CD and DVD reviews
Brother Son buttresses their growing reputation as a promising four piece with their latest album release Goodies. Their indie alternative rock sound hosts an array of common reference points with a classic idiosyncratic pop guitar glow, but the individual performances stand out as much for the stylistic synthesis they achieve. It is a natural successor to…
The Jorgensens’ album The Lexington is steeped in American music history. Although this pair is from Minnesota, the couple’s second and latest offering features a whole lot of New Orleans in it. One titled “Storyville,” which Kurt Jorgensen sings, finds the singer/songwriter mentioning how he thinks he spies the ghost of Louie Armstrong while he’s…
Bryan “Dexter” Holland of the Offspring has his PhD and wrote his dissertation about molecular biology at USC. Along with Brian May (Queen) and Greg Graffin (Bad Religion), Holland is a certified scientist. We’ve become a little used to learning about our rock and rollers and their scientific sidelines. It’s far more uncommon to find…
There may be language barriers but when it comes to music there are no obstacles because music truly is the universal language. Leiva proves that here with his fourth solo album titled ‘Nuclear’ that is exploding with style & finesse. I may not be able to follow along with the lyrics but I certainly can…
Juewett Bostick, pronounced Ju wet and going by “Ju” to those in his circle, is a unique artist with a lot of jazz and blues influence to arrive at his own modern brand of music. “Sound & Rhythm–Prelude” is a track from his latest album – Shades Of Blu, a release consisting of everything that’s…
Initial Mass blazes a hard rock path on the powerful “Blending Light”. Volume is an absolute must for the album has a tremendous, all-consuming spirit to it. A sense of urgency runs through the entire journey. Guitar riffs have an intensity to them while they have a driving presence. The vocals truly serve as the…
A hypnotic trance pop defines Sofie Elezaj’s spirited “When It’s Over”. Going for a passionate, highly energetic sensibility all of it feels outright entrancing. By far the highlight comes from the fiery vocals that adorn the entirety of the piece. While deeply grounded in a unique EDM style, they incorporate elements of pop with a…
This is the second album in a row where I didn’t understand all of the words due to the songs/lyrics being in Spanish, but yet again it doesn’t matter because the music speaks for itself. Eljuri is a NYC-based singer/songwriter with Ecuadorian roots and she brings global tastes and mass appeal on the new record.…
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Lifeworkmusic/ In a flurry of heavenly harmonies, we’re welcomed into the melodic paradise that is Life-Work’s all-new single, the enamoring “Dolce Far Niente (Pete Hammond Remix),” which is out now along with an extended play of the same title everywhere that independent music is sold and streamed. Right from the start of the song,…
Monique Sherrell Brown goes for a rustic gritty charm on the charming folk of “Wishing You The Best (Homestead Vol. 1)”. Everything works from the twang of the guitar to their intimate vocals. The vocals rest front and center with a bluesy quality helping to guide it through. “Can’t Stop Loving You” has an ambient…
Deep C Divers’ “My Luv” is a mid-tempo love song. It’s a song of appreciation, and one that is thankful for person that lifts him up when he’s feeling down. The track begins with a chiming electric guitar part, which is followed shortly by a thumping bass line. This “love” lifts him from the underground.…
Even though I couldn’t understand the words due to the lyrics being in Spanish, I know good music when I hear it. And No TeVaGustar offers very good-sounding music on ‘Otras Canciones’ that is professionally done and so full of life. No TeVaGustar is referred to as “the most important group in Uruguayan rock and…
URL: http://www.bridalpartytheband.com/ “Every time I catch the flu / I dream of how many pounds I might lose” sings a sultry, angelic female vocal from the other side of our stereo speakers in the intro to “Too Much,” Bridal Party’s latest single and the first to be cut from their forthcoming record of the same…
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DaneMaxwell/ “Where I’m Seen,” the newly-minted single from Iowan Dane Maxwell, doesn’t start with a pitter-patter of the drums. We don’t jump right into some theatrical opening verse celebrating the subject at hand. There isn’t an electrifying guitar solo, and we aren’t sucker-punched with a bulging bassline. We begin with an acoustic string salvo…
Rockie Brown is from Las Vegas. However, her single “Hero,” taken from her Mad World EP, doesn’t sound like a song about her Sin City hometown. She begins by admitting she’s a slave to the 9 to 5. However, the last thing most people aim to do when in Vegas is slave at a 9…
The Stifftones delves into a classic Americana on the soulful “Midwestern Town”. With a poetic sense of storytelling, the whole of the piece feels alive. Folk, country with a sense of pastoral beauty unfurls with such grace. A gritty intimate spirit ties it all together. Keeping things on a thoughtful graceful note, the piece at…
The first artist you may think of when initially hearing Josh Christina’s “Lets Get Woke” for the first time, is Elton John. John, whose music is now featured in now featured in the biopic movie “Rocketman,” may have been the last of the great, piano-pounding rock & rollers. The song “Lets Get Woke” most resembles…
Nothing tricky about it, Fingertrick is breakin’ through with their latest single “Thin Ice”. This song slides along at a consistently comfortable pace with Fingertrick giving a record-shattering performance on “Thin Ice”. This track is featured on the band’s album titled ‘If Requiems Were Record Deals’ and showcases a young & hungry trio from Memphis…
Katy Vernon is a true songbird coming to light on this latest single, “In Your Shoes (For Daisy)”. This new song is featured on her album, ‘Suit Of Hearts’ and is a real gem of a tune. The track is actually inspired by Daisy Vanderwood’s Mother’s Day card to Katy several years ago. With plenty…
No matter what you may think of Ranzel X Kendrick’s performance on his new single, “Crazy Love,” you must give him props for covering the great Van Morrison’s song. Van Morrison is not just an iconic performer, but “Crazy Love” is also one of his most iconic songs. In fact, it’s one of his (many)…
Microcosms explore the darkness with light on the powerful “Forget Us”. Neatly capturing the zeitgeist, they explore the fear that seems to permeate every single element of daily life around the world. With the greatest of care, they tap into a post-punk sort of darkness, brooding and contemplative. Over the course of the journey their…
There is almost no describing Ryne Ziemba’s new Cataclysmos LP without going in depth about the songs, as it comes recommended for its twelve very well crafted synth pop tunes which nail it in every department Ryne Ziemba’s is good for, guitar, vocals, keyboards, effects and production being a lot to handle for one artist.…
A mysterious bassline comes slicing through the silence in “Skylights,” the first of eleven tracks that will wrap their warm sonic arms around us in Lauren Crosby’s I Said Take Me to the Water, the third official album from the Maine-born singer/songwriter. There’s no pomp, nor any excess, in this introductory string-led serenade, and as…
Nobody can provide verifiable, photographic proof of love. Science can track many (most?) particles, but love – one of the necessities of life — is invisible to the naked eye. ReLove, with its single “Shining Through,” speaks to how love can be miraculously reflected by another individual. When looking at a loved one, one can…
One picks up traces of the band Interpol, and their primary influence, Joy Division, on Troy Petty’s moody, dark album, Director’s Cut. In Hollywood, the term “director’s cut” usually refers to a movie presented exactly how the director wants it. It’s oftentimes longer than the regular theatrical version, which has likely been edited down to…
Lucid Illusions is a rock trio from Houston, TX, which creates punkish hard rock. “No Directions” is a complicated new single from the group’s self-titled album. Jordan Lane sings and plays guitar for the outfit. He asks, “How am I supposed to feel, when nothing in this life feels real?” The song title suggests no…
Barrett Martin Group and the new release, ‘Songs Of The Firebird’, are soaring high with the band and album hitting all the right notes. This is a double album that contains 20 incredible instrumentals and also serves as a direct soundtrack to Barrett Martin’s new book, “The Way Of The Zen Cowboy”. The book is…
The single “And the Walls Have Ears” is best described as something Tom Waits-esque, and Tom Waits-esque is not an adjective used all that much when it comes to describing music. Waits is a unique artist, with a gravelly voice and a novelist’s eye for saturating his lyrics with vividly cinematic word pictures. Therefore, to…
From the very beginning, “Stomp On” sets the tone for a much-anticipated classic modern country song. On this track, Matt Westin showcases his deep vocal tones in the verses, while the choruses highlight his raspy and energetic tones. The meat of the song lies within the chorus, as it features a great catchy and memorable…
This band is truly something spectacular transcending mundane mainstream music and creating a musical montage that is both rich in substance & texture. Esthema is comprised of five members: Andy Milas on guitar, Onur Dilisen on violin, Mac Ritchey on oud & bouzouki, Tom Martin on bass and George Lernis on drums & percussion. This…
We’re no more than a couple of seconds into “Endless,” the new single from Still G & Slapy, and the chills are already running rampant via the undercurrent of melodic notes flooding the background. Without warning, an elegant vocal harmony enters the frame, and starts to illustrate a gorgeous opening verse that will set the…
In a simple but swaggering strum, acoustic guitars stoke the flames of a folky melody at the starting point in “Paris,” the latest single from acclaimed singer/songwriter Whitebeard released earlier this month to a modest reception from critics and fans. They’re not the only evocative instrument that’s vying for our affections in the inaugural bars…
Gary Burk III is a native of Western Pennsylvania and has started his musical career since he was nine; following an encounter he had while riding along with his father to their family camp. The experience affected Gary in a way that changed his life forever. Gary draws inspirations from people like Alabama, Jason Aldean,…
Painted Into Things taps into a hypnotic lush beauty with “Something Beautiful Won’t Come Out”. Tapping into “The Bends” era Radiohead, the track has a majestic grace to it. Indie rock, ambient, with a hint of the orchestral filter into the mix lending it a tremendous spirit of life. By opting for this tact, the…
John Vento is a Pittsburgh – stationed artist who is referred to as a Chameleon in the music scene due to the inability of being placed in a specific musical genre. Vento who says he started his musical career late has not gotten to the peak of his career. Vento who spent time as the…
Within the first few seconds, I knew I was going to love this song. The energetic vocals certainly had a bold and powerful entrance, which helps make this song stand out. Also, the infectious groove and upbeat rhythm this song has makes me want to get up and party with my friends. I could definitely…
An expressive, emotionally charged look at domestic life emerges on Big Time Grain Company’s “Sunday Morning”. The track’s highly detailed articulate storytelling unfurls in such a careful patient way. Vocals have a reassuring aura to them with the deep register possessing such a soothing quality while the rest of the piece supports this with a…
Brady Novotny is a child prodigy who started his music career very early in life. Learning how to play the guitar from a young age meant that he displays a high level of creativity that is unmatched by many of today’s artists. You can tell from his musical compositions that he is indeed a special…
To start, I want to say I thoroughly enjoy the theme and creative story of this country song, as it is very unique and it stands out from other country songs in the industry. Majority of the country songs out there talk about the same topics such as beer, trucks, and women. But I like…
A warm melodic drawl awakens a provocative set of strings in “Nothing Between Us,” the first track in Sour Bridges’ Neon Headed Fool, and quickly takes us into a cascading groove that is as exotic as it is tempered in a familiar bluegrass sway. The rhythm is righteous and the harmonies heaven-sent, and as the…
