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Blend All the Seasons (album)
Anything Should Happen
I Don't Hear A Single
"I rarely get to converse with anyone these days. Here seems to be all consuming and there seems little time for the activity I used to have with all the listening, writing and selecting. So it has been nice exchanging emails with Johnny Marie.
One of the topics that came up was getting coverage and it wasn't the usual moans about not appreciated, music dying or Spotify taking all the air. It was about genres and how hard it is for a band who offer variety to get around the labels and you know how I adore variety
This is Johnny Marie and Patrick Meagher's fifth album as Girl For Samson and lest we forget they are also active as The Real Flower Pots and then there is Marie's solo career. But we concentrate here on Girl For Samson and Blend For All Seasons is a superb album.
It will suit both followers and the Like Minded Reviewers on the Right Hand Side of IDHAS. The variety is commendable and attempting to label it seems pointless and unnecessary, so how does it get listened to? Maybe we should all help with the word of mouth,
Girl For Samson are a Kansas City quartet who offer up a heady melodic mix of what might be sketchily called Pop Rock, but remember we are not labelling. The shared vocals of Marie and Meagher adds even great variation.
The former has a vocal suited to the likes of Brit Pop, Pop Rock or Indie Rock. Meagher's voice suits itself more to Modern Prog, Classic Rock as well as Shoegaze. All of these areas and more filter into the results here.
Faking Your Beauty for instance as a blend of harmonies that would fit easily amongst the West Coast brigade, yet (You Took) One Of Everything is a mixture of 70s Easy Listening and Prog. Yet the killer single, Cigarette, is pure Brit Pop and edges into Psych Pop.
The title track hints at Shoegaze and adds a mesmerising Guitar solo, but You Better Run is vocal harmony led gentle Prog. Soon just washes over you, feeling slightly 80s, yet Get Off That Stake is simply a cimematic soundscape.
You can probably sense from these words that this is a wonderful album to listen to. Beautifully arranged and produced, it is an enthralling listen that deserves a much wider audience. Blend For All Seasons is an album that you just don't want to end."
David Womack
Masterpieces from the Indie Void
"Girl for Samson's new album Blend all the Seasons is alive with dreamy landscapes. Questions are asked and casual suggestions are made that are pregnant with meaning. Commiseration with the human condition blends with the seasons, rolls through the universe churning along in a sad, unrelenting fashion. On "You Better Run," warnings are given with allusions to a "pussycat" keeping on its toes as it eludes hazards from several directions. Religion and war factor in and there's a great line that could be about the silence of God: "You call that a come back? / You never really came back at all." Elsewhere, somebody is crawling from the wreckage of combat. The meanings fade away into Girl for Samson's never-ending push forward through a revolving sound of music in slow rotation - rising and falling, ebbing and flowing.
Johnny Marie's gift as a lyricist is alluding to more than is written down. For instance, what is being suggested for "cutting out" on "Cut it Out?" The first lines might reference an unwanted pregnancy: "The one that's left inside you / Is probably a lie / Not holding that against you." Maybe the narrator is referring to psychic wounds when he suggests "all we want to do / is sew you up." Further along, the refrain may be about stopping a fight, as in - 'Hey, guys, cut it out.' It's to Johnny Marie's credit that as roundabout as the lyrics get, they always point in directions you can feel. On "Bring Me My Medicine" somebody needs help getting home, somebody might be leaving, and somebody is going to need their medicine if things don't get sorted out. Even clearer is "Faking Your Beauty," a song warning you of the people who will call you out if you try to look too pretty: "Bangs like a valance are / Framing those candy store eyes / Movie star's palette that's / Coarsely, but bravely applied." On "One Pass," somebody gets lucky. "Mack the Knife" is mentioned, and for some reason "Large eyes in poor light" made me think of Peter Lorre in Fritz Lang's move M. This track is the last song on the album and ends with a couple of lines that do a good job of patching together the various themes on Blend all the Seasons: "A hard laugh at the whole mess and I'm moving on."
Johnny Marie and Patrick Meagher share various vocals, guitars, keyboards and drums; Steve Brown's on bass; with occasional assistance on drums from Jerry Riccardi. There are catchy pop hooks from the guitars and a punchy forward thrust from the rhythm section. You get Hawaiian melody, jagged guitar riffs, drifting synthesizer all in service of a pastoral/cosmic texture. I pick up slight reminders of Apples in Stereo, Olivia Tremor Control and even Brian Wilson given that falsetto on "Cut it Out." Blend of the Seasons is Girl for Samson's fifth album. The band's steadfast rapport has resulted in an inspiring accumulation of very interesting songs."
UNXIGNED
Girl for Samson meld psychedelia and reflection in captivating fifth album Blend All the Seasons
A mesmerizing fusion of contemplative textures and alt-rock, the band's latest effort rewards deep listening.
"Last week, alternative rock trio Girl for Samson released their fifth album, Blend All the Seasons. The band-comprised of singer-songwriters Patrick Meagher, Johnny Marie, and bassist Steven Brown-has delivered a collection of 12 tracks that embrace a fusion of psychedelic textures and reflective cadences. This latest effort stands out not only for its meditative pacing but also for its unique creative process, which diverged significantly from their earlier albums.
Formed in 2000, Girl for Samson have taken a deliberate approach to their craft, releasing albums every five years. The band's discography includes 12 (2004), sleepnovox (2009), Harriet (2015), and Old into Young (2022). Unlike their earlier work, which featured largely pre-written songs polished in post-production, Blend All the Seasons emerged from freeform jams and grooves, yielding tracks that feel both spontaneous and fully realized.
The latest full-length is a cohesive, introspective record that invites listeners to linger over its lush soundscapes. Among the album's highlights is the fifth track, "Winter Mourning". With poetic lyrics like, "Taken my mind / Taken my eyes / Summer has gone / Winter has come," the song captures the desolation of winter while hinting at the cyclical hope of spring. The refrain, "Alkali / Morning / You're sweeping natural away," pairs beautifully with the band's layered instrumentation, creating a hypnotic ebb and flow that underscores the themes of erosion and renewal.
Blend All the Seasons also showcases the band's commitment to thoughtful experimentation. Tracks like "Cigarette" and the title piece "Blend All the Seasons" exude a confident, slow-burning energy, while "Falling Up" and "Bring My Medicine" inject a playful sass into the mix. Across the record, the band deftly combines intricate grooves and dreamlike melodies.
With their hallmark blend of alternative rock and psychedelic textures, Girl for Samson's efforts have undoubtedly paid off with this latest outing."
Bring My Medicine
American Pancake
"Gentle persuasions soaked in dreaminess."
Phonograph Me
"Moody and dreamy, the melodic line sounds richly textured with strong, soaring harmonies and a lovely guitar line that guides us through the track."
Cigarette
Poppy Bristow (Fresh on the Net)
"Psychedelic-indie trio Girl for Samson may hail from Kansas City, but press play on Cigarette and its funky bass, baggy-beat percussion, and Inspiral Carpets organ accents will fire you straight through a wormhole to 90s Manchester or Liverpool. In its synthesis of cool-cat detachment and oracular yearning, the lead vocal recalls the pleasing retro-pop tang of La's frontman Lee Mavers, a comparison matched by the track's gleaming popcraft.
Cigarette is carved from clattering, grooving instrumentation which the impeccable production clips into a crisp and catchy shape, giving every part a chance to shine rather than clumping it all together in a foggy purple haze. Girl for Samson's fifth album, Blend all the Seasons, is due out at the beginning of 2025. What a way to start a year!"
Boulimique de Musique
"The American band delivers a funk-infused rock song on a track as atmospheric as it is gently catchy. The male vocals, packed with attitude, deliver a fearsomely catchy chorus and colorful lyrics. The slightly psychedelic ambience amplifies the exploratory touch of this track full of twists and turns."
Valeriya
"Epic and moody atmosphere"
Indie Space
"Interesting influences of punk and alt rock in the track, and the vocals performed with eccentricity, irreverent charisma, and style. "
Indie Underrated
"Cool Oasis, Blur kind of vibes"
American Pancake
"Beatles-esque kind of swing."
Happiness
"Equal parts britpop, psychedelic rock and dance."
Spiritual Awakening Music
The throwback sound is legit.
Obscure Sound
"Bouncy bass, lingering guitar tones, and steady vocals swell enjoyably"
Indie Dream
"Magical"
Indie Obsessive
"Strong Psych-Rock."
Way Out Radio
"Irresistible groove...has us hooked from start to finish."
OIeada Indie
"Transmitting an energy that combines the raw with the emotional."
SOUNDSGOODWEBZINE (translated)
"Girl for Samson is a 3-piece band from Kansas City, MO. The band members are Johnny Marie, Patrick Meagher, and Steven Brown. In January 2025, they released their fifth album "Blend All the Seasons".
"Cigarette", is a track whose fluid and dynamic setting manages to keep the listening amalgamated, giving a full-bodied song with an intense metric. A song also characterized by a series of details that make the single decisive and at the same time deep. A sound dominated by catchy and energetic riffs, classics of the good old Alternative Rock.
It is not the usual banal proposal, not even obvious, although the genre is now full of more or less valid projects. A clear sign of the versatility of Girl for Samson, and how they manage to propose good music naturally."
Groover Radio
"Nice old school rock with a punk and psych vibe."
The Joy of Violent Movement
This one has a manchester era-like sound. the groove is trippy and infectious."
Best New Indie
"We dig this classic brit psych vibe."
Falling Up
Tits Upon Tyne
"What a great release and truly inspiring sound! I love the shoegaze influence and elevated sonic pallet."
One Pass
Obscure Sound
"Chiming piano and "holding down," vocal harmonies combine with hypnotically enjoyable impact. Gentle guitar strums at 02:20 move with a psych-folk twanginess"
Grotesqualizer
"Spacious and hypnotic"
Soon
B-Side Guys
Girl For Samson's "Soon" Unspools Time's Tender Thread
Girl for Samson's latest track "Soon" marks a shift to collaborative improvisation, blending shoegaze and indie rock, while exploring themes of change and economic anxiety through evocative lyrics.
After twenty-five years of crafting meticulously spaced albums, Girl For Samson has reimagined their creative process on their latest release, "Soon." The track emerges from their fifth full-length "Blend all the Seasons," marking a decisive shift from their traditional songwriting approach to one built on collaborative improvisation.
Where previous albums saw Patrick Meagher, Johnny Marie, and Steven Brown bringing near-complete compositions to the table, "Soon" springs from the fertile ground of their collective unconscious. The result is a hypnotic piece that weaves shoegaze textures with indie rock's raw emotionality, creating a tapestry of anticipation and uncertainty.
The production maintains a delicate balance between clarity and chaos. Layers of instrumentation build and recede like tides, while the vocals float above the mix with an ethereal presence. The recurring phrase "They come/And they're always on time" serves as both hook and haunting reminder, punctuated by waves of distortion that mirror the song's themes of inevitability.
Lyrically, "Soon" grapples with the weight of impending change. Lines like "Soon, we all will come unspun/No money left to spend" hint at economic anxiety, while the repeated imagery of being "all the way up here" suggests a precarious elevation - perhaps success, perhaps isolation. The gradual transformation of "come undone" to "come unspun" in the final verse cleverly echoes the band's own evolution from structured composition to looser, more experimental territory.
This new direction feels particularly poignant coming from a group known for their methodical five-year album cycles. "Soon" captures both the anticipation and anxiety of transformation, delivered with the "sass" they promised while maintaining the thoughtful unpredictability that has defined their career. It's a testament to how bands can find fresh creative ground even after decades together, proving that sometimes the best way forward is to let go of old patterns and trust in collective instinct.
You Better Run
WAX Vinyl Records
Girl for Samson Embraces 60s Grooves and Indie Vibes with "You Better Run" and "Cigarette"
"American band Girl for Samson unveils two standout tracks, You Better Run and Cigarette, showcasing their ability to blend retro influences with a contemporary edge. Known for their thoughtful, unpredictable music, the band continues to craft songs that feel timeless yet fresh, drawing on 60s rock and 90s indie inspirations.
You Better Run kicks off with syncopated organ chords and driving rock 'n' roll guitars, setting the stage for a funky drum groove that transitions into a hazy, psychedelic vibe. The drifting vocals and harmonized backing vocals shape the mood, while the arrival of a dynamic chorus propels the track forward, offering an uplifting and textured listening experience.
Cigarette leans into a grooving bassline, conga rhythms, and atmospheric keyboard elements. These layers give way to wailing guitar accents and catchy vocals, building towards a powerful chorus. The track reflects a fusion of 60s rock aesthetics and 90s Manchester indie vibes, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
Formed in 2000, Girl for Samson consists of Patrick Meagher, Johnny Marie, and Steven Brown. Over two decades, they've built a reputation for crafting albums that balance groove, thoughtfulness, and unpredictability. The band's discography, released at intervals of roughly five years, includes 12 (2004), sleepnovox (2009), Harriet (2015), and Old into Young (2022). Their latest album, Blend all the Seasons, due in 2025, marks a shift in their creative process - moving from individually crafted songs to tracks developed collaboratively from grooves and jams.
With You Better Run and Cigarette, Girl for Samson offers a glimpse into their evolving sound, filled with sass, groove, and an appreciation for musical history."
Oleada Indie
"Indie rock with a retro touch."
ParaPOP
"Cool composition with flowing harmonies and dense melodies that create a dramatic atmosphere."
American Pancake
"Kansas City, Missouri based Girl for Samson and the cagey, dreamy indie rock sonic indie film "You Better Run" runs on evocative vox and surfy western noir sonic atmospheres."
Voxwave Magazine
"Great arrangement, very original. The melody is catchy, combination of rhythm is superb."
Os Garotos de Liverpool (Portuguese)
"We love the track, it has very well executed guitar chords and great vocal arrangements, whether lead or backing, in a mesmerizing way that leaves us involved from start to finish."
Cosmonauta Radio (Mexico)
"Few artists, concepts and/or musical groups transcend the passage of time, so that their work generates a common thread, which is perpetuated from Album to Album, or from single to published single and that this allows them to continue growing artistically and creatively without breaking the streak and delivering radiant music as happens with the North American group Girl for Samson , which with a long career of 24 years, does not stop building great albums, presenting us with their new song You Better Run .
This power trio, made up of Patrick Meagher as the project leader, Johnny Marie and Steven Brown, develops a sound within alternative rock, which can easily be related to indie rock and shoegaze, but which is based on a movement called jangle pop, which reminds us of some groups from the 60s where psychedelia and acid rock took shape and perpetuated the rebellious spirit of the time.
https://on.soundcloud.com/CA2Lv8FBDi6zDHiG6
Four albums make up the discography of this dense and experimental group that is about to release its fifth album at the beginning of 2025 called "Blend all the Seasons"; formed by jams and improvisations that naturally gave shape to each song. A totally self-sufficient band that handles all the processes from composition, recording, self-producing and generating its own mixing and mastering works; showing its capabilities to the full and surprising us strongly with material that you cannot miss.
Let yourself be surprised by the psychedelia, rebellion and spontaneity of the North American alternative rock band with a sixties aroma: "Girl For Samson"; presenting us with an acid song with a shoegaze and Jangle pop profile to close 2024, as part of their new material in 2025: "You Better Run"."
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