Newsflash: Phil Lewis writes catchy, well-crafted songs with lyrics that connect with the good in everyone. His latest album, Age of Nothing, shows a flair for combining these with ’80s indie guitar, tribal drums and a love of the Top 40. The result? Radio-friendly songs that stay with you long after the first listen. Musical…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
ThreeStateFamous, Suburban Street Trash
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The new album from Three State Famous, Suburban Street Trash, is a non-stop tour of all-out rock’n’roll. Making use of every rock trick in the book, it’s hard not to find something you’ll like provided you have a reasonable tolerance for the genre. Swaying between blues, country and at times hair metal, Three State Famous…
Convulsic, Love Space
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Convulsic has been on the music scene out of San Diego, CA since 2012. His music comes alive in his latest project, Love Space. It has an electronic beat that pumps through your veins. I challenge you to listen without getting up and dancing, it is just not possible. Close your eyes and imagine being…
The Great Socio, Find the Time (EP)
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About the Band: Formed in 2010, The Great SOCIO is a four-piece Alternative/Groove/Rock band from the Philadelphia region. Their socio-sound is built of crushing bass/ drum rhythms, poetic lyrics and a wide array of custom synth tones. Their dedicated front-man dons a top hat – mustache combo like no other. His passion for entertaining and…
Tomi, All For You
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Tomi’s latest release, All For You, is sultry soul that gets right to the heart of the matter. His musical career started back in 1991 when he landed a job as a back up singer for the band Hi-Five. He is now singing his way to becoming one of the top R&B artists on the…
Feral Ghost, A Gathering Storm
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A Gathering Storm is a diverse offering from London based Feral Ghost with vocalist/guitarist Danny Warwick at the helm. Sometimes inspiration comes from daily emotive impressions including a bumper-sticker, scribbles on a wall, signs of various purpose and from these static and fixed messages, an evocative and emotive pulse is brought forth. With a tantalizing…
OnPlanetZu, Adventures of Yo Mama
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OnPlanetZu is a mishmash of hiphop, dubstep, raggae, hardcore and more and “Adventures of Yo Mama” is one of those party starter albums that makes you want to crank to 11. For those who don’t know who or what OPZ is, it’s another vision from Bazerk frontman Zu. Bazerk recently celebrated their debut “American…
They Know, Together In This Live Review
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Lifelong friends Daniel Ehart and LeeRaden have put together a great lineup of musician friends and professionals for this live CD “Together In This”, an tasteful and enjoyable collection of original songs that steal the heart of the 60’s and keep the torch alive. I don’t come across this type of music often, so when…
Glen Neff, Bamako
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Glen Neff is a unique individual and pours his uniqueness into everything he does. He grew up in New Jersey in a predominantly musical family and now resides in New Mexico. He came by his talent honestly and learned so much from his surroundings. I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing him once and it…
October, October Moon
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It may not be the Fall, but the duo known as October is ready to Spring into action with their glowing, new release called ‘October Moon’. October is made up of Kevin Tofalo & Bill Chiklakis and together they have come up with 10 songs that are vocally & musically rich. The melodies…
Sharp Practise, Steal With Pride
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In an age of ever expanding musical genres and experimentation, Sharp Practise uphold the melodic rock style by trying to keep the song structure simple and accessible while still allowing room for something clever to happen. That might be a guitar solo or three like in Maybe (This Ain’t Right) or even a little vocal…
Jennifer Hope, X-Tremities EP
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“I know there are others who feel like me, and I write songs to speak to them,” says Jennifer Hope, a songwriter based in L.A. whose “feelings are too strong to fake it.” A classically trained musician, she is also a “wounded angel” who purveys a multilayered and mystical strain of alt rock. Having contributed…
Matthew Schultz, Crazy Heart
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Matthew Schultz is a force to reckon with and displays his talent in his current single, Crazy Heart. Schultz got an early break, playing guitar for Chris Daughtry’s first band and decided to try his hand solo. For this single he teams up with the amazing Alessia Guanera, one of the current hottest indie artists…
Midnight Mosaic, Fire Work
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This sextet from Asbury Park, N.J. has all the essential ingredients of an explosive live band, and their new album Fire Work seems to capture that lightning in a bottle experience that most of us musician types could only hope for. They’re currently ranked #1 on ReverbNation and enjoying airplay across the globe through terrestrial,…
Goliath Paw, Canary in a Coal Mine
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Canadian Rap Sensation Goliath Paw just released his latest EP entitled “Canary in a Coal Mine” in 2014. The result though far from a self-indulgent ego trip, rather a moving and elegiac artistic statement from start to finish. This is not your overly predictable Ramon Noodle “Sing-Songy” Rick Ross rap album. Instead Goliath Paw makes…
Asteria Lux, Lovedrunk EP
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Combining Latin and Ancient Greek for their band name, Asteria Lux consists of two vocalist vixens and a guitarist-producer who’s not only rocked out in Communist China but is also the author of the bestselling Everything Songwriting Book. Uniting modern pop with classic sounds, Asteria Lux has already been around the block, appearing as guests…
Dylan McGuire, Gravity (Or lack there of)
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Dylan McGuire received a lot of notoriety while playing in the band, Broken Jones, in the early 2000’s. They garnered radio hits in the Philadelphia area where he resides, as well as, gaining national acclaim. He did a few solo CD’s after his stint with the band and now is celebrating his latest release, Gravity…
Hunter and the Dirty Jacks, Hunter and the Dirty Jacks (EP)
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Let’s be honest for just a second shall we. I get a lot of albums sent my way for review, and I mean a lot. Most of them don’t do anything for me. They don’t always get happily placed in the CD player, but the ones that do usually get a three song stay of…
Matthew Patrick, Yard Sale
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Matthew Patrick is a Maryland based rocker with a countrified edge. His latest release, Yard Sale, speaks to the blue colored worker trying to make it as an indie artist. It is a lot of work hitting the workforce and reaching fans all at the same time. Take it from someone who has successfully found…
Deborah Bonham, Spirit
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To anyone who doesn’t know, John Bonham, one of the mightiest rock n’ roll titans to ever grace the throne of a drumkit, has a little sister, Deborah. Although Deborah was a very young girl when her older brother was in his prime with Led Zeppelin, by watching his performances and being around the atmosphere…
Teddy Romance, Making Monsters
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Formed in 2011, Teddy Romance is a Vancouver-based duo that channels the alt, punk and electronic genres through a theatrical prism. This channeling has resulted in Making Monsters — an album that, at eight tracks, weighs in somewhere between the EP and full-length divisions. The whole shebang is written, performed, and mixed by Teddy Romance.…
Kenny Fame, Rejoyce
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Kenny Fame is back on the scene with his latest single, “Rejoyce”. He was born and raised in New Jersey and made the move to the competitive NYC. He is now based out of Harlem and started out hitting the spoken word/poetry scene. He quickly created a following and became a well known lyricist and…
John Oszajca, Elephant Graveyard
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Elephant Graveyard, the new album from John Oszajca is a fun ride! The album opens with the upbeat rock tune “The Day I Died” which is a fun meditation on a relatively depressing topic. The juxtaposition of the peppy music and the lyrical content is brilliant and makes for a toe-tapping good time. Things slow…
Chuck Eaton, ‘Tracks’
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Chuck Eaton comes with a vast baggage of experience that has endured 30 years, to introduce his music. It has been a long time coming, but the end result is what really matters. Chuck’s debut album “One Million Words” forged twelve original romantic songs, while on his sophomore album, “Lights”, Chuck goes two better, delivering…
Malachi Grant, Welcome 2 My World
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Malachi Grant is a hot rapper coming out of New York among some of the best artists in hip hop. His music has a smooth feel to it and the lyrics are on point and crisp. On his album, “Welcome 2 My World”, there are some definite bangers with big 808 kicks and heavy bass…
Not Dead Yett, Let Go, and Let’s Go
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Pop/Soul/dance band “Not Dead Yett” formed by renowned Grammy winning Producer Don MIzell just releaed their latest CD entitled “Let Go, and Let’s Go’ in 2014. This debut release of a collection of motivational and personal songs that aim to help change the world with positive upbeat lyrics and conscious message. By combining…
Boswell, Beryllium
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Boswell isn’t your average classic coverband, this Austin band has found a way to also channel the greats into their very own brand of future classics by mining the very bands they so passionately represent. Boswell’s debut e.p. Beryllium has been widely received and at first listen it’s clear to understand why. With The Beatles…
The Heart Pills, GUNFIGHTER
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Opening with ‘Concrete’, it’s immediately clear that The Heart Pills are trying something different. By combining electronics and organs with wiry guitars, a unique sound is created. Vocally, the band is confident and interesting, with some great snappy female backing vocals. The track is a great introduction to the album, thematically carrying the cowboy concept…
Michael Barry-Rec, Continuum
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About the Artist: This is Barry’s latest release entitled Continuum. Researching his bio he has an accomplished musical career thus far. With a distinctive talent for composing and improvising a unique new age guitar sound. Barry combines styles like Instrumental, Acoustic Rock/Blues, New Age Contemporary with the guitar as his centerpiece. On the guest list…
Terracotta Pigeons, Venomous Candy (EP)
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There’s a real sense of cathartic musical independence here via this latest work from Melbourne, AUS based musical project Terracotta Pigeons lead by producer, songwriter Steven Smith. While everything here on this latest 6 track musical teaser is shall I say exceptionally entertaining it also manages to cover a pretty wide range of musical styles…
Labstract, Apollo
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There are some new kids on the block called Labstract, and they come bearing gifts in the shape of a new album, ‘Apollo’. ‘Space Age’ kicks of with a woozy groove, “Woke up this morning / I knew the world would be different today”. The three part vocals interplay well together, moving between laid…
Sound Liberation, Days
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Pushing boundaries by creating a style of sound & music that is like no other can best describe the band Sound Liberation and the new album ‘Days’. Gene Pritsker had a true vision back in 1996 to create a musical entity that would revolutionize the air waves through one liberating listening experience. Mission…
Matthew Nimegeers, Mystery Man Against The Tide
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Who doesn’t like Singer-Songwriter music? However I’d bet not all hands go up in the air. I mean, while Singer-Songwriter, which by the way kind of emerges in the late 60’s and 70’s with the arrival of Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Elton John and Billy Joel, represented a close and personal artistic snapshot from the…
Tommy Roumanas “She Keeps Me (Rockin’)”
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Tommy Roumanas is a singer/songwriter and from a family of musicians going back several generations, so it was only natural for him to pick up the guitar at 17. He states on his bio “Composing music for a living may not be the easiest or most stable job, but in my opinion, it’s the greatest…
Jimmer Podrasky, The Would-Be Plans
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Jimmer Podrasky known for his work with the 80’s L.A. based band Rave-Ups is here after two decades with his debut CD, The Would-Be Plans. His efforts do not disappoint bringing all the same energy and clarity as his rock roots band did back in the day. He is a slice of life type writer…
PRIMO, “Pregame” Single
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“From the start we strive to create music from the heart, we want to share our music and let the people decide where our tastes coincide” – PRIMO Underground dj producer crew PRIMO have a new single that’s sure to get some booties bumpin’ and a few heads turnin’. Following in the footsteps of LMFAO,…
Kelly Pettit, Every Sunrise
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This CD “Every Sunrise” by Canadian based Kelly Pettit is sure to one day be remembered as one of the classic good timing Americana CD’s of recent time. Its pure rocking Americana-Country magic the way it used to be, full of cautionary tales, and a passion for life and life on the road. All of…
Too Bad, Permission to Land
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It’s easy to know how to categorize a band like Too Bad. This Venice Beach musical two-some consisting of Gerry Saint & Jason Napier who just released their latest release entitled “Permission to Land” late in 2012. “Permission to Land” is one of the more upbeat, funny, quirky and brightly flavored rock releases I’ve heard…
MoneyPenny, Self-Titled
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Get ready for the four-man group MoneyPenny as they tear through their brand new, 12-song set! MoneyPenny plays fast & steady and you can bet all of your money in the bank that this group will not slow down. MoneyPenny is hoping to share their wealth of music to large audiences everywhere! The…
The Van Burens, Presidential Lovefest
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The Van Burens are political satirists and songwriters and they’ve got a killer new album “Presidential Lovefest” which kicks things off with “Miss Lola Overture”, a Tricky Dick phone call that sets the tone to things to come. “Tricky Dick” jumps into a funk fest, reminiscent of James Brown sung by Mike Patton. There’s a…
