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…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
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…
Theendisthebeginning, Tropics
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Theendisthebeginning are on the scene again with their second EP Release, “Tropics”. It hit the stores on Sept 13th and has been invading the airwaves ever since. They are a flashback to the sound we used to get from legendary rockers like Yes, or even a touch of influence from Rush. I personally like music…
Chantry, Crystal
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Chantry is back and better than ever with their new release ‘Crystal’. I first got introduced to Chantry back in 2009 when I reviewed the debut album ‘Emancipation of Elizabeth’ (http://skopemag.com/index.php?s=Chantry). Alessandro Monopoli was the mastermind behind that project and continues to stand tall on this new 10-track set. One HUGE difference…
DEREK SHERINIAN, Oceana
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Derek is a well-traveled keyboardist who has worked with Buddy Miles, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Billy Idol, Yngwie, Al Pitrelli, Planet X, and Dream Theatre. On this release, screaming guitars take center stage, alongside the keyboards. Guest axe men include Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine (also a great keyboardist), Joe Bonamassa, Steve Stevens, and Doug…
Campaigning for Zeros, Premonitions
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Campaigning for Zeros consists of, Eric Taylor, Brad Ouellette and Kevin Wiseman. Three guys from Coachella CA created a 3 song EP called, “Premonitions”. All the songs are enough to leave you begging for more. You can also hit repeat on your CD player and let them run through a few times. I did and…
Bruce Cohen, Two BC
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“Forward-thinking” has always been an apt descriptor of both creative minds that make up The Reds. Rick Shaffer successfully bends two different genres into a very diggable mash-up sound that is not only rare; but arguably completely unique. The other half of The Reds equation, keyboardist Bruce Cohen also waxes and wanes through genres encompassing…
Mahoney and the Moment, Mahoney and the Moment
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It is amazing how much incredible music I have been exposed to since taking this job at Skope. Mahoney and the Moment is no exception; they are a new band hitting the scene from New York City. It is an eclectic display of folk and Americana. There is a blend of a female and male…
The Good Evol, Butterfly Crush
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Over the years we’ve seen punk, hard rock & 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 & is going to kick me in he ass. Something that doesn’t sound like…
LISTEN TO ME: BUDDY HOLLY, VARIOUS ARTISTS
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This is a 75th birthday tribute to one of rock’s original innovators, Charles Hardin Holley. Buddy Holly was instrumental in taking music that at the time was basically Rockabilly, and bringing it to a new level and genre, simply called Rock. Buddy introduced the acceptance of innovations like focus on the electric…
Daria Dzurik, Calliope
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Daria Dzurik and The Hip Drops bring you their first full length CD, “Calliope”. This is an interesting piece of work. I was struggling to find a genre to compare it to? It is a cross between calypso, ska, funk and well, maybe a few other things. Daria’s vocals are refreshingly different from anyone else…
Lithium Seven, Last Light
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Lithium Seven is back with their 5-track EP titled ‘Last Light’ that will definitely get your attention. I had the pleasure of reviewing their previous EP ‘Something Else Is Waiting’ last year for Skope (http://skopemag.com/index.php?s=Lithium+Seven ). I was impressed with what I heard then and I am impressed with what I hear now!…
Misty Gonzales, Rock & Roll Freedom Show
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What can I say about Misty Gonzales other than she ROCKS! Gonzales is the new authoritative voice for female rockers everywhere! The LA-based musician brings to you one exciting debut album called ‘Rock & Roll Freedom Show’. Referred to as the “hippie rock queen” by Music Connection Magazine, Misty plays true to…
Fiery Blue, Our Secret
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Fiery Blue isn’t your average, ordinary band by any means because they have a very unorthodox process of working together. The group is made up of three members: songwriter/guitarist Paul Marsteller, producer/multi-instrumentalist Gabe Rhodes and singer Simone Stevens. Here’s the real kicker though; they all live in different cities and Simone has met…
VAN HUNT, What Were You Hoping For
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Van Hunt has an impressive resume and his latest release, “What were you hoping for” does not disappoint. He has worked with people like Randy Jackson, Dionne Farris, Lenny Kravitz and many more. It is clear he knows what he is doing and our job is to sit back and enjoy the ride. It…
Ashley Jordan, Liquid Words
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Harvard’s own Ashley Jordan is coming on the scene with her new release scheduled to be in stores October 3, 2011. “Liquid Words” is a 14 track CD displaying Jordan’s unwavering talent. In the words of Ashley, she is pretty in pink but tough as hell and definitely can hold her own when it comes…
Turn Off Your Television, Self Titled
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Let me set the mood for you. First get the CD by “Turn off your television” and then do exactly that. Prepare yourself for a smooth transition into bliss. This three man band from Malmö, Sweden consists of Jon Rinneby, Stellan Lofberg and Erik Willman. They can melt away the stress of the day and…
Chad Savage, Under The Covers
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Not since the second disc of The Black Crowes, Warpaint have I reviewed an album of covers. I have always approached the idea of cover albums with ambivalence– some artist’s takes on other artist’s songs leave me feeling the latter may be better than the former (Widespread Panic’s rendition of “And it Stoned Me” comes…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, SEPTEMBER 2011
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The Front Bottoms, The Front Bottoms (Bar/None Records) Microwaving the Dead Milkmen for Generation Text pretty much on schedule, although this unplugged New Jersey guitar/drums punk duo have a darker edge, obsessed not with booger-fingered AIDS jokes but uber-emo concerns, from taking steroids in the hope of impressing a Snooki-like bimbo to the joyful fantasy…
Mr. Envi, Rydaz Redemption
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It is no mistake that the second track on the new release from Mr. Envi is titled “I’m Ma Boss” in that he actually is the CEO of Louisiana’s Southern Stisles Records label. But it was perhaps that role that placed his personal creative endeavors on the back burner while Envi poured his efforts and…
Molly Thomason, Beauty Queen
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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…
Tim Ryan O’Kane, The Monster’s Kiss
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Over the years we’ve seen punk, hard rock & 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 & is going to kick me in he ass. Something that doesn’t sound like…
Pollock, Valentine
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Over the years we’ve seen rock & 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 & Rock…
Nigel Mustafa, Happy Friendship
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Brought back from a three-year hiatus to play a memorial service, the quartet, Nigel Mustafa, chalked the show up to one last show in honor of their passed friend. As chance would have it, the weeks of rehearsal leading up to the show saw new songs get thrown into the mix and a refueled desire…
Annie Automatic, Don’t Look Down
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Annie Automatic is a LA based alternative rock band and guess what, Annie is not a girl. The band was created by the lead singer named French. They released an EP in 2010 with 3 singles. They are now releasing their first full length CD, “Don’t Look Down”. French has rich vocals that slide from…
Little Shalimar, The New Pneumonia Blues
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Little Shalimar aka Torbitt Schwartz has quite an interesting background which is probably why his music is so unique. He is half Lebanese and half Jewish and seems to be oozing with creativity. He is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, artist, DJ and performer; the list goes on and on. He has played with musical elites like…
Autumn’s Mutt, Cloud Nine
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There is an inherent hazard to asking an artist what a particular song happens to mean. Many will tell you the listener’s interpretation is far more interesting than their own. That being said, many artists would do well to at least provide a roadmap. In the vein of The Flaming Lips, Say Hi and Beck;…
Jennifer Logue, The Split Sessions
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Jennifer Logue is the epitome of smooth. Reigning from New York City, this crooner doesn’t stop doing what she does until you are completely satisfied. Satisfaction is the best way to describe how I felt after listening to, “The Split Sessions.” Jennifer has a voice that takes you to another place. She can erase all…
The Christopher Brothers, Meet The Christopher Brothers
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Move over Justin Bieber because there are some new kids in town ready to blow up the teen music scene. The Christopher Brothers hail from sunny, Southern California and yes all three members are in fact brothers. You have 15-year-old Cameron on drums, 13-year-old Charles on lead guitar and 10-year-old Ethan on bass.…
The Problems, Powder Blue Bone
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While the advent of Uncle Tupelo arguably gave birth to the “alt country” genre, ever since hybrid country bands have steadily proliferated into a style and sound that some claim rivals much of the homogenized “country kitsch” that Nashville seems to churn out incessantly. While most bands in the genre utilize much of the classic…
The Hush Now, Memos
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When reviewing a CD half the excitement is, not knowing what to expect. Then when I hear something as amazing as The Hush Now, I am pleasantly surprised. This Boston indie rock band could be one of the city’s best kept secrets. Their new release, “Memos” is scheduled to be on the market in September…
Voice of Addiction, Reduce, Reuse, Resist
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Get ready to open your eyes & ears to Voice of Addiction who also play the role of voice of reason on their brand new release ‘Reduce, Reuse, Resist’. Voice of Reason is a trio of guys who have come up with addicting music that will both excite you and make you think. …
Melvoy, Midnight Makeup
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You might be asking yourself Mel Who? and I’m hear to tell you it’s Melvoy damn it! This four-piece band from San Francisco has a lot to prove on their debut EP ‘Midnight Makeup’. Melvoy lays all their cards out on the table so that listeners can take it ALL in ALL…
Back Pocket Memory, Beneath The Trees
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Chances are you won’t be forgetting Back Pocket Memory and their new release ‘Beneath The Trees’ anytime soon. The idea behind the band name actually came from lead singer Chris Pennington who said “it’s about a memory that sticks with you so long that it’s there whenever you need it”. This brand new…
Zweng, Notes From Needle, Vol. 1
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Get ready for a little Indie music bursting with Alternative, Pop and even Soul. Zweng is their name and the group is primarily made up of: singer/songwriter Ryan Zweng and co-producer/keyboardist Jon Hakakian. Drummer Steve Riley also makes his presence known on the new EP ‘Notes From Needle, Vol. 1’. This release…
Flash Jack Eppington, Penny Up
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Over the years we’ve seen rock & 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 & Rock…
Pilot Touhill, Paper Armour
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With his original bend of Alt Rock-meets Reggae-meets a touch of electronica, Pilot Touhill is eschewing the pigeonholing that seems to run rampant through the solo singer/songwriter genre. Combining vast instrumentation (much electronic) with thinking man’s lyrical matter, Touhill strikes me as the soulful foil to the mock-Reggae acoustic ethos of the Jack Johnson types.…
Ben Knighten, All I Want
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Over the years we’ve seen rock & 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 & Rock…
