tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53589508812568352392024-02-20T16:15:27.022+00:00The Metaphorical BoatMusic for added buoyancyChristopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.comBlogger1099125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-16114057473204911522021-07-30T19:13:00.004+01:002021-07-30T19:15:54.123+01:00Ciara O'Neill - Le Soleil<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q28IaN-pUPcyk4GVcbPjNd8uZyFMJ8k_UOL0SBGwqN7TYo83NsIONC8S8zZToe_buBWvXMM6t0V-A0qlun3SezFiudtj6qDHI8Ub2NnS-RlPIv-jFibheN_WrQFPNw5A4DB5p1VKsRE/s1920/ciara-lowres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q28IaN-pUPcyk4GVcbPjNd8uZyFMJ8k_UOL0SBGwqN7TYo83NsIONC8S8zZToe_buBWvXMM6t0V-A0qlun3SezFiudtj6qDHI8Ub2NnS-RlPIv-jFibheN_WrQFPNw5A4DB5p1VKsRE/s320/ciara-lowres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's been three years since the release of "Arrow", the second album from Northern Irish singer/songwriter <b><a href="https://ciaraoneillmusic.com/">Ciara O'Neill</a></b>, who for our money has one of the best voices of any vocalist from this neck of the woods, and who came <a href="http://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-metaphorical-boat-podcast-episode.html">on the podcast</a> around the release of that record (and if anyone who heard that podcast was wondering - since then I've finally finished the copy of <i>Norwegian Wood</i> that had been gathering dust beside my bed, although now I've got a copy of <i>Kafka On The Shore</i> to get my teeth into instead).</p><p>She's been quiet on the music front in the past year owing to you-know-what, but with better days ahead, she's released a wonderful new song. "Le Soleil" (which translates as "the sun" in French, thank you "B" in GCSE) is a a hopeful song of brighter days ahead, with a rich production that recalls the chilled, lush production of <b>Zero 7 </b>or <b>The Beatles </b>at their most relaxed, all topped off with the wonderful vocals of O'Neill. </p>"Le Soleil" is taken from the E.P "La Lune" (which means "the moon" in French - once again, thanks GCSEs), which is due for release in the autumn.<br /><p></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1072025197&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/ciaraoneill" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Ciara O'neill">Ciara O'neill</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ciaraoneill/le-soleil" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Le Soleil">Le Soleil</a></div>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-51717208240167644872021-03-17T14:00:00.001+00:002021-03-17T14:00:50.237+00:00Invaderband - I Won't Remember You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cAxxAFNMIdqZtpuygntLL08qJ-wqQWAYD1kcsK_sw-yVQwjWM-egyuC95IW0U_ra31sRtOX8GluGXAo19eXxTLKkjI4X57i5GoHPOC52RDMsSkrKmTHOHNWB2OiinHQBNXFVXGbemoc/s1800/invaderband.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cAxxAFNMIdqZtpuygntLL08qJ-wqQWAYD1kcsK_sw-yVQwjWM-egyuC95IW0U_ra31sRtOX8GluGXAo19eXxTLKkjI4X57i5GoHPOC52RDMsSkrKmTHOHNWB2OiinHQBNXFVXGbemoc/s320/invaderband.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Derry-based group <b><a href="http://www.invaderband.com/" target="_blank">Invaderband </a></b>first came to our attention a few years ago through their self-titled debut album and its infectious lead single "<a href="http://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2017/01/northern-ireland-tunes-round-up-37.html">Not Alan Rickman</a>", a short-sharp ode to the late thespian's greatest movie roles.</p><p>Four years later, and with album #2 on the horizon, the group have released their new single. Clocking in a less than 2 1/2 minutes, "I Won't Remember You" is sardonic ode to perpetual forgetfulness, and it's a great post-punky track which calls to mind the music of <b>Franz Ferdinand</b> or the <b>Buzzcocks</b>. It's an infectious, snappy little earworm of a track.</p><p>"I Won't Remember You" is out now, and is taken from their forthcoming album "Peter Gabriel". </p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/992866135&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/themessagetapes" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Adam Leonard / Invaderband">Adam Leonard / Invaderband</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/themessagetapes/invaderband-i-wont-remember-you" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Invaderband - I Won't Remember You">Invaderband - I Won't Remember You</a></div>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-6481384437244294772021-02-07T11:48:00.000+00:002021-02-07T11:48:35.441+00:00Lauren Bird - Keep Trying<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYiZ40OwFpaNkP3STsotYBCgMSAusRGcRVcT0105C70Y1cOutIfyW8t4nDf9EUsKQouC_oULLTirP9L3P9V1sr5tGrGFlMHrQaepq0AC7y3kc3F6LVHKRW0TsP_qXSlBzZ2XPRzNLHlU/s1440/laurenbird.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYiZ40OwFpaNkP3STsotYBCgMSAusRGcRVcT0105C70Y1cOutIfyW8t4nDf9EUsKQouC_oULLTirP9L3P9V1sr5tGrGFlMHrQaepq0AC7y3kc3F6LVHKRW0TsP_qXSlBzZ2XPRzNLHlU/s320/laurenbird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The Metaphorical Boat has been fans of Strabane singer/songwriter <b><a href="https://www.laurenbirdmusic.com/">Lauren Bird</a></b> for some time, enjoying her fantastic 2017 album "The Inbetween", and even having her on as a guest on the podcast around the time <a href="https://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-metaphorical-boat-podcast-episode_20.html">of its release</a>.</p><p>Since then, she's been relatively quiet on the new music front, bar a one-off single <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3vm9LzgBDM">release in 2018</a>, but at the end of last year she released "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZk544aIuU8">Millennials</a>", a song that saw Lauren taking her music in a new direction, most notably with the absence of the ukulele, the instrument that she's most associated with.</p><p>Her new single, "Keep Trying", is also ukulele-free, although it's not something that's too concerning, given how much this song struck a chord with me. It's a tender song about self-acceptance, about learning to love yourself for who you are, a song for "anyone who still struggles to look in the mirror." As someone who spent 29 years of his life looking in the mirror, hating the person he say in the reflection, it's the sort of song I wish I could have heard many years ago, and hopefully it's a song that can provide comfort and support to the people who need it.</p><p>Plus, the music video has cute dogs in it. And everyone sensible likes dogs. </p><p>"Keep Trying" is available now.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfUgLBY9TyA" width="480" youtube-src-id="bfUgLBY9TyA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=43903642/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="https://laurenbirdmusic.bandcamp.com/track/keep-trying">Keep Trying by Lauren Bird</a></iframe><p></p>
<br />Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-53438215402717593192020-09-25T21:49:00.003+01:002020-09-25T22:08:58.716+01:00Touma - Fading Out (Epilogue)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVq_FLKfPw04g0_gMIr97Ao69rzl_5vG9iNYrp-GV3z1nKmjgNkvoL4CxIm7tvVGE3f_VqzHT9jSdSdgyLQPz9geuxIOk7eIUKyzJKfO8DITtJaCAjr6MipIOQfOKsA_xgGD-imOdpoc/s833/Touma.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="833" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVq_FLKfPw04g0_gMIr97Ao69rzl_5vG9iNYrp-GV3z1nKmjgNkvoL4CxIm7tvVGE3f_VqzHT9jSdSdgyLQPz9geuxIOk7eIUKyzJKfO8DITtJaCAjr6MipIOQfOKsA_xgGD-imOdpoc/s320/Touma.jpg" /></a></div><p>This is a blog post that has been nearly 10 years in the making. </p><p>I first came across singer/songwriter Kacie Williams back in 2011 when I was living in the United States. I was on Spring Break in Nashville, Tennessee, and I went to a Battle of the Bands in the Mercy Lounge in the city - incidentally, it was at this Battle of the Bands where I saw Big Surr, the band that inspired me to start <b>The Metaphorical Boat</b> in the first place, so definitely an event that sticks in my mind. I got talking to Kacie at the gig (she was there to see <b>Keegan DeWitt</b>, who's gone on to score a smorgasbord of soundtracks since then), and after that made a note to check out her<b> </b>music going forward. </p><p>She hadn't released as much music since then, but as of last year she has been releasing music under the name <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/toumaband/">Touma</a></b>, and has been building up a reputation on the local indie scene in Nashville. Her first single under this moniker, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzG2ls_1tNk">Bodyguard</a>", came out last year, and has now followed this up with "Fading Out (Epilogue)". It's a song that's very much of the epic pop variety and very much a widescreen heartbreak anthem. </p><p>For those who haven't come across her work, it's a great introduction to the sound of <b>Touma</b>. Hopefully it won't be another 9 years before this blog writes about Kacie's music. </p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u5ka83cD4vw" width="480"></iframe><div><br />
<p>
</p><div><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/898495843&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><br /></div></div><p></p></div>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0Belfast, UK54.597285000000007 -5.9301226.287051163821161 -41.08637 82.907518836178852 29.22613tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-57993028572909021342020-08-31T12:51:00.001+01:002020-08-31T12:51:32.159+01:00Thrillhouse - 2045<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nCLcNRjaIuan2fSBWoq2o1THXZkdQMQTBmYK5bXQmuBvH3Jxc55Crr8-9eWA8YPrtypdYPMFYUyaiAkpZCYwJ7KViBUC9VBDcajX7TuewApZ5LOY3FNrNQ-HzORG0WaoLLIIcCJcoGM/s800/thrillhouse.jpg" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nCLcNRjaIuan2fSBWoq2o1THXZkdQMQTBmYK5bXQmuBvH3Jxc55Crr8-9eWA8YPrtypdYPMFYUyaiAkpZCYwJ7KViBUC9VBDcajX7TuewApZ5LOY3FNrNQ-HzORG0WaoLLIIcCJcoGM/w320-h320/thrillhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>A new addition to the burgeoning group of "bands who have named themselves after obscure references from <i>The Simpsons</i>", Brighton group <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thrillhouseok">Thrillhouse</a> </b>have been releasing quite a few well-received singles over the past year or so. The song however that caught our attention is "2045". A song that ruminates on the passage of time, the song mixes the songwriting style and vocals of <b>Talking Heads</b> or 80s era <b>David Bowie </b>with a production style that calls to mind acts like <b>Yeasayer</b> to create a great song that toes the fine line between eclectic and overwhelming. </p><p>"2045" is available now in all the usual places, as well as some unusual places, one presumes.</p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/869454307&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: interstate, "lucida grande", "lucida sans unicode", "lucida sans", garuda, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><br /></div>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-24436794478185549712020-07-13T11:14:00.001+01:002020-07-13T11:15:42.217+01:00Matthew Frederick - Laura Jones<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV4_vj06BDc7RdU2MImEa9bKJbSV3pdoeDBhSCbBmT-FPLOWUgDbMQs506IQRZpDjtBE0tEG-ziay9bibMJRUgE9Xm5VxkcJRC1bTvr7tRP2FeWznnO4syb0Z52jehV1dlKqqk4PT3_s/s960/Matthre+frederick.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV4_vj06BDc7RdU2MImEa9bKJbSV3pdoeDBhSCbBmT-FPLOWUgDbMQs506IQRZpDjtBE0tEG-ziay9bibMJRUgE9Xm5VxkcJRC1bTvr7tRP2FeWznnO4syb0Z52jehV1dlKqqk4PT3_s/s320/Matthre+frederick.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in March when "the event" was starting to ramp up, I went out and bought a bucket load of albums from artists I was less familiar with on a whim in order to have enough new music to see me through the next few months. There were a few great artists and albums that I got my metaphorical teeth into during that time - <b>Elma Orkestra</b>, <b>Porridge Radio </b>&<b> The Lost Brothers </b>being some of the artists whose albums helped to keep me sane during this strange, strange time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But of all the albums, the one that I enjoyed the most was "Fragments", the debut solo album from Welsh singer-songwriter <b><a href="https://www.matthewfrederick.co.uk/">Matthew Frederick</a></b>, who had been nominated for the Welsh Music Prize with his band <b>Climbing Trees</b>. "Fragments" is a great, pastoral album, a thing of beauty that gets better and deeper with every listen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The song that I enjoyed the most from the album was "Laura Jones", which stands out from the rest of the tracks with its pop-orientated sound compared to the more folksy sound of the rest of the album. It's a tale of a long-lost teenage love that will have you singing along to the chorus for days on end. To coincide with its release as a single, <b>Matthew Frederick</b> has offered anyone whose name is Laura Jones a free download of the single, so whilst it might not be worth getting married or changing your name by deed poll for (but only just), it is well worth getting if you happen to be blessed with said name. And if not, the album & song are well worth paying for regardless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Laura Jones" is taken from the album "Fragments", which is out now on <a href="https://matthewfrederick.bandcamp.com/album/fragments">various formats</a> on Staylittle Music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4039332902/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=e99708/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=3012996428/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://matthewfrederick.bandcamp.com/album/fragments">Fragments by Matthew Frederick</a></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-67739774938629808652020-05-31T16:29:00.001+01:002020-05-31T16:35:50.581+01:00Our Krypton Son - White Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKLr34jb0_1xNek8MA7bToQdRaP8Zej-2q_FA-K6Gip0ZK_-aPo0Ic-Uhzyi8oIxIuBIDKSrmfKlbzmUcIho1GJbk8FCyO9g5kOx8JzvItKR7PnYSWZG58c9Nbo9AViQVJ6-dlXoZn0s/s1600/OurKryptonSon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKLr34jb0_1xNek8MA7bToQdRaP8Zej-2q_FA-K6Gip0ZK_-aPo0Ic-Uhzyi8oIxIuBIDKSrmfKlbzmUcIho1GJbk8FCyO9g5kOx8JzvItKR7PnYSWZG58c9Nbo9AViQVJ6-dlXoZn0s/s320/OurKryptonSon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Chris McConaghy, who records under the moniker <b><a href="https://ourkryptonson.com/">Our Krypton Son</a></b>, has been one Derry's more underrated singer-songwriters of the past few years, releasing two well received albums, including the Northern Ireland Music Prize-nominated "Fleas & Diamonds", a giving us some fantastic songs along the way, our highlight being the <b>Scott Walker</b>-esque "Catalonian Love Song", a song that still gives us goose-pimples to this day.<br />
<br />
Ahead of the release of a new set of material, he's released a new single which sees <b>Our Krypton Son </b>move in a different direction musically. "White Sun" is produced by <b>Ryan Vail</b> (who won last year's Northern Ireland Music Prize with his collaborative project "Borders" alongside <b>Elma Orkestra</b>), so unsurprisingly the track is an electronic and synth-based, something we haven't really seen in an <b>OKS </b>production to date. Although even with the change in direction, the focal point of McConaghy's vocals remain firmly intact, and as engaging as ever.<br />
<br />
"White Sun" is taken from the 3rd album from <b>Our Krypton Son</b>, "Modern Ruins", which is due for release in July.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/815784991&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;">
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-307383302" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Our Krypton Son">Our Krypton Son</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-307383302/white-sun" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="White Sun">White Sun</a></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-19690348057533447602020-03-24T20:17:00.001+00:002020-03-24T20:17:11.737+00:00Big Daisy - Go Outside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh3JfXJMuIlu11LXFCSBw1S-rv8V5icexFrYn0z9jmWbI-QK-bMZXG_PxQjQVeJf3RZq6hRY0YFnMHM6BUEgeIH9DHPw6FK_CgtEGf4aXhRVGAAKJ-c-s4-Mf3Gc2eI-oMnzLo9HBAyc/s1600/BigDaisy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh3JfXJMuIlu11LXFCSBw1S-rv8V5icexFrYn0z9jmWbI-QK-bMZXG_PxQjQVeJf3RZq6hRY0YFnMHM6BUEgeIH9DHPw6FK_CgtEGf4aXhRVGAAKJ-c-s4-Mf3Gc2eI-oMnzLo9HBAyc/s320/BigDaisy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We're not entire sure that given "the event", if it is fortuitous or unfortunate that the debut single from Belfast 4-piece<b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bigdaisyband/">Big Daisy</a> </b>happens to be called "Go Outside". We guess it depends on your perspective, one supposes, although given the song is described as an 'agoraphobic power ballad', it could just end up being the former.<br />
<br />
The song itself is a great piece of scuzzy, lo-fi indie-pop, inspired by the sound of <b>Weezer </b>& also some fantastic <b>Alvvays </b>vibes as well. Great music whether you want to be out in the world, or more likely that not at the moment, whether you've got no option to stay in and listen to great music with a cup of coffee and some delicious Battenberg.<br />
<br />
"Go Outside" is <a href="https://bigdaisyband.bandcamp.com/releases">out now</a>.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/762337534&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-88461145974164272022020-03-17T10:33:00.001+00:002020-03-17T10:33:48.244+00:00Malojian & Jason Lytle - The Singularity <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAL4MjwPfcw48Iki74n0lDr4osF8VuWvxP0T6U1Nksp-9SBSaMuyI34xI-XwiJ93bdy11p9pfCQ074ww5bfItx_1IUkq5_gdj_sBtv1rAwlPwkafpnDRahOln3syz1z083e0zl0x_esQ/s1600/malojian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAL4MjwPfcw48Iki74n0lDr4osF8VuWvxP0T6U1Nksp-9SBSaMuyI34xI-XwiJ93bdy11p9pfCQ074ww5bfItx_1IUkq5_gdj_sBtv1rAwlPwkafpnDRahOln3syz1z083e0zl0x_esQ/s320/malojian.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One effect of the self-isolation that's come about as a result of "the event" is that we're likely to see a lot more remote collaborations between artists & musicians over the next few weeks. One team-up that we've already seen is from Northern Irish artist <b>Malojian </b>& <b>Jason Lytle</b> (of <b>Grandaddy </b>fame), who've recorded "The Singularity" remotely from their simultaneous lockdowns. It's a lovely song for an uncertain time.<br />
<br />
"The Singularity" is currently available to download on a <a href="https://malojian.bandcamp.com/album/the-singularity">pay-what-thou-want</a> basis, alongside an acapella version (for all your banging-remix needs), an an instrumental version for your "making up your own words" reasons.<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1535673176/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=e99708/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=2929370172/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://malojian.bandcamp.com/album/the-singularity">The Singularity by malojian</a></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-48998325815192633482020-03-04T20:55:00.001+00:002020-03-04T20:55:42.069+00:00Jamie Johnson - Old Friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs51u3HGRitM4Tj-xqVfBQDOD4OsZE2Vn6M4oDOq8ogcmIp5KsXDR3vFDB2VDlY5I84WPa4QQHbFi4hJ1L5j6QE2dJ6oBk8LG_mLWnAIee_tSFi6SnJUSF7VfewiktNEgPuEIfHJfui4/s1600/JamieJohn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs51u3HGRitM4Tj-xqVfBQDOD4OsZE2Vn6M4oDOq8ogcmIp5KsXDR3vFDB2VDlY5I84WPa4QQHbFi4hJ1L5j6QE2dJ6oBk8LG_mLWnAIee_tSFi6SnJUSF7VfewiktNEgPuEIfHJfui4/s320/JamieJohn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
London based singer-songwriter <b>Jamie Johnson</b> first caught my attention last year with his wonderful song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNi-Q5aTRZg">Christopher</a>", a heart-rendering song which made our <a href="https://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-metaphorical-boats-top-songs-of_10.html?fbclid=IwAR3g6xGk22L1Mw-H-BHP5LXy96-fQjleJjrbUq3X4qwxTqi0sPpFYgEd9OQ">Top Songs of 2019</a>, (as well as picking up love from Phil Taggart at Radio 1), and that felt like it had been written just for me, and not just because it shares its name with myself.<br />
<br />
And with his first release of the year, it looks as if 2020 is going to be just as bright. "Old Friend" was inspired by a old classmate he met on the train, and is a gorgeously tender track that manages to create something very special using such a sparse setup of just acoustic guitar & vocals, and calls to mind a more lo-fi sounding version of <b>Jim Croce.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Jamie Johnson has a habit of releasing songs that pull all the emotional strings, and he's done it again on "Old Friend".<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/761505361&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-48254412496302130692020-02-25T18:46:00.003+00:002020-02-25T18:46:40.698+00:00All The Few - Remedy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yA8HLzcJtfzqHQK_VPo13dSlYX6o1iu0nsDstuEaoDG_t_5UJZ4VcjcIQKC8S4v0pDEUbzzLrHasas3QCvbwL8kVh5JosVtOnzjg50Ts4iq_Qb0eywCOBQYEkrdkHxNxO6cqZXmuoT0/s1600/All+the+Few.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yA8HLzcJtfzqHQK_VPo13dSlYX6o1iu0nsDstuEaoDG_t_5UJZ4VcjcIQKC8S4v0pDEUbzzLrHasas3QCvbwL8kVh5JosVtOnzjg50Ts4iq_Qb0eywCOBQYEkrdkHxNxO6cqZXmuoT0/s320/All+the+Few.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>All The Few</b> are a 4-piece group from Belfast. Having released a couple of well-received singles in 2019, they are gearing up for the release of their debut E.P. Taken from it is "Remedy", a confident indie-rock single that has a touch of the <b>Kings of Leon</b> in their more anthemic, stadium-hugging mode, and a strong foundation stone for the band going forward.<br />
<br />
"Remedy" is taken from the E.P "Sorry, Try Again", which will be launched on 27th March in <i>Love & Death </i>in Belfast.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/764848405&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-37760922458740954292020-02-22T13:38:00.002+00:002020-02-22T13:38:26.627+00:00Northern Ireland Tunes - Round-Up #39<i>It's been a while since we've did one of these round-ups of songs from Northern Ireland that have really taken our interest, but there's been a few songs that have grabbed us over the last few weeks that we felt were very much worth bringing to your attention - </i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/markheganmusic/">Mark Hegan</a></b> - Love, Wait For Me</span><br />
<br />
We've been fans of Mark Hegan on the blog for a number of years, both in his former band and now through his solo material - his song "Skyward" made the top 10 of <a href="https://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-metaphorical-boats-top-songs-of_27.html">The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019</a>.<br />
<br />
His first release of the year is "Love, Wait For Me", which has all the characteristics of his solo material - the melding of the electric and rock elements, with a high level of pathos running through it. If you're looking for a less heavy <b>Gang of Youths</b>, then you'll enjoy this one.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/749837785&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/conchur.white/">Conchúr White</a></b> - Bikini Crops</span><br />
<br />
<b>Conchúr White</b> is an artist that we first came across as frontman of <b>Silences</b>, whom we've had much love for over the years. He's now recording under his own name, and having released the great "Daisies" last year, and having come off an Irish tour with <b>Villagers</b>, he has released his first single of 2020.<br />
<br />
"Bikini Crops" sees White taking on a more surreal quality to his lyrics - <b>Father John Misty</b> & <b>Alex Turner </b>have been cited as influences - which shows a development in his songwriting since his band days. It's also got a blissfully powerful chorus, it's the most infectious one he's done since "<a href="https://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2015/04/silences-sea.html">The Sea</a>", and if it's any justice, it will be the song that firmly establishes his solo credentials.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/747439801&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DarkTropicsMusic/">Dark Tropics</a></b> - Badlands</span><br />
<br />
The one thing we love about music videos from Northern Irish artists is that their music videos tend to be shot in places we are very familiar with, which always gives us a little sense of satisfaction. Watching the video for "Badlands" by <b>Dark Tropics</b>, we were convinced from the get-go that it's filmed in the Botanic Gardens in Belfast, which we had a great affection for growing up. It's funny how it's the little things that give us a lift.<br />
<br />
But anyway, "Badlands" is the debut single from duo Dark Tropics, made up of singer/songwriter Rio and producer Gerard Sands, who's been involved in a few artists we've enjoyed over the years. The song is a slice of dark pop-noir that pulls you in from the get-go. One of fans of <b>Lana Del Rey</b>.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6-THw6akZCE" width="480"></iframe><br />
-------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theflorentinas/">The Florentinas</a></b> - Stay</span><br />
<br />
Still in their teens, our interest in <b>The Florentinas</b> was piqued when we saw that Gary Lightbody had been quite complimentary about them. Off the strength of their single "Stay" (which was recorded live in Start Together Studios), we can see that they're a group with a lot of potential in them. It's an atmospheric, hypnotic track that will stay in the back of your head for a while after you've heard it.<br />
<br />
They've got a few support gigs coming up in the next few weeks, opening for <b>The Maine</b> and <b>Brand New Friend</b>, so we must make a note to see them live when we can.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vox025KMXeA" width="480"></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-37244126502614910262020-02-12T20:51:00.000+00:002020-02-12T20:51:32.712+00:00Scott MacKay - Half of Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrekylur44mwbdGRHruhQPqjlKAaS_EIBhdws3uBUPFFi53B11OJ_b-iYjg667mzDcEHrvVSgY72YYC599IWXvas1_7sVDywGtBRAkeks4CUyKk962ryX79fz5XS15i8dGKzb8e5sKO0w/s1600/Scott+mackay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1428" data-original-width="954" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrekylur44mwbdGRHruhQPqjlKAaS_EIBhdws3uBUPFFi53B11OJ_b-iYjg667mzDcEHrvVSgY72YYC599IWXvas1_7sVDywGtBRAkeks4CUyKk962ryX79fz5XS15i8dGKzb8e5sKO0w/s320/Scott+mackay.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
It's Valentine's Day this week, so what better time to have on the blog a song about divorce? Our timing is always impeccable.<br />
<br />
"Half of Everything" by Canadian singer-songwriter <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/scottmackaymusic/">Scott MacKay</a> </b>is a country-inflected song that takes the idea of splitting everything 50/50 after a romantic split, and taking it to its most logical, ridiculous conclusion. The song's got a classic singer-songwriter county feel to it, sounding something a bit like <b>Jake Bugg</b>, if he had a sense of humour.<br />
<br />
"Half of Everything" is out now.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/741076924&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-33470461968668263422019-12-30T13:35:00.000+00:002019-12-30T13:35:25.482+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - The List & Spotify PlaylistFor those of you who like things in list and/or Spotify playlist form, here are The Metaphorical Boat's Top 50 songs of 2019 in full (note that out #3 song is not currently available on Spotify):<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><b>Vampire Weekend</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Harmony Hall</li>
<li><b>Sean McConnell</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I Could Have Been An Angel</li>
<li><b>The Radar Station</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Zanzara</li>
<li><b>UVERworld<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Touch off</li>
<li><b>Vampire Weekend</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This Life</li>
<li><b>Mark Hegan</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Skyward</li>
<li><b>Maps<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just Reflecting</li>
<li><b>Billie Eilish</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>bad guy</li>
<li><b>Blossoms<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your Girlfriend</li>
<li><b>EGOISM<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What Are We Doing?</li>
<li><b>King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fishing For Fishies</li>
<li><b>King Hannah</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Crème Brûlée</li>
<li><b>Son of The Hound</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You Are Alive</li>
<li><b>Parker Bossley</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lifted</li>
<li><b>Pi Ja Ma</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I Oh I</li>
<li><b>Catfish and the Bottlemen</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Longshot</li>
<li><b>White Lies</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tokyo</li>
<li><b>Tom Williams</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It's Dark Now</li>
<li><b>wojtek the bear</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a long wait for bad news</li>
<li><b>Bear's Den</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Laurel Wreath</li>
<li><b>TeamRKT<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>- Working Sundays</li>
<li><b>Fjokra<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sugarface</li>
<li><b>Allez Allez</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sean Connery</li>
<li><b>Dominic Fike</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3 Nights</li>
<li><b>Sports Team</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>M5</li>
<li><b>Sundara Karma</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Higher States</li>
<li><b>Junodream<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Odd Behaviour</li>
<li><b>CamelPhat ft Jake Bugg</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be Someone</li>
<li><b>Buí<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Something Else to Talk About</li>
<li><b>Barns Courtney</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You And I</li>
<li><b>Freya Ridings</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Castles</li>
<li><b>Alcabean<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tsukuyomi</li>
<li><b>Matt McGinn & Ciara O'Neill</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bubblegum</li>
<li><b>Blanco Brown</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Git Up</li>
<li><b>Broods</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hospitalized</li>
<li><b>I Was A King</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hatchet</li>
<li><b>Nai Br.XX&Celeina Ann</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hold Me Now</li>
<li><b>Dean Maywood</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jane</li>
<li><b>Swim Deep</b> -<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To Feel Good</li>
<li><b>Runabay<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dig</li>
<li><b>AJR<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>100 Bad Days</li>
<li><b>Kitten<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Goodbye Honeymoon Phase</li>
<li><b>Husky Loops</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let Go for Nothing</li>
<li><b>Jamie Johnson</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christopher</li>
<li><b>Peter J. McCauley</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pony on the Fare</li>
<li><b>Foals<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On The Luna</li>
<li><b>Ferals<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>- The Low</li>
<li><b>Drop The Shadow</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Other Voices</li>
<li><b>Cheerbleederz<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>cabin fever</li>
<li><b>Lil Nas X ft Billy Ray Cyrus</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Old Town Road</li>
</ol>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/1kXA5EkPcW8UbVG3zRSB2j" width="300"></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-11482348405595727822019-12-28T21:39:00.000+00:002019-12-28T21:39:36.242+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - Number 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. <b>Vampire Weekend</b> - Harmony Hall</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pztSynQBvs3vPT6ryTwpjD2lZqQNRMSd_Ul39C32nulWbjPy3Uf-0YewTbW_nmPyZJHLExQFe_Y-yzwcGapsG5QEurbH80lK00dX6q8N9LwOMwGSururslB4EJzyeO2SQFHUqFfXMSI/s1600/Vampire_Weekend_%25E2%2580%2593_Harmony_Hall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pztSynQBvs3vPT6ryTwpjD2lZqQNRMSd_Ul39C32nulWbjPy3Uf-0YewTbW_nmPyZJHLExQFe_Y-yzwcGapsG5QEurbH80lK00dX6q8N9LwOMwGSururslB4EJzyeO2SQFHUqFfXMSI/s1600/Vampire_Weekend_%25E2%2580%2593_Harmony_Hall.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And the stone walls of Harmony Hall bear witness</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Anybody with a worried mind could never forgive the sight</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Of wicked snakes inside a place you thought was dignified</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I don't wanna live like this, but I don't wanna die</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
And so our favourite song of 2019 is the comeback single from one of this blog's favourite artists. There was a six year gap since <b>Vampire Weekend</b>'s last album, and given the passing of time & reconfiguration of the band (with Rostam Batmanglij no longer being a permanent member), we weren't sure that the band would be able to re-spark our interest in the way that their earlier material did.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, along came "Harmony Hall", the first single of <b>Vampire Weekend</b> Mk II, which blew away all our doubts on one fell swoop. The song is miles away from the indie-rock sound that first attracted us to them, but still feels like it's a natural progression for the group (especially given that the main lyric also features on the song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhmujtqEcs4">Finger Back</a>" from their last album). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The lyrics have layered meanings, with inspirations coming from the White House, slavery & Jewish identity, with the music taking inspiration from roots music, baroque, baggy, and even a little country twang in there, as well as a production that both mimics and plays with the lyrics. From the moment we heard the song back in January, we had no doubt in our mind that it would be <b>The Metaphorical Boat</b>'s favourite song of 2019, and 11 months later, no other song this year could top it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So enjoy our favourite song of 2019, "Harmony Hall", in all its glory - </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br />
</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IlkTVMMkCP4" width="480"></iframe></i></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-68101436900773498502019-12-28T12:31:00.000+00:002019-12-28T12:31:21.713+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 5-2We're getting closer to finding out which song has clinched the top spot in our favourite songs of 2019, but before that, let's see the still-fantastic songs that just fell short at the final hurdle -<br />
<br />
5. <b>Vampire Weekend</b> - This Life<br />
<div>
<br />
Like another song in our top 10, "This Life" was a song that was all over the radio during the summer months without translating into a bona fide hit in its own right, mores the pity. The song is perhaps the most straightforward pop song that <b>Vampire Weekend</b> have recorded to date, a jaunty-sounding track that we've seen compared to "Brown Eyed Girl", whose lyrics belay a mournfulness that juxtaposes the sunny melody.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FwkrrU2WYKg" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
4. <b>UVERworld </b>- Touch Off<br />
<br />
Japanese alternative-rock band <b>UVERworld</b>'s song "Touch Off" rose to prominence in 2019 through its use as the theme to the critically acclaimed Japanese series <i>The Promised Neverland. </i>It's perhaps one of the few heavy-rock songs that manages to use a saxophone prominently throughout without sounding a bit weird.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z1g2FuYMF8U" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
3. <b>The Radar Station</b> - Zanzara<br />
<br />
This song <a href="http://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2019/03/sun-gods-zanzara.html">first came to our attention</a> when the Belgian band in question were known as Sun Gods, although due to legal reasons the band are now known as <b>The Radar Station</b>.<br />
<br />
"Zanzara" (which is Italian for mosquito), is a tender electro-stomper of a song that calls to mind the production of <b>Prides </b>or <b>Bear's Den</b> circa "Red Earth & Pouring Rain", with a songwriting style that draws fond comparisons with <b>The Waterboys</b>.<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/562298655&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
2. <b>Sean McConnell</b> - I Could Have Been An Angel<br />
<div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
</div>
<div>
<br />
And just missing out on the top spot is "I Could Have Been An Angel" by Massachusetts country-folk singer-songwriter <b>Sean McConnell</b>. It's a song built around two separate narratives of two people who have taken the wrong turn in life, and trying to rationalise why they didn't have the power within themselves to be good. There hasn't been a song that has affected me emotionally in the same way in 2019, even now I get a little bit bleary eyed whenever the guitars swell up in the post-chorus.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X3h9eSS6wQ4" width="480"></iframe></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-76922309108905864412019-12-27T13:59:00.001+00:002019-12-28T11:48:26.359+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 10-6We're into the creme-de-la-creme now, with the songs that made it from numbers 10 to 6 in our year-end countdown of 2019, along with the reasons why we loved each track -<br />
<br />
10. <b>EGOISM </b>- What Are We Doing?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Australian duo won us over last year with their fantastic single "<a href="http://metaphoricalboat.blogspot.com/2018/09/egoism-sorry.html">Sorry</a>", and in 2019 they delivered another dreamy shoegaze gem in the form of "What Are We Doing?". The song sees them delivering a powerful punch of a chorus, as well a some sumptuous harmonies from the two. Given their rate of singles over the past few years, we're surely due an album from them in 2020, and if it's of the strength of what's already come, then it will be one of our musical highlights of the year.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/652257602&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />
9. <b>Blossoms </b>- Your Girlfriend</div>
<div>
<br />
Stockport based group <b>Blossoms </b>enjoyed a radio hit in "Your Girlfriend" over the summer without the song ever troubling the singles chart (something something guitar music is dead something something). It's a great little gem of a song about being in love with someone you can't be with.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U73Qn-NCQIU" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
8. <b>Billie Eilish</b> - Bad Guy</div>
<div>
<br />
"Bad Guy" has been one of the bone fide biggest songs of 2019 worldwide, in spite of, or possibly because, it doesn't sound like any other pop song out there this year. It's quite a claustrophobic song, underpinned by a banging hook and topped off by Eilish's hushed and confrontational delivery and dark yet humorous lyrics.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DyDfgMOUjCI" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
7. <b>Maps </b>- Just Reflecting </div>
<div>
<br />
I owe a lot of my musical tastes to hearing the first album by <b>Maps </b>back in 2007, with "We Can Create" being the record that first got me interested in more alternative types of music rather than just what was in the charts.<br />
<br />
Twelve years on, and James Chapman is still creating music of beauty, with the song that most caught my ear this year being "Just Reflecting". The song harks back to the "nu-gaze" sound of his debut album, whilst adding sweeping orchestral soundscapes to create something incredibly majestic & cinematic.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RhR_jQ0eoZQ" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />
6. <b>Mark Hegan</b> - Skyward<br />
<br />
Formerly of much loved local band<b> In An Instant</b>, released his debut single under his own name, "Skyward", having re-located from Bangor to London. It's a song about feelings of isolation and of losing one's identity after uprooting oneself, which successfully melds electronic and rock elements in a great way. </div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wKo2sD02kc0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-30344717594739190832019-12-24T12:00:00.000+00:002019-12-24T12:00:01.125+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 15-11We're just on the cusp of finding out which songs that made the top 10 in our yearly count-down, but before that let's see what songs just missed out by making it to 15 through to 11 on the countdown. This section features French modern doo-wop, Canadian pop-rock, one of Omagh's favourite singer-songwriters with a song that harks back to late 60s rock, a Liverpool-based group with a sound that's more Americana than Beatles, and salmon-friendly Australian psych-rock -<br />
<br />
<br />
15. <b>Pi Ja Ma</b> - I Oh I<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpQtBOKPPs4" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
14. <b>Parker Bossley</b> - Lifted</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/552570645&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
13. <b>Son of The Hound</b> - You Are Alive<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/571696419&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div>
12. <b>King Hannah</b> - Crème Brûlée</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PO0YUQjudKg" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
11. <b>King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard</b> - Fishing For Fishies</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/beIDKFwXam0" width="480"></iframe></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-15849128523066862452019-12-21T16:25:00.000+00:002019-12-21T16:25:59.382+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 20-16We're up to the tracks at 20 to 16 on the countdown now, with tunes from a former year-end chart-topper, Scottish indie-rock, a fantastic singer-songwriter, a returning track from long-time gloom merchants, and one of the more successful indie-rock bands at the moment, and one of the few that can still get a UK Top 40 single -<br />
<br />
<br />
20. <b>Bear's Den</b> - Laurel Wreath<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xLmTgWeu5oU" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
19. W<b>ojtek the Bear</b> - A Long Wait For Bad News<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B12u2nuEhVQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
18. <b>Tom Williams</b> - It's Dark Now<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/509710161&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
17. <b>White Lies</b> - Tokyo<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BwM_mK1HJaA" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
16. <b>Catfish and the Bottlemen</b> - Longshot<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XUd2S8a2ChQ" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-58996315354618281062019-12-19T20:26:00.000+00:002019-12-19T20:26:19.525+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 25-21We're into the top half of our favourite songs of 2019 now, with some fabulous tunes making it to 25 through 21 on our countdown. This section features a fine slice of English indie-rock, an earworm-worthy top 10 hit from the summer, an odd, Belgian, funky ode to James Bond, a genre-hopping Dublin singer-songwriter, and a somewhat-local electronic duo who've become <a href="https://soundcloud.com/thisparanormallife">award-winning podcast superstars</a> since the last time they had a song make one of our year-end countdowns (whilst still making awesome music in the process) -<br />
<br />
25. <b>Sports Team</b> - M5<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/668037578&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><div>
<br />24. <b>Dominic Fike</b> - 3 Nights<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OWKzRngush4" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />23. <b>Allez Allez</b> - Sean Connery</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ohTngtBq0bc" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
22. <b>Fjokra </b>- Sugarface</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EG2RKXVG5Yw" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />21. <b>TeamRKT</b> - Working Sundays<br /><br /><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/645862989&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br /><div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-26949089943595792622019-12-17T19:51:00.000+00:002019-12-17T19:51:12.478+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 30-26We're nearly at the halfway point of our countdown, as we look at the songs that ended up at numbers 30 through 26. In this batch we have an heavily-streamed English musician I could've sworn was American, a fine slice of Northern Irish slacker-rock, the deep-house/rock and rock crossover we didn't realise we needed, a great piece of Britpop, and kaleidoscopic baggy-inspired art-rock - <br />
<br />
30. <b>Barns Courtney</b> - You And I<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/92-eHSMdBG0" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
29. <b>Buí </b>- Something Else to Talk About<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qWR8wWSenro" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
28. <b>CamelPhat ft Jake Bugg</b> - Be Someone<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sSJ-jfKaE4g" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
27. <b>Junodream </b>- Odd Behaviour<br />
<div>
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/600777078&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />
26. <b>Sundara Karma</b> - Higher States<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uv9tz6Nr4gI" width="480"></iframe></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-20945849986497188102019-12-15T14:12:00.000+00:002019-12-15T14:12:46.220+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 35-31Tracks that made it from 35 to 31 in the countdown, with songs from New Zealand synth-pop, another country/hip-hop hybrid, a heartbreaking song about The Troubles featuring one of my favourite local voices, Danish indie-rock, and an artist that apparently shot to prominence after featuring in something called <i>Love Island</i>, which is something that I believe people like -<br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-d6ef8b49-7fff-5f29-f23b-e4fec2adbe7f"><br />
</span> 35. <b>Broods </b>- Hospitalized<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/553819758&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><br />
<br />
34. <b>Blanco Brown</b> - The Git Up<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DT4kQlM5xuE" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
33. <b>Matt McGinn & Ciara O'Neill</b> - Bubblegum<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/700535503&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />
32. <b>Alcabean </b>- Tsukuyomi<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K-2xN5JjPlA" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
31. <b>Freya Ridings</b> - Castles<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H-3rxh8kZHE" width="480"></iframe></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-38186353745882850652019-12-14T15:06:00.000+00:002019-12-14T15:06:00.664+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 40-36Songs from numbers 40 to 36 now follow. This section features heartfelt Irish folk, <b>Rozalla</b>-interpolating Birmingham indie, Donegal country-inflected singer-songwriter balladry, 80s inspired Japanese synth-pop, and some good ol' indie-pop from Norway, so something for everyone (as long as your definition of "something" included the aforementioned items):<br />
<br />
40. <b>Runabay </b>- Dig<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FDKjHhBGbbo" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
39. <b>Swim Deep</b> - To Feel Good<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t3ZhE_6wklg" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
38. <b>Dean Maywood</b> - Jane<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xYORIgb7z4E" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br />
37. <b>Nai Br.XX & Celeina Ann</b> - Hold Me Now<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sUs8KcN4ow0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
36.<b> I Was A King</b> - Hatchet<br />
<div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/572040399&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-55937334171552167562019-12-10T19:38:00.000+00:002019-12-10T19:38:11.263+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 45-41And following on from our first batch of five, here are the songs that made it to 45 to 41 in our yearly songs of wonderfulness. This set of songs include one of our favourite local artists of this blog's lifetime, a guitar ballad that could've been written for me, Italian indie-rock, and two pieces of American pop goodness -<br />
<br />
<br />
45. <b>Peter J. McCauley</b> - Pony on the Fare<br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/track=1827327197/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=e99708/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://peterjmccauley.bandcamp.com/track/pony-on-the-fare">Pony On The Fare by Peter J McCauley</a></iframe><br />
<br />
44. <b>Jamie Johnson</b> - Christopher<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JNi-Q5aTRZg" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
43. <b>Husky Loops</b> - Let Go for Nothing<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/81H4bCgrTEA" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div>
42. <b>Kitten </b>- Goodbye Honeymoon Phase</div>
<div>
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YWQ4A9dfF4o" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
41. <b>AJR - </b>100 Bad Days<br />
<div align="left" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2c4dB52ehAE" width="480"></iframe></div>
Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5358950881256835239.post-46237748055082733522019-12-08T14:18:00.000+00:002019-12-08T14:18:15.946+00:00The Metaphorical Boat's Top Songs of 2019 - 50-46Time for the annual listageddon here at <b>The Metaphorical Boat</b>. Over the next few days we will be counting down the blog's top 50 songs of 2019. There will be songs that have featured on the blog, songs that didn't feature on the blog, songs that have graced our lovely Spotify playlists over the last 12 months, and songs that really should have featured. But regardless, they are all awesome, and hopefully there will be a few songs here that will float your <b>Metaphorical Boat</b>.<br />
<br />
Let us begin, as we normally do, with the songs at numbers 50 through 46 in our favourite songs of 2019. This section includes some DIY indie-pop, Dublin alt-rock, Belfast noise-rock, one of the more successful indie-rock bands of the last 10 years, as well as what is probably going to be known as the biggest song of 2019 -<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
50. <b>Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus</b> - Old Town Road</div>
<div>
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r7qovpFAGrQ" width="480"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
49. <b>Cheerbleederz </b>- Cabin Fever<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/589455987&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
48. <b>Drop The Shadow</b> - Other Voices<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lGF0r1SLmXE" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
47. <b>Ferals </b>- The Low<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7WqLVQMiCvI" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
46. <b>Foals </b>- On The Luna<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XDlPqNNIvV4" width="480"></iframe>Christopher McBridehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075322513500753264noreply@blogger.com0