CD and DVD reviews
The word legend means nothing here. Bantering that word around and slapping it on artists often means well, but frequently looks more like memorializing or pinning butterflies under glass. Ann Wilson, longtime lead singer and songwriter in the rock band Heart, has lent her considerable talents to four plus decades of memorable pop and rock…
The new song ‘Jesus I Adore You’ which is also the title of the upcoming debut EP by Rachel is a true testimony of her journey into the gospel music scene and salvation as a whole. The song is a fusion of her previously successful musical prowess as well as the integration of the unique…
Didi DLicious’s self-titled debut is an album of glowing optimism. These songs display the difficulty but ultimately the joy of finding self fulfillment. Stylistically the songs range from gentle folk-tinged work to dance-rock. What ties these songs together is the narrative that Didi DLicious uses in forwarding the careful narrative that emerges from the songs…
It doesn’t even take a minute into the first song “My Kind Of Love” before you can hear the professional, confident approach to music that Kimia Penton has. On her new EP, she examines the Lessons From Life And Love among beautiful rhythms and fantastic melodies from her violin playing. It’s a combination I’m always…
Hailing from Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, the five members of Shotgun Holler are well versed in bluegrass and country music. Even a cursory listen to their debut album Loaded drives that point home. Their music goes a step beyond the traditional poses associated with the form and actively seeks to open up its relevance for…
“The Fourth Messenger” is the soundtrack of a new musical with book and lyrics by Tanya Shaffer and music and additional lyrics by Vienna Teng. Loosely inspired by the Buddha legend, it features Vienna Teng in the role of Mama Sid, a world-renowned spiritual teacher with a hidden past. Possessing a strong sense of pacing,…
The Soundcloud write-up for this song is actually pretty interesting when you break it all down. The first thing you might notice is the outright confidence in this laid-back adult-contemporary track’s statement “FYC – “Jessica” will appear in the best “Arrangement, Instruments & Vocals” category.” Look out Grammy’s – cause the statement makes no claim…
San Francisco’s J Burn has one of those off-kilter combinations of Americana/Folk/Indie/Country/Rock that’s bound to throw you a little even despite their smooth-sound. As the Burnt Blue EP began, it was almost set for an all-ages type-feel…something about “Freight Train” made me feel as if I was about to pull into Shining Time Station to…
Bad Mary are a four-piece punk rock band hailing from Long Island, New York. Starting out as a covers band, they changed their name from Madame X in 2012 and Bad Mary was born. Their music is particularly inspired by the NYC punk movement of the late 1970’s and I would describe their music as…
As I’ve often mentioned here at sleepingbag – it’s always interesting to see & hear what people find themselves compelled to write about. Life is such a short and ridiculous thing, that short of being the Rolling Stones or U2, the chances of even making five full-albums is a challenge that often outruns the clock…
Miracle is a testament to the human spirit. Andy Evans adheres to a glistening version of pop. Every sound feels immaculate. The fidelity is brilliant and the songs are chock of full delightful hooks. By balancing both an old full sound with a sense of complexity, Andy Evans is able to do a great deal…
You wouldn’t have even believed the look on my face in realizing that in this ONE day, Christmas has been declared apparently…as I’m currently about to review my second Christmastime song of the day while it has yet to pass by Halloween or even start the final week of October. And no offense of course…
Credit to this band…when I started up the Killing Dinosaurs EP by Bad Mary my first thoughts of comparison drifted right to the stylistic New York punk-scene…and as it turns out, that’s exactly where this four-piece band is plugging-in on the regular and base their music from. So there’s that to start, which is in…
Dream Aria’s “Fallen Angel” radiates an intense power. The sounds is a hybrid of classical and metal, intermingling to create a unique blend. Intricate in scope greater volume allows the album’s flourishes to truly take shape. Lyrically the songs have a narrative sensibility and help to bind the songs together. At times Dream Aria weaves…
Big riffs and distant-drums echo throughout the first tune on the two-song EP from L.A.’s rock-band Chainflower, “Lewd Blues.” With just as much in common with classic-rock as it has with modern-day relevance, “Lewd Blues” stands-out for its combination of blues & rock wrapped into an alternative-style that’s near the edge of grunge without breaking…
Jazz fusion, the marriage of jazz with popular song structures like those found in rock music, has fallen into mainstream disrepute. For one shining period in the 1970’s, acts like Weather Report, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Jeff Beck challenged the limits of rock and jazz while managing to integrate them into a hybrid of unique…
“I Can’t Let Go” is a downright incredible piece of 70s British punk, nicely situated amongst the best of the Clash’s many hits. The Chords UK is aptly named for they are well-versed in tradition and expand upon it. Riffs are aplenty spread out. Everything fits in from the tight rhythms to the little touches.…
Trinadora’s “Sounds” is a rollicking good time. Lyrically the songs celebrate the beauty of the world from the grandeur of majestic awe-inspiring nature to the sweetness of love. Stylistically Trinadora takes on a homespun approach offering up the best that Americana has to offer. A fully acoustic approach works wonders giving the songs a sense…
Full of elastic sunny grooves and hopeful lyricism, Kung Fu Jesus’s “Celestial Gold” is an album of unbridled joy. The sound is an interesting hybrid of the old and the new without indulging in nostalgia. Instead Kung Fu Jesus’s approach is truly unique. By pairing the cheery melodies and endless grooves with his strong voice,…
It is truly not all that often that I hear rap that pulls me in close to listen like this latest EP from Jus has. Obsession plays at an authoritative level and demonstrates a real mastery of the hip-hop/rap genres – this is completely REAL as all-hell and I’m absolutely loving how HUGE these songs…
Taunton, Massachusetts native Sarah Borges has been one of the indie music scene’s best kept secrets for a number of years. A lifetime working in musical settings of various sorts helped her blossom and her vocal and songwriting talents later long deserved mainstream exposure both as a creative force in her former band The Broken…
“You (Just) Don’t Have It” possesses a sense of fun. With an infectious beat propelling the song forward, Sarantos displays great lyricism. The wit is undeniable as Sarantos sings from the point of view of the observer, of the one who is not impressed with pageantry. Here the lyrics focus on the idea that the…
Lozk’s “Meaningless Words” positively teem with life. Reminiscent of Future Sound of London’s “Lifeforms” Lozk is able to create active electronic and organic sonic structures. By not overly relying on any one sound Lozk creates a psychedelic experience as the songs expand into the infinite. Mysterious at times and always surprising these are songs that…
Growing old with rock and roll has its surprises. It’s easy to forget why you care or lose hope after years of pilfering through the enormous slush pile spawned by the Internet age. The same clichés keep smacking your ears, the same formulas are continuously milked for diminishing returns, and few ever seem the wiser.…
Ok ok Rimi Basu…I see how you wanna play this out now that I’ve heard the whole EP, The Unveiling; you think you can just up and go right ahead and redefine an entire genre of music with this clever combination of East meets West do you? Actually…after listening…that kind of makes a TON of…
Natalie Jean’s “Lecons D’Amour” is a force of nature. With her commanding voice front and center, everything else is merely in service of her impressive lyrical talent. The rhythms are powerful, helping to give the entire proceedings a sense of power. By letting these piece vary in terms of style from the absolutely infectious dance…
BeX brings the funk on “Good For Nothin”. With passionate vocals paired with a hot rhythm everything simply works. Absolutely lush the song breezes by with true swagger. From the taut guitars to the tight rhythm BeX emphasizes the freedom of no longer having to deal with such disappointing people. Throughout the piece she takes…
I was a massive fan of this band’s name until the moment I tried to search for any information related to the music on the ol’ interweb – now I’m not so much a fan of this choice, given that I’m lost in a never-ending sea of Homer Simpson postings & tribute pages without finding…
Growing old with rock and roll has its surprises. It’s easy to forget why you care or lose hope after years of pilfering through the enormous slush pile spawned by the Internet age. The same clichés keep smacking your ears, the same formulas are continuously milked for diminishing returns, and few ever seem the wiser.…
The Bongo Boy Rock ‘N Roll TV Show presents “Indie Music Videos from Around the World.” Episode 1062, “We Bring Your Music”, features videos from Indie Music Artists that are on the cutting edge of greatness. These videos were featured in New York City TV, and will be available on GO INDIE ROKU Channel later…
Robot Garden takes indie rock and makes it visceral. The adrenaline that pulses throughout the album comes from the careful intermingling of synthesizers and powerful guitar work. With an infectious pop sensibility these songs positively radiate with joy. Various approaches are utilized throughout Robot Garden from driving rhythms to dreamier territories. Watch the video for…
Rhawn B’s “Expensive Ignorance” lives in the shadows. Throughout the songs there’s a sense of darkness that pervades. Lyrically the songs have a sense of defiance that are nicely matched with the nimble rhythms. At times the sound is reminiscent of footwork with careful attention to detail. Watch the music video for Can’t Touch Me…
“The Memories Of God” is a reverent, inviting piece. Lyrics serve as the focus of the work as Rev Peter Unger’s voice possesses great power. With clear rich resonant delivery the clarity of the sound is of the utmost importance. Right on the edge of the track are small flourishes of sound which help to…
Inches from Sin’s Bridgewater Triangle is a fiery funk-fueled frenzy. With the right mix of playful synthesizers, drum machines, and a classic rock tinged guitars it is pop perfection. By far the heart and soul of the album are the strong vocals. Karen and Rob show off an impressive knack for lyricism as these songs…
I’m a firm believer that our world turns because of melodies and moments like this one from Garth Adam. With his new single “This Time,” I’d be the last to say that this song is unique entirely…but for a brief moment here, I kinda want to examine that as really not a bad thing whatsoever,…
By looking backwards into the past, Tyler Edwards comes up with a fresh sound. Make no mistake, a lot of music on Too Young for Love sounds at least 40 to 50 years old. Overflowing with acoustic guitar, violin, good old fashioned singing, this EP does a whole lot with really just a few sounds/instruments.…
Energetic electro-experience from Van Norden with the brand-new single “Love At First Sight,” a song so bright, addictive and full of hooks I’ve actually got three versions of it here today! I get the excitement behind the music and it makes sense after listening to all three of the mixes as to why they’ve all…
Will Carpenter and Daniel Hange…let me just tell ya guys…you are DANGEROUS! I feel like each of these songs were designed to fit squarely into my rounded face-holes never to leave now that I’ve heard the latest EP, Re: Mix. Incidentally…that’s a freakin’ brilliant title – no one out there has come up with that…
“My Old Stompin’ Ground” has a rustic charm to it. Uncle Tadashi & Da Boyz opt for a full clear sound. Right from the beginning the song has an autumnal quality to it. By keeping it all acoustic Uncle Tadashi & Da Boyz are able to accomplish great things. The heart and soul is the…
Armed with a whole crew of talented musicians to bring his songs to life, solo-artist Nick Peay has released the Sobering EP just a little earlier this September into the world awaiting. Those looking for an authentic acoustic/rock sound in the spirit of bands or artists like Toad The Wet Sprocket, The Fray, Nick Drake,…
