JB Barnett

When I hear about solo acts what usually runs through my mind is dull acoustic chords being played in repetition for three minute segments followed by one uninspired song after the other. Thankfully SoundSuck has found hope in one JB Barnett, a relative newcomer to the scene but definitely an artist who is here to stay. I got the chance to ask JB some questions and pick at the mind of one of our favorite upcoming musicians...

Olin and the Moon

Music today often feels like it's all about image; the look of a band or how "professional" the album sounds have become dominating priorities when recording and marketing an artist. To hear someone like Olin and the Moon, whose music and lyrics are grounded in earnestly, is a stimulating change of sonic scenery...

Starrfadu

Album: And Yes... Our Thoughts Were Elsewhere

Sounds Like: a few hours after it's rained and everything is still wet but the ground is bright in the sun's reflection.

It isn't often that thoughtful lyric show up in a band that almost exclusively utilizes a big sound like Starrfadu often does, but that is exactly what they've done with Our Thoughts Were Elsewhere. It's one of those albums that you could easily listen to without hearing a word and still enjoy it, but if you listen for even a few minutes you realize Austin Hartley and crew have something to say. Commentary on the state of our modern world and the human condition run throughout the album, sometimes with disenchanted lamenting such as in the poetic "Thoughts of Modern Men" while other times there's a hint of hope in the music like in the uplifting "Let It Out."

[audio:Modern Men-Starrfadu.mp3]
Thoughts of Modern Men



Why They Don't Suck: All-in-all, And Yes... Our Thoughts Were Elsewhere makes for a really enjoyable listen which becomes even more rewarding when you take the time to focus in on the inspired lyrics.

[audio:Let It Out-Starrfadu.mp3]
Let It Out

The Tastydactyls

Album: One and Nine We Had a Hell of a Run / new demos

Sounds Like: Really Nerdy Rock & Roll

Everyone has a little nerd inside them somewhere, and after listening to a band with a name like Tastydactyls I'm sure it will come out. You might find the nerd in you will come out at Common Grounds, a local coffee house in Waco, TX, as you are listening to the Tastydactyls. In fact A close friend of mine had that very thing happen to him. After hearing 2 of the 5 songs played in the the Tastydactyls set, Tyler proceeded to stand up and shout quotes from Mortal Combat. He yelled GET OVER HERE! and added a subtle GIRLS! at the end for reasons only he knows. The Tasty's have a very unique style to say the least. When instruments like the glockenspeil get involved great things are bound to happen, well at least for the Tastydactyls they do. Be-warned, anyone who dares listen to this band, these songs may get stuck in your head do to catchy lyrics. You may find your self saying "tasty" a little too often.

[audio:Zombies-Tastydactyls.mp3]
Zombies.mp3 (right click to save)

Why They Don't Suck: The band's implementation of multiple singers adds an extra element to each track that allows them to stay harmoniously simple while at the same time bringing discord to other areas. The Tasty's use a central melody in every song which helps counter the spasmodic lyrics to create a good balance. And finally, their name is THE TASTYDACTYLS! how cool is that?

[audio:Clockwork-Tastydactyls.mp3]
Clockwork.mp3 (right click to save)

[audio:Sorry Song-Tastydactyls.mp3]
Sorry Song.mp3 (right click to save)