Oct

4

Beatpick Track of the Week: “Barcelona” by WhiteRoom

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Is it really possible to transcend the Beatles‘ legacy in modern Rock music? Such an argument is forever present in music literature and in everyday discussions: while some may indicate Electronic music, or pre-Beatles Folk as examples of traditions untouched by the Fab Four, many others are convinced their impact on the musical world is quite simply omnipresent.

What’s a simple fact is that the amount of bands who have attempted tributes or mere imitations of the Liverpool lads’ work is outstandingly long, and goes from levels of pure brilliance (as with bands such as XTC or the Electric Light Orchestra, or single artists as the unfortunate Daniel Johnston) to the downright mediocre.

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What’s quite unusual is to find a band that has the courage to tribute the Beatles’ more complex, orchestral, Sgt.Pepper-phase works within an indie-produced debut album. And that is what makes WhiteRoom’s “Barcelona” such a surprising and ambitious piece of work.

The Montreal band – headed by Alex Dray and Eddy Silva – is attracting much attention thanks to a well-orchestrated series of tracks that swing between many moods, with an undeniable fascination for the sulky laments of Thom Yorke & co.

Yet at Beatpick.com the track that caught most attention was one that is more of an excursus than a trademark for the band: with its’ roots placed firmly in Lennon’s “When I’m 64“, “Barcelona” proceeds to capture exactly the atmosphere of the song it tributes, even transforming Montreal into somewhat of an English cottage location (”We talk for hours, but don’t use words, then you get up and feed the birds“), and including a magnificent horns section (there’s even a trumpet solo and a trombone!).

And then, after a tale of love (”If you want these things, they’re more than dreams, just ring my doorbell“) and peace, when only a few seconds are missing to the end of the track, the tongue rolls straight into cheek, as Lennon’s ghost emerges to state “I’ll call you when you’re 110, and we’ll walk through the sunshine again“. I guess with life expectancy growing by the day, and 64 not being such a grand age anymore, it needed some upgrading….

The band have recently been playing various clubs in their home area, but are surely preparing to network a long way around the globe: if there’s any divine justice, sounds this exciting should by far make them the Next Big Thing to emerge from Canada.

To download “Barcelona” for FREE, click here.

To visit the band’s Beatpick profile and hear the rest of their fantastic eponymous debut record, click here.

Oct

2

Striking Media Music!

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Striking Media Music is one of BeatPicks newest artists who have a lot to offer the music industry. Striking Media Music is a partnership that was created in February of 2007 by Dan Cullen and Deryn Cullen. Dan and Deryn have over twenty years experience in music, offering decades of experience in the areas of musical composition, performance and education. Both are involved in many projects including creating compositions for Mica Films, and are currently composing music for the soundtrack of a sci-fi film that will be released October of this year.

ddstriking22.jpgStriking Media Music’s latest album, Beanstalk Suite, is a beautiful compilation of classical symphonic and contemporary orchestra music.

Each instrumental ensemble offers a variety of emotions- each mood changing with striking transitions that remind me of another BeatPick artist, Demetrios Katis. Beanstalk’s first track, “Phee” is full of suspense and drama, making this piece of work epic and powerful and certainly unforgettable. This track is perfect for the ‘big screen’ and will certainly give listeners a sense of awe. One of my favourite tracks on the album is “Phi”, a dramatic score full of piano ups and downs with empowering climactic points. Every time I hear “Phi” I think of a frenzy circus show full of chaotic events, beautiful costumes and a theatrical tragedy happening on stage. “Phi” is absolutely brilliant.

“Phum”, the last track on the album, is dark and dangerous classic contemporary that sounds similar to Shostakovich. If Alfred Hitchcock was alive today there is no doubt in my mind that this track would be implemented into one of his famous horror mystery flicks. It gives me goose bumps just listening to it.

On that note, Phee Phi Pho Phum- if you don’t listen to this album then you are dumb! OK you’re not dumb but you’d certainly be missing out on an amazing creation. The talent behind Beanstalk Suite is striking and worth the listen. It’s no wonder that Dan and Deryn call themselves Striking Media Music! Listen to Beanstalk Suite here, at BeatPick.com.

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