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…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
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…
Xenia Dunford & The Eastern Exile, Lonely Streets
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Are you ready for a pure voice that needs to be heard? Well then you’re in luck because I have got just the right singer/songwriter for you and her name is Xenia Dunford. The talented indie artist along with her band The Eastern Exile invite listeners near & far to find peace…
Ash Gray And The Girls, Born In The Summer
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Ash Gray and The Girls are back with their famous oldies sounds on the new album ‘Born In The Summer’. Just as this group brought the 60s to life on their first EP ‘This Could Be A Wild Night’ (http://skopemag.com/2010/02/12/ash-gray-and-the-girls-this-could-be-a-wild-night), they take a trip through time once again. Many people might think that…
No Blitz, Never Satisfied
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Get ready for the band No Blitz as they come fast & furious on their 4-track EP. The four songs on this recording are in anticipation of the group’s full-length, debut album titled ‘Never Satisfied’. No nonsense and No cheap imitations is what No Blitz is all about. The Virginia-based band is made…
Rat Wakes Red, Acres
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Harmony, harmony, harmony and musicianship at its finest is what you will get from Rat Wakes Red and their new release titled ‘Acres’. Just from the name of the band alone, I am already very intrigued and I so badly want to get to the bottom of this Rat Wakes Red. Their story…
George Cahill, Relevant
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George Cahill has been rocking the Philly scene for awhile and is now celebrating his latest release, “Relevant”. It is 9 tracks of brutal honesty accompanied by some tight instrumentation to drive his point home. Cahill does a nice rendition of Bob Seger’s, “Still the Same”. He has a unique portrayal of the song and…
Rodney Jensen, Truck Dog and Me
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Rodney Jensen is the sole singer/songwriter on the new album ‘Truck Dog and Me’. Scott Andrews produced and mixed the record while also supplying all of the other instruments. If you like some country mixed with rock, then you might like Rodney’s latest CD. Jensen has been singing and playing in bands for…
SULIO, Miami Feeling (funky Latin-pop Version)
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From London, England comes Sulio, and based on his #10 rank on ReverbNation, people are listening. This latest single “Miami Feeling [funky Latin-pop Version]” brings all the Miami bass sound in full force. A solid songwriter and producer, Sulio lends his vocals to an already hook filled track, with an almost raggaeton vibe, deep bass…
Radio Drive, This Is Our Time
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Radio Drive is one person by the name of Kevin Gullickson who is giving you a full dose of life in all its glory. Radio Drive has put out a new album every year since 2009 and ‘This Is Our Time’ is the fourth installment. Gullickson is in good company once again with…
Joseph Keith, Don’t Know Why
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Joseph Keith is a 17-year rock/acoustic old singer/songwriter from Fairfax, Virginia. After picking up the guitar at the young age of 10, he practised like mad and formed his first pop-punk inspired group at the age of 13. As his writing matured, he formed a new band, Nine Days Gone, in 2009. Nine Days Gone…
Kepstar, Shades of Gray Mixtape
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Hip hop is a style with elements of survival and ego inherent in its delivery. Most hip hop artists include the ego element, even the conscious hip hop genre, and the interesting thing is that in order for a rapper to rise, the presentation must be consistent from the ground up. Even if you’re not…
Lea Marie, Undercover Lover (EP)
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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 &…
Geri X, Work is the Wolf
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Geri X is an indie/folk/rock singer songwriter from St. Petersburg, Florida who has been getting a ton of respect from publications as big as the L.A Times and Rolling Stone, and a lot of fan support in turn. The meat of the matter is — is she good? Delving into Geri X’s new album “Work…
Swift Tongues, My Finest Hour
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Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to one of the most diverse albums I have ever come across. Swift Tongues “My Finest Hour” reeled me in with the first track ‘Feel it in the Air’, which was reminiscing of Jay Z’s classic ‘Can’t Knock the Hustle’. The song led me to believe the whole…
Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, Wasted
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Over the years we’ve seen Rock, Americana and even Folk music 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 “Sex Drugs &…
KC Jockey, Girl You’re Free
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KC Jockey is a pop/r& b artist from Brooklyn, New York. Having been born in Jamaica and moving to New York at a young age must have done good things for his creative side, as his music seems to effortlessly unite the dance hall/traditional party music of Jamaica with the urban pop/club scene of the…
WALTER TROUT, BLUES FOR THE MODERN DAZE
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Being a well-respected blues journeyman carries a lot of weight with the title. The question is always, after years of blues guitar slinging, how do you interpret the genre this time out? If you’re the writer, player, and singer, you have your job cut out for you. Saw My Mama Cryin’ is a…
The Jim Ivins Band, Everything We Wanted
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The Richmond, VA bunch is back again with their new EP titled ‘Everything We Wanted’. Following up their 2009 self-titled debut release, (http://skopemag.com/index.php?s=Jim+Ivins+Band), Jim Ivins & company have some fresh new sounds for you. Staying in the realm of pop/rock with acoustic elements added in, The Jim Ivins Band is giving you everything you…
Putnam Murdock, Brand New Widow
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Putnam Murdock is an Americana singer/songwriter from South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, although his work has strong influence from blues, country, folk and rock n’ roll music. Why all the division and labelling, anyways? Being that it’s part of our accepted intellectual process, it’s necessary. After all, we need something to “say” if we’re going to talk…
The Como Brothers Band, The Speed of Sound EP
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The Como Brothers Band are a rock band from Long Island, New York currently promoting their newly released “The Speed of Sound” EP. While their promo shots look a little similar to those representing boy bands, their sound is surprisingly rock on some of their tracks. This could work well in their favor though, as…
Overhate, Relentless Is Our Strength
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“Relentless Is Our Strength” is the most recent offering from the popular Venezuelan thrash/progressive metal quartet Overhate. The progressive elements are welcome, as they add both complexity and dynamic variance to the music, much like renowned prog/death metal veterans Decapitated and Death. With an extensive production team working on the mixing and mastering of the…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, APRIL 2012
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Pelican, Ataraxia/Taraxis (Southern Ground Records) Again we hook up with all-instrumental metal trio Pelican, who haven’t improved on their drummer situation since last we spoke, but being that this is only an EP there’s not a lot of sound-and-fury lack-of-significance to endure. Matter of fact, shorties like this are conducive to enjoying what they…
Keith Moody, Dreaming Out Loud
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Keith Moody is a talent above the rest. His latest release, “Dreaming Out Loud” is one of the coolest CD’s I have heard in a long time. Moody takes the best of several genres and mesh them together creating a sound of perfection. He is an amazing writer, can tear up a guitar and…
