CD and DVD reviews
Surreally bound to a hazy harmony in “Holding Will,” lush and full of color that translates into pure vitality in “Bardo Cons,” the string play afforded to most every track in Eric Anders’ and Mark O’Bitz’s collaborative album American Bardo is spellbinding and often as postmodern as any of the lyrical poetry in the record is. The…
Against The Voices’ single, “Memories I Don’t Want,” begins with a repeated chime-y keyboard part that sounds a little bit like Coldplay. However, once the vocal kicks in, this is certainly not that popular British band. Not that that’s a bad thing; no, this is just where any side-by-side comparison between the two begins and…
Flippin’ Gothic Fabp delivers pure fire on the hard-hitting lyricism of “Stages Of A Name”. The sheer physicality of the sound further emphasizes the power of his words. Bass positively crushes everything in its path for volume is a must. A slight riff intermingles within the intense groove further adding to the disorienting experience. Panning…
Jay Stott is a high school English teacher by day, and a rock & roller by night. He’s even been said to bring his guitar into class at times. Chances are good, though, that one of the songs he doesn’t do for the kiddies is “Wreckage of Now,” the title cut to his new album.…
Gutta Slim captures the zeitgeist on the sheer fire of “Snatchin Purses (feat. Ooh Lawd)”. Lyrics go for a piercing take on the political climate with razor sharp insight into the ruling class’s corruption. Focus on the inherent cruelty of the Trump administration, the flows have a flawless sense of truth to power. Arrangements are…
In “This Hollywood Road,” the fourth single from his new album Being Myself, Rob Alexander explores the rock side of his sound with far more zeal than he ever has in previous efforts, expounding upon many of the sonic themes suggested in his early work by approaching grooves with a volume-heavy aesthetic as opposed to…
Grant Maloy delivers a song of compassion with the soulful “I See You”. Also good to note, Mike Greenly is also a co-writer on the song and the song is the theme song of a new anti-ageism campaign from Masterpiece Living. Sung with the greatest amount of earnestness there is a poignancy to its raw…
D.K. Lyons sings with such tenderness on the lovely “The Past (Romanticized)”. A sophisticated, urbane take on pop the way he crafts each song feels majestic. Best taken in as a singular whole his unique vision leads the way. Such infectious riffs intermingle throughout the entirety of the album whose lush arrangements linger in the…
Ready for a night out? This is the track to get you ready. Get ready to party and get down with some funky licks courtesy of AV Super Sunshine in the irresistible “Baby Goodbye”. Grammy nominated songwriter and producer James House recruited a stellar list of musicians to create this high energy, power pop track,…
Presented by Rolo, Jowan, Feid and Lyanno, “Mente Daña” mixes together Puerto Rican and Columbian elements, to give us one memorable, dance-y single. The track begins with otherworldly sounding keyboards, before fully kicking into the song. It features a male lead vocal, over skittery percussion. Its keyboard backing, however, is sparse, leaving plenty of room…
With a bouncy swing in its step, the highly-engaging grooves of Human Too’s title track fill the air around us with a delicate rhythm that is certain to have plenty of folks moving their hips well before we hit the first chorus in the song. In this opening cut from Nikki Lerner’s third studio album, we’re…
There aren’t many sacrifices in this world that can compare to that which a soldier makes when they give their life in the heat of battle, and in the new single “Some Gave All” by Broken Past, the up and coming metal band make a point of honoring that sacrifice with what could be one…
For hip-hop fans, 2020 has been a truly epic year. All things considered, there’s never been quite as diverse an international scene as we’re seeing today, and in that spirit, Canadian upstarts like Rich Lindo are making an impact in corners of the world previously inaccessible to their brand. Lindo’s new single and music video,…
This is the fifth release for the talented keyboardist, pianist, drummer and composer, Rick Cutler. ‘Women & Children’ offers the listener much depth with elements of jazz, classical and folk along with ensembles of varying sizes from solo to quintet. Rick Cutler also produced this album and I must say that it is fine work…
It’s rare to have a band have a 30-year career, and it’s even rarer to have a musician take 30 years between projects. It’s not impossible. And it can happen. One such singer and songwriter is Ireland’s Brendan Staunton. While his press materials reveal very little, it’s his songs on Last of the Light that…
Liam Moore opens his single, “Cosmic Noon,” with a spacey instrumental bed, which starkly contrasts with his lounge-room-ready lead vocal. Lyrically, the song finds Moore stargazing at this delightful outer space being. The song is taken from Moore’s album, Visions of a Perfect Life. The tune’s first half is slow, and rhythmically measured. The second…
So, have you ever pondered how to best write a love song to a stripper? I know, it’s probably not the kind of song you’d immediately gravitate towards during family karaoke night, because it’s not a subject usually discussed in polite company. Sure, you could apply the usual compliments paid to pretty girls, such as…
Giving the listener a reason to run towards something, move in the direction that brings love and light, the new song “Second Chances” singer/songwriter Trevor Drury is not what you would expect from an alt pop rocker. Drury’s race to the charts should be a short one with this heart stirring track. “Second Chances” starts…
Slipping into the single “Careless” from singer/songwriter Anna May is easy. Trying hard to not get lost in her hypnotic vocals and the cracking of the guitar strings is another story. Each siren call is a ribbon, wrapping itself like calligraphy around the acoustic guitar’s pedaling. May, a sensational singer in this folk, Americana offering,…
A true maelstrom of sound emerges on Lyia Meta’s ferocious “We Are Lords”. With heavy, heavy riffs the whole of the track is propelled forward by an intense rhythm. The driving pulse feels outright righteous while it moves everything into a wild, animalistic fervor. Versed in metal’s hard stance, they also incorporate elements of symphonic…
Bees Deluxe embrace a classic rock sound on the jazz-infused splendor of “Nitro”. With just the right mixture of jazz-rock fusion with a hint of the blues thrown in for good measure, the song is completely addictive with its infectious hook. Instrumentally vibrant the whole band listens to each other in a way that feels…
“Long Long Time” is the title track to Paul Haas’ debut album. Yes, at 65, Haas is finally releasing his debut album. Hey, no need to rush the music, right? Haas’ sound includes elements of country, folk and bluegrass. It’s not as though Haas suddenly caught the singer/songwriter bug, though, as he had been a…
A delicate touch to delicate music, Danaë Vlasse offers fragile pieces of pure poetry on the lovely “Poeme”. Classically inclined, the music she creates proves to be a sheer force of nature. She delivers each line with the utmost of care and compassion. By opting for such a gorgeous take, the way the entire album…
Drinking songs are mostly associated with country music, although Irish music can make a strong case for being the champion of the genre. There are two main types of drinking songs, as there are two primary reasons to drink. One is celebratory drinking. This is done at special occasions, such as weddings. When we raise…
Dizzy Box Nine, an indie-pop band from Southern California, is headed by singer-guitarist Randy Ludwig, second guitarist Tony Robles and rounded out by drummer Ryan Gio. The group’s bio states that this trio plays “melodic, upbeat and radio-friendly pop.” The melodic and upbeat parts of this descriptor are undeniable. However, the radio-friendly phrase? Well, one…
“Anthem” is the single and title track from singer-songwriter Monica Uhm’s new EP. She calls the music she creates “philoso-folk,” which is an apt moniker. This song, musically, leans strongly toward a folkish style. Then, lyrically, Uhm can be heard sharing some of her philosophy of life. Uhm became a songwriter a little accidentally. You…
When you first see the words The Catalina, one might think of an exotic island or tasty salad dressing OR perhaps the freakin’ “Catalina Wine Mixer”! Well, The Catalina is neither an island oasis, condiment or “Wine Mixer” although the vibe has a welcoming taste that is fine as wine. The Catalina is actually a…
Ascending from the silence like a divine force that was always meant to rise from this earth and return to the heavens from which it was originally sent, we discover the opening bars of “Get Closer” adorned with a melody as rich as it is palatable to anyone who loves piano-driven pop music. Even before…
An arresting song from a rising star – “I Don’t Need You (Ryan Riback Remix)” from singer and songwriter Maggie Szabo expands its pop sounds into a tricky EDM realm. The sweeping backdrop and gorgeous vocals are just two things that make this feisty track a winner. Taking to task the turmoil that has haunted…
Some times when you listen to music it can be background noise. Filler music. Even if you have the radio or Spotify playing at your work station throughout the day, you sort of just blend into the sounds. This is far from the case for Casely. His new track “Never Be Alone” swallows the listener…
With a name like Bobbo Byrnes, I am already anticipating something super fun & highly original and I have to say that this singer/songwriter did not let me down! The latest single titled “Queen of the Party” is off of Bobbo’s new album called ‘SeaGreenNumber5’. This song is dedicated to all of the female musicians…
An entire universe emerges on Freddy Charles’ immersive “Emportez Moi”. Sprawling epic ballads define the whole of the album. The incorporate of funk, the blues, alongside a driving classic rock flavor lends the album a timeless tasteful air. Instrumentally vibrant the tracks teem with life. Vocals have a fiery, passionate core to them. Layer upon…
Kokou Kah describes himself has a Liberian-Minnesotan afro fusion artist, which is a description that may take you more than a minute to untangle. The single “Best Friend” is taken from Kah’s album Nefi. It’s dance-y song, which is sung in a hip-hop cadence. The song’s video features Kah performing in front of some colorful…
One song immediately comes to mind the moment Second Hand Mojo’s “Open Up Your Mind” begins playing, and that’s Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” This song has a similar tempo and melody. However, that’s pretty much where these song similarities end. Axl Rose was singing to his child, while Second Hand Mojo has…
Alias Wayne’s “Joan of Ottawa” is an acoustic rock song, which features Wayne singing the song’s lyrics with a gritty, rock & roll vocal tone. Stylistically, this track may remind you of grunge music. It’s an extended piece, clocking in a at just shy of five minutes long, and features a long electric guitar solo…
Meghan Pulles’ single, “Light After Loss,” is the sound of an artist in transition. Pulles was raised in Florida but relocated to New York City. She is a trained opera singer and a theater actress that describes her evolution to this current role as a singer/songwriter, as something both healing and spiritual. “Light After Loss”…
Alias Wayne has political thoughts on his mind, which he expresses with his new EP Firebrand. This six-song project opens with “Radiation Town,” his commentary on climate change. The song is a funky rocker, colored with organ fills. Wayne’s point is that the weather’s hot now, hotter than before, which he believes is caused by…
Hereami’s “Flow State (mix. 7)” is the sound of one man’s search for peace. It’s a slow track, with a sparse musical backing. The song’s title may refer to what positive psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi refers to as an “optimal state of consciousness.” This is that mental place where we feel and perform our absolute best.…
Get ready to catch a cool “Breeze” from One Less Guest on their new single. This song is off of the band’s debut album titled ‘Monochrome’ and what a fresh release it is! “Breeze” will make you feel better and is sure to brighten up your day a bit. One Less Guest is a quartet…
With a subtle click, “Dream Symposium” begins to unfurl its collection of beats with a hesitant sway. That very sway will soon grow into a beastly wave as we continue on here, in the opening song of Toronto Tabla Ensemble’s new album Unexpected Guests, but as we’ll learn in its tracklist, this record is full of…
