#chk

Setting his board down in the sand, Chin looked over at Jayden, a smirk on his face as he pushed his hair up. "I thought you said you'd surfed before. You ate it."

He was only teasing. He'd almost done the same as she had, but he wasn't going to admit that right off the bat. He had some pride. Surfing wasn't something he did competitively like Kono or Steve, but Chin had grown up here too, and surfing was in his blood. It was also a good way to just spend time with people, like this outing.

Evening all, I trust this posting finds you well. Not listened to much music this week due to other things going on but still come across some great tracks which deserve a listen. As follows......

Opening track this week and an artist from Sacremento called !!!, spoken as Chk-Chk-Chk, I had to look it up! They are a dance-punk band who have been going for over 20 years and have released seven albums with their next due in a few weeks time. I heard a song of there’s entitled ‘One Girl/One Boy’ which I can best describe as disco funk! A toe tapper which I learnt was used in one of the GTA games, the song however didn’t have me hooked. However having heard another of there’s, which is the one I’m sharing, as well as the latest single to be taken from their forthcoming album I was sold on the idea of their music. Some tracks I’ve heard I’m not a massive fan of but when they are good they are VERY good and very listenable. The newest single is called ‘Serbia Drums’ and holds much promise for their eighth album. Working back chronologically I would say their latest two albums, ‘As If’ and ‘Shake The Shudder’ are their strongest in terms of writing and format of song but that is just personal preference from what I have heard of theirs so far. The song I’m sharing I adore and it sits nicely within my Spotify faves playlist! Give them a listen as I’m willing to bet you will find something within their discography which you will not be able to stop singing.

!!! - Lucy Mongoosey - https://youtu.be/Ycfyf_XKRVE

Secondly this week and a very talented Canadian, no not Celine Dion. I introduce Mac DeMarco, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. I have been introduced to his music this week after stumbling on a fantastic opening track ‘Cooking Up Something Good’ to his 2012 second album, funnily enough titled ‘2′. Must have taken a while to think of that one. DeMarco’s style can be described as indie-psychedelic rock, I liken some of his songs to those of Tame Impala which, for those who have read this blog will know, are one of my favourite bands of the last ten years. Six albums have been released to date but all my favourite of his tracks are taken from the album ‘2′ so use that as a starting point into his music. I’m a fan of meaning to lyrics in songs and the album contains tracks which cover tales of failed love, his favourite brand of cigarettes and trying to convince a girl to leave town with him, amongst other interesting themes! Another album to give a listen to is his 2017 release ‘This Old Dog’ which contains another of my favourites of his, the very laid back and semi-Tame Impala sounding ‘For The First Time’. His latest album was released only two months ago but having not heard it yet I look forward to giving it some play time over the next day or so.

Mac DeMarco - Freaking Out The Neighbourhood - https://youtu.be/MeRIAew8eXc

Finally this week and a blast from the past, The Connells. Most people my age will be able to name their successful UK single, which coincidentally is the only one I can name! Now the band I knew nothing about until consulting the font of spurious information, Wikipedia. Appaz they have been going for literally as long as I have, having been formed in 1984. I was born, not so much formed. They originate from North Carolina and have released numerous albums which have scored reasonable success in the US and Canada. It is their single ‘74-75′ which I’m interested in. Talk about blast from the past. There I was minding my own business watching TV last week and I hear the song being used for an advert (advert TBC as I can’t recall what for at present) and it got me reminiscing. The single was released in the UK in early 1995 and I first heard it included on one of those compilation albums you would get given at Xmas & birthdays. The kind of thing you find in bargain bins in petrol stations, something like ‘Hits 95′. The single I remember as clear as day. I was a huge fan of the song but had no real means of finding out more about the band or exploring any more of their music, I was only 10. Early 1995 I was part way through year 2 of Junior school, by far the most enjoyable school days. Playing football before, during and after school, all the time whilst trying to make it through a day of tedious lessons about Henry VIII or the bloody water cycle. Having heard the song again it hasn’t aged all that badly and I’m glad to have been reacquainted with it. There are no doubt endless others like this one which can transport me to a specific time of my life and I cannot wait to find out what they are!

The Connells - 74-75 - https://youtu.be/l-ITv4OBV9c