Category: REVIEWS

CD and DVD reviews

The Johnny Mac Band – “ACE”

  Jazz and funk meet up with the blues and R&B, with some Reggae tossed in on – Ace – by the Johnny Mac Band. They feature Johnny Mac a veteran of the New York circuit. Singing guitars and fiery solos bookend soulful voices supported by the rock-solid rhythm section of Joe Roberts on keyboards,…

Matt Hammon – ‘Silver Suitcase’

The bulk of Matt Hammon’s mainstream reputations rest with his tenure as drummer for Husker Du guitarist and songwriter Bob Mould, but his indie rock credentials extend much further. A little digging will turn up his time as a founding member of two well-regarded bands, Mineral and The Gloria Record, based out of Austin, Texas.…

Altre di B – ‘Miranda!’

The concept album Miranda! from Italian based quartet Altre di B serves notice that this band’s ambitions will not remain confined to the typical grab bags of songs. The ten songs are inspired by Quirico Filopanti’s nineteenth century book that proposed the first ideas about time zones while also mining the band member’s individual experiences…

Brent Daniels – ‘Party At The End Of The Road’

It’s a testament to the enduring power that music held over Brent Daniels’ imagination that, no matter what twists and turns life laid in front of him, he eventually found his way back to one of his earliest passions. His album Every Road Has a Turn provides ample evidence of how bright the fire to…

Nick Dakota – “Sledgehammer”

Nick Dakota has achieved a notable degree of success on the back of his recent full length album Vision with his combination of genuine star power, musical skills, and songwriting contributions from top shelf Nashville songwriters. The Michigan based performer is gathering material for his next album, but he’s still promoting Vision with every bit…

Ashley J – “Unbreakable”

Singer-Songwriter Ashley J is a hot up and comer based out of the East Coast as well and is definitely worth mentioning. She’s also a true musical free spirit! All this can be felt on every aspect of her music. Speaking of which, her music is steeped in a multidimensional fusion of modern and 90s…

Souleye – ‘Wildman’

Posterity is a cruel mistress and legacies aren’t what they used to be. The truly transformational artists, in any medium, are the ones who find a toehold with the public imagination that the years cannot wash away. Instead, these artists only make a deeper and bigger impression over time and they soon accumulate a body…

Dizzy Box Nine – ‘Electric Illusion’

Dizzy Box Nine blend their improvised-pop rock with the styles of bands like Blink 182, The Cars, Train and Tom Petty. This can’t be bad for anyone, and they prove that on – Electric Illusion, their new 12 track full-length album. They manage to forge their own thing out of a three-minute pop song. They…

Slow Burning Car – “Soul Crimes”

Slow Burning Car has a great name and some great music to back it up. The title of Slow Burning Car is destructive in its imagery which is exactly the feeling of relief that rock music gives to its listeners. Their song Soul Crimes will give listeners that same sense of relaxation, of cleansing that…

Blakeley – “Caffeine & Nicotine”

Brooklyn based singer Blakeley is out with a new album called Sin Cider- on it is the single, “Caffeine & Nicotine”. Blakeley is an artist that lets you know exactly who she is and what she’s about. A quick look at her website shows her personality rather clearly, but you can dig through her social…

Energy Alchemist – ‘Reminder’ EP

California-based metal band Energy Alchemist is out with a new EP called Reminder, featuring a brand new track of the same name and remade versions of their songs, “Way Too Late” and “Flush”. The band is made up of Bill Hankins (guitar, vocals, programming), Julian Sterling (guitar, vocals), Erik Koski (bass), and Matt Heath (drums).…

High Park Society – ‘On Your Mind’

  “On Your Mind”, the new single by High Park Society, an independent studio project with music done by the mastermind of Canadian multi-instrumentalist and songwriter as well as acoustician Frank Babic. Another “one-man-does-all” type project. His indie pop style really brings it all together with such hooks, vocals, and music. High Park Society’s evoking…

Ten Ton Man – ‘Dangerous Women & A Desperate Man’

Americana how art though not what it used to be….. times of the past or good old days are long gone in today’s senses. As no one buys or believes in a time that once was then which is not here now. In the case of Americana roots rock and blues act Ten Ton Man…

Jonny Lang – ‘Signs’

JL has always been one of my favorite guys on or off the stage. In addition to being more than capable of burning through the frets on a guitar, he owns the voice to complete the package and make blues/rock happen. This release takes a more simplistic approach, going back to the roots of traditional…

Richard Schroder – ‘Drive’

Country singer and songwriter, Richard Schroder, is out with his latest album, Drive. A meticulously crafted set of songs that have quintessential country elements with Schroder’s own unique spin on them. Schroder put his heart and soul (not to mention countless hours) into Drive, and it shows. He is especially known for working and reworking…

Severine – ‘Not Obsessed’

This young singer/songwriter, Severine, is of French extraction, born in the United States, and later raised in her ancestral homeland. Her musical education began early with a love for Louis Armstrong and Nina Simone, those influences firing her passion for music to life, but she later chose another course in the name of practicality and…

The Harper Conspiracy – ‘Curious Mortal Minds’

Curious Mortal Minds is an EP by The Harper Conspiracy. Its tracks are filled with melody and rocking rhythms that make it a complete danceable rock package. It’s time to fill the air around you with an addictive danceable rock. Let yourself free from the complexities of the world and indulge in the beauty of…

Leah Capelle – ‘Better Off’

Better Off is a song about lost love and also about moving o. It’s about turning away from that negativity in order to allow more positive experiences into your life. This song has been done as a sort of team up between Leah Capelle and Hayley Brownell. The song is a very emotional one which…

SIXTWOSEVEN – “Some Other’s Day” EP

SixTwoSeven is a rock band out of Gig Harbor, Washington. They’re out with a new EP called Some Other’s Day. SixTwoSeven compares themselves right off the bat with stellar bands such as the Foo Fighters, Muse, Weezer, and Radiohead- a tall order, to say the least. The band is made up of illfunk (vocals), Dave…

‘Mocean’ By Breeze

Mocean by Breeze is a creatively done hip-hop style song that captivates listener’s attention with its appealing and harmonic rhythm and vocals. If you are a hip-hop lover and you love to let loose yourself on the hippy tracks then “Mocean” by Breeze will definitely find its way in your playlist. Mickey Breeze or Breeze,…

Andrea Chiapparo feat Max Kleinz – ‘All I Need Is Love’

Italiano Andrea Chiapparo whose 16 year old stature won’t deny his singing abilities and or skills, for he will release his debut EP “Love” in 2018. But before that happens he has gone on to write and record a song he calls “All I Need Is Love”, whose title of wording may be familiar to…

Wayland – ‘Rinse & Repeat’

Wayland is not exactly a new band. The band was originally signed to a record label that was owned by Keifer Sutherland, called Iron Works. The current release is their first full length release with Mighty Loud / InGrooves. Mighty Loud label is owned by Jesse James Dupree. First off, Wayland is a rock and roll…

Strangely Alright – ‘Coffee Cup’

As the saying goes “Sometimes the littlest things mean the most”. Or another expression of a saying “It’s the thought that counts”. Either of these words of expression can be taken into account varying on the matter in question. For the first expression this just so happens to fit the matter of a song titled…

MkX – ‘The Look’

There is transcendence in MkX’s music. It shares mutuality with The Weekend and August Alsina. DJ Khalid dances around the flames, but MkX has the fire. His lyrics reek of excessive confidence and bold expression, just as he claims that the X represent these qualities. While I read the lyrics of his song, ‘The Look,’…

Rhett Repko – ‘Thnx For The Ride’

  Repko makes enjoyable sounds with a mixture of influences to make his song. His lyrics are also a large driving force in what creates Thnx For The Ride. As well as the varying instrumentals that keep the listener engaged in the picture that is being painted by the words. Thnx For The Ride is…

Social Circle – ‘Changes’

“Changes” has been making the buzz with its duo vocalists and instrumental tone straight out of the 1980’s that comes from an act who takes the word “social” to another reality of meaning. This Social Circle with their song and accompanying video for “Changes”. “Changes”, as a song is very much like it belongs in…

Andrea Desmond – ‘Inner Fire’

  Writing, it is something that all, if not most of us have attempted in some shape or form. For many writing has become a lifestyle and not left their lives as it would have it. Andrea Desmond is one of those writers. For it is her music, that she has written so purposely about,…

Hence The Noise

Hence The Noise is a NY based modern metal band which consists of Chandler Mogel on vocals, Rob Russo & Eddie Vandenko on guitars, and featuring Robbie Russo, who is a 13 yr old inspirational prodigy on drums. Rob Russo & Eddie Vandenko have a long history together. They have been collaborating in various bands…

Textures Of Emotions by Tamara’s Class Of Soul

Textures Of Emotions by Tamara’s Class Of Soul – is a soothing journey that takes you for a ride she brings with the best of intentions, carrying loads of heart and soul in her songs with great messages. It goes through pop to soul, R&B and spoken word that has a world class appeal. It’s…

Manjia Luo

With over two dozen albums to her name, Manjia Luo has continued to prove why she is a force within the New Age community with her latest, Wish Pond featuring her lead single “Joy Fluctuation of Wave.” Eight tracks deep, Wish Pond plays along with her previous releases nicely. Fitting into the consistency of what…

Mark Meisel

Mark Meisel is a veteran musician and producer. He has toured with numerous national acts, and was a founding member and frontman for Detroit’s, Opie’s Dream, throughout the 1990s. These days Mark has turned his attention to creating music for children that is also suitable for their parents and grand-parents. His latest CD Pick Up…

Al Gromer Khan

German-born but with a universal sound, Al Gromer Khan started his career as a sitar player and composer over four decades ago. Today he sits proudly on over 50 recordings, a handful of books, and his latest best-selling album release 2016’s Chakra Noir and the 2017 single release “After the Crash.” Chakra Noir is the…

Liz Kennedy – ‘Hike Up Your Socks’

The latest release from singer/songwriter Liz Kennedy, a twelve song collection entitled Hike Up Your Socks, further cements her artistic achievements in modern American music despite largely flying under the mainstream radar. She’s attracted significant crowds at several venues across her hometown of San Francisco, released critically acclaimed albums, and earned comparisons with iconic performers…

Michael McQuaid – ’26 Miles’

The time of the party person. Partying it up every day and night for some if not others who par take in it every so often, it becomes a part of them. So much so that it is hard for them to ignore or refuse it at times. “26 Miles”, was born in this matter,…

Brad Peterson – ‘The Ellipsis Album’

It isn’t a stretch to call this a comeback album of sorts. After sharing stages with the likes of Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, among others, fate knocked Peterson out of the box with a spinal injury rendering him partially paralyzed for several years and unable to record or perform. It is inevitable that, in the…

Azwel – ‘The Elastic Journey’

The latest creation of Azwel ‘The Elastic Journey’ likely to rock chartbusters. Listen, enjoy and rock with the musical magic created by Azwel. ‘The Elastic Journey’ is a brand new album of the famous indie pop band Azwel which is masterminded by the famous songwriter Jason Perrillo releasing soon at the beginning of October 2017.…

Venus Theory – ‘NIGHTWALKER EP’

Venus Theory hits to fame with their musical album ‘NightWalker’. Enjoy the musical creativity of Alecia and Cameron. With the increasing fetish for creative music, a lot many music artists have acquired the opportunity to innovate their thoughts into remarkably melodious harmony. Venus Theory is one such composition of two musical geniuses, Alecia Gates and…

Willodean – ‘The Drink That Kills Me’

Willodean’s “The Drink That Kills Me”, is a track that immediately brought to mind to of another trio act, as Willodean is one trio act, out of many others in existence. But anyway Willodean brought to mind that of another trio act, this one out of the U.K. called Keane. Whose style is very similar…

Beto Hale – ‘Orbs Of Light’

Beto Hale is a one man project that does it all. Literally upon this album, 90% of it was done by Beto alone. Beto went as far as wrote, performed, and co-produced the album, as well as provided the instruments including drums, percussion, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, keyboards, piano, and sang lead and…