“Bang Bang Bang” is the opening track off Patrick Ames’ new album Liveness. The California-based singer/songwriter channels a storytelling suaveness and blues-tinged smokiness that compares to influences like Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, and Gil Scott-Heron. The 6-track EP emphasizes poetic lyrical commentary, resembling the heyday of Beat Poets, over blues-tinged fervor — complete with backing vocal adornments that emit a soulful, smoky passion. The vibe in general reminds me of the theme song from The Wire, in both its melodic presentation and political commentary.
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“Bang Bang Bang” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of April 2020’ Spotify playlist.
