Over The Hill, Looking For A Spark
July 31, 2009
First off, don’t try to pin-point as to what type of music this is because you will rack your brain trying to figure it out. Over The Hill and their new record, Looking For A Spark, is in a league of its own. Hailing from Austin, Texas, OTH is made up of: Morgan Coy as lead vocalist & guitarist, Johnny Gasyna on drums & some vibes, Bridget Evarts on bass and Douglas Ferguson on synth & organs. Over The Hill doesn’t pertain to old age here, but rather new-age material with a major twist. I would best phrase this album as Looking For A Spark of Random Insanity.
The record I received came in a gold-covered packaging that seemed to shine right in my eyes. I have to admit the gold was very appealing and really intrigued to me as to what was inside this golden square. When I looked on the back and saw that songs 1-6 were grouped into SIDE A and 7-10 were with SIDE B, this definitely made me think some more. What exactly was over this hill and just what type of spark was I going to ignite when listening to this CD?
The answer to that last question I still have yet to figure out. OTH’s sound is so outlandish and is nothing like I’ve heard before. Coy actually used to be a literary reader and has since helped create the multi-media arts label Monofonus Press. Monofonus stresses to help bring together musicians, visual artists and writers to create one unique brand of packaging. Looking For A Spark is exactly that with evident literary & visual soundscapes & dreamscapes scattered throughout the record. It looks as if Coy and company are setting out to be visionary artists/musicians. Now, we shall see if this notion stands to be true or fallacy.
The album begins with a highly peculiar tone both vocally & musically. You hear a rock beat, but with elements of bluegrass and even semi-yodeling. Next up on “Instrument” you get a short yet extremely deep-sounding display of instrumentation. On track five, “Dead of Night”, you get that rock beat back but now with out-of-the-blue ranting/raving-type singing displayed by Coy. Side A wraps up with a very cool guitar part with trippy, drawn-out vocals on “Beyond Beyond”. From what I’ve heard thus far on Looking For A Spark, I’d have to say way….way…beyond the norms of music. Side B started up with “Sunrise”, which entered a world of wonder and took you on a spiritual journey. Song eight, “Blood in My Mouth”, was my favorite track on the record because of its infectious, rockin’ beat. OTH even seemed to be on the verge of rockabilly at times while at the same time offering a very new-wave/alternative vibe. I truly loved the overall movement of this number. The next song, “Singing to the Dead”, displayed a real, old-time country feel while Over The Hill ended things on a solemn note on “Over There”. Not to mention, the final song, once again, provided another nice guitar section.
OTH are bringing the following styles/moods to the table: psychedelic, spirituality, rock, blue-grass/country and new-fashioned alternative. I have to admit that these four individuals are highly creative & original going completely against the grain with this new project. What I experienced was very odd-sounding at times while proving to be 100% out of the ordinary. These artists are breaking the mold, breaking the chains and tearing down musical boundaries with this new work. I actually preferred Side B because it just offered somewhat of a better sense of direction and meaning. To me, Side A was more confusing and harder to follow at times due to its complete randomness of sounds. It actually was a bit mind-numbing and even ridiculous to listen to at moments.
In the end, OTH supply a straight-out-of-left-field vibe that fans will either relate to or not get at all. Sometimes, different is good and extremely refreshing to the right people and I’m sure these Austin men will find that bunch. For more on Over The Hill and their latest release, Looking For A Spark, SKOPE out www.myspace.com/overth.
By Jimmy Rae
Rating: 
NEW DAVID GRAY SINGLE “FUGITIVE”
July 31, 2009
Here is the new single “Fugitive” from David Gray’s upcoming release Draw the Line out on Downtown Records/Mercer Street Records September 22.
KELLER WILLIAMS’ FAN FAVORITE “DOOBIE IN MY POCKET” AVAILABLE
July 31, 2009
Everyone’s favorite one-man-band, Keller Williams, is preparing to officially release his new studio album, ODD, on August 12, 2009. He’s spent the last 10 weeks releasing the songs track by track through his brand new, fan-oriented download feature, ‘The Once A Week Freek’.
FOREIGNER CAN’T SLOW DOWN WITH NEW ALBUM
July 31, 2009
Foreigner, one of the world’s most popular and enduring rock bands, will release a new three-disc collection, including a CD album of all new music, a CD album of the band’s original hit recordings, and a DVD of the band in concert and beyond. Foreigner’s latest will be available from Rhino Entertainment September 29, exclusively through Walmart, for $12.00.
Twelve tracks on the new album are produced by Mick Jones and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith and Buckcherry), with celebrated Grammy®-winning producer Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse) contributing the Mick Jones-penned “Fool For You Anyway.” The title track, CAN’T SLOW DOWN, was written by Mick Jones, Kelly Hansen, and Marti Frederiksen as a tribute to NASCAR in celebration of Foreigner’s appearance at the Samsung 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year. NASCAR fans bought so many CDs that day that Foreigner’s 2008 release No End In Sight: The Very Best Of Foreigner was propelled back into the Billboard Top 200. The collection’s second disc contains 10 remixes by Marti Frederiksen and Anthony Focx of some of the band’s most well known songs, including “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Urgent,” “Hot Blooded,” and “I Want To Know What Love Is.” The remixes bring a new energy and sound definition to these classic songs.
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: MILLYZ F. KILLER MIKE, RED CAFE & SMOKE BULGA “CRY BABY”
July 31, 2009
We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot!
MILLYZ F. KILLER MIKE, RED CAFE & SMOKE BULGA “CRY BABY”:
CHIMAIRA ‘SPREADING THE INFECTION’ AUSTRALIAN HEADLINING TOUR 2010
July 31, 2009
For the past decade, Chimaira has been one of the most consistently heavy and dedicated bands in metal. With their latest release, The Infection, the Ohio sextet has further honed their sound to one of punishing brutality.
The US sextet is set to return to Australia in January, 2010 to once again destroy venue stages and drive audiences into a frenzy with their patented brand of ferocious precision.
Infection Dates:
Wed, January 13 – Capital Perth
Thurs, January 14 – Fowlers Live Adelaide Licensed All Ages
Fri, January 15 – Billboard The Venue Melbourne Over 18’s
Sat, January 16 – Billboard the Venue Melbourne Under 18s Afternoon Show
Sun, January 17 – The Hi- Fi Brisbane
Mon, January 18 – The Metro Sydney Licensed All Ages
Wed, January 20 – The Transmission Room Auckland NZ Licensed All Ages
Tickets on Sale, Monday, August 17
THE JUNCTION UNLEASH MUSIC VIDEO FOR “MY LOVE WAS THERE”
July 31, 2009
Brampton band The Junction unleash new music video for “My Love Was There” the first single off new album, Another Link in the Chain.
MUSIC 4 MORE LAUNCHES “DOWNLOADS FOR DONATIONS”
July 31, 2009
Music 4 More, a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization providing financial and in-kind resources to sustain and foster under-funded music programs announced its “Downloads for Donations” fundraising campaign to run September 1 – November 21, 2009.
Music 4 More, a 501 c 3 charity, hopes to raise $250,000 to be used to purchase instruments and supplies for music classrooms, refurbish and mend donated instruments, and fund service days in communities from Philadelphia to Atlanta to repair, clean and paint schools’ music facilities. For as little as one dollar, donors will be given a code allowing them access to original recordings by hundreds of musicians via www.music4more.org. The more money given, the more music the contributor can download from the site.
DAVID HODGES NABS SOLD-OUT CHRIS DAUGHTRY TOUR
July 31, 2009
Newly signed singer-songwriter and Reprise recording artist David Hodges is set to embark on a national promotional tour with Chris Daughtry beginning August 2nd in Orlando. David is teaming up with Daughtry, one of his many song-writing partners, to play a series of intimate live shows in major cities. He will be performing songs from his new “The Rising” EP, including the single “Hard to Believe.” The EP will be released August 11th,.
As one-third of Evanescence, Hodges co-wrote such hits as “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal” from the band’s debut Fallen, which has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. He also won two Grammy Awards — for “Best New Artist” and “Best Hard Rock Performance” — in 2004 for his work with the band. After leaving Evanescence in 2002, Hodges went on to write and produce mega-hits for other artists including Kelly Clarkson (“Because of You”), Daughtry (“What About Now”), and David Archuleta (“Crush”).
Photo Credit: James Minchin
SKOPE EXCLUSIVES: KANDI FEAT RICK ROSS “I LIKE HIM”
July 31, 2009
We at Skopemag.com get hundreds of exclusive tracks via various vendors on a daily basis. The goal for us is to share with our readers as many tracks that come in. Please note that some of these links expire so you got to get it while it’s hot!
KANDI FEAT RICK ROSS “I LIKE HIM”:
