CD and DVD reviews
Denny Diamond & The Jewels is majestic on “Diamond Mountain EP”. The sound is large and all-encompassing. Passionate delivery defines the EP as it unfurls at a languid pace letting the small flourishes of sound bloom into bright bursts. Remarkably colorful in terms of texture and lyrical content these are songs that soar ever higher.…
Matthew Azrieli’s “Chloe” is pop music at its most affectionate. His voice is endearing and calm. The arrangements are immaculate with everything in its right place. A timeless sound defines the album with upbeat melodies and reassuring lyrics. Put together, all of this creates the kind of mood a listener can stretch out into, finding…
The Afro Nick has an effortless cool to it. With a feeling reminiscent of The Strokes at their absolute apex, The Afro Nick delves into a number of wonderful genres. By tapping into a raw classic rock sound the songs are pared down to the absolute basics. Vocals are direct and prominently displayed throughout the…
“Never in Agreement” begs to be played loud. Attik Door comes in swinging with a flailing drums, an endless supply of hooks and vocals that soar above it all. Brash, bold, this is rock to a perfect tee. Everything about it from the catchiness to the sense of unity among all the songs. For those…
Novakaine debuted at Artomatic, DC 2012 as a progressive ensemble performing in the genres of Rock and Blues with hints of Punk and Reggae. The four piece band of experienced musicians come from many different musical and cultural backgrounds. Bringing a combination of these genres gives Novakaine a huge advantage in the industry. Their sound…
R&B is probably one of the most difficult genres to sing, because you have to have the “it” factor to make it. Nobody really knows what that is, but when you hear it, you’ll know. There is always a lot of soul and heart in R&B and I could definitely see that Catrina Parker had…
Brannue Life lacks nice drops and good bass that is commonly most enjoyed in EDM style songs, without the key drops it anticipation build up. While they’re still fun to listen to I would say they did not make the best EDM song in the world. They don’t lack potential though. If Brannue were to…
When one thinks of a party anthem, what does one think of? Do they think of the biggest EDM artist at the time? Maybe the biggest pop artist who has the catchiest lyrics that make you want to get up and dance? I’m sure most people would agree that to have a party song, it…
The ‘Sarah’ in the title refers to famous jazz singer Sarah Vaughan from the 1940’s-ish era, and also points to solo-artist Delilah’s pure love for her music & sound. With this EP, Delilah Sings Sarah + 1 cover of another renowned artist, Nat King Cole, in a set of four songs that display a real…
Paul Kloschinsky is a Folk Rock Singer Songwriter from Delta, BC, Canada. He won the 2007 MusicAid Award for Best Canadian Songwriter for my original song Wearin’ Blue. He just released my first album, Woodlands, February 24, 2009 on Prism/Universal in Canada. Paul Kloschinsky was born in Saskatchewan in 1963. He attended the University of…
Emily Vance is of a breed that’s overly common nowadays. She’s a seventeen year-old, delightfully pretty country singer-songwriter with a pop-acoustic vibe. Think Taylor Swift. Her new EP is ‘Finding My Way,’ a four track outing. How does she handle the spotlight, though? Is it original and creative, or contrived and overdone? In this space…
Mark Maze’s “Uncomfortable Truths” are shooting stars of pop perfection. Elegantly crafted these are songs that unfold gradually and gigantically. Nothing but anthems these are the kinds of songs people have no choice but to sing along to for they are about universal truths. Love, anxiousness, rejection, determination, these are the key component of each…
You be hard press to find something negative to say about Sasha’s Bloc. They’ve honed their old school jazz and swing sound to a fine art, and deliver it perfectly in their new album. Founded three years ago by Alexander Gershman, the bassist, the band combines a wide range of musicians who are all intensely…
I am an avid rock music lover, for a really long while I labeled myself as a ¨Rocker¨ as the one and only genre I will really be mostly into and the other type of music, well, let´s just say I barely paid attention to them – of course, as I grew up and started…
832’s “The RAP-ture” is a moody album that emerges from the darkness into the light. Throughout the album the tempos move through at a slow and deliberate pace. Vocal delivery matches the overall sense of darkness that permeates most of the album. Religious imagery finds itself embedded within the lyrics, the idea of eternal damnation…
Gibrish is off and running with their latest single that features 3 tracks people will definitely be talking about! This Swedish-based band incorporates an array of different musical elements & styles from folk, rock, blues, jazz and pop to fusion, world music, alternative country and soul. Gibrish has got you covered on all levels as…
Evan’s “New Folk” shows the future of folk music. With an excellent mixture of both Evan’s intimate voice with the full warmth brought on by his band, “New Folk” excels at the emotive. Songs are remarkably catchy. Rhythms roll by as gentle breezes. His strong voice is the centerpiece of the album weaving the many…
Dave Plaehn’s “Radio Sister” is music that soothes the soul. Incredibly lush the arrangements are tasteful and restrained. The playfulness of the band is apparent, the glistening keyboards, the tight rhythms, and the clean guitars. Lyrically the songs are full of hope. Stylistically Dave Plaehn covers a wide range from Steely Dan inspired blues to…
Dear Criminals work with the gritty sounds of life. Effortlessly combining moody electronics and longing vocals the pieces have maintain a delicate balance. On one hand the songs possess a true sense of humanity akin to the hushed tones of the most intimate folk. The minimal electronics are tastefully deployed throughout the album. At times…
This somewhat mysterious singer-songwriter from the East Coast just released his latest 10 Track CD entitled “Walking to Dreamland” in 2014. Overall Internet presence is slowly taking shape as I learned a few things about him even before I hit play. The CD hits the deck running with a strong “Walking to Dreamland” title track…
Maine native Christopher Giles’ debut album, Finding My Way, is a strong entry in Christian contemporary circles. Terms like that tend to leave secular listeners wavering over an artist’s personal appeal. A single listen to this album will dismiss any concerns. Giles astutely filters his spiritual message through every day language and resists any temptation…
This is the energy that I need right now to wake me up. I’ve been on my grind again; passing the 300th mark for reviews officially with #301 right here with Young Pandas, the opening cut “Say What You Mean” starts off Enigmas with the musical equivalent of a Red Bull as they get the…
Singer/songwriter L.A. Davis was born in the bustle and commune of London’s East End. His spirit and determination to succeed come from an overwhelming ability to understand life from a lesser advantaged view point. As a true ‘Cockney’ Londoner, he centers his lyrics right from the heart…. ‘….it really doesn’t matter what a melody sounds…
We Accept The Love We Think We Deserve is a song dedicated to that universal truth: the feeling of hopelessness that precedes and follows any breakup. The lyrics focus on the sadness that one experiences with being alone. A full sound accompanies Sarantos’s voice as the band takes on a cinematic scope. Sweeping sounds help…
True Groove All-Stars gives a new twist to the old classics. Stretched out mellow covers tap into the calm of each original song. Usually these grooves verge on the dreamy, as the pieces themselves highlight their unique approach. Vocal delivery seems to come from far away and are rather airy in terms of delivery. By…
Pat McGee’s self-titled record, his 10th effort is a doozie. Recorded in Los Angeles in 2014, with a legendary band: Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Danny Kortchmar, Jeff Pevar and guests: Little Feat’s Paul Barrere, Blues Traveler’s John Popper, Train’s Pat Monahan, Punchbrother’s Gabe Witcher as well as the PMB powerhouse players! To land…
“Magic Dreams” recalls a woozy kind of pop, the kind of comforting thing needed after eight hours at work. Damon & Matthews work in creating an unusual mood, rigid with a motorik rhythm before it loosens up into a strange dream interlude. Comparisons to those wonderful early 2000s solo artists, the ones who did it…
East meets west in perfect harmony with New Delhi’s Anjali Ray as she releases Indigo Boy. Influenced by the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Sade, and Tori Amos, this Hindi artist understands the irresistible mix of pop sensibilities and dynamic lyricism. Citing her extensive training in playing classical piano, Indian Hindustani classical vocal training, and even…
I think it’s safe to say Tony Lucca is someone The Voice got right. While lacking international superstars of staying power like American Idol in its heyday, Lucca, the second runner-up of season two, is known for touring with the likes of Maroon 5, Sara Bareilles, and Marc Anthony. Not a bad job to say…
Two years passed before Philly singer-songwriter Andrea Nardello could put pen to pad and chime out a love song for which she wrote for her girlfriend. Echo, her seven-song EP, comprises Nardello’s self-awareness of who she is as an artist and a human being. Choosing the best batch out of twenty demoed tracks, Echo comes…
Pure Dynamite’s “Bisexuality ft. Quinsessa” is a beast of a track. First of all it samples perhaps one of the catchiest things Armand Van Helden has ever done. In fact in many ways the Armand Van Helden track “You don’t even know me” feels like an apt pick. Lyrically the song focuses on personal identity…
Thru the Looking Glass uses a wide variety of samples to offer a reflection of sorts on religion. Heavy dollops of discussions from the movie “Dogma” are used as are nostalgic sweet tidbits from sounds of long ago. Such things help to make it a unique involved listen. Noah Archangel lets the songs feed off…
Wolf Pakk’s “Swerve” is simply stunning. Every sound is immaculate and perfectly produced. Punchlines and jokes abound within the song. At times there are so many and they move so quickly that it is impossible to pick up on them with the first listen. Upon multiple listens the cleverness of the piece begins to fully…
V2.5 is what goes bump in the night. Antone’s tracks positively bounce with energy. Elastic grooves define the album. Melodies are infectious. Pieces of it are reminiscent of early Warp Records, particularly pioneers like LFO. For Antone’s work is that concise. Here Antone further refines his approach using a remarkably large palette of sound and…
The Mailman’s Children’s “The Spiders We Eat” marks the bands fourth release since forming in 2000. Containing only 5 tracks (2 of which are an electric and an acoustic version of the same track – “Ride in Your Mind) I was curious if these limited-track albums were perhaps the band’s “thing” and discovered that their…
The Blackmail Seduction is rock done right. Blasting forth with energy it recalls the best elements of classic rock. Kept to the absolute basics (no synthesizer, no walls of sound) these are songs that feel remarkably familiar. Pleasant in their demeanor the songs oftentimes stretch out forming rather intricate rhythms. Vocals are earnest. Lyrically the…
Not so much in music but in movies there has been for a while this kind of curse where sequels usually are doomed to failure, though a few films find the way to break away (take the The Godfather II as an example), they happen to be better than the original. Well, the same happens…
Shaded Glitch’s “Lost in a Labyrinth” begs to be played as loud as possible. Dance music has rarely sounded this uninhibited. With massive everything (bass, beat, distortion) the songs are a pure rush of energy. This is pure uncut party music. Vocals in the mix help to add to this overall feeling of decadence. Everything…
Troy Petty…sir…WHERE have you been hiding? Let me just say…I am absolutely giving you the first-impressions I’m getting from Troy’s new EP departure here…and if it stays ANYTHING like the opening track “All Ghosts” we are completely listening to a future superstar…and that future might not be far away at all with a massive sound…
Don’t think for a single moment that I don’t appreciate just how lucky I am…I do…constantly. I’ve had the good fortune to discover some really excellent music as of late; but even I don’t know if I can pinpoint something I’ve heard that I’ve loved as much as I do the new EP Sad Generation…
