"Take On Me" by Weezer

    Hello friends, and thanks for checking out the latest audio offering on Kyle's All-New Radio Dial! Tonight, we combine our love of '80s top 40 and our growing interest in modern tunes, to spotlight a pop classic which was reborn earlier this year, and in the process, sounds fresh and new once more. Read on for Weezer's take on... "Take on Me"!

 

 

    Originally recorded by Norwegian synthpop trio A-ha in 1984, and topping the singles chart all over the world the following year, California based Weezer, who made their debut in 1993 with the alt-rock classic LP "Weezer (The Blue Album)", selected “Take on Me” to be among the many inclusions on their 2019 covers LP “Weezer (The Teal Album)”, a surprise release dropped just five weeks before their planned album of original material, “Weezer (The Black Album)”. There is definitely a trend in their album titles, to be sure!

 
   Now Weezer hasn’t deviated too far from the sound of the original here. I find the lyrics are easier to understand than in the original, (probably due the absence of A-ha lead singer Morten Harket’s Norwegian accent) and the instrumental bridge portion has been recast with more of a hard rock flair.
 
   The video is well worth watching as it takes place in 1985, with a teenage Rivers Cuomo and his bandmates working on a version of A-ha’s hit in Rivers’ living room. The young Cuomo and friends are played by the members of the real life band Calpurnia, an up-and-coming indie rock group led by Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard.
 
   Additionally, the original award winning A-ha music video (you know the one) is referenced several times via rotoscoped sketch animation that pays tribute to the memorable visuals of the 1985 MTV staple.
 
   The Radio Dial daughter, Zoey, absolutely loves watching the video for this. Her favorite part is when “the girl really rocks out", and she’s also told me that Rivers’ house seen here is the coolest house ever.
 
   Sure, “Take on Me” is a well-worn, clichéd ‘80s classic that always seems to be on the radio or in a movie somewhere, but I really dig Weezer’s take, possibly even more so than their excellent viral version of Toto’s “Africa” from last year. Check it out, and tell me what you think. And stay tuned to the Dial for coverage of an excellent overlooked 2017 single from one half of one of the '90s most loved Britpop groups. See you then!

 

 https://weezer.com/

"Right Down The Line" and "Something About You" by Lucius

 

   Hey everyone! Today's article spotlights an outstanding band that has been around for several years now, but whom I only recently discovered, thanks to Mrs. Radio Dial winning tickets to their show! Hailing from Los Angeles by way of Brooklyn, it's indie pop sensations Lucius!

 

    Formed in 2005, but not releasing their first studio LP (Wildewoman) until 2013, Lucius' influences range from jangle pop to glam, soul to jazz, and folk to country. Currently a four piece act, the group consists of guitarist Peter Lalish, drummer Don Molad, and co-lead vocalists Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe, whom share the same double sided microphone on stage as they sing.

 

   The concert was held at the Columbus Athenaeum on Thursday, May 2, a welcome “date night” out for me and the missus. We had been listening to their songs online to familiarize ourselves with their material before the show, but nothing could have prepared us for the beauty and class of their performance.

 

   The set began with “Go Home”, a lovely ballad with a ‘50s pop vibe in which Holly and Jess declare that they are “your dolly, stuffed with extra baggage”. This was followed by “Tempest”, a melodic alt-folk number that speaks to the importance of understanding between partners in a relationship.

 

   Next up was a cover that greatly impressed me, “Right Down the Line”. I bought the single of the original 1978 Gerry Rafferty version (on a 45), when I was almost five years old. To hear the gorgeous harmonies of Lucius update this forgotten pop gem and long favorite of mine, was an absolute delight to my ears.

 

   That was followed with a rollicking rendition of the Supremes’ 1966 smash “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”, which managed to incorporate a few bars of the 1995 Edwyn Collins modern rock hit “A Girl Like You”, delighting and surprising us all in the audience.

 

   Continuing to channel a Motown vibe, the band then played their own “Something About You” from 2016’s “Good Grief”, a soulful and cosmic up-tempo nugget which I’m astonished wasn’t a breakout hit for the band. (especially with that crazy music video…)

 

   Other flawlessly performed tracks included “Turn It Around” which involved some delightful audience participation during the clapping and “ahh-ahh-ahhhhs”, “Two of Us on the Run” (telling the story of how we made something of ourselves), and the graceful and haunting “Woman”.

 

   The ladies of Lucius then called out friend, audience member, and fellow indie musician Emily King, (whom would headline the Athenaeum with her own set the following night), to join them on Lucius’ original “Dusty Trail”, a country & western styled tune with the wonderful lyrics “A penny for your thoughts would leave me broke”, and a gorgeous rendition of Elvis’ chestnut “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Of all the versions I’ve ever heard of this tune (and it’s been covered a lot), Lucius and Emily’s reading was the first to give me a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, as the three ladies’ voices harmonized together like a trio of angels.

 

   Holly and Jess then relocated to one of the balconies overlooking the stage for the finale, “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, the very song Cinderella sings to her animal friends in Disney’s classic film, at which point it became Mrs. Radio Dial’s turn to get all misty eyed. (She’s a huge Disney fan…)

 

   Overall, the experience was absolutely amazing. The ladies’ vocals were exquisite, and at times reminded us of Agnetha and Anni-Frid of Abba, while the lyrics to their original material reminded me of Aimee Mann. The band played acoustic stripped-down renditions of their studio recordings, entrancing all in the audience with their gorgeous, heavenly melodies. It was a marvelous night, and one that made lifelong Lucius fans out of the wife and I!

 

   Do yourself a favor, and move Lucius to the top of your list of acts to see live! After you check out “Right Down the Line” and “Something About You” below, of course!

 



 

https://www.ilovelucius.com/

"Lower the Tone" by Rae Morris

   Hello again, everyone! The Dial returns with another recent tune that has slipped below most listeners' radar, but not the ever' lovin radar here at Kyle's All-New Radio Dial! Turn the lights down low, sip a glass of wine, and prepare to be seduced by the sounds of Blackpool UK based Rae Morris, as she asks that we "Lower the Tone". 

 

   Pulled from her second album, the 2018 release “Someone Out There”, Rae begins the tune by sweet talking her guy into moving past idle conversation, and into something more physical. As the song progresses, she becomes more frank with her request, though she always stays polite and clever as she punctuates her rising desire. And with the line...

   “Boy you lock and you load, deliver me all of your loving…”

   She makes it abundantly clear that she's craving that physical connection with her guy. You know, in case there was any doubt.
 
   Musically the song features elements of new wave, industrial, and pop/rock, and interestingly enough, more than a little influence from the electronic world music sounds of 90’s hit makers Deep Forest (“Sweet Lullaby”) and new age world beat act Enigma (“Sadeness (Part 1)”, “Return to Innocence”).
 
   I was introduced to this tune via a Yahoo article late last year, and I instantly fell in love with Rae’s lovely, yet somewhat emotionally distant vocals, and the layered intensity as the music gradually builds, as heard in the primal beats, the ascending trills, and Rae’s adlibs. “Lower…” culminates in a rather mystical musical depiction of release, then closes as she essentially whispers the song’s opening verse and title one final time. Whew… is it getting hot in here?
 
   Simply stated, ”Lower…” is a very mature, sensual, and beautiful pop song that deserves to be heard. Check it out below… I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from Ms. Morris in the years to come!
  

 

https://www.raemorris.co.uk/