CD and DVD reviews
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…
Nick DeStefano is a singer/songwriter from NJ who performs with his band The Spiders at local bars in North Jersey. He has performed all over North America. He has appeared on MTV with videos he shot with Faces In The Crowd & Y Fly 2 London. He signed a publishing deal with Grammy award winning…
Renee Ruth Band’s “Wanting Me” is a hot spicy song dedicated to passionate love and lust. Her voice carries the entire thing. The rest of the band merely orbits around her commanding voice. Playful the lyrics bounce off the lively rhythms. With remarkable clarity the song’s clear narrative between the singer and the onlooker show…
Radiolab’s “Dreamless” possesses a truly ethereal quality. Samples filter their way through the gauzy, shoegaze-inspired sounds. Then there are the vocals which have an airy quality to them almost appearing to float above the rest of the mix. Guitar work is delicate nimble work that reaches the right balance between that of simplicity and transcendence.…
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…
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…
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…
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’…
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,…
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,…
“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…
“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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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 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 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 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…
“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’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…
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’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…
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…
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…
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…
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’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’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” 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…
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…
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…
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 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.…
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…
