CD and DVD reviews
An inspirational piece of pop perfection, Georgia Jones bares her very soul on “Ruins”. Buildup on here proves exceptional. The song’s rise from its hushed origins is downright joyful. Her voice continues to rest right in the center of the whole thing. Beyond this, elements of EDM, electro, pop, and classical emerge, blending themselves together…
Gordon Thomas Ward is a masterful storyteller, accomplished songwriter and true artist who knows how tap into human emotions like no other. On his latest release, ‘Whispers From The Woods’, Gordon was able to keep it close to home literally by recording this album at his cottage on the coast of Maine at Frog Hollow…
After a career of playing and contributing to some 2,000 of other peoples hits and anchoring Toto, the six time Grammy winning songwriter/keyboard ace has completed his debut solo album. Going on this journey with him are Joseph Williams (Toto) on vocals, Gregg Bissonette on drums, Nathan East on bass, and Steve Lukather and Dean…
Appropriate for their name, NYC’s Noshows accomplishes a lot through implication and suggestiveness. The most popular use of the term “noshows” or “no-shows” is familiar enough to everyone and the Max Satow-led unit immediately cuts against that interpretation. If taken in another way, the project’s moniker can imply that there’s no pretense here despite what…
There are plenty of ways you can tell the story of a person’s life; from studying the broad strokes of their life’s narrative through historical events to gaining personal insight from friends about the kind of person they appeared to be to those around them. The facets of a person’s life contain multitudes and layers…
Xavier Toscano offers a majestic buildup with the pop classical fusion of “Castles In The Sky”. A nice little throwback to the classic trance-pop hit from the 90s, this one too radiates a tremendous amount of emotion. The piece retains a degree of lightness throughout the entirety of the journey. By ensuring that the melody’s…
Catfish Seminar is an unlikely name for a band pushing an alternative version of modern country/Americana for today’s audiences. One listen, however, to the band’s latest single “Park Bench” makes it clear, however, that the band’s artistic core of Andi Jane and Craig Anderson form one of the genre’s most impressive creative units. Jane’s artistic…
A wild trip through incredible guitar work defines California ™’s “Perfect World (feat. Les Fradkin)”. Done with a degree of dignity about it the song works itself up into an absolute frenzy of activity. Tempos here are racing, going into the breaking up. Everything about it has a hyperactivity buzzing about it. Lots of heart…
The Delta refers to 35,00 square miles of country stretching from southern Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico and includes multiple counties and millions of people. However, many times when you say, ‘The Delta,’ people think of the Mississippi Delta, the home of much great blues music and black culture. Tyler Edwards’ single, “Delta,” may…
There are plenty of ways you can tell the story of a person’s life; from studying the broad strokes of their life’s narrative through historical events to gaining personal insight from friends about the kind of person they appeared to be to those around them. The facets of a person’s life contain multitudes and layers…
Adrian John Szozda is a genuine singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Toledo, Ohio and his latest release is titled ‘Night Owl’. With elements of folk, blues and rock along with a true indie sound, ‘Night Owl’ will wake up all of your senses. Adrian John Szozda has a very original style vocally and musically, which is…
Chagall Guevara’s semi-riotous ride from early 1990’s indie darling almost-weres through the band-wrecked landscape of 1990’s alt-rock and into the 21st century never expected to reach this destination. It should have ended long ago, another well-intentioned and well-written album at the beginning now long disappeared into the ether. It didn’t work out that way. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ChagallGuevara…
Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty delivers a dominant performance on the new album titled ‘Positive Numbers’. Based in Rochchester, Minnesota, Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty offers an authentic and engaging style that will attract many listeners from all walks of life. ‘Positive Numbers’ is hitting on all the right notes and is a…
Clay Fulton & The Lost Forty provides an energizing performance and adds much excitement to the room with the band’s latest single titled “Little By Little”. This group is a six-piece roots rock band based in Rochester, Minnesota and “Little By Little” is a real gem. The group is made up of: Clay Fulton on…
Martin and Rose deliver folk music for families with “Dear Heart”. A nice slice of Americana there is an innocence to their sound. Arrangements feature a joy to be found amongst the many pieces. Every track builds off the last resulting in a soothing, rich sound that feels so warm and inviting. This is the…
An insistent beat propels “Shine” showing off the exquisite nature of P. Bailey’s lyricism. The hybrid approach to the work brings together elements of pop, techno, R&B, and more into this strange brew. Beats virtually bounce off the walls with the song swirling about in a wonderful swimming style. Verses cascade downwards. Word choice matters…
Rob Massard is an extremely genuine artist who sings from the heart and speaks from the soul. Rob is a progressive folk singer/songwriter who will take the listener on one incredible journey with his latest release titled ‘Ascension’. Based in the Detroit, Michigan area, Rob Massard has his motor running in the right direction with…
A wild, confrontational style reigns supreme for Nonstop to Cairo holds nothing back with “Awkward Situations”. Volume is more than a must it is an absolute given. Riffs rage for the fury felt on here is palpable. The old school style of their tact is strangely infectious. Not overstaying their welcome either they make sure…
“Adults These Days” shows off the undeniably silly ways of Greg Lato. Layer upon layer is applied with painterly precision. Everything about it revels in its technicolor brilliance. Verses here work as the core of the entirety of the collection, with the album working best when taken in as a singular whole. A whole lifetime…
Vineet Singh Hukmani’s incredible run of successive chart hits during the height of the pandemic and beyond has received a lot of notice and rightly so. It’s a record-breaking run and sets the bar high for Vineet’s musical future, but his new single shows that he’s ready to meet that challenge. “Light of the World”…
I want to assume that you, dear reader, like 99% of the world with access to it, have a subscription to Disney+, their streaming subscription service. I was skeptical upon its release if there was truly enough material to sustain a burgerong platform. Hoo-boy, boy was I foolish to think that. I spent a good…
Daxton is a driven musician who had a true vision in mind and that would be his latest project titled ‘Electric Satellite’. This is the seventh album release for Daxton, who hails from Sydney, Australia. What Daxton brings to the table is an original mix of electric blues to go along with a rustic vibe.…
There’s a lot of tension in the air as we start in on the song “Locker,” one of the eleven included tracks in the new record Cantref from Heddlu, but it’s justifiably present. From the moment we press the play button on any of the songs in Cantref, it’s obvious that giving us as full-bodied…
Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road is the rare confluence of different bluegrass generations coming together without ego and recording classic material. Jordan, a seminal figure in the genre’s late 20th-early 21st century history, has picked a first-class collection of instrumental partners to help deliver her vision. Allen Dyer, Randy Graham, Ben Greene, and Matt Hooper boast…
Like a Ennio Morricone soundtrack gone electronic, Elektragaaz engages in a wonderfully wild style with “Armadas of the Milky Way”. The classical bent and cinematic flourishes work to further enhance this sense of purpose. By making sure every single possible twist is given plenty of time to roam the song becomes quite easy to get…
When an artist gets retrospective in their debut album, too often is it that critics relegate their sound – or even their efforts – to the countless throwback records that make their way onto the charts every few years. The very notion of a player looking anywhere but forward with their lyrics is frequently considered…
Rev Peter Unger presents a sweeping, soothing sound with “Sweet Child of Mine”. The placid mood that takes form features a kindness. Lyrics here are drawn from a full life. Verses cascade one after the other incorporating ever more detail into the mix. Inclusion of a chorus for the song presents something new for Unger’s…
Driven rock can be quite melodic in the right circumstances, and in the case of Dark Below’s new single and music video “Tense,” the band is led by the right frontman to bring harmony back into the crunch of true rock n’ roll thunder. There are elements of “Tense” that recall the heavier side of…
I am flabbergasted to discover that this is a debut album by a young, up-and-coming artist that goes by the name of Nolen Sellwood. The new record is titled ‘Otherwise’ and you would think Nolen has been in the music game for awhile due to the professional recording quality and top-tier songwriting. Believe it or…
PG Naylor is a talented artist who has an ear for good, old-fashioned music. With a real classic touch, PG Naylor exhibits a blast-from-the-past sound but done in a fresh, innovative way. Naylor’s latest singles titled “Better Left Unsaid” and “Sensible” are full of joy and excitement! http://www.pgnaylor.com/ PG Naylor has been playing in rock…
I simply love when musicians are not afraid to test the musical waters and not stick to conventional standards. The group known as Hemisphere fits that description to a T on their latest release titled ‘Unity’. With elements of: jazz, pop, rock, fusion and everything else under the sun, Hemisphere brings a strong, unified project…
The bluegrass four-piece Route 3 is essentially an all-star band for the genre. The stylistic pedigree each of the four musicians brings to the table isn’t merely gloss on an otherwise unsatisfying musical adventure. Their knowledge and experience inform the songwriting and playing every step of the way. Gaylon Harper, Roy Bond, Jason Jordan, and…
Matthias Williams & Sheeran infuses “Back To You (feat. Sheeran Brizan)” with a sense of longing. The romanticism of the verses & Mathias’ saxophone prowess proves irresistible, as does the constantly growing ebb of energy. Pop, industrial, dance, all of this filters into the sound adding to its sense of urgency. Beats hit with a…
Melbourne, Australia is not what comes to mind when I think “country music duo”, but The Long & Short Of It have confounded expectations since their first meeting in 2007. They have built an impressive discography over the past fifteen-plus years including six album releases and two EPs without showing any signs of flagging creative…
It’s hard to believe that ‘Nowhere Town’ is only the second, full-length studio album release from singer/songwriter IZ.M.B because she writes like a seasoned pro. This record showcases IZ.M.B as a true artist giving the audience an inside look into ‘Nowhere Town’ where all sorts of feelings and emotions join forces. This is a very…
When an artist gets retrospective in their debut album, too often is it that critics relegate their sound – or even their efforts – to the countless throwback records that make their way onto the charts every few years. The very notion of a player looking anywhere but forward with their lyrics is frequently considered…
Mike Montrey began the journey with the band bearing his name with 2011’s debut Weaving the Basket. It was apparent from the first that Montrey possessed a rare synthesis of musical influences throughout his songwriting and that further collections would find him further refining his music and expanding on his already considerable talents. Little fine-tuning…
I want to say Stromer Hills sounds like someone. It makes it easy to draw a quick comparison for readers that might illustrate his music. I can’t though. His single “if u like the way i walk” is, however, filled with echoes. The core DNA of the song belongs to R&B and soul but anyone…
Christian Parker is an accomplished songwriter, recording artist and guitarist with a long history in the music world. Releasing his first album at the young age of 17, Christian has not looked back! Parker’s latest release is titled ‘Best Kept Secret’, so cat’s out of the bag with nothing left to hide. ‘Best Kept Secret’…
Cary Shields is a creative artist who knows how pen a quality tune. Cary’s latest single is titled “In The Morning” and this song is sure to please. Cary Shields has a knack for songwriting as he’s able to create a mindful and thoughtful story that will engage the audience. “In The Morning” has all…
