In honor of Tops’ new album Bury The Key being released yesterday, I’m featuring one of the tracks, “Falling On My Sword,” as the Saturday Night Video this week. 

“Falling On My Sword” is my favorite among the early singles from this LP and probably the one that most closely matches the 70’s prog rock-inspired cover art. It’s a bit of a left turn for Tops. Based on their previous work, you would think anything born of a seventies influence would be more in line with late-decade disco (and the remainder of the album features some of that).

The tempo on this song will mess with your sense of equilibrium. It speeds up and down mindless of whether or not you are packing your Dramamine. The fuzzed out guitars bring a level of sludge previously unheard in the indie pop band’s music and the bassline sounds like being chased by a demon.  

Tops - Falling On My Sword (YouTube)

I don’t harbor many regrets in my life, but there are a few shows that I wish I had attended. When Tops played locally with Men I Trust a couple of years ago, I missed it due to my frustration with Ticketmaster and their service charge shenanigans. I refused to purchase tickets simply on principle. I’m so glad I get another chance to see the band.¹

Brothers Evan and Quinn Seurkamp, who primarily make up the Ohio band The Laughing Chimes, call upon the hauntings of the Appalachian foothills of their native state as inspiration for their gothic jangly post-punk. There is a wistfulness appropriate to the rust belt and its faded glory that pervades their album Whispers in the Speech Machine.

“High Beams” is one of the catchier, more upbeat tracks on the album. The vocals call to mind Peter Murphy and the keyboards add some sparkle. One can imagine this is what Bauhaus might have sounded like after indulging in some Special-K.

The Laughing Chimes - High Beams (YouTube)

WARNING: This video may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.