Let’s keep this party going shall we? Been reviewing music all day long, and these guys are making for the perfect cap on a great day here at sleepingbagstudios. And I’ll be sampling a great deal from these guys as we review this double-album-debut with the other half of the album-set coming up right after…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
L.A. Brownies – #Deuce
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Welcome back! You can consider this Part II of our L.A. Brownies review more or less, with this second half of their debut known as #Deuce carrying on from where we left of yesterday with their album Citizens United; if you didn’t read it, click here. You never know, I might make a reference or…
Max Random
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Question: what´s the thing that comes to your mind when the last name of an artist is Random? Well, I am pretty sure we will all most likely think the same thing – this guy must be a comedian. If that was your first thought, then you are completely right. Max Random´s Analog Man kicks…
Jourdan Myers
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No, this is not Tori Amos or Coldplay but they definitely play a big role on Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jourdan Myers which even though she says she doesn’t consider herself a perfectionist, you can really hear she did paid attention to details on every song in her new album Run Me With Love. ‘Lifetime or Before’…
Carol Riddick – Love Phases
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Title Of Album: “Love Phases” released in 2015 independently by Carol Riddick. The genre is soul but I say it also has R&B and jazz undertones. There are 11 tracks with a total time of 44:22. I’ve had the pleasure of observing the transformation of Riddick from a shy young lady developing into a powerful,…
Spinn – City Country
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Aptly named, Spinn’s “City Country” displays a true talent in updating country music, to show how geography no longer limits its appeal. For a long time country music has been a particular style of music heavily associated with the south and the west. On “City Country” Spinn sings of both New Jersey and the South,…
Oshy feat. Ron Browz – Whatz Up
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“Whatz Up” is RNB down to an absolute science. Everything syncs up perfectly: from the crystal-clear production to the smooth vocals. Rhythms are infectious the melodies glistening and overall there is a true sense of comfort within the track. The bass hits in all the right ways helping to solidify the track’s slow-moving groove. By…
Mutts – Fuel Yer Delusion Vol. 4
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“Fuel Yer Delusion vol. 4” is the new album from Chicago-Based self-described Grounge band, The Mutts. Opening the album is “America’s Next Top Something, Pt. 1” which clearly represents a blend of gunge and lounge in which the Mutts live up to the expectation set by their mashup conceit. It’s a fun listen, though may…
32 Below – Every Little Thing About You
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It seems to me that this set feels a little desperate. It moves from one cliché and generic pop sound to another. When it works best is when it stretches a bit beyond that. Too much like by-the-numbers pop, the first song (“You, Me, and the Whiskey”) doesn’t work well. That is, except for the…
Doug McCurry and the Verticals
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Musical energy and the exchange between audience and a song or band can be such a crucial lifeblood for a composer gathered in the name of fulfilling exhilarating music for music fans. Some of this applies to Trippy Alternative Folk based music and Alternative Rock of the 90’s. It may not be for everyone but…
Sarantos – Close Your Eyes
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“Close Your Eyes” is a gentle lullaby perfect for late-night listening after a difficult day. Tempos are considerably slowed down from his previous works. Reassuring in tone and reassuring lyrically the song becomes a mantra for those suffering from long endless days. His voice serves as the focal point for the piece. Extended into a…
Automatik Eden
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Composer, David Crocco (vocals, guitar, bass, drums) and fellow singer, songwriter and guitarist, Cela Scott of Automatik Eden are making all kinds of noise of the sensational audio variety. David’s post-production engineering skills have been in demand for a while now, having worked with a plethora of contemporary music icons, in various genres. Performers include…
Going to the Sun – Going to the Sun
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For the most part this is quite a strong album. I love a lot of the arrangements here. There is a lot of soul and emotion built into it. At times it does wander towards the generic pop end of the spectrum, though. Imagine mixing the Beatles with Fun (the group, not the experience). That’s…
Robert J. Hunter
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Robert J. Hunter delivers a high energy, gruff, performance of dirty blues. RJH’s debut single, “Demons” is out now and has reached number one in the UK iTunes Blues Chart. His debut album, “Songs for the Weary” is out 10th February 2015. Heavily influenced by Peter Green, Tom Waits and The Doors to name a…
Joe Ness – Ellipsis
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Joe Ness has gone through a few name changes so some might know him as Jo Payso, Amillio Jones, and now Joe Ness. You cannot disprove raw talent and he will not be denied. He was born in Brooklyn and grew up between there and Queens. he started rapping at the age of 12 and…
Swirl – Swirl
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Swirl has an incredibly loud brash sound, the kind of sound plenty of bands promise but few deliver. A rare beast indeed Swirl demands to be played at the absolute maximum volume. They do not let up: their energy persists from the first second to the final moment of the collection. For their sound is…
Julie Diano – Who Do You Think I Am
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“Who Do You Think I Am” is a lovely song that displays the best of pop’s universal appeal. Julie Diano’s voice is quite affectionate. Accompanying her is a pianist who sounds completely attuned to her lyrical nuances. Everything feels balanced within the particular piece. Kept tasteful the piece is stripped down to the absolute essentials.…
Joseph Pagano – Graveyard of Dreams
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Joseph Pagano’s “Graveyard of Dreams” taps into the best of Americana. With a classic rock sound the songs display the true virtue of earnestness. Throughout the album Joseph Pagano comes across as a caring, empathetic soul. Lyrics reflect this as well as he express joy at seeing people treat each other with kindness. For it…
Kevin Durr – Songbird
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While it is true many feel the music industry is in disarray, it’s always a breath of fresh air to hear a new band or artist that’s not afraid to take chances with their musical expression. With Chicago based Kevin Durr’s latest musical offering “Songbird” it’s clear to me he has surpassed what many consider…
Ralph Burg – Time to Sing
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Ralph Burg’s “Time to Sing” is pure bliss. With a dreamy sample that weaves in and out of perception the song takes on a laid-back vibe. This is nicely matched by Ralph Burg’s flow. Lyrically the song focuses on growing up with others. A lot of life’s many paths rests upon the past and the…
The Sweet Lips – From out of Nowhere
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It’s easy to know how to categorize a band like The Sweet Lips. This Aussies 3 member band just released “Out of Nowhere.” This band seems to deliver an uncharacteristic fusion of hard, thrashy guitars and unique songwriting techniques, with a limber rhythm section that keeps the music loose yet powerful. Band members: Daxton Monaghan…
Mark Gothard – Fly the Coop
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From Southern California comes Alternative Singer/Songwriter Mark Gothard who just released his latest 13 Track CD “Fly the Coop” in 2014. Many of you are already aware how fickle this industry is. Right from the start it might be easy to just categorize Gothard as some straight ahead old school folk-country-esque rocker toting a cowboy…
David Britt – Country Flow
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Dave Britt is a driven, passionate and charismatic singer-songwriter with a unique approach to his blend of folk, rock and pop. His country and Americana roots blend in with an uplifting modern songwriting sensibility; not unlike few. “Country Flow” on Spectra Records is a fine effort for this pop-country sort of blend hitting shelves mid-February…
Michael Tracy – Gonna’ Smile
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I’ve been listening to Michael Tracy for a few years now and I’ll tell you why, because he’s good, plain and simple. He really didn’t even know he had this all in him, not too long ago, and that helps all the more as an interesting back story to this Seattle native’s life, who now…
Jumpship Astronaut – Humans
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Jumpship Astronaut’s “Humans” embodies the perfect mixture of rock and dance. Strong-willed the songs blast forward with great energy. Elements of their work are reminiscent of much of DFA’s immense catalog in particular the hyperactive work of Holy Ghost! Synthesizers sparkle with catchy melodies. Able to embrace their pop sensibilities these are pieces that display…
Df3 – “Tell Me”
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Df3’s “Tell Me” embodies dance pop at its most optimistic. Akin to Röyksopp at his most ebullient the piece absolutely bubbles with well-crafted hooks and satisfying pieces. Singing through a series of filters the song tries to capture the emotion that transmits over such long distances. Clearly this is reflected in the song’s sound which…
Piqued Jacks – Climb Like Ivy Does
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Piqued Jacks “Climb Like Ivy Does” is full of heart. Songs are full of Byzantine twists and turns. The sound is a rich tapestry merging elements of psychedelic, dream pop, classical, and even elements of post-rock. Vocals rip through the distortion to make themselves heard. Lots of textures are thrown together with a nice balance…
Privet Earth
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Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and raised in Vologda, a small city of a few hundred miles from Moscow, Ivan Smirnov was heavily influenced by American/British rock scene and started writing his own musical material in English at the age of 8. While studying classical piano for five years, Ivan also picked up interest in…
Dave Bailin & The Bailouts
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How shall I sum up the sound of Dave Bailin & the Bailouts for you? How about kind of ground breaking? While actually sounding like he’s not so over produced like some of the more modern sounding artists out there like John Maher, Bailin manages to capture a sound that is old yet surprisingly fresh…
Ian C. Bouras
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DIY / Homemade guitar loop composer from New York, Ian C. Bouras just released his latest 6 Track release entitled: ”Two Sides to Every Sunset.” Ian produced, played guitar, bass, and mixed AñaVañA’s second release entitled “R*U*B” (2005), which was called: “Sophisticated and musically brilliant… a magnetic hybrid of music… a refreshing 2nd full length…
J. R. Holmes – The Truth
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J. R. Holmes is one of a select few musicians moving the R & B sound into the future. “The Truth” possesses a beautiful lush sound that elegantly displays J.R. Holmes’s classical and jazz training. He matches this training with dark electronics that help to set the shadowy atmosphere that comes to define the song.…
Luke Jon Shearer – Close Your Eyes, Open Your Mind
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The great artists out there offer listeners something that can be awe-inspiring. This artist based out of Australia fits well into Sonic-Pop category with his 2015 release entitled “Atmospheric Disturbances.” Project consists of 1 primary core member: Luke Jon Shearer. This CD “Close Your Eyes, Open Your Mind” keeps on going and the passion remains…
Glen Conway Naylor – A Paris August Moon
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“A Paris August Moon” reveals a warped jazz sensibility that recalls the best of Angelo Badalamenti’s work. With a night vibe to it there is a darkness that informs much of the song. From the vocals to the shadowy instruments things hide in the background. The song is full of love, the kind of love…
C-Rod – The Devil Is Real
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First thing that hit me off C-Rod’s latest record, The Devil Is Real, was the incredible beats he had found throughout this mix. C-rod himself has a wicked flow…almost sounds like he would have fit in with the Onyx crew from back in the serious-rap heyday. After the intro drops, he launches into hard-tales from…
Arid Garden – Arid Garden
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Big fan of these five songs on this new EP from Arid Garden, let me say that right from the get-go. This is a highly ambitious band bringing a form of progressive jazz right to the top of my playlist right now. There’s a complete wealth of ideas within each song and within this entire…
Megan Shanley – Ready for Love
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Former winner of the Miss Virginia title, Meghan Shanley made the move from her home state of Virginia to Nashville to follow her musical passion. She achieved high acclaim once she got there with appearances at the venerable Ryman Auditorium and an appearance on Food Network performing her song “Here” at TV personality Paula Deen’s…
Liv Margaret – Spinning
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Liv Margaret’s voice is clear and distinctive on “Spinning”. Full of peppy energy “Spinning” virtually bursts at the seams. The giddy sensibility of the songs is obvious. Additionally the arrangements flow perfectly with Liv Margaret’s strong voice at the center. By focusing on a bouncy pop sensibility the songs work together to create a comfortable…
Amarachi – All or Nothing
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Stocked full of hooks and a jovial playing style that never lets its guard down, to melodies which linger long after the playing has passed. From the fringes of New York comes Amarachi with her latest EP release entitled “All or Nothing” This stunning collection provides 6 tantalizing tracks with unique melodies that soak every…
Saints Eleven – I Told You
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Well…if there’s definitely one thing I can tell you, it’s that the album you’re about to hear about from Saints Eleven is so true to the rock-country music genre – the REAL one, not the modern-pop version; so genuine and authentically played I can all but guarantee this would drive many of our rock-metal fans…
Kari Tieger – Illumination
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Kari Tieger is a Singer/Songwriter and Composer who writes and performs in both English and French, about love, spiritual growth and relationships. Her compositions traverse seamlessly from the realms of dramatic vampire love lore and songs full of hope for the future, to Neoclassic chamber music and jazzy instrumentals. Kari’s music has also been described…
