About the Artist: New York 4 piece band Negativehate just released their latest CD entitled Min Cosmic Winter in 2012. Band members include Mike Stewart (Drums, Electronics, Vocals), Pat Dorme (Drums) Eric Stewart (Bass), Chuck Scandura (Guitar, Vocals) and Dmitri Benzinger (Percussion). Review: In this overly saturated genera/market with a plethora of artists coming out…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Aoede, Skeletons of The Muse
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With a catchy pop feel and a nice Indie folk sound, Aoede brings her soft soothing voice to the forefront in her music. Writing everything herself, Lisa Sniderman is a very gifted artist that expresses her joy of good feeling music with every track she has to offer. On “Can’t Stop the Music”, the…
Mike Soviet, Sacred
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Atmospheric, effects-heavy electronica is the hallmark vein of British Columbia’s Mike Soviet. Add occasional long-gone New Wave synth progressions a la Gary Newman and often-indecipherable lyrical matter and you more or less have the frenetic nature of Soviet’s new album Sacred. Though this outing boasts more polish than Not Chill; this stuff is fringe and…
The Royal Guard, Showdown
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About the Artist: This is the latest CD entitled Showdown from New York 3 piece Rock Band The Royal Guard. Meet the Band: Todd Davidson (vocals/guitar); Andy Ascolese (guitar, vocals) and Fred Scragg (drums). FACEBOOK – http://www.facebook.com/theroyalguard Review: I have to say I was extremely impressed with the opening 3 tracks “All…
ALBERT CUMMINGS, NO REGRETS
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Albert follows a long line of bluesmen, intent on delivering their version of the genre. This is his sixth release, and it reflects his country listening background through his high school discovery of SRV. Having written the material (with the exception of Mannish Boy) AC seems to have sufficient background to deal with…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, AUGUST 2012
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Leon Foster Thomas, Brand New Mischief (Krossover Jazz) This is how they do it in your basic Caribbean tourist retreat — okay, I’m lying, it isn’t. Trinidad native Thomas’s mastery of steel pan drums extends through a wide spectrum of color, from thumped bass funk (the title track, in which Thomas sees the solo…
Fallsstart, Our Summer
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About the Artist: This is Fallsstart’s latest EP entitled Our Summer released in 2012. In their own words: “We were going for something very fast paced and very energetic, an album that could stand on its own two feet without rehashing something that had already been done. And I think we accomplished that.” Band members…
Gitar, Seen As Unclean
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As a genre, I posit that “Indie” can mean a myriad of things. It could mean “independent of a major label” or actually “on an Indie label.” But I think the term can equally mean independent of BEING labeled. Such is the case with Gitar and their new 12-track LP Seen As Unclean. With diverse…
Hey Sugar, Along for the Ride
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About the Artist: Hey Sugar are a 4 piece Puck Rock band from Montreal, Canada. This is one band that’s currently out on the Warp Tour making quite a name for themselves regionally and internationally. They have received critical acclaim from many music critics and webzines around the globe thus far in their musical career…
The Protest, Self-Titled EP
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With band mate nicknames like “Shred”, “Animal”, “Texas Two Step”, “Sludge” and “Sarge”, one does not immediately envision a metal band with a mission from God. That is what Indiana based The Protest are though. Unable to really compare this band with others of the same agenda, The Protest doesn’t make metal music for the…
Pilot Touhill, Keeping Secrets
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About the Artist: Pilot Touhill is an artist that hails from the LA area. Reading from their bio: Fusing elements of alternative, rock, reggae and electronic, Pilot Touhill creates catchy songs with soulful melodies that are completely honest and unedited like any private journal entry. Their latest 4 song EP entitled “Keeping Secrets” was Produced…
John Wakefield, A Curious Child’s Album
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Inspiration, at times, is a strange muse. Sometimes ideas flow from the deepest inner well. Other times, it is some thing seemingly unrelated to creativity. And sometimes it is “creation” itself that prompts us. In the case of John Wakefield, it was “procreation” that ushered forth A Curious Child’s Album, after his wife told him…
Billy Ray Deiz, Joy
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Billy Ray Deiz has been around music his whole life to where he even enjoyed success with one of the hottest bands in L.A. back in the 60s called The Seven Souls. That group included the late Bob Welch who later went on to play with the legendary Fleetwood Mac and The Seven Souls…
Thank You Scientist, Maps of Non-Existent Places
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About the Artist: New Jersey 7 piece band Thank You Scientist just released their latest CD entitled Maps of Non-Existent Places in 2012. Band members include: Salvatore Marrano, Tom Monda, Russell Lynch, Andrew Digrius, Ellis Jasenovic, Greg Colacino, and Odin Alvarez Review: In this overly saturated genera/market with a plethora of artists coming out of…
The Como Brothers Band, Speed of Sound
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It is the propensity for mankind to classify the things around them. We like things to fit into a category with other things like it. And I am no different. That being said, I can’t seem to place the NY-based trio, The Como Brothers Band into one nice, neat little package. Just as it seems…
The Higher Concept, Everybody
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If Slightly Stoopid had “slightly” heavier leanings on Hip Hop, it would probably sound a lot like The Higher Concept. The NYC trio has released their new full-length Everything–a strong mash-up of pop rock sensibility, motivational uplifting lyrical matter and token rap and rhymes. The album packaging even gives a nod to The Beatles album…
Antoinette Michael Thorne, Issues
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For New York rocker, Antoinette Michael Thorne, her 12-track album Issues was the album that almost wasn’t. After moving to New York, an untimely accident crushed the lifelong singer’s larynx and for the next four years, several specialists couldn’t seem to fix her broken voice. In May of 2010, she finally had the necessary surgery…
Kaotik, The Awakening
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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…
ILLnique, Divine Retribution
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In a time where much of Hip Hop seems to be cast from the same mold of kitschy club tracks, Autotune lyrics and “shawties”, it’s a breath of fresh air when someone decides to eschew the contemporary that everyone else is doing and trek out on their own. Maybe it’s the “two paths diverge in…
Sex Slaves, Call of the Wild
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About the Artist: Deep from the depths of the New York arises the 4 headed beast known as Sex Slaves who just released their fourth album entitled “Call of the Wild” in 2012. Review: I always listen to the opening track extremely carefully. It’s the opening track the band or artists has selected to hit…
They Know, Next Time Around
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Daniel Ehart and Lee Raden join forces with Ruth McFarlane and Dave Stouber to create the band, “They Know”. Reigning out of the musical town of Phoenixville, PA they have been working hard to complete their latest project and have released an EP to let us wet our whistles in anticipation for their full length…
The Dirty Panties, I am a Robot
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About the Artist: The Dirty Panties are a 4 piece Puck Rock band from Las Vegas, NV. and have been making a name for themselves regionally. They have received critical acclaim from many music critics and webzines around the globe thus far in their musical career and are known for…
Metasoma, Self Titled
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With their hard edge and sharp sound, Metasoma’s music is hard to nail down to one genre. One listen to any track will leave you mesmerized by their diversity in the rock realm of sounds they have to offer the music world. On “Metal Erosion”, Voytek Golbiak blazes in with his lead axe opening what…
Eclectic Mayhem, Eclectic Mayhem
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For the city that boasts the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame it is fitting that Cleveland quartet Eclectic Mayhem has dropped their self-titled debut album–11-tracks of hard-rocking Indie, splashed with moments of melodic ballad and progressive rock elements. Beyond being a milestone in the career of the band, it is a testament of a…
Kim Yarson, Thankful
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About the Artist: This is Yarson’s second release. She’s based in Trenton New Jersey and was recently nominated at the Jersey Acoustic Music Awards, awarded 2010 Top Female vocalist and Top Female Songwriter for 2011. Impressive to say the least. Here mantra: “I write and sing songs to paint hope and promote healing with one…
Michael Carroll, Electronic
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“Electronic” is one release that certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is one artist that brings to the table effective songwriting via a very original sounding musical delivery. This meshed with a one in a million Spaced out Ambient sound makes for a very effective combination. “Electronic” even touches on tripped out-psychedelic-chill-dub, almost as if you’re listening…
SIXSTEP, House Of Cards
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SIXSTEP is proud to announce their first studio album, “House of Cards”. I’m proud to say I was able to review it. These guys rock! They are bringing positive vibes with a groovy sense of humor. [youtube Mc89X-TwSxY] This CD is entertainment at its finest. It comes at you full force, hitting you…
Another October, Storage Stories
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Another October is a Michigan based band bringing their debut EP, “Storage Stories” to a eager fan base. These guys are entertaining and talented with a mix of jazzy rockers and smooth vibes. [youtube 4X0bNBgK1a8] The only disappointment about this CD is that there are only six songs on it. Each tune dances in your…
We Are The Last Men On Earth, Girl Named Never
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Killian MacGeraghty is the front man for the band, We Are The Last Men On Earth. He is celebrating his latest adventure with his new release, “Girl Named Never”. He is based in San Francisco and is bringing a sound as fresh as a spring breeze. http://wearethelastmenonearth.bandcamp.com This CD is quirky and fascinating with a…
KELLER WILLIAMS, PICK
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For Keller’s 18th album appropriately title Pick, singer/songwriter (and player of just about every stringed instrument he can find) he has joined forces with Nashville’s beloved bluegrass family The Travelin’ McCourys. The release was recorded at Music City’s famed Butcher Shoppe studios. Needless to say, the release relies on a lot of fiddle…
Mat Brandon, I Would Run
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I like to think that I know talent when I hear it and I have to say that Mat Brandon has got that “IT” factor. Music has been running through Mat’s blood since he was a kid where he started on classical and jazz piano at the very young age of five. Mat…
The Barrens, Self Titled
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“The Barrens” (2012) is their latest release and it has much to commend it. Admittedly, there is a whole lot of variety to these arrangements and performances. First: the impressive 5 piece line up featuring. Colin Fitzgerald (Vocals, Guitar, Bass), Debbie Chou (Vocals, Keyboard), Mike Koene (Guitar, Vocals) and Chris Gersbeck (Drums, Vocals. Jay Sharp…
Dani Raushi, High Tides Collide
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Raushi is a L.A. based band with a songstress rock n roller for a lead singer. It sounds like she has lived through one trial after another. The beauty of it all is how she always managed to come out ahead. This band continuously puts one foot in front of the other and collects more…
TWO CENT SAM, Songs from the Sandbox
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Band Members: Mike Logiudice (Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica, Bass), Jeff Burke (Guitar), Matt Shaw (Bass), Pete Bienkowski (Drums), Dan Hodgkinson (Keys, Vocals). Review: In this overly saturated genera/market a plethora of artists coming out of the woodwork, armed with nothing more than a PC, Microphone, a guitar and a crappy sounding CD. They manage push their…
T.O.N.E.Z., High Voltage
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Production credits: T.O.N.E.Z. Hopsin, Arjae Knox, Life & Death, JM730, Koncept, Tokerface, Eurostarz, Mr. Mikey, DJ JSI, Naydee & Julian. About the Artist: This is the latest release from Rapper T.O.N.E.Z entitled High Voltage. Reading now from his bio: Rooting back to the origins of hip hop as the younger brother of hip hop…
JOANovARC, Say Sayonara
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About the Artist: All female UK rock band JOANovARC just released their latest single: ”Say Sayonara” This is one band that’s been tearing up UK stages and has made a few stops in the US, recently performing at the Florida Music Festival. American fans can look forward to a full tour in the near…
Nomad Carlos, Live Good
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Newsflash: Jamaican born Hip Hop artists Nomad Carlos just released his latest single “Live Good” produced by DJ King Flow. This is not the first we’ve heard from Nomad Carlos. Raised in Kingston from the age of 5, he worked hard through the ranks of Jamaica Reggae and Dancehall music to become one of the…
JOE BONAMASSA, DRIVING TOWARDS THE DAYLIGHT
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Making 13 albums in 12 years, is a feat in itself, not considering the literally thousands of shows Joe has done in that time period. Joe and producer Kevin Shirley reunited to take a trip back through Joe’s blues roots, with a few originals added into the mix. Brad Whitford, Anton Fig, and…
Dirk Down, With a Vengeance
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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…
Stereo Pirates, Self Titled
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Newsflash: Deep from the depths of the Twin Cities arises a 5 headed beast known as Stereo Pirates. Stereo Pirates just released their debut self titled CD in 2012. ARRRRRRRRRR I always listen to the opening track extremely carefully. It’s the opening track the artists has selected to hit your ears first and foremost.…
