on repeated listens.
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5. Groove Vultures - Flytrap Love
‘Flytrap Love’ by Groove Vultures is a quick-paced, bright track that describes the strife of someone caught in the spiral of what feels like a toxic relationship. By its mid-point, the song seems to ramp up in intensity constantly, going from realising that they’re in a trap to actively trying to escape from it.
This build is driven by the percussion, unrelenting with no signs of letting up. This, while the other elements seem to run themselves ragged to catch up. Even the guitar solo seems to stumble, as though slumping down exhausted. However, by the end, “...she’s burning for the last time…”, which implies a victory. Liberating resolution.
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