CD and DVD reviews
No matter how many times an artist or band goes and says how much they have been developing their sound and style, it always ends up being successful or unsuccessful whoever may be in question. For Dakú Lights with their first ever debut release in the form of an EP titled “Illumiiinate”, well let us…
Jen Gloeckner’s latest album “Vine” consists of 11-tracks a few of which have been making Jen quite noticeable. In fact, “Ginger Ale”, “Breathe”, are said tracks and these tracks alone really set up what this album ends up becoming, which is a solid piece of work. That being said “Vine”, is filled with such genres…
The self titled álbum of ‘Edge of Free’ band based in Los Angeles contains a well-defined but digestible rock sound, which is difficult to lose track even though between the tracks you can find elements like country that will just take you by surprise when you hear them And even when you’re headbanging, you’ll want…
Canadian’s Across The Board or ATB for short is an indie alternative pop rock band, trying saying that 5 times fast. Who like many artists and bands is just trying to push themselves to the limit if not the edge of the pop or rock music scene. They bring with them a track of a…
Have you listened to the Radio lately? Is it me or is something wrong with today’s music? Do you remember when music actually had really instruments in them with real people playing them? No kidding. How about good songwriting, performed by artists that not only wrote the music, but poured their heat and soul into…
Deb Montgomery sings with a lifetime of experiences on the glorious “Long Long Journey”. Representing the best of folk, her voice expresses great reassurance throughout the album. Songs possess a fragile, delicate quality to them. Keeping things to the absolute essentials means the songs have an intimacy to them. By ensuring a naturalistic and optimistic…
Country music has taken a liking to Russ Still and The Moonshiners. They bring out the light and authenticity to the radio and music scene with their classy country rock music. Where as they say “In an industry that currently thrives on auto-tune, drum machines, and pop templates”, which is sad yet indeed true. Russ…
Funky and triumphant, Sarantos delivers a hopeful message with “Graduation Day”. Rather playful the way that Sarantos offers a celebratory spirit feels fitting given the subject matter. There is a kindness to the lyricism, the way that a long journey ought to be viewed, especially one so personal regarding self-improvement. Instrumentally rich, Sarantos draws from…
Reveling in a dazed dream world is Stellarscope’s surreal shoegaze of ‘Standing In The Shadow Of Your Ghost”. Sounds move by in a glorious blur. With this powerful sound Stellarscope follow a path forged by new shoegaze groups like Belong. Belong in fact appears to be a particularly good analog to their work: forgoing optimism,…
It depends on who you ask, but there are some who like and dislike the taste of sour in their mouth. But in the case of a lemon it is a hit or miss but if it’s lemonade well everyone partakes in that fun tasting drink. Where does all of this sour and lemon small…
Leah Capelle’s music style hits you like a ton of bricks, when first listening to her music you assume oh another country artist that’s up-and-coming. But yet her genre choices are not of country but of alternative meets rock and pop instead. But yet her music still resembles that of the country music aspect so…
The Foxfires deliver a spellbinding, summery sound on the garage surf rock hybrid of “Reawakening”. With a neat nod to the past while forging new paths, there is something so welcoming about the sound. Guitar work is fantastic with nimble work gracing much of the album. Possessing a strong sense of optimism, the songs are…
Crash and Burn is the third EP release from That One Eyed Kid, Boston based singer/songwriter Josh Friedman’s personal “band” project, and it’s apparent he doesn’t feel restricted by an EP’s relatively limited scope. The opposite is true. Friedman, instead, seems emboldened to get as many of his best ideas worked into the five songs…
ESP EVOLUTION delivers a commanding sound with the infinitely poppy style of “OD & CAPRI”. Throughout the song, they reveal a true knack for storytelling, one that fully reveals their defiant spirit. Anchoring all of this is a powerful beat helping to move the sound forward further into the distance. Grooves are downright addictive for…
With “Theotokos” Saint Blasphemer delve deep into grunge’s inner spirit. Throughout “Theotokos” Saint Blasphemer show off their impressive chops nicely matching the anxiety and energy that pours out of the pieces. Lyrically the songs work through a vast deal of difficulties that life inevitably forces people to confront. Full of passion the way the song…
Where to begin when it comes to an artist like Gar Francis. He goes back, way back when to being born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey for one. For another, as a child, his earliest memories came from getting out of the house, with his father every Sunday, listening to music, such as Chairman…
Gar Francis was just mentioned in regards to his own piece of work “Step X Step”. But as mentioned there he is a song writer of sorts, so of course his works would travel guiding and helping other artists, such as Kathryn Shipley. Gar Francis writing her latest and newest track called “Shine Your Love”.…
James Byfield, perhaps better known by his stage persona, “Blind Lemon Pledge”, is a multi-instrumentalist and blues singer based in San Francisco, California. Upon retiring from his career as a successful graphic designer and creative producer in 2008, Byfield set out to perform music and has since achieved a respectable amount of praise from critics,…
Bob Pepek performs with such passionate on the pop perfection of “Pratfalls and Curtain Calls”. Such heart and soul runs through these moving, emotive piece. By choosing such an approach Bob Pepek delivers thoughtful, highly articulate lyricism that guides the entirety of the album. Intricate arrangements further emphasize the exploratory temperament that defines Bob Pepek’s…
The almighty south, where the marshes, lakes, plants, and all things green grow far and wide, that it’s surrounded by plantations, forts, and more so then you would expect the south to dish out. What does this all mean really, well from the depths of the state that is South Carolina. Explosive southern rockers Cranford…
GaBso represents the best of R&B, EDM, and pop with the passionate performance of “Made Me Wanna Change My Name”. His emotive voices rest at the center of the sound. Beats are crafted with care, crisp and nimble. Melodies waft throughout the collection, neatly combining their pop leanings with an EDM level of power. Lyrics…
Northwestern native Bradford Loomis’ third album, Bravery & the Bell, is wrenched from difficult circumstances. The recent knowledge of his father’s diagnosis with Early Onset Alzheimer’s spurred Loomis to reflections about what past generations bestow upon us and our responsibilities to such inheritances. This is not a love letter in musical form directed at an…
Souleye’s musical career began in the trunk of a car. The rapper, hip-hop artist and songwriter was on his way to a party in pastoral New England hill country in a car so laden down with his friends that he and another teen hopped in the trunk. The year was 1996, and Souleye was still…
A surreal sound sets on Angus Crowne and the Family Jewels’ otherworldly stylistic tour de force of “Shag Rug”. Throughout the album, the only constant is the poetic storytelling of Angus Crowne and his reassuring vocals. Beyond that everything else is fair game. Songs shift wildly going from ukulele-inspired punk to psychedelic twee. Strangely inviting…
Whenever an artist or band goes to the length of releasing a song, in various ways it could work in their favor or it could not. In the case of an artist by the name of Chey with her latest and newest song turned single “She’s Got You”. She has taken this song and released…
Mammothor is an American hard rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 2012. Travis Lowell fronts the group with powerful and versatile vocals. Berklee graduate Josh Johnson studied with guitar shred legend Joe Stump while Dana Sharpton has studied with virtuoso guitarist Greg Howe. The dynamic and steady drums of Nick Raby fill out the…
EDM or electronic dance music, is known to many as one of the most popular genres of the music scene. Why is that, what types of music is it precisely? Well electronic based music is music infusing various sounds into a blend of melody of certain music. Like take a DJ mixing together two different…
“Phoenix” was the one track to take flight off the latest and newest EP release “The Burning” by an act called Raven. Raven not be confused with Raven-Symoné of the hit Disney TV show That’s So Raven, or another act by the name of Raven Black, an up-and-coming band from the Los Angeles, Californian turf.…
With a take no prisoners approach, Epic Death’s “Witchcraft” swims through vast seas of distortion. Full of energy and passion, they rush through with heavy riffs and unstoppable percussion. Vocals serve as a further addition to the menacing sound, existing purely in a growl. Stylistically Epic Death draws from a wide swath of genre: from…
When a band goes and combines such genres as rock with soul, you have to scratch your head a bit about the two being tossed together. Rock music and soul music could go together and have likely more than once but does it always work out. In the case of New York City band Quantum…
You don’t come looking at punk rock for musical proficiency or songs that don’t have mistakes. If you come here looking for that, you will be sorely disappointed. This is unapologetically imperfect. It’s also quite strong for fans of punk rock. The guitar sound starting the opening “Don’t Let It Rain” is just plain mean.…
Charity albums are always a bit strange to review. I mean, on the one hand, you really need to consider the music on hand. After all, that’s what you hear. The thing is, you can overlook some problems if the cause is worthwhile. Well, proceeds from this album go to animal welfare organizations, and all…
David Starr’s smooth and flawless vocals are the real star of this CD. He is right on key and expressive every step of the way. That makes this a very pleasant listening experience. It doesn’t hurt that the songs are very good, too. “Edge of the World” is the first piece, I really love David…
Mercury And The Architects’ latest and newest 7 day old track “Genesis”, was quite the eye opener but when the track played through and got to the 2 minute mark, that is when the track fell flat. The track opens up to be a rock based genre of material. But once it hit that 2…
JV and Teej have known one another from an early age, in fact it was during the evolution of the golden era of the hip hop genre. This time frame, would have the duo writing rhymes together, that would later become their own unique yet signature based brand of own creative music. That said, the…
NEW AGE music is often instrumental in nature, incorporating elements of electronica and non- Western instrumentation. It is characterized by the light melodic harmonies and sounds reproduced from the natural world. It is intended to promote serenity, create artistic inspiration, and relaxation. Used by listeners for yoga massage, and meditation, it is often associated with…
2016 was perhaps one of the deadliest years I can remember. There was a sense of dreadfulness surrounding many of us. In the music world, we kicked it off by losing one of the most inventive and greatest artists the scene ever had: David Bowie. Throughout the year, we lost others like Prince and Leonard…
Humphrey-McKeown have been pushing themselves since early 2016, where writing began to unfold, followed by a recording process that took place that late summer into the fall of around May through December time frame. During this time the album came together as 12-tracks, going on to be titled “Tapestry of Shadows”. But what does this…
Adding a little experimentation to bluegrass’s tender tones is Scroggins & Rose’s spirited “Grana”. Reminiscent of the similar unique approach to bluegrass taken by Henry Flynt, the songs simply stun. While including a great deal of classical methods alongside an improvised approach, the pieces teem with life. Over the course of the album the duo…
Bands and individual music artists often, six albums into their career, can rightly be accused of coasting. The Gift are not one of those bands. One release after another, this alt-pop quartet is setting the bar higher and higher for themselves. This is impressive, but more impressive is how they consistently match their past achievements…
