CD and DVD reviews
Kansas City based vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Sterling Witt’s fifth full length release, Satyagraha, debuts his latest configuration, a power trio with Witt on six string and vocals, Jesse Gilpin on drums, and Davy Langerak playing bass and tambourine. The album title references a term Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi used in the early 20th century…
When The Clock Strikes creates a high energy, high speed rush of sound on “The Better Friends EP”. Downright infectious and full of catchy hooks throughout the songs are delivered with a true sense of urgency. Rhythms are chaotic, nearly out of control, as they effortlessly tap into the spirit of the best of EMO…
Pat G’s “The In Between EP” shows off a forceful flow and luxurious usage of stylish samples. Beats hit hard and the bass is downright perfect in its delivery. Lyrics are highly articulate in nature as they reveal a poetic sensibility. Grooves are infectious as Pat G reveals great taste and attention in how he…
Jared Mancuso’s “Superdope” taps into a playful, freewheeling kind of indie rock. Over the course of the album Jared Mancuso incorporates elements of classic, alternative, and indie rock into a satisfying whole. Reminiscent of Weezer’s early 90s work the pieces linger in the mind long after they are over. The true highlight of the album…
Scottish-born singer/songwriter Kathy Muir’s third album, Second Life, likely represents her peak to this point. Each successive release since her debut has built off its predecessor’s advances and this eleven song collection stands as the fullest realization of her songwriting vision yet. Each of the songs has an identifiable signature – the curiosity with shifting…
The latest release from Angie and the Deserters, a six song EP entitled You, continues to build on her rapidly blossoming reputation as one of the best vocals working today within the Americana genre. Her voice has remarkable versatility – she is as adept at gentle balladry as she is bucket of blood blues, ala…
Airdrop’s “Serotonin Sunrise” taps into the spirited vibes of garage rock done. With a playful, loose style they come out truly swinging. Similar to the incredible band Harlem, Airdrop feels like that band cleaned their act up a little bit. Indeed, these arrangements are delivered with a bit of polish. The attention to detail is…
Southern Florida power trio The Von have returned with the follow-up to 2015’s debut album, Ei8gt, a three song EP entitled 3nity. The interval between the releases saw the three piece score a double showcase at the South by Southwest Festival and a national summer tour. Their music licensing has been an important component in…
Nicely tapping into the theatrical essence of glam rock, Von Konow’s “Cosmic” is a pure delight. Arrangements are pitch perfect as Von Konow creates a constantly shifting sea of sound, one that incorporates elements of classical, ambient, and rock into such a satisfying swirl of sound. By far the highlight of the song is Von…
On “Professor Works Laboratory Vol. 2” Chucky Workclothes offers snapshots of a life lived most fully, with perfect articulate flows and entire stories emerging out of these lush, exuberant arrangements. Attention to detail is profound, as samples are chosen with the utmost of care. Throughout the album Chucky Workclothes lets these songs interact with each…
The third album from Stefanie Keys and her San Francisco based five piece, Open Road, continues adding to Keys’ unusual and individualistic blend of soul, rock, and Americana in one package. The ten song collection, produced by Dave Shul and Peter Keys, frames her compositions beautifully and professionally while never draining them of the air…
Graduate of the prestigious Belmont University songwriting course and an award winner, Josh Birdsong has debuted with the memorable five song EP Simple Geometry. Birdsong’s work mixes a strong singer/songwriter aesthetic with studied, quite evocative production. The production touches are never arbitrary additions – every decision made on Simple Geometry serves a larger purpose and…
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood has announced the November 4 release of ‘If You Lived Here, You Would Be Home By Now,’ a companion EP arriving just three months after their critically acclaimed studio album, ‘Anyway You Love, We Know How You Feel.’ The five track collection, includes “New Cannonball Rag,” “Shadow Cosmos” and “Roan County…
The first full length studio release from New Orleans based The Good for Nothin’ Band, Maniac World, is a ten song collection introducing the five piece to the world at large with flair and chops for days. New Orleans native and chief songwriter Jon Roniger leads the band through a musical vision fueled from two…
The debut solo effort from Fort Lauderdale based singer/songwriter Alex Di Leo, So We Go, marks his first work since the 2014 dissolution of the band Wyld Fly. He maintains a solid configuration for this EP, two guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards, and it is an ideal musical fit for the collection’s six songs. The…
Brooke Barry creates a beautiful ballad with “Mirror”. Over the course of the song her voice soars majestically. The arrangement is pitch-passion and delivered with the utmost of passion. Sung with a hint of poetry the song’s colorful imagery works wonders in creating a dreamy sensibility. How the song builds up is quite elegant indeed…
Monsta Kodi’s “Wipe Your Tears” is a heartfelt, tender piece. With a truly positive, inspiring message Monsta Kodi explores exactly how breast cancer effects a person and those who love them. The lyrics are thoughtful as they examine what kind of choices a person must make, along with the level of support a person needs…
Sophisticated, tasteful, and with a true sense of style Lawrence Blatt’s “Longitudes & Latitudes” is an unbridled joy. Optimism fills each and every piece as they come together to create a rich tapestry of sound. The sunniness of the sound is undeniable as Lawrence Blatt effortlessly brings together of New Age, Smooth Jazz, Bossa Nova,…
The debut release from Juliet Huns, Behind the Scenes, is a three song EP introducing Huns’ talents to the music listening public in an ideal fashion. There’s a broad based approach characterizing these three songs that prevents labeling them as just one thing. This is pop music, but it’s a cut above the usual…
Troy Lindsey has a wandering soul and the journeys can be heard in the lyrics of his songs. He wears his life on his sleeves with his latest single, One Drop. He paints articulate pictures through the words of his songs. Hard times, long roads and living life to the fullest, shape each song, creating…
Lynne Taylor Donovan is a recognized Canadian country artist that has been working the scene for years building a following of dedicated listeners. Her soft, dreamy vocals are just the right amount of sweet for this latest single, Am I Dreaming. Donovan never disappoints. She has a gentle, caring tone that is warm and refreshing.…
Tim Toz and Joy Tolbert, long time music veterans, have learned how to adept to a world forever altered. Tolbert lodged time in the 1980’s as a member in an all-girl band named Starchild who turned up in all the major NYC clubs of the day. Multi-instrumentalist Tim Toz is also a songwriter, producer, and…
Full of searing guitar licks and lyrics that pierce the soul, One Way Ride’s “Put Me On” exemplifies rock n’ roll’s very best. Throughout their album they tap into a bluesy vein that too many bands have forgotten. Downright rollicking with its wonderful, carefully crafted rhythms, the songs sprawl out luxurious. Vocal harmonies rest at…
Float Like A Buffalo embraces a celebratory, carefree spirit on “Enjoy the Ride”. Lyrically they embrace a sense of optimism in the future, as their highly articulate storytelling gives small snapshots from a life lived most fully. How they are able to tie in small moments to a large scope on how life comes together…
Jokatech, a stage name for Jason K. Addae, is one of the transformational artists who come into a genre usually once or twice during a given decade. Sometimes these rare voices are able to translate their unique talents into lasting careers; other times, forces within and without conspire to cut those rising talents off mid-flight.…
Delivered with true spirit is the impassioned work of John Michael Hersey’s “You Got To Me”. John Michael Hersey’s vocals serve as the heart of the album as his expressive lyricism works wonders. Carefully crafting an intricate narrative over the course of the album John Michael Hersey explores the concept of relationships and the many…
Sarantos injects a sense of fun and cheer on the playful sound of “A Halloween Song”. Opting for a slightly retro style, the song has a jaunty, loose feel to it. The lyrics throughout reveal a sense of mischief, and Sarantos helps to embody this spirit. Hooks are aplenty throughout the song, either through the…
One Man Rock Band’s “Basket Of Deplorables” captures a raw visceral sense of power. Deserving to be blasted as loud as possible, the song’s defiance works wonders. By far the heart and soul of the track rests with the commanding, shouted lyrics that rise above the rollicking hard-hitting rhythms Throughout the track it is the…
Fernando Perdomo’s “Voyeurs” is a deeply reassuring, kind album that recalls the best of 70s singer-songwriters. Downright beautiful his work recalls the 70s revivalist work of Tobias Jesso Jr. and Whitney. By far the highlight of the album are the dreamy gentle vocals of Fernando Perdomo whose lyrics emphasize togetherness, hope, and faith in others.…
Miss Eaves creates a physical, highly sensual experience with “Hump Day”. Her voice is by far the highlight of the song. Delivered with a sense of true passion the elastic, airy percussion skitters above her carefully crafted lyrics. Lyrically the song is one that focuses on the ultimate sense of pleasure that can drive a…
The TRUMPetts move forward with a great sense of power on the undeniably spirited “Trump Train”. Filled with a true sense of community the song captures the energy of a jubilant campaign stop. Infectious to its very core the song is gargantuan in scope as the melodies and stomping rhythms work wonders for the sound.…
On “The Heart and Soul – I’ll Never See You Again (EP)” INDOSURF effortlessly blend together punk, alternative rock, and reggae into a seamless whole. Featuring a summery vibe to the sound INDOSURF’s laid back approach works wonders for them. Every song has its own specific style to it as they let a narrative form…
Hannah Telle taps into the loveliness of late 60s and early 70s AM pop exuberance with “Hollow Glow”. With a laid temperament akin to a mix of Jessica Pratt and Mac DeMarco’s work, the songs unfurl with a sense of true style. Vocals are positioned front and center over the course of her mellowed sounds.…
Jack Mosbacher Band’s “Sunny Songs for Shady People” presents a joyful, exuberant take on the best of pop. With the songs presenting a celebration of sorts, the entire album feels akin to a mere snapshot of a moment in a person’s life. From the relationships, the ups, the downs, the way the Jack Mosbacher Band…
Rev Peter Unger delivers a beautiful rumination on how the problems of the world can drag a person down with “Fall Away”. Opting for a 70s singer-songwriter stripped down approach the piece is perfectly balanced. Production glistens as the inclusion of the electric guitar within the mix results in helping to further emphasize the tender…
Fire to the Stars delve into the deeply emotional with the moving “Stay Down”. A sense of melancholy defines the piece as it unfurls slowly but surely. Reminiscent of Low’s early works which focused on mood more than speed, this is a song that truly ensures that every aspect of the sound is perfected. Effortlessly…
Marrying elements of classical, raga, and the blues into a satisfying whole, “Falling Snowflakes” is a tender piece that shows off the undeniable skill of Paul Graves. Paul Graves uses a loose yet nimble approach to his guitar work, which at times recalls the American Primitive Guitar work of John Fahey. By opting for such…
Like any band who have been labelled pioneers of their genre, The Pop Group are an acquired taste to those outside their own fan base. Though they are largely responsible for transitioning punk to post-punk, the ironically named band struggle with their own defined persona. This is obvious on new album Honeymoon on Mars, Their…
Effortlessly blending elements of punk and folk into a satisfying whole, Young Beard’s “The Big September” is an absolute delight. Recalling Modest Mouse’s early work, the sound has a raw immediate impact to it. The way the pieces build up feels quite naturalistic. Lyrics have a poetic raw quality to them, as if Young Beard…
New Jersey based Water Street formed the way all great bands do – organically. The band’s story began in 2011 with vocalist/guitarist Dave Paulson performing solo. Claire McNulty soon joined him as a second vocalist, guitarist, and pianist. They soon adopted the rather natural moniker of “Dave & Claire” and giggled as much as possible.…
