Flash Single Review: Breathe - Captain Festus McBoyle

Captain Festus McBoyle and his motley crew are a comedy trio from New Zealand, and their recent single "Breathe" is as catchy a tune as you are ever likely to hear. The song is great fun, has a lively upbeat delivery, and tackles the complex issue of how to deal with adversity when it arrives, which is hinted at in the song title "Breathe".

The music features a ukulele driving the rhythm, alongside a lively accordion providing the additional melodic flavour in true Celtic fashion. The lyrics describe a random series of misfortunes which may occur at any time, including bumped heads, sore toes and flat tyres. The solution is to 'take one deep breath' and then everything will be 'all right'.

The song also explores how although we're all different this simple truth of taking one deep breath applies to each and every one of us. In this world the clouds that appear in your day can be overcome 'like a dance in the rain'. There is a lot going on here, so be sure to give this song a spin, it's sure to brighten up the darkest day.

From what I can gather, they are a pretty phenomenal live act too, with their own particular brand of Vaudevillian musical comedy lighting up concerts and festivals across the country. The trio have been described as a cross between Monty Python and Spike Milligan and their award-winning music continues to reach an ever growing audience.  With songs as didactic and inspirational as this, I'm sure their reputation will continue to grow.

Captain Festus McBoyle - piercing the darkness.

Album Review: The Good Day - The Zing Zangs

The Zing Zangs are a folk duo from Vancouver, Canada, who have already made their mark on the world despite only recently bursting on to the scene. Their new album The Good Day is quite superb, featuring eleven delightful tunes, expertly produced by award-winning producer Dean Jones. The album in true "Virginia Woolf" fashion, recites the story of a single day in the life of two good friends.

The opening track "Prelude" sets the scene, with the sound of birds taking centre stage alongside some lively percussion. The music although only thirty nine seconds long, captures the essence of a brand new day and a genuine sense of wonder about what lies ahead. 

The next track immediately provides the answer, where a 'sleepy Sunday cooked up inside' eventuates in the idea to form a band. Here, fingers are no longer wasted tapping on the table top, but are used to locate the required instruments that 'could use a helping hand'. A major strength of the song is its coherent melody, combined with a simplicity of delivery both sweet and charming in turn.

"Chatterbox" is even more upbeat, with its sprightly melody, and garrulous lyrics crammed into an increasingly bizarre arrangement. Here a reciprocal vocal dominates the chorus, before the song disappears as quickly as it arrives. 

"Good Day" provides another example of the strength of songwriting on display here. The syncopation of the lyrics, and the space created allows the melody to really soar, and the heartfelt vocal delivery finishes the job in fine style. 

"Invisible Friend" describes the fascinating relationship the artist shares with her imaginary friend; the vocals of which reminded me a little of one of my favourite Irish bands the Cranberries. The music is pulsating and succinct, before it embarks on an intriguing bridge where the melody really explodes before coming to an abrupt end. I would have liked to have heard more but there you go.

"Hide and Seek" is a no-nonsense piece of electronica, which clearly benefits from the input of the very talented Mista Cookie Jar, who brings his own unique brand of rap to the proceedings. This song is so cool, a real foot stomper if there ever was one, and essentially provides a musical illustration of the famous game we can all relate to. 

What can I say about "Park Song", I was literally blown away by this. It proceeds with a melody that even Dylan would be proud of. The ability of these two artists to effortlessly bash out a brilliant tune is very impressive. The lyrics even find the space to describe the song writing process that takes place where 'the melody just kicks in every time'. Certainly a novel idea, and essentially a song which describes the importance of friendship, with just a hint of melancholy. 

"Shadows Dance" features a sparse guitar, some minimal keyboards and the most beautiful vocal you are ever likely to hear. The lyrics are sweet and heartfelt, and the melody complements the lyrics superbly. Like all great wordsmiths the words soar and swirl around an intoxicating melody that clearly hits the target. It is the effortless delivery though that really sets the tone, with the artist expressing a purity of spirit that reminded me a little of Enya.

As the album draws to a close, we finally find ourselves 'On the Front Porch" where the crickets are out, as we reach the end of this majestic day. The music has a light jazzy feel, as the lyrics describe the simple desire to kick back together 'while the nightbirds sing'.  If you are fond of imaginative lyrics then this is the song for you, with a dazzling array of images on display. The music also captures an old-fashioned sense of wonder, with a soundtrack that could fit on a Louis Armstrong album.

The final track "Soup" reminded me a little of "Her Majesty" by the Beatles with its punchy succinct statement squeezed in right at the end. On this occasion "Soup" appears on the menu asking the question 'do you drink soup or do you eat it'? A charming little ditty, perhaps gently reminding the listener that as the night draws in, we may be hungry and just have enough time for a light meal before bed time. The obvious thing to do at this point, would be to write a bed time song, but here the duo have cleverly drawn the curtain on proceedings with a gentle prod in a different direction. 

The Zing Zangs are a very talented duo, who are able to craft songs with intoxicating melodies and memorable lyrics. Their album provides a breath of fresh air in a complex world, where life is viewed here as exciting and opportunistic, despite the perils that may surround. All in all a delightful album, which blends a cerebral sound, with sublime vocals which successfully reflects the optimism on display.

The Zing Zangs - I'll be there for you when the rain starts to fall.

Album Review: Imaginarium - Itty Bitty Beats

Itty Bitty Beats are back (as if they had ever been away) with their brand new album Imaginarium, featuring ten fabulous new songs guaranteed to have everyone up and grooving. This is their fourth album to date, and features a delightful brand of melodic ditties which will no doubt charm and inspire in turn. The world also seems to be finally waking up to this dynamic duo, who have been really smashing it on Spotify recently with over eighty thousand monthly listeners to date. 

"Marpo The Hippopotamus" kicks off the proceedings in fine style, with this somewhat classical sounding description of the aforementioned hippo 'with no voice'. The music sounds almost vaudeville at times with its dramatic musical soundscapes, matched with a vocal that pays homage to Liza Minelli in her Cabaret era. The song finishes on a positive note, with our friendly hippo eventually finding her voice and receiving a 'standing ovation'.

We are then all invited to a "Party on the Moon", which has a more contemporary sound, and ventures into Tao Cruz territory. In essence the lyrics describe a birthday party which takes place seemingly on the moon. With an album title such as "Imaginarium" clearly anything is possible here. The vocals are delivered with serious conviction assisted by the melodic component which serves to further brighten up the sound.

"Rocktopus" describes an octopus who is in fact also a 'drummer in a rock band'. Here the music utilises a guitar sound which would sit comfortably on an AC/DC album. The drums and bass provide a solid backdrop culminating in a mini drum solo. We are then treated to a mesmerising guitar solo before the song comes to an abrupt end like a car crashing into a brick wall. Not the sort of song you would expect from this duo, but a welcome surprise, and all you heavy metal fans out there are sure to love it.

"Tutti Frutti Island" takes us into calypso territory with a clever reciprocal vocal, which reminded me a little of the Beatles "Twist and Shout". The song has great energy, and features a variety of instrumentation which blends together superbly in this hypnotic feast of sound. The bridge sounds like it's being narrated by a game show host, who invites us all onto the "Tutti Frutti" dance floor, to participate in a variety of dance steps.

"Sock Mess Monster" boasts one of the best song titles I've heard in a while, and has a lovely Celtic feel, which unfolds like an Irish jig. "The Sock Mess Monster" is in fact the 'Irish cousin of the Loch Ness monster', providing a humorous exploration into Scottish folklore. The music is joyful and uplifting, interspersed with a spoken voice. This lyrical technique creates the necessary dialogue for the lead vocal to dictate the pace of the music. An interesting idea, a great arrangement, and without doubt my favourite track on the album.

"Ride on a Cloud" features what sounds like a banjo and a trumpet competing for space. The melody is sublime reaching a crescendo on the chorus where the artist floats 'gently up' and then 'sales through the sky', on this imaginary journey. There is clearly a sixties music influence here, with an overall approach that sounds like a bizarre cross between "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and "Streets of London".

"Mermaids" will surely have huge appeal, with its easy listening vibe and superb harmonies which keenly inform us that 'we are mermaids and we love to play and swing'.  The song has a lovely country feel, featuring what sounds like a pedal steel guitar floating around in the background. There is also a dreamy lyrical display, which conjures up images of imaginary mermaids gliding through the water through 'the oceans blue green waves'.

Of course you can't have an album which stirs the imagination without mentioning unicorns. "Little Unicorn" is literally drowning in melody, and provides a description of the 'littlest unicorn you've ever seen'. This magical tale is accompanied by a sparse guitar and a gentle keyboard, which creates the required atmosphere that the lyrics demand. An absolute gem, and the type of song that children would probably love to hear at bedtime to serenade them to sleep.

"Dragon Tea Party" features some dexterous guitar playing, accompanying the lead vocals which describe the intrepid outcome of inviting 'a dragon to tea'. This tea party takes place 'under the apple tree', and the dragon clearly contributes to the proceedings, managing to warm up the tea pot with a breath of hot air. A fabulous idea for a children's song; brilliantly executed.

"Dream Machine" is essentially a bed time song, but this time the bed becomes a dream machine, which explores the dreamlike state of a child. Whether this is a cowboy adventure, a deep sea dive, or a rocket trip, the lyrics explore the infinite imagination of a child in great detail. Here bed time is no longer a monotonous ritual, but an exciting experience, providing opportunities for exploration and adventure 

Once again "Itty Bitty Beats" have really knocked it out of the park, with an album that does exactly what the title suggests. The band take the listener on a magical journey where we can party on the moon, sneak off to an imaginary island, ride on clouds, pretend to be mermaids, and even invite a dragon to a tea party. There is no shortage of inspiration here, along with some excellent musicianship, stirring melodies and scintillating vocals throughout. I highly recommend it. 

Itty Bitty Beats - imagination on the run.

Album Review: Benny and Friends - Benny Time

I was very excited to receive an advance copy of the new album from the remarkable Benny Time which will be released worldwide later this month. Benny is an artist who clearly cares about the community, and who has a proven track record of helping other musicians. It is no wonder that so many kindie artists welcomed the opportunity to perform on this album. He has managed to amalgamate a phenomenal team of musicians here, who have added their expertise to create something really special. His overall ethos clearly succeeds in leaving the impression that we are all friends, are all connected and all depend on each other to survive on this crazy planet. 

"The Do Song" wastes no time in introducing a host of stars keen to join the party and add their own unique musical style to the proceedings. The door is always open here, and everyone is welcome, including none other than The Beanies, Tiptoe Giants, Lah-Lah and Justine Clarke. Yes, you heard me correctly, a host of amazing artists who seemingly pop round out of the blue for a quick singalong, culminating in a wonderful cacophony of sound. This is a quite unorthodox way to begin an album, but it must have been great fun to put together, and as the story unfolds, this turn of events seemingly inspires Benny with the lyrics for the next song.

"Cars Are Everywhere" arrives straight out of the seventies, with its full-on punk arrangement, which reminded me a little of "Fast Cars" by the Buzzcocks. Anyone remember them? A full throttled vocal delivered into a melting microphone, with guitars ripping through the track like a chainsaw. There is precious little time to pause for breath here, as the artist provides a no-nonsense piece of minimalist rock, and does so with heaps of attitude. Clearly Benny is also in step with what is going on in the US independent scene at the moment, with a song that would sit well on an Esther Crowe album.

"A Little Recycling Adventure" provides an unexpected twist to the proceedings with an interesting diversion into gospel music, courtesy of the superb vocals of the East Coast Inspirational Singers. The song is brimming with pop sensibility, wrapped in a glorious sea of stirring melody throughout. There is a great message here too, emphasising the fact that we probably all have more than enough stuff, and maybe it's time to 'put out the trash and put it on repeat'.  This is a truly uplifting song, with wonderful instrumentation throughout. I particularly like the bass playing, and the way it blends its funky intricacy with such potent melodic input.

"He Needs to Wee" certainly takes the listener by surprise, adding a twist of levity to the proceedings. Here the artist attempts to narrate a beautiful picturesque scene, but is interrupted constantly by the inconvenience of a full bladder, barging in on the song because of 'a need to wee'. Clearly Benny doesn't take himself too seriously, reminding the discerning listener that the kids often tend to appreciate slapstick.

"Cars Are Everywhere" resurfaces once again, providing a high intensity trip down memory lane, with a unique blend of rockabilly and surf pop, which is sure to get your foot tapping. The irrepressible Bree from B Minor Music introduces the song, encouraging the artist to embark on a hectic car journey, in order to witness what I assume is some kind of record breaking surfing event. An energetic almost tribal drum pattern then dominates the sound, along with a clean guitar lick adding additional melodic intrigue. There's so much excitement on display here, as the artist collaborates in an intense piece of minimalist rock, with additional guitars courtesy of Papa Surf.

"Little Grey Clouds" is more laid back, and is essentially a piece of poetry recited to music. Featuring some beautiful acoustic guitar, and a haunting harmony, the song whisks the listener away in a sea of melancholy, where emotions are stirred, heart strings are pulled and we are reminded 'it's okay to cry'. The song clearly benefits from the input of Claudia Robin Gunn, who adds some scintillating harmonies throughout. Although the song is gentle and melancholy, it gradually builds in intensity culminating in a truly magnificent crescendo at the end. 

"The River" is my absolute favourite track on the album, and is clearly enhanced by the inspired vocals of the Itty Bitty Beats. The music is almost jaunty at times, featuring some nimble guitar playing, a melodic piano and some very subtle drumming. The song is both catchy and original, and manages to captivate the listener throughout. Perhaps rekindling fond memories of exotic destinations from the past, and a time when there was nothing to do and all day to do it. Truly marvellous.

"Stepping Stones" has a lively laid back groove, which proceeds in good old country fashion, with a sprightly banjo and a hypnotic bass competing for space. I really like the melody on this song, which is further reinforced by some inspiring lyrics, which describe the landscape with considerable expertise. Perhaps most importantly the lyrics highlight how we can all share this beautiful land, learn from each other and ultimately 'grow'. The song also features the delightful Aunty Trace, a Bundjalung Mulungiali elder, who recites some eloquent poetic verse towards the end of the track. The song ultimately provides a sense of poetic justice, emphasising how 'our culture is like stepping stones' 'where the knowledge and sharing all go round'. 

"How Great Are We" continues with this melancholy mood, and does so with some assistance from Loopy Tunes another fabulous duo from New Zealand. The song begins with a haunting melody, and some intricate rhythms providing the perfect backdrop for the vocals to take centre stage. The song shifts gears about half way through, providing an anthemic embrace between vocal and instrumentation. The song ultimately succeeds in creating a reciprocal vocal arrangement, where we can all join in, with perhaps shades of Ben Lee on display.

It is at this point that "Cars Are Everywhere" returns once more with a delightful introduction from Story Surprise. This time the lyrics are recited over a somewhat jazz infused musical arrangement. I wonder if the number of songs referencing the ubiquitous impact of cars carries a veiled environmental warning, I guess we may never know. What we do know, is that this version both musically and lyrically is in complete contrast to the two previous songs which share the same title. However, this is an album with no shortage of surprises, where seemingly anything can happen at any time. The music keeps the audience guessing, wondering which road the artist will take us on next, confident in the fact that it will be somewhere interesting.

"Good Morning" is essentially a gentle ballad recited to a young child, who has clearly just awoken, ready for a new day. I am sure most parents could relate to this song, which features an alluring string section, along with what sounds like a double bass sparring with a delicate piano. The lyrics are heart-warming and optimistic, visualising a  world less hectic and intense than the one most of us inhabit in the big city. Here we get 'to play and run free' because 'today is your day'.

All in all a truly wonderful collection of songs, which serve to stir the emotions and lift the spirits throughout. The album is both heart-warming and even comical at times, providing an eclectic selection of songs that continuously surprise. The artist moves seamlessly from punk to gospel, to country to folk without breaking sweat. Benny Time clearly has a lively imagination and a big heart, which has enabled him to create an album which is both intoxicating and original. A true artist, and a true gentleman, who manages to create harmony not just in his music, but also in the wider community. I take my hat off to him. 

Benny Time - we're all in this together.