The Useless Critic 2.0

I first heard of First to Eleven a few years ago thanks to the powers of social media. They are a talented young band straight out of my hometown (Erie, PA). Since I've first heard of them, First To Eleven - which primarily were a social media-based cover band - has revealed an original music incarnation, Concrete Castles.  No matter if they're covering songs or releasing their own music, one thing is evident: Concrete Castles is MASSIVELY talented. Anchored by Audra Miller's powerhouse vocals that are vaguely reminiscent of Hayley Williams, Concrete Castles demand your attention. Although they can fall in that sort of amorphous "indie pop" umbrella, I don't think their sound would be amiss on mainstream radio - top 40 or alternative.  "Wish I Missed U" - their debut album - came out earlier this September, and it's an enjoyable, invigorating listen that would probably make those who were raised on emo or fans of CHVRCHES feel at home. Hell, Anth...

One thing I'm happy to admit is that I spend a lot of money on music. This is often a Herculean struggle for me internally - as much as I absolutely love the experience of live music, I hate crowds, and I hate the absurd wait times some artists inflict on their audiences. I went to a lottttttt of shows in 2017, cut back some in 2018, and this year looks like it'll be modest but worth it.  I'm not seeking to hit an exact # here - I've been to somewhere between 30 - 50 shows at this point, and probably hundreds of smaller, lesser known bands. I chose 13 for now because that just seems like the fair way to do things.  Is this the best use of money?! For me, YES. I rather collect experiences than things, and look forward to purging myself of some of the junk that I've accumulated the last several years (it does not bring me joy!)  I invite you to comment about any specifically memorable shows you've been to, and what makes them so grand in retrospect.  Honor...

This isn't the first time Matt Berninger and Lauren Mayberry have been involved in some sort of collaboration, although I have to admit synthpop is not where I would necessarily expect to find the legendary gloomy National lead singer.  "Love Is Dead" came out earlier in 2018 to mixed reviews - a lot of positive, but some negative notably as much. I think it was a fine album, although not as memorable IMO as "Every Open Eye," which I adored.  However, there are some truly standout tracks on "Love Is Dead," and this duet happens to be one of them. It's dramatic AF but also so strong, arguably destined to be one of the greatest hits in the Scottish band's catalog. And as for Matt, he pulls off synthpop without losing his trademark sound in the process.  For a throwback, check out Lauren appearing on The National's "I Need My Girl" during a live set.

Ellie Goulding, "Love Me Like You Do" / "Something in the Way You Move" I must admit it took me a few listens to realize how grand and majestic "Love Me Like You Do" is. The song is so tender and ethereal, but it's also brooding and has an underlying darkness to it. Plus I think it was a perfect fit for the scene in Fifty Shades of Grey where Christian takes Anastasia on a helicopter ride overlooking Seattle's night skyline (I actually enjoyed the movie, judge me). "Something in the Way You Move"—from Goulding's latest LP Delirium —marries a shimmering synthpop backdrop with foreboding, somewhat dark lyrics, which document the singer's dooming attraction to a nameless guy who is bad for her, but she can't help it even if it's bound to end in heartbreak: "When our eyes meet, I can only see the end / But tonight I'm here, yours again." Thematically, it wouldn't sound really out of place in the Fifty Sh...

So Ryan Adam's long-awaited (well, like, a month or so) version of Taylor Swift's "1989" is now upon us. Huzzah! I listened to it this morning - it's a pretty strong effort for the most part. At its very worst, it sounds like some forgettable acoustic thing you'd hear in the background of a Starbucks. And at its finest? At its absolute peak finest , he makes Taylor's recent pop masterpiece (I SAID IT, YOU WERE THINKING IT TOO) his very own. The cover of the Katy Perry-bashfest, "Bad Blood," is receiving the most attention - and rightfully so. He takes this song that was meant to be empowering in some shape, if not totally malicious is another, and revitalizes it into this heartbroken realization. The hurt is real, friends. Have a listen:     So far, my other favorite part of this sweet little love letter to Taylor Swift is how he reinvents " Style," littering it with '90s alt-rock images. Ha! "Daydream Nation" fo...

Do you know that feeling when a band you completely adore and would marry if you could marry a band puts out a song that feels like a brutal slap to the face? Where you're left wondering "What is this weird CHVRCHES-like thing? Whaaaaaatttttt happened?" It's like if you were driving a car at the time the single came on the radio, YOU'D DRIVE INTO A DITCH SCREAMING? Those are my feelings on this song. I still love you, Metric.  In all seriousness, one feature I have admired about Metric is their ability to shapeshift from album to album. They went from dance pop to more anthemic rock in just a few albums. Compare "Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?" to "Synthetica." There are some common areas, but there's a lot of change and change is good (NOTE: I hate change, haha, well except in music and my restaurant choices). Metric went from a kind-of-okay band to a great band in a very short period of time (even though their first albu...

Ahem Disclaimer: This year, a lot of music came out. I did not listen to it all. I stayed far away from Miley, though. Albeit the only time I heard "Wrecking Ball" it made me cry but that HAS NOTHING to do with her talent. Song That Was Everywhere That Did Not Suck When I get home, my Mom will be listening to this song (mark my words) and telling me how it is good walking music. I would bet money on this if I was a betting type. I'm glad Lorde is getting recognized by the Grammys. But: a.) The Grammys are like a grandma trying to be hip. b.) SECOND ALBUM CURSE. See: Alanis Morrisette . I know, somebody is saying "Why can't you be happy for her? She's just a kid!" BITCH I AM HAPPY I'M JUST WORRIED My personal favorite album of 2013: The National's "Trouble Will Find Me." I am sure this comes as no shock. And it was a grower of a quiet masterpiece. I wouldn't say it's their best, ...

I think this synthpop band from Scotland could easily get annoying, but right now they are not at that point (thank god). So I can get on this gravy train. She's cute in an indie Audrey Hepburn way. THIS IS NOT MY PICTURE They sound a little like Paramore at times. Of course that worries me, but these Scots do some far superior stuff.  SUCH AS: AND Good stuff, no? I WOULD NOT LIE TO YOU. Anyway, their debut album " The Bones of What You Believe " just came out (in the last week).  Check it  out- and keep your EYE on these GUY(s). I was trying to rhyme there; it didn't work. :(