Have you ever wondered how many pop stars it takes to change a light bulb? The answer, in case you are wondering, is that it doesn’t matter as there will never be a shortage of pop stars. Of course, being a Pop Star isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you are actually capable of delivering…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Beer, Guts & Glory, American Pride
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Upon first hearing the name of the band and accompanying music CD, I was immediately intrigued by Beer, Guts & Glory and “American Pride”. I was not surprised at all to hear that the band truly lives up to their name. In judging a book by it’s cover, so to speak, I pictured a punk,…
James Moore, Your Band Is A Virus!
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For the first time ever I am doing my first book review, so I am definitely excited right from the start! James Moore is the author of “Your Band Is A Virus!” and he is an independent music promoter/CEO of Independent Music Promotions (www.independentmusicpromotions.com). This book can help Indie artists & bands gain…
Rick Shaffer, Idiot Flats
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Until the release of his debut solo venture, I had never heard of Rick Shaffer. I am proud to say that ever since that initial review, I’ve never forgotten him and apparently he’s never forgotten me either. So when I was asked to review this latest dose of Rick, I happily obliged. See, to me…
Farehaven, (EP) from the album Upside-down
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Have you listened to the Radio lately? Is it me or is something going horribly wrong with today’s music. Do you remember when music actually had real instruments in them with real people playing them? How about good songs written by the artists themselves. How about live performances that where these artists poured their heart…
The Daydreamers, With Your Love
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The Daydreamers put you in a trance with their latest release, “With Your Love”. This eclectic band stands out above your regular radio norms. They set new standards for refreshing and different. They have created a genre of music that should be labeled simply, “really good!” There is a smooth groove that starts your…
Derek Stroker, Love and Colour
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Derek Stroker’s new release, “Love and Colour” is a new kind of vibe. It awakens your senses and makes you feel like you have an extra sense no one else does. It tickles your ears with such style and grace and sets a calm sobering mood. Derek’s voice is smooth and engaging. He has…
Fiona Joy Hawkins, Sensual Journeys
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The first time I heard pianist/composer/vocalist Fiona Joy Hawkins was back in 2009 when I reviewed her album ‘Blue Dream’ (http://skopemag.com/2009/01/23/fiona-joy-hawkins-blue-dream). Fiona’s classy approach at the piano continues to stand out on this new release. Hawkins plays with such elegance and her compositions hold much feeling. Fiona says herself that “Sensual Journeys is…
Rachel Maddow, Drift (Book Review)
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Ah, an amusing house wine of liberal punditry, full of cutesy language, tidbits about Ronald Reagan (did you know he was never in any real danger when he “served” in the military?), and etc. Maddow has a doctorate in politics, which is arguably more useful than possessing the ability to change a catalytic converter…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, JUNE 2012
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The Walkmen, Heaven (Fat Possum Records) This band — at one time a loud, angular hot-mess — is, officially as of this LP, content to sip cappuccinos at NPR and chuckle at their oldness. This album seems a continuation of their last one, Lisbon, in which they’ve gotten off the plane from Spain, hung…
Flowerglass, The Lions
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Over the years we’ve seen pop, rock, and even alternative rock bands slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows. Talking to many music fans out there, the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something that makes me feel good. something that’s pure and is going to kick start my heart. Something that doesn’t sound…
Sophist, The White EP
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Tim Palmer brings us his music performed under the name Sophist. He has poured his heart into this latest release, “The White EP”. This is a 3 song EP that appeals to your senses through his six string combined with emotionally poignant words. Palmer tickles your intellect with strong lyrical content. Even if you…
sMALLTIME, Self Titled EP
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sMALLTIME’s debut self titled CD is big music in a little package. This band consists of four guys with a religious message that appeals to the secular world. The Lead singer has a huge voice that is backed by some rockin music to create the fusion of inspiration and rebellious rock n roll. These guys…
Doug Ratner and the Watchmen, Lessons Well Learned
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Doug Ratner and the Watchmen are making their presence known with their latest release, “Lessons Well Learned”. It looks and sounds like they have learned their lessons quite well. This latest release is full of heavy hitting rockers that are sure to satisfy. They open the CD with their critically acclaimed single, Bomb in the…
Doug McCurry, Romance Like It Was
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Doug McCurry is back for more with his brand new release titled ‘Romance Like It Was’. Last year I had the pleasure of reviewing McCurry’s solo album called ‘Seven Songs About Leaving’ (http://skopemag.com/index.php?s=Doug+McCurry) and I knew then that Doug McCurry was an extremely unique artist. The music was original and the sound was like…
The Pels Syndicate, Chemical Inconveniences
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Atmospheric, multi-layered soundscapes is the hallmark facet of The Pels Syndicate new album Chemical Inconveniences. Think a down tempo, mellow version of The Crystal Method meets Mark Farina-style Acid Jazz. The tracks wax and wane from dreamy and ethereal to groovy drone electronica and leave almost no electronica subgenre unrepresented. The brainchild of Dutch keyboardist/sound…
Petrel, Bombshell (SINGLE)
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Over the years we’ve seen rock and even earthy Pop 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 &…
Abandoned Faith, Self Titled
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Upon hearing the first track put forth to me by Abandoned Faith, “The Underlining Truth”, I immediately pictured a West Coast USA band. With a blazing guitar classic rock feel and pulverizing drumline, I have to say I was quite surprised to learn the band hails from South Yorkshire, England’s burrough of Sheffield. Lead singer…
Transcend The Fallen, Between Perception and Regret
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“Do you Transcend?” That is the question put forth by Nashville, Tennessee’s 5-piece Melodic Hard Rock band Transcend the Fallen. I received TTF’s debut full-length CD “Between Perception and Regret” having only been offered that one sentence about the band. So I set out to find an answer to the ambiguous question. What I found…
Frostbite, Valentine and other Stories of Hope (CD)
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Over the years we’ve seen Rock and even Hard Rock and Heavy Metal 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” & I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming…
Richard Anthony, Love is Power (2011)
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Over the years we’ve seen pop, rock, and even Ambient Pop slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish & highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” & I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs…
Tony DeSimone, As We Go ‘Round The Sun
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Well I never knew it took a rocket scientist to make great music until now. Tony DeSimone broadens his talents from the science realm to the music world. “As We Go ‘Round the Sun” is a melodic display of awesomeness. This 5 song EP is an expression of DeSimone’s musical visions. He has soothing vocals…
Machine Elves, Fancy Suits & Cigarettes
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Upon receiving Machine Elves’ debut full-length CD “Fancy Suits & Cigarettes”, I was shocked to find out that this band has not been signed to a major label. After listening to every track, I assumed that this was the bands choice to remain Independent, as any label to pass on signing them must be completely…
Robert O’Connor, Resistance
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Over the years we’ve seen rock, pop and hard rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish & highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” & I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs &…
Holiday, Holiday
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Siblings, Steve and Nick Winiarski make up the melodic Bronx duo known as Holiday. Leaning heavily on their influences, the pair has released their self-titled, six-track EP. The tracks are melody driven with the vocals standing prominently at the foreground. Filled with emotive, allegorical lyrical matter; the tracks play out more story than song. The…
Michael Gutierrez-May, Taliesen
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Massachusetts singer/songwriter Mike Gutierrez-May has released his new single–the demure “Taliesen.” An homage to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Summer home in Wisconsin, the track is one of allegory in that the home shares its name with a seventh century bard of the same name. Translated, “Taliesen” means, “rumpled brow” which also served as inspiration for the…
eM, DHF, Heath Karau Mix
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The first time I heard eM was when I reviewed just two tracks off of her second full-length album ‘DHF’ last year for Skope (http://skopemag.com/2011/10/20/em-dhf-teaser). Now, I get to hear eight songs in full all mixed by Chicago native, Heath Karau. The DJ mix breathes new life into ‘DHF’ and into the progressive…
Kettleblack, Bullfrog
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Kettleblack is back and with a vengeance. They are celebrating their latest release, “Bullfrog”. I did not think it was possible to rock any harder than they did before, but I stand corrected. These guys are putting their abilities to the test and passing with flying colors and soaring guitars. My favorite song on this…
28-200, Gunfire of Angels
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28-200 is a duo out of Denver Co. Their music is more of a feeling that enters through your ears and burrows into your soul. It is a sound that is to the point with edgy moments of attitude. Mister L and Aimee have joined forces and have been pumping out music since 2005. Their…
Elwood James Band, Self-Titled
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If you like music with a whole lot of feeling, then you should love Elwood James Band and their debut album. The group has a wide array of musical influences, but what stuck out to me the most was the element of rock. In its simplest form, rock ‘n’ roll plays a huge…
Dwayna Litz, Counting Your Blessings
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Over the years we’ve seen music slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish & highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” & I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll” into…
Billy Ray Deiz, Mighty Girl
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Longtime TV and radio personality, Billy Ray Deiz, has gone from commentary on the music industry to full immersion within it. Riding the 2011 release of The Nashville Tracks, Deiz has released the four-track EP, Mighty Girl–and amalgam album replete with all the groove and soul of R&B; the swagger of horn-laced, radio friendly rock…
Third International, Entre Las Americas
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Third International is attempting to bridge the gap between cultures of North America vs. South America on ‘Entre Las Americas’. By way of politically & socially-conscious music, Third International is shedding some much needed light on all of the problems this world faces. We can’t possibly fix all the world’s issues but we…
Francis Bowie, EP
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Francis Bowie is a unique Danish artist. His latest release consists of four powerful uplifting tunes. I say uplifting, but there is a twist. He seems to have a knack for singing about breaking up and hurting and then colors those emotions with melodic bouncing beats. Bowie is not only an artist but an entertainer…
Charlie Hill, The Landing
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Charlie Hill is introducing his debut CD, “The Landing”. I wish I was Charlie Hill or at least had a 3rd of his abilities. He is a guitarist that lives in a realm above us all. I have never heard such purposeful and concise music. So this is how this one needs to be approached.…
CONVALESCENTS, Armageddon
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The band CONVALESCENTS consists of front man Dylan Busby, bassist Eric Lehman, drummer Ben Duncan and guitarist Gideon Priegel. They have all been friends since middle school which is revealed in how they work together on their first full length CD, “Armageddon”. These guys are focused and on a mission and are pumping out some…
Mark Northfield, Alterations
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Mark Northfield is back with his latest release, “Alterations”. He is a composer extraordinaire and works with some top notch musicians on this latest project. There is no shortage in poppy show tunes on this one. Mark holds nothing back and uses his artistic visions to create his latest masterpiece. Image yourself in a…
Jes Falcon, Fake Bluff
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Jes Falcon is celebrating his first full length CD release, “Fake Bluff”. Jes seems to have a knack for networking and keeping focused on the business at hand. He is a talented musician with a brain for business and he knows how to get the job done. “Fake Bluff” is a perfect example of his…
Earsweat Records, Earsweat Drops
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If variety is indeed the spice of life, then my love of the compilation album is evidence I am living rather well. I have always had an affinity for a myriad of artists that can be found conveniently in one place and the myriad of styles from track to track provides the notion that I…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, MAY 2012
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Florian Hoefner, Songs Without Words (OA2 Records) Sometimes strengths could be construed as weaknesses, as here, wherein this jazz-piano New Yorker-by-way-of-Germany stretches out in rabidly improv mode on his opening track, then does a 180 and heads in the direction of chill modern prog, stuff that comprises the bulk of the album. Only reason…
