Category: REVIEWS

CD and DVD reviews

Stewart Francke – ‘Stewart Francke’

Stewart Francke’s self-titled effort is played with a tremendous amount of heart and soul. These songs feel timeless in nature. Like a collection of long-lost classics there is something so intimate, so familiar throughout the album. His voice serves to center the album showing off a wide range from the celebratory to the sweet with…

Wiseproof – “More More More More”

Wiseproof’s “More More More More” effortlessly combines big beats and big ideas into a satisfying whole. His flow is absolutely incredible able to keep pace with the at times chaotic rhythms. Akin to glitch at times the relentless experimentation never gets in the way of the song’s irresistible catchiness. Carefully adding layer upon layer of…

Menimals – s/t

New releases are rarely as high concept as the Menimals debut. The four piece is self-described as “kraut rock with strong ambient influences”, but theatrical principles hold considerable sway. The band’s membership is American Doctor Forge on vocals joined by The Rat on drums, The Chimera on bass, and The Gryphon on guitar. Each of…

The Dearly Bereft – ‘Funeral Music’

Emerging out of a dreamy haze, The Dearly Bereft’s “Funeral Music” is surreal shoegaze. The Dearly Bereft focus on the spacious as their songs are atmospheric, almost airy with their crystal clarity. Complete balance is of the utmost importance as the band pays close attention to the smallest of details. Slow tempos certainly help this…

Rev Peter Unger – “Angels Wear the Strangest Faces”

“Angels Wear the Strangest Faces” shows off Peter Unger’s celebration of the everyday heroes. His lyrics focus on those who make the world a better place in ways that people often take for granted. Peter Unger describes a wide plethora of individuals from caregivers to teachers, those who change lives in small yet ultimately significant…

The Refusers – ‘Born To Rock’ EP

The Refusers tap into the rebellious spirit of rock n’ roll on “Born To Rock”. Chaotic and compelling the Refusers know how to create thoughtful highly intelligent pieces of infectious pop. Lyrically the songs focus on the disenfranchised. By opting for this style they balance elements of rock alongside economic equality. Employing a classic sound…

Alexandra – “Criminal”

Full of passion Alexandra’s “Criminal” is an infectious engaging piece of pop. Everything simply works from her undeniably strong vocals to the thoughtful lyricism. Nicely accompanying her voice are the impeccable arrangements which seem to nicely match her own chaotic and highly charged delivery. Perfectly balanced the song is a compassionate piece one that truly…

Vicky Emerson – ‘Wake Me When the Wind Dies Down’

Wisconsin native Vicky Emerson’s third full-length album, Wake Me When the Wind Dies Down, is an exceptional entry very much in the same tradition as Lucinda Williams, but also lead by more contemporary influences. The ten song collection is produced by Emerson’s longtime collaborator Matt Patrick and the production does well presenting these tracks in…

Oleg Frish – ‘Duets With My American Idols’

Oleg Frish was born and grew up in the USSR, but it couldn’t put a crimp into his love for American retro music. He would grab any chance to touch that culture, which was a forbidden fruit in the country ruled by the Soviet system back then. By his teens he had learned by heart…

Peter Unger – “I Am A Walking Man”

Peter Unger expresses his deep optimism in the world in the soothing tones of “I Am A Walking Man”. With crystal clarity Peter Unger leads the way throughout “I Am A Walking Man”. The slow yet gradual build is particularly satisfying. Every instrument adds to the passionate belief that serves as the song’s backbone. Meticulous…

Billy Ray Deiz – “Look Out My Window (Freedom’s Song)”

Billy Ray Deiz reigns on the west coast of the United States and has been involved with music majority of his life. He has quite the resume and has worked with some real heavy hitters in the music industry. His latest release, Look Out My Window (Freedom’s Song) is a perfect example as to why…

3logit

3logit’s sound effortlessly combines elements of arena rock and rave techno into a compelling whole. Akin to the work of Daft Punk and Justice, 3logit infuse humanity into electronic dance music. Their music is fast-paced, chaotic, and melodically sound. By operating such a wide variety of color into their songs they are able to create…

So Does You Mother

So Does You Mother is based in Rome. It was formed in 2009. They’d been working really hard before they launched their first full album called Neighbours (20th of June 2015). As they themselves put it, with the new album they “want to reveal themselves and their music; letting you enter, voluntarily or involuntarily, into…

The Metamorfosi – ‘Chrysalis’

Italian art rock outfit The Metamorfosi’s second album, Chrysalis, is their first English language release and represents a watershed moment in the band’s brief existence. Beyond the obvious implications of recording the album in English, The Metamorfosi’s latest work has impressive, Aristotelian unity. Chrysalis’ storytelling mode isn’t linear, however, but rather thematic and emotional. The…

Micheal Castaldo – “Everything Happens For a Reason (Dance Club Remix)”

Colossal in sound Micheal Castaldo’s “Everything Happens for a Reason” searches for meaning in the most trying times. Masterfully remixed by Tony Moran and Warren Riggs the song’s optimism is match by the driving rhythm, the crisp percussion, and the lumbering bass. The melody leads the way further emphasizing the song’s positive, inspirational message. Short…

L.A. Knights – ‘Psychoanalyze’ EP

There’s always going to be a market and an audience for big-anthem, riff-fueled, Rock-music – and as it turns out, looks like we’ve found one of its latest suppliers through the tunes of L.A. Knights and their new Psychoanalyze EP. While that audience for Hard-Rock and Metal isn’t usually found in me necessarily all that…

FLAUNT – “Jungle”

Well now! Somebody woke this band up! Flaunt’s new single “Jungle” is a wicked composition. Full of smartly controlled-chaos in a musical-style almost similar to Thom Yorke’s solo-work, Flaunt quickly separates themselves from that potential direction by taking “Jungle” into a truly soaring, anthem-esque atmosphere. Solid melody, but most importantly, they’ve got themselves an idea…

Charlie Funk – “Give Me A Groove” (EP)

I’d wager a bet that our man Charlie Funk is onto something here with his new EP, Give Me A Groove; I mean…hell, I’d give him one myself if I thought he could possibly use any more than he’s already got in him! He’s written this six-song set with sharp focus and a whole crew…

Taking Back Eden – “Beautiful Disaster”

Recalling the tenderness of Vashti Bunyan’s work, Taking Back Eden’s “Beautiful Disaster” is an absolute gem. The arrangement is impeccable with every instrument falling into the right place. Vocals express a fragile sensibility. Lyrically the song has a poetic dreamy quality to it. Production values absolutely shine through with everything from the strings to the…

Nathan Mathes – ‘Anajune Rival’

For better or for worse, Folk music (along the Roots genre in general) have earned a spot in today’s pop music. Thanks, perhaps to the advent of sub-cultures like the Hipsters and great bands such as Mumford and Sons and Of Moster and Men who have found the way to reinvent the genre by adding…

Spoken Life – ‘Reality’ EP

Solid progression, heavy atmospheres and emotions outline the new EP from Spoken Life, a one-man project from Anthony Irvin based out of Brookhaven, PA. You’ll find yourselves surprised at the direction that the music takes…it starts out with a bright, electro-infused, gentle-melody that’s close to an Owl City kind of sound on the opening title-track…

Scott Smith – ‘The Sum of Life’

Scott Smith’s “Sum of Life” is folk rock at its finest. Throughout “Sum of Life” Scott Smith weaves in a little tenderness, helping to give these songs a certain charm. His earnest, forthright vocal delivery serves as the album’s core. Lyrically the songs have a sense of reassurance that helps guide them forward. By letting…

The Rideouts – ‘Heart & Soul’

Here they come – the bold Italian mafia called The Rideouts with their third album Heart & Soul. Brazen, cool and provocative, – that’s the mixture of the hot Italian blood, rock-n-roll and soul with some secret ingredients and spices. Shake well, it’s going to be hot! You don’t really need to know much about…

Boskovic – ‘A Temporary Lapse of Heaven’

Luca Boskovic Bonini, artistically known simply as Boskovic, was born in Vicenza on a cold December day in 1970. He inherited his passion for music from his father, who daily listened to classical music and was mostly attracted to Beethoven, Bach and Vivaldi. When he is 12, he casually buys a Beatles long play record…

Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Episode 1077 “Love Tower”

The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show is proud to present the latest episode in their Rock N’ Roll TV Show series, “LOVE TOWER”, bringing the audience 7 talented independent artists in 1 special ½ hour TV show. This Bongo Boy TV produced episode premiered Tuesday, 15th March 2016 in Portland, OR on Channel…

Karen Willough – “Tra Le Tue Braccia”

Karen Willough’s “Tra Le Tue Braccia” is a reverie. Beautifully sung in Italian, Karen Willough’s voice shines through with crystal clarity. Accompanying her masterful passionate vocals are hushed whispers of sound. Together everything works to create lovely layers of sound. The balance is ideal as Karen Willough manages to veer from the near silent to…

Ramsey – “See You Bleed”

The last impression I’d want any of you to get from this review is that I only have a lot to say about Ramsey’s new single “See You Bleed” because I’ve been away from posting for so long as we switched the location of the studio from Abbotsford, BC to Ottawa, Ontario. If I go…

Klyve – “Rise”

“Rise” is an inspirational collection led by Klyve’s undeniable inviting voice. Full of bright color the songs positively shimmer with hope. The sense of purpose that drives the pieces forward is palpable as is Klyve’s uplifting lyrics. In fact, the lyrics are what help to tie together the entire collection helping to outline an entire…

Teknofonic Essentials Vol. 1

Sonic Fear’s “I’ll Be Your World” opens the collection off on a light and airy note. The sound is a luxurious one that increases in intensity. At times Sonic Fear’s “I’ll Be Your World” embodies a delightful trance pop stance. Nimble guitar work introduces Daniel Monroe’s “Novacaine”. From such humble origins the song veers further…

Spacebear – ‘Straight for the Sun’

Spacebear is a high-octane power trio hailing from Texas and their guitar-based attack on Straight for the Sun will leave a mark on listeners. The band advertises themselves as an outfit just as apt to make you laugh as they will make you think, but it will be deliciously difficult for many listeners to disengage…

Todd Apfel – ‘Reflections’ EP

Sung straight from the heart, Todd Apfel’s “Reflections EP” is a true joy. Arrangements are playful nicely accompanying the tender thoughtful lyricism. Remarkably inviting Todd Apfel manages to create leisurely songs that reflect upon the simple pleasures in life. Throughout the collection Todd Apfel shows off his impressive arrangements, from the giddy sound that opens…

RJ Comer – ‘Nightly Suicide’

Formerly the front man of the Dance Hall Pimps, RJ Comer redefines his musical style with a stripped down version of Americana Rock. RJ released his new single “Nightly Suicide” on February 26th with an accompanying music video due out March 7th. This is first single off of his upcoming EP also named, Nightly Suicide…

Hobbsy – ‘Risen From The Dead’

Sometimes we need a break even from something we are deeply in love with, to see it from another perspective, from the sidelines, to make up our minds to go for something we’ve always aspired to, but had one thing or another impeding it; to give it a try. So did the ex-bass player of…

Dead Air Republic – ‘…With Extreme Prejudice’

Aptly named, Dead Air Republic’s “…With Extreme Prejudice” takes no prisoners. This is music that deserves to be played as loudly as possible. Dead Air Republic makes the kind of music that bludgeons the listener into submission. David Maltais and Richard Bent do phenomenal work with their blistering guitar solos that aim for the heavens.…

Pat Campo – “Clouds in my Head”

Using a collage of styles and sounds Pat Campo’s “Clouds in my Head” is infectious indie rock done right. Pat Campo’s approaches vary across the many pieces and his wide range recalls Beck’s early, playful work. Elements of pop, dance, folk, psychedelic, and more are woven together into a coherent satisfying whole. Vocals help to…

Rfd Pioneer – ‘Home Run’

Optimism is at the very core of Rfd Pioneer’s “Home Run”. Production is pitch perfect with the crisp footwork production particularly fine. Rfd Pioneer’s flow is incredible. Fast-paced while still highly articulate, Rfd Pioneer strikes the balance between the clever and celebratory. This is the kind of song that needs to be felt as much…

Monique Angele – ‘Answers’

The very first chords of the song Answers by Monique Angele, – a Canadian singer-songwriter, now living in Sydney, Australia, – let me see that we’d got something interesting here. Having listened to all the songs from her recently released EP of the same name, I’d only convinced in that. It is about everything the…

SUPERSONIC BLUES MACHINE WEST OF FLUSHING – ‘SOUTH OF FRISCO’

SBM consists of Lance Lopez on guitar and vocals, Fabrizio Grossi on bass, and Kenny Aronoff on drums. There’s some interesting collaborations with blues veterans Billy F. Gibbons, Walter Trout, Warren Haynes, Robben Ford, Eric Gales, and Chris Duarte. Buy: http://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/supersonic-blues-machine Running Whiskey has a distinctive ZZ Top sound, probably because it was co-written by…

AUNT MARY – ‘NEW DAWN’

In the 1970’s, Aunt Mary was Norway’s answer to progressive rock. After breaking up in 1973, they got together on occasion to perform. Now, years later, they’re back. The original singer and drummer had since passed away and were replaced. The current lineup consists of Bjorn Kristiansen on guitar, Bernt Bodal on bass, Glenn Lyse…

Sarantos – “The Silence Doesn’t Bother Me”

Brash, bold, and beautiful Sarantos sings a song of defiance on “The Silence Doesn’t Bother Me”. Meant to be played as loud as possible the song is one of celebration. Lyrically the song explores not having to conform to any expectations. The message is one of rising above the confines of what may be socially…