Hikes - Friends (2013)

Last time on the Swords....

My last words were based on my reaction to their song "Shepherds Clock" which I had some pretty strong feelings about :) Now we are have a full length to fully grasp what this Texas group is laying down.

What I enjoy about these guys (and gal) is that there is an incredibly honest mashing of folk/folk rock and math. To my own bias however I feel they do their best work when the math is out in force....and unfortunately thats not very often. But the great news is without the overt tapping and awesome drums this functions as a gorgeous folk rock record. The low points though are realistically minor because this is a very enjoyable first outing for these guys. "Trophy Lives" is another incredibly well balanced track just like the aforementioned song. Its incredibly admirable to see a band doing something left of center and succeeding at a high level.  Everyone is going to really take a liking to this and its a damn crime that more people aren't trumpeting their praises.

SO GOOD!

ps its free guys so really there's no excuses ;)

Friends

Hikes - Shepards Clock (2012)

First off...take a moment...breath.... now click on the bandcamp link below and listen to the track Hikes has on for display. Come back when you are done I'll wait here.
















WTF?@!  THAT OPENING RIFF IS DEVASTATINGLY GORGEOUS. OMFLIP.

Seriously it could open a portal into another dimension. The rest of the song? equally gorgeous. These cats have something truly special brewing and I need more of whatever they are currently dishing out. Math Rock? yea sure but that guitar has clear Folk finger picking down home goodness baked in. harmonies? check. Sweet memorable melodies? check. Soaring boy/girl vocals? check. If this was part of an album and every song was this arresting I would dare say I'd need to block off some time to digest it. Can't say enough good things about this other than "I NEED MORE"


hikes

Buke and Gass - Riposte

Its nice to see some interesting blood on the scene these days. Buke and Gass are a Brooklyn based 2 piece that is carving a name for themselves. Where does this name come from you might be wondering? well heres the break down. Singer Arone Dyer plays the Buke (a self-modded six-string baritone ukulele) and Aron Sanchez plays the Buke (a guitar/bass hybrid made by him).  Oddly enough Sanchez was previously a maker of instruments for the Blue Man Group. The two instruments together form this really interesting and pleasant sound and with the addition of Arone's extremely strong vocals its a very unique listen. You could say its folk rock and that maybe as close as your going to get especially coming from two unique instruments. I can very easily see these two getting a lot of exposure. Not something you come across often at all.

Riposte