Web Beat: White Bells, Harn SOLO, Dobsy, Ned Warner, Krooked Drivers and Running Out Of Road

Boulder’s White Bells must have felt the need to get something off his chest when he titled the first song off the newly-released EP White Bells Presents: Confusedcore “I S#*t in My Friend’s Parents’ Dog’s Food”. No need to beat around the bush, it’s a good track. Washed out jazz-inspired percussion compliments a stand up bass-sounding walk and the synth has taken on a brass-core sound which gives the entire production a big sound. Confusedcore is a departure from White Bell’s previously-published style with its roots grounded heavily in electronic music and takes inspiration from “other friends’ musical tastes” and confused it certainly is as production treatment across the album has a very large variety.

Harn SOLOOOOOOO, the love is real! Another single off the upcoming album Another Galaxy was recently made available online and it goes by the name of “Talk Show”. SOLO comes back with yet another guest producer, this time “Talk Show” was done in collaboration with DJ Yamin and offers a completely different sound than previously mentioned tunes by the Denver-based hip hop artist. Does his generosity know no bounds? Fans of the track need only to be one of the first 200 to download the track of Harn SOLO’s Bandcamp page to get it free of charge (haters need not apply).

Boulder electronic artist Dobsy is set to release his first, full-length, self-titled album in the first week of April and has teased listeners with a selection of three tracks available for online streaming. “Without You I’d Fade” features washed lyrics, layered synth and background drums with sound similar to a programmed click track. Deep sound engulphs completely, and Dobsy reccomends the car stereo for optimal listen (no disagreement here, headphones do it justice but there are tones which need to be felt by the body). Dobsy’s Silver EP launched in early 2013, in that time it’s clear that the sound has evolved substantially and the final offering features 11 tracks. If the first three are any indication, the $12 price tag seems more than reasonable if it means adding the collection to your own.

Vail’s Ned Warner adds to a steady string of releases with the five-song EP titled Reckoning, recently released online. The indie-americana artist has a very sing-song vocal quality which is reminiscent of the great Bob Dylan. As both harmonica and Warner cry out, strong guitar strum, bass, and tambourine round out the simplistic storytelling in a package which fits right in as spring swings in. While the bass runs a little hot in the mix, the offering is solid overall. “Trouble” is probably the slowest song on the album, and while each track is very similar many have a few different instrumental voices which make appearances throughout the album. A great mountain jam which really evokes the feeling of Colorado sunshine (probably the best feeling ever).

The Krooked Drivers hip-hop duo based in Denver offers a very unique approach to the genre with a serious compliment of electronic production which goes into their tracks and the new single “No Worries” is no exception. The track weaves from loud volume to soft, from rhythmic lyrical explosions to melodic background vocals and back again. Krooked Drivers production features heavy vinyl sampling and “No Worries” delivers a variety of backing sounds which elevate the song beyond what many in the scene are currently working on. If you’re looking to take in the duo live, don’t worry about finding a good time as the group plays out often and with a little research a workable time is easy to find including two upcoming shows at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom.

Western Slope, where the heck have you been this year? Running Out Of Road hails from Durango and the bluegrass ensemble has recently released Rambler’s Reprise, a massive 16-track album featuring all the normal suspects (banjo, dobro, mandolin, fiddle, bass, guitar, and a whole lot of vocal harmonies). On the self-titled track slow banjo bass and harmonica give way to fierce rolling banjo in typical bluegrass style. The five-piece group plays through the lyrical set with ease, every track offering a different story and a slightly different instrumental treatment. It’s a tried and true bluegrass format, but ROOR certainly doesn’t disappoint and it’s nice to see Durango check in to represent the Western Slope.