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…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Michael Addison, Always You
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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]
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
“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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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
by •
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…
