CD and DVD reviews
Black Horse Motel is a musical group from Philadelphia that bases its music on traditional folk. The band connects to audiences through its rich blend of country and rock music, stirring their souls with heart-wrenching harmonies. Parable is a culmination of the four years that have passed since the band’s last release, Red Summer Spirit.…
Hip hop and rap music a pair like other notable pairs out there, oranges and apples, ketchup and mustard, peanut butter and jelly, they never leave one another. Hence why they are always together and why hip hop and rap has brought together the likes of Atrap and Yung Terra for his piece of work…
Where do I start with Elle Casazza, I can’t help but say that the music on her latest album, ‘Proof’ is evidence of a great release. These are all up-scale cuts with a lot of fantastic musicianship behind them. It should not go faceless in a world missing this quality of pop singing/songwriting, combined with…
Sung with great passion is the 80s inflection of Once Around Saturn’s “These Promises EP”. Over the course of the EP Once Around Saturn’s retro stylings with modern framing feels reminiscent of Neon Indian’s “VEGA INTL. Night School”. Rather elaborate the songs sprawl out in a dreamy swirl of synthesized sound. Keyboards glisten with a…
Cover songs, we have all heard them before from a favorite artist or band we adore to one we have never heard of but later becomes that favorite act. What is it about cover versions that appeal so well to the ear no matter the act in question. Well it is the way the artist…
What is it about cover versions of songs that get people so moved or shall we say excited? Maybe it is because it is a take on a classic version of a familiar tune except refreshed for a modern age by their favorite artist or band that it just ignites within them to enjoy it…
EDM or electronic dance music is so highly popular it is hard to ignore it unless you really focus upon doing so that is. But for the likes of Shelita Burke, she has a new song called “Penetrate (Part 2)” her newest song turned single release. Which happens to be a sequel to the other…
Right off the bat, the lyrics that are first said within the track “Cut and Paste” by Richard Lynch are just priceless. The whole song and accompanying video for the track is just again truly priceless. The song is country rock based, so for those who are not accustomed to such a genre, this may…
1403 was the namesake chosen out by the London new comer. This singer/song writer whose name is hidden behind this stage name that is 1403, has released a song turned video for a track called “Tonight”. The fairly new release came out not that long ago, has already made its rounds with its accompanying video…
It’ѕ a ѕtеаmу, ѕmоkу, and іnеѕсараblе nеw ѕіnglе саllеd “Trарреd”, by Aѕhlеу J. Whо has rеlеаѕеd іt through hеr оwn рrоduсtіоn іmрrіnt Bombshell Muѕіс, Inс. This trасk launching аn аll nеw сhарtеr fоr the рор аrtіѕt, аѕ ѕhе hаѕ аllоwеd hеrѕеlf to еmеrgе even furthеr аhеаd іntо her music саrееr wіth ѕuсh сарtіvаtіng muѕіс аnd…
This rap artist isn’t what you would find all over the radio. His raps are not filled with drugs, sex, and foul language. His songs are substantial and about things most people deal with from time to time. The introduction of this playlist starts with the sound of footsteps. Then the sound of a coin…
Duncan Lee aka Impuritees has been active on the rock music scene in Vancouver for a while now and after the success of the album’s title single “Nothing Matters”, the artist has gone on to release his debut album on June 16th. The 4-track EP produced by Team Clermont is a summary off Lee’s strong…
Summer, the time of fun, sun, and heat! Especially the heat! But for the likes of a duo called The Felix, who became a thing during the summertime of 2016, releasing their debut single “Coming Back”. It would follow with a handful of other tracks, catching onto a wide range of services across the net,…
Mike Gallemore opens with a fiery guitar lick on “Fantasy”. With a rollicking rhythm and passionate vocals, the song has a classic feeling to it. By far the best part of the song is how the entire thing has an unhinged quality to it. A lumbering reflective pace defines Big Chris & D’Bare Bones Band’s…
With their signature bright sound, Circus of the West has released a wonderful single entitled “Boxes”. The Minneapolis based band is comprised of Edwin Caldie (vocals, keys), Joel Leviton (guitar), Ben Court (lead guitar), Jason Kapel (bass, keys), and Alan Einisman (drums). Their sound bounces between indie/alternative pop and rock, usually meeting in the middle…
Niker Groze delves into a classic funk with the party-starting sound of “Shake that Booty (feat. Roe Nelle)”. Catchy to its core, the playful spirit of the sound recalls an updated Parliament. Just like that classic band, Niker Groze delivers stunning bass lines and an irresistible groove. Lyrics further emphasize the carefree spirit that comes…
Sam Levin’s delivers a touching, ornate chamber pop with the intimate “Frame of Mind”. With vocals and highly descriptive lyricism reminiscent of Kip Hanrahan’s solo work, the songs describe relationships, all the yearning and the way that people slowly move away from who they used to be. Instrumentally, Sam Levin employs a wide variety of…
It’s Just Craig offers a warm intimacy with the tender folk of “Dark Corners”. Rather lovely in execution, It’s Just Craig opts for a full, rich sound. Quite ornate instrumentally, the songs unfurl with such grace and style. Everything about the album feels real and fully lived. By far the highlight of the album are…
The best music sends you somewhere else, be it to a distant memory or another world. It colors your mood to fit the tune, the lyrics, or the general vibe the artist was going for. This is true for the band KALO, who is out with the new single, “Wild Change.” Rock ‘n’ roll with…
The Doug MacDonald Band infuses a great deal of humor into the shaggy dog stories of “Lightning Head”. Narratives are crafted with the utmost of care, for the lyrics possess a great deal of detail, as if these are tales of those who have truly lived. Humor rests at the very heart of these lyrics…
The name Dice and Bass implies that this music is going to be mostly instrumental, which it is. The name also sounds nice when said and has this sort of melodic tone which their music has. The cover for this playlist is a picture of a man. It’s in black and white; he’s in a…
“Gold” is the second single and first official video for First Blush off their upcoming debut full-length release “Monologic” out this summer. First Blush is a genre-bending act, taking the likes of synthpop, combining elements to that of ethereal electronic with strong melodies that are catchy with even heavier riffs. Their influences include The Who,…
Straight out of Colorado bringing you an innovative now sound mixed with a lyrical assault that will have you listening to both the music and lyrics. SkoolboyBliss features Jason who is a director, actor, performer, humanitarian, hustler, artist, writer, philanthropist, dedicated to bringing realness and awareness back to the community. Edgy innovative lyrical artist painting…
Robert Caruso is a singer-songwriter-guitarist-multi-instrumentalist based in London, UK. He started in Italy in his early teens as Rob Leer (& The Electric Kids). From the beginning he performed original material, rooted in the Blues, ’50s Rock ‘n Roll, ’60s classics like The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Doors and…
Arthur Ward crafts a giddy, fully-formed pop sound on the passionate “Restless EP”. Over the course of the EP, Arthur Ward reveals a true enthusiasm for life, delivering love songs sung honest and true. Truly gorgeous in their temperament Arthur Ward also shows off his undeniable chops on the guitar, with guitar solos that are…
Riff Diamond is a contemporary blues rock band from Northern Ireland that draws on the best traditions of many classic and modern artists of the genre (Muddy Waters, BB King, Howlin’ Wolf, Clapton, Hendrix, Gilmour, Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin, Free, Etta James and so many more) while still following their own, distinctively rocking and bluesy, path…
Every since you were a little kid, you were told by adults of all ages, sizes, races, and then some, that drinking, drugs, smoking, and sex were all bad and wrong! Until you would get older only then would you come to the realization, what these things were and if you would go forth experiencing…
“Living The Dream” by A&L, Anthony Casuccio and Lana Marie for those wondering on what the A&L represented. is the sixth single for pop punk friendly duo of sorts. According to them they had quite a lot to say about their latest addition of singles “Living The Dream”. For one, Anthony Casuccio says “We have…
With its clear inspiration taken from a blend of colorful yet smooth jazz and its classic influence, the music trio Kanacept is a beautiful testimony to the power that can be produced with just a few traditional instruments. Kanacept is led by Kana Miyamoto, a recent Japanese graduate of the New School for Jazz and…
Pop rock being your main genre approach with influences taken from country, blues, and folk music, does it make a sound? Why yes it does in the form of Idril Jean’s latest EP release “Let’s Get Crazy”. A 6-track EP with the title track “Let’s Get Crazy”, taking the lead as not just a leading…
It’s no wonder Lisa Marie Ellingsen said that her track “A Little Help From Above”, was an “Old time gospel song written in the style of The Carter Family”. Sure enough she was right. For those wondering though, The Carter Family was in their time a traditional American folk music group ,who began way back…
I do not know if it is more than a talent but he (Rhett repko) has it at his fingertips. Obviously it comes to his heart and as undiluted as it comes, he delivers it with a tremendous voice. I must say – he is such a talented song writer as his music has that…
Sarantos taps into a sunny optimism with the cheerful sound of “Above The Clouds”. Light and airy, the song has a downright blissful poppy quality to it. Instrumentally rich, the rhythm has a laid-back, easy style to it. Incorporating a wide variety of styles into the mix from soft rock to pop to singer-songwriter allows…
With a wonderful laidback reggae groove is the slinky sound of Ricky Persaud Jr.’s “Feel The Love”. Utilizing dub effects marvelously, the entire song’s optimism shines through. Vocals have a communal, party-like atmosphere. Klyve shows off an impressive storytelling ability on the colorful sound of “Nocturnal Girl”. Luxurious in sound courtesy of the work of…
Experimental performers such as Leisure McCorkle recently made an appearance on an online music session performance segment called the Gaslight Sessions. In which he went on to perform a track he calls “Actin Like A Friend” for the audience in question at said location of Gaslight Sessions. “Actin Like A Friend” comes off his last…
It’s been a lоng tіmе соmіng, but Pаrkеr Lоngbоugh іѕ fіnаllу rеlеаѕіng іtѕ ѕорhоmоrе еffоrt, Brіdgеѕ to Nowhere/Delirium іn Lо-fі. Pаrkеr Lоngbоugh serves аѕ thе mоnіkеr оf fоrmеr Unсlе Jesse mеmbеr Mаtthеw Wіtthоеft. Related Article: https://www.punknews.org/review/6792/parker-longbough-commander-comatose It hаѕ bееn 11 уеаrѕ since Pаrkеr Lоngbоugh rеlеаѕеd hіѕ dеbut аlbum, Cоmmаndеr Cоmаtоѕе. Thе Anсhоrаgе, Alаѕkа nаtіvе іѕ…
NTFRMHRE crafts an escapist trance pop world with “Somebody Like You”. Full of sunny melodies the song’s energy is outright infectious. Lyrics have a tender lovely quality to them giving the song a true sense of soul. Over the course of the song some narrative forms, one that shows the importance of being devoted to…
Chuck Eaton’s music is very soft and calming in style. This accompanied by a saxophone, gives the music another dimension of Jazz. The cover for his album “Lessons” is a Whispy Green. It looks to be a picture of the bottom of a green pond and the title lessons is in lowercase cursive at the…
doubleVee first formed in 2012 as the result of intense musical chemistry. Allan Vest and Barb Hendrickson discovered early on they shared an unique connection for writing and performing together; their simpatico relationship with one another blossomed into more and the couple married in October, 2015. Allan Vest is the former longtime songwriting force, front…
The first album from writer and multi-instrumentalist Shelby Smoak has an unusual genesis. The origin of the project is the 2013 publication of Smoak’s non-fiction book Bleeder: A Memoir which examined the journey and challenges for a young man living with a HIV and hemophilia diagnosis. The book wasn’t quite enough for Smoak, however, and…
