Month: November 2013

Posted on: November 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Breckenridge Christmas Ale Review

  The beer pours with a very dark brown, reddish tint; there is a small amount of an off-white head. The initial nose is not too assertive, with minor hints of hop and malt. Each sip is very smooth and provides imbibers with hints of fruits (berries, cherries), ginger, and spices (nutmeg, vanilla). The specific constellation of flavors changes as the beer approaches room temperature. Breckenridge’s Christmas Ale is one…

Posted on: November 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Down Home Band featuring Jeff Estes Monrovia CD Review

  Cajun Queen is a catchy bit of blues-rock that unites a strong instrumentation with a narrative that is weaved through the entirety of the album. The smooth, soulful vocals that listeners experience through this introductory track buttresses well with Broken Road. Broken Road has considerable pep and stands at the juncture of country and rock. Fans of the sixties C&W heyday, CCR, or contemporary acts like Mumford and Sons…

Posted on: November 26, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Made in America All My Money Single Review

All My Money is a track that would work perfectly on rock rotation, as the band’s overall sound ties together the disparate works of acts like Papa Roach and Our Lady peace. The vocals touch upon a rich tapestry of influences including  Kid Rock, Every Mother’s Nightmare, Moot the Hoople, and Cinderella, while the accompanying arrangements take up the standard of acts Foo Fighters and Guns ‘N’ Roses. All My…

Posted on: November 26, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

2013 World Series Champions DVD Review

  The Boston Red Sox were the 2013 World Series Champions, and this documentary showcases the nail-biting intensity that marked each game of the World Series. The 90 minute runtime of this documentary provides ample time to go into the nuance of the team’s journey, all while touching on the individual contributions that fed into the victory. The clarity of the footage is astonishing, providing viewers with the next best…

Posted on: November 26, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Sharp Practise Interview

“Steal With Pride” is your latest album. How did the release move from initial thought to finished effort? The initial thought was very much in the mind of Nigel Clothier, our sole songwriter. Nigel wanted to mix sounds that were evocative of the classic albums of the 70s with lyrics about things that are happening right now and wrote about 14 songs which tried to achieve that. Four of those…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Taylor Alexander Art EP Review

The Art EP may only have three tracks, but the variety of styles and approaches chosen on the CD ensure that listeners have a good idea about whom Alexander is and what he may do in the future. Emiline is a track that could easily make it onto top 20 rotation. Alexander’s vocals built off of the work of Adam Levine and Chris Martin, imbuing their easy-going style with more…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Ryan Cassata – Jupiter, It Won’t Be Long The Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 3 CD Review

Jupiter, It Won’t Be Long begins with I Don’t Really Wanna Go To College, a track that provides listeners with some semblance of the styles and approaches which Cassata will broach throughout this effort. Liberation is a track that touches upon the work of Contravene, The Devil Is Electric, and even Defiance, Ohio. There is a certain catchiness present to this effort that will make this a good fit for…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Addicted to Pop S/T EP Review

Formerly of Broken Poets, Lana Antropova has just released new music as Addicted to Pop. Over the course of five tracks, the mystique behind the new act is explored and Antropova is able to forge a bold new course with her musical career. This self-titled EP begins with Outcast. Outcast has a high amount of energy and immediately privileges the instrumental side of things. When Antropova’s vocals kick in, the…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Powder Hound Review

      Powder Hound is a great blend of sweet and hoppy bitterness. The orange-red that pours from a can of Powder Hound makes the white head pop. An initial sip invites hints of toasty malts, caramel, and even touches of ginger. Piney and citrus elements are present as well, creating a nuanced and layered experience. The 7.2% ABV of Powder Hound provides a hint of a burn to…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Vaudeville Vendetta CD Review

The Messenger is a soulful track that deftly blends the instrumental and vocal sides of Vaudeville, creating a statement that is much greater than the sum of its constituent elements. The production of this track (and is present on the whole of Vendetta) allows the strengths of Vaudeville to be highlighted; V represents a distinctly different side to the act. Soaring upon hints on indie-rock, peppered by hints of surf…