Month: October 2015

Posted on: October 25, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Nashaat Salman Universal Melodies, Vol. 1 CD Review

Nashaat Salman begins his Universal Melodies, Vol. 1 with Summer Night Joy , a track that builds off of the classical (Spanish) guitar tradition. With overtures made to the grandiose dance music of the late seventies, Salman is able to create a light and airy composition with this initial effort that will immediately draw in listeners to this EP. The goodwill created by Summer Night Joy is continued with the…

Posted on: October 25, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Nemo James The Minstrel CD Review

Dreamer on the Run is the first track on Nemo James’ The Minstrel, and this emotive, intense track is built off of the singer-songwriter tradition. Hints of James Taylor and Neil Young can be heard here, while the guitar provides a further fleshing out of the narrative weaved by Nemo’s voice. The titular track on The Minstrel balances the instrumental and lyrical sides of the composition perfectly. While the effort…

Posted on: October 25, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Biére de Garde (Aspen / Casey)

Aspen Brewing (Aspen, CO) and Casey Brewing and Blending ( Glenwood Springs, CO) have collaborated on an extremely-limited Biére de Garde. This effort pours with a hazy brownish color and a small amount of head that lays upon the top of the beer. The Biére de Garde’s nose is fairly funky, with prune and citrus elements present. On the initial sip, imbibers will experience vanilla, brown sugar, and fruity elements that…

Posted on: October 24, 2015 Posted by: David S. Timbercrest Comments: 0

Garbage – 10/14/15 – Stubb’s, Austin, TX

The 90s are back in full effect. Everywhere you turn, there is grunge fashion and retro stylings. Nirvana has been discovered by a whole new crowd; one that wasn’t even alive when the band was thriving. After checking out the Garbage show October 14th, 2015 at Stubbs in Austin, one can easily see that an entirely new crowd has fallen in love with the band. Fans of all ages seemed to…

Posted on: October 24, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Noisemate One More Round EP Review

Jump Out of the World is the first introduction that listeners will have to London’s Noisemate, and the band is able to create something that bridges the gap between punk, rock, and alt-rock. The insistence of the vocals and spot-on guitars and drums make for a track that is ready for radio rotation. Each side of Noisemate – the lyrics, instrumentation, and production – makes for something that will bounce…

Posted on: October 24, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Nick Festari This is me… Slower and Faster CD Review

You Wanna Make Me Fly (I Know You Belong To A Dream) is a track that possesses a retrospective sound that seems perfectly ensconced in the 1980s. To keep things current and contemporary, there are hints present here of EDM; the uniting element here has to be Nick Festari’s inimitable vocals.

Posted on: October 23, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Hibernation Ale (Great Divide Brewing Company)

Great Divide’s Hibernation Ale has finally made its way to cans, and this classic has never seemed more drinkable. The beer pours with an extremely dark brown to ruby coloration and a good amount of decent amount of off-white head that rapidly dissipates. Hibernation Ale goes down incredibly easy, a dangerous proposition when one considers the 8.7% ABV of the brew.

Posted on: October 23, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Coraezy Hitz – It’s Over (feat. Stiffler), Game On Lock, Coraezy Dum

It’s Over (featuring Stiffler) is a track that skillfully blends trap, rap, and an R&B hook that showcases that Coraezy Hitz comes forth in a unique and eclectic fashion. Hints of Tech N9ne, Hopsin, and Tyler The Creator can be discerned here, but the sharp and pointed flow during this track is uniquely Coraezy Hitz’s own.  With hints of Drake and Bun B playing at the periphery of the track,…

Posted on: October 23, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Water District – Dear California Single Review

Water District create hopeful, sunny indie music with hints of emotive rock present during their new single, Dear California. The track succeeds upon skillful guitar work, a chunky bass, and alluring vocals that will bury themselves deep into the minds and hearts of listeners.

Posted on: October 22, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

John Reid (Epic Balloons)

As many of my friends and family know, I am not very talented when it comes to any crafts that involve me using my hands. My wife, Danica, has had some luck creating balloon sculptures, but the amount of shapes and designs that she can create still numbers less than 10. There are balloon artists that are plying their wares that can craft hundreds of distinct designs. John Reid is…