In Fourth Place…..CHVRCHES

“The Bones of What You Believe” is such a fantastic album. It tortures me to have this one only in the fourth spot on my top twenty countdown. But I love this record so much! It’s crazy awesome 80’s synthpop! What a fine tribute to the MTV new wave generation. Remember groups like Depeche Mode and Human League? You can hear the influence all over the record. So, they are two guys and a girl from Scotland. Each of them have enormous talent and musicianship. Synthesizers, samplers, guitars and gorgeous vocals coming from an awesome girl named Lauren. Did you know she has a Law Degree and was a Journalism major? Her voice is rather pretty and makes you wanna dance or go for a long drive and absorb this grand life. It’s organic because it flows through you like “tickle fits!”

Chvrches is pronounced like Churches, by the way.

The two dudes, Ian and Martin, are quite focused on their musical instruments and occasionally provide some cool masculine vocals as well. Every song gives me chills. What an addictive sound! It draws you in. It’s got this gigantic POP ENERGY that rushes through you like sugar on a sunny day. I suppose this video below will give you a nice taste. But you’re gonna want to drink a gallon of this ocean wave of pure poppy, bubble gum and highly accessible delightful hurricane buzz juice.

Enjoy

A blast from my tape recording past

The other day I was digging through my mom’s attic looking for treasures from my youth. I didn’t know what to expect, honestly. I found some books, action figures and other oddities. Then, all of a sudden, I came upon something really special. What I discovered was a vintage 1980 Fisher Price tape recorder. Boy that brings back some fond memories.

This thing was in great shape when I pulled it out of a box full of random items. I was sweating buckets up in that attic as I carefully made my way carefully out of there with this prized possession in my hands. I couldn’t wait to show it off to my mother and my wife who were waiting for me downstairs.

I was probably about four or five years old when I received this toy. It had to be for Christmas or my birthday. Anyways, It is tan in color with a stationary handle, just like a boom box. There’s your usual “play, record, fast forward and rewind buttons.” The tapes that I played at the time were things like “puff the magic dragon” or audio recordings of “Pinocchio.” This item was probably one of the earliest devices that I know of in my world that opened me up to music and creativity.

Eventually, my parents picked up some blank tapes for me and I started to record my voice on it. Make believe radio and little comedy sketches are the kinds of things I would partake in. Such a nostalgic toy for opening up a child’s mind to all sorts of experiments with voice, sounds, music and playfulness. I am so happy that I found this thing.

I cannot wait to buy some batteries and play some of my old cassette tapes on it. No I do not have Pinocchio or Cinderella tapes anymore. More like Metallica or Huey Lewis. Ha ha. Boy wouldn’t that be funny if I walked down the neighborhood streets of Chi Town with that Fisher Price tape recorder on my shoulder blasting away “Puff The Magic Dragon?” Good times!

Peace out
C-Note