Category: REVIEWS

CD and DVD reviews

Honeycircuit, Music For Roots

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…

Sounding Rick, Never Be Famous

From Florida comes Alternative rocker Sounding Rick (Rick Reynolds) who just released his latest effort entitled “Never Be Famous” in 2013. Right from the start it might be easy to just categorize Rick Reynolds as a straight ahead old school rocker, and write him off as the newest trending thing down in Florida. It wouldn’t…

Shauna Burns, “Little Song”

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. When listening to Shauna Burns’s music I could not place my finger on which genre her…

Cliff and Ivy, Equilux

Hailing from Anchorage, Alaska which can prove to be cold as hell in the winter, Cliff and Ivy are on fire with their new release ‘Equilux’.   With themes of mystery, horror, science fiction and real-life imagery racing through your ears, Cliff and Ivy have proven that ‘Equilux’ is one intriguing concept.   With an…

Eye’z, Damaged

Eye’z 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. “Damaged” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7MkqSxTYAw Personally when listening to Eye’z music I can hear some strong pop influences. Bands…

Ryan Bonner, Only When It’s Burning

One historical glance over the musical landscape of Charleston, SC reveals much the same as its coastal geography; it has been one of cresting waves and ebbing lows. Much like the breakers of Folly Beach, Charleston has had its periods of high points and low points. As a daily observer, dare I say the scene…

Japor, Japor

Newsflash: Japor just released his latest collection of songs via the below Jango Link. About the Band: Japor is the work of one Rony Chandaria an ambient composer. Japor has been making a name for himself musically both regionally and internationally. Musical Genera: Trippy-Ambient, Chill, Melodic-Progressive Fusion, 80’s Electronica Review: These songs are the result…

Barbie Anaka, Speechless

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…

Diva De Lai, “Senor (Tales Of Yankee Power)”

Due to the ever expanding music industry it has become harder than ever to ‘make it’ as an artist.   The increase of home studio recording has started a dramatic rise in many artists’ recording their own music instead of paying for studio time. Artists are now also finding platforms in which to promote their…

Abscondo, Travelpics EP

An attorney, an MBA, and a Chemical Engineer? Q: How can record label seriously expect people to believe that they real paid taxes in (two) separate countries to promote a band made of real life Harvard Grads taping Jim Brewer night at the Apollo? A: Because somewhere in the world there is a Slovakian quartet…

Adam Zwig, Visions of the Shimmering Night

With a revolutionary approach, insightful and approachable Folk-Pop sentiment and stars in his eyes; singer/songwriter (and psychotherapist) Adam Zwig has perhaps one of the most unique approaches to music within the music body collective. Leaning on topics of interconnectedness, universality and healing, his tracks transcend typical contemporary lyrical matter. His latest offering is still in…

Skeletons In The Piano, Please Don’t Die

Music industry fact: The farther removed you go from inherent musical expectations; the more people start talking. That should usher in a bevy of conversation surrounding Skeletons In The Piano and their commitment to their eclectic approach to their sound. Eerie and psychedelic-tinged, their moniker of “haunted hard rockers” is apt as evidenced on their…

Seven Story Fall, Stories And Analogies

Formed in 2002, Seven Story Fall (7SF) is the brainchild of Hunter Kennedy, who picked up a six-string at 11 and wasted little time, quickly becoming a veteran of the band scene. While going through a succession of band members, 7SF released 3 EPs that sold considerably well at the band’s many live shows. More…

Go Time, Tight Like Wood

I always listen to the opening track extremely carefully. It’s the opening track the band or artists has selected to hit your ears first and foremost. The opening track of this latest release by Chicago based 4 piece “Go Time” is called “The Lines Were Blurred” and it sets the stage rather well for this…

Jay Brown, Soul To Soul

Jay Brown is a musician with a common name that belies an uncommon life of study and performance in locations ranging from Ghana, to Peru, to Swannanoa (wherever that is!). The Carolina native has also blazed a harmonic trail in his own country, bending blues notes in the Big Easy, or launching a jazz improv…

Levi Kreis, Imagine Paradise

About the Artist: Levi Kreis is an American recording artist and Tony Award winning actor from Oliver Springs, Tennessee, who released his debut album on November 17, 2005 accompanied by an appearance on a special XM radio edition of NBC’s hit reality show The Apprentice. Think Levi Kreis is just another faddish Actor/Artist to release…

The Sidleys, Bittersweet

If The Sidleys as a group prove one thing, it’s that inspiration can come from the damned of places. The husband and wife team began as lifelong friends, transitioned to partners, then parents. Then they split. Though they continued to work together within their musical career, they would leave to separate residences. Finally, they decided…

Clarissa, One Love

A few years ago Clarissa experienced an epiphany at Mitsuwa Market in Centinela where she wrote her first two songs after circling around for what seemed like hours looking for a parking spot. Since then she never looked back. In fact she just released a ground single entitled “One Love” in 2013. When one listens…

Gundriver, Gundriver No. 1

From the heavy metal of an Apache Helicopter to Heavy Metal tracks is the path of former Army Pilot, Tom Potter. He, along with Scott Siegel (vocals), Crazy Tomes (bass/vocals) and Alex Rivas (drums) make up the heavy-hitting Rockers, Gundriver. But what’s interesting is that Potter is also a student of the craft studying Audio…

A Hundred Years, Altered Reality

  Canada’s A Hundred Years has channeled their dark, ominous songwriting into a frightful collection of 13-tracks on their appropriately named full-length, Altered Reality. The album is rife with their self-described “psychedelic Badlands Rock” with lots of throwback 60s Garage Fuzz, California Desert Rock and “really slow Death Metal.” The ethos of the album is…

Gena Perala, Exactly Nowhere

Transition from poet to artist? Sure, there’s no leap there. Many would claim that their favorite song lyrics constitute “poetry” and you can see how poems could eventually become lyrical matter. For poet/songwriter Gena Perala, they certainly seem to be one and the same. The published poet has released her new album, Exactly Nowhere, 15-tracks…

Paper Lions, ‘My Friends’

I think most art history majors out there living from Warcraft screen to pop quiz would agree that theres something creepy about Pollock’s work at night. Weather that’s the WOW delusion happening there or just the marijuana, one can never really be sure. But in any event though a little paranoia can be actually be…

Theda Phoenix, Legacy

Vancouver singer-songwriter native Theda Phoenix has one of those voices that’s at once familiar but yet you can’t quite put your finger on it. The closest I could place it would a cross between Jewel and The Cranberries, without the rock bombast. All At Once starts the album off with a folk vibe, with lush…

Joy of Focus, SINGLES: Love Song Cliché, No Good Alone

Introducing Joy of Focus an Alternative rock duo who just released 2 singles “Love Song Cliché” and “No Good Alone.” Right from the start it might be easy to just categorize these 2 (Rikk Currence Holly Joy) as trippy-alt-rockers, and write them off as the newest faddy and trending thing on radio. It wouldn’t be…

8 Feet Deep, 8 Feet Deep (EP)

8 Feet Deep is a 5 member band based out of New York. Band members include: Billy ‘Pills’ Fridrich-lead/rhythm guitars, bass, songwriter. Featuring: Ed Terry-vox; Bobby Rondinelli-drums; Dan Miranda-bass; Mike DiMeo-vox. They just released their latest self titled 3 song EP in 2013. New York is a colorful, sunny place and it has its fair…

Andrew Heller, Scrap Piece of Paper

This country song via Austin based Andrew Heller is sure to one day be remembered as one of the classic songs   of recent time. Its pure country music the way it used to be, full of cautionary tales, whiskey drinkin’ and a tall tale. Scrap Piece of Paper will take you back to a…

Michael Veitch, Postcards from Vermont

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…

FIGHT FOR MY SOUL, JONNY LANG

  Jonny has been one of my favorite artists, and I’m always anticipating where he takes his talents next.   In this, his first studio release in seven years, Jonny transcends various genres of music, while maintaining his soul to blues balance.   As always, I wasn’t disappointed.   Some songs give you a Soul/Motown…

SOil, Whole

Apparently I’ve never heard a Metal record a day in my life. I imagine the reason being is because theres such small a market for the record buying minority out there to buy this kind of stuff informed. Then again, the relatively seedy reputation of its community pioneers doesn’t exactly help either. From Alt/metal Genre…

Arstidir, Tvieind

Formed in 2008, Arstidir is a six-pack of vocal virtuosi from Reykjavik, Iceland. They’ve had two full-length albums, and as many #1 hits on Icelandic National Radio. Venturing beyond their homeland, Arstidir has made TV appearances (and, of course, performed) at settings across the Euro continent. 2011 saw the release of their second full-length ablum,…

LITLE BIG LEAGUE, These are good people

Enter Little Big league: A Philadelphia based four-piece comprised primarily of members from other bands, whom, after touring two singles for more than over a year, finally decide to bring you their ultimate long player entitled, “These Are Good People”.   So lets have it then, shall we? On the upside, you can count on…

K.T. TUNSTALL, Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon

To most of the top forty going public, Scottish born Kate “K.T.” Tunstall experienced success at a largely forgettable rate here in the states back in 2006. Fans of her most popular chart topping singles “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See” weren’t allowed to wet their “Eye to the Telescope” whistles,…