CD and DVD reviews
Rob Lalain breathes new ‘Life’ into the airwaves and it is a breath of fresh air to say the least. This new album is a highly-anticipated release and follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘Back to the Start’ album. With 14 original songs, the material is both reflective and personal touching on all aspects of…
Waking Stone shocks the music world once again with the release of their latest single called: “Submersion”. The track is not only a perfect image of the band’s unusual gifts, but it is also a strong and solid statement to the alternative rock scene today. “Submersion” is an extraordinary track where the late 80’s and…
A noir flavor defines Athxna’s bluesy trip-hop of “Crazy.” Vocals have this eerie atmosphere, with the sample virtually ready to completely break down. The inclusion of found sonic artifacts adds to the disorientation of the work. Sydney’s Guard embraces a pure party celebration with the agility of a “Sense of Direction.” From the echoed vocals…
Love and loss along with the trials and tribulations are all reoccurring themes on the new release ‘The Waiting’. Chris Beland sings, writes and performs straight from the heart with personal accounts being reimagined on the new EP. Chris Beland weaves through this 4-song set with such elegance and simplicity and so now ‘The Waiting’…
If you’re in the mood for some honest, down-to-earth music with no fancy gimmicks or bells & whistles, then take a listen to ‘Simple Gifts’ by Colin Roy Monette. Colin strips everything down musically and just focuses on delivering genuine lyrics & notes. With 10 personal tracks that mean a lot to Colin Roy Monette,…
Atom Stone has been musically-inclined since he was a kid starting as a woodwind player and later evolving into a skilled singer and guitarist. Hailing from New York, Atom Stone brings a wide range of influences to the brand new release titled ‘Take Me To The Fire’. Atom Stone’s overall sound and vocal style has…
Do you have a sudden yearning for classic storytellers of yesteryear and a craving for timeless folk music? If you answered yes, then I invite you to check out Gordon Thomas Ward and his latest album titled ‘Walking On The Wire’. Gordon Thomas Ward has a way of connecting with a lyric and bringing a…
Right away I am intrigued just based off of this album title ‘Dusty Passports and Empty Beds’, so I am eager to learn more about Keegan McInroe. Keegan is an accomplished singer/songwriter from Texas and is also considered to be an international troubadour. ‘Dusty Passports and Empty Beds’ is Keegan McInroe’s seventh studio album and…
A spaced-out form of psychedelic musings emerges from Celestial Latitude featuring Frank Gambale’s expansive “The Haas Company Vol 2.” The whole band is in full swing, displaying impeccable taste and chops to match. By exploring every nuance of the sound, they create a lovely realm that is easy to get lost in. Without needing to…
A breezy take on the classic Brazilian Bossa Nova style, Paula Maya delivers a soothing yet sultry sound on the aptly named “Rio de Janeiro.” Tempos are rolled back to allow for a contemplative quality to emerge. True to Bossa Nova’s roots, instrumentation is sparse and highly emotionally charged. Paula’s vocals feel reminiscent of Astrid…
Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra embraces a neat mixture of traditional jazz with a unique twist on the timelessness of “Things Will Pass.” The music has a poetic sensibility, allowing the instrumentation to speak volumes. A classic midcentury cool rises from the sound, giving it a cultured, sophisticated spirit. Interplay amongst the band imbues a spirited…
Lucas Jack is a talented singer/songwriter who grew up in Michigan and was surrounded by music at a very young age. With influences that range from Billy Joel and Elton John to the Doobie Brothers and Hall and Oates, Lucas is an eclectic musician to say the least. The latest release is titled ‘Bittersweet is…
Stephen Jacques is a prolific singer/songwriter with 10 albums to his name and an 11th on the way. Known for his heart-infused, alt-rock love songs, Jacques does not disappoint with his latest single titled “Sometimes Love is not Enough”. Influenced by great rock & punk bands, Stephen Jacques incorporates a variety of elements on the…
Stephen Jacques is a talented singer/songwriter who is well known for making alt-rock love songs. The latest single is titled “Prayers for an Orange Cat” and offers an abundance of rich substance for the listening audience. “Prayers for an Orange Cat” is the highlighted single off the upcoming album with the same name. Prepare for…
Indecent Proposal brings a high energy single to the table and it’s simply “Albright”. The four-piece band from Duluth, Minnesota stands by the group’s motto to “be yourself, and be indecent”. The whole purpose behind Indecent Proposal is to provide music that has no restrictions while connecting people on a higher level. On the band’s…
Music really is a universal language and Third Development proves this point with the new release titled “Our Parallel Worlds”. Crossing musical boundaries and connecting people from all walks of life is what Third Development is all about. “Our Parallel Worlds” celebrates this aspect of connectedness in a most profound way by combining a wide…
A playful bit of 80s midi funk pops within Nathan Morris’ “Villain.” From the vocal treatment to the chunky synthesizer stabs, there’s a glorious wash of color. The arrangement has a classic cadence with nods to Michael Jackson’s “Bad” as the work has a similar cinematic scope. Lyricism has this sense of evil defiance as…
A classic 80s throwback, ObLiveA goes for a sheer intensity mixed with a hint of fun on the freewheeling “Black Sheep.” Krautrock-like rhythms, a hair-metal riff, and wild-eyed vocals tie the entire song together. Demanding it to be played as loudly as possible, there’s a stately grandeur to how they execute their vision. Everything here…
Ontologics is full of surprises and never a dull moment when exploring the musical universe. The newest album titled ‘It’s Safe To Say The Veil is Thinning (LP IV)’ offers a wide variety of styles, influences and elements. Ontologics has been referred to as “tasty soup for all to enjoy” and this most certainly is…
Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds are like a fine wine where standards are high and quality is present. This band is made up of five members and offers up an incredibly dynamic sound on the new release titled ‘Limbs & All’. This is the second album for Bec Taylor and the Lyrebirds and the material…
Tom Wavra takes us all on an exciting journey on the new release where we take a trip to ‘Back in the Day’. This EP is a long time coming for Wavra, 20 years to be exact, as ‘Back in the Day’ has come to light and is now open to the public. This record…
Chris Chitsey isn’t holding back from the first few opening lines of his new single “Every Small Town,” out this June 18th everywhere compelling country music is streamed. In his words, Chitsey has nowhere to hide from the emotion he’s putting on the table for everyone to see and ultimately judge, but that seems to…
Ali Berke has recently released a new work named “Stepford Wives,” which feels like a unique combination of melodic songwriting and thought-provoking lyricism. Hailing from New York, Ali has quickly developed a following due to her ability to combine melodic hooks with clever wordplay. “Stepford Wives” is a perfect example of her style’s evolution. The…
Alias Wayne is a talented singer/songwriter that blends together various musical genres and elements in harmonious fashion. With Texas roots and Americana mixed with shades of pop, rock, blues, jazz and world music, Alias Wayne refuses to be boxed into a specific category. “Name of Love” is a perfect example of Wayne’s eclectic nature as…
This new slice of upbeat indie-pop from Rob Eberle addresses the age-old conflict of thoughts and feelings that rise to the surface after a relationship breaks down. Things didn’t end up how you might have liked, the relationship floundered, you both moved on, and you feel sad, possibly even angry, but you also hope that…
The issue of identity and acceptance for who we are, especially regarding gender choices, might seem like a new topic, one that only affects the current generation. And whilst it is true that such discussions may have only recently begun to take place in the public arena, it is a dialogue that is as old…
Maddison Falls is a duo from LA and they are Julien Fiore and Joel Soto. This group is an indie pop/rock group that is ready to take the music world by storm. The band’s latest release is titled “Both Sides” and this single will certainly send a jolt to your eardrums! As soon as you…
A modern take on the blues is the L&M Project Band’s “Monkey On My Back feat. Ado Bantula.” The song explores the concept of addiction and what makes that world seem so appealing to outsiders. This approach of showcasing why people fall into this lifestyle highlights the good and the bad aspects of what can…
Chris Harry Doran aka Blind Uncle Harry is a multi-dimensional singer/songwriter and independent recording artist based in Bloomington, Indiana. Right from the jump, the listener will notice a distinct and unique quality when playing “Hey Showtime”. Blind Uncle Harry is like no other artist I have heard before and his new single titled “Hey Showtime”…
Fernando Perdomo goes for a baroque psychedelic pop playfulness with “Self.” Nods to Todd Rundgren and the Kinks, right down to the delirium he conjures up, add to the inherent charm of the album. Songs do an exceptional job working off each other to create this fully realized whole. The album is best taken in…
*Release Date: May 31, 2024* Award-winning country artist Erin Enderlin has teamed up with the dynamic duo Cliff & Susan for a fresh rendition of “Last Call,” originally recorded by Lee Ann Womack. This collaboration was first performed live at the 2023 Arkansas Country Music Awards (ACMAs) and has since been brought to the studio,…
The MC Type is a rapper, singer and comedian who has a no-holds-barred approach to rapping. ‘Lucky Silverback’ is his latest release and the record is simply bananas as The MC Type is going apeshit on the mic. Calling out cancel culture and censorship of today, The MC Type is not holding back with zany…
An Illinois native now based out of St. Paul, Minnesota, David Singley’s work as a singer/songwriter has an effortlessly authentic touch. His new album Fools & Mystics continues exploring the same singer/songwriter traditions espoused on his 2021 release The Long, Slow Fuse of Night. Album titles such as these are evocative of Singley’s songwriting approach.…
Lyrical piano playing from the gleeful chords of Argentina Durán’s “Rapsodia Mexicana.” A lovely approach to the scale runs; there’s something delicate about it. He’s engaging in a dance-like procession, and the grandeur of the instrument is shown in full force. Simply a piano for the entirety of the proceedings, and it feels so rich…
An infectious, intimate piece of pop pulls through as P Bailey embraces a confessional quality in “Catching Feelings.” Vocals swim through the sensual din in this hypnotic stance. The multiple layers interact to create a vast tapestry of sound. Rooted in pop, the piece takes on aspects of psychedelic, R&B, and soul into this coherent…
There isn’t a lot of ground in the music world that John Fishell hasn’t covered. An experienced recording engineer, Fishell worked on jazz albums from such luminaries as Jimmy Cobb, Jon Hendricks, Dave Holland, and Jack DeJohnette. His contributions to Dave Liebman’s 2002 Big Band album Beyond the Line helped it score a Grammy nomination…
It is perhaps when faced with a Congolese guitarist now resident in Stockholm playing music which feels infused with the same Celtic-soul magic that made Van Morrison’s Irish Odyssey such a scintillating sonic experience that you realise just how small a place the world is. There was a time when you could assign sounds and…
Pure flirtatious joy runs through Amber Weekes’ “A Lady With A Song – Amber Weekes Celebrates Nancy Wilson.” The popcraft here celebrates the classic, using an urbane sophistication within the restrained arrangements. She never lets things go on for too long. The songs have a sun-drenched quality by allowing a degree of editing and brevity…
Beautiful, blissful compositions come together with Carl Clements taking on a series of unexpected twists and turns with “A Different Light.” The instrumental richness feels genuinely inspired. He lets the tempos serve a simultaneous time-keeping and emotional cadence. Hyperactive rhythms roll through with a playful disposition within the arrangements, adding to the inherent graciousness. Everything…
Mama B.’s first album release Imaginology is an auspicious beginning. Our first taste from the collection, the single “Puffer Fish,” is a bit of musical sleight of hand. Children intuitively understand Mama B.’s description of the puffer fish as often dwarfed by others and its surroundings. They will connect with its survival tactics. Of course, those children…
