SirenBlue – Hit Like And Carry On
SirenBlue – Hit Like And Carry On – Album Review
It’s awesome to hear this band coming out firing on all the right notes by playing all the weird ones alongside the beautiful, you know what I mean? As “Out Of Here” began, it starts out wonderfully serene and fairly calm for twenty seconds or so, before SirenBlue starts lighting up the guitars to send this first cut in a much wilder direction. I’m here for it! I love hearing this kind of dynamism in music and the high degree of contrast they’ve got on the inside of this opening tune, but I also love that “Out Of Here” instantly proves SirenBlue is willing to take the kind of chances that stack up to an interesting listen. They sound freakishly seamless for as many daring choices as they’re actually making and the demands being made of their instrumentation – and with the smooth vocals of Collette Horne up front, they pull off the ultimate illusion of making a song like “Out Of Here” seem easy to make! Not that I had any doubt when it comes to this UK-based band…if you’re familiar with what I’ve written about them to-date…I’ve got a whole lot of love for SirenBlue & have believed in them from the moment I first started listening. They step outta the gate on Hit Like And Carry On with immaculate professionalism and truly measurable purpose in every note you’ll hear – they’re playing with confidence and intention, right off the drop – “Out Of Here” makes for a magnificently enticing gateway into their brand-new record.
Credit to their guitar players in Jason Turner (Lead) and Neil David (Guitars/Bass/Keys) – they’re fueling the fire as you dive into the depths of Hit Like And Carry On. “Empty” confirms this band of veterans still has plenty left in the tank to share with us all…their level of dedication to these songs and their attention to detail speaks volumes on behalf of their own engagement/love for what they create together. Both “Out Of Here” and “Empty” immediately reveal a band that’s playing on a unified front, and they should be extremely pleased with their results. Good rhythm in the melody from the music to the microphone, and stunning punch in their production that has “Empty” sounding perfectly defined throughout its mix of light & dark. Masters of contrast and how to use it to their advantage, SirenBlue is crushing it right from the get-go on Hit Like And Carry On by really allowing the low-end of their sound to steady the ship, while elements like their lead guitars and vocals get to shine on the surface. All the ingredients they’re choosing to include at the start give listeners every reason to be stoked about hearing the rest, which is exactly what you hope to find at the start of any given record. SirenBlue has taken a lot of what they’ve learned throughout their time and applied it to this lineup, so believe me, it’s no surprise that they sound as tight and dialed in as they do – this ain’t their first rodeo, and I certainly hope it’s not gonna be their last either. If anyone listening was to judge SirenBlue off of these first two tracks alone, they’d swear they were listening to the sound of a band that has surged into their prime.
Neil takes over the vocals for “Echo Chamber,” and does a fantastic job in doing so. One of the things that has always blown me away about SirenBlue is the incredible assets they have on the microphone. I mean, I’d swear up and down that ANY band out there would be lucky as hell to have someone like Collette as their lead singer – so in a way, it’s actually surprising that they’d ever deviate from simply having her sing every track they make…BUT…that’s where the real magic is exposed – David is another remarkable talent that they’re smart to use on the occasional tune. For real, I usually resist bands with two singers, because I feel like our ears tend to tell us to enjoy one more than the other – but when it comes to SirenBlue, I feel like the quality of their songs, their writing, their performances, and their VISION for what they want their music to BE like, leads them to victory no matter who they choose to go with on whatever song. So in all honesty, it would be completely natural for anyone out there listening to feel like either Neil or Collette could be singing your favorite songs by SirenBlue, and quite likely it’ll be BOTH. “Echo Chamber” is like a mix of what you’d love in something by Collective Soul with a bit of added David Bowie flair and artistic design…but really, no matter how you slice it, you’re hearing the very definition of single-worthy sound from SirenBlue on this third cut. Every song has been stellar so far in the lineup of their new record, but once you reach the main hooks of “Echo Chamber,” you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when it comes to this song’s single-worthy potential – this is universal. It’s also a scathing indictment of who we are and how we currently absorb information if I’m not mistaken…it sure sounds friendly, but this song is actually quite a giant F U to all of those out there that are stuck in their bubble simply hearing the sound of their own thoughts beamed back at themselves. Great tune all around! Karl Manners really stands out in the low-end of this tune as the backbone of SirenBlue on “Echo Chamber,” again allowing the rest of the band to make their impact on the surface.
So…don’t get me wrong – anytime a song comes after a high dose of universal accessibility like you’ll find on “Echo Chamber,” you can rest assured the next track has got big shoes to fill, and that it ain’t gonna be easy, if you’re even lucky enough to pull it off at all. More often than not, it doesn’t happen, which is really a natural part of the ebb and flow of any record you’ll listen to in a lifetime. While I don’t know that I’d go as far as to say SirenBlue is struggling with “Live A Lie,” it’s also hard to say whether or not they reached the maximum potential this particular track had to offer. You can hear that the production on “Live A Lie” isn’t quite as clear or sharp as what you just experienced on “Echo Chamber” right away, and you get the sense that it’s also going to be the kind of deeper cut that is designed for a more niche audience as well. Think of it as simplistically as I ended up doing – it’s pretty much the difference between having a sound that’d remind you of something as mainstream as Collective Soul was, versus a song like “Live A Lie” that would be much more appropriately compared to something like early Genesis instead. You see what I’m saying? You can practically hear the difference in your head without even having to push play, right? I still like “Live A Lie” a lot…I think you could even make an argument that it’s also like hearing a track from The Beatles in their more daring experimentations too – it’s Pop/Rock with a Progressive bend to it…ultimately, that’s a tough thing to pull off in a way that’ll go on to please everyone. When you factor in having a tougher spot in the lineup to fill, admittedly you have to acknowledge that it’s more of an uphill battle for songs like “Live A Lie” to get heard as much as the effort to make would deserve. I enjoy it, but sandwiched between the single-worthy vibes of “Echo Chamber” and the actual lead-single of the record in “Obsolete” makes “Live A Lie” a much tougher sell.
I wrote about “Obsolete” earlier this year, back in mid-March – you can find my original thoughts on it by clicking right here. Suffice it to say, I COULD go on and on and write ANOTHER essay about this cut, because I love what they’re bringing up lyrically on this song & feel like it’s an even better fit within the context of this particular album & what SirenBlue has to say to us all…but I’ll spare ya from a second volume of my thoughts on this one tune. It was a great choice to have put out there as a single – I think they chose wisely in the sense that it’s a great representation of the album they wanted to make with Hit Like And Carry On, while also giving the band the room & opportunity to one-up themselves by reserving some real fireworks of accessibility like what you’ll find on “Echo Chamber” to put out after. Having said that, I think that a lot of what Collette is singing about on “Obsolete” really gets to the heart of what SirenBlue wanted to say throughout the concepts of this particular record, so pay attention!
I’m quite in love with the lyrics of “Is This It?” – this is a really well-crafted tune that navigates the main concepts driving this record very well. Another track you could pretty much build an entire philosophy course around, “Is This It?” examines what in the all heck actually makes us happy, and how much of anything, or IF anything, is enough. I spent a good deal of my life wandering around this valley of malls we’ve constructed on this planet we share wondering exactly that – “Is This It?” Like…commerce was the BEST we could come up with? And I’ll admit – a lot of that perspective is driven by looking at the wrong things…giving stuff that didn’t need my attention too much value…not really connecting with the things that mattered…being stuck in depression and not really knowing how to get out of it…trying to fill that void with bullshit as opposed to making memories that’ll last a lifetime… We all get caught in that trap at times, don’t we? We want the bigger car, the bigger house, more for our collections of trinkets, heck – even just MORE money for the job we’re working at so that we can get more breathing room, right? It’s hard to train yourself outta that stuff…I get it, I get it – because, yes, I’ve been there too. As I left my last stable corporate job around twelve years ago, I knew I was taking the road less travelled – but I also found my happiness again in making that choice. Since then, I know I’ve worked harder than most folks I’ve ever met in order to squeak out a living without any kind of typical societal safety net, but I’ll be damned if every moment hasn’t had me feeling more ALIVE than ever before. I’m invested in myself…in the music scene…in people I care about. Fueled by passion, perseverance, desire…finding a way to push past the fear…it changed my perspective from asking “Is This It?” to embracing the fact that YES – this IS it and that’s all there’s ever going to be…and if that’s the case, you gotta find a way to fall in love with that. Beyond the 9-5…beyond what we think there is…there’s a whole lot more to be found if I’m being truthful with ya. “How much is enough?” asks SirenBlue…and to that I say, whatever we have. My dog honestly taught me a lot about all this too. Whenever she finds a stick and it’s the greatest thing in the world, I find myself drifting off into my thoughts, grinning and appreciating how simple life can be if we choose to make it that way. Each & every day I’m alive, I try to be a lot more like that dog of mine. I could go on about all this – but I really love the way that SirenBlue has gone about creating this gem of a song…it’s insightful, and it turns the mirror right back towards us so that we can think about our own answers to the question of “how much is enough?” “Is This It?” Yes! And I’m thankful that I’m thankful for it. I don’t think we all get to that place of acceptance overnight, but once you’re there, it’s beautiful.
Or Hit Like And Carry On, am I right? Life is very much about what we give our attention and time to. The best advice I’ve got is to be mindful of where you’re putting your energy. “Lonely” is a track that somewhat examines this kind of stuff too. SirenBlue’s been very clever about what they’ve included onto this record and how everything ties in together in a variety of ways. Think of how much loneliness has become part of the discussion in a world that’s theoretically more connected than it’s ever been before – interesting isn’t it? The more access we seem to have to each other, the more it seems like many of us have hidden away. I’m not any less guilty of that if I’m being truthful with ya – I’m basically rooted at my computer, here in the online realm every day of my life, but it’s what makes me happy. The only thing that makes me any different is that my wife is my best friend and that’s all I’ll ever need. Other than that, it’s rare for me to feel like I need any kind of human interaction…and I’m fine with a couple lines of text substituting for actual conversation any day of the week. I know many people that blame the internet for our disconnect – but in my world, it’s connected me to so many extraordinary folks around the globe, because that’s how I choose to use it. I wouldn’t go as far as to say loneliness is a state of mind, because even if that was the case, perception is reality…if it’s real to you, it’s real, full stop. Fill your soul with what you need…and if you’re feeling “Lonely,” depressed, or down, then fuckin’ FIX IT by doing things differently than you have been. I know far too many people that seem to think change is going to miraculously occur without putting in the work…and that my friends, is the real illusion. What did I tell ya right from the start of this review? I love SirenBlue…they make music with serious substance & style…they give your brain something excellent to listen to whilst your ponder how your own mechanics, morality, and mortality work. I’m here for it! Rich Lucas has done a great job of staying perfectly reliable and bringing a crisp beat to the drums throughout this record, and he nails it once again on “Lonely,” as does Collette, who delivers the hooks perfectly on this cut. The guitars that have been a huge highlight on Hit Like And Carry On sound like they’re playing like their life depends on it on “Lonely” – and who knows, maybe it does! Whatever it is that has’em all sounding so relentlessly passionate and filled with purpose…we can only speculate – but whatever it is SirenBlue, keep it going!
“At Night” has a lot of exceptional character to its instrumentation and sound…I really dig how this band is able to do so many innovative things without having to compromise who they are, or their identity. I feel like “At Night” is an excellent representation of how they can do things differently, but still retain their essence – and I love the fact that, for a song with a more complex palette and structure, they’ve found a way to make this level of uniqueness remarkably accessible. Like – I feel there is a large degree of accessibility in this song that could make it a strong candidate to be a single as well. I’ll readily concede that’s largely found in the main hooks of the chorus I suppose – but in my heart of hearts, I’d sure hope listeners out there can appreciate how freakin’ interesting the verses of this tune are as well in terms of how they’ve been constructed & all that has gone into’em. They’re drifting closer to the stuff I used to love by Echobelly…a band of which, if I’m not mistaken, is a lot closer to their backyard than they would be mine. This is without question another really stellar cut on the record though – I feel like it’s one of Collette’s strongest performances, coming right after what I’d consider to be another highlight for her on “Lonely” just prior. SirenBlue has consistently delivered compelling material on their brand-new record…whether it’s their thought-provoking lyricism, their evocative musicianship, or their endlessly innovative ideas tying all that good stuff together, they’re really putting out high quality tunes.
I like the fact that we can all hear how much they’ve stretched and pushed themselves creatively in this lineup of songs. SirenBlue could have easily rested on their laurels and created exceptional Alt-Rock that came naturally to them and none of us would have batted an eye as we reached to the volume on our stereo system to turn them up – but rather than go in a direction that might have been easier for them, they clearly sought to challenge themselves artistically with this record. They should be mighty proud of the results – Hit Like And Carry On is immensely satisfying to listen to on multiple levels. I listen to a track like “Pieces” for instance, and while I know it’s probably not going to be the initial track that everyone gets attached to on their first couple spins in comparison to some of the others – I feel like this is a perfect example of a track that’ll continue to grow on people and bring them back to the record for another listen. The rhythm section of Karl and Rich are executing in lockstep here, brilliantly – and I feel like you also get one of Neil’s best performances on the microphone and keyboards too. It’s more like that mid-point for Genesis…not the ultra-niche sound they started with, not the commercialized stuff they put out once they lost Gabriel, but the thoughtful stuff they created in the middle that seemed to somehow straddle both realms effortlessly. For as ambitious as it clearly is, it’s tracks like “Pieces” that prove how great this band is when they’re challenging themselves to dig deeper and create audible art.
As any great chef will tell ya, the real magic often lies within using the most simple set of ingredients. Take “Maybe” for example – it’s arguably the least complex tune on the album in terms of what goes into it, but man…David is on another plain of existence here, and it’s a genuine highlight that can’t be ignored. For as delicate as “Maybe” appears, it’s like hearing a song written in BOLD TYPE, and it stands out for all the right reasons. The keyboard melody will melt your freakin’ heart y’all…that’s the truth. It is a little bit more of a dude-at-the-piano type of tune than you’ve heard on this record or from SirenBlue overall I suppose…closer to something you might expect from Zappacosta or Gowan. The subtleness of this track can’t be any more impressive than it is…”Maybe” isn’t the kind of track that is going to fight for your attention, but it will earn it easily through its authenticity, poise, and humble melody. I feel like we can all understand this is a bit outside of the SirenBlue sound we’ve come to know to a degree…but man…this is spectacularly captivating to listen to – I couldn’t take my ears off of this one. Another highlight performance from Neil’s vocals to be found here without a doubt, but I think what he’s written into the sweetness of the keyboard parts is really about as award-worthy as it gets.
“Follow Your Heart” is a great summation for Hit Like And Carry On…which probably lends itself more towards the Carry On part of the title if you’re following closely to the meaning of this concept record. They’ve accomplished a lot throughout the course of this album, from tackling technology, the current disconnect we’re all feeling trapped within, what’s real and what’s not – it feels like “Follow Your Heart” finishes this experience off with a reminder to grab onto whatever IS real to you and hold it as closely and dearly as you can. It’s got a superbly dreamy vibe to it, but also a very present presence as well – this is the sound of SirenBlue in the moment, playing together, unified as one. What they’ve discovered in their band throughout the years is something significantly special – and I’m thankful they’ve continued to do what they do as long as they have. Because they were around long before I had a chance to listen to’em for the first time…I’ve barely found myself a seat on their bandwagon in comparison to their most dedicated fans, but I’m eternally grateful they saved a bit of room for me. “Follow Your Heart” was a wonderfully real, colorful burst of melody, sincerity, and emotion at the end of Hit Like And Carry On…it truly finished the album off on the most perfect of notes and had me rushing right back to repeat the experience all over again. It’s a beautiful ending to an album that’s been filled with relatable, complex, thoughts and emotions that are all a part of the fabric of our DNA…and as they dissected the complications of technology throughout this set-list of songs, they ended up creating an album that actually explores the stunning depths of our humanity, and what connects us to each other.
Find out more about SirenBlue at this multi-link: https://sirenblue.hearnow.com/hit-like-and-carry-on
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