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…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Seven Story Fall, Stories And Analogies
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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’
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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…
FIGHT FOR MY SOUL, JONNY LANG
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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,…
3PM, Change of Plans
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Class is dismissed because it’s 3PM and apparently there has been a ‘Change of Plans’. Three young musicians from Baltimore have decided to put together a full-length album titled ‘Change of Plans’ that will teach you a thing or two. The most important factors that 3PM stresses are to always have fun no…
AxelJordan, Release You
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About the Artist: AxelJordan is a stepping stone into the future of pop music. With his distinct R&B/New Wave sound, Jordan is sure to please the ears of all who listen. His latest single “Release You” is out, So read this review and check out the below link for yourself. URL – http://www.axeljordan.com/ Review: Listening…
Wiseguys N Scallywags, Wiseguys N Scallywags
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Moxie and ambition is the way of the walk on the debut album from Wiseguys N Scallywags. Let’s start with the fact that the album is a 13-track LP… I’m always immediately impressed with that. I’ll take a 13-track complete catalog over a four-track sampling any day. The debut is also self-titled. And while this…
Callous MC, Supplemental Income
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Hailing from Humboldt County, California, Callous MC is putting his skills to the test on the new record ‘Supplemental Income’. Under Dirty Rat Records and also as part of the Dirty Rats group, Callous has decided to cut his second solo album. As a member of the Dirty Rats crew, Callous along with…
Nadia The Bright Forever, Hidden in Plain Sight
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About the Artist: The Bright Forever is the creative project of singer/songwriter Megan Hook and a collective of musicians helping to bring the songs to life. Megan was born in rural Pennsylvania. she fell in love with music before anything else. Megan now lives in Los Angeles, the city of angels, and is knee deep…
Magnificent Birds of Prey
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This 4 piece band hails from the Philadelphia area and just released their latest self titled EP is sure to be remembered as one of the more impressive modern Alternative Rock-releases of our time from that locale. It’s pure high-energy College Rock the way it used to be via full-tilt of playing, hooky grooves…
Archangel – Hallelujah M.U.S.I.C. (Exclusive Edition)
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Memphis musician Tarrance Brown a.k.a. “Archangel” finds inspiration all over the place, be it a moment with Marvin Gaye or a “construction worker with a jackhammer.” Archangel’s latest release is the Exclusive Edition mix tape from his series M.U.S.I.C. — a nifty acronym for “Man U Saw It Comin.” “Dumb” is a dance/hip-hop track with…
The Gabriel Construct, Interior City
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The Gabriel Construct is the brainchild of Maryland resident Gabriel Lucas Riccio, who performs multiple instruments, sings, and, of course, composes. Riccio is a recent grad of the prestigious Swarthmore College, where he received formal musical training and won a prize for his compositions. Drawing on his rock and classical backgrounds, he perpetrates a form…
Row Boat, Ett
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Starting out in 2003, Mark Wardale soon cofounded a band called Some Are Saints, which has since gone on hiatus. He then engaged in production and promotion as the founder of the indie label Musiker Records, which serves as an “outlet for struggling musicians to get their music heard within the industry.” As for Wardale’s…
Doug MacDonald Band, Mr. Bones
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With heavy leanings on all aspects guitar, from 60s garage to Dick Dale style Surf jangle, Doug MacDonald and drummer Patty Short offer their eight-track latest, Mr. Bones. The Indie power duo employs their throwback sound; Rock sentiment and musical interplay to create a vintage album feel that evokes sounds of ago. Jangle electric and…
Universe, Chances
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As a kid, I was a consumer of the Punk genre. Symbolically, it was the first time I could separate myself from my father’s vinyl as something wholly “mine.” Within a decade from then, Punk would deconstruct and splinter. And as a writer in the 2000s, I watched the fractured pieces come falling down into…
Voice of Addiction, Modern Day Meltdown
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On the heels of their full-length, Chicago’s Voice of Addiction have dropped more of their archetypical Punk-fueled, Metal-laced Rock with their latest EP, Modern Day Meltdown. The politically charged trio tackle contemporary topics ranging from global warming and cultural difference to “a day in the life” of The Windy City. Both in delivery and…
Eve Minor, Ex Rated
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From the New York area comes Alternative rock artists Eve Minor who just released her EP entitled “Ex Rated” in 2013. (POPCORE). Right from the start it might be easy to just categorize her as sultry- trippy-alt-rocker, and write her off as the newest trending thing around that area. It wouldn’t be wise, though. Sure,…
Galilee, Robot Arms
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The year was 1997: Some intern named Monica was getting her taste of politics; Tommy Lee had launched his acting career; and the young rocker now known as Galilee got done nasty in an accident. Physically unable to perform, his musical ways found an alternative in the ascending electronic media. Liking it so much, he…
RED LINE CHEMISTY, TUG OF WAR
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This the third release from the hard rock five-man group from Missouri. Singer Brett Ditgen has a good voice for the genre. Guitarists Andy Breit and Dave Fyten work well in tandem. Unspoken has a metal edge similar to many of the bands RLC has shared the stage with. What Do…
Richard Haswell, Asteroids
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Richard Haswell’s latest release, “Asteroids” is appropriately named as it takes you on a cosmic journey through his psyche. Reigning from the UK he is bringing a vibe both old and new. It is slightly reminiscent of Depeche Mode, but has an edge unlike anything else currently on the radio. There are long instrumental…
Zach Caruso, Shades of Blue
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It shouldn’t be shocking that Zach Caruso has a good grasp on lyrical composition: the man’s earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism and a Master’s in Writing. Some might say he has an unofficial degree in Guitar. He also has considerable real-world experience, a full decade in fact, during which time he has opened for Grammy-nominated…
Jack+Jill, COLORADiO
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Like everyone, I have those musical faves that haven’t simply “made the list”; rather they are “etched into the very stone” of it. There was never enough J Mascis riff masturbation on vintage Dino Jr. albums; I’ve never not wanted another bouncing bass line solo from Geddy Lee. And I will always lean toward Ryan…
Dirty Hurricane, Rude, Crude & Unattractive
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So what is Avant-Garde? Avant-garde quite simply represents a pushing of the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm or status quo primarily in popular culture. The notion of the existence of the avant-garde is considered by some to be a hallmark of modernism. I like to think of it as uncharted water. So…
