CD and DVD reviews
Willie J “The Philosopher” brings good vibrations with “Let’s Save The World” and “Be a Father to Your Child”. For both of these tracks lyrics prove to be of the essence. Lyrics are chosen with care with each verse carefully balanced on top of the last. Melodies, rhythms, these are all secondary to the sheer…
Octavate delivers hardcore rock with heart on the fire and fury of “My Wasteland”. Baring their very soul, the raw grit and soul of the sound rests with those anguished vocals. The riffs race on through with pure precision effortlessly locking step with the righteous hit of the drums. Everything here deserves to be absolutely…
I’ve had the pleasure to work with Sophie Dorsten many times now and I can honestly say that she continues to impress me more and more each time. Once Sophie starts singing, you listen and get hooked in with her powerful voice & range. Sophie’s voice is one amazing instrument in itself and seems to…
Wave 21 give off pretty cerebral folk-rock vibes throughout their last record Brace Yourself, but if you think this is just another pastoral indie record in a sea of similar selections to debut in the past couple of years, you don’t know much about this talented band at all. In Brace Yourself’s lead single, “Way…
If there’s one thing that stands out to me when delving into the magical musical world of Ryan Dart, it’s the authenticity that oozes from each track. As a self-professed “grandson of the dustbowl and a steward of the land,” Ryan Dart’s music encapsulates the down to earth, gentle and connected way of life that…
Revolution Engine may have written the songs for their album ‘Fist & Flame’ a couple of years ago, but there’s not been a moment that we need these tracks like right now. Listening to this album is a completely immersive, arresting experience. They speak some serious truth. Truths have long been known, but perhaps only…
Brooke Surgener has clearly been on a roll the past few years and she shows no signs of pumping the breaks any time soon as she gears up to release her latest single ‘Gimme Gimme’. Whilst making her fame through captivatingly quirky cosplay music videos, this multi-instrumentalist boasts a beautiful array of singles. Her latest…
Kenton Place demands the listener play “Roses On The Wall” loud because theirs is a true wall of sound. There is a catchy melody and insightful lyrics, from the stunning guitar work to the vocals that rise above the rest of the mix. The atmosphere features an intensity to it, one that never gives up.…
Daxton conjures up imagery of the ancient and modern takes of folk with the soulful “Otherside”. A rather intimate setting the sound features a raw grit to it. His voice goes for a pure honesty one that holds nothing back. Lyricism flows out like pure poetry, every verse fully lived in. Best of all there…
It’s been a while since I’ve heard a single like this. I confess knowing zero about Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers before hearing their new release “Pass Along the Good”, but I’m well aware of Jim Lauderdale’s talents and lengthy history. The iconic Americana artist and Brewer first struck up their creative collaboration at…
Electro-pop to its very essence, everything about the performance radiates a degree of passion. Vocals rest in the center of it all, for there is a giddiness to it. An ebb and flow to the music work wonders, imbuing the whole thing with so much life. Neon fluorescent haze adds to the intrepid swirl of…
The beautiful balladry of the work adds to the sense of lusciousness the track radiates. Everything about it features a lushness. Production values maintain a high quality, ensuring that it all comes together in an elegantly crafted tapestry. Stylistically Angel brings elements of R&B, hip-hop, pop, and more into a singular sliding spirit. Grooves run…
Mark Winters presents a perfect classic rock cadence with “Boundary Layer”. Riffs here stun kept simple yet effective. Absolutely stuffed with so much emotion he makes sure to balance it all in a way that feels timeless. The way that the layers intermingle gives it a degree of warmth. By embracing this earnestness, the song’s…
Staying on-trend for the global fascination with the 80s, Stacey Jackson shows everyone how it’s done with her single ‘Flipside.’ This playful, empowering track is more than a party bop. ‘Flipside’ hits the spot with lyrics about taking risks and being true to yourself. Stacey Jackson is known to speak from experience, and with her…
Matty Marz’ bio says, ‘pop’s new innovator’. That’s a pretty bold statement, but after checking out his latest single ‘Watcha Lookin At’, I wouldn’t argue with it. In fact, everything about the New York native’s discography screams new, fresh and innovative. His unique brand of futuristic pop has attracted over three hundred thousand streams on…
Status Foe has perhaps the most unique sound you will come across in a while. As they blur together branches from hard rock, grunge, prog and southern rock, they sculpt a sound specific to them. The mixing of vocalist Colby Homes, drummer Chad Prifogle, guitarist Larry Anderson and bassist Warren Kost must be one in…
Psyclo pours her heart and soul into the confessional style of “I’m Not Lovesick”. Everything here features its own sense of peace behind it. The production value adds to the work’s intimacy seems to radiate from every possible angle. Firmly rooted in hip-hop, elements of pop, alternative rock, the blues, and soul further flesh out…
If you’ve been in need of smooth listening, you can’t miss Little Muddy’s latest album Chain Link. The sixth album from the San Francisco based instrumental group effortlessly shows off the groups talents. Headed by master guitarist Rich Goldstein, Little Muddy takes new form on Chain Link. In the process of seeing where he could…
Big guitars, bigger harmonies, the constant sense of urgency coming off of The Sonic Memes’ collective wallop; in the new single “Back Home in Ontario” by SONIK, there isn’t as much focus on contemporary trends as there is the foundational elements that made rock music so exciting in the first place, and for purists like…
Go to Space Die’s Red Air Don’t Care boasts eight songs with the, unusual for the genre, distinction of being smart and emotional. It’s an “one-man-band” side project for longtime Murder by Death drummer Dagan Thogerson, but don’t confuse that classification for it being some sort of throwaway amusement. I knew after hearing this for the first…
Jazz is the most violent genre of music there is, and you needn’t take much more than a cursory look at some of its finest works to appreciate what I mean. Although there are moments of true solitude to be found between the bursts of energy comprising the new experimental jazz record Folds of Time from Mumex…
If you’re looking for something completely different, then look no further because Geoff Bradford has got you covered with his new release titled ‘Seven Fat Years’. This is Geoff’s second EP with ‘Texas Psychedelic’ being his first back in February, 2021. Geoff Bradford is taking Psych Rock to a whole new level adding his own…
Gabi Ammirato is a multi-talented artist with a hot, new release titled ‘Metamorphosis’. As a singer/songwriter, dancer, choreographer and photographer, Gabi Ammirato has many talents and making sweet music is definitely one of them. ‘Metamorphosis’ sounds like a chart-topper to me and loaded with charming songs that will excite the masses. With a love for…
On the first listen of VRL’s debut the obsession-fuelled love song brings one word to mind – fresh. Her sound is heavily grounded in the realms of synth-pop, but there’s a unique effervescence to the sounds they’re fusing together. Right now, VRL will be a new name for most of us. But from the sounds…
“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…
