CD and DVD reviews
“The idea of calling it The Dick Aven Band is that I let individual personalities develop for each instrument in a way that lets them all be creative in their own even though they are all me.” This is a quote from one of my new favourite finds, Dick Aven. Listening through his discography, it’s…
A lot has been said about Robert Miller’s lauded Project Grand Slam through the years, but in the new studio-recorded version of their live setlist, The Shakespeare Concert, vocal harmonies take such a starring role that it’s difficult to lead off a review of the tracklist without noting their importance. Where past arrangements of “I’m Falling…
The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the name Corduroy Vibe is clothing. With preference to Corduroy pants, shirts and jackets, I’m thinking this band has a certain style or taste that coincides with their overall Vibe. Now, I have no idea if the group name comes from a love for Corduroy…
After listening to ‘Spin So Long’ from Dick Aven, it’s hard to comprehend that he’s played each instrument that’s sewn into the soundscape. Yet, the Tennessee based singer-songwriter surely has. Dick Aven’s most recent album is a perfectly eclectic accumulation of tracks. It’s impossible to pin down the genre of this album, I’d be too…
Floodgate Operator embraces an American Primitive sound with “New Mexico Winds.” Truly fingerpicking good, the strings sing out to the heavens. A great deal of detail comes through, and there is a narrative that ties it all together. Nods to John Fahey’s emotionally charged output, there is a passion, a fire that burns right at…
Dean Friedman keeps it strange and sweet on the delightful golden am pop vibes of “The Dean and I.” A whole slew of styles gets sampled, from new wave to glam rock to R&B to singer-songwriter traditions to yacht rock to too many more to list. Vocals center the entirety of the album and indeed…
It’s been a few years since The Sea At Midnight released something new and after hearing their recently released EP ‘Oceans’, it’s most definitely been worth the wait. With the help of producer Chris King and drum programmer Brandon Pierce, Vince Grant is the man behind the sound of this colourful EP. Coming off the…
Mirabelle Fobi sings with fire and passion on the true tropical “Zigiyaga.” So much energy pours out of her vocals, making it an incredible thing to experience. The rest of the track seemingly orbits around her. Beats hit with a physicality. Honestly, the whole of the track celebrates a sense of togetherness. Perfectly sculpted and…
It seems only fitting that her name is Mary Broadcast. Innovative and intensely authentic, the new EP Panic from Broadcast is proof why sometimes singers and songwriters combine additional media to deliver their oh-so-compelling art. Broadcast, who is based in Austria, has created a concept EP that features six-accompanying music videos to each track. The pairing is…
Composer Brian Field has an impressive resume writing music for orchestras and chamber settings along with ballet and television as well. Brian’s new album is titled ‘Vocal Works’ and a fitting title I’d say because there are tremendous voices on all 13 tracks. Listeners will also be delighted to hear Budapest Chorus with Conductor Martón…
Are you looking for a refreshing take on Americana with Soul galore? Then it’s time to check in to ‘Ghost Hotel’ and enjoy all of its accommodating sounds. This new release from award-winning singer/songwriter Karen Morand & The Bosco Boys is a surefire hit in my book! Karen Morand handles lead/backing vocals, acoustic guitar and…
Despite only releasing their debut in January of last year, Third Development has already become a staple in the ambient electronic scene. The eclectic inclusion of instruments throughout their sound is as widespread as the members that sculpt them. Whilst the founder, Geoffrey James, is based in Canada, Third Development has members spanning from New…
Jackson Reed and The Silverbirds embark on a classic, swooning 80s style of balladry with the silky smooth “Dangerous Lover (feat. Kenny Aronoff)”. There is a gorgeous funk that they bring into this, courtesy of the absolutely stellar bassline that ties it together. Best of all of course are those vocals that have such a…
Establishing consistency early on in an artist’s career is essential to getting anywhere in any genre, but this is especially true in pop music and hip-hop. Dici has been doing a good job of dropping one strong single after another in the past year, and with the start of 2022 he debuts yet another new…
Strings and rich vocals run together in a brooding twist of melodicism as powerful as it is communicative in the new single “Buzzin’ Fly” by Yardin, and while it’s true that most covers aren’t quite as good as the original, I think this might just be a rare exception to the rule. Instead of approaching…
It’s been a while since we’ve had any music from Steve Noonan, yet after having the pleasure of listening to his upcoming album ‘Dreamland’ I can confirm it’s been worth the wait. With three albums under his belt, Steve Noonan has honed in on his unique brand of soft rock as he’s set to release…
In what he likely hopes is a bit of foreshadowing, ALYST has released his newest single, “Gold.” ALYST is young and has a deep charisma that is unique unto himself. His music is perennial, and thanks to his artistic Soulmate, Oscar Sanchez, well layered. Originally from Kentucky, ALYST now prowls the urban jungle of New…
It may be completely unrealistic to claim that the recent global lockdowns were, in any sense, a blessing. However, I will posit that the isolating nature of those shutdowns has brought with it some cracking music. For Third Development, it was the catalyst for their passion project. Third Development is a band “born out of a burning…
Jacksonville-based recording artist Cory Driscoll has a lovely, warm ramshackle style with “Hope Changes.” The pure heart of the piece rests in its easy-going demeanor. Vocals tie it together, perfectly matching the energy of what sounds them. A sense of determination moves the song forward at a distinct pace. Everything about the piece comes together…
Pianist Elizabeth Sombart evokes the majesty and elegance of the celebrated composer Frederic Chopin in her new collection Singing The Nocturnes. This instrumental (classical) masterpieces speaks to the listener in a way that proves just why Chopin’s exceptional place in music’s history cannot be overstated. In the process of her own interpretations, Sombart honor’s Chopin’s legacy…
Ring in the New Year with an exciting, new track from rising hip-hop artist Roc Solo. This Virginia-based rapper is coming strong with his new song called “Play No Fool”. As some of the verses mention “I just do what I do, but I ain’t gonna play no fool”. Roc Solo is not clownin’ around…
Versal trades in a dreamy nu-jazz style on the graceful “Versal Volume 2”. He uses a cinematic flourish with such ease. Layer upon layer is crafted with care. Everything about the album features great attention to detail. Built up with care, there are orchestral and electronic elements, with some pieces of modern electronic percussion. Such…
‘Chasing A Sound’ is the perfect title for this new album because from an audio standpoint, The Timbre Project is impeccable. This new record by The Timbre Project is the fourth release and what a dynamite one it is! The Timbre Project is Jaime d’Almeida and he is joined by frequent collaborator Jason DeWaard. The…
Esglo delves into the happy house side of things on the deliriously joyful “Poetic Trance.” With a resurgence of interest in those long-lost 90s styles, one of the most sorely missed ones for me (at least) has to be the fine sounds of trance-pop. Here the sounds absolutely are imbued in such a tender, compassionate…
Tarah Who? holds nothing back on the intense raw punk energy of “Push Me.” A rather clever approach, elements of pop, thrash, and noise rock into the sound. Nods to groups as far-ranging as Le Tigre, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more help influence the sound. Sonically they cut to the absolute bone. Volume is a…
If Nothing Else boast a pretty heavy brand of ‘Northern Rock’. Yep, that genre was new to me too until I came across the four-pieces effortless fusion of country, roots rock and outlaw. Hailing from central Minnesota, If Nothing Else has an impressive string of albums behind them, yet their latest release ‘Dirty’ takes them…
“Old punks don’t die, they go country.” This is the opening sentiment from Scoot Horton’s upcoming album ‘Empty Bottles’ and, well, he’s right. Much like the list of artists he rattles off in the opening single, Scoot Horton is a punk turned country enthusiast with a discography to match. It’s of no doubt that Scoot…
It’s hard to believe that this is a debut release for Greg Bucking because the sound quality is top-notch and the recording is spot on. Sounding like a seasoned professional, Greg Bucking introduces us to his wonderful world of Roots music. With his self-titled, solo album now upon us, Greg Bucking has arrived in a…
The multi-talented singer/songwriter & music artist from New Zealand is back to spread some Christmas cheer with her brand new EP titled ‘Christmas Memories’. With Christmas fastly approaching, Emme has four, finely-tuned gifts that are ready to be unwrapped and enjoyed. Emme Lentino decides to put her a spin on four Christmas classics and the…
Steph Lyon delivers a confrontation, in-your-face take on rap with the raw, visceral energy of “Keep It Moving.” Here there is an intensity to his vision. The emphasis matters, for his voice has a commanding presence to it. Nods to DMX’s similar urgent atmospherics appear throughout. Lyrics focus on the moment at large, with reference…
Dean Friedman is an established singer/songwriter with nine studio albums under his belt and ‘American Lullaby’ is his new release. The record focuses on Dean’s personal take on all of the wild occurrences that have happened in the US and abroad over the last six years. Even though Dean Friedman touches on pressing matters, historic…
Christopher Sluka is no stranger to the music game as he experienced success in the 80s and 90s performing at such iconic venues as: CBGB’s, The Ritz and The Palladium. Sluka has performed alongside such acts as Tears for Fears and Simple Minds and his band at the time was making BIG waves in Japan…
Kick and the Hug is kickin’ the door down with the debut release titled ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Kick and the Hug’. What a fist-pumping start for this high-octane band that brings an overload of energy to the table with their brand new LP. I’m surprised to discover that this is a debut release for Kick…
Sung with poise and passion, Doug Kistner crafts an elegant ballad with “There’s The Door (feat. Bill Champlin)”. Vocals dominate the track for they are pure fire. Lyrics here feature verses that cut right to the bone. Elements of pop, classic rock, the blues, and more filter into the fray. Interplay reveals a band that…
For most of us, the recent global shutdown stopped us in our tracks. Well, for the Waves On Waves it only seemed to spur them on more. With their album ‘Live Wire On The Sunset Strip’ set to be released in January of next year, Waves On Waves are setting out to score our daily…
Riku delivers a whole plethora of fragile feelings and thoughts on the tremendous rush “Rin Pun.” All of this deserves to be absolutely blasted, for volume is a must. Vocals run through it all, serving as the very backbone of the work. Elements of metal, industrial, thrash, hard rock, delivered with a bit of balladry,…
‘Lost To A Coastline’ is the debut album from Ellanora DellErba. All ten tracks that make up the divine debut are swimming in soulful folk flavours as the album tells tales of lost loves and lessons learned. Ellanora DellErba speaks with soothing sincerity within her lyrics and it’s this candour that makes this debut so…
Louise Cappi embraces an old-school funky style with the highly playful “Keep That Dream Alive”. Sung with such soul the song has a limberness to it. With a clear nod to the 70s the track has a classic cadence to it. It helps that the rhythm section has a tautness to it, for every hit…
We Left As Lions brings together heavy metallic riffs with a flair for the dramatic on the fury of “The Factory”. Rhythms feature a driving propulsive force behind them. Holding nothing back, the ebb and flow of the sound imbues the work with so much life. Volume crashes over the listener for there is a…
A hint of tropical jazz enters into the equation on Jay Elle’s sun-drenched soul of “Tequila Kiss”. The smoothness of the sound comes from its unhurried rhythm. Guitar work features a nimbleness akin to some of Bossa Nova’s greats, just as Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. His voice has an understated beauty about it.…
