Spencer Griffin's New Music Mondays

 here they are: "Everybody Scream" by Florence and The Machine:  Your attention, please! For the first time ever on this music blog, the following review will be presented to you in...Scream-O-Vision! That means we prompt you when to scream! Ready? Let's try it! OK... Freakazoid references aside, this song IS a good one! If "Scream-O-Vision" actually worked for this song, it would probably happen every time Florence said the word "scream," or perhaps on any line here where she "sung-spoke," which she does during the chorus. Unusually dark for a FATM tune, "Everybody Scream" seems like it came out about a month too early, but for someone like Florence, I suppose it's not too early for Halloween! The song is a slow-building tune with a steady beat in B minor. The lyrics seem like they're celebrating Halloween while at the same time lamenting the loss of a former lover. Perhaps the most Halloween-y line, aside from the title, c...

 here they are: "Midas" by Wunderhorse:  A rather abstract and minimalist song, "Midas" is an interesting song with an equally interesting title! Unlike Wunderhorse's previous single, the more musically complex "Purple," "Midas" uses only four chords throughout. The lyrics to "Midas" are rather cryptic as well, never mentioning who exactly "Midas" is, and its verses seem to be just loosely strung together narratives that aren't really about anything. If I can gather anything here about Wunderhorse, though, it's how they seem to admire the '90s rock/alt aesthetic. It was featured plenty on "Purple," and on "Midas," the chord progression featured wouldn't be out of place in a group like, say, Toad the Wet Sprocket, or Gin Blossoms. "Nowhere to Run" by Kings of Leon:  One of the slower KOL numbers, "Nowhere to Run" is a different vibe from the rollicking rock and roll of...

 here they are: "Forgiving Ties" by Deer Tick: More cowbell, anyone?! This "Running on Empty"-esque Heartland rock influenced tune has plenty of it! The chorus takes an interesting turn pulling a George Harrison-esque twang and a series of somewhat randomly-placed diminished chords to distinguish itself both from the verses and from modern songs in general. "I'm not looking for forgiving ties/I'm just looking for a way to survive," lead singer John McCauley earnestly pleads during the song's chorus. What exactly does he mean by this? Although both the song and its accompanying video don't take themselves too seriously, the lyrics of the song are somewhat serious. What McCauley says when he claims he's "looking for a way to survive" is to shake off the trauma in your life and just try to take care of yourself and those who love you. "Lose You" by Bully (featuring Soccer Mommy): Forget what The Spice Girls said about ...