CD and DVD reviews
Staunch Moderates are set to return to the studio this year to follow up on their brilliant Mission Peace album, which hit the Grammy first ballot in three different categories including Album Of The Year. The band discuss several meaningful social topics on their recordings, as well as paying tribute to key thought leaders in…
Prepare to embrace this new release from J. D Malone and The Experts because ‘Even Sunbeams’ will light up your ears. There are seven, standout songs on this new record that will excite your senses. J.D Malone and The Experts are stealing the show with ‘Even Sunbeams’. We have J.D Malone on vocals & acoustic…
Russ Hewitt embarks on a journey dripping with romance and outright love on “Chasing Horizons”. Without needing to say a single word, the expressiveness of his acoustic guitar says it all. The classic element of the arrangements feels profound. He goes for the timelessness of the sound and is richly rewarded. Everything on here has…
Hello London pours his heart out on the art pop passion of “Past Futures”. Beyond the art pop roots, elements of indie rock, lo-fi, post-punk, and more enter into the equation. The vocals on here tie it altogether for there is a pleading urgency that is so life-affirming. Riffs here have this infectious quality, pulling…
Are you ready for a listening experience you won’t soon forget? If you answered yes, then prepare your ears for a wild ride with Vertacyn Arc Materializer’s latest release titled ‘Phlodd’. This San Francisco-based band will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about music after taking in ‘Phlodd’. I can almost bet that…
Scott & Sabrina let their righteous romantic relationship take center-stage on the fire and passion of “Blessed”. Full of such good energy the songs have a soul to them. Lyricism reigns supreme for each song tells its own story. When taken in as a singular whole they sing the tale of a life lived to…
In her new song “Dandelion,” singer Justine Sletten isn’t pulling any punches in the lyrical attack she employs – if anything, she’s going out of her way to show us just how assertive and open she can be with her audience, even in a more intimate composition. Sletten is reaching out to us in “Dandelion,”…
California ™ – feat. Les Fradkin radiates a pure, unabashed joy for the world on the celebratory “California Loves You”. The instrumentation bursts at the seams. So much energy pours out of the piece resulting in this sense of pure contentment. By far the highlight comes from Les Fradkin on the guitar with the riffs…
Gnarled twisted paths define nasmore’s burning vision on the darkly titled “Welcome to the Hell (feat. Neil Taylor & La Strange)”. Industrial, noise, pop, all of these get filtered through their distinct worldview. Best of all there is a sheer intensity to this, one that confronts the listener so completely. Everything about it has a…
Joseph James is delivering an early Valentine’s Day present to the entire, listening audience with his latest release titled “Valentine”. This is a debut single for Joseph James and he is hoping to pick up major traction and steam heading into the next occasion that is filled with hearts & such. Why go with the…
American indie kingpin and melodic champ Ronnue has conquered the Washington scene with his mighty voice that some critics have compared to legends, and his new single “You Got Me Open” is almost guaranteed to get listeners across the world addicted to his sound all over again this January. A once-unknown who quickly found some…
Just as Monty Python brought you “And Now For Something Completely Different”, Blind Uncle Harry stays in that same lane with his latest release titled ‘Visualize Industrial Collapse’. Blind Uncle Harry brings a unique approach to music making that will make your ears spin on his most recent album. Blind Uncle Harry says the heck…
I recently had the pleasure of listening to the amazing Thoughts & Scares, the new full-length album from guitar guru Darren Michael Boyd, before its upcoming release date this January, and while unsure of what to expect – as instrumental records are often more unpredictable than your garden variety rock albums are – I came with…
Matty Marz’s single, “My First Tattoo,” brings ‘80s music right back, front and center, with his intentionally stuttered opening vocal line. He sings it over an upfront keyboard part that has all the feel of an MTV video. Shortly in, Marz points out, “You sure left your mark.” Yes, like a tattoo – even that…
Conner Cherland is a talented singer/songwriter from Southern California that makes ‘Call Waiting’ sound like the best thing since sliced bread! ‘Call Waiting’ is a new EP by Conner Cherland that features 6, well-constructed songs. Based on themes of love, loss and emotional maturity, ‘Call Waiting’ offers the listener a full bowl of audible goodness.…
The press and other talking heads may write that country rock is dead. Sarah Diamond and the Soul Miners, however, prove there’s plenty of life in the genre if you know where to listen. Diamond and the band are based out of Florida where they first emerged with the single “I Got Away”. This chronicle…
When you think of music coming out of the state of Georgia, your mind might gravitate towards the booming hip-hop and rap scene from Atlanta, giving the masses such artists as OutKast and Migos, as well as classic acts such as TLC, REM, and the B-52s. One outlier of a band, however, hails from Athens,…
It’s the most wonderful time of year again and Worldwide Recording Artist, Laura Cheadle is making it sound even sweeter with “On This Christmas Night”. Christmas time is here and Laura Cheadle has decided to share an early present in the form of a perfectly-wrapped song. “On This Christmas Night” is described by Laura, herself,…
Over the past year, the world has experiencing a lot of turmoil, with political tension, war, and other issues plaguing people across the planet. Willie J “The Philosopher” is an outspoken supporter of peace and equality, and he uses his music to make a difference and raise awareness on these issues. His most recent singles…
As soon as I hit Play, I am instantly enthralled with what I am hearing on ‘From Dreams to Screens’. Brian Hutson has a way of drawing you in by way of his vocal delivery and musical ability, so don’t fight it and just go with it. ‘From Dreams to Screens’ is the latest release…
In an age where musical tastes are endless and artists are a dime a dozen, God Knows Records invites musicians to just be themselves. It’s a simple formula really and hoping to be one that catches on for God Knows Records, which is just BE YOU and DO YOU! Allowing an artist to grow and…
Dianña’s “Missing You Underneath the Mistletoe” has the sort of Christmas song sparkle that reminds listeners of bygone classics of the past. Framing it in modern sonic terms doesn’t prove to be an issue because the track has a world class vocal presence breathing new life into its traditional vibe. Mark Needham, a well -known…
The reputation of Rap music, like the hip-hop scene that spawned it, was always predicated on the dexterousness of its wordplay and the lyrical deftness. And while too many artists seem to have lost track of this content, as they are, to mumble self-agrandising statements and adopt the status of victemhood and the underdog, Tay…
If this autumn’s pop music has had a consistent theme across the board, it’s simplicity. From country to hip-hop and back to rock n’ roll, there’s a demand for efficient songcraft unlike anything we experienced in the 2010s – a time in which decadence made a play for supremacy in pop music – and artists…
A sparkling synth melody adorns the bars of “Shame,” the new single from Migrant Motel, but its gilded introduction doesn’t hold a candle to the musical magic that it will soon unleash in this fourth release from the much-buzzed project. There has been a lot of discussion about the diverse array of influences this band…
‘Tune It Out’ is the second album release for singer/songwriter & guitarist Marsden who is based in Madison, Wisconsin. Marsden combines alternative/grunge rock with a modern, Indie twist that works out wonderfully. With musical influences that range from: Jerry Cantrell and John Frusciante to Ian Thornley, David Gilmore and even Chris Cornell, Marsden covers a…
The song title to Alias Wayne’s new single, “Love One Another,” is most likely inspired by John 13:34 in the New Testament, where Jesus states: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” For Alias Wayne, love is an action word, and not…
Cary Shields is no stranger to recording & performing memorable songs with years of experience as a hard-working musician. This new EP by Cary Shields hits on all the right notes and is honestly a breath of fresh air. “‘Radio’s Playin’” five, great songs, so turn up the volume and enjoy the show! You have…
Although some rather shortsighted critics will tell you that rock has been dead on the mainstream level for years now, the underground rock scene is thriving well beyond what it was just ten years ago in 2022. Competition is intense, but although there is no shortage of interesting independent rock groups coming up through the…
With his single, “Make It Rain,” Mike Berman takes an expression which sometimes carries with it somewhat naughty connotations and transforms it into a positive view of the pouring out love. In the hip-hop cultural vernacular, ‘making it rain’ refers to lavishing pretty strippers at a strip club with dollar bills. However, such a reference…
Business Girl is a song that can make time travel. First performed by The Immaculate Crows back in 1982, it returns to us via their new album, And Then There Were Two. But, unlike most time travelers, it seems totally at home in the modern era. Lyrically, we follow a working woman through the even…
Miguel Kertsman has captured musical lightning in a bottle with his latest release titled ‘In The Moment’. Miguel Kertsman is most certainly ‘In The Moment’ with his new album and just having fun making music at the end of the day. Miguel Kertsman is an accomplished composer & keyboardist and on his most recent project,…
Noah Hoffeld has created a ‘Mobile Home’ that is welcoming and a place where you can feel safe and secure. All of the musical bolts, nuts and elements are properly secured within this ‘Mobile Home’ and so this structure isn’t going anywhere! Noah combines classical music with modern rock on his new release titled ‘Mobile…
Charley Carrozo is your musical director guiding you through these ‘Blinded Times’, so sit back and enjoy the ride. Charley Carrozo brings you 10, well-crafted songs to help you move forward and live for today. As crazy as things may get in this world, Charley Carrozo hopes to ease the stress and fight the confusion…
Journos is a duo made up of award-winning journalist & lyricist Bryan Russo and punk-rocker Ryan Abbott and together they are playing ‘In The Key of WTF’. This full-length album is the debut release for Journos and what a doozy it is. ‘In The Key of WTF’ will give you plenty to think about and…
Geoffrey James leads the Manchester-based act Third Development, and “Auras” is the follow-up single to the act’s 2022 debut album The Thought of Tomorrow. It is one exotic, atmospheric track. The three-and-a-half-minute slice of sound is noteworthy for its lead vocal, which is handled by Kintsuku. Kintsuku is a singer/songwriter also based in Manchester, England.…
Brisbane, Australia’s Hannah debuted in January 2022 with her single “Unlikely Two” and impressed many with its maturity and relatability. It isn’t surprising. Hannah discovered music at an early age, a common story, but it clearly helped her turn into the impressive talent we hear today. She began her musical studies in earnest at seven…
Bacon might seem like an odd subject to rap about until you realise Lewis Carpenter is talking about metaphorical Bacon. Moolah, Benjamins, greenbacks, bread. Money. It’s a theme that runs through his music, but at least he is honest about making money for a creative form that he loves, so why not make that the…
Although there’s a lot more we can learn about an individual artist from a straight-up album than we ever can a split, there’s just as much to be said about a record that brings together creative minds that might not have had the charisma they do in the same room separately. Case in point, the…
CUSPS’ Out For Blood is a collaboration between J. Sehorn and Daniel Twombly. Based in Kansas City, this duo grew out of two coworkers that worked together at an audio-video company. At first, these two just engaged in casual jamming together, which eventually evolved into more serious songwriting. The act’s noisy, dark music has been…
