Category: REVIEWS

CD and DVD reviews

viseMènn – “Begging You Please”

The new single “Begging You Please” by viseMenn is full of earthly tones and somber backing howls that will send chills down your spine. It is no wonder that this Norwegian band has been gaining traction within the indie rock community. I expect to hear much more from viseMenn in the coming months. This is…

VITNE – ‘Endless Blue’

Most would agree most popular artists out there have something truly special to give to their fans. This goes above the typical attributes like raw talent, amazing songs, nice voice, or even a very marketable look, sound and image. There’s something truly infectious at the core of these artists that simply makes us feel good…

Jas Patrick – ‘Inky Ovine’ EP

Ahhh…blues-infused rock, could there be a more illegitimate genre at times? I’m just saying, not defending, but if Robbie Williams can get himself and Pharrell Williams sued over “Good Times” then how the entire blues-rock industry doesn’t feed off each other in the courtroom for the licks, riffs and sounds they ALL borrow…is actually kinda…

Jordan Royale – ‘Detox’

Jordan Royale’s “Detox” is a tight album: tight rhythms and tight rhymes. Gargantuan in scope Jordan Royale’s style dominates. From the careful muscular compositions to Jordan Royale’s powerful raps, everything comes together perfectly. Made to be played as loud as possible the songs come together perfectly from the dubstep-influenced beats to the raw vocals. Indeed…

The Cla-Zels

Surging Cincinnati based 4 piece rock band The Cla-Zels just released a ground breaking new 12 song CD entitled “Set Your Ray To Stun” Exploring all facets of love, from the thrill of the strong emotion to questioning the definition of love and the downsides of loss and walking away, on “Stun” dives head first…

Ben Lorentzen – ‘America’ EP

One-man revolution, Ben Lorentzen, has just released the America EP into the world for all to hear. We’re Canadian-based…so we’ll see if we can simply hide under the umbrella of North America and see if we can relate to Ben’s music here today as we review his latest tunes. I certainly love the way this…

The Fox & The Hounds – ‘Peachy Keen’ EP

I had to look this one up despite being sure I hadn’t heard the music of The Fox & The Hounds…I wasn’t entirely sure we hadn’t come across them in the past somehow… As it turns out, I did look it up…and no, we haven’t reviewed The Fox & The Hounds before – how silly…

Drastic Andrew – ‘Live Without Warning’

New Mexico five-piece Drastic Andrew’s new album Live Without Warning is a wonderfully apt title for the collection. While there is an arch traditionalist quality informing each song, Drastic Andrew’s high gloss production invests the collection with a contemporary sound that nevertheless remains faithful to their essentially purist vision. The band’s particular brand of Americana…

Jerad Finck – ‘Criminal’

A significant populace might be wondering who this new kid on the block is. You might have heard some of his music, and you probably like it too, but you did not have any idea who the artist is. It happens at sometimes. I am a victim of that too. Jerad Finck is an American…

Mleo – ‘Sunken City’

Mleo’s “Sunken City” has a California cool to it. The songs are sun-drenched. With low-slung grooves that are distinctly their own they embody the mellow comfort of early summer when the warmth is welcome. For throughout the album Mleo creates approachable indie rock, no mean feat for a genre that is often defined by its…

Tacachale Chamber Orchestra – ‘Ocean Floor Funeral’

It is 1964, mom and dad have loaded all of us kids into our modern 1960 Ford Station Wagon, we are Oceanside bound for a day of salty fun. Mom packed a picnic basket full of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, our favorite bag of crunchy delicious crisps are included, and a jug of icy-cold…

Raelism – ‘Back To The Battlefield’ EP

A rad dose of the ultra-cool from the electro-world of Raelism. Meeting somewhere in the land between videogame themes and modern-day electro, this innovative glitchologist has created some pretty intense compositions here on Back To The Battlefield, an EP chockfull of innovative beats, smart samples and music that has tight grooves & clever beats. “Slightly…

Rev. Peter Unger – “Christmas Cards” Single

Here’s the thing…I’m just going to toss this warning out there to the entire independent community towards the end of October, which seems entirely too early for me to be doing so, yet the situation has already reared its carolling-head towards me…so I shall continue; make that Christmas music you’re planning on sending AMAZING…lest ye…

David St. Romain – ‘Glory’

The first song is entitled “If You Want It.” While I’d prefer it without the retro affects (organ and horn section), you can’t really argue with smoking hot blues like this. The vocals bring some great blues and soul on “Even the Bad Times Are Good.” I’m not all that sold on the old school…

Run Downhill – SPURS #2​.​2​/​Midnight Road Trip

Run Downhill is here again with another successful outing from musician/writer T.J. Troy a Grammy award winner in the Best Classical Compendium category. Similarly to the first issue, SPURS #2.2/Midnight Road Trip has a couple of components that is comic drawn by Chris McFann; written by Troy and an EP recorded by Troy’s band. Another…

Ann Wilson – ‘The Ann Wilson Thing’

The word legend means nothing here. Bantering that word around and slapping it on artists often means well, but frequently looks more like memorializing or pinning butterflies under glass. Ann Wilson, longtime lead singer and songwriter in the rock band Heart, has lent her considerable talents to four plus decades of memorable pop and rock…

Rachel Lee Ann – ‘Jesus I Adore You’

The new song ‘Jesus I Adore You’ which is also the title of the upcoming debut EP by Rachel is a true testimony of her journey into the gospel music scene and salvation as a whole. The song is a fusion of her previously successful musical prowess as well as the integration of the unique…

Didi DLicious – ‘Didi DLicious’

Didi DLicious’s self-titled debut is an album of glowing optimism. These songs display the difficulty but ultimately the joy of finding self fulfillment. Stylistically the songs range from gentle folk-tinged work to dance-rock. What ties these songs together is the narrative that Didi DLicious uses in forwarding the careful narrative that emerges from the songs…

Kimia Penton – ‘Lessons From Life And Love’ EP

It doesn’t even take a minute into the first song “My Kind Of Love” before you can hear the professional, confident approach to music that Kimia Penton has. On her new EP, she examines the Lessons From Life And Love among beautiful rhythms and fantastic melodies from her violin playing. It’s a combination I’m always…

Shotgun Holler – ‘Loaded’

Hailing from Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, the five members of Shotgun Holler are well versed in bluegrass and country music. Even a cursory listen to their debut album Loaded drives that point home. Their music goes a step beyond the traditional poses associated with the form and actively seeks to open up its relevance for…

Vienna Teng – ‘The Fourth Messenger’

“The Fourth Messenger” is the soundtrack of a new musical with book and lyrics by Tanya Shaffer and music and additional lyrics by Vienna Teng. Loosely inspired by the Buddha legend, it features Vienna Teng in the role of Mama Sid, a world-renowned spiritual teacher with a hidden past. Possessing a strong sense of pacing,…

Bruce Lev – “Jessica” (Feat. Juice Lucafo)

The Soundcloud write-up for this song is actually pretty interesting when you break it all down. The first thing you might notice is the outright confidence in this laid-back adult-contemporary track’s statement “FYC – “Jessica” will appear in the best “Arrangement, Instruments & Vocals” category.” Look out Grammy’s – cause the statement makes no claim…

J Burn – ‘Burnt Blue’ EP

San Francisco’s J Burn has one of those off-kilter combinations of Americana/Folk/Indie/Country/Rock that’s bound to throw you a little even despite their smooth-sound. As the Burnt Blue EP began, it was almost set for an all-ages type-feel…something about “Freight Train” made me feel as if I was about to pull into Shining Time Station to…

Bad Mary – ‘Killing Dinosaurs’

Bad Mary are a four-piece punk rock band hailing from Long Island, New York. Starting out as a covers band, they changed their name from Madame X in 2012 and Bad Mary was born. Their music is particularly inspired by the NYC punk movement of the late 1970’s and I would describe their music as…

Troy Lindsey – “It’s Not Your Fault” Single

As I’ve often mentioned here at sleepingbag – it’s always interesting to see & hear what people find themselves compelled to write about. Life is such a short and ridiculous thing, that short of being the Rolling Stones or U2, the chances of even making five full-albums is a challenge that often outruns the clock…

Andy Evans – “Miracle”

Miracle is a testament to the human spirit. Andy Evans adheres to a glistening version of pop. Every sound feels immaculate. The fidelity is brilliant and the songs are chock of full delightful hooks. By balancing both an old full sound with a sense of complexity, Andy Evans is able to do a great deal…

Bradley Gillis – “Santa Claus Is Rockin” Single

You wouldn’t have even believed the look on my face in realizing that in this ONE day, Christmas has been declared apparently…as I’m currently about to review my second Christmastime song of the day while it has yet to pass by Halloween or even start the final week of October. And no offense of course…

Bad Mary – ‘Killing Dinosaurs’ EP

Credit to this band…when I started up the Killing Dinosaurs EP by Bad Mary my first thoughts of comparison drifted right to the stylistic New York punk-scene…and as it turns out, that’s exactly where this four-piece band is plugging-in on the regular and base their music from. So there’s that to start, which is in…

Dream Aria – ‘Fallen Angel’

Dream Aria’s “Fallen Angel” radiates an intense power. The sounds is a hybrid of classical and metal, intermingling to create a unique blend. Intricate in scope greater volume allows the album’s flourishes to truly take shape. Lyrically the songs have a narrative sensibility and help to bind the songs together. At times Dream Aria weaves…

Chainflower – “The Broken & Lovely”

Big riffs and distant-drums echo throughout the first tune on the two-song EP from L.A.’s rock-band Chainflower, “Lewd Blues.” With just as much in common with classic-rock as it has with modern-day relevance, “Lewd Blues” stands-out for its combination of blues & rock wrapped into an alternative-style that’s near the edge of grunge without breaking…

Project Grand Slam – “Fire”

Jazz fusion, the marriage of jazz with popular song structures like those found in rock music, has fallen into mainstream disrepute. For one shining period in the 1970’s, acts like Weather Report, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Jeff Beck challenged the limits of rock and jazz while managing to integrate them into a hybrid of unique…

The Chords UK – ‘I Can’t Let Go’

“I Can’t Let Go” is a downright incredible piece of 70s British punk, nicely situated amongst the best of the Clash’s many hits. The Chords UK is aptly named for they are well-versed in tradition and expand upon it. Riffs are aplenty spread out. Everything fits in from the tight rhythms to the little touches.…

Trinadora – ‘Sounds’

Trinadora’s “Sounds” is a rollicking good time. Lyrically the songs celebrate the beauty of the world from the grandeur of majestic awe-inspiring nature to the sweetness of love. Stylistically Trinadora takes on a homespun approach offering up the best that Americana has to offer. A fully acoustic approach works wonders giving the songs a sense…

Kung Fu Jesus – ‘Celestial Gold’

Full of elastic sunny grooves and hopeful lyricism, Kung Fu Jesus’s “Celestial Gold” is an album of unbridled joy. The sound is an interesting hybrid of the old and the new without indulging in nostalgia. Instead Kung Fu Jesus’s approach is truly unique. By pairing the cheery melodies and endless grooves with his strong voice,…

Jus – ‘Obsession’ EP

It is truly not all that often that I hear rap that pulls me in close to listen like this latest EP from Jus has. Obsession plays at an authoritative level and demonstrates a real mastery of the hip-hop/rap genres – this is completely REAL as all-hell and I’m absolutely loving how HUGE these songs…

Sarah Borges – ‘Caught by the Rain’

Taunton, Massachusetts native Sarah Borges has been one of the indie music scene’s best kept secrets for a number of years. A lifetime working in musical settings of various sorts helped her blossom and her vocal and songwriting talents later long deserved mainstream exposure both as a creative force in her former band The Broken…

Sarantos – “You (Just) Don’t Have It”

“You (Just) Don’t Have It” possesses a sense of fun. With an infectious beat propelling the song forward, Sarantos displays great lyricism. The wit is undeniable as Sarantos sings from the point of view of the observer, of the one who is not impressed with pageantry. Here the lyrics focus on the idea that the…

Lozk – ‘Meaningless Words’

Lozk’s “Meaningless Words” positively teem with life. Reminiscent of Future Sound of London’s “Lifeforms” Lozk is able to create active electronic and organic sonic structures. By not overly relying on any one sound Lozk creates a psychedelic experience as the songs expand into the infinite. Mysterious at times and always surprising these are songs that…

The Tosspints – ‘The Privateer’

Growing old with rock and roll has its surprises. It’s easy to forget why you care or lose hope after years of pilfering through the enormous slush pile spawned by the Internet age. The same clichés keep smacking your ears, the same formulas are continuously milked for diminishing returns, and few ever seem the wiser.…

Rimi Basu – ‘The Unveiling’ EP

Ok ok Rimi Basu…I see how you wanna play this out now that I’ve heard the whole EP, The Unveiling; you think you can just up and go right ahead and redefine an entire genre of music with this clever combination of East meets West do you? Actually…after listening…that kind of makes a TON of…