CD and DVD reviews
Hope and optimism define the jubilant pop perfection of Roger Jaeger’s “Elevator”. Tasteful arrangements work wonders building the piece up into a wonderful energetic rhythm. Attention to detail means that the percussion has the right punch, the piano the right level of passion, and the glistening keyboards referencing a classic 70s rock sound. By far…
“Why Ask Why” shows Sarantos contemplating the way life unfolds. Strong vocals rest at the very heart of the sound with everything else revolving around them. Lyrically the song focuses on living to the absolute fullest, both as an individual and as a member of the world at large. Throughout the song, a philosophy begins…
Michael Van and the Movers do soulful country great justice on the beautiful “A Little More Country”. With thoughtful lyricism that attests to the hard times life brings, the songs show off Michael Van and the Movers ample storytelling abilities. Nicely framing these slices of life are the laid-back, almost dreamy arrangements that at times…
Bongo Boy TV Season 6 Ep3NAT – SuperPower premiered on Channel 29 in Portland, OR. on 2.17.17 and follows it heavy TV rotation on all 66+ Terrestrial TV Channels through March. A spacious classic rock ballad emerges on Anana Kaye’s “Carolina”. Vocals lead the song forward featuring a poetic delivery. Nicely framing this is a…
Strong and true, A Little Bit More’s self-titled album represents the best of classic country and Americana. Everything simply works from the physicality of the drums to the emotionally charged guitar work that graces the sound. By far the soulful comes from the earnest vocals that tie the entire sound together. Lyrics have a determined…
Saint Mars delves into a dark beauty on the timeless “Ocean Blues EP”. Rather stylish, the way the songs unfurl gives them a truly majestic quality. Everything works together perfectly creating a vast tapestry of sound. Poetic lyrics are peppered throughout the collection adding to the emotional heft. A great variety of genres are touched…
This is more than just another project for Tim McDonald; it is a real, heart-beating dream with a breath of fresh air. This has been a long time coming and a labor of love for Tim going back to 2010 where the idea originated. McDonald is singer, songwriter and guitarist for the indie rock band…
Tripp Demon, could be a namesake for about anybody, whether it’d be a band or an artist. In this case, it’ goes to an artist, within the rap, hip hop, category. Tripp Denom or his alter ego Uncle TD is what he likes to be called, either one works. His artistic talents would include rapping,…
The Pete V Project, is just that, a project done by singer and song writer Marie Virginie Pierre, except instead of using her namesake, she has gone with the decision of The Pete V Project. Why that name for said project, who knows, how does the music play out? Well with her brand new song…
The sixth release from Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Made to Move, continues this band’s extraordinary run as purveyors of modern Americana as well as imaginative interpreters of traditional material. If this music form is destined to continue living, as myself and many others hope, then artistic units like Jones and The Night Drivers…
The second release from Green Bay based, Wisconsin three piece Sweetalk, Mutiny, is five track EP building well on the success of the band’s 2015 debut full length Picturesque. Vocalist/guitarist Jamie Koebe, bassist Travis Grahn, and drummer Brian Boelter have discovered a spark in their songwriting and performance interplay promising to carry them higher than…
Neatly tying together folk, hard rock, country, with a psychedelic pop sheen is Jonathan Di Renzo’s confident “Getting Nowhere”. Highly articulate lyrics guide the way resulting in a series of songs that come together to create a great sprawling narrative. Jonathan Di Renzo’s vocals are pristine showing off a wide range from commanding to comforting.…
Whenever a band uses the word “loud” in their song titles, let alone lyrical context, it could go both ways, be a good track, or be a bad track. In the case of rock and r&b act, Roadcase Royale, they have a little track they like to call “Get Loud”. This debut song turned single,…
Pop music is always the center of attention, out of all the music genres, available. But why is this, well perhaps it’s basic it has more relatable topics, or even because it has a better tone or groove, that people adjust to, more so than other genres. Or maybe it is just one of those…
Several genres under one artist’s namesake, can be a tricky one, for the likes of Amilia K Spicer and her song “Fill Me Up” off her upcoming album ‘Wow and Flutter”. This track takes the genres of soul, folk, rock, country, and some Americana thrown in for good measure, you get quite the combination. “Fill…
Debbie Anthony’s “All Over Again” does country just right. Serving as the heart and soul of the sound are Debbie Anthony’s powerful vocals from which all else emanates. Lyrically the songs focus on relationships and all the complications they bring. By choosing such an approach the songs possess true character and show off Debbie Anthony’s…
Delivered with true panache is the celebratory spirit of John Hickman’s “Hello Hello”. Giddy to its very core the lyricism is profound, focusing on the idea of true affection for the world. Led by exquisite piano work and passionate vocals, the song glides by in a blissful rush. Rhythms add to the overall sense of…
Arizona based blues rockers Mason have released a debut album entitled Midnight Road capable of reminding you why this style of music has enjoyed such enduring popularity. The ten song collection is steered by the vocals and memorable guitar of bandleader Jacob Acosta, a prolific multi-instrumentalist who’s earned quite a reputation for himself in indie…
The self-titled recording debut for The Flashpot Moments represents a chance for singer/songwriter and drummer Tim Cawley to promote his musical talents in a much more complete way on a bigger stage than ever before. The “band” for the album’s eleven songs isn’t a cohesive unit in the typical meaning of the word as Cawley…
DocFell & co. offer the true grit and soul of the blues with “Dust Bowl Heart”. Passionately played their attention to detail is admirable. The arrangements are truly raw with the right sort of instrumentation: from the western twang of the guitar to the careful fiddle work, the entire album simply drives forward with such…
Sung with a true sense of earnestness is Howard Simon’s intimate folk offerings on “Visitors”. Possessing a great knack for storytelling the songs radiate with warmth. The delivery is all-engrossing for Howard Simon’s articulate engaging lyricism leads the sound forward. Arrangements are kept to the utmost essentials. His spry guitar playing alongside the rather mellow…
The success of Jeremy Poland’s first album Southbound Heart didn’t leave him feeling hidebound to pursue the same mold on his follow-up. Timeless Soul finds him teaming with Lantz Dale for a rousing sophomore success. Dale, Poland’s producer on the debut Southbound Heart, brings a distinctly different personal background and musical pedigree to the project…
Delivered with true tenderness, Natalise + the Sunset Run is a powerful potent piece of chamber pop. Extraordinarily tasteful, the songs are imbued with a truly sunlit presence. Melodies glimmer in the softened atmosphere. Lyrics lead the way forward with the vocals resting at the very heart of the collection. Pieces play off each other…
The latest release from Miami born, Los Angeles based jazz vocalist/songwriter Carmen Lundy, Code Noir, continues her recent spate of top notch collections with, arguably, her most complete work to date. Lundy’s experience as an actress on Broadway stages and film further enhances her interpretative talents in the way she’s able to so clearly embody…
With a childlike sense of wonder is the fantastic surrealism of Jet Black Pearl’s “Flop”. Playful arrangements adorn the tender tracks. Over the course of the collection the pieces appear to nearly drift into the air for they are so light. Layer upon layer are intermingled in such deft ways. Attention to detail means that…
Kanisha K’s chart success thus far is an affirmation that this unique talented singer has a skill set that cuts across multiple genres. She has unerring instincts for making pop songs work, but there’s also a deep bluesy feel in the way she handles this particular track that elevates the song as a whole. “Bet…
Los Angeles has often been referred to as a city of transplants and The Spider Accomplice certainly fits that term. The band’s three members are hail from elsewhere and discovered each other after relocating to the sunny climes of California in hopes of finding more opportunities in the music business. They have an instantly audible…
Brooke Moriber is, virtually, a Renaissance woman. There simply aren’t as many all-around performers still on the scene, regardless of gender, who cover as many bases. Moriber’s music career comfortably sits alongside her critically praised career as an actress with numerous Broadway, film, and television credits filling out her CV. She’s a true force in…
Gina Roode sings a song of triumph and celebration on the jubilant “Half-A-Hallelujah”. Carried by her strong powerful voice the piece is pure pop perfection. The attention to detail is profound for Gina Roode lets the multiple layers of sound interact with the greatest of ease. Stylistically Gina Roode covers a wide range from folk…
The first single from Washington DC area singer/songwriter Kirbie’s new album, Melon Soup, is entitled “Human” and gives listener an excellent taste of what they can expect from this upcoming release. Her self-titled 2010 release presented her as a compelling talent with her own idiosyncratic voice quite unlike any other working today, but “Human” shows…
The Ricky Fitts deliver a classic cool with the pop perfection of “The Great Beyond”. Fitting into a fine 80s revivalist tradition a la Neon Indian and M83, their songs are full of life. Stylistically the Ricky Fitts incorporate a wide variety of influences, from Prince’s funk glam to the Weeknd’s downright infectious dance-focused grooves.…
Delivered with great fury is the passionate performance of Maps to the Hollywood Scars’ “Volume One”. The sound deserves to be blasted at full possible volume to truly appreciate its physicality. Neatly tying together elements of punk, pop, with a slight hardcore edge Maps to the Hollywood Scars is a downright delight. Vocals rise above…
“Never Give Up!” shows off Lee Williams’ mastery of the classic rock sound. Delivered with true heart and grit, the song is a true stunner. Full of optimism the song emphasizes moving forward in life through all the suffering that a journey can bring. Lyrics have a poetic quality to them, as Lee Williams lets…
Dario Black known to many to take the genres of EDM and pop, to create his own flare of the two genres. Thus, he has launched a new song and single called “Don’t Let Go (No Te Vayas)” off his new EP “Temporary Love”. In an interview he did recently he says that this new…
The first EP release from Georgia native James Patrick Morgan, Art + Work = Love, is a formidable five song collection. It includes one cover, but the remaining four songs are Morgan originals revealing him to be just more than a transformational performer. Morgan is a talented songwriter too who manages to mesh the disparate…
Gar Francis gives Bob Dylan’s classic “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” a nice hazy update. Featuring fuzz-out frantic guitar rhythms, the song possesses the same playful spirit as the original. The way the song unfolds stays true to Bob Dylan’s vision while offering up something completely new and exciting. A sense of intimacy defines…
The latest full length album from songwriter Jimmy Shannon, Better Now than Ever, marks a new creative high for this fine musician. The eleven song collection plays with the same vibrancy and inspiration listeners might expect from a debuting young prodigy while still exhibiting the canniness and invention veterans bring to bear. Unlike many players…
With a hushed reverence Danielea Castell celebrates the power of our mystical connection with water on the album “Thank You Water”. Arrangements are stripped down to the absolute essentials and by far the heart and soul of the album rests with Danielea Castell’s strong assured vocals. Lyricism is simple, intentional and presents true love…
Wayne Olivieri’s career has saw him opening for some of the music world’s biggest names over the last three decades, fostering long standing friendships with some of the most popular and talented performers popular music has ever seen, while still resolutely remaining true to his muse. This is a performer, likewise, with tremendous character who…
Intrinsic Nature’s music is the product of Milo Keysington’s extensive experience as a musician and his singular creative vision for the band’s music. His compatriots in the band, guitarist Bruno Levy and drummer Steve Myers, are the ideal collaborators for helping Keysington to fill out the five impressive songs on the band’s second release, an…
