Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Thames - Spotlight

12/26/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Thames

Spotlight
self-released; 2019

4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen
​

Thames is a five-piece indie rock/pop band comprised of Gabriel Jackson (vocals/guitar/keyboard), Zander Hayes (guitar/synth/vocals), Noah Gregory (guitar/piano), Connor Fiehler (bass/vocals) and Sean Buchert (drums/synth/vocals) from Saint Louis, MO that formed in 2017. The band recently released Spotlight which they say “dove into dance/rave music as well as ambient/electronic sounds.”

This is a great album and while the songs are dance worthy I wouldn’t call this rave music. My days at raves are long gone but there wasn’t much music playing like this at a rave in Chicago. Their music seemed more of the ilk of a band like Passion Pit and Hot Chip which you could still dance your ass off to. The music is obviously upbeat but also very hopeful and cathartic perhaps like The Flaming Lips. There is an innate sense of joy through most of these songs.

The band gets going with “Spotlight” and there is piano melody slightly sounding like something from Elton John but the groove is much more dance oriented. I loved the vocals across the board here. Jackson just has aesthetics in his delivery that really appealed to me. The vocal harmonies that happen are also fantastic and where my mind went to Passion Pit. Great song.

“You Do It To Yourself” melds in perfectly with 2005 - 2010 dance punk. Cut Copy, Out Hud and LCD Soundsystem will work on the same playlist with this song.  The band get all the moves right from the infectious hooks to the hi-hat sound.

“Shangri La” felt a little more aligned with a band like Local Natives. It’s a tad more emotive and melancholy. There are some inventive sounds on this track. That drone sounded great and also defined the song. “V.” felt more like a cerebral vignette if not an interlude.

They get back into dance territory with “Eye Contact.” The production pushes some limits by playing with the pitch of the vocals. I wouldn’t call this song dark but it isn’t afraid to feel like midnight moonlight.

“(I Could Use Some)” is perhaps the most inventive track. There is some really original sounding production that felt contemporary. They close with “Love Right Now” and this song actually has a tinge of Americana. I sort of hate to say it but at points it reminded me of John Mellencamp except if I really liked his music.

​Thames delivers the goods and I really like the moves they made with this album In fact, I would say it's a gem of an album you might have missed. Don't pass this up.
Become A Fan

official website
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact