Thursday, December 10, 2015

The 2015 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #11

#11 - Catfish and the Bottlemen - Cocoon


Sometimes I will find a band with a name that I absolutely cannot pass up. Catfish and the Bottlemen is just that band. The name comes from a street performer in Australia, although the band calls Wales home. These young rockers show a lot of promise with their debut album "The Balcony", which was certified gold in the UK and reached #9 in the US alternative charts. The band mixes fast-paced hooks, loud guitars, sing (or perhaps yell)-a-long choruses and youthful exuberance together for a solid alternative sound. Their harmonies are very polished for a group of relative youngsters. The best charting single "Kathleen" reached #17 in the alternative charts, but only "Cocoon" made much more of a splash in either the US or UK.

"Cocoon" begins with an immediate drum kick and blasts off with an anticipatory guitar riff. The song tells the tale of two young lovers who are frowned upon and seem to struggle getting through that criticism. It may not be the prettiest of love songs, but from the opening few seconds it hooks you in and tells you a solid tale. The video features the band in an insane asylum, with lead singer Van McCann trying to perpetuate a relationship with a seemingly lifeless girl. In the end, he tries to make a run and seems to be lobotomized. Very bizarre, but what do you expect from a bunch of young alternative rockers? These guys should have some creative staying power in their strings.








Title: Cocoon
Artist: Catfish and the Bottlemen
Album: The Balcony






Previous #11s
2014: Meg Myers - Desire
2013: Vampire Weekend - Diane Young
2012: Swimming With Dolphins - Sleep To Dream
2011: Power Quest - Glorious
2010: Taio Cruz - Dynamite
2009: Kings of Leon - Use Somebody

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