CD and DVD reviews
Hannah Ayrault, like many young men and women before and after her, has planted her flag in Music City U.S.A., Nashville Tennessee, in hopes of finding fame and fortune. It’s a sign of her confidence that she makes such a move at nineteen years old and the five songs on her debut EP, Me Right…
Jillian Kohr’s “Free” is an impeccable ode to living life on one’s own terms. Defiant at times Jillian Kohr creates a compelling series of songs. Her lyrics tie the pieces together creating a snapshot of a person. All a person’s hope, dreams, and disappointments are captured fully and completely. Behind her is a band that…
The Love Load is a rock/metal/punk band from Washington D.C. consisting of just three enthusiasts: Ted Watts (bass, vocals), Ben Azzara (drums), Blaine Misner (guitar, back vocals). On December 14, 2015 they released their new EP called Metal Mothman. The main figure of the album is the Mothman, the cryptid that was widely discussed by…
Opening things up is the undeniable swagger of Mark Lindsay’s “Like Nothing You’ve Seen”. Formerly the lead singer of the 60s band Paul Revere & the Raiders, Mark Lindsay’s “Like Nothing You’ve Seen” has a retro playful feel, courtesy of a strong guitar riff and just the right amount of organ. Absolutely joyful the song…
Tyler Colt’s “Back To The Start” is a perfect kind of pop. With carefully crafted lyrics and a catchy melody the song builds up into something so extraordinary. Opening up with a muted guitar hook the song comes into full bloom after the swinging rhythm comes into the picture. Articulate lyrics reflect the kind of…
Jack the Radio’s “Badlands” deserves to be blasted as loud as possible. Packed to the brim with intricate arrangements Jack the Radio’s music positively soars. Aiming for the skies Jack the Radio goes for an epic all-encompassing sound. With a multitude of divergent styles married together (country with indie, hard rock with blues) Jack the…
Sung straight from the heart Small Town Sound’s “For Mama EP” is Americana at its absolute best. Lyrically these songs describe the day to day life of living honestly with oneself. Tuffy Casteel’s voice conveys this sense of purpose with crystal clarity. At times Tuffy Casteel’s vocals recall Rob Thomas at his absolute best. Besides…
Esco Santerio was a prophet. He foretold of a day when two young men embark on a quest for musical enlightenment. In the same place Buddha embarked on his 49 day journey, Under the Bodhi Tree has created a sacred place of musical exploration, comprising of Duncan Newland-Thompson, Jaymic Volz and Paul Depew, these rockers…
Canadian singer/songwriter Claudia Norris has been writing her own tunes since the age of 14 and singing since she was a little kid, so she definitely has experience under her belt at this point. Shine is her third EP release in which tips the hat to her influences Hilary Duff, Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson’s…
Chicago native and Berklee School of Music graduate Josh Phillips may have a stellar musical pedigree, but his EP release New Beginnings never sounds like he’s slumming it. Phillips makes his home these days in Nashville, Tennessee and has embraced the AOR/pop country style with comfortable assurance. This six song collection is slick, expertly produced…
The Bongo Boy Rock N’ Roll TV Show is proud to present the latest episode in their Rock N’ Roll TV Show series, “It’s Our Season For Music Celebration”, bringing the audience 7 talented independent artists in 1 special ½ hour TV show. This Bongo Boy TV produced episode premiered Tuesday, 16th February 2016 in…
‘Mr. Midi Guitar’ himself, Les Fradkin, brings to you a hot off the press album that’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before! The record features eight, digitally remastered compositions from previous albums and one brand new recording for 2016 titled “Ode To Joy”. What you get here is a musical montage of innovative richness and…
Not too much debate about the world-region you’d find Jake Aldridge in after hearing the infamous UK-accent as he starts into the first verse of his brand-new single “Give You The World.” Not really sure if even I could put my finger on exactly what it is about Hip-Hop/Rap-music that tends to come from all…
“Angels Are Found” shows off Rev 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. Rev Peter Unger describes a wide plethora of individuals from caregivers to teachers, those who change lives in small yet ultimately significant…
The first single by Malaysian vocal quintet “Voice of Men”. Track called “This Is My War” held the number 1 in the radio charts for 11 weeks. This success is obvious, as a holistic impression of the song captures a wide audience and inspires. The single is released by the Awakening Records (British label which…
“4PACK ENT. Presents. MACKronyms” is a collection delivered with a sense of urgency. With lyrics that describe in vivid detail, the songs each possess their own unique narrative. The narratives are wonderful with a balance of brash boastful raps alongside those that delve deep into the problems faced by millions across America. Incredible production values…
Naomi K is an Australian, Dutch transport now living in Los Angeles, showing America what she has to offer with her latest single, Who Knew. She is a nice refreshing difference from the average and setting the bar higher than ever before. This heart felt ditty warms the soul from the inside out. Audio: https://www.reverbnation.com/naomik/song/25198851-who-knew…
Champ de Mars is a group founded by singer-songwriter David Emerick, who has been an active front-man of various alternative and indie bands in the California area since the nineties. The most successful of his groups, Bellstar, worked the bay area for a solid eight years and released two albums. After Bellstar, Emerick moved to…
Catharsis. It’s a word bandied around in artistic circles when attempting to describe the personal nature of specific works. Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, Neil Young’s Tonight’s the Night, seminal albums like those and more are billed as uniquely revealing musical and lyrical products informed by grief and enormous individual loss. I write these…
Sarantos captures joy and passion on “Valentine’s Day”. Irresistibly catchy the song’s melody is an absolute pleasure. A wonderful hook guides the song forward. Carefully arranged the true center of the song is Sarantos’s strong assured voice rising above. Everything simply works from the tender sound of the guitars to the gentle rhythm that anchors…
Alright…here’s what I don’t expect at any given point in time; to like a song with a title calling it “Pickup Truck.” Instantly picturing tailgate-parties and redneck family-reunions…I was more than pleasantly surprised that Avi Jacob was nothing at all like I’d imagined he’d sound on his new single “Pickup Truck” – there are no…
The Morning Sea’s “Mal de Mer” is a triumphant album. Everything works: from the intricate arrangements to the highly articulate lyrics, the songs are filled with color. Passionate in tone these are pieces that teem with life. At times reminiscent of the Decemberist’s careful arrangements and penchant for storytelling the songs are joyful in nature.…
Reflectivore is from Duluth Minnesota. Formed by Allen Cragin and Ryan Rusch and recorded at Rusch’s The Weight Room (studio) in Washburn Wisconsin. Longtime friends that have been writing music together and had the focus intensify towards Reflectivore after Allen’s wife passed away last year. Reflectivore worked very recently with True Norse Films on a…
Ahmed El-Motassem’s “This Great Embarrassment of Being!” showcases a unique voice in the musical universe. With highly articulate, thought provoking lyrics Ahmed El-Motassem explores what it means to be alive in this moment. Environmentalism, one’s place in the world, philosophical discourse, all of this is laid bare through Ahmed El-Motassem’s carefully crafted stories that serve…
“Dream of You” is an album full of joy. Lyrically the songs are optimistic and sunny. Her songs focus on the future that helps people move forward, as her combination of storytelling and hope feel particularly satisfying. Arrangements are meticulous. Stylistically “Dream of You” effortlessly blends together elements of folk, country, and rock into a…
More than impressed with what Jesse’s doing here on his latest EP Primal Scream. Dude is a hell of a songwriter…and not only am I fortunate enough that his talents reside inside a style of music that I can’t get enough of, but as it turns out, Jesse’s not alone and has an entire band…
Jennifer Hope’s “Bring Me To Life” is a defiant triumphant song. Sounding akin to a lovely mixture of the Cocteau Twins mixed with a little metal, the song is positively dreamy. With hazy textures given a little edge, Jennifer Hope’s voice guides it the rest of the way. The slow build helps to emphasize the…
Art Folk. I like that term. I like how it fits the music of Oakes & Smith…from what I can hear in their new EP, they’re deserving of such an apt-title for the songs they’re writing. The pictures online make it seem like Robert Oakes and Katherine Smith are closer-than-close…but any romantic-link would only be…
Airy Jeanine’s “Do You” is a perfect pop song dedicated to unrequited love. Backed by crisp percussion the song positively bounces. The infectious groove is made just right, not too fast or slow, “Do You” glides by ever so gently. Neon-hued synthesizers help to lead the song forward. Lyrically the song reflects upon the infinite…
Chris Lind has become a driving force in the New York City music scene. “A dazzling singer-songwriter a la Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake…” – Chronogram Magazine. He’s developed a unique and personal sound, defined by soaring vocals and hauntingly beautiful melodies. Beyond a solid background in rock and jazz, Chris spent a year studying…
Boston-based alternative pop band The Wild Waiting has released a debut EP, Stay Gold, capable of reminding you there are only a few new things under the sun. The collection is a pleasing and seamless synthesis of alternative rock sensibilities stretched to their snapping point by elongated melody and lush quasi-orchestral textures. They maintain impressive…
An Elegy for the Lost City by Johnny Goldstein is an ebook that uniquely doubles as a soundtrack. It marks a milestone that is the 10th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by sharing the deep-rooted traditions and lifestyle of Louisiana through five families beginning in 1707 to present day. Goldstein is an award-winning composer, songwriter, guitarist,…
I had the chance to interview Pat Baer back in August, (http://skopemag.com/2015/08/07/moving-two-steps-forward-into-the-right-direction-with-pat-baer), and I knew then that she was an upbeat, positive person. And that is exactly what you are getting on her new album ‘Make the Best of It’. The record features 11 tracks where “Make the Best of it” & “Turn It Around”…
Ray Andersen, better known as Mr. Ray, is an accomplished musician who has had much success in the area of Children’s music for the last 20 years. Mr. Ray was 2013 & 2014 Top 10 Best-Selling Kids’ Artist according to Billboard Magazine and should be this year too with ‘No Room For Bullies’. This new…
With strong passionate vocals embodying a sense of hope, Dom Mar Kz’s “When It’s Tough To Be You” is a warm comforting song. Lyrically the song emphasizes the sense of togetherness. A narrative forms that explains exactly the same of loneliness that can seem to overwhelm a person. The story told throughout the song is…
Dr Compressor creates dark downtempo on the shadowy “Doctor’s Orders”. Spacious with its elaborate sound Dr Compressor weaves in a wide variety of samples throughout the collection. Lush grooves dominate the collection. Bass lines are incredible throughout the entirety of the collection. Engrossing in their intricate detail Dr Compressor at times feels reminiscent of Nightmares…
Based out of Long Island, NY, Gnarly Karma is a memorable four piece rock/fusion band quickly making a formidable reputation for themselves in one of the nation’s toughest music markets. Their aspirations to a fusion label aren’t understated – Gnarly Karma’s instrumental attack brings together a number of seemingly incongruous elements into a compelling musical…
Sweet Honey in the Rock has a long, illustrious history as one of music’s preeminent performing entities. The six piece female a cappella unit has long merged a social mission with their musical aims, but rather than tackling longstanding issues with a heavy-handed or dated manner, they consistently portray the realities of modern life for…
Robert Nash creates a compelling environment on the expressive and lovely “The Ghost of Your Old Love”. Conjuring up images of early Elliott Smith records (specifically “Roman Candle”) the songs are full of life. Impeccably arranged the entire album is perfectly sequenced with the album best taken in as a whole. Serving as the heart…
Third International is an interesting project from New York but has roots in England. The band was formed, in 2010 as a vehicle for my songs. I wrote and performed around the world for many years, took a couple decades off and found myself inspired by the new music that was coming out. I had…
