CD and DVD reviews
The cover of Firebug’s new album is a cool-blue image of a gnarled tree with the singer’s face hovering above. It made me want to compare it to U2’s Joshua Tree album cover, which led to the eventual amusing discovery that Firebug is currently based in Joshua Tree, CA. Though quite a ways away from…
For a lot of mainstream critics, the problem with folk music today is that most of the quirky, simple attributes that made up the foundation of the genre seem to have given way to digitalized vanity, feigned passion for social issues and conceited attitudes within the scenes that once championed a now-fading sense of artistic ethics. https://www.cathyhutch.com/bio/…
This German band first formed in 2017, but a connection had long been established between its two prime creative movers composer/producer Harry Starbuck and singer/songwriter Julee Bee. The two first met many years before when Bee, then a freelance music journalist working for a publication, interviewed Starbuck about one of his earlier projects. They discovered…
Angeles goes for a wild, careening classic rock style with the powerful rush of “Not Here to Play”. Deserving to be blasted at the highest possible volume, the song stuns with its rollicking rhythms. Featuring driving colossal grooves, the whole thing moves forward at a breakneck speed. Guitars scream up into the sky with a…
I always have to keep in mind not to judge a book by its cover because at first glance I’m seeing a boy in a strange mask pointing aimlessly at nothing. So, right away I’m not sure what to think but as I move past the imagery and into the music I’m suddenly revived. Considering…
“To Hell With You”, the bluntly titled new single from The Krew’s fourth album release Smoke Rising, kicks off what’s sure to be a rewarding time in the band’s history with every bit of the muscular, gritty rambunctiousness listeners should expect from this band. Dubbed by many as “the best Southern Rockers from the North”,…
Project Grand Slam goes for a wild stylish jazz-funk hybrid with the infinitely playful experimentation of “Trippin’”. A true blast, everything works wonders, from the fanfare to the limber guitar work. By far the true soul and fire comes from the incredible rhythm section, which helps to anchor the whole thing. Cleverly, Project Grand Slam…
It is not easy to create great pop music. One must have the potential to produce something between the fad and cool, unsettled and underground. Natalie Lucassian is one of the most talented singers, songwriter and rhythm guitarist, who has the ability to make such a music that can be infectious and irresistible at once,…
Many renowned and talented musicians are out there, but only a few can deliver a powerful and meaningful message and resonate an immense energizing mood across their music. RGF stands among this type of musicians who pours some kind of message into their passionate and exuberant music, leaving for the audience to unfold. Their newly…
A truly lovely undertaking, Belle of the Fall’s expressive impressionist “Rise Up” feels truly inspiring. Done with such care, Belle of the Fall draws from dream pop, twee pop, and folk, among others. Myriad genres are brought together throughout the entirety of the album adding to its all-consuming spirit. By far the true heart and…
Are you interested in listening some thought-provoking music that will jerk your soul? Then make your first encounter with Tony Tedesco & Full Fathom 5’s newly released debut, “Full Fathom 5”. And there lies the song, titled, “Shoes”, that alone can make you amazed, leaving your jaws opened. This song features the auxiliary flair of…
The latest release from New York City based The Merrymaker’s Orchestrina, Act 3, showcases vocalist/songwriter and guitarist Ryan Shivdasani’s talents in a gripping way. The trio now includes the aforementioned Shivdasani, bassist Daryl Chen, and drummer Sal A. Mander, though the album’s personnel differ save Shivdasani’s constant presence. The two new members will likely bring…
Who is Michael Peterson, and why haven’t I ever heard of him? Okay, I can’t say that I am the greatest aficionado of country music, but I know the big names, the old standards and a few slightly off the wall artists that might make some people cringe. But, when I had the chance to…
How time flies, is an expression of saying, that is used quite often if not always by many. This goes for The Norm, an alternative rock hip hop act whose time at last has come for them. This being that those days and nights of the past, that were spent in their parent’s garages, so many years prior where hours…
“Shades of Gray” is the latest single from North Florida’s Aunt Stella’s Ashes, the latest project in front man Tim Schichtel’s long history with bands in the North Florida rock scene. This project has the potential to be the most successful yet for Schichtel thanks, in no small part, to his continuing collaboration with band…
“Bout Dat Action” shows off the impressive confidence of Frank Stylez Ft. Logan. With a passionate flow, the way the song builds up reveals a real talent for crafting infectious hooks. Everything works wonders: from the crisp beats to the lush production. Multiple layers come together to create a virtual kaleidoscopic swirl. By far the…
ESP Evolution goes for a great, lush style with the inspirational “Wishing on a Falling Star”. Optimism rests within the song’s very soul as it drives forward with a tremendous power. Grooves have a physicality to them that results in something that feels so inviting. Layer upon layer of sound is brought into the mix…
Summertime…Summer heat…Summer fun…Summer love…It’s that time of year again where the most enjoyable moments are just a phone call away; a moment in the year where the kids get out of school, parents get that opportunity to plan the summer travel, the barbeques begin, and then festival season hits! All along the way, the summer…
Gentlemen and Scholars are another bright star, shining the sky of rock and roll genre of music. After the enormous success of ” The Record, The Keepsake, And The Thief”, ”The Fault”, ”Bad Apples”, in 2017, they have launched another rich music album, ”Revelry”. ”Revelry” starts out with the electrifying Blues riff, but one single…
With summer waiting just around the corner, beat master Calazzus is dropping a sick new collection of jams on us in his latest extended play, The Calazzus Project II. If you’re not already aware, Calazzus (pronounced Colossus) is a Maryland-based composer who has primarily worked in hip-hop, R&B and soundtracking up until this point in his…
Sung straight from the heart and from personal experience, Cat Dail proves to be a deft storyteller with the insightful “Fight for Love EP”. Blues, soul, with a little bit of funk, the way the songs evolve gives them a gorgeous temperament. Perfectly balanced, the whole collection has a classic cool to it. By far…
Jeffrey Dallet goes for a rustic sort of timeless folk with the passionate “Abnormal Oddities EP”. Tenderness flows through these songs recalling Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s earnest vocal delivery. Done with the utmost of care these tracks are imbued with such life and vigor. Stylistically Jeffrey Dallet incorporates a wide variety of approaches into the mix,…
You And I is a playlist about love. It is filled soft and sweet tones. Jon seems to understand these emotions which he is singing about well. He may understand emotions well; this may be because Jon has been an actor for twenty five years. For five years he’s been writing music influenced by The…
Les Fradkin’s spirited “Escape From Earth” offers a beautiful marriage of electronica and classical in a swirling, spellbinding mix. A fully immersive experience, at times the album recalls some of Wendy Carlos’s best-known pieces. Highly visceral, the way the many layers intermingle results in a true exploration of sound. Stylistically, Les Fradkin draws from a…
The magnificent indie artist, Tom Esch, has just released his latest single, “I Just Can’t Believe It’s True”, from his debut, “Modern Devices EP”. This song is a token of appreciation to the classic rock from the artist that he has wrapped with a vibrant alternative fringe. In this song, Tom Esch pours all the…
Finally, we have an up-and-coming artist of Today that truly wants to bring back studio magic! When I think of masterful sessions and legendary studios, I first think of the original Sun Records recordings with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and many others who helped shape & define the…
Exploring the ultimate concepts of building a true real relationship, Sarantos offers a thoughtful take on importance of cherishing love with “No One’s Perfect Until”. Lyrics describe how true, compassionate partners will always make the time for those who mean everything, making sure that they give attention when it is ultimately needed. By opting for…
On “Me and Leslie” Karen Mansfield crafts a nostalgic, otherworldly sound with the utmost of ease. By taking on such a gorgeous approach, Karen Mansfield delves into a rich past as she explores a relationship with a dear old friend. Done with the utmost of care, the rollicking rhythms go for a fantastic, driving style.…
Texas-born and brought up musician, Ranzel X Kendrick has recently released ‘Texas Sagebrush’, the second installment of his Texas series music album. And in this music album, Ranzel X Kendrick has assimilated his rich Texas roots music through a charming and engaging blend of sound, maintaining the Americana styling. The previous released ”Texas Paintbrush” was…
The first solo album from singer/songwriter and musician Conor Gains, Compass, vividly illustrates his full emergence as a potentially once in a generation quality musical artist with the needed durability to leave a legacy behind him given time. Compass reflects the immense growth as both an individual and artist that Gains has experienced over the…
It is a kind of aphorism that good things will make you wait. After gigging around the live performances throughout North-East America for almost 25 years, Rob Ashley has recently come out with his own music album, ‘Premiere. Farewell’. It has been, for sure, very hard for his fans to wait for an exclusively Rob…
Classified Misinformation, The Grey Agents’ debut effort, garnered considerable acclaim upon its release, but their sophomore release Last Generation consolidates the promise of that initial recording and expands on its musical possibilities. The West Virginia based five piece continues to embrace songwriting influences like REM and Elvis Costello, wiry adult oriented rock with a decidedly…
Popz, also known as “The Triple OG” is based out of Merced, California, and it probably one of the coolest artists you could ever listen to, hip and cool at the age of 73, when most people are settling down, Popz want to know “R U Freaky?” “R U Freaky” is a combination of Funk…
Fans of rock, country and folk alike will be very thrilled to hear the new split EP by Stephen Karl & Handsome Animals and Darlin Darlin, available this coming May 4th. I was fortunate enough to give the split a couple of spins today, pre-release, and was not only satisfied with what I heard, but…
The factual date when Bud Collins Trio Band did form lies in ambiguous; it may be the 70s’ or 80s’, even the band members are not sure about it. But, when it comes to producing gorgeous pop music, evoking powerful emotion with beautiful yet strange effects, Bud Collins Trio stand in the first row. From…
Canada has been known for giving the world everyone from Anne Murray, Brian Adams, Justin Beiber and Drake;however, there is a group that may not have been as well known as the above names but around longer than Beiber and Drake, they are called “Crack Of Dawn” The group was originally signed to Columbia Records…
David T. Dunn’s release, Catch That Train, is a straightforward singer/songwriter effort. These six songs never attempt to do anything fancy. You won’t hear unusual instrumentation or unexpected time signatures. Instead, Dunn gives us a six-song set of solid songwriting. The title track is like the troubadour’s siren song. Dunn isn’t sure where ‘that train…
Mr MooQ’s “Double Happiness” is a simple song about the joys of romance. Over a gently bopping beat, colored with various keyboard elements, it’s like a perfect date soundtrack. “You can let your hair down/I will put the top up,” Mr MooQ advises. It’s all about relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. This is…
Using carefully arranged acoustic guitars and brooding harmonies, the Texas branded Suzanne’s Band creates a charming set of songs on the new extended play, Breathe, which is available now on Amazon.com. Suzanne’s Band is the official vehicle for Houstonian singer/songwriter Mia Suzanne Walker, and Walker is nothing short of a blinding force of positive energy…
It takes a lot of intense focus to craft an album, and it demands even more focus to compose and record an instrumental album. Although a lot of people might think that a band without a singer is a band with a lot less details to cover, quite the opposite is true. The effort and…
