CD and DVD reviews
Loya’s ”Heptapod” from the upcoming album ”Komaglass” is something that one cannot judge by its title. If you judge the song by its title and expecting to hear something related to heptapod, be sure, you will receive a total badass blow. Call it an artwork, a hunch on the musical landscape, or hell just coming…
Austin Colon embarks on a mystical path of self-discovery with the illuminating “The Path Ahead”. Drawing from psychedelic rock, folk, electronica, with a little experimental pop edge, the album employs a wide variety of twists and turns. Over the course of the album’s journey, Austin Colon’s highly articulate thoughtful lyrics come to give these songs…
Bruce Lev explores a soothing pastoral realm on the spacious “Through the Vortex – The Sedona Effect”. Quite playful, Bruce Lev incorporates a wide variety of styles into the mix, going from field recordings to classical with folksy elements all filtering in. The uniqueness of the album comes from how Bruce Lev creates an entire…
I think this may be one of the more potentially under the radar gems I’ve heard in recent years and, based on its merits, deserves remembering at the end of the year when people start compiling best of lists for the year. Across the Board’s second full length studio recording Sonic Boom ups the creative…
The Australian artist Daxton Paul James Monaghan has released his ninth music album, “In Verses”, and it has already become one of the most centers of attractions in the musical landscape. It is a collection of amazing nine soundtracks that will encourage and provoke the blues lover to get escaped into a marvelous sonic journey.…
Giant – The new EP, by Anjali Ray, shows a different side of the artist, as the opening track explores. The Illinois native was raised in Dew Delhi, India, until the age of 10, and is now working in Chicago and Los Angeles. She stays in tune with her roots by practicing Hundustani classical singing.…
So much fuss surrounds Michigan’s Jake Allen’s guitar work, and rightfully deserving. But, don’t forget the guy can sing and write songs that carry the listener into far and wide spaces. His lush orchestrations and layered music beds are much more New Order and Nine Inch Nails than Nugent; his alt-pop tunes are much more…
Left On Tri, is Parker Longough’s third album, and it finds this Alaskan band in their element. Longbough is the stage name for Matthew Witthoeft, to front the Parker Longbough band with other various members. It follows up the last album, “Bridges To Nowhere” with tracks written around the same time, which makes it a…
Marley Waters knows how to get the party started with the wild free-spirited style of “Wine Pon It”. Allowing for multiple layers of sound to intermingle in such a fantastic way means the whole song feels all-encompassing. By opting for such a loose freeform quality, the piece has a timeless youthfulness to it. Over the…
Hailing from the roads and corners of Brooklyn, Gary Douglas Band has recently released a song on the radio, on 20th April, titled, “River Road”, a gorgeous preview to their upcoming music album, “Deep In the Water”. This remarkable song is showcasing the peerless energy and talent of Gary Douglas and his band: why their…
Noone is quite sure when this band officially started which adds to the allure of Bud Collins Trio and their eclectic nature. We do know that the musical journey started many years ago for Bud Collins Trio and the music never died. This Connecticut-based band has shared the stage with the likes of: Blues Traveler,…
If you’re a fan of classic alternative rock ala Beach Slang, Superchunk and R.E.M. but aren’t interested in hearing modern knock-offs or half-baked attempts at recreating the style, then checking out the new music from the recently reunited Big Mother Gig should be on the top of your agenda. Critics and audiences alike have been…
Farahd Abdullah Wallizada, working as No Name Hotel, will undoubtedly make some waves with his second full fledged solo release Tristan. The four song EP may be brief, but singer/songwriter, producer and instrumentalist Wallizada encompasses an album’s worth of material into this short release and anyone encountering Tristan will be monumentally impressed by the expansiveness…
“Metro Shuffle” – featuring Mindi Abair, by Project Grand Slam, is the latest single from the 2017 EP -The PGS Experience. This track by the jazz-rock fusion outfit led by NY bassist Robert Miller is surrounded by– five new studio cuts, three new tunes written by Robert and two new PGS-style covers arranged by Robert,…
Alex Dingley presents offers us something truly unique in the new single “Not Alone in the Dark,” which leaves a haunting impression that fans of independent music will go crazy over. To be honest, I wasn’t familiar Dingley or his work prior to hearing “Not Alone in the Dark,” but after just a single listen…
A joyous rustic Americana reigns supreme on Randy Steele’s reassuring “Moccasin Bender EP”. Playfulness runs free throughout these tracks, courtesy of the wide number of instruments that Randy Steele incorporates within the great scope. Moments of the work recalls Will Oldham’s tremendous heartfelt outpouring of emotion and thoughtful storytelling abilities. The arrangements vary, from a…
Almost Awake goes for a dreamy indie rock sound with “Cloudwalker”. Over the course of the track Almost Awake draws from a wide plethora of styles, from shoegaze to hard rock, all anchored with a strong emotional core. By opting for such a spellbinding swirl of colors, the entirety of “Cloudwalker” ensures that it becomes…
“Everyday is Your Day (The Wedding Song)” is the brand new single from the calculated R&B mind of Tone Malone, whose name instantly is recognizable for fans of the northern California sound he champions. Although fairly new to the business, Malone is raising eyebrows and garnering immense praise for this cut from his latest studio…
Like a bat out of hell, Choqlate Songbird comes rip roaring through the sonic mist on “Stay Down (By My Side),” his new single from the EP “Choqlate Elements,” both of which are available now everywhere digital downloads are available. With little fanfare, Choqlate Songbird has emerged onto the rap scene with a style that…
Australian native, half Irish and Filipino, Cat Thompson has occupied stages Down Under and across the globe. She fields a team of backup dancers to help present a breakneck paced show with monumental entertainment value, but equally capable of seducing audiences and listeners with genuine musical allure. She’s more than just a powerhouse young performer;…
Iranian group BANAFSH creates the unexpected in their soaring song “Soul Man of the East.” Bridging together peace-focused lyrics and ambient sounds, this world-music track surprisingly really rocks. “Soul” is from the forthcoming album, “A Pledge For Peace” and has many things going for it. Sung in both English and Persian, with vocals sounding much…
Devi goes for a stripped-down dance floor darkness with the intense “Bad Boy”. At times the intensity of the electro sound recalls Crystal Castles at their most intimate. By opting for such a style Devi’s vocals gain a tremendous power to them that allows them to move forward at an incredible speed. Infectious to its…
Music cannot become more tangible and substantial than this! ‘This’ means the latest single of Joseph Eid, ”Watch It Fall”. The Los Angeles based singer and songwriter Joseph Eid is not a new personality in the world of music. And once again his adorable voice has taken an adorable shape in his new EP ”Watch…
Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Robert Ashley is bringing you a sound that is so damn inviting and so freakin’ personal. I’m not sure what drugs Robert is referring to here but let me be the first to say that it’s the perfect amount and just the right dosage to soothe all of the senses. “The…
Joshua Ketchmark has finally returned with another series of beautiful and thought-provoking images, in his new soundtrack, ‘Her Voice In My Head’ from the album ”The Misses”. This damn good song plays through a country sounding story of love about his life. But why would you care? Because the story that this soundtrack tells may…
Barrett Martin Group goes for a gorgeous swinging style on the infinitely playful “Transcendence”. Keenly anchored in jazz, the Barrett Martin Group draws from rock, funk, the blues, even elements of post-rock flow into the mix. Right at the heart of the entire album is a strong emphasis on rhythm. This rhythm transfigures itself in…
Greg Jacquin’s baroque folk of “Hudson River” simply stuns with its lovely arrangements. Over the course of “Hudson River” Greg Jacquin sings straight from the heart, proving to be an exceptional storyteller. Exploring elements of relationships, of looking back on one’s experiences, elements of nostalgia and yearning permeate the pieces. A wide variety of influences…
The new twelve song release from Becky Buller and her band, Crepe Paper Heart, is the second release from this renowned fiddle player and follows up the 2014 release ‘Tween Earth and Sky with a resounding successor. The same mix of secular and spiritually themed originals powering her first collection continues with this release and…
Hitting the streets of their hometown – Edmonds, Washington – in 2006, The Gothard Sisters first began playing together as a violin trio busking for tips at the local farmer’s market, working their way onto stages at local fairs and festivals. In December 2016 The Gothard Sisters charted on Billboard’s World Music Chart with their…
Pop music phenom, David Shane, released his first album at the young age of 13. City Boy, the first single from the self-produced album, was picked up by radio stations throughout Australia, and the brilliantly self-produced music video for the song was aired on Australian TV. Domestically, the hit single and video received substantial airplay…
A possible solution and a means of hope for love lost comes with the new single release from recording artist ShaQ: Muzik. The track is entitled “Let Me in Your Heart Again” and is a soulful, heartfelt R&B ballad with a laid back rhythm and an undeniable message of romance. A follow-up to the artist’s…
Doug McCurry has been involved in original music since the 80’s, as both a musician and producer. He was a member of the band Big Brick Building, who released 2 CDs and drew the attention of industry professionals, critics, and alternative music fans. After several years of absence, Seven Songs About Leaving marked the return…
From Ivory Coast, Africa S.Sponji Linving is giving us those beach vibes and spreading his love all around with his new track “I love you”. Ivory Coast it’s known for its beautiful touristic complexes consisting basically on beaches, jungles and paradisiacal landscapes. An all tropical flow and S. Spongi let it show on his music.…
RGF America is one band that delivered with its latest release, Spanish Orange. Hearing those words, you would probably think of a soft country song like Blake Shelton’s Sangria. However, as a fan of alternative rock, I was glad that that was not the case. Spanish Orange is a roller-coaster mix of emotions, vocals and…
If you want to take a deep dive into something like sharp and crushed distortion with a mounting guitar tone, ”Bobby Blues” is the right track for you. This song belongs to the last album of Brother John, ”Open Jam”. ”Open Jam” earned massive critical appreciation, especially for the song ”Bobby Blues”. This song came…
Intensity reigns supreme on the burning, yearning desire of My World Down’s “Until I Break”. Volume deserves to be blasted for the entire piece burns through its track duration with incredible majesty. Everything works wonders: from the propulsive rhythms to the manic energy of the guitars. Tying all of this together are the poetic lyrics…
After cutting her teeth with touring with the likes of the Beastie Boys, Green Day and George Clinton, NK:11 is back with her not new single “6AM” and is available on Amazon via the above hyperlink. The radio edited version is the one I checked out. What’s more after her colorful career sent her across the…
The Boston-based rock band Deep C Divers is back again with their new music album, ”Making Waves” that would certainly bring a smile on the music stickler’s face. In such an industry where the trend is going with mixing one music genre to other and gimmicks, Deep C divers are serving pure rock music on…
Delivered with an intimacy and tremendous twee pop energy, the Sandboys crafts a timeless classic with the lovely “Glitches, Imperfections & Glorious Quirks”. Playful to its very core, the instrumentation that defines the entirety of the EP has an eclectic, colorful quality. Nothing ever feels too rushed, for the Sandboys ensure that their melodies are…
With the soft undertones of skilled guitar play, mixed with the edgy tones of pop style music, MARG is a new player in the world of music worth paying attention to. Her new album, “The Voices” consists of 10 tracks that encompass the very heart of love itself. Not afraid to make an impact with…
