Hey everyone. I'm sorry that it's been a little while, but I promise I'm back now and I have many, many new discoveries to share.The latest is a band that I've been listening to for about the last month or so, and is yet another band that I'm working on with Chuff Media. Chances are that you haven't ever heard of The Features and this is for two reasons: first off, they're the kind of badass old-school rock n roll that you just don't hear on your average radio station (or even on any other big outlet for music these days, including Pitchfork, Itunes, or even Facebook). Second and more interestingly, they're actually much more popular over here in the UK then they are back in their native America. They're just one of many bands that sit in this position. Others include Kings of Leon, who, while certainly popular in the US after big singles like 'Sex on Fire' and other indie-ish tunes, have been THE shit in the UK and Europe. Like, seriously. They're fucking huge in Europe.
Not surprising, then, that Kings of Leon handpicked the Features to be the first band signed to their new label, which launched last summer.
'Some Kind of Salvation' is the kind of record that strikes you as soon as you press play. The opening notes of 'Whatever Gets You By' contains the kind of gypsy-punk that is just too interesting to ignore. As interest peaks and leads into the horn-laden 'The Drawing Board', it's immediately clear that this band knows how to fucking rock.
And rock they do. What separates your average bar-band from the kind of bands that deserve attention boils down to one thing: songwriting. While image, marketing, and position are certainly important, the fact is that the best music is the best written music. Band who get lucky will have a hit or two, but their luck definitely wears thin.
The Features have nothing to worry about in that department. Every song on there is a solid example of good songwriting and arrangement- 'Foundations Cracked' is a killer ballad about a relationship is exactly what Kings of Leon are supposed to sound like. Both 'GMF' and the unbelievably good 'Temporary Blues' are pretty basic songs that find their strength in absolutely incredible commitment and execution.
Refreshingly, it doesn't run out of steam, either. While many records like this would probably start getting pretty lame, The Features know what's up and keep it coming, leading the set up to the closing coda 'All I Ask', which sums up the message perfectly.If you like rock n roll that truly knows how to rock, don't hesitate to grab this album. Having caught their set at London's Koko (probably my favorite venue in the city), I can also tell you that they can back it up with a great live set that will not disappoint.
