This Hong-Kong based singer/songwriter, Reign Lee, is ready to take the music world by storm. Not only does Lee write and perform all of her songs on the new record, but she is also the producer of Broken Skylines. This multi-talented artist is definitely prepared to excite the minds of music enthusiasts everywhere!…
Category: REVIEWS
CD and DVD reviews
Kestrels, Primary Colours
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Maybe it was just where I grew up, but in high school, every band sounded the same. They were hookey alright, but their remotely relevant brand of pop-punk never sat well. There was something missing. Even in a sea of bands all playing at the same venue (The Dungeon, if you must know) not one…
Japandroids, Post-Nothing
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Buzz bands walk a very, very fine line. More often than not, the first thing your average music consumer hears is the hype before any substance. Immediately then, said listener adopts Grand Canyon-sized expectations. Especially when proliferated by a few certain tastemakers, the hype becomes so unmanageable that the artist risks imploding, often before a…
Rich Hope, Is Gonna Whip It On Ya
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Where do the blues come from? Is it a persistent hole in one’s soul that’s only filled by dirty jams in smokey bars? And if so, are the blues really that simple of a vocation? On Rich Hope’s debut LP, Rich Hope Is Gonna Whip It On Ya, the answer is a resounding no. There…
STEVE VAI, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
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First off, there are hordes of great, eye-popping guitarists roaming the stages across the globe. Steve Vai is in the upper echelon of these real life guitar heroes. Steve is a technical guitar savant, in the same vein as Jeff Beck. Steve always adds a little touch of something live, to make…
THE BEATLES, RARE AND UNSEEN
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This release is a documentary, featuring rare glimpses of the Fab Four, and dialogue by many of their associates like Tony Barrow (former press officer), Tony Bramwell (former roadie), Sam Leach (former tour manager), and noteworthy fans like Jerry Marsden (Jerry and the Pacemakers), and Phil Collins. A booklet is included with some early…
RANDOM STABBINGS & ARTLESS CRITIQUE, OCTOBER 2009
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Infected Mushroom, Legend Of The Black Shawarma (Adrenaline Records) Lot of blah-de-blah on the blogs and such about this not being (as expected in keeping with this Israeli electro duo’s original pigeonhole) psy-trance, probably owing to all the drum n bass that goes on (if you’re not a walking Wikipedia, DnB involves a lot of…
Slant, Slant
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If Tool and Jimi Hendrix had some kind of post mortem love child, it would be Slant. And if Tool, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana could create a celestial collaboration, it would be Slant’s latest album, self titled “Slant”. “Slant” takes you on an epic journey of intricately skilled drum solos, nostalgic guitar riffs,…
Shannon Stephens, The Breadwinner
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I’ve been saying this to myself for awhile now, but I think I’m ready to get it out in the open: there aren’t two female singer-songwriter voices out there that sound alike. None. Every female voice, from those that hum a tune to those wailing down in Vegas share the same vocal chords. And Seattle-bred…
The Oranges Band, The Oranges Band Are Invisible
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Let’s all raise a glass for The Oranges Band. On The Oranges Band Are Invisible, the Baltimore smart-punk outfit combine blue-collar, everyman aesthetics with a sound that’s thick as nails. Tangibly reminiscent of some of the bands which have influenced them in some form or another, including Spoon and Guided By Voices, The Oranges Band…
The ETTES, Do You Want Power?
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The ETTES are a 3-piece rock outfit from Nashville, Tennessee and they are dropping their third album Do You Want Power? today. They deliver garage rock soaked in a 60’s beat-punk sound with heavy, distorted guitars and pounding drums. Lead singer Lindsay “Coco” Hames has a soulful 60s country voice not unlike Patsy Cline. Bassist…
Pearl Jam, Backspacer
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The legendary rock band Pearl Jam has been known for plenty of things throughout its near two decade career. However, one of its most publicized periods was when the Seattle band took on Ticketmaster back in the 90s because of the agency’s high ticket fees. While this battle proved to be unsuccessful, it did earn…
Jer Coons, Speak
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Jer Coons has plenty of things standing in his way of becoming a rock star. First off, he doesn’t reside where there is a celebrated music scene; he calls Burlington, Vermont home. Also, the 20-year-old probably can’t be called very hip as his forte is writing catchy pop songs with charming melodies. Despite this, Coons…
Ultimate Ears, 700
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I was fortunate enough to get a pair of Ultimate Ears 700 headphones. When I first opened up the package I was shocked at how little the ear plugs were. My girl can never find earphones that fit in her small ears so in that regard we had already found something we liked about the…
The Empty Mirror, Abstracted Catholic
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I just want to throw this out first, so it’s clear for everyone and that is that this new five-song set should not be called an EP. Rather a new release or “opus 2” is what lead singer, guitarist and producer, Grant Valdes, prefers. Opus numbering is an element of classical music and…
Tim Miller, Sessions Lamar
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This Dallas-based singer/songwriter, Tim Miller, brings you a disc titled Sessions Lamar. Acoustic/Folk/Rock are all blended together beautifully to make up crowd-pleasing music for the public. But this isn’t just your ordinary EP; this project is the highly anticipated follow-up to Miller’s successful record, Adelaide. This new EP features three songs from…
Amy Millan, Masters of the Burial
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It’s no grand coincedence that Amy Millan’s second solo LP, Masters of the Burial was released in late September. Depending on your geographical location (And if the Gods have been smiling on you, I suppose) late September is the time for lazy evenings spent soaking up every last bit of sun. And it’s damn near…
Octoberman, Fortresses
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If you could float through everyday with Octoberman’s Fortresses in your head, constantly on repeat, you’d probably share a comfortable grin with everyone you pass. That’s the effect that the potent, landscape-inspiring rhythms would have on you. They’re buoyant enough for one to constantly and comfortably keep their head above water. But when Marc Morrissette’s…
Elwood Emission, Ode to the Ego
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Elwood Emission is made up one creative-minded individual by the name of Lucy Kalantari. Her music includes a little bit of everything from elements of rock, jazz, new wave and industrial-goth. She blends all of these unique styles together by way of electronic synths, piano, strings, original vocals and even distorted ukuleles. …
Sprockets, Medicated Empty
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I have to be honest that when I saw the band title, Sprockets, I first thought of that hilarious bit Mike Myers used to do on SNL. But just as SNL isn’t as funny today, Sprockets is also proving to be no laughing matter with their new record, Medicated Empty. All jokes aside,…
PENS, Hey Friend, What You Doing?
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Poking their heads out from obscurity in London, all-girl noise-pop trio PENS is what you would expect to hear from sewer dwellering girls who have over time collected scrapped instruments and the recording equipment neccesary to make an album. But they aren’t, and they really don’t care how it sounds.“Hey Friend, What You Doing? is…
David Gray, Draw the Line
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Unless you’re an musical icon like Bob Dylan or an indie darling like Conor Oberst, being pegged as a singer-songwriter can be quite an albatross–particularly for one who writes mostly pop songs. David Gray probably knows this better than most because the critics haven’t always been kind to him despite his selling millions of albums…
Vangough, Manikin Parade
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With a name like Vangough, you’re assuming top-notch precision & artistry at its finest. Now, you and I know that one should never assume because it can make an ass out of you and me. But, in this instance the saying can stand as correct as this four-piece-band from Oklahoma is bringing high…
Sexstone, The Painful Side of True
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This Kentucky-based rock group is literally bringing The Painful Side of truth on this new record. You get a dose of the true rock & roll sound mixed with the harsh reality of life. You get a sense of pain & hurt, but done in such a lively fashion. Sexstone is made…
The Black Crowes, Before the Frost/Until the Freeze
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This past year has seen plenty of rock bands that ruled the 90s reunite in an effort to relive their past glories with some being much more welcome (Blur!!) than others (Creed??). Nevertheless, do not lump the Black Crowes in with this reunion bands. Sure, the blues rock band led by Chris and Rich Robinson…
Greg Wood, Self-Titled
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This Canadian rocker from Edmonton known as Greg Wood is ready to rock the spot all night long. With his kick-ass, electric guitar sound & voice full of brashness, passion and soul, Wood offers a winning combo. This record offers straight rock from the heart with hard-rockin’ grooves and then some more passionate,…
Michel Ackermann, Kite
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This Berlin-based singer/songwriter brings you a 4-song EP titled Kite. I have to mention the cover art due to its incredibly tranquil setting. I am seeing vivid blues skies along with plush, white clouds. The initial reaction of this scenery is a very peaceful feeling, which could definitely offer someone a calming effect. Now, let’s…
Nitin Sawhney, London Undersound
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“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” -Alan Watts Very rarely does anything good come out of a terrorist attack (I distinctly remember that unfortunate collaboration between Nelly ( “I’m just kiddin’ like Jason”) and Fred “Don’t get me started” Durst,…
Imelda May, Love Tattoo
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With a voice that’s impossible not to fall in love with, and a heaping helping of Audrey Horn (Sherilyn Fenn) sex appeal; Imelda May can with your heart in a verse. This Dubliner rose to fame after being hand-picked by former founder-member of Squeeze; Jools Holland to appear on his show “Later… with Jools…
Arctic Monkeys, Humbug
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It is hard to believe that it has been only three years since the Arctic Monkeys burst onto the rock scene with its fantastic debut, the Mercury Prize-winning Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. That recording will be forever loved because of its standout singles such as “I Bet You Look Good…
Ted Kooshian’s Standard Orbit Quartet, Underdog, and other Stories…
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While Ted Kooshian named his album Underdog, and other Stories… Kooshian is certainly not an underdog, nor is his Standard Orbit Quartet. He gives life to old television themes and superhero anthems, such as the highly energized re-imagination of “Underdog,” an upbeat number featuring a sick tenor sax feature by Jeff Lederer that starts off…
HEALTH, GET COLOR
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If My Bloody Valentine were to ever make a baby with Crystal Castles, you’d basically be able to figure out what electronic, noise-rock nightmare you’d be getting yourself into with HEALTH. Fans of Crystal Castles should already be familiar with HEALTH; “Crimewave”, in it’s “Crystal Castles vs. HEALTH” form(as opposed to the very different version…
The Twilight Sad, Forget The Night Ahead
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There’s something about Scotland. Mysterious, seeing as how so many North Americans consider Scotland as England’s little brother. And hard-edged and gritty, thanks to the influence of pop culture mainstays such as Trainspotting and Sean Connery. Now granted, these impressions of Scotland only graze the surface of a country steeped in history and tradition. But…
The Stone Foxes, The Stone Foxes
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You know what you’re getting into with The Stone Foxes from the moment you drop the needle on their debut, self-titled LP. It’s an unabashed, dirty, rollicking good time. Borrowing heavily from their influences, the greats of the past and present including Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Black Crowes, The Stone Foxes is…
TyLean, Between 10 and 2
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Between 10 and 2 is not your usual piece of music by any standards. Vocalist, pianist and cellist, TyLean, has created something here that cannot not be matched. A sound and a style all of its own can be heard here where Lean is going in a completely different direction both musically &…
Katrin, Soul Wide Open
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Katrin goes by only one name, but she wrote from several perspectives on her latest CD Soul Wide Open. The Boston-based singer songwriter has outdone herself with this collection of 10 stellar songs that range from quiet introspection to anthem declarations of independence and survival. “Stepping Stones” is a catchy folk-rock song that plays…
Still Life Still, Girls Come Too
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When a band as young and as talented as Still Life Still make a record as swarming yet precise as Girls Come Too, one can’t help but wonder: have I wasted too many years of my life? It’s not as if the Toronto-bred five-piece make anti-climatic tunes that lend themselves to suicide or anything as…
Built to Spill, There Is No Enemy
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Built to Spill has served as the influence and inspiration for many other indie bands. They inhabit a secure area in indie rock, which gives them credibility, but where fame remains out of reach. Their folk-infused, bluesy rock teeters along the postmodern lines of Pavement while hailing to an earlier era evoking the likes of…
Quincy Jones: The 75th Birthday Celebration Live At Montreux
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What best way to pay tribute to one of the biggest music moguls today than to give a five-hour concert on his 75th birthday? That’s what Quincy Jones received last year at the Stravinski Auditorium in Montreux, Switzerland, home to the Montreux Jazz Festival. In this more than two-hour long DVD, the Montreux stage…
Blueskyreality, The Cabin Sessions
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Some of the greatest hits in music today were made from grassroots bands working on low budgets. The same goes for Blueskyreality, a group of five young 19 and 20-somethings from California, in their EP “The Cabin Sessions.” The members, made up of Zak Stucchi on lead vocals, Philip Bloom on bass, John Chong…
