BiboZ Indie Music Reviews (Vol. III)

L.A. WITCH – Play With Fire (Album · 2020) There wasn’t a song I didn’t like. Another band I totally adore. An ultra-powerful, groovy, catchy, soaring, creative all-female trio who have nothing to envy their influences. Obviously, I’m exaggerating a little… but only a little ! https://lawitches.bandcamp.com/album/play-with-fire

Tashaki Miyaki – Live From North Hollywood (2023)Three live tracks, ultra soothing and relaxing. After listening to these, I think you feel like you’ve had a massage. You can restart or continue the rest of your day without any tension. Indie pop mixed with dream pop, basically.Another trio who know how to play their instruments.I haven’t listened to their albums yet. I don’t know if they’re always this calm. But I’m looking forward to discovering more of their work. https://soundcloud.com/tashakimiyaki

Melody’s Echo Chamber – Unfold (2022) Released by Fat Possum Records, another musical gem! I’m not going to dwell on it, I’ll just tell you that this is another album to be listened to several times over for fans of rock, alternative or independent music.  Brilliant intro, Excellent Music!  I really like this band. And I do believe they’re French. Just like that! Well… it’s mostly the project of the fabulous, talented, incredible Melody Prochet. And those little sounds in the background give this so much character. https://melodysechochamber.com/

Doll Skin – Love Is Dead And We Killed Her (2019) So…It’s just as I feared! I’d listened to an EP and a few tracks here and there by this band. I’d wondered whether they were still great or not. And now I’ve got to work on a full album. And… the magic just didn’t happen!  I don’t know if it’s because this is their last album, and therefore their worst? It’s quite possible, given that they’ve been gone for four years.  We’ll see if they come back with something better…I’m going to take a look at their debut and see for myself whether it was even better or whether their ‘In Your Face (Again)’ (yes, because there was a 6-track ‘In Your Face’) is the only thing that suits me. It’s nice, but nothing more. It seems harsh to judge it like that, because I can see and feel all the energy and effort they’ve put into this album. The mix of cool melody, hard-hitting rhythms and vocals – sometimes gentle, often energetic, sometimes aggressive, even downright screamo – doesn’t sound too bad. The four members certainly know how to play their instruments… but they don’t play a style that transcends me. After that, if a kid discovers Rock and appreciates it thanks to this band, I can only be grateful. It’s not like they’re the worst band in the world! https://dollskin.bandcamp.com/album/love-is-dead-and-we-killed-her

Doll Skin – In Your Face (Again) – 2016 These rocking pop-punks have made an effective EP here. But it was probably the fact that I only listened to 7 songs in 25 minutes that appealed to me. I mean, I’m not sure that pop-punk is one of my favourite genres. So I’m not sure I’d last a whole album. Well, someone wrote that it’s “a mix of Paramore and Skillet Vibes 🤘”! I don’t know Skillet. As for Paramore, they’re the only band in this genre that I really like.This sort of Californian punk, with singers with hair of all colours… it’s good aesthetically, but not necessarily musically !  But I really liked this EP ! https://www.amazon.com/Your-Face-Again-Doll-Skin/dp/B01DJT740M

Gallows – Gallows (2012) The album doesn’t have a specific title, just the band’s name. Sorry… but it’s just not my thing! It’s certainly an alternative rock band with hardcore punk, metal, and hard rock influences. Which is not really my cup of tea. Too aggressive for me. Even when I’m at my worst, I don’t need music like that to calm me down. In this genre, only Killing Joke suits me. And all this would have been fine if I still liked the singer’s voice. But that’s just not the case. And we all know how important that instrument is. Musically, as an instrumental, I would even have liked this album. And I could have listened to it several times.But in this case, one listen was more than enough. https://www.bridge9.com/gallows