CD and DVD reviews
Of the three albums by Azaima Anderson I’ve had the opportunity to hear, I think this is my second favorite. Each has its charms. Each is distinct from the others, too. Yet, there is a lyrical magic that runs through all of her music. That is, in many ways, the defining element. I love the…
Bold and beautiful, Ivan Iusco’s “Transients” is a powerful work. Elegantly weaving together electronic and classical elements, the pieces teem with life. From the incredible sweeping swings to the propulsive intense beats, everything works wonders. Stylistically the sound ranges from Max Richter’s subdued sounds to the labyrinth of patterns typically heard from Autechre. Whatever ultimate…
Stylish and sophisticated, Delta Deep’s self titled debut is an undeniable triumph. Effortlessly blending elements of jazz, rock, and soul with the heart of the blues underpinning it all, the effect is dazzling. Tying it all together is Debbi Blackwell-Cook’s powerful vocals restrained and rollicking often within the same song. Behind her is a band…
Craymo is an LGBT indie unsigned artist, bringing a sound that is reminiscent to the 90s, especially in his upbeat track “Be Myself.” In this pop anthem Craymo simply speaks out that it is ok to be who you are. “Be Myself” https://soundcloud.com/craig-raymo-1/be-myself-craymo-master Although the LGBT community has made amazing strides in the past year…
Rev Peter Unger’s “Christmas Cards” recalls the sweetness of the season. The arrangement is simple and tasteful. Kept airy the piece has a warmth to it akin to that of a fireplace. With his strong reassuring voice Rev Peter Unger brings everything together as he describes an ideal Christmas. A narrative ties the entirety of…
Observers often compare Courtney Chambers to artists as diverse as Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow. While such comparisons are sometimes helpful for selling singles and tickets, they often miss the artistic point. Chambers emerges from Tales of the Aftermath as an artist never beholden to her influences. Her songwriting follows a similarly individualistic slant. Far…
Been pretty fortunate lately to have been revealing some pretty killer & innovative hip-hop as of late; mind you…some of it’s been spent behind the scenes in a few video-interviews…but let me tell ya – the wordsmiths are out there right now…and they’re ready to claim their spot at the top of the charts. Case…
With a genuine combination of American soul and an upbeat pop-rock style, Harmonay has emerged as impressive artists to me from the New York area. I get the impression a singer-songwriter like Harmonay probably composes in an eclectic style borrowing from blues/folk/Americana music, combined with a college/rock/pop aesthetic. His lyrics share a passionate yet self-depreciating…
Recalling the jazz rock perfectionist tendencies of Steely Dan, Gideon King & City Blog’s self-titled debut proves that jazz is alive and well. Lyrically the songs are biting showing the same level of thought and care as the tasteful timeless arrangements. Throughout City Blog the lyrics manage a balance between the deeply affecting and the…
In an age where so many bands are reiterations on the same theme, Stephen Monroe’s “The Devil” feels refreshing honest. Full of true grit and soul, the song has a raw intimate quality to it. Vocals are straight from the heart. Kept to the absolute basics the fidelity is pristine. With the guitar as his…
Temporary Hero’s “CHET” is a stunningly brilliant take on Chet Baker’s work. With tasteful electronic arrangements akin to Andy Stott’s delicate work, CHET is something truly special. Sounds are perfectly polished with every sound glistening. Melodies radiate warmly. Tempos owe quite a bit to the dub-techno work of Rhythm and Sound. Remarkably creative the vocals…
Fiery and funky, Tomás Doncker’s “This Mess We Made” hits hard. These are songs directly from the heart. With close attention to thoughtful lyricism the songs possess deep meaningful messages. Indeed, vocals are the focal point of the album. Everything else revolves around Tomás Doncker’s vocals. Rhythms are infectious, riffs are playful, and there is…
At the first instance, I thought that Paul Meadow was a single person, but later on I realized that I was entirely wrong. Apparently, it is the autograph of the Brooklyn duo that features Chris Lee and Stirling Krusing. Starting off in their native borough, I have to attest to the fact the group is…
Keez’s “Water Creatures” is a lush polychromatic album. Neon-hued with night vibes the songs possess infectious grooves and careful attention to detail. Playful in tone the songs have a party atmosphere that ties everything together. Airy in tone the songs range in style from the light on their feet dance work of “The Game” to…
C’nky Siwela has a video for his single, My Name in the Echo. Siwela has gained a new fan out of me. Reigning from South Africa this young flautist infuses a pop dance tune with a powerful emotional concept. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1g6w2xj3BE I watched the video countless times and it brought a mixture of tears…
So across my desk slides the new 9 track CD from Nashville based 3 piece band “My Politic.” “My Politic” are: Kaston Guffey (vocals/guitar), Nick Pankey (bkg.vocals/guitar), Wilson Conroy (bkg.vocals/banjo/dobro mandolin, banjo). During my initial research of these 3, there were a few lines from their bio that I really liked: It all began back…
I am completely impressed with this new-single from The Humble Grapes – let me just say that straight-up and right off the bat. There’s plenty of reasons why…and we’ll get into them all – “Brooklyn Bridge” is a potential crossover-hit that could appeal to a massive range of people from male to female, young &…
Sometimes you just know when you’re running into a future-voice of music. You get that chill on your spine…that tingle that comes from listening to something truly magical and truly special. In the case of Bitter’s Kiss – that magic is supplied by the young Chloe Baker, who is already well on her way to…
Gordy Hunt composes richly-layered tunes about life, heartbreak, love, sacrifice, memories, joy, triumph, toil and other realities of humankind. His artful lyrics and sensational performances reveal life’s extraordinary moments and via his own vivid, personal adventures. It’s obvious to me Hunt is an experienced singer/songwriter/performer/musician that reminds me of a wide range of influences, including…
I for one, love this time of the year as it is a time for reflection and giving back and genuinely appreciating the blessings you were given throughout the year. Lynne Taylor Donovan has the spirit and sings her heart out in her Christmas song, Dear Santa. Donovan is popular in the Canadian country music…
Joel Ansett’s “The Nature Of Us” is life-affirming. Reassuring and warm in tone the arrangements are pitch-perfect. Languid in tempo the songs are introspective, nicely emphasizing the quiet joy the world can bring. Vocal delivery is remarkable and helps to bring the entirety of the album together. Guitars are crisp, the percussion precise, and the…
Following the astounding success of their debut single ‘This Feeling’ earlier this year, the electrifying duo L’Tric are set to keep the feel-good vibes flowing with the announcement of their next sure-fire hit, ‘The Beach’. Dropping now via Neon Records, ‘The Beach’ will no doubt see Ivan Gough and Andy Jaimes sweep up once more…
Ohhhhhhhh boy! You ever have that moment…whether it’s staring at the garbage-dude outside in winter, or the call-center ‘help-desk’ representative, or maybe even the mayor of your hometown dealing with municipal headaches…could be anyone with any occupation really…but have you ever had that moment where you’re like, ‘DAMN – am I ever glad I don’t…
Demonstrating a natural-inclination towards music that has a real party-atmosphere, chilled-vibes and exciting rhythm & grooves – Plum is kicking some ass on Light Years, Dark Years, their brand-new EP. Full of crunchy & distorted guitar-riffs, fantastic drum-rolls & fills and melody that soars through the psychedelic-rock hooks that rock throughout the EP, it sounds…
Jupiter in Velvet has a new single out called, The Beauty of U. This nomadic soul has an emotive retro sound that turns our clocks back to a time when there was a wide variety of styles on top 40 radio. “The Beauty of U” Audio https://www.reverbnation.com/jupiterinvelvet/song/24126505-the-beauty-of-u This is a hooky blast from the past,…
Masterfully merging elements of pop and shoegaze Chris Beyer’s “Distances” is an absolute delight. Best taken in as a whole “Distances” is sequenced as if waking up from a dream. From the subdued “Intro” to the blazingly hot “Medicine” Chris Beyer traverses through it all. Tying everything together is his reassuring vocals. Remarkably tasteful the…
Brian started this orchestra thing some 25 years ago, always picking great musicians and showing his talent on leading the action. The release of Rockin’ Rudolph (their first studio album in 10 years), coincides with their 12th Annual Christmas Rocks! Tour. Brian was involved with all of the song arrangements. Even though the guitar is…
BledJon explores the smoothest of sounds on the impeccably produced “The Popular Loner”. With a low key easy flow BledJon’s songs have a certain dreamy quality to them. Remarkably tasteful BledJon’s samples are extraordinary running the gamut from the casual jazz grooves of “Fievel” to the bleak electro soundscapes of “Mancala”. Everything simply works. Tying…
Australian singer/song writers Glen Naylor and Chris Wilson deliver a lighthearted and jazzy track with ‘Under A Paris August Moon.’ The title of the song truly embodies what you feel while listening to the song, its smooth and gives that fancy feel that you think of when you think of Paris. ‘Under a Paris August…
Kenny Fame delivers chilling lyrics in his ballad Goodbye he talks about how there is no “good” in saying goodbye. This track can be seen as somewhat of a tribute to those that lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack against Paris. It is amazing what music can do, it can be there to…
On Chickenpox Party’s self-titled debut they made raw blues rock for the masses. With their album they build upon rock’s origins offering up dense complex pieces of music. By tying the pieces together with a sense of play such as the album’s childlike intro “Scabby the Clown” and the kazoos that mark the end of…
Nobody plays the guitar like Lee Williams. Immediately sounding like a classic “Fly Away” shows off Lee Williams and his impressive undeniable chops. Thankfully he has a band that is more than able to match his level of mastery. From the physical felt as much as heard drums to the subtle yet precise bass, everything…
Sara Stevens is a classical crossover singer out of Marietta, GA. At the young age of 15 this magnificent songstress displays pure precision with her voice. She uses her instrument to display her original composition, PROMISE with angelic conviction. MP3 or Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wl3gLoEFF4 Stevens is a force with impeccable skills unlike anyone I have…
Some pretty inventive stuff coming out of the speakers this morning due to the dark-art & mischevious-music of Rockford, Illionois’ industrial/goth/electro/rock band Shadows & Mirrors. A set of rhythmic-grooves that pulse wildly like the beginning spurts of a jugular-stabbing; the music still has a ton of life to it thrashing out. It is very difficult…
Jaunty and joyful, Billy Crain’s “Family Matters” celebrates the importance of togetherness. Throughout “Family Matters” Billy Crain shows off his impressive guitar skills and masterful lyrics. With a fully formed sound and powerful vocals the entire thing follows a clear concise narrative. A sense of purpose pervades the entirety of the album as the songs…
Camp Dark is a new MPLS band featuring singer/songwriter Adam Svec & producer/drummer Graham O’Brien, featuring contributions from: Dan Choma, Matt Friesen, deVon Gray, John Keston, Matt Leavitt, Robert Mulrennan, Casey O’Brien, Chris Salter. Camp Dark’s first offering, Nightmare In A Day, (or Beware the Night) started as a song skeletons composed by Adam Svec…
Marchan Noelle is approaching the music scene rapidly with a gypsy spirit and raspy tone. This indie artist is bringing the late 60s to early 70s vibe back to music. Which has quite frankly been missing for far too long. Her new track “Time Zone” is reminiscent of the Janis Joplin era with flowing instrumentals…
The former NY “Mountain” man has put together a new release with help from his friends guitarists Peter Frampton and Brian May, keyboardists Bobby Whitlock and Max Middleton, bassists Jack Bruce, Rev Jones, and David Hood, drums Joe Franco, and vocal help from Bonnie Bramlett. A few originals, and some unique covers of some classics.…
The R&B singer/guitarist has a career going back to the 60’s playing with guys like Lightning Hopkins (who once threw him off the stage), B.B. King, and James Cotton, and has released 24 albums. He’s won four Blues Music Awards, including the 2010 Album Of The Year Award for Between A Rock And A Hard…
Just coming off liver transplant surgery and the agony of waiting for it to finally happen, Walter didn’t waste any time getting back on the road and in the studio. This album, his 42nd, reflects his recent afflictions and a newly inspired blues journey. Walter just started a global tour with his current lineup of…
