Islands in the Stream: 8/14/24

Islands in the Stream is a periodic series that highlights songs I've liked by artists who have a relatively low number of monthly listeners. It's like a public service with a dash of the thrill of discovery. What more could you ask for?

"Reverence," David Braid
We begin with a soothingly sprightly solo piano piece whose flashes of strong melodic familiarity with assorted well-known songs serves to reinforce rather than undermine its low-key appeal. This is my first brush with Braid, who's a well-regarded, Juno-winning performer in his native Canada; "Reverence" comes from his 2011 album Verge, which found him working solo after several celebrated releases in a band setting.

"Too Good," Jess Reiss
Nothing too far out of the ordinary with this one, but there's nothing wrong with a nice, chill pop song. Not too good to be true, in other words, but it'll probably make you bob your head.

"Caught in the Current," Charles Walker
Based on "Caught in the Current," I suspect Charles Walker would make a good tourmate for Jess Reiss — this is pleasantly standard pop-rock fare with a light Nashville glaze. If this song had come out 20 years ago, Walker might have been able to surf in John Mayer's wake and rack up a gold or platinum album or two.

"Still Learning," Graham Colton Band
With "Still Learning," we remain solidly in the middle of the road, serenaded by the tremulous tones of probably bearded dudes who likely wear a lot of denim. I know it sounds like I'm making fun, but I swear it's really not that negative — if you're in the mood to listen to this sort of thing, those qualities are features, not bugs, and in the context of a lot of the other stuff in this scene, the Graham Colton Band are more lively and interesting than many of their peers.

"Never Suffering," Hood Smoke
Bluesy anthems belted out by big-voiced singers tend to fall victim to a certain amount of melismatic showboating; if you enjoy bluesy anthems and big-voiced singers, accepting that type of vocal scribbling is just a rather tiresome part of the price of doing business. All of which is to say: Props to Hood Smoke for leaning into the elegant power of "Never Suffering" rather than indulging in meaningless fuckery. Real good stuff.

"Think I'm in a Good Place Now," Mason Stoops and Adam Levy
Speaking of songs that draw their power from their blessed simplicity, here's a nicely Frisell-like electric guitar duet that sounds like sitting in your most comfortable chair, looking out your favorite window, and appreciating everything you see. I'll definitely be listening to the rest of this record.

"One Way Out," Heir
Heir wear their yachty inclinations on their sleeves — there's no way it's an accident that the keyboard riff that opens this song sounds like an inbred cousin to "What a Fool Believes" — but based on what I'm hearing here, it sounds like they come by those inclinations honestly, motivated by sincere love and an admirable knack for reveling in one's influences without slavishly imitating them. "One Way Out" is a lot of fun; I'd like to hear more from Heir.

"Hello Loneliness," Andrew Weiss and Friends
Further proof, as if any were needed, that tossing jangly guitars, a harpsichord, and eminently Dylan/Petty-esque lead vocals into a big rock bucket will always give you a better-than-average chance of coming up with something well and truly worth a damn. Andrew Weiss and Friends deserve more friends. Listen to "Hello Loneliness" — turn it up nice and loud! — and see if you don't agree.

"Pinball Heart," Vanessa Peters
Listening to Vanessa Peters' "Pinball Heart" makes me miss the brief moment when it seemed like Mary Lou Lord might become a platinum artist, which is not a feeling I ever thought I'd feel, but here we are. Anyway, about this song: It's got a nice, easy melody, and it's charmingly sincere. "Pinball Heart" is only a few months old; I hope it finds its way to many receptive ears.

"Pull It Together," Wild Honey
This Sydney-based band appears to be defunct, which is a shame; their version of what one outlet called "retro Australiana" is just as laid back and sun-kissed as a person would expect from a crew of pop/rock-loving beach bums. Pairs well with a cold glass of Carlton Draught.