Can't Take My Story Away. Elles Bailey

With Elles Bailey we welcome a new name to the blog. The English singer-songwriter released her sixth album this year, excluding two live albums, since 2017. All the previous efforts passed me by and that changed recently.

On Can't Take My Story Away Elles Bailey shows a few sides to herself. With a voice well west of Four Roses' commercial saying "nothing's changed really", she takes us down a soul, country(rock) and blues adventure. In several songs this all comes together. The record starts with that voice. It almost has the grit that Janice Joplin used to have and Bonnie Raitt should wish to have. Musically I would connect the latter singer with Elles Bailey. The way all the genres are somehow connected is not unlike the albums I know by Raitt.

That is why in my opinion Can't Take My Story Away will be associated with the U.S. far sooner than the U.K. Everything ms. Bailey presents here has its origin in U.S. musical culture. She has mastered it all and made it her own signature.

For years, I am a fan of Swiss-American singer-songwriter Beth Wimmer. The start of this album reminds me a lot of several of her songs. Her voice is sweeter, as is her approach to the songs. It is all in the vibe of the two artists where the similarity lies. I can Beth easily hear singing the title song or 'Growing Roots'.

Photo: R. Blackham

Where the use of instruments is concerned, Elles Bailey obviously has a wider budget. The use of the horns, the warm sound of a Hammond organ, it all gives the music a broader sound, which brings soul songs of Aretha Franklin or 'Dusty In Memphis' to mind. Elles Bailey without a doubt uses the past for her music but in such a way that most songs have an urgent feel and fit perfectly in the 2020s. I have no way of knowing whether this music will attract young people to shows or mainly grey haired men and grey women at the roots of their hair.

I must admit that towards the end of Can't Take My Story Away, I have heard enough. For now I blame myself, as this music is somewhat towards the fringe of my musical tastes. All before that moment is consumed with pleasure. Elles Bailey has made an album that has a great sound and her voice is almost one of a kind. It's certainly enough for now.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2026, Week 4. 10 singles (2)

Because of the ladies' singles special edition of earlier this week, here's the second new singles edition of this week. Again, there is a very diverse set of songs and artist to explore, so enjoy!

New Leafs. The Reds, Pinks and Purples

The Reds, Pinks and Purples so far is Erwin Zijleman territory as those following this blog will recognise. Recently this single reached me and I decided to give it a chance. New Leaf is a nice indie ballad, that is built around a riff played on an acoustic guitar that just goes on and on and on. On top of it this gentle song is played with on top of that the soft, almost whispering voice of The Reds, Pinks and Purples' front man Glenn Donaldson. Despite the chords changing in the chorus, that riff does not. The other instruments do. it could be a piano playing a few notes, a raging slide guitar mixed deep into the background, like a thunderstorm in the distance, or an electric guitar. The bass and drums provide the solid ground for the others to play around that one riff. Beautifully done and full of atmosphere.

Marathon. Maria BC

Listening to Marathon, the title track of Maria BC's upcoming third album (27-02), the sentence "I've got a good reason, for taking the easy way out", sprang into my mind. The quote from The Beatles' 'Day Tripper' is appropriate, as darkness was enveloping me from all sides. In 2023 I reviewed a previous single, called 'Amber'. It made me think of a church song. Marathon does not, the artist's name of course does. If Maria was 13 or 14 when she gave birth to Jesus, as some say, I can only hope for her that her thoughts were never a bleak as this Maria BC in 2026 portrays. Marathon is somewhere between dark sounds and song, with Maria BC singing over it with a high voice. I can't make out any words though. Dark guitar chords put themselves as a pillow over soft piano notes. They rise even more when the singing starts. Like a prisoner in a too small cell, the music wraps itself around her voice. And then I make out the word "afraid". This is some dark music, folks.

Panacea. Celine Cairo 

In September 2021 Erwin Zijleman reviewed Celine Cairo's album 'Overflow' and was obviously very enthusiastic. With Panacea she returns to the music front. Panacea is a very cool sounding song. It is as if everybody is holding back to not show too many emotions. The result of this restraint is that Celine Cairo's voice starts to glow more and more. The instruments wrap themselves around her in a very organic way. The lyrics speak of undertow and counterflow but also that her head is above water now. Luctor et emergo set to music. Although Celine Cairo is a new name to me, she has multimillion streams on Spotify and performed with the Metropole Orkest. With her new single she is announcing her upcoming album also called 'Panacea' It is scheduled for 18 June.

Dr Love. Would-be-goods

Dr. Love is a single with the length of a mid-60s pop song. It has the melancholy feel of a French sigh girl song from the age but not the poppy innocence songs of the age had. The melancholy feeling is so much deeper. This is the expression of a grown woman and Jessica Griffin is, with issues almost no 17 year old singers, nor their 27 year old songwriters experienced then. Griffin returns to the record releasing world with this second single of the Would-be-goods new album 'Tears Before Bedtime'. Dr. Love is a bittersweet song that reminds me of the time when songs were just fun, while putting my two feet firmly on the ground in the here and now. Like a wake up call pulling me back into the real world. That will not stop me from listening to Dr. Love and dream a little anyway.

Designed To Lose. The Twilight Sad

When did I listen to Big Country for the last time? A very good question that popped into my head listening to Designed To Lose for the first time. I really wouldn't know. It may well be decades. The Twilight Sad does not use that guitar as if a bag pipe sound, but the guitars do have that high sound. To add to the feel, there is the Scottish accent of the singer, even if it's light. The band produces an 80s feel on this single, including the gloom that comes with the territory. When I read that the singer of The Twilight Sad battles with mental illness, the comparison I've just made becomes rather scary. To end on a positive note, the band will release its new album on 27 March and it is called 'It's The Long Goodbye'.

I Wish You Well. Mylo Bybee

As reported late last year, Mylo Bybee is from Boise, Idaho and on route to release an EP called 'Revisions' on 20 February. After 'Time Machine' this is the second time the band finds itself on WoNoBlog. With I Wish You Well the band shows two sides to itself. Between the loud intro and second half of the song, the band shows that it is able to contain itself. The two sides make for interesting listening, like enjoying that wild bass guitar parts that go on in the background and the drummer who wants to escape the whole of the time, until he can finally lead the way in the second half. Mylo Bybee is really playing with the fabric of the song. No, this single has not succeeded to convince me for 100%, but only by trying can one become better and reach the goal. For now I Wish You Well is certainly good enough.

Second Time Around. The Spackles

Okay, Spackle McKraken will not be invited to sing in a Bach choir (sorry, if this is your ambition). His voice works like a miracle for a song like Second Time Around though. The Spackles return to the blog with a fine, up tempo garage rock song in which the guitar of Marie Slurrie plays fast chord changes and progressions. The kind of song that puts a smile on your face if you are a fan of an uncomplicated rock song like Second Time Around is. Energy is there the whole time and there is a quieter interlude, in a 2.04 minutes song, which makes for an intriguing change. A short breather for everyone, except for Ms. Slurrie who keeps the chords flying, chugging her guitar along, preparing for a fiery solo as well. Last week the band released its new EP, 'Music For Blockheads'. You can hit me with that rhythm stick alright.

Against The Dying Of The Light. José González

Sweden's José González is on route to release his fifth album, with the same name as this single. Release date, 27 March. It is possible to be extremely short on this song. González is his soft-spoken self. His music is totally unobtrusive, soft like a murmuring brook in a forest. An acoustic guitar, a bass and very soft drumming over which González sings, double tracked and harmonious. If you put the song on, you better pay attention as it is over before you know it. If you do, there's more than enough to enjoy in between all that modest playing.

 

Bored. Melanie Baker

In December Melanie Baker made her entrance on this blog for the first time with her singe 'Sad Clown' and she is here again already. With Bored she presents the same mix, alternative rock like Hole, some slacker diction, explosions in the choruses. Again, the mix works really well. Baker may be going after a married woman who is the woman of her dreams. From there the story develops, unapologetic in lyrics and music. The music has this bouncy quality that potentially may make festivals explode, if she manages to a) get there and b) finds a way for people to get to know the song before the festivals. Bored will work really well here. Two singles underway and what I'm hearing sounds great. 'Somebody Help Me, I’m Being Spontaneous!' is set for release on 10 April.

Sorry Eyes. Pictish Trail

Pictish Trail, or Johnny Lynch, can be found on this blog with three albums, the latest from 2022, but not a single single. That is taken care of today. With Sorry Eyes, Lynch presents a very electronic song, where warbling synths hurtle over each other, creating the layer that makes the song more than a man with his guitar lamenting a lost love. In fact, together with producer Mike Lindsay (Tungg, LUMP) Lynch seems to have stripped away most of the original song as it must have been conceived at home and rebuilt it into what we hear on Sorry Eyes. The result is a song with so many details, that it may well be that someone will hear an unheard detail during the 1000th listening session. The electronics give Sorry Eyes an 80s feel, the rest of the song that of a timeless ballad. An intriguing mix. Album 'Life Slime' will be released on 10 April.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

Lightning Might Strike. Juliana Hatfield

Juliana Hatfield brak door in de jaren 90, maar gaat naarmate de jaren vorderen steeds betere albums maken, wat ook weer op gaat voor het deze week verschenen en echt uitstekende Lightning Might Strike.

Concurrentie had Juliana Hatfield, want bijna niemand brengt twee weken voor het eind van het jaar een nieuw album uit. Het is goed nieuws voor de fans van de Amerikaanse muzikante en dat is een groep waar ik mezelf zeker toe reken. Juliana Hatfield had ooit het patent op gruizige indierock, maar ze verwerkt inmiddels wat meer invloeden uit de pop. Het klinkt allemaal bijzonder lekker, zeker als de Amerikaanse muzikante ook nog harmonieën toevoegt, maar wat zijn de songs van Juliana Hatfield op Lightning Might Strike ook goed. De Amerikaanse muzikante heeft inmiddels een imposante stapel albums op haar naam staan en dit nieuwe album hoort absoluut bij de betere albums.

Ik had eerlijk gezegd geen interessante nieuwe releases meer verwacht nu het einde van het jaar snel nadert, maar een album van de Amerikaanse muzikante Juliana Hatfield is altijd iets om naar uit te kijken. Mijn eerste kennismaking met Juliana Hatfield stamt uit de late jaren 80, toen ze de band Blake Babies aanvoerde, maar mijn liefde voor haar muziek werd pas echt groot toen ze in de jaren 90 soloalbums ging maken. 

Juliana Hatfield was in de jaren 90 niet de enige muzikante die stevige gitaren combineerde met bijna lieflijke zang, maar ze behoort wat mij betreft tot het allerbeste dat de door vrouwen aangevoerde indierock uit de jaren 90 heeft voortgebracht. Objectief maakte ze haar beste albums overigens in het huidige millennium, met In Exile Deo (2004), Made In China (2005) en het onder de naam The Juliana Hatfield Three gemaakte Whatever, My Love (2015) als persoonlijke favorieten. 

Niet alles dat de Amerikaanse muzikante de afgelopen 25 jaar heeft uitgebracht was raak, zo heb ik wat minder met de albums die ze uitbracht met songs van Olivia Newton-John, The Police en E.L.O, maar albums met eigen en nogal politiek getinte songs als Weird uit 2019 en Blood (tot mijn grote verbazing niet besproken op de krenten uit de pop) uit 2021 waren juist erg sterk en moeten ook worden gerekend tot haar beste werk. 

Heel veel jonge vrouwelijke muzikanten uit de indierock van het moment hebben zich stevig laten beïnvloeden door de muziek die Juliana Hatfield met name in de jaren 90 maakte, maar zelf is ze de afgelopen jaren wat opgeschoven in de richting van een meer pop en rock georiënteerd geluid dat eerder aansluit bij muziek uit een verder verleden dan bij de indierock van het moment. 

De muzikante uit Massachusetts, die haar voormalige thuisbasis Boston inmiddels heeft verruild voor een plekje op het platteland, werkte twee jaar aan het deze week verschenen Lightning Might Strike, waarbij ze werd geholpen door een bassist en een drummer, die van afstand hun bijdragen aanleverden. De rest deed Juliana Hatfield zelf, inclusief de harmonieën. 

Lightning Might Strike is getekend door de ziekte en het overlijden van dierbaren van Juliana Hatfield en is een album met het (nood)lot als centraal thema. In tekstueel opzicht is Lightning Might Strike (de broer van haar moeder werd op jonge leeftijd door de bliksem getroffen) een wat somber album, maar de songs van Juliana Hatfield klinken meestal behoorlijk opgewekt en dat is dit keer niet anders. 

Zeker op haar vroege albums klonk de stem van de Amerikaanse muzikante nog erg meisjesachtig, maar de zang op Lightning Might Strike is echt uitstekend en heeft nog altijd het uit duizenden herkenbare geluid van Juliana Hatfield. Hier en daar hoor je nog flink wat flarden van de muziek die Juliana Hatfield in de jaren 90 maakte, maar Lightning Might Strike klinkt wat minder gruizig en sluit bovendien wat meer aan bij de popmuziek die vanaf de jaren 70 wordt gemaakt. 

De muzikante uit Massachusetts liet op al haar recente albums horen dat ze een gelouterde en uitstekende songwriter is en ook op haar nieuwe album schudt ze de ene na de andere memorabele popsong uit de mouw. Ik gaf eerder al aan dat Juliana Hatfield in het huidige millennium haar beste albums heeft afgeleverd en Lightning Might Strike past qua niveau prima bij haar andere recente albums.

Erwin Zijleman

 

Je kunt Lighting Might Strike hier luisteren en bestellen:

https://dekrentenuitdepop.blogspot.com/2025/12/review-juliana-hatfield-lightning-might.html 

Her Favourite Disguise. The Melancholy Kings

The Melancholy Kings is a totally justified name for the band. From the ten songs on Her Favourite Disguise the strong liking of music from quite long ago just oozes. Liking music from long ago is one thing, creating a career in the 2020s around is another. Those who follow this blog know that for many bands it is a necessity to write and play songs based on what came before and play it today. Most members of these bands have tried in the past, never made it big and return to the front now that life (and finances) allow them to do so.

What strikes me often, is the quality with which this love is paired. A lot of these bands are good. Sometimes even better than the originals ever could play. There's one difference. The impact on me cannot be the same. I do not have fresh ears, only older ears recognising the influences. That does not go to say that the new albums are not good. Far from that and at that quite regularly as well. Just don't expect me to hear a new 'Pictures Of Lily', 'Waterloo Sunset' or Lazy Sunday'.

The Melancholy Kings from New Jersey are Mike Potenza (vocals/guitar), Scott Selig (bass), Paul Andrew (drums) and Peter Horvath (guitar). Together they rock within the blend of early 90s bands like Gin Blossoms joined by 60s influences from the likes of The Who and The Kinks. You can hear that Potenza has studied Roger Daltrey's phrasing right in the opening track, 'Six Feet Down'. The use of the organ bring the 60s even more directly into the whole. What 'Six Feet Under' shares with the listener is a undisguised surge of energy. The Melancholy Kings wants to grab your attention and in my case succeeded.

Photo: Carlo Cipriani

Next song is 'Victoria', which I reviewed in week 47 last year. The song grabbed my ear, just like the opening song did now. This is also the point where I leave you with Her Favourite Disguise, because nothing I can write will stress what I've already pointed out to you. Right up to the end the band shares the fun of playing its songs, even when the tempo goes down. If you like your music from close to 60 years ago, you are bound to like Her Favourite Disguise.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Her Favourite Disguise here:

https://melancholykings.bandcamp.com/album/her-favorite-disguise 

2026, week 4. 10 singles

Last Sunday we had a special edition of the weekly singles post. Today we go back to regular with a list of singles that have been mostly released this year. Already the list presented to me is so long and I like too many of them. Blue Monday is coming up. Nothing better to stop feeling blue than good music, sunny days that show that the days are already getting longer a little and okay, playing 'Blue Monday' itself. I'm lucky enough to have the original 12" for over forty years already. Enjoy this week's selection!

Loss & Loneliness. Seb Zukini

Looking back on past posts, I saw that Seb Zukini was first on this blog almost four years ago, together what would become Tramhaus' first 7" single, 'Karen Was A Punk". From that moment onwards the band's lines diverged considerably. Where the Rotterdam band toured around the world a few times, Seb Zukini remained fairly obscure. Listening to Loss & Loneliness the Groningen band certainly deserves more attention. The band's latest song is so full of power. The song has a brilliant build up. The way the bass comes in simply sets the song on fire. That is how to play with dynamics in a song!  At the same time this is a different Seb Zukini from before. Frontman Sebastiaan Kusters is surrounded by a new line up, but shines like ever and maybe even a little more. Loss & Loneliness is a very good, 90s influenced rock song.

Let's Be Loving. Beth Wimmer 

Usually I don't review singles that are released after the record they are on has been reviewed. To make room for new singles and give them the attention they deserve. There's a special reason, that I do anyway here, besides the fact that an artist making a sympathetic song like Let's Be Loving deserves attention always. It is exactly what this single is. Beth Wimmer has written a warm song about love, "time is precious, so let's be loving now". Beth Wimmer can be as direct as this in her songs, as fans have learned through the past years and this song is no different. Country tinged, thanks to the warm tones of her partner Mike Bischof, the song shows that Beth Wimmer is a singer-songwriter that ought to far better known than she is. This is a great song in its genre. Now, about that good cause. Beth's cat needs a medical treatment and she asks for your support. You can do so here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bethwimmer.

Tripping Out On Love/Let's Kiss And Makeup Tonight. Muck and the Mires

A 7" single by Boston garage rockers Muck and the Mires. Always in fear of becoming a pastiche, the band never does. For that the band takes it music to serious. Even if there's a musical quote hidden somewhere in a song, it is the sound of the band. This single shows two sides of the same coin. Tripping Out On Love represents the rock side of the band. The band rocks like it is the second half of the 60s and sounds like no band could at the time. Little heart shaped pills are all over the video, a nice entendre to another love pill. Let's Kiss And Makeup Tonight shows the other side of a relationship and of Muck and the Mires. This is the more poppy side of the 60s, like 'Glad All Over' was for example. Tough, but pure pop. Muck and the Mires show that it is a band at the top of its game. It always delivers.

Live 2024 - 2025. And They Spoke In Anthems 

Last spring a car stopped in front of our house and from it more instruments, gear and cables were schlept than I ever could imagine one artist to bring with him. After a few hours of putting it all together, a living room show was presented that those present will not easily forget. Arne Leurentop, as the artist behind And They Spoke In Anthems is called in daily life, mesmerised the circa 20 people (and sold many a record afterwards). Recently, he released a mini live album from a benefit show played in 2024. Without the intention to record it. The sound man had any way. You can listen to it for free but are requested to donate to a good cause. This cause closed at the end of last year (I now read), but I'm sure you can think of another good cause. Listening to a recording is not the same as experiencing Arne Leurentop playing up as close as I were lucky to see/hear, but it is definitely second best, because his songs are so beautiful and mesmerising.

Excuse Me. Heavenly 

 '74/75' and Excuse Me are both songs that look back with loads of nostalgia to a time that is long gone. Twenty years for the former, maybe 40 years for the latter. I am not a nostalgic person. Yes, it was fun but it still is today, only different, even doing things I was not able to do, like playing music myself. So, sometimes even better in several ways. Heavenly has reformed and will release an album 'Highway To Heavenly' on 27 February and do an extensive tour. Four original members have come back on board with a new drummer. What I have heard so far, makes me pine for what I may have missed at the time and look forward to what I am about to hear. Excuse Me is a track that is very much alive with a punky attitude and an alternative pop feel. Heavenly compares Excuse Me to the first The Undertones album. I can understand why but have to point out that the age difference is apparent, but that is perfectly okay. Excuse Me is a strong track, with a great beat and feeling for things that came and went. We're all still here and that is something to rejoice for certain.

Artificial Stars. Ultrabomb

Made up out of former members of Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum and Social Distortion, it makes it a good guess what the average age of the Ultrabomb members is? It will not be 20, 30 or 40 and most likely not even 50. Whatever the average is exactly, the outcome is an energetic powerpoprock song that lights up these artificial stars the band sings about no little. The band has released a few albums this decennium and will release its new album 'The Bridges That We Burn' in April. Ultrabomb is a trio, Greg Norton, Derek O’Brien and Ryan Smith. You will hear that Smith overdubbed some guitars, but the basis is a powertrio that goes for it in the way powertrios should. Drums and bass are very present and the guitars are everywhere. I always perceive a difference between U.K. and U.S. trios, the latter are somewhat smoother in sound, no matter how much noise they produce. Ultrabomb is no different.

Cut Glass Hammer. Memorials

A song named after an artwork by Yoko Ono? Now that is intriguing. I never got further than seeing the outside ad on a museum wall in Frankfurt when driving by in a tram from the train station on route to a project kick off near the old harbour, with no time to have a visit. What I'm listening to is an electronic pop track, that makes me think of 'Are Friends Electric' or 'Cars' by Tubeway Army/Gary Newman. Cut Glass Hammer is only slightly less straitjacketed. The vocals are a little more frivolous or loose, however you prefer to describe it. Memorials, previously members of Electrelane and WIRE, consists of Verity Susman and Matthew Simms and wil release its album ‘All Clouds Bring Not Rain’ on 27 March. It is announced as as a very experimental album, so it must get a lot wilder/weirder than this single. This is gefundenes fressen for lovers of circa 1980 electropop. You are allowed to think The Human League as well.

Undertow Afterglow. Kurt Baker

To think that I, Dutchman, was on the guestlist of Kurt Baker in Tokio in the fall of 2023 by way of Geoff Palmer who than played guitar in Baker's band. Alas, the confirmation never reached me because for some reason I was unable to acces my WoNo account. in Japan. It just wouldn't open, until I got home. I would not have heard this extremely pleasant poprock track, as it didn't exist yet. Undertow Afterglow, besides making me think "undertoad" immediately thanks to 'The World According To Garp', is such a nice song. The positive riffs fly into my ears, not ever wanting to leave again. The vocal melody is totally upbeat. Baker gives me the idea that we are all back in high school pining for our first love, that for some have and for others did not happen. Bittersweet is the right word, were it not that decades later it is taken in as great fun. That is exactly what Undertow Afterglow is. And, mr. Baker, my apologies for not showing up. I would have loved to be there.

Rainbow Cardigan. The Corner Laughers

A new name to the blog, The Corner Laughers is. Had I been asked to say where the band comes from, I would have said the U.K./England. Wrong, the band is from northern-California. On Rainbow Cardigan it weaves pop with folk and indie. It is totally upbeat from the get go and grabs the listener by way of positive vibes and this positivity shines through for the whole of the musical ride. Although the song has a melancholy side to it, it looks back to a time in the past, it makes the sun come out and puts a pleasant tan on our skin and warms our bones. I had never heard of The Corner Laughers before, but I can assure you more is welcome in the future. Patience until March is called for when 'Concerns Of Wasp and Willow' will be released on Big Stir Records.

In Your Ocean. Iron & Wine

Iron & Wine, aka as Sam Bean, is an act that I have passed up on quite often in the past few decades. Bean's music somehow most of the time is just outside of my interest, while his music is quite close to musicians that I do like. Today it's different. In Your Ocean is a positive sounding pop track that appeals to me. Please do not ask why, as it just is. The vocal melody brings U.K. vibes to me, think The Hollies of the 1960s. Iron & Wine has really tapped into a musical vein from long, long ago. With an organ as on 'Marrakesh Express', there is Graham Nash again, and vocals that bring to mind a myriad of bands from long ago. That is more than enough for me to like In Your Ocean, a lot.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght