Light a few candles, not because you’re haphazardly attempting seduction, but because you’re reveling in a moment or two alone. Nick Drake seems too ominous and Leonard Cohen will only you how alone you are. Occupying that shaky yet gratifying middle ground is Deep Dark Woods and their third LP, “Winter Hours.” The alt-country outfit…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
CHICKENFOOT, CHICKENFOOT
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Super group, haven’t had one since Velvet Revolver. Here’s a kick ass good one. It occurred to me that the band that each member came from, each had a power player. This group of power guys fit the slot correctly to deliver the punch that the previous bands had. Sammy Hagar, Chad…
Sipo, Year of The White Rose
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Freddie Sipo wrote, produced, mixed and engineered all songs on Year of The White Rose. Sipo also took care of the mastering and artwork for the new album. Not to mention, Sipo also handled the vocals & guitars along with some percussion parts. All I have to say before even hearing the…
The Music of Faye Miravite, La Brezza
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Originally from the Philippines but residing in Florence, Italy for the last 20 years, Faye Miravite brings you multi-cultural jazz. On the record, you will hear an array of talented artists contribute their time to make up the recording of La Brezza. Musicians from three different continents helped make Miravite’s compositions come to…
Gala, Tough Love
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Italian-born singer/songwriter, Gala, brings her version of Tough Love to you. Gala Rizzatto is now based in Brooklyn and offers up a mixture of world music, rock, pop, dance and even hip-hop elements. The record is highly eclectic in taste with a bite of the Big Apple and Gala in each song. The…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, JULY 2009
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UFO, The Visitor (SPV Records) In this installment of SPV Records’s continuing missionary expedition to find survivors of the shredder and power-metal eras and throw them some studio time, we find UFO alive and well to a degree. The hate-fights between current singer Phil Mogg and ex-guitarist/band-drunkard Michael Schenker long consigned to the gossip…
Beware Fashionable Women, Beware Fashionable Women
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One could believe that Beware Fashionable Women derived their moniker from their new surroundings in L.A. However, it is more likely testament to a quirky sense of humor that oozes from the self-titled debut. Diverging from the light-hearted lyrical fare however, is a staunch commitment to musicality and the myriad of genres at BFW have…
The Dirty Sample, Beauty & Poison
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Hand’Solo is a Toronto based independent record label that is often underrated, but it’s catalogue constantly leaves you with your mouth agape. Representing artists from Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Japan, “Beauty & Poison” features the crème of the crop of hip-hop today. Write off whatever you thought rap was,…
Iras, Samael Angel
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Born in Africa and now living in Southern France, Iras is a true renaissance man. Tired of playing politics with music business, he’s releasing his entire discography (currently “Samael Angel”) through creative commons on June 25th. His music weaves a story that is captivating and has a depth hardly ever reached in music…
Rachel Taylor Brown, Susan Storm’s Ugly Sister and Other Saints and Superheroes
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Portland’s Rachel Taylor Brown has created an oddity of an album on her fourth release. Expertly entwining geekish novelty with theological/existential ponderings, Brown’s Susan Storm’s Ugly Sister and Other Saints and Superheroes explores and experiments with strange hybrids of both style and substance. The album careens unpredictably from the minimalist folk-industrialism of the title…
Lloyd Dobler Effect, Lloyd Dobler Effect
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With a name like Lloyd Dobler Effect, how can you go wrong? Back it up with some peppy indie-rock anthems, maybe a slow song or two and some clever referential humor occasionally nestled in the lyrics. Perfect, right? Well, I’ve got bad news for you. There’s not so much as a mention of kick boxing…
Wunderbugg, Transgradulate
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Transgradulate is a made up term that roughly means “to graduate into a new phase of life with joy”. The meaning definitely stacks up to the new record as these three musicians combine many different musical elements. The overall sound is quite different yet very fresh. The band is made up of Whidden…
Gilson, Lampiao
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Whether you’re looking to entertain your guests for a dinner party or have a romantic evening with your significant other, Gilson Schachnik has you covered with Lampiao. Gilson brings you the vibrant sounds from Brazil along with heavy doses of jazz, pop and even some funk. Gilson provides elements from traditional Brazilian music…
Gian Tornatore, Fall
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Soft, smooth and sophisticated, saxophonist and composer Gian Tornatore’s third album, “Fall,” is a delight to listen to. The album, a follow-up to Tornatore’s 2003 debut, “Sink or Swim,” and his 2005 sophomore album, “Blackout,” has a short track listing of only eight songs, however, the quality of each song compensates for the quantity.…
Foster McGinty, Peach Red
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This band is made up of Foster McGinty on guitar & vocals, voices and sound effects, Trifon Dimitrov on electric bass, David Butler on drums & percussion and Doran Danoff on organ & wurlitzer. This record can be characterized as creative rock ‘n’ roll in the sense that classic rock meets a new age…
White Rabbits, It’s Frightening
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It’s Frightening is the second album from the six-piece indie rock band White Rabbits and is a strong follow up to their first effort, Fort Nightly. Here they have the added benefit of working with one of indie rock’s prolific trendsetters, Britt Daniel, from the band Spoon. Daniel’s produced the album and his influence is…
Six Red Carpets, Nightmares + Lullabies
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Whisking off to dreamland with the Six Red Carpets’ release, “Nightmares + Lullabies,” brings you to a mystifying, and nearly sublime state. The Milan, Italy alternative rock group, who notes Radiohead and Muse amongst their influences, has combined an eclectic blend of catchy rhythms, smooth guitar riffs and shadowy lyrics that convey deep messages.…
Los Angeles Jazz Collective, Sampler Vol. 1
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A compilation of upbeat and smooth jazz embodies the Los Angeles Jazz Collective’s “Sampler Vol. 1,” which was released earlier this year. The LAJC, which has been meeting for nearly two years now, is an assembly of various jazz musicians who aim to “build a stronger jazz community” in the Los Angeles area. Thirteen…
The Sue Menhart Band, Gypsy Soul
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This record is so quick and punchy; seems it’s over before it’s even begun! Not necessarily a bad approach for The Sue Menhart Band as they show a quick pace can actually work sometimes. The end result is just a fun/rockin’ EP that can relate to many people as well as offer a…
Diana Krall, Live in Rio DVD
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It’s not everyday when one comes across a music DVD that is enjoyable from start to finish. That’s the feeling you get from watching and listening to jazz vocalist Diana Krall’s recent DVD release, “Live in Rio.” A sultry mix of bossa nova, jazz and samba, Krall, who for nearly two decades has smashed…
Groove Kings, Blood Red
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Howard Forman jammin’ away on guitar and Irene Marc belting out the vocals make up the heart and soul of Groove Kings. These two musicians seem to have a special connection when it comes to creating a musical groove. The combo between Forman’s precision on guitar stacked with Marc’s passion at the mic…
Ronda Matson, Truth Be Told
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The CD right away has a real earthy/true-to-heart feel with Ronda Matson smiling away and flowers shown on the back cover. With the background color of a plain-jane light, brown while showing Matson in a natural state of happiness gives off a vibe of eco-friendly trueness. This is ideally what Ronda M. represents,…
Jesus H Christ and the Four Hornsmen of the Apocalypse, Happier Than You
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“Happier Than You” brings music out of it’s usual passive attitude. With its earworm worthy infectious pop hooks, and lyrics that are mixed with brilliant spot-on social observations that are often poignant, and heart-felt. With a voice like Sarah Silverman and music reminiscent of They Might Be Giants,…
Lorraine Leckie and Her Demons, Four Cold Angels
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A native of Whitby, Ontario, Canada, Lorraine Leckie is a former world-renowned make-up artist who quit her day job and went on to make music. Since she was young, the music of Hank Williams and Canadian hero Neil Young have played a pivotal role in her life. Bound with her poems influenced by Jean Nicolas…
Chris McLeod, Television Dreams
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Chris McLeod is a man with an acoustic guitar and a broken heart. His album Television Dreams is a love letter to the one who got away. It’s very simple and honest, with McLeod playing acoustic guitar chords and singing words that could either be from a letter or a diary. The first track, “Final…
Estrella Cristina, This Is Life
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Get your pop rocks on with a slight alternative twist on Estrella Cristina’s newest release, This Is Life. Having ties and roots to Panama, Trinidad and the U.S., Cristina brings a diverse vibe along with a deep love for music itself. Being named after a star in Spanish, Estrella, could it be that…
Mastodon, Crack The Skye
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The fourth album, Crack The Skye, from heavy metal rockers Mastodon takes you on an epic journey through space and time. The subject matter of their lyrics has always involved a mix of science fiction and myth. The layered and textured guitar chords create a fittingly grandiose soundscape to add emphasis and drama to their…
Passion Pit, Manners
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It is clear from the beginning of Passion Pit’s debut full-length album Manners that lead singer and keyboardist Michael Angelakos is the sentimental type. Not surprisingly it was sentimentality that inspired Angelakos to craft the first Passion Pit EP Chunk of Change — that album was a Valentine’s gift for his then girlfriend. Now on…
Years, Years
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Curators of alarmingly aware films take note: your next soundtrack is waiting for you with open arms. Years, (Ohad Benchetrit of Do Make Say Think) have crafted one of the most pensive and poignant instrumental records to be heard in, well, years. The self-titled debut mixes delicate finger-picking with rousing melodies in an attempt to…
These United States, Crimes
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These United States describe their latest effort as “It’s about crimes – good ones, bad ones, accidental ones, purposeful ones, all the ones people commit. Maybe not all of them – only 12 songs to pack it all in, you know – but a good deal of them. People do some wild things”. …
Girl in a Coma, Trio B.C.
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Everything’s bigger in Texas. So it’s no wonder that Girl in a Coma has big influences, a big resume, and a big sound. The girls behind the band got together in junior high and played their first gigs in high school, and now they’ve released their second album, Trio B.C., with tours with Cyndi Lauper…
People, The Cliché
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Either come with it to rock out or just simply go home should be this LA-based band’s motto. People is the name of the group and a heavy, rock-driven record is the premise of The Cliché. People is composed of front-man/guitarist/songwriter–Jimmy Young, Matty O on drums and featuring new bassist–Matt Powers. Powers…
Desillusion, Blasphaesthetic
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Desillusion is a 3-piece band made up of: Westin Halvorson on lead vocals & guitar, Jay Keller on bass and Galen Waling on drums. These men pack one hell-of-a-freakin’ punch, which is amazing considering there are only three members. This Seattle-based industrial-metal group definitely does not personify your typical Seattle “Grunge” Rock band.…
The Friday Night Boys, Off The Deep End
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Starting parties with their pop and dance fused songs since 2006, The Friday Night Boys is made up of Andrew Goldstein(vocals), Robby Dallas Reider(bass), Mike Toohey(guitar), and Chris Barret(drums). Up until now, the four have been on a long and hard journey to where they are now, touring with popular acts such as All TIme…
SWAY, Let It Roll
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Singer/Songwriters, Gina Quartaro & Perry Martin are fully responsible for the contemporary country band known as SWAY. The founding members along with their backing band bring you their debut album, Let It Roll. One amazing concept is the fact that this record is a debut because of its incredibly professional sound. SWAY…
Gaucho, Deep Night
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There are various feelings that are sprung from listening to Gaucho’s “Deep Night,” but one thing is for sure — it is music that definitely brings you to your feet. A mixture of jazz with a twist of New Orleans swing, Gaucho is known as a “gypsy jazz sextet,” with the members of the…
Jared McCloud, Romance of the Atlantic
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Jared McCloud’s sophomore album, “Romance of the Atlantic,” offers a look into his story — one of working towards stardom, as well as the difficult journey of a musician who has to hit the road and leave a loved one behind. A combination of acoustic and light rock, this disc is smooth and soothing. In…
Jennifer Logue, Pretty
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Jennifer Logue is bringing infectious attitude & sound on her new EP, Pretty. The NYC-based singer/songwriter offers up a little rock/pop/folk mixed with country influences, but delivered in such a pleasant fashion. Logue has seven new refreshing tracks that are so ready for human consumption. Logue’s upbeat and pretty persona is picked up…
Kava Kava, Forwards
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Much in the vein of The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method and Moby, Kava Kava toe the line between electronica and live instrumentation and meld the two into interwoven electro-rock tracks that range from agro alt to electronic-induced groove. The final product is a 10-track hybrid testament to that fact that Kava Kava know where…
The Black Crowes, Warpaint Live
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Often the main benefit of the live album is its ability to capture a dynamic that is either lost in post-production studio work or overlooked all together. The raw, organic sound, the tendency for improvisation and the extended play times of the tracks are live disc staples and none are lost on The Black Crowes…
