CD and DVD reviews
Experimental pop artist Lailien, the moniker of classically-trained pianist and poet, Brad Shubat, thrusts the listener into a dreamlike state in the track “Fly With You” from his record TA-DA! A glitter bomb of epic sonic proportions, “Fly With You” is an otherworldly cover of the original Gigi D’Agostino tune. This summer splash of a…
Looking for a bit of tango in your life? A simmering synergy between a female vocalist and a brassy saxophone? A little sunshine will help. “Sunshine” the latest release from indie songstress and genre-defying artist Beatrice Betley. Even her name sounds like a dance – and “Sunshine” is a sultry of a good time. Betley…
Rambunctiously bustling out of the speakers like few other bluegrass songs you’ll hear this year will, “Down In The Wildwood” introduces Steve Thomas & The Time Machine to the world with a melodic wallop as crisp as it is colorful. The magic is just getting started as the band digs into this aural festival of…
Paul Haas has released the song “She Told Me”. It is a country song that will likely be enjoyed by people who enjoy listening to that genre of music. It is apparent from the beginning that “She Told Me” is a country song through the country-style guitar strums. Additionally, it can be concluded this is…
2020 has been producing a lot of intriguing content among independent players, and so far, to say the year’s output has been superior to what 2019 had to offer would be too great an understatement to make. Artists like Whitebeard, aka Alan Curtis, who found some success with the record Plaid Is the New Black in 2019,…
[English] – After a long artistic career, Lily Frost unfolds all her musical knowledge and artistic personality in the production of “Retro-Modern”. This recent album seems to be a rebellious moment for this artist. Lily has found the perfect language to demonstrate her true feelings as a woman and as a songwriter. Specifically, “Lay Low”…
I’ve had the pleasure to review Fabp’s music many times now and one thing is for certain; consistency. Fabpz the Freelancer consistently turns out raw, unfiltered tracks where I picture a mad, hip-hop scientist in his lab brewing up killer combinations of beats & hooks. His latest release is titled ‘The Devil’s Dream Dossier’ and…
With a slight gallop and a rough-edged string harmony hanging over the horizon, the groove in “Beneath That Willow Tree” carries us to a world of undying bluegrass bliss without skipping a beat. This track, one of sixteen found on the new album Tribulation from Appalachian Road Show, is definitely among the most rhythmically satisfying on the…
There’s always something quite beautiful when friends are doing something they love together. In the case of the alternative/indie band, Creeping Charlie, they actually make really good music together. Creeping Charlie is made up of friends who have been making great music together as far back as 2015 in Hampton, NJ. The four, sometimes five…
[English] – Some say, “It is never too late to fulfill your dreams.” Matthew Austin Hunt, after a lifetime away from his passion for music, has recently released his first singles “Bye London Bye” and “American Made” for 2020. Despite the details of his life, Matthew was unable to escape from his musical instincts. He…
Paul Haas will release the album “Long Long Time” on June 26, featuring the already-released single “She Told Me”. It also features the songs “Long Long Time”, “Shake It Up”, “Listen To The Wind”, “Suzette”, “This Is How You Love Me”, “Keep Telling Those Lies”, “How Many Times”, “Waste Of Time”, and “Easy Lovin’”. Be…
Bursting out of the silence like a sunbeam in the first few moments of a new day, Heartour’s R U IN smacks us in the face with a blistering beat courtesy of “Brain” that instantly makes any melody-lover want to move. In this opening cut, Jason Young’s voice is cushioned by a velvety synth harmony serving as…
In the song “Maybe It’s Me” from New York rockers, The Misters, the listener gets a grasp of the band’s bold sound, and an earshot of their emotional state-of-mind. From the album The Misters- TO-GO, “Maybe It’s Me” is a tune tightly wound in rock, synth-pop and jazz. Calling New York City home, The Misters…
[English] – The social situation related to COVID-19 has had a strong influence on artists. The new and lonely current living conditions and the personal experiences that affect the life of each individual have generated an explosion of creativity in the music sector. “Hopeful”, the recently released single by composer Victor Friedman is an example…
MRIZ has released the song “Freakshow”. The song appears on the album “Chimera”, which will be released on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. The song crosses many genres, and deserves a listen from fans of pop, rock, indie, and alternative music, as well as people who judge songs off of catchy instrumentation. STREAMING: https://open.spotify.com/track/0jGBzLmNWQNIpNGc1uEeCo & https://mriz.bandcamp.com/album/freakshow-single…
Blind Uncle Harry is Bloomington, Indiana singer-songwriter Chris ‘Harry’ Doran’s stage name. According to Doran’s biography, he does have a great uncle Harry, who is blind. His band describes its music as “hillbilly hippie shreddin’ folk rock.” The album, The Gospel According to Blind Uncle Harry, is just that – a stylistic melting pot. The…
As a fan of real hip-hop growing up, I think back to the Golden Age of hip-hop when old-school rap reigned supreme. Jumping ahead to 2020 and I have to say that I am heavily disappointed with the mainstream rap scene overall. Too many generic, copy-cat artists being pumped out and promoted to the public…
[English] – The role of artists has been vital during this time of confinement and loneliness that COVID-19 has caused. Many musicians have been working hard to give very good music to their followers. Some, like Gareth Koch, have also taken the path of honor to medical professionals around the world. That’s why we are…
Get ready to have your ears blown away by the sheer strength of Sophie Dorsten’s voice box! This teenage singer/songwriter from the Phoenix, Arizona area may be young, but her singing and songwriting abilities exhibit extreme maturity. I was lucky enough to review Sophie’s previous singles, “Roses” & “Growing”, and now I am blessed to…
Hip hop artist Eddy P brings his A-game with his latest independent release – a five-track EP. Well known in the Seattle hip hop community, these tracks are the perfect chance for him to grab a larger audience. Songs like “Snowglobe” and “They Need Me” are riveting and great chances for new listeners to become…
Midwest Rhythm Exchange features acoustic instrumentation (standup bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin and fiddle), which combine to create what this quartet terms ‘gypsy grass.’ Yes, its self-titled album includes plenty of traditional bluegrass elements, yet with a gypsy folk music attitude. The act’s name, featuring the two words “Midwest” and “Rhythm,” suggests there exists some sort…
Art Tawanghar’s “Divine Addiction” features vocalist Shahin Rashidi, who is described on its YouTube video for it as an “World/Middle Eastern/EDM/Folk/Electronics/DownTempo/Trap/Chillout/New Age/Jazz Fusion Composer/Singer/Producer.” Now that’s a lot of hyphens! This ‘divine addiction’ song was (at least partially) inspired by a Rumi poem, which states in part: “Because of your love I have lost my…
Crafty’s single, “Wonder Why,” is taken from the appropriately titled One Sugar EP. Appropriate, because this is such a sweet song, with sweet being a primary component in bubblegum rock. Kicking off with a touch of beautifully bitter guitar feedback, the song’s sugar rush than quickly kicks in, intensely. Next up is an aggressive, power-pop…
Sean Hobbes’ single, “They Never Told You,” is an atmospheric ballad. Yes, it’s a type of piano ballad, but it’s more than just that. It opens with what sounds a little like wind sound effects, before the piano part kicks in. Hobbes sings this lyric with a soulful vocal that sometimes resembles Stevie Wonder. Although…
Shallow Side offer a stripped down, soulful take on Bob Seger’s classic “Turn the Page”. Proving to be a timely cover, the way the piece unfurls grants it a unique grace. The whole of the track opts for an intimate quality. Forgoing electric guitar and drums, the whole of the weight relies upon a spares…
Right off the bat I am hit with a powerful portrait of a Native American on the cover of this album, which gives off a very strong presence. Ken Dunn certainly matches the intensity of the mighty yet peaceful warrior depicted on the cover with easy-breezy, thought-provoking tunes. ‘Ashes In The Morning’ is Ken Dunn’s…
[English] In the attempt to continue his musical trajectory, the singer and producer Taouil launches this spring his latest single “Last Night”. A song that reaffirms his marked artistic projection, in the environment of the commercial music, characterized by a romantic style that, although promotes a visual juvenile design, moves aside the musical tendencies of…
Unsettling pulsations enter the mix from all angles. Together, they cast a shadow over any strands of melodicism that are swelling beneath the surface of their heartbeat-like rhythm. The tones are eclectic and unsubtly menacing, but we as listeners are given no other option than to get lost in the trance they’re creating. This is…
This project’s single, “Gimmie What It’s Worth,” which is a smartly mashed up combination of the Rolling Stones’ “Gimmie Shelter” and Buffalo Springfield’s “What It’s Worth,” might lead you to believe that the project it’s attached to, Faux Pas, is also more of that same protest music. It’s not. In fact, except for that lead-off…
[English] In the middle of the worldwide uncertainty and all the political, economic and social dilemmas, Black Note Graffiti launches a new call to rebellion. This group surprises their followers with “Fallacy”, the first single from their third musical production Volume III Fall/Rise. Black Note Graffiti marks the Apocalypses of our reality, showing desires of…
Rock music’s brightest new artists have never been quite as hard to categorize by subgenre as they are right now, and that’s certainly true when analyzing the new single from Lily Vakili Band, “Facial Recognition Technology.” A product of alternative rock’s cutting lyrical prism but untethered to most any of the style’s modern efficiencies, this…
Devon Worley Band has released the album “Teatime for Thieves”. The album features five songs: “Black River Magic”, “No Fool”, “Broken Record”, “Leave Me Slow”, and “Wytch Hunt”. Any listeners who enjoy classic rock, modern rock, and modern country music should give this album a listen. “Teatime for Thieves” begins with the song “Black River…
Country music today is taking on a new dimension as artistes are not afraid to push the boundaries of sounds as we know it. Devon Worley Band is at the forefront of the musical revolution of country music, led by Devon Worley, a native of Minnesota. The band has been together for a number of…
There’s plenty of rock music to listen to today but the moment “Goodbye” opens, you can feel the vibe deep in your soul. The rock band is led by Travis James who also writes all the songs by the band and plays several instruments. The group, though relatively new, have already received critical acclaim from…
A gorgeous blend of the traditional and modern, Masa Takumi crafts a vivid universe with “Heritage”. Such a crisp sound every single element is given plenty of room to breathe. Instrumentally he incorporates a wide variety of sounds into the mix. Though full and completely bewildering to behold, he knows the art of balance. Such…
ILYAH’s new single “Habibi” carries on the work he’s established in recent history with earlier singles. It’s the latest mile marker in a trip that’s taken the Boston based Moroccan performer from his status as a fledgling YouTube poster with a small but rabid fan base to one of the most promising talents working in…
Nelson Sobral is most certainly musically-inclined and musically involved coming up with ear-catching material as a solo artist. Nelson is also a co-writer and guitarist for rock and roll band The Celebration Army, plays lead guitar for soul/R&B singer/songwriter Jeremy Voltz and plays bass for singer/songwriter Mattie Leon. When playing live, Nelson’s band goes by…
“She is Everything,” the song Élan Noelle sings with Art Tawanghar, is a lament. Sung over a slow, quiet musical bed, Noelle vocalizes about how a walk outside once brought her joy. Now, this same act brings her nothing but pain, instead. It’s a strikingly sad ballad, but it is also an effectively informative lyric,…
I have a long history with Rhett May and have to be honest when I say if I was to give away an award for Most Improved Artist Over Time, this musical trendsetter would take the grand prize! It has been an amazing journey for Rhett May thus far and I am proud to say…
Art Tawanghar was inspired by Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” when creating this recording of “Adagio in GM.” Just as Beethoven created “Moonlight Sonata” while experiencing a lot of emotional pain, so to was Tawanghar experiencing similar, if not the same, pain while tracking this piece. He has written how circumstances necessitated he separate himself from his…
