CD and DVD reviews
It’s a little tough to reconcile Randy Forte’s Americana sounds with his influences, which include a whole lot of progressive acts (including David Bowie, Talking Heads and Brian Eno). From the sound of Chas Randall, one might have expected to read a whole lot of country dudes at the top of his list. Furthermore, this…
Miles Maxwell is a band without anybody named Miles Maxwell in it. Instead, it’s led by singer/guitarist Miles Baltrusaitis (there’s your ‘Miles’), and its album Red Ghost is a collection of quality Americana rock. The four-piece band sings about everyday life, with a straightforward, simple style. For instance, “Something New” speaks about technology; not the…
Luke Spehar’s “The Farmer” is a pretty, soft, finger-picked tune. It comes from the album The Pilgrim. This single plays out like the soundtrack to the story of a farmer. It’s also written like a prayer. The character in the song simply wants to farm his land successfully. He asks not for riches and fame,…
Roseanna Vitro’s “Tell Me The Truth” delves into an urbane, lush jazz arrangement. Vocals have a thoughtful quality, polished to absolute perfection. Lyrics go for a unique kind of poetry, one that reflects upon the contemporary moment. Politics, the current mood, all of these filters into the carefully selected narrative. Over the course of the…
Every now and then, it is wonderful to just relax, sit back, get a book, and possibly listen to a new sound. Wherever a moment is possible to do it, a suggestion of a beautiful place is somewhere out in the Northwest…A suggestion could even be the beautiful scenery within Wyoming, Montana, or even in…
Esteban Alvarez continues to shine the brightest light he can muster on Latin crossover pop with his latest single, “Has Amado Una Mujer de Veras” (“Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman,” a cover of the Bryan Adams song from the motion picture Don Juan DeMarco). In what is unquestionably one of the most excitingly colorful…
Tim Hindmon’s “A Musician” burns with steady emotive heat from the first and entertains listeners with a melodic, yet lyrically meaningful, tune. Chicago based singer/songwriter Hindmon definitely has pop songwriting talent, this review will later discuss his obvious talent for writing a chorus, but this single is laced throughout with undoubtedly exquisitely personal imagery for…
Rev Peter Unger delves into a sound reminiscent of James Taylor’s patient soothing 70s work with the quietly joyful “An Instrument of His Love”. Arrangements are kept to the absolute essentials with a mere acoustic guitar, bass, and the flourishes of the electric guitar adding color to the sound. Quite blissful, Rev Peter Unger’s voice…
Morrison-Kincannon is the duo of Norman Morrison and Terry Kincannon. Upon first listen, these songs sound like loving throwbacks to folkish California rock of the 60s and 70s. Upon further investigation, though, this music turns out to not be a throwback at all, but actual vintage music from that era. Spacetalk Records began by re-issuing…
This one I was particularly happy to review and hear because finally we have a young artist who is embracing the classic, Rockabilly sound and breathing new life into the music! With bland and broken records dominating the major airwaves Today, Josh Christina and his lively tune, “Friend Zone”, is a HUGE breath of fresh…
Pulsing beats introduces the giddy energy of Anthems For Autumn’s “Feel Me”. Sultry vocals come into the mix further adding to the joyous attitude. The buildup of the track opts for a wild and unhinged sort of style. Gar Francis comes through swinging on the soulful take of “Turn This World Around”. Done with such…
Have you ever travelled to the Northeast portions of the United States of America and realized that some 400 years earlier, those parts were the very first portions that were inhibited in the then colonies? In particular, when visiting the nation’s capital, known as the “DMV,” the clusters of the areas make up some of…
Audrey Borzykin and Alexandra “Sasha” Razumova were lifelong fans of Linkin Park, which is why they recorded a cover of that band’s “Leave Out All the Rest.” It’s dedicated to that group’s singer, Chester Bennington, who recently took his own life. These Major Moment band members aren’t alone in their appreciation for Bennington and Linkin…
Jeremy Parsons has steadily built a reputation over the last decade as one of Texas’ finest musical exports with a blend of heart-felt artistry and good natured humor in Parsons’ songwriting. Though he brings every bit of the same commitment level to the material on his most recent album release Things I Need to Say,…
Born of blue collar roots in the Steel City and raised with a love for music that drives him to this day, Matt Westin unleashes pure country gold in his debut album Legacy, out everywhere great music is sold this summer. Legacy is a sprawling, ambitiously designed record for an artist making his foray into the industry, and…
“Maybe I’m Weirdo” kicks off Trio Volume 1 with a distinctive flair you won’t hear from many bands, iconic or otherwise. There’s likewise a plethora of unexpected touches in the composition – multiple guitar textures, piano, and backing vocals support the song and John Crispino’s lead vocal. His dramatic reading of the song’s lyric does…
It’s a sad state of affairs, but the reality is that the bulk of musicians that control the realm of pop music frequently don’t show a lot of care or appreciation for the actual instrumentation of the music that they record, produce and subsequently make a lifestyle on. Izzy Escobar proves that she’s not going…
Brooklyn’s own Ben Rice is no stranger to the music industry. For a long time now, he’s been cultivating his skillset behind the soundboard and developing his own artistic craftsmanship behind the scenes, working towards the day when unleashing his sound unto the world could no longer be delayed. That day has arrived, and it…
A soothing wash of sound defines Erik Scott’s lovely ambient bliss of “A Trick of the Wind”. Done with such deft skill, Erik Scott effortlessly brings together the worlds of classical, rock, jazz, all within a droning ambience. By opting for such a style, the pieces truly seem to exist in a gorgeous haze. Things…
The oOhz delves into a raw psychedelic sound with the spirited “Truck Stop”. Featuring ramshackle rhythms and existing purely in a haze, there is a classic quality to their breezy style. Lyrics have an acid western temperament to them while they waft through. Stripped down to the essentials Annemarie Picerno’s “Closer” feels so soothing, so…
The guitar crunch powering Jonathon Zemek’s “Everything Will Change” may be unexpected out of the traditionally country rock enclave of Austin, Texas, but the days when Waylon, Willie, and the boys solely dominated the city’s musical landscape is a myth. The city has always harbored a wide breadth of talented folks and Zemek’s guitar and…
Brian Grilli, a name you probably know from opening for bands like Florida Georgia Line, Styx, Thomas Rhett, and Cheap Trick. The new summer album Deep South Symphony from Grilli which was released by the Spectra Music Group, is a fantastic blend of classic and modern country with the powerful guitar that gives a feeling…
A churning sensation. Ribbons of sound envelop us in their stringy saturation. We’re staring deep into the darkness and it feels like the darkness is staring right back at us. Ethan Gold’s new album Expanses (Teenage Synthstrumentals) isn’t music for the faint of heart. It requires focus and intellectual open-mindedness. But if you’re the kind…
Leon Robinson, actor best known for his role as the late singer David Ruffin, from the TV Movie series titled the Temptations, releases a new album, as the forefront of the reggae group The Peoples titled “Love is a Beautiful Thing.” Robinson is also critically acclaimed for his depiction in singing roles such as; Little…
Mr. Envi’ goes for a flawless flow offering stories of a life lived to the fullest on “Tha 40oz (EP)”. The narrative he creates throughout the whole of the EP shows off a true compassion for others, the way to maintain relationships, tying the many pieces together in a fantastic fashion. Stylistically, while the pieces…
A truly spellbinding procession takes shape on Peter Calandra’s lovely “Carpe Noctem”. Existing as if purely in a dream the way the songs evolve have an uncanny sense of grace. With a true ear for melody the songs feel nicely cinematic, conjuring up images of vast beauty. The pastoral quality of the pieces comes from…
The first song that comes to mind, once Mr. MooQ’s “Dreaming in Color” starts playing, is Hall & Oates’ “One on One.” It’s a similar quiet, gentle groove that floats like a puffy cloud in the sky. The guitar part is a jazzy, soulful electric strum. The bass line is also sweetly unhurried. It’s all…
Reviewing Fabp aka Fabz the Freelancer’s Dirty Little Communications, is a challenge. This is because positive criticism doesn’t come easy. This artist is a rapper with a Jamaican patois in his voice. And normally, rappers don’t really need to concern themselves with singing on key, musically speaking. However, Fabp sort of sings and raps at…
On her single “You’re in My Head,” Naomi K sings, “To you I say don’t stop belivin’,” which suggests that – in addition to Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow and other influences she’s admitted to – this female singer/songwriter has also listened to her share of Journey. The song is a midtempo rocker describing a romantic…
Earnestness is defined as seriousness in intention, purpose or effort, and such depth and sincerity of feeling comes through loud and clear throughout Sundodger’s full-length album, Bigger Waves. The band is from Seattle and is led by Dan Engel. Although Seattle gained a reputation for being the grunge music capital many years ago, you won’t…
What are the wonderful perks of St. Louis, Missouri? Although it is perfectly known as the “Show Me” State, iconic places that cross the mind include one of the famous Ikettes’ Restaurant , Sweetie Pie’s brings thousands of supporters worldwide; along with Six Flags of St. Louis, but amazingly there are a few other hidden…
Brown Kid goes for an intimate, rustic approach with the carefully crafted narratives of “Rusty Strings”. Careful arrangements add to the overall spirit of the piece. While clearly grounded in a laid-back folk approach, Brown Kid brings a whole slew of different styles into the mix from hip-hop to reggae to a summery sort of…
1. Angeles – Not Here To Play Angeles embraces a classic 80s hair metal sound with the blast from the past style of “Not Here To Play”. Guitar soar up into the sky, as the group lets the piece careen wildly. By far though the true heart comes from the undeniably powerful vocals that rest…
Taylor James explores a soulful, optimistic R&B with the lovely “Insane”. Production feels flawless for the whole of the sound positively shines with light. Melodies have a richness to them that help to tie the whole of the work together. Funk, classic rock, pop, with a soulful style, the whole of the album simply works.…
Sydney Jaffe goes for a gorgeous mixture of pop, EDM, R&B, and soul with the spacious “You Know Me EP”. Done with the utmost of care, her tender vocals are full of love. Rhythms have a great nimbleness to them for the way she plays with the groove feels outright joyful. The playfulness adds to…
Mark Huff goes for a raw, rustic slice of Americana with the riotous rock n’ roll of “Stars For Eyes”. Done with the utmost of care, Mark ensures that the arrangements virtually burst at the seams with countless flourishes added for additional emphasis. By choosing such a style the whole of the album rushes forward…
Arun Shenoy & The Maverick Express go for an intimate approach with the tender “The Unplugged Songwriter Sessions”. Keeping things to the absolute essentials, the whole collection shines with an uncanny sense of life. Lyrically masterful, the whole of the collection explores the innermost desires that help to weave whole lives teller. The collection proves…
In her latest single “Hey Yo,” Ghana-based pop singer Yaa Yaa blends relevant, socially conscious lyrics with a swinging, rhythmic beat to make one of the most stunning, genre-bending tracks I’ve had the opportunity to write about in 2018. While a lot of singer/songwriters are content to recycle the same themes and textures that their…
Pellé Price’s new single “G Code” continues blazing a trail for a Richmond, Virginia based singer/songwriter who confounds expectations. His stunning blend of gospel and hip hop with a distinctly commercial sound is quite unlike anything else you’ll hear in the indie world or otherwise thanks to its signature style, but retains recognizable pop song…
In a place where dreams are formed and started, there is a certain vibe that can’t be described in the music scene of New York City. However, there is a silent force beginning to showcase within the city and it is stretching across the entire world. Iconic places such as Blue Note while also the…
