Positive, upbeat, and filled with sounds that will cheer you up this summer, Stellar’s latest track, ‘Fight For Love’ is one of the happiest electronic pop song’s you’ll hear today. https://soundcloud.com/stellar4u/fight-for-love-singlefree-download It’s easy to be immediately reminded of Cheryl Cole’s similarly titled ‘Fight For This Love’. That song was altogether darker in tone – Stellar’s…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Ari and the Alibis, Self titled EP
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Ari and the Alibis are a band out of Sarasota, FL and is making waves in a short period of time. Building quite the following with their worldly sounds fused with jazz, blues and a powerhouse vocal that exudes confidence and is winning their audience over. Listen – https://soundcloud.com/ari-and-the-alibis/sets/ari-and-the-alibis-ep There is a nice Latin flair…
Big Apple Blues, Energy
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On “Energy” Big Apple Blues narrates a day in the life of an average New York. Full of kinetic energy the songs refuse to slow down. Rather they move at full speed for there is no slowing down. The band clearly listens and works off each other creating a well-oil machine that effortlessly creates fully…
Tommy West, Frequencies of the Sun
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Tommy West’s “Frequencies of the Sun” is a real trip. Over the course of eleven songs Tommy West displays his considerable chops. “Frequencies of the Sun” is a remarkable album with the uncanny ability to show off talent while remaining well attuned to the necessity of melodic progression. His penchant for 70s rock is particularly…
THE EMPTY HEARTS, THE EMPTY HEARTS
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The Empty Hearts are another super group of sorts, where successful members of past bands (The Cars, Blondie, The Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings) get together to collaborate. This group is made up of Elliot Easton (Cars) on lead guitar, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Clem Burke (Blondie) on drums, Wally Palmar (Romantics)…
VANDENBERG’S MOONKINGS
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This Dutch group is made up of former Whitesnake guitarist and songwriter Adrian Vandenberg, Jan Hoving on vocals, Sem Christoffel on bass, and Mart Nijen Es on drums. Jan has a Robert Plant quality with the range and delivery that fits the songs here. The vocal duties would have also been right in Sammy Hagar’s…
Phillip Brandon, Debut EP
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Phillip Brandon’s homespun blend of roots rock, Americana, and Soul is captured in his new EP/album which goes by the same name. With just the right mix of sweetness and grit, the music is packed with the lowdown, roots soul that will make you groove and smile. Straight away I discovered Brandon to have a…
Rick Parma, Piece of Heaven
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This CD “Piece of Heaven” by Southern California’s own Rick Parma is probably destined to be remembered as one of the classic good timing Smooth-Jazz CD’s of recent time. I’m an experienced listener of the Jazz standard – and always skeptical as my standards set relatively high. This is not really Jazz mind you but…
The Midnight Slander, Long Way Home
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From Cleveland, Ohio comes rockers The Midnight Slander who just released their latest CD entitled “Long Way Home” in 2014 (Spectra Records). TMS are Dave Conner (Guitar/Vocals), Mike Gray (Bass/Piano/Organ), Al Rodriguez (Bass/Drums). Right from the start of Track 1 “Shattered” it might be easy to just categorize these 3 as a straight ahead “dime…
Able Danger, Escape
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Dayton, Ohio can claim a new force to hit the music scene and its name is Able Danger. Able Danger is a new progressive rock band that had its first gig back in November of 2013. Less than a year in existence, Able Danger is already makin’ a lot of noise. The group has already…
Darren Lawrence, Need To Change
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As the former lead singer for Ruby Tigers who had a decent run followed by some commercial success, Darren Lawrence now steps into the spotlight as a solo artist. Darren’s latest single, “Need To Change”, is off of his debut solo EP titled ‘Enemies & Autumn Leaves’. I don’t know Darren personally, so not sure…
Northern National, Young & In Love
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Northern National’s “Young & In Love” defines the phrase “the importance of being earnest”. Such energetic fully felt songs adorn the collection. The songs work together to create a tapestry of sounds. Each one evolves in its own peculiar way. With a full-fledged committed band working together the group manages to show a lot of…
Ian & The Dream, California Cauliflower
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Ian & The Dream’s “California Cauliflower” sounds like summertime. Remarkably sunny the songs are full of optimism. The poppy nature of the songs is undeniable as they are full of wonderful hooks. Lyrically the songs have plenty of hope in them as they sync up perfect with lush instrumentation. With a true sense of playfulness…
Kristopher James, Movement 1
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Kristopher James conjures up wintery landscapes for “Movement 1”. There is warmth within these tracks of a house waiting to let someone in from the cold. His voice confirms this as the rest of the world appears to be kept at bay with a few basic instruments intended to bring great comfort. Outside of the…
Perfect Mark, Flesh & Voice
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Perfect Mark’s blend of pop rock balances smooth vocals with a good helping of grit. Listen: http://perfectmark.bandcamp.com ‘Footprints’ kicks things off sounding like classic R.E.M. with its jangling guitars and thundering bass, it’s a confident opener and a strong piece of rock that sets out Perfect Mark’s stall in a way that shows what to…
Dalal, Suddenly
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Dalal’s “Suddenly” starts off in full force. The sound is lush, lean and pristine. Every aspect of it is pure perfection from the beat to the hypnotic repetition that reveals greater nuance with more listens. Her voice is the beating heart of the piece. For all the production (which is incredibly enjoyable) it is her…
Creation Mind, The Crimson Sun
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Creation Mind’s “The Crimson Sun” is a fine homage to classic rock. With such big dreams Creation Mind covers all with its ceaseless sunlight. The music covers all classic rock variations: from the brilliantly brash album opener and title track “The Crimson Sun” to the quiet “My Lover and My Dream”. Even the track titles…
Bonnie Finken, Fairy Tales/Love Affairs
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A native of the Iowa Singer Bonne Finken just released a ground breaking 14 song CD entitled “Fairy Tales/Love Affairs” in 2014. On the heels of a new single and music video for the robust pop anthem “Step Back Baby,” audiences are getting a sense of the new direction for Finken’s third studio album, Fairytales/LoveAffairs,…
Skymonk, Skymonk
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From the opening bars of Skymonk’s self titled EP, a confident wash of smoky blues tinged indie rock launches itself forward, paving the way for ten minutes of solid tunes. Listen – http://skymonk.bandcamp.com Opener ‘Stop Looking At Me’ manages to set the bar high, with a sultry, hazy rock riff that perfectly underpins the track’s…
Heylel, Nebulae
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Heylel’s “Nebulae” shows the evolution of progressive rock. With a well-placed King Crimson cover thrown into the mix (I Talk to the Wind) Heylel displays progressive rock influences and progressive rock’s future. Ana Batista’s vocals appear to be the unifying force throughout the collection. Such a strong distinctive voice helps to bond the many different…
Jelani Lateef, Manhood Talk
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Jelani Lateef’s “Manhood Talk” is aural optimism. The rhythm of the piece feels incredibly colorful. Samples are carefully selected and lightly manipulated to fit with the overall positivity that emanates from the sound. Over the course of the piece Jelani Lateef manages to convey the image of someone who is slowly realizing their purpose and…
Amen Alibi, Addicted
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Amen Alibi could well be time travellers, bringing their instruments with them from forty years ago to make use of the modern recording technology that is now so readily available. Their latest release, Addicted, brings together a whole host of influences and ideas from the classic prog/psych rock era, and delivers it with a sense…
Clouds and Clocks, Aliantha
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Clouds and Clocks creates a truly surprisingly piece with “Aliantha”. With many different twists and turns the piece manages to be full of life and full of influences. Many of the sounds are those that otherwise would never meet. The juxtaposition of the varying styles works surprisingly well. Few groups have ever tried merging these…
Benn Bacot, 4Love of Abbey! (VOLUME I)
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This CD 4Love of Abbey! (VOLUME I) is the latest release from San Francisco based Jazz Vocalist Benn Bacot. A CD of standards, some classics, of the American Songbook. Old blues from 1895 to 60’s vocalese this CD showcases the many layers of a voice not often heard in today’s music. No tenor or baritone…
Eric Frisch, “Mary Ann”
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Country is as country does right here with Eric Frisch’s ‘Mary Ann’. Stream the single: https://soundcloud.com/ericfrisch/mary-ann Cracking out some classic blues riffs and laying down some serious square dance fodder, this is one of those tracks that ain’t going to be for everyone. Writing as a Brit, it’s not one of those genres that gets…
Azwel, From Now On
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Azwel’s “From Now On” is studious, well-crafted pop made perfect. “From Now On” sounds remarkably similar to Jon Brion’s soundtrack work. Azwel’s casual songwriting approach and vocal style make it surprisingly tender with a warm, well lived-in sound. Much of the album has a cinematic feel to it that allows the songs to gain an…
Devyn Rose, Falling 4 U
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“As if Rihanna and Labyrinth decided to turn to diamond theft, only to give up halfway through the heist and head to a club instead without bothering to change out of their cat burglar outfits.” Loaded with emotion, yearning, and the ache of new love, Devyn Rose’s ‘Falling 4 U’ is a rich and soulful…
Mesa Jane, Level
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The new “Level” CD from Pennsylvania based Mesa Jane is an exceptional 10 Track release and is very multi-dimensional to say the least. It also however possesses an undeniable Alternative Rock-Pop core sound accessible by all listeners – even old school Singer/Songwriter, 80’s, 90’s Pop fans. Does all of this sound a bit over the…
Jambalaya Brass Band, On the funky Side (2012)
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On the funky Side (2012) is the latest album available by New York based Jambalaya Brass Band and their red hot Creole Soul sound. First a bit about the band: The Jambalaya Brass Band is a group of seasoned musical pros from a variety of impressive previous musical settings as diverse as the Duke Ellington…
A Light Within, Preface (EP)
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Patient, refined, with enough space for the ultimate crescendo, the three pieces on “Preface (EP)” build off of each other. Together they work to create a series of fascinating dark territories. Outside of the obvious debt to Post-Rock they have a number of particularly well selected moments. From their focus on constant change the songs…
BEEMA, Scuse Me
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Ft. Pierce, Florida is the home to BEEMA, a female rap artist who knows how to work her hooks and flows into epic tunes at every turn. Citing T.I, Lauren Hill, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Lil “Queen Bee” Kim, and Nas as her influences, BEEMA is known as THE BOSS OF THE SOUTH.…
Jacob Acosta, For the People by the People
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One of the greatest things a music-lover can experiences is the discovery of a new artist so exciting, so invigorating it makes the listener want to “really” write about it. Though I don’t write reviews under false pretenses I will admit many times I find myself writing reviews based on music that is to say…
Gone By Sunrise, Gone By Sunrise
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Gone By Sunrise makes the perfect weekend soundtrack. These are casual songs in the best way possible creating a relaxed atmosphere. Utilizing a myriad of stylistic choices from straight-up rockers to acoustic-centered pieces, they manage to nestle themselves into the mind. Everything comes together nicely. Perfectly balanced they are full-bodied, fully formed pieces with plenty…
Hellgate EP
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This is such a sizzling EP what else can I say in the end? This stacked 8 track EP by three piece Hellgate is more than explosive, amazing and dramatic, it’s also extremely suspenseful and delivers a classic old school alt-rock style. HELLGATE are: Joel Floyd West (Guitar, Vocals), Scott Daniels (Bass), Jordan Sean (Drums).…
The Disc Rays, “Love Ain’t Easy”
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The Disc Rays is a musical project from Owen Martin, he is a songwriter and guitar player out of Ireland. This is a total jam band, he’s having fun and pulling out the big guns with some influential presence from the Velvet Underground and Jesus and Mary Chain. The recording and production have an old…
Roxanna, Exotica
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Having cut her teeth with multiple of stepping stone life experiences Roxanna has been turning people’s heads and ears. Ultimately, it was the relative of a hospital patient who asked why she wasn’t pursuing entertainment professionally—and offered the missing ingredient: financial backing. Roxanna then contacted producer Portmann and sang Aguilera’s “Lift Me Up.” In a…
Charlee Remitz, These Veins (EP)
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Who is Charliee Remitz anyway? Listening to her music I get a sense of urgency. It’s a need to capture the moments before they are gone and you forget. Sometimes, it’s about the dust left behind by what just got burned off, and the sense of loss that comes with that. Sometimes it’s about the…
Sarantos, I Love To Love You Too
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Europop drenched in auto-tune right here. Sarantos’ ‘I Love To Love You Too’ is enigmatic and curious. On first listen, it comes across as naive, but as things unfold, the track reveals itself to be more overly earnest in its efforts. On the face of it, ‘I Love To Love You Too’ is a straightforward…
Atom Strange, The Lost Cosmonaut
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ATOM STRANGE formed in 2006 with musicians Alex Rude and Rick Dunn. They shared a vision of forming a rock band that was inspired by science fiction, true life, and the absurd, and intentionally tries to avoid the clichés normally heard in the hard rock genre. The band now has several albums to their credit…
Save the Radio, Calculating the Sum of Your Life
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“Save The Radio, a Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida based modern rock band has been drawing industry comparisons to such iconic adult contemporary acts as Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox Twenty. It’s rather odd that I like this as much as I do. I mean, it’s very mainstream and even feels a bit like two bands I…
