Alia Lorae is not only a singer but a visual artistic seductress. Her latest release, “The Mad and The Beautiful” is theatrical as much as it is musical. She has a double CD package that includes a fun spooky video of her song, “Modern Monsters”. As the calendar inches closer to Halloween Alia is bringing…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Ill Mondo, De Novo
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Johnny Igaz and Jeff Smothers is Ill Mondo, a duo out of Oakland, CA. They have an edgy eclectic sound with screaming guitars and contagious rhythms. These two guys have the act of collaboration down to an art; crediting over 25 musicians for their work on their latest release, “De Novo”. There are strong influences…
Calib McGinn, Bigger Picture
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Calib McGinn was born in a small town in Kansas and is the picture perfect version of the typical Amercian boy next door. He loves playing sports and entertaining us all with his musical visions. Calib’s latest release, “Bigger Picture” is a well rounded display of his talent. He has a smooth earthy voice that…
the june rise, …of raging waters
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Prepare yourself for all-over-the-map instrumentals that will captivate your senses. The project is called ‘…of raging waters’ and the june rise is one artist with a true vision. Guitarist/composer Mark Yodice is the man behind the mask and he has been making & arranging music since his early teen years. What the…
Frank, Here Together
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I give you Frank and no it’s not the name of a person or a hot dog but actually the name of a rock ‘n’ roll band out of Brooklyn. The meaning behind the title Frank is actually the literal definition which happens to be honest & blunt. True and to the point…
Black Earth, Pink Champagne
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Here comes Black Earth as they unveil their high-voltage release titled ‘Pink Champagne’. Black Earth is a rock & roll trio made up of: Jason “Ving” Calise on vocals & guitar, Dave Rangel on vocals & bass and Jason Reece on drums. The powerful noize that these three musicians create as a…
eM, DHF (Teaser)
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Get ready for an Australian vocalist/producer who is taking progressive dance music to a whole new level. She goes by eM and what you have here are two tracks off of the full-length album ‘DHF’. ‘DHF’ stands for “Deep Hard Fast” which makes sense because you will hear plenty of beats mixed with…
Peter Westheimer, Tranzworld Express
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Peter Westheimer is an Australian born musical veteran. He has been pumping the music out since 1982 and still going strong. His latest release, Tranzworld Express is a vibrant techno experience. The CD is loaded with up tempo dance tracks both mesmerizing and contagious. Once you have entered into Peter’s head you are instantly taken…
D-Train, D-Train
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Brooklyn rapper D-train’ self titled album it’s quite interesting and entertaining. Every beat in the album is incredible, lyrics are different today’s mainstream rappers, more clean; but yet speaking of the real life in the street as we can see in songs like “Life Is Hard”, where D. talk to us from his and many…
Leeza Monay, Leeza Monay
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Miami’s artist Leeza Monay bring us her fresh, energetic and catchy music. Every track has the necessary to get you off your sit and makes you dance all over. Recalling today’s industry pop music sound and with lyrics that more encourage listeners to have fun, like in songs such as “We Rockin”, “Eat My Pancakes”,…
All The Right Moves, The Monster I’ve Become
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Get ready for All The Right Moves hailing from the Twin Cities as they strategically take one step at a time toward bigger & better things. The Minnesota band has just released a 6-track EP called ‘The Monster I’ve Become’ that offers plenty of energy, catchy songs and worthwhile lyrics. The group…
Jeanie B! And The Jelly Beans, Sugar Buzz
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Jeanie B! was meant to make children’s albums…period…end of conversation! Jeanie is a Chicago-based singer/songwriter but is also a preschool music teacher. A busy woman for sure, Jeanie B! and her group The Jelly Beans have a major ‘Sugar Buzz’ going on. Jeanie is on lead vocals & acoustic/electric guitar with Jamie…
Garth Adam, Traveling
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This UK born singer/songwriter spent his childhood in Africa and Fiji then eventually settled in Australia. This is where he honed his musical talents playing bass for numerous bands. He eventually stayed focused on his solo career and now with his seventh release a 3 track EP called, Traveling, it certainly is a pleasant display…
Gina Sicilia, Can’t Control Myself
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March saw Gina Sicilia release her third studio album, Can’t Control Myself. What’s interesting perhaps most is that this is her first album to not debut within the top 10 of the Living Blues Chart. What’s important to note is that it did debut at number 11. Clearly riding the success of her first three…
Joseph Keith, A Lighter Side
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Fairfax’s Joseph Keith latest album A Lighter Side fits perfectly for those who look for something soft, but still catchy tunes. Every track is filled with an great guitar riffs that goes from likeable melodies like in songs such as “Sunday Evening” and “Up Down and Around” to powerful and awwesome “Let It All Out”,…
Anni Piper, Chasin’ Tail
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At almost one year to the day, Australian blues maven, Anni Piper has followed up her Stateside debut album with Chasin’ Tail, a full-length 11-track album of her trademark rock-laced blues tracks. And in good keeping with the former, Tail is replete with Piper’s deep, sultry vocal delivery, Sam Buckley’s wailing guitar prowess and the…
Cutting Edge, Goes Back To College
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One of the most original & creatively driven bands in the universe, Cutting Edge, ‘Goes Back To College’ to figure out this constant love-hate relationship we have with each other in this thing called life. What Cutting Edge has brought to the table on this new record are songs about anti-war, relationships, government control,…
Voice In The Attic, Shark Rider
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This one man band is ably backed by BC Bogey a German born multi-instrumentalist and former opera singer. The band, “Voice in the Attic” has a haunting sound that is screaming its way to your airwaves. The latest EP release, “Shark Rider” is getting attention in all the right places. This four song EP is…
Myrah, My Deliverance EP
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Swedish epic metal band Myrah brings us their EP My Deliverance which can be easily described as outstanding, brilliant and awesomeanic! The Dark and amazing dark journey begins with the haunted and sick track “The Light Of A New Day”, then there’s the yet impressive track under the name of the record “My Deliverance”, which…
Cubic Feet, The Living End
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Cubic Feet have an interesting story. This popular 80’s band were making waves with several releases under their belt. Then their fourth album, “Superconnector” was released on Sept 11, 2001. The one day when our world changed as we knew it and music was the last thing on everyone’s mind. Now ten years later…
Forgotten By Friday, Believe
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Forgotten By Friday has gracefully made their presence know through the New England area. This five piece band has a sound as full as an orchestra. The band consists of Dominick Mauro, Ryan Schnieder, Michael Giamaettei, Maria Soaft and Tom Forst. Dominick belts out the lead vocals with a raspy edge that exudes texture. He…
A Do, Self Titled
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Adrienne Bel and Derek LeDoux locked themselves in a band space downstairs where they were living and emerged with the creation of, A Do. This Boston base band is taking their haunting melodies to new heights. I love reading how a band forms and what gave them the inspiration to create their sound. These two…
Steve McNaughton, Storm Chaser
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This Australian rocker has been making waves out of Sydney for awhile now. He is increasingly making a worldwide presence across the map. His latest release, Storm Chaser is an earth moving experience. If you turn on the CD and close your eyes you could almost mistake his vocals for the legendary Elvis Costello. There…
The Deep Dark Woods, The Place I Left Behind
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The Deep Dark Woods don’t really seem like a barrel of monkeys to hang out with, judging from their latest full length, The Place I Left Behind. A largely sombre affair, with tales of lost loves and penniless nights, the DDW probably aren’t incapable of having fun, but instead they let their pain speak in…
Michael Addison, Always You
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Michael Addison grew up on the outskirts of Philadelphia. He fed his musical desires listening to a wide range of music and used his influences to build his career. He packed up and headed west and went on to enhance the relationships necessary to make his dreams a reality. [vimeo 25653393 nolink] His latest release,…
James McCartney, Close at Hand
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James McCartney celebrated international success with his debut CD, “Available Light”. Now he is introducing his follow up, “Close at Hand”. It was produced by David Kahne and his father Sir Paul McCartney. James has some big shoes to fill and he seems to be doing ok. I really dig his style. He sounds like…
Arienette, The Hardest of Fights
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Over the years we’ve seen rock & singer/songwriter 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…
Lee MacDougall, If Walls Could Talk
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Lee MacDougall has quite a story to tell. Coming straight to us from Grimsby England, MacDougall knew he wanted to be a musician at a very early age. Growing up in a small historic fishing town he was not given a whole lot of opportunities to make it in this business. His story sounds like…
Casey Shea, In Your Head
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Baton Rouge’s talent Casey Shea’s latest album In Your Head can be easily described as awesome and entertaining. Every track in the record is so contagious, catchy, recalling here and there bands such as Kings of Leon, Jet and Everlast to name a few. So don’t be surprised or scared if within minutes you go…
Fereshta, Global Citizen
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Afghanistan’s native and talented musician Fereshta brings us her latest album Global Citizen, it’s literally amazing! Every song is filled with an energetic and powerful sound that would blow you away immediately with the guitar riffs and sexy vocals seduce and wakes every part in your body. But different to many bands and artists alike,…
Cutting Edge, She Wore Red
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Just like that the group Cutting Edge is back with a fresh, new song titled “She Wore Red”. One week ago, for the first time ever, I did a Review + on their track “Your Love Is My Oxygen” (http://skopemag.com/2011/10/03/cutting-edge-your-love-is-my-oxygen ) that included six remixes and two more just released! Not wasting any…
New York Rivals, New York Rivals
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New York Rivals features Josh from Great Big Planes and Nash of Armor For Sleep. Their latest selft titled album can be described in short as funny, it’s outstanding, it’s something everyone needs to know! Every song from “I’m Not Ready Yet” to “Change” makes you wanna dance, rock and it’s so addictive you…
Olya, [carefully]
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Despite coming from a musical family, Olya Kisseleva was the self-described “practical one.” And though she experienced a deep musical upbringing, those pursuits were seemingly laid to rest when she moved to the States. After graduating from Boston University and relocating to New York City, her urge to pursue music resurfaced and she penned her…
Will Daily and the Rivals, Will Daily and the Rivals
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To say that Will Daily and the Rivals’ latest release is a feel good CD is an understatement. The first release, “Counting on Karma” has good karma written all over it. Nice up tempo beats making an uncontrollable smile spill across your face. When is the last time you have heard a real Rock N…
100 Mile House, Hollow Ponds
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Have you ever had the urge to grab a Rand McNalley throw it in the passenger seat of your car and see what you can find? Total spontaneity, no plan, the highway is your destination. That is what “Hollow Ponds” is like by 100 Mile House. The band is taking western Canada by storm…
Cutting Edge, Your Love Is My Oxygen
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For the first time EVER I am doing a Review + on one song with six different versions and that’s no joke! I give to you one of the most intriguing, entertaining and ECLECTIC groups I have ever come across–Cutting Edge. Perfect title for the band because the style is insanely Cutting Edge…
Eightfold, Eightfold
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If “imitation is the highest form of flattery” then the likes of Scott Weiland, Chris Cornell and Lane Staley (were he still with us) owe a “thank you” to alt rock outfit, Eightfold. Drummer and lead singer Michael Davis-Penta is quite adept at channeling all of the aforementioned singers. Meanwhile, the second half of the…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, OCTOBER 2011
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Mambo Legends Orchestra, Ten Cuidao! Watch Out! (Zoho Music) Being the remaining contingent of Tito Puente’s band, Mambo Legends Orchestra is essentially the Latin reply to today’s Count Basie Orchestra, aiming to preserve the vibrancy of 40s/50s core mambo and salsa — there’s no better band to do the job, obviously, than the one on…
The Pack A.D., Unpersons
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After their previous three full-lengths, the Pack A.D. have gotten serious. It’s evident from the smooth blend of steel and coy romance on “Sirens,” the lead track on Unpersons. The Vancouver guitar and drums duo has always sounded rather relentless, both live and on record. But on “Sirens,” and the rest of Unpersons their sound…
Rhythm of Mars, Romancing The Snake
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Toeing the line between demure instrumental and Sci-Fi inspired prog rock, Rhythm of Mars, in simplest terms, is the culmination of musical interplay between effects-laden guitar and synth, sans lyrics. The album waxes and wanes between down tempo tracks driven by melody to overt guitar string-ripping anthems in the vein of Joe Satriani and Steve…
