CD and DVD reviews
We hear a lot about musical journeys running through the course of a song, both in terms of the development of the music itself and the narrative the lyrics lay out before us. Well, Half of You, Rob Eberle’s latest release, seems to effortlessly tick boxes relating to both those ideas. Lyrically, he takes us…
When singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist Erik Kjelland sings, “You don’t have to be out there on your own,” it highlights how the pandemic had a lasting impact on this Texas quintet. Every Sign of Life is an epic-length 15-track album that clocks in at just over an hour. It’s a rock album filled with passionate, and also…
While sometimes incorporating the melodic riff to Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze,” Nana Bangz has created a soulful rap with “Alive.” However, the sample worked into this track is most likely the 1974 cover version by the Isley Brothers. It’s certainly one lively track. Described as a cross between Missy Elliott and Lil’ Kim, Nana…
Tim James calls his group Special Guests because its lineup can change from project to project. However, no matter who might be around him, James consistently sings heartfelt songs, like the eleven found on the appropriately titled, The Special Guests. James many times sounds heartbroken while singing this set of songs. Perhaps no more so…
Call me a believer. I haven’t heard of Xolex until now, and I’m convinced she’ll be a part of country music’s future for many years. Her new single “Sure Know How to Pick ‘Em” is an instant earworm that stakes its territory with listeners less than a minute in and builds on that with effortless…
If there’s a soulful twist to your verses and a humble tone in your voice at all times, who says you need more than a well-plucked six-string to make a hit rockabilly single? In his new release “Constellation High,” Canadian singer/songwriter Vili V goes out of his way to remind audiences that keeping it simple…
If you especially enjoy melodic rock, the Easy Bee’s self-titled album was made with you in mind. These Bees are a trio that met in 2004 at New England College and formed a band in Henniker, NH. This album is an easygoing 12-song release. Interestingly, one titled “I’ve Got Soul” doesn’t come off especially soulful.…
What could Ranzel X Kendrick mean by Hill Country Hip? Is hipness in the hill country a relative term? Does it take some time for hip things to make it up to the hill country, or is Kendrick a hip guy that just happens to call the hills his home? Whatever the definition, this album…
bd Gottfried has a lot on his mind in his single “Live, Fight & Die,” and although he’s an unknown among modern music circles, the narrative of his song translates as well as an epic ballad from a rock n’ roll legend would. He wastes no time attacking the verses with a candid, homespun lyrical…
A classic 70s cool adorns Nero Simon and the Sunsetters’ “Waveland.” With an evident fondness for the Beach Boys, the songs feature honeyed choruses and beautiful melodies. The songs work together to create this cohesive whole. Songs last as long as needed, as relaxing as a summer breeze. Plenty of colors enter the arrangements, and…
Them Dirty Roses is an Alabama-raised band, featuring two brothers, James and Frank Ford. Although sometimes described as Southern rock, the single “Candle In The Dark” sounds more like hard rock from the South, rather than decidedly Southern rock. Nevertheless this ballad-y rocker is certainly built upon a memorable electric guitar riff. The song begins…
Southbound 75 captures a slice of contemporary Americana in the soulful “Runnin’ On Empty.” Lyrics matter. They use a concise word choice to describe people’s struggles– putting their whole lives into work without having time for anything else. Arrangement-wise, they kick up a storm, with the driving rhythm as a perfect counterpart to the vocal…
Brendan McNamara, the singer and songwriter for Extra Time, describes the album Songs with Long Titles as a “Steely Dan meets Supertramp” stylistic effort. There is a whole lot of sonic territory between those two band references, however. Steely Dan famously incorporated legitimate jazz sounds into smart and oftentimes snarky lyrical songs, which made it…
An old-school hard rock style rages forth on Stays In Vegas’ stark vision of “Nevermore.” With a slight nod towards more gothic elements, they build the sound up into a wall of fury. The volume is a must because the song feels physical. Rhythms, while slow, have a determined stance, working themselves into a frenzy…
Ellie Lee sculpts a captivatingly engrossing realm on the urbane jazz noir of “Escape.” The album feels lyrical, all without needing to say a single word. Relatively subdued, the song unspools graciously, striking a delicate balance. Grooves have a tactile quality, allowing for each chord and every sway of the upright bass, along with the…
Mercer Hassy Orchestra updates the classic jazz swagger on the celebratory of “Duke’s Place.” Amongst the pieces are some tried and true classics, deeper cuts, originals, and everything else. They create this immersive atmosphere with songs that stay just as long as they need, incorporating elements of pop, funk, rock, and more into their jazz…
Ronny Smith embraces a chilled-out, nu-jazz style with the glamourous style of “Struttin.” The arrangements have an inherent coolness, for the instrumentation incorporates many styles outside the usual jazz. Elements of funk, rock, and pop, led by impeccable guitar work, help the sound glide. He focuses on the instrumentation and tells an entire story, as…
Powerful vocals alongside a playful disposition define Julia Vari’s feat. Negroni’s Trio’s “Somos.” An intricate dance of colors and gestures, the song wraps itself around the listener. The fully immersive experience shows off the group’s interplay and how easily they sync with Julia Vari’s vocals. Word choice matters because she sculpts each verse carefully, getting…
If judged by the title of his album, Kurt Hagardorn may sometimes feel like an out-of-time, technologically challenged individual. However, when in comes to creating enjoyably memorable rock & roll, the man consistently hits that rock & roll sweet spot again and again with his winning release, An Analog Man In A Digital World. The…
Flippin’ Gothic Fabp formally known as Fabp aka Fabpz the Freelancer is back at it again! To me, Flippin’ Gothic Fabp is one of the hardest working musicians in the hip-hop game with over 2 K songs to his name. There are no brakes for this rapper from Jamaica Queens, NY as he speeds ahead…
“Give Me Your Heart,” Blind Uncle Harry’s most recent single, is about as straight ahead a love song as they come. It’s built upon a slightly jangling electric guitar part, accompanied by accordion. The track also features a female backing vocalist. It simply expresses a desire to partner up with another person. https://blinduncleharry.bandcamp.com/track/give-me-your-heart Blind Uncle…
The video for Alice the G00n’s “CYA” finds the talented singer and multidisciplinary artist reaching a new high point in her brief career. She spared no effort in piecing together this intensely physical and visually compelling clip. The fight scenes and stunt work are alone worth seeking out. However, the accompanying visuals further round out…
Queen Esther selects a swinging, jazzy style for the spry arrangements in “Things Are Looking Up.” With a clear reference point of Billie Holiday, the sound feels alive. Instrumentation goes for this classic kick, as a great deal of flexibility is felt within each piece. She lets the atmosphere expand around her, for this dialogue…
Pure passion burns brightly with “8 Concepts of Tango,” with Håkon Skogstad displaying a real knack for storytelling without saying a single word. The melodies present a sense of yearning, of lust, with the rhythms highlighting the sheer intensity of the experience. Songs do their best to come together, playing off each other, resulting in…
“With the Rhythm of a Catfight” begins quietly with a chiming electric guitar part over a snare drum. Tim Hort sings these words lightly, even though they carry a whole lot of weight. When he sings “I do love you” at one point, it makes this into a love song of sorts – even though…
Jack Wood displays a timeless elegance in the laid-back rhythms and wistful lyricism of “The Gal That Got Away.” A large slew of styles enters the fray. Nods to jazz fusion, lounge, pop, and more come together in this bright stream of colors. Word choice tells a story, that of unrequited love. The album displays…
Bob Anderson employs a jaunty take in the sly midcentury jazz swing style of “Bob Anderson LIVE!” Instrumentation plays it tried and true, going for this celebratory spirit. Fanfare, excellent piano work, and, of course, that voice help guide the entire journey. Such a careful balance comes into the fray, allowing the work to feel…
Christoher Sluka goes by the simplified moniker of Sluka, and “Saving It All,” his latest single, is a big, rock ballad. It’s also a memorable, emotional piece of music. The track moves to a relatively slow, measured rhythm. It finds Sluka thinking and singing thoughtfully. His voice moves easily between a low and higher register.…
Christian Fabian Trio emerges with a chilled-out blend of jazz and funk on the luxurious “Hip to the Skip.” With a crystal-clear sound that would make Steely Dan proud, the fidelity here feels immaculate. The rock elements of the atmosphere add to the inherent playfulness of the pieces, for they effortlessly blend into this singular…
A taut funk frames the playful and physicality of Stix Bones’ “Olimpik Soul.” The commanding quality of the sound comes through in every possible way. Melodies feature an inherent richness with a rhythm section that feels just as expressive. An entire universe comes into view quickly. Instrumentally varied, they take on many different genres within…
A majestic, timeless sound adorns the classical style of Rebecca Shorstein & Alden Gatt’s contemplative “Shir Hashirim.” The arrangements keep things to the absolute essentials – vocals and a piano. Yet, with such care, they can express so much with those two elements. Melodies have an inherent richness washing over the listener. Despite the simplicity…
Sarah McKenzie embarks upon a beautiful, lilting, and lovely take on Bossa Nova with the soothing “Without You.” Her vocals possess the perfect degree of yearning, with their slow shuffle throughout the journey feeling quite inspired. Nods from Bossa Nova greats emerge out of the whole journey. With a delivery reminiscent of Astrid Gilberto, the…
Sam Ross offers a clever update of the classic swinging jazz style on the soothing trip of “Live at the Mira Room.” They play it all sorts of ways, from the laid-back grooves to going hot right now. One gets to experience the incredible talent they display with ease. Piano work, percussion, and upright bass…
A true throwback to a classic 70s jazz-noir sound, “Top Secret Lab” presents the daring skill of Rob Susman in creating a dense, kaleidoscopic atmosphere. The arrangements contain so many intricate details as to demand multiple listens. Highly creative, the pieces harken back to Frank Zappa’s explorations of the genre, as Rob has no problem…
When the technicalities are off the table and we’re talking about melodic power exclusively, Hannah Ellis doesn’t need much to sound like a truly divine force in performance, but next to the jubilant instrumental harmonies of “Wine Country,” she sounds even more provocative than she already would. In her first full-length album That Girl, this dedicated country singer is pulling…
Jason Bradley’s “Our Troubled Hearts” single includes a lyric about aging and coming to terms with how the world really works. And when we say ‘works,’ we actually mean ‘doesn’t work very well.’ “Do you remember when we were young, and we didn’t care at all?” Bradley asks early in the song. Yes, the world…
A soulful, straight-from-the-heart sound, Nancy Carey Johnson belts it out on the beautiful “Note From God.” Done with the utmost dignity and grace, the song stuns with its faith-driven message. She chooses the lyrics with the greatest of care, ensuring that every word matters. To top it all off further, the arrangement feels perfectly in…
Robert Prester & Adriana Samargia™ present this wild, anything-is-possible sound on the virtuosic “QUENARA.” Only two elements exist within the soundscape – a voice and a piano. Yet, with these two aspects, they craft something that feels all-consuming. It is easy to get lost in the complicated arrangements they offer to their audience. Right from…
Bowmanville proves that Chicago’s classic jazz scene continues to evolve on its self-titled debut. Coming in hot, the whole album has an addictive quality. Instrumentation has a playfulness, keeping the energy up throughout the entire experience. Grooves go for sheer physicality, for they make sure to let the rhythms have a driving pulsating drunkenness. The…
In a world of singer/songwriters who seem content to stick to a tried and tested formula, I’ll See You Down The Road stands out like a sonic beacon in a mist-covered landscape. But that’s because, as the rest of this fantastic EP proves, this is far from their natural environment. Instead, it is a brilliant,…
