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Author Archives: Jon Rooney
Ball of Wax 70 Songs: Gemini Affinity – “Dig in Deeper”
Gemini Affinity, an elusive project with minimal online presence, bring a mysterious air of mid-tempo guitar sophistication with “Dig in Deeper.” The song seems to float like smoke, with a clean electric guitar sitting atop the dreamy vocals for most … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 70 Songs: Gender Envy – “Mads Mikkelsen”
Give Seattle’s Gender Envy any and all awards for best song title with “Mads Mikkelsen,” which I hope is just the start of a deluge of multidisciplinary tributes to the iconic Danish actor, former gymnast, and dancer (that’s right, you read the … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 68 Songs: Darryl Blood – “Street Flute”
Ball of Wax mainstay Darryl Blood returns on Volume 68 with “Street Flute,” a mellow contemplative piece that gradually adds instrumentation as it rises from its slumber. At first, sustained synth notes and oceanic wash suggests a somnolent ambient piece, … Continue reading
Album Review: The Foghorns – Turn to the Moon
The Foghorns – Turn to the Moon (Self-released, September 2021) “Apocalypse (for Alan Wilson),” the opener on the Foghorns’ recent Turn to the Moon album, is hands-down my favorite song from their vast, expansive catalog. It’s the simplest of arrangements … Continue reading
Album Review: Sam Russell and the Harborrats – Ocean Shores
Sam Russell and the Harborrats – Ocean Shores (self-released, October 2021) Seattle-based musician Sam Russell has spent the better part of a decade building a vast universe of anthemic, full-throated rock and roll. With his band the Harborrats, Russell bears … Continue reading
Album Review: Casey Ruff and the Mayors of Ballard LP
Casey Ruff – “Casey Ruff and The Mayors of Ballard” LP (self-released, January 2022) The “Casey Ruff and the Mayors of Ballard” LP makes me feel a little drunk. Casey Ruff’s growl makes it ok to feel woozy and warm, … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 68 Songs: Eddie Sids – “Glass Four”
Eddie Sids‘ “Glass Flour” is a compelling, well-constructed piece that ornaments a strong melodic idea played on horns, piano, and bass with spacey synth jitters. Clocking in at a brief 3:14, the main melodic idea evolves in clever ways as … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 68 Songs: Al Mustaqil – “What we’ve just lost (Dub version)”
“What we’ve just lost (Dub version),” an instrumental piece by Al Mustaqil, is digital maximalism: idea stacked upon idea with frantic synth sounds weaving around a glitchy, intermittent sequenced beat that leaves little space for silence or ambience. The opening lead … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 67 Songs: Summer Sleeves – “Want it Right Now”
Power pop is an eternal fountain of musical goodness, a synthesis of melody, repetition, and well-crafted simplicity that, when done right, is sturdy and sophisticated unlike really any other rock subgenre. From the Raspberries to Big Star to the Knack … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 67 Songs: autOaudiO – “Cardinal Points”
[Editor’s note: In continuing our quest to become a complete cultural ourobouros, it seemed like the best way to cover this autOaudiO cover of a Virgin of the Birds song is for our own Jon Rooney (who wrote the song) … Continue reading