The Best Indie Songs of 2015 - The Helio Sequence

The Helio Sequence are an indie rock duo from Portland, Oregon. Well Beaverton to be precise. Ha ha, Beaverton. They have been making tunes together since 1996. The band were described by Buzz Bands as being “purveyors of cerebral indie-rock” and have diverse influences from the likes of 50’s jazz to Frank Sinatra to Chameleon to Slow Dive.

 

Stoic Resemblance (March'15) is Mancy gold much like hearing the Stone Roses classic Made In Stone for the first time. But this tune at just over three minutes is taut. The bass, drums and hooks are right up front for a rollercoaster ride into dreamy indie with noisy guitar assisted crescendos. A song dealing with existential anxiety this has a trippy vibe “...I can’t be bothered with reality...” and is a proper arse-shaker. This is the kinda song you name check like John Cusack's character did in High Fidelity with The Beta Band. This is top shelf. This is one of the best indie songs of 2015. This is the amazing Stoic Resemblance by The Helio Sequence.

“When I see you walk

you got me weak in the knees”


 

 

 



Shit you need to know:

“Stoic Resemblance” is the lead single from the bands sixth album, self titled, “The Helio Sequence” (May’15).

“Stoic Resemblance” is “the most pop-friendly things the duo have put to tape” according to a Seattle radio station, while Under The Gun Review thought it a  “a perfect indie-pop jam” and Buzz Bands big-upped it by calling it a “rager”.

Paste Magazine called the self-titled album “their best work yet” and a “euphoric, career-defining album”.

The band consider the new album to be there most “in the moment” because of the spontaneous process of recording and freer from obvious influences than others.

The drummer Benjamin Weikel drummed on two Modest Mouse albums Good News For People Who Like Bad News and No Ones First And You're Next.

The Helio Sequence songs with shit that don't stink are October, Upward Mobility and Keep Your Eyes Ahead.

 

 

The dodgy double dip comes courtesy of fellow Portland natives and alternative rockers The Dandy Warhols. Bohemian Like You (2000) remains their biggest hit.

 

 

 

 

The Best Indie Songs of 2015 - The Charlatans

The Charlatan’s Come Home Baby (Dec’14) starts out all big bass and drums with the guitar as able assistant. But the soft emotive voice of Tim Burgess really carries Come Home Baby to the promised land. Come Home Baby creates a moody movie soundtrack moment, something chill and existential. Come Home Baby won't make you scream like a girly boy, run out and bend over for The Charlatans. But it is very good.
 

The chorus comes on a little stronger, the tempo lifts and the song ends with a choir in support in a celebratory mood. Nice. A song celebrating love and it's rehabilitation, a cool tune for relaxing moments, Come Home Baby is one of the best indie songs of 2015.

“We are working it through,

Solution for you and for me,

Nothing between what will be”

The Charlatans are an English indie rock band started in 1988 from a very small town Northwich, in Cheshire. Come Home Baby is the third single off their twelfth, you read that correctly same as the months in the year, album Modern Nature (Jan’15).

Shit you need to know:

People have said Come Home Baby has a, “…soul groove, a hint of bouncing disco rhythm” and a “…big, bright sing-a-long chorus of joyous vocals backed with soaring harmonies.”

Modern Nature was produced by the band and Jim Spencer, famous for working with Oasis, New Order, The Cribs and The Vaccines.

The Charlatans got three drummers in to replace the one who died of a brain tumour. One from New Order, one from the Verve and one from Factory Floor.

 

The Guardian reviewer thought Modern Nature best album of The Charlatans' career saying they “…come good on their upbeat promise.”

 

Clash magazine were more circumspect saying Modern Nature was a step forward in the evolution of the band and that it has seventies disco and gospel influences. The band have said they wanted to make a more soulful record.

 

The singer has mentioned Shaun Ryder of The Happy Mondays as a huge influence as well as The Stone Roses, Iggy Pop, Ian Curtis and Mick Jagger. Apparently the band pitch a tent to Bob Dylan too.

 

The Charlatans will probably be forever synonymous with The Stone Roses, but also other Brit Pop bands of the early nineties like The Inspiral Carpets, Ride and The Wonder Stuff.

 

The Charlatans supported The Who and The Rolling Stones in big ass stadium concerts in 2007.

 

The Charlatans’singer, and barber dodger, quite liked his drugs. At one time he moved in with his drug dealer and had a habit of asking people to blow cocaine up his shit box.

 

The Charlatans tunes to make you a believer are The Only One I Know, So Oh, How High and One To Another.

 

Sloppy seconds is a little bit more of the Manchester sound and the indie rock band Wonder Stuff with their only UK number one Dizzy (1991). A fun bubbly pop number.

“The first time that I saw you girl

I knew that I just had to make you mine”