Given his musical influences the likes of Rush, Faith No More and Tool, there was never any speculation whether or not John Tokarczyk’s outfit PepperDome was going to be anything but eclectic. And their latest outing doesn’t disappoint their eclectic-expecting fan base. Through the heavy progressive-tinged tracks, facets of myriad genre influence emerge. Opening with…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Deborah Crooks, Little Bird
by •
Heady and emotive, the lyrical matter on Deborah Crooks’ new album Little Bird is the stuff of pertinent social issues, self-awareness and personal experience. Meanwhile the musicality is a fusion of multiple genre facets and styles, ranging from straightforward rock to funk sentimentality to contemplative folk elements. The 11-track LP wears all these facets on…
Mr. Kito, The Middle of Everything
by •
Eric Michot has an alter ego called “Mr. Kito.” And this Mr. Kito: “represents a person who became aware of his ego and through acceptance is aware of his inner self.” Michot a.k.a. Mr. Kito is a South African resident of French heritage who, having “played extensively” in the local music scene, began producing his…
The Love Load, Oh Be Joyful EP
by •
3 member DC based band “The Love Load” just dropped their latest 4 track EP entitled “Oh Be Joyful” in 2013. Band consists of: Ted Watts, bass, vox, Ben Azzara, drummer and Blaine Misner, guitar, backing vox. Straight away I discovered The Love Load to have a powerful yet sensational, eccentric sound. I really like…
John Daryl Blouin & Electric Black Feat. Julius Carey, “Pretty Momma The Movie”
by •
The talent has come at a perfect time in music. ‘Pretty Momma’ is such a flawless composition. The chorus introduces a sweeping orchestration that effectively builds throughout the song as the emotional anguish in the lyrics deepens. Such a touchy song which is remixed nicely. This is the razing of a soul set to incredibly…
The Clan, 100% Live
by •
Formed in 2010, The Clan — a name given in honor of front man Craig McDonald’s Celtic heritage — is a three-piece band from Wirral in the UK. Finding inspiration from the NWOBHM, some shock rock and cock rock, these blokes have been plying their hard rock craft for decades. McDonald, who has shared stages…
Cedar & Soil, Dirge CD
by •
This is such a complex, amazing and dramatic album what else can I say in the end? Dirge by Cedar & Soil (George Abi-Hanna ) is more than amazing and dramatic, it’s also extremely suspenseful and somewhat comical. It has a very quirky-dark quality to it as well The intro track “Here Comes the Sound”…
Down Home Band, Monrovia
by •
Ah, the siren call effect that Nashville has on artists…it’s almost as if the record industry allure of Los Angeles and the “If I can make it here…” New York attitude paired in a north central city in Tennessee. That also happens to claim country music headquarters and may be one of the bigger singer/songwriter…
The Flips, A Harm Deep But Shining
by •
The Flips are a rock quintet from Chicago. Formed five years ago, this band — headed by Nick Sintos — has undergone many lineup changes on its way to achieving a distinctive sound, described as “an entrancing mix of simmering calm and blistering, abrasive frustration.” The Flips released an EP in 2011, and this year…
Andreas, Extended Play (EP)
by •
Enter Andreas 5 member Canadian rock band that just released their latest CD entitled ”Extended Play” in 2013. On the upside, you can expect 5 semi-experienced musicians who champion a high intensity sound against the classic rock sounding backdrop. Band members: Brian Dahl, Jason Brandow, Jennifer Lockman, Mike Medhurst, Adam Payne. With this EP expect…
Class Reunion, No Drums Allowed
by •
They’re back at it. These former high school classmates from Chicago who go by the name Class Reunion have released another album called No Drums Allowed. The album’s title is also its concept, a concept which came from people telling the band that they “should create music without drums or any drum machines to see…
Carmen Skyy, “I Dream About You”
by •
Miami pop singer Carmen Skyy’s new single “I Dream About You” is the quintsential club track, with that big Miami bass and combination of hiphop and electro house. Carmen’s followup to her successful debut mixtape “Backstage”, “I Dream About You” is destined to become a staple not only in South Florida, but possibly around the…
Kenny Fame, The First Album
by •
Kenny Fame — the stage name of Levi Wise Kenneth Catoe, Jr. — is a Paterson NJ native who moved to NYC the day after graduating high school. He has since become a fixture on the city’s spoken-word poetry scene. These poetic pursuits led to him writing lyrics, which in turn led to the composition…
Matthew Genovese, “Chasing the Sunâ€
by •
A native of Toronto, Canada, Matthew Genovese composes in an eclectic style borrowing from Folk-Pop music, combined with an Alt-Rock aesthetic. His lyrics share a black humor/self-deprecating sensibility. He writes of the mundane and the complex, and probably doesn’t understand everything but questions what he already knows. His latest EP entitled “Chasing the Sun” captures…
Mad the Martian, Blast Off
by •
Mad the Martian is a band consisting of brothers Bob & Jack Marsh and their trusty producer Anthony Resta. These guys locked themselves up in a studio north of Boston, where they poured a reported 1300 hours into generating the album Blast Off: “13 tracks of fresh future/classic rock n’ roll tunes.” “C’mon, C’mon, C’mon”…
Butterfly Suicide, love, melodies, pain
by •
Butterfly Suicide is an act commanded by Ohioan Eliot Hosenfeld, a co-owner of a recording studio who had a few highly skilled band-mates swing by to give some of the instruments “a more mature sound.” “love, melodies, pain” is the name of the latest Butterfly Suicide album, and it’s largely about the turbulent world of…
Taylor Alexander, Art
by •
Between being the progeny of a highly musical family and being named for legendary songwriter James Taylor, it seems for singer/songwriter Taylor Alexander music isn’t as much a pursuit as it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. After all, at age 15 years old he told his father he was going to record an album called Art,…
Ryan Cassata, Jupiter, It Won’t Be Long: The Acoustic Sessions Vol. 3
by •
Ryan Cassata has quite a story to tell. Not only is he a 19-year-old outspoken transgender but a motivational speaker on the topic of equality, but an accomplished singer/songwriter who addresses real-life topics with socially-charged lyrical matter through anecdotal acoustic tracks. On the cusp of his teens, he has released his third volume of songs…
Addicted To Pop, Addicted To Pop
by •
When Lana Antropova’s husband decided to disband their musical duo in lieu of another project, the usual emotions welled up. Loss and abandonment took the place of the creative outlet she had enjoyed alongside her significant other, but instead of wallowing in any defeat, she opted to revisit an old love: the synthy beats of…
January Blu, Trip to the Moon
by •
January Blu is a California based singer-songwriter who just released her latest single entitled “Trip to the Moon” (2013). Her sound is a hybrid of contemporary pop fused with better touches of Maroon 5/The Cardigans-esque instrumentation. First a bit about Blue. In her own words: I was born in January on the sand of surf…
Holly Elle, Leopardess EP
by •
Holly Elle, a Canadian classically trained singer with a passion for pop, brings to the U.S. a unique twist on modern mainstream music. Her latest 5 song EP entitled “Leopardess” was released in 2013. Leopardess is a carefully crafted collection of catchy songs showcasing the best in modern day pop artisanship that creates a solid…
Vaudeville, Vendetta
by •
Forget everything you know about Sonny and Cher, Kenny and Dolly or (Ack!) Nick and Jessica. When it comes to performance hodge-podge one only need look back at the original variety show: Vaudeville. And much like the performance art of yore, the Minnesota band with the same moniker is doing right by it as evidenced…
Pollock, The Moonlight Show
by •
Pollock hails from New York with their 2013 release “The Moonlight Show.” Overall Internet presence for Pollock is rapidly taking shape as I learned a lot about them even before I hit play. The CD hits the deck running with a series of strong songs “Devil,” A New Machine” and “Elder Crow.” All 3 pieces…
Tarnished Heaven, Matchbook/Exit
by •
Baton Rouge resident Casey Mixon and his brainchild Tarnished Heaven bring some heavy metal with a gothic flair. In the past, Mr. Mixon had traveled around and played in various groups, before making that oft-dangerous decision to create entirely his own music. Two years was the length of the break he took; he spent this…
Oakes & Smith, First Flight
by •
Folksy with a bit of adult contemporary and bluegrass flourishes make up most of First Flight, the new album by Oakes & Smith. The duo has created a passionate and intimate album full of meditations and breezy themes. First Flight starts off with Once, a very 70’s AC song that reminds me of acts like…
Twisted Piglet, Eternity
by •
Who doesn’t like music from the UK? I bet all hands go up in the air. Most people can’t deny getting into an English groove from time to time and really enjoy well written and performed music from that region of the world. You know bands like: The Beatles, David Bowies, The Rolling Stones, Oasis.…
MAESTRO DOBEL TEQUILA AS SKOPE’S SPIRIT OF CHOICE DURING HOLIDAYS
by •
With the holidays coming up I was getting tired of drinking the same things over and over again. Eggnog is boring and beer over the holidays can get really stale as well. People at holiday parties seem to have the same old drinks available throughout Christmas time like schnapps, Whiskey, vodka and beer. So many…
Merrill Leffmann, New and Old Christmas Classics
by •
Merrill Leffmann’s New and Old Christmas Classics is a little something for everyone with her sultry and sometimes hilarious voice shining through both original and classic Holiday songs. Acclaimed vocal instructor, Merrill leaves no stone unturned with her vaudeville performances highlighting the album. The album kicks off with I Love A Man In Uniform, an…
Dylan McGuire, Gravity (Or Lack Thereof)
by •
Philadelphia musician-songwriter Dylan McGuire first garnered attention a decade ago with his band Broken Jones. Then, in 2009, some of his own compositions were featured on the broadcasts of baseball’s National League playoffs. Now, drawing on such influences as Radiohead and U2, McGuire has released his solo album Gravity (Or Lack Thereof). The track “Sunny…
Arjun, Space
by •
Arjun is a 3 member band from New York. Band members include: Eddie Arjun Peters on guitar, Lamar Myers on drums, and Andre Lyles. New York is a colorful place and it has its fair share of unpredictability and chaos. This might just be the perfect locale to explore the realm of musical expression. Their…
Chris Beall, The Gin Mill Hymns
by •
I’m not a huge fan of country music, I’ll be dead honest. But in this day and age, occasionally our ears are graced with a second thought. This one being an obvious mistake because first of all Austin Native Chris Beall does not write for the country music genre, but rather bills himself as an…
Amy Allen, Someday is Today
by •
Amy Allen is a new comer on the country charts and is making some waves with her new release, Someday is Today. She has an irresistible, bubbly personality backed by powerful vocals that evoke real emotion. The title track rings true as she is proving hard work and solid talent is what it takes to…
Low Rent, Words On The Wind
by •
Brace yourself for Low Rent as you find yourself getting blown away by ‘Words On The Wind’. Melbourne, Australia’s own Low Rent has spoken and ‘Words On The Wind’ is the talk of the town! The group is led by singer/songwriter/guitarist Dan Swan along with his father Mike Swan on Lap Steel/guitars/mandolin and…
Meir Shitrit, “Wayâ€
by •
Meir Shitrit just released his latest offering “WAY” in 2012. It’s a funky yet worldly jazz album that gleefully dances up and down the spectrum of modern jazz music with some impressive fretwork and some breathtaking arrangements and performances along the way. Shitrit has earned accolades from critics and audiences alike for his work mainly…
Dugway, The Up and Up
by •
Based in Lenox MA, the band Dugway is a duo consisting of Chris Considine and Blake Poore. They used to perform as ‘Chris & Blake’ but scrapped that name for something a bit more cryptic. Drawing on their large repertoire of songs (as well as a few Beatles covers), they’ve entertained at a number of…
Danielle Bloom, “Meet me in the Middleâ€
by •
Most fans of the country music that comes out of Nashville are real people looking for sound and words that relate. When you think about it that’s pretty much everybody, but sometimes the music is so bad, so abnormally atrocious that your disappointment seems to surround everything but you at once. Ultimately you get the…
N Wolex, Newness Of Life EP
by •
N Wolex is a London songwriter with a multidimensional background ranging from music engineering to fashion modeling. His latest endeavor is the refreshingly-titled EP Newness of Life. It’s a six-pack of songs involving devotion both romantic and spiritual. With the track “I’m Sorry,” there is scant ambiguity about the theme: “I’m sorry / Please please…
Ma-Te Lin, Ancient Mark EP
by •
Formed only last year, the Taiwanese band Ma-Te Lin is a musical duo consisting of vocalist Asha Lin and DJ-producer Shao-Yong Huang. Drawing on such influences as Portishead, the two purvey their own brand of electronic music. They also have a socially-conscious bent, writing that: “We are inspired by many stories involving human and animal…
Kevin Haynes, Pure EP
by •
Illinois-based Kevin Haynes and his trusty sidekick Matt Kupcso have years of experience in various bands and/or choirs. The two once thought about assembling a full band, “but then decided, since they work well together, to just put an all original acoustic EP together themselves.” The EP is called Pure, and it primarily involves Haynes’s…
Casinova, “What I Needâ€
by •
Introduction: This is the latest from songster Casinova entitled “What I Need”. Right from the start of “What I Need” Casinova reminded me of soulful pop stars of the past like Johnny Gill, After 7, Babyface, Tevin Campbell, and AZ Yet. But there is also a modern spin to his music that will remind…
