The one-man band J.J. Crowne is at it again with an exciting, new EP out titled ‘Another Day Of Love’. The first time I came across J.J. and heard his music for the first time was last year when I did a Review + for his album called ‘Songs Of Innocence And Experience’ (http://skopemag.com/2011/07/22/j-j-crowne-songs-of-innocence-and-experience).…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Hosts of Heav3n, Self-titled
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Fledgling artist, Richard Fendler is making a name for himself not only behind the turntables as DJ Heavenly but has now stepped into production and has released a series of electronica tracks under the name Hosts of Heav3n. The eight tracks are trancey, house tunes rife with layered soundscapes, electronic instrumentation and catchy transitions. This…
Heidi Breyer, Beyond The Turning
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Fans of composition should find themselves lost in the aural landscape of Heidi Breyer’s latest release, Beyond The Turning. The 14-track album is naturally piano led tunes with 12 weighing in at pure instrumental that play out like an “aural novel” of Breyer’s life. From track to track, moods and feelings are instrumentally conveyed, but…
Hooyoosay, My Obsession w/Pain in My Heart
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So okay I love when this happens where I discover new music by way of research for a review! This is exactly what happened here with Hooyoosay’s “My Obsession” and “Pain in my Heart”. First up is a cover of the 1967 track “My Obsession” off of the ‘Between the Buttons’ record by…
DEAD MODERN VILLAINS, Wisconsin Blues
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Deep from the depths of the Green Bay, Wisconsin arises the 3 headed beast known as Dead Modern Villains who released their last album entitled “Wisconsin Blues ” in 2011. 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…
The Wandering Bards, Party Hat (EP)
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Members/Instruments: Kenny Allen: Vocals, harmonica, jaw harp, accordion and melodica Ron Baumann: Upright Bass and background vocals Mike Cardone: Cajon, tambourine, maracas, guiro and cymbals Ray Fyhr: Violin, Colin McKay: Vocals, acoustic guitar and djembe. URL: http://www.wanderingbards.com SONICBIDS http://www.sonicbids.com/2/EPK/?epk_id=63700 CD BABY http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheWanderingBards About the Artist: This is the latest release from New York 5 piece…
Step Daddy, Love
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Bio: This is Step Daddy’s latest CD entitled Love released in 2012. The Band’s been around for about 9 years now. In their own words: “Step Daddy is the collaboration of 4 Seattle veterans, each having more than 10 years of experience in the Seattle music scene. It’s members have played in such acts as…
The Jardines, Someone’s Stolen Tuesday
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When Cherelle Jardine was set to release another album, she asked her daughter, Ajaye, about a collaboration project. From that, their self-titled LP was released. The project worked so well, mother and daughter team is set to release their sophomore full-length, Someone’s Stolen Tuesday–11-tracks of their pop nuanced Alt Country. Assuming dual writing and tandem…
Black Vendetta, Draconian Backlash
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After leaving his hometown of Harrogate, UK singer/songwriter, Nathan Virica trekked South to the bustle of London to taking his band name with him and his career in another direction. Now with some time and adjustment under his belt, the fledgling artist has released his first album, Draconian Backlash–8-tracks of varied guitar work and slight…
My Secret Island, I Miss the Day Maxi-Single
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Time to find out what’s hiding out in this so-called “Secret Island” so let’s start digging! My Secret Island is a very secretive bunch made up of Mark Van Merm and his Top-Secret Band. They are currently promoting their two-track single which includes “I Miss The Day” and “Sheila”. One thing is…
Roxie Randle, Little Victory
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Though it may still be the heart and soul of Country Music, Roxie Randle’s latest EP is proof that Nashville is a singer/songwriter town. Little Victory is a five-track album of deep, heartfelt lyrical matter, strong melody and vocal tandems and tight technical production. Appropriately named, the album is the result of a crossroads Randle…
Bruno Bavota, Il Pozzo d’Amor
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About the Artist: This is Bavota’s latest release. Researching his bio he has an accomplished musical career thus far. A few top accolades include: Song featured on soundtrack for American film “Power of Purpose”. He was the Winner, with the band “Adailysong”, of the “Eccellenza Napoletana” award, delivered at the Palazzo delle Arti Napoli (PAN)…
The Outer Vibe, Hoka Hey
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The Band: Nick Hosford (Guitar, Banjo, Lap Steel,) Sean Zee (Lead Vocals, Percussion) Lisa Kacos (Trumpet, Keyboards, Percussion) Jeff Brems (Drums and Percussion) and Andrew Dornoff (Bass) Genera: Alternative Rock, Punk Rock Review: I always listen to the opening track extremely carefully. It’s the opening track the band or artists has selected…
Mouthful of Daisy, Twice Renewed
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Despite initial setbacks, it is a rejuvenated Mouthful of Daisy these days. Once removed from the confined tastes of their hometown of Vancouver; a new lineup in place and a chance recording session in New York City, the outfit is back making their brand of aggressive Indie/Alt with fervor. The recording session at Killingworth Studio…
My Silent Bravery, Can’t Quit Deluxe Edition
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My Silent Bravery is Matthew Wade. He sits comfortably in the recognizable pop world. His music tugs on your heart strings with that universal feeling that relates to everyone on so many levels. It is a clash of refreshing new and comfortable familiarity that dances in your head long after the last note has been…
Willie Ames, Night Owl
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About the Artist: This is Ames latest release entitled Night Owl (2012). Ames is based out of Los Angeles and was recently awarded Solo Artist of the Year and performer in the 20th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards (LAMAs) 2010 held at the Paramount Theater in Hollywood, also at the award’s voting party at the…
Chris Riffle, Another Dream
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Rife with deeply cerebral soundscapes and emotive lyrics, Riffle’s third outing lives up to its namesake. Another Dream is six-tracks of introspective music with folk sentimentality and moody, down tempo Indie leanings. “All That We Hold” opens to strummed acoustic melody over slight backing percussion and accompanying piano. Riffle’s upper octave vocals shine in this…
Vulture Kult, Don’t let Rock n’ Roll Ruin your Life
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About the Artist: This is the latest CD from Saskatoon Canada – 2 piece “Vulture Kult” entitled appropriately enough: Don’t let Rock n Roll Ruin Your Life released in 2012. Meet the Band: Hans Bielefeld (Guitars, Vocals) and Bradley Friesen (Drums, Vocals) FACEBOOK — https://www.facebook.com/VultureKult Review: I have to say I was extremely impressed…
Full Moon Orchestra, This is Our Music
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About the Artist: This is the latest release from Belgium based 4 piece Band “Full Moon Orchestra” entitled This is our music (2012). Musical styles presented: Pop elements with Classic Rock, Alternative Rock, and Americana-Folk. Review: What does a band like Crosby, Stills Nash, Neil Young and America have that Full Moon Orchestra don’t have?…
Billy K Band, Outrun The Rain
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After stints in two prior bands, Billy K has surrounded himself with the right likeminded musicians to bring his anecdotal, prototype Country to fans. True in the vein of contemporary Nashville, the band has released Outrun The Rain–11-tracks of archetypical honky stomp tunes laced with the occasional down tempo Country ballad. [youtube 1ZrRMZLPedE] The album…
Mike Grosshandler, Blue Skies Black LP
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Solo artists seem to be coming out of the woodwork lately, and sounding pretty good at that. Thus is the case with guitarist for Upstate NY bands “The Velmas” and “Above The Flood” , Mike Grosshandler. Juggling roles in two bands, this hard working artist found the time to release a full-length album of his…
Supa, Who’s That
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Supa is coming to you from Texas and is celebrating his debut CD, “Who’s That”. He is grooving onto the Hip Hop scene with smooth, addicting rhythms. He brings to the table a wide variety of musical influences to create his own unique sound. Hip Hop may not appeal to everyone but Supa has a…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, SEPTEMBER 2012
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Rebecca Loebe, Circus Heart (self-released) Much like Linda Ronstadt, this Austin-by-way-of-Georgia girl can belt country-tinged pseudo-balladry and switch over quickly to torchy, half-there crooning. Loebe’s on her third LP at this point, having made no small amount of hay out of a successful showing on American TV’s The Voice, impressing Christina Aguilara and Adam…
Third International, Chemical Eyes + Bonus
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I had the pleasure of reviewing Third International’s ‘Entre Las Americas’ back in May for Skope (http://skopemag.com/index.php?s=Third+International) and I knew then that this group has got something special. The mastermind behind it all, Andrew Pearson, is back with a single that includes two songs: “Chemical Eyes” and “Good Friday at Little Rock”. This…
Class Reunion, Music-Nation
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The group Class Reunion is made up of just two musicians: lead songwriter, co-founder and co-president of Class Records Mark L. Sanchez aka Shaggy Docious & lyricist, co-founder and co-president of Class Records Jonathan A. Demas aka JAD. Shaggy D and JAD share duties of vocals, guitars, bass, and drums/percussion while Jonathan also plays…
Midnight Mosaic, My Fair Lady
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Matching the look of each member to the next of this 5 piece band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, the music of Midnight Mosaic is very diverse indeed in sound from track to track. Listed as Indie/Rock leaves much open for interpretation, and Midnight Mosaic does not simplify it at all with the varies in…
3 Beers For Breakfast, EP
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With more of a southern rock feel, the music of 3 Beers For Breakfast cannot just be classified as Indie Country. Having more of that rocker type rhythm and flow, as opposed to too much twang, 3 Beers music is one of those sounds that will make the breakthrough from just mainstream country music to…
Scott Leftwich and the Atarians, Love
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About the Artist: This is the lat4est release from this 4 piece Alternative Rock band from North Carolina entitled Love ( 2012). Band members include Scott Leftwich Guitar/Vocals, Blake Leftwich Guitar/Vocals, Brian Tate Bass/Vocals, Ricky Underwood Drums/Vocals. Review: Love is one release that certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is one band that brings to the…
Sandbox, Me & Him and Horse
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About the Artist: This is the latest release from Los Angeles based 7 member Alternative Rock band “Sandbox.” Band members include: Kaitlin Wolfberg and Morgan Paros (Violins), Dayna Richards (horns), Laureen Brown (Tap), Cooper Cowgill and Adam Hull (Marching Drums), Shane Sweet plays all other instrumentation and is the primary vocalist. Review: What does…
Antonio Piretti, A Step in Heave, A Step in Hell
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About the Artist: This is Piretti’s debut release. Researching his bio He is from Italy but now makes his home in the Toronto area. I really like the BIO section of his Reverbnation site. Rather than explain who he is as an artist he breaks the mold and puts many inspiration quotes that capture the…
Benn Bacot Quartet, Stolen Moments
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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…
Blest, Unleashed
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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…
Suns of Orpheus, Amoris Orbita
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World music conglomerate Suns of Orpheus have been moving and shaking (both literally and figuratively) in Austin since last year when they recorded their debut EP having NEVER played a live show. Recently, they saw their hometown honor their musical endeavors with a special gift all of their own–August 23rd will not only serve as…
Surefire, Frat House Rock
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Mike Leone, Peter Hung, Kevin Dallaire and Cymbals Suarez joined forces to create a new band, “Surefire”. They have already hit some well known venues in the Boston area such as BU Central, Hennessy Hooley’s House, and Wellesly College. They’re collecting a hard core fan base who are anxiously willing to let their hair down…
Tyne Darling, The Secret November
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There are those of us deeply affected by our environments, whether that is geographically or atmospherically; our surroundings can sometimes be quite the efficient muse. So seems to be the inspiration behind Tyne Darling’s latest album, The Secret November–12-tracks of emotive lyrical matter tracing a path from coast to coast and rendering a documentation…
Ascent, Secrets of Flight
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Varied soundscapes of electronic and classical instrumentation is the crux of Ascent. The fulcrum of their tracks is that place where the natural meets the created; where the organic and the electronic meld. Fitting for the husband and wife duo, with the natural vocal prowess of Christina and the prog rock leanings and vast musicality…
Glen Naylor, The Bonza Bobby Dazzler Bush Band
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Children’s music has to go on the list of genres I have not done much with. Not having children of my own makes tackling an album from this genre a difficult task at best. But when it comes to Australian artist Glen Naylor, she makes a rather difficult genre easy to write about with her…
noise, Divided
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When traversing the globe in seek of great music, one does not stumble into Iceland too often. This is not the case today, as the music of alternative rock band noise has jumped into the spotlight. The recently released “Divided” offers a new look into what the alternative rock genre has to offer. Lending a…
Walking Sideways, Self Titled
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Review: This review is not to be confused with the Walking Sideways EP release. This is the debut Full Length CD from Long Island based 4 piece Alt-Rock band Walking Sideways. I have to say I was extremely impressed with the opening 3 tracks “Addiction”, Undecided” and “On the Porch”. They made quite…
The Gashers, Law is not Order
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About the Artist: This is The Gashers debut release entitled Law is not Order released in 2012 (Squidhat Records). Band was formed from elements of the local Punk Rock Band The Peccadilloes based out of Las Vegas as well. Band member include Jason (Guitar, Vocals), Sandy (Drums, vocals), James (Bass and Vocals). Review: Law is…
