The Howling Tongues- BOO HISS

GUYS! Guys. The Howling Tongues released their new album BOO HISS on Tuesday and boy, have I got a review comin’ at you full speed ahead.

As per usual, you can expect heavy rock’n’roll tones, rebellious lyrics and driving-to-work dance parties. However, this album has a new uniqueness to it. There may be hints of Jack White circa The White Stripes and Pink Floyd’s spacey influence, but one thing is truly certain: this album is fully The Howling Tongues.

The rock’n’roll album you’ve been waiting for starts off with an anthem called “Raw Power in a Red Dress.” With gritty guitar tones, quick organ sweeps and a loud 1-2-3-4 count-off, the song is a perfect fit to start off the BOO HISS experience. “Raw power in a red dress. Her legs get it started but her hips do the rest” is the perfect frame for such a dance-fueled song.

The fast paced energy holds on tight in “The Shakes,” their single, “Vivian” and “Alone.” Davey Rockett reveals his bluesy and soulful voice while the band creates the perfect pocket of unifying melodies and punchy drum beats. The hook, “I’m addicted to ya, baby. I need to medicate, I’ve got the shakes” quickly induces dancing and singing along. “Vivian” and “Alone” follow suit in what continues to encourage gyrating dance moves to solid power chords and electrifying hooks. Find my review of “Vivian” here.

The Tongues somewhat slow it down for “Belladonna.” This song is definitely a favorite of mine, but then again, I’m a sucker for a piano-lead power ballad. Thomas Wainwright starts the song off soft and sweet with angel-like piano fills. After a few bars, the song takes off with the entire band and a sort of slow bounce coming from Nick Magliochetti on guitar. The verse is pure ambiance, and then the chorus kicks in with a thicker and grittier sound. The chord progression builds up to the end of the chorus and then drops to concentrate back on to the piano and the original sweet melody. A second hook that starts off with piano and guitar playing against each other completes the bridge of this musical genius. With the addition of drums by Tylor James, and the eventual fill of bass by Brandon Witcher, the whole band comes together with so much emotion to create what I think to be an absolutely intoxicating song.

The album kicks back into high gear with “Greatest Lover Around.” The song starts off with a full band tick and smooth falsetto. After a repeated verse, the song fades into a spacey distortion with the lyric, “You make me sick when you lay it on thick, girl.” This sets off the eruption of the full band back into the chorus and a wave of loud howls from Davey. The chorus repeats and Magliochetti introduces his guitar tones evocative of The White Stripes, however still distinctive of The Tongues.

“Crooked Eyes” is a tune to stomp your feet to. It is full of bounces around the piano, deep and soulful vocal tone, and an unforgettable hook. The bass line and drum pocket come together to work its listeners into a clapping frenzy. If you’ve been to one of their shows, you know that The Howling Tongues are great at getting the crowd involved and excited; and by the end of “Crooked Eyes,” the inclusion of harmonica and a loud howl of “Crooked Eyes” do just that.

Next comes “Space.” This song gives off this otherworldly vibe illustrated in the name: spacey. The band does a great job of painting pictures with their music and “Space” is a perfect example. Listening to this song, you’ll hear descriptions of atmospheres and gamma rays as well as incredible drum fills and interesting sounds and effects coming from the rest of the band. An abrupt ending leads to the final song, “S.O.S.”

The chorus of this song is shouted like an anthem, “I don’t care anymore.” Rebellion and contempt for conforming are the main points in this song. It is another great song for crowd involvement and chaotic dancing and a beautiful way to end such a powerful album.

The Howling Tongues are currently on tour debuting their album to the masses. Check their website for tour dates and merch sales.

Rock’n’roll lives

K (Heartbreaker)

 

 

The Howling Tongues – “Vivian”

(Cover photo from The Howling Tongues)

They’re back. The Howling Tongues have released their new single titled, “Vivian” and it picks up right where The Tongues left off. The new single is ready to take you to another galaxy with fiery melodies, guitar riffs, rebellious lyrics and deep organ tones, all reminiscent to the sounds of Queen and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. However, unique in all the right ways.

The song is about a fun-sucker named Vivian and her manipulative and dismal tendencies. Lead singer, Davey Rockett starts the first verse with just his vocals and guitar, slowly building with the addition of drums. Then the song erupts into a full-band punch in the face that is sure to get anyone dancing. That’s where those fiery melodies come in. “Vivian, I wanna get you in the daylight” is almost literally a howl setting the tone for the raw emotion coming from the song.

And it doesn’t stop there. The whole band works together to create a truly rock’n’roll tune. Tylor James on drums, Nick Magliochetti on guitar, Brandon Witcher takes the bass and Thomas Wainwright on the keys. This band has orchestrated another anthem for the people who thought rock’n’roll was dead.

No holds barred, “Vivian” is now available for download on all online music retailer and streaming outlets. The band has also announced that a 45RPM vinyl of the single will also be available for pre-order.

Do yourself a favor and download Vivian today.

Rock’n’roll lives.

K (heartbreaker)

 

When Someone Doesn’t Choose You

No matter the sweet words they’ll throw around and the loving touches that will send you into a deep, protected sleep — they will wake up one morning and realize that it’s not you. It was never you. It could never be you.

When someone doesn’t choose you, regret will flood your already drowning mind. You’ll spend hours crying over the times you were too stubborn to kiss him, knowing that you can never make it right. Chaos will build a playground around your heart leaving you to wonder how someone could claim to love you so much, yet not enough to fight for you. Your heart will be broken and your eyes sharp daggers. When someone doesn’t choose you, change is inevitable. The person you once were will become unrecognizable.

Skewed logic will convince you that you aren’t good enough, and you’ll be too obstinate to admit how badly you’re hurt. You’ll hate yourself for being the one that loved more — the one that loved too much. When someone doesn’t choose you, you’ll be left all alone to wonder why. Closure will become a fantasy and you’ll learn to live with this new, excruciatingly harsh reality.

There will come a time that it clicks. It will click not only for the one you once adored, but it will click for you as well. After months of wracking your brain for what went wrong, you’ll realize that the love you shared was good. It just wasn’t good enough to fight for.

 

-K

Popsicles!

Hey, everyone. Your favorite nanny here!

The kids’ summer just started and I’ve been desperate to find activities for them to do other than playing on the iPad and watching movies. So, homemade popsicles it is!

*playing with our food*

We opted for the raspberry limeade flavor to deliciously refresh us on these long, hot days.

The ingredients are simple enough:

• 1 can Raspberry Lemonade concentrate
• 1 lime
• ½ cup raspberries
• 2 cups of water

 

In a medium size bowl, juice your lime and scrape in some of the pulp. Then add the raspberries. I gave texture to the popsicles by mildly mashing the raspberries so they were soft but still chunky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add your can of Raspberry Lemonade concentrate and the 2 cups of water into the mixture and stir.

Pour the mixture into your popsicle molds and freeze 4-6 hours; or overnight for safe measure.

Wrestle your delicious popsicles out of their molds and enjoy!

 

This will be my third summer spent with these kids and I’m so excited to share our adventures with you! I know it’ll be a good one, so stay tuned.

-K

GRUB!

I just had a full week off from work and it was glorious. However, it’s a new week and it’s back to work for this nanny. *pouting*

During my wonderful week of relaxation, exercise and pigging out, I found myself at a burger bar in Atlanta called Grub! It is located in the Cobb Galleria off Cobb Parkway. Holy. Cannoli. Let me tell you about it.

Some friends of mine suggested the place and I have some major things to share. My friend Kaitlan and I shared a burger called the Texas Luau- consisting of pulled pork, a grilled pineapple slice, jalapenos and some amazing sauce magic. When I eat really delicious food (or any food at all) I dance in my seat and smile while inhaling the goodness.

This restaurant also serves a series of alcoholic milkshakes. Uhh, YUM. I ordered the mint chocolate chip milkshake that can be served with Vodka, but I opted out because I know my limit. Kaitlan ordered the Nutella milkshake which is only served up virgin style. I slurped mine down in what seemed like one gulp.

My tummy was so satisfied after a day of sun bathing at the pool. There’s just something about those kinds of days that give you such an appetite. No complaining here!

Try this place out while you wander around Atlanta, or make a special trip just to experience the glory. It won’t disappoint. Have I ever lead you astray? 😉

-K

Fox Brother’s Barbecue

My boyfriend Taylor and I watch a lot of food TV. In fact, if our television is on, you can pretty much bet on it being food, travel, or fishing related, or two of those things combined. Last week, we were watching a show that was featuring the best 10 barbecue joints in the United States. Fox Brother’s barbecue came up as number 3. Now, I’ve been to Fox Brother’s before, but my barbecue-loving boyfriend hadn’t. So, naturally, we ventured into town the next day so he could experience the glory.

My first experience with Fox Brother’s almost made me cry, it was so good. It’s been probably three years since that night, and I still remember that first bite into my sliced brisket sandwich. As much as I wanted that again, I decided to go for the dish that was featured on the TV show we’d just seen. Fox Brother’s twist on the American classic… a brisket burger. A chopped brisket sandwich, topped with pimento cheese, bacon, jalapeño mayo, tomato, onion, and pickles. It was a mess. An absolutely delicious mess. After one attempt to eat it like a standard burger, I quit and picked up my fork. There was no other way.

Brisket Burger with Potato Salad

Taylor got the pulled pork plate with macaroni and cheese and okra. Let me start by saying, I don’t eat pork very often at all… I don’t really like it. However, I will if I have to, or if it’s from a famous barbecue joint… I LOVED IT. Seriously. Had Taylor not eaten it so fast, I would have. The macaroni was amazing too. They don’t use the standard elbow noodle, and it somehow makes it a million times better.

Now, for the one bad thing I have to say: that okra was just straight up wrong. The okra itself was fresh (they only serve it in season), but the breading ruined it. Too much flour, not enough cornmeal, zero seasoning, piled on SUPER thick, and under fried. It was like okra covered in chalk.

Pulled Pork Plate with Macaroni and Cheese and Fried Okra

I will still go back. I have a soft spot for this place. And when I do go, I’ll probably order okra again. My heart tells me maybe the okra guy just had a bad day. Whatever the case, Fox Brother’s Barbecue was delicious. Definitely a must visit for Atlanta natives and tourists alike.

 

-M