When I reviewed the EP, I mentioned that I prefer female rockers that can also deliver a ballad. After many years of listening to just about every genre on the planet, I’m very picky when it comes to personally judging female singers. Anna held my interest as a storyteller,…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Blow Up Hollywood, Take Flight
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When you hear the title of this band Blow Up Hollywood, one might think for a second that this is a fast, punchy & violent rock, punk or metal band. BUH actually is none of the above and they are not blowing up anything literally but figuratively Blow Up Hollywood is making a statement.…
Kristina Westin, What A Night/Promo EP
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Kristina Westin is giving you a taste of what her upcoming album What A Night will sound like. On this five-track promo EP, you are getting just enough flavor to know that the new album will be special. What a day that will be when What A Night is officially released and after…
Ten Speed Taxi, Spinning
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With their ranks comprised of three teachers and a healthcare professional, it is only natural that Ten Speed Taxi injected a healthy dose of intelligence and clever tongue-in-cheek humor into their latest album. Couple that approach to songwriting with their multi-genre sound and their penchant for tight instrumentation and the result will leave you (with)…
Exile Kings, Shine
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Exile Kings is a New York City based Indie music project started by musician & singer/songwriter Manoo Halati. This is his debut CD entitled “Shine”. When the Exile Kings play live it consists of 3 other members: Hommy Rossa (Drums), Dan Austin (Guitar), Paul Merson (Bass) so it’s a 4 piece in that respect. …
Shade, Highway
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Of all the subjects that popular music has tackled over its long history, one of the most attractive is that of life on the open road. Sure, nearly every artist has an on-the-road song in their catalogue so it is hard for anything on that topic to sound new nowadays. (And let’s face it, the…
Me, Three, The Space Race
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Get ready for Alan Chesnutt’s second release, The Space Race, which is a mix of indie rock, alternative & electronica. The Alabama-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist that calls himself Me, Three comes back strong with this solo project. That means Me, Three is the wizard behind all the music on this record, so in this case…
Gioia, Flawless
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If there’s one thing I can say about Frank Gioia, or simply Gioia (pronounced ‘joy-ah’, which means ‘joy’ in Italian), the man is truly persistent. Not in the bad way persistent, but the ‘I-know-what-I-want-and-do-what-it-takes-to-get-it’ persistent. Since New Year’s Eve, I’ve received e-mails from Gioia, and yes, sometimes a writer gets caught up in deadlines,…
David Altenor, The David Altenor Project
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The expression I swear to God comes to mind because David Altenor is doing just that in every sense of the word. This four-track demo is a true testament to Altenor’s strong faith to make music for the lord. But don’t assume that this is your typical Christian or Gospel record because if…
Don Puglisi, Goodbye New York
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Don Puglisi’s new album may be called Goodbye New York but you can rest assure that this singer/songwriter is not leaving the Big Apple any time soon. Puglisi’s playing days go back to the late 80s/early 90s when he was playing guitar at alt-rock and punk clubs all over Detroit. Since making the…
JONNY LANG, LIVE AT THE RYMAN
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Recorded at one of his shows at Nashville’s Historic Ryman Theatre, this release gives a good summary of Jonny’s career. Jonny is accompanied by Jim Anton on bass/vocals, Barry Alexander on drums, Jason Eskridge on vocals/percussion, Sonny Thompson on guitar/vocals, and Tommy Barbarella on keys. Always a master of hitting the licks in…
Greg Walsh, A Busy Street
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Are you ready for a big spoonful of rock/blues/soul mixed together in a bowl of well-polished music? I hope so because that is exactly what you are getting with Greg Walsh’s new record, A Busy Street. Besides the core sound of rock, soul & blues heard here, I also picked up on elements…
The Speaking Tongues, Wild Sound
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It’s a wild sound, indeed. Straight out of the hallows of Southern Ontario (Though at times, you’d swear this gnarly two-piece came straight from hell) comes The Speaking Tongues, whose fervent, rollicking approach to cut and dry blues rock takes no prisoners. This is hard music not for the faint of heart; this debut LP…
Mikingmihrab, Tres Tontos
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With a band name like Mikingmihrab, you already know right out of the gates that this group and this album will be very different. How different though is the real question; well that will be up for you to decide? I would call this new record adrenaline-rushed insanity on wax that is ridiculously…
Ria, Self-Titled
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Don’t foget these three letters RIA because they will absolutely stick in your head after experiencing this debut album. The Miami sensation born in Columbia calls herself Ria and fittingly enough she named the record the same. The audience is receiving a large dose of nothing but Ria here and the talented singer/songwriter…
ROB, Rise On Belief
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Rise On Belief (ROB) is ready to take the music world by storm with his hot debut album. This NYC artist mixes it up with some classic rock and hard rock grooves that will get you pumped up from start to finish. You will also hear elements of soul & funk that comes…
Fang Island, Fang Island
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The youthful, anthemic exuberance of Fang Island’s debut is a curious thing. On one hand, tracks like “Sideswiper” jump around without a care in the world and soar to prosperous heights. But on the other hand, when you strip away the soaring solos and playful gang vocals, there really isn’t much substance on Fang Island.…
Voice of Addiction, Re-evolution
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Politically-charged punk outfit Voice of Addiction self-admittedly have no intention of putting their addiction themed lyrical subject matter up against a wall and taking a look at it. Instead, they’d rather just crash through the wall. That approach to making music is none the more apparent than on their latest release Re-evolution, six-tracks of agro…
Tanner Gordon, Calm Down This is Only The End
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One would surely glean that the average teenager has a limited experience and understanding of “endings” (the end of high school does come to mind). But true Edmonton son Tanner Gordon isn’t your average teenager. Far from it actually. Having been embroiled in music for most of his young life, he is a socially aware…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, JULY 2010
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Call the Cops, Call the Cops (Myspace Records) The self-titled debut from an OC-based emo-electro boyband is destined to piss off the poor downtrodden Vans Warped Tour attendees who stupidly bring their girlfriends. Past that there may actually be something in this band’s future, although what more could you really ask for in life…
Dead To Me, African Elephants
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Punk and reggae, with their socially conscious roots, have long been two genres that go down rather well in a mix. And while African Elephants, the second full-length from this San Francisco four piece might lack a certain punch as far as production is concerned, the effortless, punchy harmonies sound as close to The Clash…
Lithium Seven, Something Else Is Waiting
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Lithium Seven prove that the musical bond cannot be broken on their new album, Something Else Is Waiting. The chemistry is strong here as all four members mix together to make up one big compound that is Li 7. The band’s magic formula is further enhanced by their eclectic style that includes: pop,…
The Telepathic Butterflies, Wow & Flutter!
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Like any good music fan, you’ve no doubt been stockpiling all your summery, guitar-driven pop chestnuts throughout the winter on playlists that won’t see the light of day until your first trip to beach or the inaugural cheeseburger picnic. If there’s any room left, save a spot in your eager eardrums for The Telepathic Butterflies.…
Brian Lee, Moth
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Seattle-based singer/songwriter Brian Lee transforms into a finely-tuned musician on Moth. Lee is ready to bust out of his shell to bring you a 10-song set full of personal emotions & feelings. The artist expresses good times & bad times through the eyes and life of Brian Lee. The balance between happy…
Unnatural Helpers, Cracked Love & Other Drugs
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Unnatural Helpers aren’t so much a supergroup as they are a righteous collective of some of the most talented, unknown musicians from the Pacific Northwest. So perhaps they are the forested, laid-back version of Them Crooked Vultures, though you wouldn’t know it from the driving, edgy rock that permeates throughout Cracked Love & Other Drugs,…
Steven Bryan, One Way
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I had the pleasure of reviewing Steven Bryan’s Let Me Stay EP last year for Skope and I was so glad I had the opportunity to do so. Through that four-track set, I was introduced to a REAL musician who showed huge potential as an emerging artist. Bryan definitely didn’t disappoint or let…
Greg Brown, Ol’ Blood N’ Guts
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Are you ready for some good, old-fashioned Blood N’ Guts brought to you by Greg Brown? The Boston-based singer/songwriter/guitarist lays it all out on the table for you with nothing left to hide. Ol’ Blood N’ Guts is actually named after World War II U.S. General George S. Patton’s nickname and the title…
Elevator Art, Self-Titled
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Are you ready for not one…not two…not three but four lead singers and a drummer/percussionist? If so, that is exactly what you’re getting from NJ-based Elevator Art and their debut album. The fact that this band is breaking the mold by including four lead vocalists is irrelevant here because Elevator Art offers so…
Miriams Well, Indians And Clowns
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Get ready for some bluesy soul rock that will quench your thirst for worthwhile music. In a day and age where unfortunately a lot of CRAP dominates the major music markets, it’s refreshing to hear an indie rock band really shine through and own it. Miriams Well is a musical duo made up…
Montana 1948, Teaser EP for the album Picket Fence
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First off, this band is not from Montana, they do not play 1948-styled music and there aren’t any white picket fences around. If you thought that then you were way off base I’m sorry to say! And no, I’m not teasing you on this matter either! The real truth of the matter…
Erica Sunshine Lee, Road to Recovery
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Blessing in disguise is the only way to sum up the career of Erica Sunshine Lee. In true “country mouse goes to the big city” fashion, Lee traded her demure hometown in Georgia for the bustle of San Francisco and brought her lifelong love of singing with her. But in 2008 the economy caught up…
Michel Ackermann, Cole Porter’s Blues
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Berlin-based singer/songwriter/pianist is back with his first full-length album release of Cole Porter’s Blues. Coming off his 2009 EP, Kite, Ackermann decides to delve deeper into his musical & artistic side. Kite was piano-driven music that included elements of jazz, pop & classical to go along with a peaceful/tranquil setting. The title…
One World (R)evolution, Transitions
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Are you ready for a green…red, white & blue revolution? Well, Austin, Texas-based singer/songwriter Astrum Lux Lucis sure hopes so. Astrum is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the group One World (R)evolution and their now project is fittingly called Transitions. One World (R)evolution is attempting to save this world one…
Against Me, White Crosses
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Let’s face it, punk rock bands have it tough as the second they achieve any success in the mainstream media they get labeled sellouts. The Gainesville, Florida based Against Me know this well as it got slammed by long time fans when it released New Wave, its first record with a major label, back in…
Kira, Run Where No One Goes
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When you look at the acts that dominate radio today in the United States, you notice that women are king. It is artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Kesha that make the most noise nowadays. So this must be good news for Danish singer Kira Skov who has just released a seven song…
Catalina, Catalina
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No stranger to acclaim, rising pop princess Catalina was named to 2008s list of National High School Teen Idols, made an appearance on the national morning show Fox and Friends and received invites to perform at the September 11th Memorial and the Victims of Violent Crime Gala along side Gloria Gaynor. Now the up-and-comer is…
Dr. Mac & Friends, Ready to Rock Kids, Vol. 3
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Get ready for the third installment of children’s songs that teaches valuable life lessons. Dr. Mac is the genius behind the Ready to Rock Kids series and before you ask, yes he is an actual doctor. The singer/songwriter/producer is also known as Don MacMannis, Ph.D. and for many years he has been a…
BILLY LAVENDER, MEMPHIS LIVIN’
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Although it’s the blues, it’s stepped up a bit right from the start. With both mixed male vocal leads, female backup and some lead vocals, the album takes on a non-traditional approach. Non-traditional is Billy’s style. As a lefty, he learned to be a left-handed player playing upside down on a right-handed…
ARIF MARDIN, ALL MY FRIENDS ARE HERE
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This was the last recording by the legendary multi-Grammy winning producer, who was originally known as a songwriter. Arif Mardin, spent over 30 years with Atlantic Records, covering virtually every type of music that was thrown at him. The album was co-produced by Arif’s son Joe Mardin, and features original compositions. Arif…
Skip-Dawg, Trust Me, I’m A Rapper
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The Havertown, PA rap artist is back with a fourth studio album and a new message that reads: Trust Me, I’m A Rapper. Skip-Dawg, aka Dann Furia, is coming off an exciting & motivational album titled We Will Rise that featured the hot, slammin’ joint “Skip To The Floor”. Not to mention, “Skip…
