CD and DVD reviews
It’s no wonder Lisa Marie Ellingsen said that her track “A Little Help From Above”, was an “Old time gospel song written in the style of The Carter Family”. Sure enough she was right. For those wondering though, The Carter Family was in their time a traditional American folk music group ,who began way back…
I do not know if it is more than a talent but he (Rhett repko) has it at his fingertips. Obviously it comes to his heart and as undiluted as it comes, he delivers it with a tremendous voice. I must say – he is such a talented song writer as his music has that…
Sarantos taps into a sunny optimism with the cheerful sound of “Above The Clouds”. Light and airy, the song has a downright blissful poppy quality to it. Instrumentally rich, the rhythm has a laid-back, easy style to it. Incorporating a wide variety of styles into the mix from soft rock to pop to singer-songwriter allows…
With a wonderful laidback reggae groove is the slinky sound of Ricky Persaud Jr.’s “Feel The Love”. Utilizing dub effects marvelously, the entire song’s optimism shines through. Vocals have a communal, party-like atmosphere. Klyve shows off an impressive storytelling ability on the colorful sound of “Nocturnal Girl”. Luxurious in sound courtesy of the work of…
Experimental performers such as Leisure McCorkle recently made an appearance on an online music session performance segment called the Gaslight Sessions. In which he went on to perform a track he calls “Actin Like A Friend” for the audience in question at said location of Gaslight Sessions. “Actin Like A Friend” comes off his last…
It’s been a lоng tіmе соmіng, but Pаrkеr Lоngbоugh іѕ fіnаllу rеlеаѕіng іtѕ ѕорhоmоrе еffоrt, Brіdgеѕ to Nowhere/Delirium іn Lо-fі. Pаrkеr Lоngbоugh serves аѕ thе mоnіkеr оf fоrmеr Unсlе Jesse mеmbеr Mаtthеw Wіtthоеft. Related Article: https://www.punknews.org/review/6792/parker-longbough-commander-comatose It hаѕ bееn 11 уеаrѕ since Pаrkеr Lоngbоugh rеlеаѕеd hіѕ dеbut аlbum, Cоmmаndеr Cоmаtоѕе. Thе Anсhоrаgе, Alаѕkа nаtіvе іѕ…
NTFRMHRE crafts an escapist trance pop world with “Somebody Like You”. Full of sunny melodies the song’s energy is outright infectious. Lyrics have a tender lovely quality to them giving the song a true sense of soul. Over the course of the song some narrative forms, one that shows the importance of being devoted to…
Chuck Eaton’s music is very soft and calming in style. This accompanied by a saxophone, gives the music another dimension of Jazz. The cover for his album “Lessons” is a Whispy Green. It looks to be a picture of the bottom of a green pond and the title lessons is in lowercase cursive at the…
doubleVee first formed in 2012 as the result of intense musical chemistry. Allan Vest and Barb Hendrickson discovered early on they shared an unique connection for writing and performing together; their simpatico relationship with one another blossomed into more and the couple married in October, 2015. Allan Vest is the former longtime songwriting force, front…
The first album from writer and multi-instrumentalist Shelby Smoak has an unusual genesis. The origin of the project is the 2013 publication of Smoak’s non-fiction book Bleeder: A Memoir which examined the journey and challenges for a young man living with a HIV and hemophilia diagnosis. The book wasn’t quite enough for Smoak, however, and…
Today’s quick-moving, adrenaline-pumping, studio-modified radio hits are admittedly enjoyable listens, but the reality of their general genres and arrangements is something of a “tunnel vision” episode. In other words, finding high-quality music of different genres—particularly Gospel and Blue Grass—isn’t easy, but Reverend Peter Unger’s “Grace Filled Man” provides music fans with a glimmer of hope.…
Fox Grin is an artistic rock dream pop duo, joined by 2 to 3 musicians when performing live. But before any live performances take place, this act is simply a duo called Fox Grin just as they have said. That being the case, Fox Grin have gone ahead to write and record for their latest…
“Dark Turns” might be the finest song on Cranford Hollow’s new album and it is an instrumental. Don’t let this mislead you. This is likely the South Carolina based five piece’s finest album yet and the quality is so outstanding that the sole instrumental, a relatively surprising move in and of itself, ranks among the…
Downright celebratory, Lee Williams offers a joyful update of the 1969 Archies’ classic “Sugar Sugar”. With a nice laid-back mellow groove, Lee Williams lets the group play distinguish the sound. Guitars have a fuzzed-out blissful take on the track, doing the original’s jangle true justice. Synthesizer is woven into the song’s DNA, doing a fantastic…
A powerful introduction meets you when you start to listen or watch the live video of ‘hard bargain’ by the talented gentleman Chris Murphy. Really tranquilizing notes and soothing vocals. Surely, he must be really good at playing the violin, as he does it so easily, something that can be so tough sometimes to some…
“I Forgot” is a song that has a strong focus on lyrics with complex music showing a number of influences including folk, Beatles and jazz. “On the Stage” is one of those tracks you could bob your head or tap your feet to. It has melody, upbeat tones, and catchiness flowing through it. It’s a track…
The six songs on Nathan Oliver’s EP Head in the Sand marks the first release from this outfit since 2009’s Cloud Animals, but there’s no discernible loss of creative momentum. Bandleader and musical mastermind Nathan White has enlisted the services of respected musicians like drummer Robert Biggers and bassist Duncan Webster to realize the artistic…
Lion Tafari – Birth name Demetrius Durand was born April, 22,1980 on the Island of Dominica. While growing up his interest lead more towards singing, taking part in school talent shows or simply being in the hallways with friends, at recess chanting a few reggae tunes. In his mid teens he relocated to the U.S.…
Long Island, New York musical mainstays The Johnny Mac Band have quickly won a reputation as one of the hardest working acts in their area, but it’s good music that gets them over with their crowd, not just empty sweat. The first single off their forthcoming album Ace is the title cut and it…
Danny Everitt’s “Dream Big” offers a fine addition to the singer-songwriter tradition. Sung with true soul, the way “Dream Big” unfolds reveals its adherence to a joyful optimism. Proving to be an adept storyteller, Danny Everitt offers clever narratives and character studies over the course of the album. A classic rock style adorns the entirety…
American High’s “Bones in the Attic, Flowers in the Basement” has an early 90s, lo-fi pop quality to it. The songs get stuck in the mind with their sing-along lyrics and joyful melodies. Keeping things to the essentials these are thoughtful songs that never overstay their welcome. Reminiscent of bands like Sebadoh with a bit…
Bongo Boy Rock n Roll TV Show in heavy National Television rotation on 66+ TV channels this June 2017 till 6.19.17. Tapping into a nervous, chaotic energy reminiscent of the Talking Heads is Room Full of Strangers’ “Modern Media”. Clever insight is paired with frantic rhythms in a wonderful display of color. By opting for…
Jupiter in Velvet has been a prolific creative artist since his 2012 debut and his sixth release In2 the Arms of Live further solidifies his standing as one of the more abiding rock artists to emerge in recent years. His deft blend of retro rock posturing, cut with a distinctly modern aspect, shows no signs…
This latest EP from Southern California based duo We The Dreamers marks an important moment for modern music lovers. Myke Wilken and Ethan Rose hail from California and New York State respectively, but their talents come together on this brief collection like the two men are long lost brothers. Such sympathetic chemistry is quite rare.…
The second single from Elle Casazza’s latest album Proof, a rich ballad entitled “You”, further illustrates how this young talent is an immediate force to be reckoned with on the modern pop scene. The Chicago native has built on the promise of her 2013 debut by further broadening her sound and creating space for more…
Have you ever wondered what you would get if you take a mixer and put some blues, have a bit of a rock shake and some freshness? This is what Howards new single ‘just for the mystery’ sound is like; you can bet John Mayer has nothing on this guy, trust me. A smooth composition…
Highland Kites sculpt a surreal sound on the dream-pop shoegaze inspired “I’m Not Weak”. Melodies glisten with a sense of majesty. Vocals possess an angelic quality to them while they drift up into the sky. Simplicity is key for the way the songs are kept to the essentials gives them a true emotional impact. Rhythms…
Full of vitality and color is the funky psychedelic rock stylings of the Sidleys’ “The Love You Make”. Passionate to its very core the way the songs unfold gives them a majestic tenor. Vocals lead the way and dominate the rest of the proceedings. Everything simply works and the multiple layers collide in a glorious…
Cleveland native and guitarist Alex Lopez’s third album, Slowdown, is a remarkable realization of this gifted musician and songwriter’s talents. His first two studio releases showed him to be a fiery, inspired player of traditional blues and blues/rock, but this third release shows that his songwriting skills continue to grow at an exponential rate. Lopez…
Never learning music through any traditional training, Donquièstar still found his way to it as a young child. From there the love for sound grew well into adulthood when he went on to release his debut in 2009. Several years later as electronic continued to grow in popularity, he was still riding high on his…
Stay, by Roadbound, was released Nov 05, 2016 on Graviton Records. They’re from the Brussells region and they consist of Nicholas Brynin: Lead Vocals, Nico Wilder: Guitar, Roman Quennery: Bass, and Cyril Wilfart: Drums. That is all there is to tell about the band, but the track “Stay” can help describe them as a good…
Growing up with a knack for music, Dean Greek soon found himself immersed in it as he interned at labels like Warner, and soon found his way to being an artist. Blending the soul of R&B with the rhymes of hip hop he’s creating a local buzz in New York playing showcases all over the…
From downtown is our star Melk, blasting his new single “Bentley”, Melk can really sing! I mean it’s no awesome disclosure that he can, it’s really melodious to hear it. He is gifted with a voice so solid and aerobatic, no wonder he’s this more praised. This rocky piece makes a serious, cadenced, driving, precise…
Every Other Sunday sings with heart and soul on the tender “Ghost”. Neatly blending together an early 90s intimate grunge sound with the blues the song unfurls in a surprisingly wonderful way. Downright catchy, Every Other Sunday tells a story over the course of the song, one of heartache and rejection. Rather colorful in their…
Liane Edwards’ seventh album features twelve original compositions recorded in collaboration with Trace Adkins’ guitarist Brian Wooten. The dozen songs add up to a concise collection never taking chances with self-indulgence; the songs, furthermore, are fixed on certain goals each time out and Edwards’ experienced hand never wastes a single word or note pursuing those…
Rev Peter Unger offers advice on how to live a rich, satisfying life within these two singular pieces. By focusing on the simple joys that truly making a life worth living, Rev Peter Unger’s music touches upon the inner truth that a good life is the life fully examined. To care for others, to have…
The second release under his own name finds Minneapolis resident Chris Bartels deeply indulging in his rather theatrical and ambient musical vision and coming to us with compelling results. This isn’t a collection utilizing atmospherics for the sake of it alone. Bartels, instead, intelligently manipulates sound in such a way that the sonics tell every…
The Shrimps delve into an intimate, folksy sound with the passionate “Abstracts and Keywords”. Akin to listening to close friends playing their hearts out on a porch late at night, there is something so comforting about their sound. Instrumentally the group draws from a rich variety of sound, from the choir of vocals to the…
Full of passion, the Victory Drive delves into a playful sound with the joyous “Before I Self Destruct”. Tying together dance, electro, and pop into an infectious whole, the songs are inviting. The Victory Drive’s vocals lead the way revealing a true ear for melody. Everything feels perfectly balanced, from the careful arrangements to the…
Mikhail Zagot goes for a charming, celebratory style with the timelessness of “Chosen People”. Over the course of the album Mikhail Zagot opts for a sense of play, letting the songs unfurl in triumphant colorful ways. Arrangements twist and turn, full of surprises as they neatly incorporate elements of folk, pop, jazz, and classical into…
