The Particles, released their new nine-track album, “Voices,” this past October, but in little over a month’s time, the London based band has received unprecedented notoriety from the States as well as abroad. The band members define their genre as World Music — hard rock infused with ancient Eastern instruments and three powerful vocals, led…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
United Funk Order, United Funk Order
by •
United Funk Order is a R&B group bringing some stylistic tunes your way. This group is on a mission to show you how this music thing should be done. They are bringing it with dedication and heartfelt funk. The CD is not only funky but is changing the way we know music. The vocals have…
Joanne Janzen, Sad Circus
by •
Hello Joanne Janzen–CMT is calling! Get ready to hear this multi-talented & self-taught singer/songwriter & guitarist as she brings you her full-length album titled ‘Sad Circus’. Your ears will be impressed after listening to this new release and it might even blow you away if you’re lucky. Mrs. Janzen has Australian roots but…
Engloria, Drive
by •
I simply love when I hear an EP or full-length album and it hooks me in right away. That is the case with this current EP titled ‘Drive’ by the band Engloria. This 3-track recording is a follow-up to their 2010 debut release called ‘Sundown’ and I gotta say they followed up nicely.…
T*Merk, Animal House
by •
Birmingham’s rapper T*Merk latest album Animal House is classic, fun and interesting. Each tracks different to many rappers in today’s music which mix tecno and pop with their music, Merk recalls more the classic rythm and style from other greatest such as Snoopy Dog, 2Pac, Notorious, sometimes Jay Z and some great legends. Every song…
NILS LOFGREN, OLD SCHOOL
by •
In listening to anything related to Nils, It’s important to understand that not only does he draw on his influences, but he’s also been an influence on other rock luminaries. Since playing with Neil Young, fronting Grin, touring with Ringo, and of course anchoring the E Street band, he’s also consistently concentrated his efforts…
BEVERLY McCLELLAN, FEAR NOTHING
by •
Beverly as a singer, songwriter, musician, delivers a country rock, sometimes bluesy, gut originated style of vocal treatment. Her performance as a finalist on The Voice first brought her national attention. This is her fifth release over the past 15 years, and successfully combines many vocal styles. Guitarists Josh Sklair and Billy…
Backnbloom, Music for the Modern Monkey
by •
Over the years we’ve seen pop, dance pop, 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 raw, something that’s pushes hard and is going to kick me in he ass. Something that doesn’t sound like…
Trouble in the Wind, No Work Dancing
by •
Eclectic and original are the first words that come to mind when I think of Trouble in the Wind and their debut release ‘No Work Dancing’. What you get here is not one specific genre or style but a diverse mix of songs that incorporate everything from classic rock and folk to country/alt-country. …
Hillbilly Vegas, Ringo Manor
by •
When I first saw the name of this band I thought to myself maybe these guys enjoy the slower-paced country lifestyle but also need a little excitement in their lives like gambling & partying. Not sure if there is any truth to that or not but what I can tell you is that Hillbilly…
Burkhard Mahler, Chaos and Harmony
by •
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” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll” into…
12 Followers/Meteo Xavier, Espers
by •
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” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll” into…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, DECEMBER 2011
by •
Ponykiller, The Wilderness (Housecore Records) A for-dummies compaction of King Crimson, Doors and Amboy Dukes, oddly enough from New Orleans. What I mean by “for-dummies” is that the meandering experimentation has been largely removed from the prog aspects, a point that won’t set the world on fire; King Crimson was enough of a drag…
Paul Kloschinsky, Woodlands
by •
In 2007 Paul Kloschinsky won the Music Aid Award for Best Canadian Songwriter. He resides in BC, Canada. I remember when I used to live in Canada the air was fresh and everything seem to have an extra sensitivity to the nature around us. Paul’s latest release, “Woodlands” has that same authenticity. Each song has…
The Venetian, I Wanna’ Tell you a Story
by •
Over the years we’ve seen punk, hard 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 raw, something that’s pushes hard and is going to kick me in the ass. Something that doesn’t sound like…
Childish Gambino, Camp
by •
Childish Gambino last album Camp is agressive, epic and one of the greatest hip hop album you would find out there. Probably one of the best of 2011! Every track from “Outside” to “That Power” is brilliant, rude and brutally explicit as Childish’s life with a great, catchy, beautiful and awesome sound that plant a…
Yung Khan, Khan-Air
by •
I couldn’t help but think of the action-packed movie ‘Con Air’ starring Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich and John Cusack when I first came across Yung Khan’s latest installment. Just as ‘Con Air’ was a high-energy thrill ride, ‘Khan-Air’ offers up much of the same with 13 blazingly fresh tracks. Yung Khan is a…
Modena, Second Time Around
by •
Get ready for Modena as they will grab your attention with their EP release titled ‘Second Time Around’. Modena hails from North Carolina and this is the first time working with indie label Filament Records and award-winning producer Jim Wirt who has worked with the likes of Incubus, Hoobastank, Live and many others. …
Matthew Neves, Everybody Dreams
by •
Matthew Neves is a solo artist out of Massachusetts. He is invading the scene with his latest release, “Everybody Dreams”. Sometimes an artist comes along that makes the dream a reality. Neves is living it and his fans are benefitting from his skills. [youtube Gj9H4NRxbtc nolink] This is an outstanding collection of music. Matthew…
Avishay Mizrav, Forgotten Melodies
by •
A new figure has emerged in the international music scene. Avishay Mizrav’s debut guitar-instrumental solo album, “Forgotten Melodies,” has received accolades for his interpretation of modern progressive rock by international critics and for obvious reasons. Mizrav is a true student of the guitar. Over the course of this nine-track album, his appreciation for not only…
Devin Farney, Ventriloquism
by •
Devin Farney is a composer and pianist based out of California. He has had a lot of work commissioned in the US and other countries as well. But he is now lending his talents to his latest full CD release, “Ventriloquism”. Devin’s fingers move swiftly over the keys unraveling a mystical sound. His voice is…
NICK SWISHER, BELIEVE
by •
This is a fun project for the popular New York Yankees All Star outfielder Nick Swisher. The release has taken timeless rock classics geared toward kids, and made to benefit his charity Swish’s Wishes. In order to put this together he enlisted music luminaries like drummer Kenny Aronoff, guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardist Matt…
THE FAIRCHILDS, OUR REVOLUTION
by •
The Fairchilds is the brainchild of French artist Cyril Niccolai on vocals, guitar, and keys, and supporting players, Olivier Marly and Erik Sitbon on guitars, Hugo Cechosz on bass, and Philippe Entressangle on drums. I know, it sounds like the cast of characters from a Charles Dickens novel, and we are curious how they…
DI3, Torch
by •
DI3 is a Nashville based band. Their latest release, “Torch” is a musicians CD. The band consists of three unique personalities that creates a plethora of goodness. You got Dave Isaacs the Professor, Brook Sutton the family guy and Rob Crawford the ladies man. Together they are unstoppable. The CD is a celebration of music.…
THE DO, BOTH WAYS OPEN JAWS
by •
Double strange title and group name, from the duo of vocals/percussion Olivia Merilahti and vocals, drums/percussion, bass, piano and other contributor Dan Levy. The French/Finnish duo used some additional musicians on their second release, but wrote the material. Bust It Off relies mainly on Olivia’s high range against some synth. Gonna Be…
Slug Guts, Howlin’ Gang
by •
Slug Guts could not be more aptly named. This Brisbane, Australia four piece maintains their swampy, melancholy yet altogether engrossing sound with marked precision throughout Howlin’ Gang. Considering Howlin’ Gang was recorded over 24 hours straight in their hometown, it’s incredibly surprising how freewheeling each of the 13 tracks sound. Bedroom recording is very likely…
Fereshta, Global Citizen
by •
What better way to promote peace and love than through music and that is exactly what indie artist Fereshta is doing. Call her the “the voice of humanity” or even the voice of reasoning as Fereshta attempts to bring unity to ALL on her debut album ‘Global Citizen’. Good always triumphs over evil…
Indecent Exposure, Get Up
by •
What do you get when you mix together elements of rock, alternative and metal all done in in a very new age kind-of-way? You get Indecent Exposure and their latest effort ‘Get Up’ as they provide the goods Generation Z style. The group is made up of three members: Jim Tye/DJTJ on vocals…
The Fairchilds, Our Revolution
by •
The Fairchilds is a one man band consisting of Cyril Niccolai. He is a multi-instrumentalist oozing with musical vision. This Debut CD, “Our Revolution” is a definite head turner. It is not only outstanding music it is a movement. Niccolai has a knack for driving a point home through lyrical content and alluring music. The…
Renée Wahl, Cumberland Moonshine
by •
Every once in awhile it seems out of no where an artist comes along and unexpectedly knocks you right out of your boots. Renée Wahl is that performer, with her latest release, “Cumberland Moonshine”. She has made a home in numerous places and finally landed in Nashville, TN where she is giving all the talent…
Rhett May, Calcutta Boy
by •
Rhett May grew up in Calcutta, India. Having traveled in India myself I have a good idea of the hustle and bustle of being surrounded by the city’s busy streets. For those who do not know India it is a culture unlike anything else in the world. Rhett’s latest CD, “Calcutta Boy” is an incredible…
The Rockdoves, From The Birds
by •
Coming off a children’s album I recently reviewed, I am given ‘From The Birds’ by the Rockdoves. Just as before I notice right away that the material is not cheeseballish or lame by any means but actually has solid substance for the entire family. The Rockdoves mix together rock, blues and folk to…
DIRTY, Sangria and Potpourri
by •
Dirty a.k.a DI is a Dallas born rapper who has traveled a lot, learned more through those travels and is now here with his new CD, “Sangria and Potpourri”. Here I am not a huge fan of rap or hip hop, so I’m thinking, bad luck for this guy. But let me make the most…
Kettleblack, Self Titled
by •
Kettleblack is a full on rock n roll band with bluesy undertones and contagious melodies. The band consists of Sam Sasso, Matt Menaged, Jon Siembieda and Jeff Stridde. These Southern California rockers are invading the airwaves with grinding guitars and solid beats. This 11 song CD is hard core from beginning to end. If you…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, NOVEMBER 2011
by •
Brite Futures, Dark Past (Turnout Records) Jeez man, the way this album was described, I was expecting something that wasn’t completely mediocre — “Abba pop with chainsaws,” I think it was. Instead, we get the remains of Seattle band Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head worrying away at the too-optimistic sounds of Los Campesinos and all…
The Loose Hinges, Self-Titled
by •
The Loose Hinges is a perfect name here because the music is far from being restricted on all levels. This group is giving you unlimited choices on their self-titled debut album. The Loose Hinges gives you a wide variety of musical styles to choose from where you won’t know what to expect from…
Moving Castles, Twin Daggers
by •
So Moving Castles and ‘Twin Daggers’—just what is this all about—hmm…??? Definitely sounds mysterious at first sight but it’s no mystery at all that this Austin, Texas band is well on its way! In the realm of Pop/Rock, Moving Castles is proud to announce the release of their debut EP ‘Twin Daggers’. The…
Kick Ass Trainers, Demo
by •
London energetic’s Kick Ass Trainers do, instead of so many bands out there, justice to their name. Probably you might heard that statement above so many times and later be dissapointed. Well, you can be 100% sure this would not be the case with this guys. With an catchy and so contagious sound that once…
Candace Bellamy, A thousand Shades of Blues
by •
Candace Bellamy is an Austin based R&B singer that has been running in the same circles and collaborating with some of Austin’s elite. She has proved with her debut CD, “A Thousand Shades of Blue”, that those elitist were in good company. Candace has a voice that is an instrument all on its own.…
The Golden Path, The Golden Path
by •
The Golden Path is an indie rock quartet based in the San Francisco Bay area. The band consists of Ed Garcia (drums), Barbara Golden (keyboards, vocals) and Adam Windham (bass guitar, vocals) joining the founding member Richard H Phillips (guitars, vocals) who decided to replace his bedroom and sampled instruments with a studio and…
