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…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
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…
Richard Anthony, Connected Part One
by •
Richard Anthony is a solo singer/songwriter from Illionois who’s been writing songs for over 10 years. He lists his influences as ranging from Stevie Wonder to Pet Shop Boys to James Taylor to Michael Jackson and, while you can hear some of these influences, I’m not sure that he has been successful in emulating them.…
Frosting, Fresh Frosting
by •
Frosting are based in Illinois, USA I think and are a collaboration of musicians who have a vast experience of playing rock music. The mastermind of Frosting is the lead vocalist/guitarist of the band, Spiv who had written various songs that just weren’t suitable for any of the bands that he’d been involved in,…
A Lot Like Birds, Conversation Piece
by •
California’s A Lot Like Birds Conversation Piece is absolutely amazing, catchy and aggresive. Recalling bands such as Dance Gavin Dance, Saosin and sometimes Circa Survive, every song is brutally awesomeanic. Every track is filled with fast guitars, drums and pretty much everything eventually becoming slower to accelerate once again, all this filled with brutals…
Turbotronics, Love Slave
by •
Turbotronics’ debut CD, Love Slave is novelty music with an edge. This band is not afraid to tell you like it is and throw a few stories in there to drive their point home. They have an, “in your face” attitude backed by great production and musicianship. The guitars scream, the drums pound as the…
Alia Lorae, The Mad and The Beautiful
by •
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…
Ill Mondo, De Novo
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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)
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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…
