Frankly Speaking is the brainchild of Jordon Schneider, a Cincinnati native who, upon taking a music degree, headed to Los Angeles, where he: recorded two albums, appeared on CD compilations with such acts as Lifehouse, and earned a nomination at the 2007 L.A. Music Awards. Having since returned to his hometown, he has performed on…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Liz Kennedy hits a “Speed Bump”
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The Review: Speed Bump by Liz Kennedy was released 2013. A highly anticipated release from a singer songwriter who hails from the Bay area featuring all original heartfelt songs on acoustic guitar and piano, accompanied by amazing musicians on electric and acoustic guitar, piano, organ and back-up vocals. I call this style of music “Mood…
When Summer’s Gone, Knockout Mechanism
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Exploding with the feisty punk rock of ‘After All’, When Summer’s Gone’s Knockout Mechanism immediately establishes itself as big, bold, and full on rockin’. Stream the full album at Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/when-summers-gone/sets/knockout-mechanism As an album opener, it’s a good way of getting your sound across effectively, with hints of Nirvana on the vocal and touches of…
EarthandtheNextSociety, On the path to the 100th Monkey
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In anticipation of their upcoming release, The 100th Monkey, Earth And The Next Society reveal four tracks to give a taste of what is coming up. Soaked in classic rock swagger, these tracks hark back to a time when prog rock reigned, while also acknowledging the clean aesthetics of modern music. https://soundcloud.com/earthandthenextsociety/sets/on-the-path-to-the-100th ‘Cheap Hustle’ bears…
Frostbite, Everything I Crave
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Frostbite is a one man rock band and constantly evolving portfolio of an emerging Atlanta based producer, experienced performer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter named Chris Compton. Chris Compton writes, performs, produces and releases all Frostbite material under his own dark moniker. Drawing influences by suspected artists such as Carnivore, A Pale Horse Named Death, Seventh Void…
Peter Kelly, Fear Of Landing
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Starting off sounding like Peter Kelly has something of a kinship with Jack Johnson, as ‘Fear Of Landing’ progresses it becomes clear that there is more going on here than might at first seem apparent. The verse is pretty laid back, with an engaging melody and some touching falsetto, but once the chorus kicks in,…
Kenny Fame, I Need U
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With the pop punch of a male Katy Perry and a side helping of skitteringly eccentric electronica, Kenny Fame’s ‘I Need U’ is incredibly fun, frenetic, and fanciful. I Need U (Lyric Video) http://youtu.be/fLpsKlY_Q-k Completely nuts, laced with 8-bit bleeps, soulful vocals, and airy atmospheric synths, this is music that takes not taking itself seriously…
36?, Where Do We Go From Here?
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From its opening bars, Where Do We Go From Here? establishes itself as a diverse and inventive record from 36? (The question mark is on purpose, and possibly even intended to be pronounced.) Drawing on sounds and influences from Arcade Fire, The Polyphonic Spree, and even the Mars Volta at times, Where Do We Go…
And They Are Us, And They Are Us
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Dark, dusty, brooding and skulking, And They Are Us opens with the grubby, moody ‘Last Day Of Summer’. Laced with distorted guitars and spoken vocal samples, the track is thrust along its timeline with breakbeats that underpin an exciting fusion of dance, rock, ambient, and dubstep. Link: https://soundcloud.com/andtheyareus ‘Groove Modulator’ stays firmly fixed in the…
The Goldilocks Enigma
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Interesting and inventive music that comes from a religious perspective is not only hard to come by, but also often hard to listen to. Bands like Danielson have made their mark in the past by using Christian imagery in their music, not as satire or attack but as an authentic use of personal faith being…
Our Friends and The Spiders, Walk Me Out
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”Your Ghost” is the first song on the album. It has nice, strong vocals and I really like the instrumentals. This seems like a fun band at first listen. I really like this song and how well it seems to be put together. Next comes “Wait.” It’s got really good music and is a lot…
Kathleen Haskard, Where the Land Meets the Sky
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The first song, “I’ll Be Your Fool” starts things off very nice and calm. Kathleen Haskard’s voice reminds me of a cross between Stevie Nicks and Bonnie Raitt. I like this one. It is simple and nice. It puts you in the mood to just sit back and relax with some good music. ”Untangle This…
Giulia Millanta, The Funambulist
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In the spirit of musical justice (as I find is severely lacking these days), I gave this latest CD from Giulia Millanta a good and proper listen and not only did I not hate it, but I actually kind of fell in love with it, and subsequently her in the process. Surprisingly, this gal is…
Ras Xix, Self Titled
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Ras Xix has a unique repertoire and displays his talent in his self titled CD released in May of 2014. He reigns out of Austin, TX and is bringing a fresh new sound to the everyday norm. It is raw and gritty and can also be soft and melodic, with a touch of a vibe…
The Music Industry Self Help Guide
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The Music Industry Self Help Guide—Taking Your First Steps Towards Trampling Over The Obstacles In An Independent Market. Mike Repel, who is a musician and independent record label owner, has finally done it with his new book! By providing an easy-to-read blueprint for emerging artists, “The Music Industry Self Help Guide” will serve as a…
Hysterical Sublime, Colour
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This 4 song e.p. by the Italian indie rock group Hysterical Sublime is both atmospheric and textured, with soft dynamics running through each carefully crafted track. The e.p. begins with harmonized vocals on the song “Colour” before it’s journey into synth pop. There are some similarities to Nine Inch Nails and the 90’s group VAST.…
Ready Never, Eleutherophobia
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Ready Never’s debut CD, Eleutherophobia is a dance electro pop compilation in a nice neat party package. They are out of L.A. and sing about the narcissistic society we are all living. They have a serious message conveyed in a positive, up beat way. Let your hands fly in the air and dance and sweat…
Keith Alan Mitchell, This Clumsy World
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‘Swaying’ sees Keith Alan Mitchell’s vocal sailing close to the tones of Ben Folds, all the more supported by the powerful, emotional piano performance. It’s something of a lighter-waver, with its gentle rhythm and creaking bass notes, and given some glue from Kathy Kennedy’s backing vocals. ‘You Just Disappear’ showcases some classic acoustic rock, with…
Doug Briney, Super Country Cowboy
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So across my desk slides the new 9 track CD from Doug Briney entitled Super Country Cowboy. Now that’s a bold yet confident title if I ever heard one. During my initial research of Briney there were a few lines from his bio that I really liked: Doug Briney embodies all things country: His personality…
Best Not Broken, Falling In
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Taking cues from classic modern rock, Best Not Broken’s latest EP Falling In is a rich and emotive recording laced with uplifting tones and packed with instantly hummable tunes. https://soundcloud.com/bestnotbroken Opening with ‘I Won’t Stop Loving You’, we’re immediately met with an Edge-like guitar delay that similarly echoes tones created by Angels and Airwaves, and…
Sticky Fingers, Like A Rolling Stone
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Sticky Fingers is known around the globe as the premiere Rolling Stones tribute band, selling out venues and out stoning The Stones. Now, singer Glen Carrol and company have brewed up a delicious beast of an album “Like A Rolling Stone” that covers the musical terrain of the 60’s and 70’s era classic rock sounds.…
Les Pauls, Holy Land Revisited
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Les Pauls (‘The Pauls’, get it?) album Holy Land Revisited is a passionate collection of serious rock. Opening with ‘Sleepwalking Through The Mist’, Les Pauls establish their sound as big, beefy pub rock that isn’t afraid to use some unusual embellishments such as chimes and more psych/prog elements. ‘Driving In The Final Nail’ uses a…
Miss Grizzly, Miss Grizzly (EP)
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There’s a real sense of cathartic musical independence here via this latest work from Calgary, AB (CAN) based musical project Miss Grizzly. While everything here on this latest self-titled 5 track musical teaser is shall I say exceptionally entertaining it also manages to cover a pretty wide range of musical styles as well. This is…
Amatus, Broken Compass
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Amatus is an interesting soul to say the least. She grew up in a rough neighborhood in Chicago and lived in Philadelphia and ended up in Brooklyn, NY. She is no stranger to hard times and loss of close family members to gun violence, but puts her energy into her music for a positive spin…
Laura Sailer, Stop the Tide
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Laura Sailer is a karaoke aficionada and singer-guitarist with extensive formal musical training. Aside from teaching elementary music, she provides private lessons in voice, piano, and guitar. Her musical style hovers somewhere between Joni Mitchell and Ani DiFranco. She’s played guitar for seven years, but is modest enough to admit that DiFranco is a “way…
Drunksouls, Just Before Chaos
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Drunksouls is a band out of Marseilles, France. They have hit the European festival scene and have built quite a name from word of mouth. They are celebrating their latest release, Just Before Chaos that is an eclectic blend of pop and reggae meshed with infectious grooves that keep you coming back for more. A…
Roberta De Francia, Kaleidoscope Stars
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Fusing jazz, folk, and funk with a real sense of fun, London based Italian singer songwriter Roberta De Francia’s Kaleidoscope Stars is a spunky collection of spiralling tunes to bring some sunshine into your day. ‘Get Up And Go’ kicks the album off in a suitably upbeat fashion, and comes into its own when the…
She Bears, We Will Be Fossils
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Columbus Ohio based band She Bears just released their latest CD We Will Be Fossils (2014). This CD contains a tenrocked out collection of recordings from different musical styles and a wide spectrum of emotions. Band includes Band members include Alex Douglas (Guitar, Keys, Bells), Alex Eiler (Drums, Vocals), Ryan Franz (Bass), Stephen Pence (Guitar,…
Jackslacks Release 2 New Singles
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The Jackslacks just dropped 2 new singles – (Other Side/Come Home With Me) under Bungalo Records. Right from the start this surging band led my guitarist/vocalist Jackslacks stands out from other artists in a good way within this overly saturated market. His answer to mundane music is to deliver something that will make you want…
Go, Robot Go – Good Vibes in Fashion Swimwear
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At times these guys just seem a little awkward. At other times they seem a little lackluster and unoriginal. For the most part, though, this works pretty well. Fun is the most common element here, making it the nitrogen of this musical atmosphere. “My Brain Is in Space” is the first song and noisy sounds…
Ari and the Alibis
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Mashing together swing, dancehall, and female-fronted indie rock, Ari and the Alibis is the record you never expected. Opening with ‘Whatever Lola Wants’, we’re treated to a sweet mariachi style introduction which explodes into an unrelenting barrage of skittering guitars and swollen trumpets. The vocals are so powerful, adding contrast and texture to the track,…
Simon Adams, Point and Shoot
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Simon Adams says he wants to be a part of some greater purpose. I believe he has found that purpose in his music and the song, Point and Shoot is taking him to new heights. Adams is from a small town on the south coast of England. But he set off to see the…
Dyanne Harvey, Whiskey & Wine
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Dyanne Harvey harnesses the familiar tones of Sara Bareilles and Celine Dion and delivers her own brand of country tinged soft rock on her sophomore EP, Whiskey & Wine. Opening with ‘Nothin’ New’, things start off pretty easy going, with a emotive piano and Dyanne’s voice coming across as clean and strong. It’s not long…
Steve Ryan, Boundless Moments
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Steve Ryan has an entire catalog of music and has added yet another gem to his collection with, Boundless Moments. This Georgia born musician started at an early age honing his craft and his talents are as boundless as the musical moments on this CD. Ryan, pours his heart and soul into each song with…
Shneal, The Prequel
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With an unrelenting flow, big bold sounds, and serious themes, The Prequel is Shneal’s latest album filled with powerful beats and the clear intention to ‘bring it’. Opening with ‘Universal’, there’s a darkness to the beginning stages of the album, musing on questions of life and moral choices. It’s grand sounding and engaging the whole…
Andrea Remondini, Non Sequitur
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A sprawling, experimental piece running for all of forty four minutes, Andrea Remondini’s Non Sequitur is a wonder-filled experience laced with world music influences. There are enormous crossover points to be found along the way, with the Air-like basslines and spooky choral lines, and the underlying straight-rock sensibilities that hold the entire composition together. From…
Matthew Schultz ft. Alessia Guarnera, Crazy Heart
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Duets are always interesting. It’s about finding two voices that work together to create a sense of chemistry and dynamic, as well as creative tension and blending together. On ‘Crazy Heart’, Matthew Schultz and Alessia Guarnera perform a valiant effort on this R&B schmoozer, with Guarnera’s voice opening the track over a wistful acoustic guitar.…
Joel Havea, Strings and Wood EP
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Joel Havea clearly loves the blues, and similarly loves the guitar. Strings And Wood is his latest EP, and it’s all about the guitar, baby. Mini documentary/EP preview on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4rijvyBGew Kicking off with ‘Going Gone’, it’s a spunky, folky blues track with flashes of Stevie Wonder. As a three minute pop song, it’s over…
ODD FELLOWS REST, THE LAST HOMBRES
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TLH features the main members Paul Schmitz on guitar/vocals, Michael Meehan on bass/vocals, Russ Seeger on guitar/vocals, and the added talents of Chris James keys/vocals, and Tom Ryan on drums. The songs were written by the three member core, and relayed in story form. When you listen to this release, it’s obvious who their influences…
EUROPE LIVE, ERIC JOHNSON
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Texan EJ has always been right at home standing back to back and sharing the stage with other top guitar slingers like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Jonny Lang, and everyone on the Experience Hendrix tour. On occasion, and during solo tours you get to hear Eric sing, which he also does well. One thing is…
