CD and DVD reviews
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…
Sambadi Majumder’s “Unseen and Beyond” is metal at its most malicious. Featuring astounding shredding and brutal percussion, the songs deserve to be blasted as loud as possible. The way that Sambadi Majumder lets the songs sprawl is quite compelling for these are pieces that are built up to become forces of nature. By bringing the…
Sounding like a long-lost late 80s darkwave band, Race to Neptune’s “Oh Contraire” is an absolute blast. Volume is a must for these are songs that deserve to be felt and heard. Best taken in a single sitting Race to Neptune conjures up images of Sonic Youth at the peak of their wonders. Quite beautiful…
Daphne Willis creates downright decadent pop confections on “Freaks Like Me”. Neatly bringing together jazz, RnB, with a hint of the theatrical there is something freewheeling throughout the collection. A sense of fun informs the entirety of the album with every song playing off the last. With every song treated as a chapter in a…
Sung straight from the heart Jason Andrew Brown’s assured self-titled debut is an absolute joy. Nicely merging elements of funk, indie rock, folk, and hard rock all framed within a pop structure the songs are simply stunning. Front and center is Jason Andrew Brown’s strong confident voice which rings out true. The songs offer small…
Sarantos delivers a passionate, romantic work on the defiant spirit of “We Kiss In The Shadows”. Downright glorious, this song is a celebration of true love. Lyrics focus on the way that love can truly transcend. Arrangements are pitch perfect with a catchy dance-rock fusion. With this arrangement Sarantos can add additional power to his…
The second album from Michigan native and Minneapolis based singer/songwriter Matt Hannah, Dreamland, further elaborates on the enormous talent and promise revealed by his 2014 debut Let the Lonely Fade. He’s earned favorable comparisons to Townes Van Zandt and his songwriting is roundly hailed as ranking among the best modern exponents of the singer/songwriter school…
Delivering a soulful piece is Jim Labos’ opening “The Blues Never Die”. From the organ to the nimble guitar, everything simply works. Tying it all together are the carefully crafted lyrics whose impassioned delivery works wonders. On “Searching For the Truth” Devin Leigh neatly brings classic rock and country into a satisfying whole. Anchored by…
Maiah Wynne’s “Lights and Shadows” displays a phenomenal range from the darkest of shadows to the brightest light. Stylistically Maiah Wynne runs the gamut from chamber pop to country to even elements of industrial. Tying all of this together is Maiah Wynne’s emotive voice whose expressiveness shines throughout the collection. Attention to detail is of…
The crucial third and fourth albums. People like to trumpet the all-consuming importance of sophomore albums and they have a point. Bands and performers, after particularly scintillating debuts, can often find themselves groping in darkness attempting to create a worthy follow-up. It’s the third and fourth album, however, that often determines staying power. Once a…
Self described as “high powered rock with an Irish heart”, the four piece Emish stands as one of the most individual and inspired acts working in roots music today. The idea of labeling them, however, will make discerning listeners hesitant. The music transcends labels manifesting a spirit that has nothing to do with genre and,…
San Antonio based four piece Sound of Curves’ third album, Gone Gatsby, should solidify their standing as one of the vanguard bands working in alternative rock today. The melting pot of influences, however, encompasses much more than recasting rock music’s premier form of the 1990’s and beyond in their image. Southern styled rock guitar with…
It’s difficult to imagine how the luscious blues-soaked yowl of Angie Bruyere’s voice hailing from upstate New York, but this Southern California transplant and her band the Deserters play gutsy and rough-hewn blues rock with the skill and sincerity needed to make it work in 2017. Her latest single from the album You, “17 Days”,…
With a true sense of the blues, Tony Levita’s sound has a rambunctious timeless quality to them. Opting for such a classic approach works wonders for the songs as the way they unfold is quite compelling. The heart and soul of the approach comes from Tony Levitas’ stylish vocals alongside the insightful lyricism that permeates…
Michel Griffin treats Bob Dylan’s vast body of work with the utmost of care on the tender “Feel my Love: Bob Dylan’s Finest Lovesongs”. With careful delicate arrangements, the songs positively shimmer and shine. Vocals serve front and center as they should, with Michel Griffin’s voice imbuing the songs with a sense of intimacy. The…
Fiery passionate reigns supreme on Amery Rey Tuesta’s “Latinoameryca”. Tapping into classic rock’s strong and steady roots, the songs are absolute blasts of sound. Stylistically Amery Rey Tuesta goes for a full-on sound, one that represents the power of community. Over the course of the album they bring together a wide variety of flourishes into…
This is a star-making moment. Doc La’s single “Look What They Did” is charting in Billboard at a number four position already and announces the arrival of an astonishing presence on the rap/hip hop scene. This is a laudable feat for any performer, any genre, but for a debut artist to chart so high marks…
Sung with a sense of intimacy Mark Reitenga’s “Unsung” rings with truth. Over the course of the collection Mark Reitenga touches upon relationships, passion, and social issues that have no easy answers. Arrangements possess a delicate nature to them with every nuance delivered with great vigor. By far the heart and soul of the songs…
Marty McKay sings for all those searching for freedom and meaning on the celebratory spirit of “New York City Dreams”. Downright glorious the songs are pure pop perfection. Volume reigns supreme for these songs are meant to be felt. Every song adds to the album’s narrative, one that embodies the hope that many pin to…
New Age is a type of genre, that has been heard of but maybe only heard once or twice for its genre. When it comes to Les Fradkin whose new song turned single “Reflections Of Love” off his new album “The New Age” set for release sometime this Spring, via Bongo Boy Records, Les Fradkin’s…
With a furious fiery attitude Dave’s Neck “The Girl with the Neck Tattoo” goes for the jugular. Colossal in scope these are songs that deserve to be blasted. Physicality reigns supreme over the collection as drums have almost a tribal quality to them. Rhythms sprawl themselves out moving as fast as they possibly can. The…
Sunny and optimistic Charles Parker’s “Bring Back the Sun” is an absolute delightful. Offering the best of alternative rock the songs are full of catchy hooks and infectious rhythms. Arrangements are downright exuberant while they help support the impassioned vocals that grace the sound. Lyrics serve as the front and center of the sound for…
Daisy Jopling’s “The Awakening” offers a sense of hope throughout these finely tailored eclectic arrangements. With strong roots in chamber pop, Daisy Jopling incorporates a wide variety of stylistic choices throughout the album. Classical, rock, pop, infused with a clear love of the theatrical make their way into the mix. Attention to detail is profound…
Tripp Denom’s “Coupe Life” glides by on chill vibes. With an all-encompassing lush sound the arrangement feels perfect. Percussion hits all the right notes, kept stripped down but still fully in force. Synthesizers sprawl out into luxurious textures letting the multi-layered kaleidoscopic rush of color. By far the heart and soul of the sound comes…
