Combining years of musical experience, this guitarist/composer/songwriter known as E. Lafuentes has been around for many years around New York under our radar —until now. Melding a unique yet accessible blend of aggressive guitars, polyrhythmic beats, tasty keyboards, groove-ridden bass lines and infectious vocals, the E. Lafuentes sound is a testament to how this Bronx…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Explosion Theory EP
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Explosion Theory is a “cross-over punk” trio, all of ‘em former members of the now-defunct band Accidental Tribe. These guys are well-acquainted with the NYC grunge scene, and now they’ve decided to revisit their punk roots. Throw in some pretty bangin’ metal, and we get the band’s debut, a self-titled EP. With the track “Looking…
Joe Farren, Open Skies
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Most would agree most popular artists out there have something truly special to give to their fans. This goes above the typical attributes like raw talent, amazing songs, nice voice, or even a very marketable look, sound & image. There’s something truly infectious at the core of these artists that simply makes us feel good…
Butchers Blind, Destination Blues
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Butchers Blind is a 4 piece band from New York. New York can at times be a very beautiful place and it has its fair share of unpredictable cold and snowy days and at times can be a rough and tumble place as well. This might just be the perfect locale to explore the unpredictable…
Andrew Abaria, We are the Underdogs
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About the Artists: This is Abaria’s latest release entitled “We are the Underdogs” EP released in 2013. Andrew most recently released “We Are the Underdogs,” a five-song EP produced by Mario Marchetti, who is known for producing and writing for Billboard-topping artists, such as Demi Lovato and JoJo. “We Are the Underdogs” is a personal…
Vic Mensa, INNANETAPE
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Chicago has become one of the most-watched and increasingly visible hotbeds for rap music. There’s no arguing that stars (or at least beloved acts) in both the mainstream and underground have emerged from the Windy City over the past 15 years. Those include obvious artists like Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Common along with seemingly…
The Buffalo Crows, Black Tooth Grin
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Over the years we’ve seen rock, pop, and even hard rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish and highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs…
The Locals, Stereostatic Furnicular
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Chicago’s The Locals have are one of those bands you just know when you hear them. They’re young, full of sun, and they’ve got almost nothing to say about anything that relates to people who buy their albums. Regardless of being signed to the Epitaph, the premier punk band label, they’ve been rummaging around…
Starnes & Shah, Shilling for Dreamtown
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Starnes & Shah are back at it with their latest release, Shilling for Dreamtown. Their bouncy vibe sends enjoyment through your brain waves until you can’t help but smile from ear to ear. I love these girls. It is very reminiscent to the popular 80’s band Banarama and Shakespears Sister. This CD is full on…
Skyfactor, “Signal Strengthâ€
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DIY / Homemade Band formed on a rooftop from New York Skyfactor just released their latest effort entitled “Signal Strength” in 2013. Band members are: Bob Ziegler (vocals), Jon Rubin (Guitars), Cliff Rubin (Bass) and Jason Taylor (Drums). Musical comparables for me include: Ben Harper, Amos Lee, Xavier Rudd and Fistful of Mercy. Track…
Sonaljit, Dreaming the Afterlife
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Sonaljit Mukherjee is a native of India who came to Massachusetts to pursue grad studies in Physics. Somehow, this guy has found the time to compose and produce an album, Dreaming the Afterlife. His buddy did the album’s photography; Sonaljit did most everything else: we’re talkin’ various string and flute instruments, not to mention the…
Duane Scott, Late Nite Rendezvous
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Hailing from the Mighty Mississippi, singer/songwriter Duane Scott is ready to hit the town in style during one wild “Late Night Rendezvous”. The new single will be included on the upcoming release of ‘I AM Duane Scott’, which is still in the works. This will be Duane’s third studio album to date and…
Winter Circle, Call the Ground
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About the Artist: This is Oklahoma City based music project Winter Circle’s latest CD entitled Clouds Call the Ground (2013). Three years ago Winter Circle thought they would never make music again. On the heels of a growing tour schedule and a shift to perform music full-time lead singer Kevin Dawson began suffering agonizing daily…
John Bell, Miles From Home
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John Bell proves that keeping it simple is a winning combination on his latest single “Miles From Home”. All he needs is his trusty guitar and some laid-back lyrics that tell a story of the lonely soul. Bell captures the true essence of the song through some catchy chords and words that can…
Matthew Mirliani, In His Hands
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Matthew Mirliani is an up and coming Alternative Folk Compose-Singer-Songwriter from Virginia. One of his marquee single sin entailed “In His Hands.” From the first lines of this solitary piece through the winding emotional twist and turn, “In His Hands” is a real life look at getting over something, admitting to past mistakes and ultimately…
Rick Reynolds Group, Verb
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Jazz guitarist Rick Reynolds (a native of Florida) just released his latest album called Verb. It features Rick Reynolds (Guitar, Keyboards), Greg Roth (Bass), Bomani (Drums, Percussion), Michael Glenn (Trumpet, Flugal horn, Saxaphone), Chris Gardiner (Piano Keyboards), Burt Kimbrul (Piano, Keyboards), Rodney Brown (Saxes). This album is more than likely the result of an experiment…
J.J. Crowne, Self Titled
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How would I describe Florida based J.J. Crowne? Alt-rock with a folksy flair capturing life’s small moments from a adult perspective. Slightly-skewed and world-weary songs that combine the wry humor of Nick Lowe and Robyn Hitchcock with the sophisticated sounds of Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. There’s a real sense of cathartic musical independence…
THE JOINT COMPOUND, Please Don’t Leave Get Out
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About the Artist: 1 core member: (Dan Orvik) based out of San Francisco is one of those singular artists very much like Trent Reznor Beck. His latest release “Please Don’t Leave Get Out” was relea4ed in 2013. By the way he used to be the drummer for New York based band Stars of Track and…
Thornwill, Requiem for a Fool
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‘Hungarian heavy metal’ sounds pretty intense, and Thornwill does not disappoint. Since their 2010 debut Implosion, they’ve been bangin’ along, shredding for live audiences across the Eastern Bloc, including at the Hungarian Metalfest. Radio waves have carried them to stations way the hell over in Chile. And, yes, these guys have appeared MTV. Now signed…
Lyda, “The North Shore“ EP
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Rising Los Angels based Hip Hop artist Lyda just dropped a hot new EP entitled “The North Shore” in 2013. To say the least his music hits hard and is as unique and invigorating as the artist himself. “Above Y’all” is a sensational opener and a great piece overall. I really like the way things…
Sheila Swift, “Stay”
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After listening to ‘Sheila Swift’s’ most recent contribution to the music industry “ Stay”, we see that this singer/songwriter has taken steps in the right direction. Many exiting changes have occurred between Sheila’s new music release and her past work. After several recent tours across many parts of the world the song ‘Stay’ shows…
Pepper, “Pepperâ€
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Kaleo Wassman knows a good tune. A native Hawaiian, Wassman’s made a career out of accomplishing the impossible-Stateside Reggae. Over the past 15 years he’s been a part of several things here and there, making good to sally forth by his alt rock band’s name moniker ‘Pepper’. Lets get one thing straight before you…
Candice Russell, So Much More
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Performing with the same guitar her grandfather used in his heyday, Candice Russell purveys a modern pop style of music quite akin to Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift. Russell, just 21-years-old, has now released her debut album So Much More. Drawing on some of her own experiences, and the struggles of loved ones, she strives…
Ryan Michalski, I am Starting Over
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Ryan Michalski is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who comes from a small town in New Jersey called Ringwood where he lived for 25 years. He started playing guitar at the age of 14. Ryan always worked on his playing technique and writing skills. He grew up in the 80’s hair-metal generation developing a taste…
Ian Bouras, The Certainty of Being Found
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Ian Bouras is a male guitarist, composer based out of New York City. This might just be the perfect locale to explore the melting pot of musical expression without limitation. His latest album “The Certainty of Being Found” is a fascinating-melodic-melancholy but truthful collection of melodic ambient jazz that reveals all the a-typical conventions of…
World5, Maybe There’s A Way & Man Of Action
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World5 is a talented bunch of musicians taking the world by storm with their brand new singles: “Maybe There’s A Way” and “Man Of Action”. The group’s previous releases included the single “You And I” along with their album ‘Global Experience’. The new songs are beyond catchy, which further proves that World5 is…
Natasha Owens, “I Made It Though”
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First off I’m a metal head. Apparently I’ve never heard Christian pop a day in my life. I imagine the reason being is because there’s a somewhat limited market for this emerging record buying minority. Then again, the relatively straight and narrow reputation of its community and pioneers doesn’t exactly appeal to me. But regardless…
Lesoir, Transience
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Lesoir is a rock quartet from the Netherlands. They’ve gone from touring in Belgium, to the U.K., even all the way to China, where they performed in front of many thousands. Transience is the name of their recently-released album, Lesoir’s second. It makes a bit of a departure from the band’s debut, as this album…
Miss Amy, Angels Riding Shotgun
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About the Artist: This is Miss Amy’s latest release “Angels Riding Shotgun” showcases how versatile her/their talents are. To me this 12 song set shares a rich collection of songs no doubt inspired by Miss Amy’s connection with a belief that we’re all a part of a universal family. The band members experience ranges from…
Prevrat, Symbols
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Electronica has come a long way. To be honest if you asked me what I’m into I wouldn’t get past the Cool World Soundtrack. That was 1994. But seriously, since the days of Moby, Fatboy Slim, and every other dance act whos broken the top forty. The genre has been on a downward spiral of…
Leah Jee, Coming After You
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Your music is recorded professionally and is well presented to be promoted to a large audience. Each track has a nice change (diversity) from the last, this is a fantastic way to be seen as a more unique artist. Leah Jee’s music combines two massive genres in music which are not usually advised to be…
Honeycircuit, Music For Roots
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Formed in 2010, Honeycircuit is a duo purveying a genre of music described as “electro-conscious” and “world-folk.” Honeycircuit brings their act to “primarily underground” venues, one of which sounds ominous: “Burning Man decompression parties.” The band has also performed at the magical-sounding New York Faerie Festival. Honeycircuit’s latest offering, Music For Roots, is album #3.…
Leslie West, Still Climbing
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Since becoming the foundation of the band Mountain, Leslie has been regarded as one of rock’s premier guitarists. In talking to him (and if you’ve heard him on Howard Stern), he is one of those guys that says funny stuff, just as a matter of fact. After assorted health issues, a gig with…
Cyril Neville, Magic Honey
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Cyril Neville exudes the true New Orleans sound that has defined the city’s appeal with his new release, Magic Honey. The purity of his talent is defined by every note that spills from the speakers and dances into your body. Neville is the epitome of cool. He sings with strength and grace and the music…
Edewaard, Renominom Junction
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Enter Edewaard. An Oregon five-piece interruption to the mundane semi orbit of Alternative/Indie jangle pop. While one of the more interesting concoctions of their kind out there, Edewaard thrive on two-part boy girl harmonies to ride the wind of the every Theology Major. Fortunately for career blasphemes such as myself though the delivery here is…
Za’Nae Saadiq, One Man’s Woman
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What comes to mind right away is powerhouse singer when you bear witness to Za’Nae Saadiq’s vocal abilities. The new single “A One Man’s Woman” includes a video that proves that Za’Nae has the pipes to go far in this business. The indie artist from North Carolina is on a mission to spread…
Reckless In Vegas, The Hard Way
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In principle, cover tunes often rule. It’s that moment when one of your favorite bands decides to belt out that song you love from your other favorite band. Often, it’s that unique twist they put on it or the translation of one band’s song in the sound of those doing the covering. But more often…
Dave Childz, Underrated Genius
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Growing up in Yonkers, NY as a kid I remember so much like going to Jones Beach on the weekends with family & friends to frequent visits to Manhattan to enjoying a game at the OLD Yankee Stadium with my dad. And who can forget all the great food like a delicious slice of…
Anthony Neff, Between the Rungs
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To begin with I really liked this line from his: Between the Rungs, much like its predecessors, is built upon a solid framework of warm tones, thought-provoking lyrics and lasting melodies. Touches of Americana, rock, folk and pop music are interspersed throughout Anthony’s songs — yet he manages to avoid easy categorization into any one…
Class Reunion, Summer School
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Living up to its name, the band Class Reunion consists of three former high school classmates from Chicago. Two of them reunited in 2007 and held some jam sessions. In 2009, they recruited the third old buddy and launched a band that draws on such influences as Tom Petty to produce a “nostalgic sound” that…
