BentleyTalksMusic

          Over the past year, one Florida-based band has been gaining traction; attracting fans through brain teasing lyrics and edgy-electro/rock fusion sound.  After the break up of his Orlando-based band, Eric Van Lugo regrouped by creating new material with friend and drummer Jeffrey Alan Wright .   In 2009, Plastic Planets started as a creative outlet and morphed into the formation of a new band.   A brilliant drummer, Jeff took an extensive tour with Blue Man Group, summer of 2010.   Around 2012, Mute Math guitarist, Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas agreed to join as producer and writing partner.   Although Mitchell-C á rdenas, initially, agreed to producer and writing partner with Lugo, while providing industry experience.   He has taken a more active role filling in on guitar and keys strengthening the band lineup.   Soon after Jeff returned from tour, the group started playing and has not looked back. ...

A tale of two bands based out of London, Wolf Gang and White Lies , examining obvious differences and underlying similarities.   Ever experienced a day where your mood could easily be swayed one-way or another?   Well, aside from talking about two amazing bands, this blog ventures into muse and emotions using these two distinct bands.   Athletes create playlists to motivate themselves to work harder, to run faster, or to play smarter.   Think about it, there is some form of music for every situation.   Furthermore, the right tunes not only act as a motivator or an occasion setter, but it can also induce basic emotional responses positively and negatively.   Hence, music plays on a listener’s psyche, exactly how depends on the individual.   In relation to said bands, Wolf Gang exhibits shiny happy pop melodies affixed to energetic lyrics.   While White Lies creates cavernous melodies amid ominous lyrics.   Although tonally polari...

Before starting the second blog, I want to take a moment in order to describe how I listen to music.   As inferred in the first blog, I like to construct images or movie scenes when listening to music.   This stems from various factors such as the track title, the lyrics, or the melodic substance.   I believe music generates imagery via melodies and lyrics; much like how narratives generate imagery via words.   Today’s blog covers, new, up and coming band from Oxford, MS, Gilded Creatures ( CG ) .   Consisting of three guys, Matt Dukes on drums, Brad Davis on keys and bass, and Madison Ruthven as vocalist and guitarist, they are making their own impression on progressive alt/rock.   Influenced by bands such as: Modest Mouse, Mars Volta, Radiohead, and Arcade Fire to name several, CG infuses progressive riffs and grainy vocals, which conjures comparisons to Modest Mouse.   CG’s unique sound exists somewhere in the dark nuance betwe...

Ever wondered what happened to boy genius Dexter and his Laboratory?   You know, the cartoon about a pretentious boy scientist with an annoying sister Dee-Dee, who would never stay out of his lab.   Well, needless to say, Dexter grew up but has now taken on a Walter White persona .             Mississippi-based Light Beam Rider has transported us into Dexter’s adulthood through their song " Dexter’s Meth Lab ."   Hailing from Corinth, MS, LBR consists of members Daniel Sowards, Thomas Sweat, Ian Manus, and Jesse Sutton.   Described as proggy psych-rockers , their style is officially categorized as post-rock progressive pop.   As the title suggests, Dexter’s experiments have progressed into experimental drugs, which are not FDA approved.   The trip begins with a smooth guitar chord progression followed by fast innocent picking.   Next thing you’re waking up as one of Dexter’s test sub...