Month: December 2015

Posted on: December 30, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Slow Learners (DVD)

Within the first 10 minutes of the indie comedy Slow Learners you know exactly how it will end. It’s a traditional romantic comedy, albeit on a much smaller budget, so it doesn’t take that much intuition to know the leads, both seemingly dorky and unlucky in love, will end up together. But even knowing how it ends, Slow Learners is still charming and funny from start to finish.

Posted on: December 30, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Squirtgrandhoover / Offul “C” – Dis Letter of Mind

Squirtgrandhoover’s Dis Letter of Mind is able to go back into the mid-1990s for a hard and gritty style, touching upon hints of 2Pac and the Gravediggaz. A backing beat builds off of the work of late-oughts/early-2000s New Orleans, while the flow that issues forth during Dis Letter of Mind is straight fire.

Posted on: December 30, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Five Fingertips Release “Nod” Music Video

Five Fingertips have just released the video for “Nod” off of their 2015 self-titled release. The video is a good way to see the context in which the act would like the song to be understood; when there is a little wiggle room in regards to how a listener will conceive of the music that an act releases, this music video does well in keeping one’s attention.   Bold logos…

Posted on: December 30, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Steve Lieberman – Return of the Jewish Pirate v.2

George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass is a hard-edged and intense track that flitters with a hint of goth; the overwhelming fuzz that is interspersed in this introductory effort bolsters Steve’s vocals, which come forth with a heavy dollop of Neil Young. Iron Maiden’s Run To The Hills is a fairly on-point cover of the classic with a little bit of electronic styles buzzing about with splashy drums and instrumental…

Posted on: December 30, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Martin Del Carpio – Notes from the Underground

Martin Del Carpio – Notes from the Underground CD Review / 2015 Self / 8 Tracks / https://martindelcarpio.bandcamp.com / https://www.facebook.com/martindelcarpiomusic / Kill Your Beauty is the opening composition on Notes from the Underground, the latest work from New York’s Martin Del Carpio. This introductory track creates a musical approximation of the hustle and bustle of a cityscape, with a bold and brash set of instrumentation that gradually gets more chaotic…

Posted on: December 29, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The fundaMentals – “Hell Yeah”

Hell Yeah is the latest single by The Fundamentals, and comes forth with a down and dirty rock style. The amount of grit that comes forth with the guitar work, splashy drums, and the snarl of the vocals is unparalleled.

Posted on: December 28, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Birds Over Arkansas – Forgotten Lights

Forgotten Lights is a tender and intricate song from Birds Over Arkansas, a track that touches equally upon the folk, progressive, and singer-songwriting styles. The vocals take listeners on a journey, while on-point drums, guitar, and bass unite to make a fitting backdrop upon which these lyrics can soar. The rich guitar arrangements that are peppered through Forgotten Light are punctuated by splashy and fulfilling drums.

Posted on: December 28, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

JoeBelle – Just Say So

A soulful song that blends together a tremendously infectious bass line with heartfelt and deep vocals, JoeBelle’s Just Say So is an effort that will worm its way deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. The effort from this North Carolina act goes at 100% from beginning to end, touching upon the Detroit sound of the 1970s, Mary J Blige and Angie Stone, and links the resulting effort into…

Posted on: December 28, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Ane Monsrud – Confess Single Review

Confess is the latest effort from Norway’s Ane Monsrud. The track showcases Ane’s ability to set up a harmony with her vocals, something that is further bolstered by the inclusion of thoughtful instrumentation. The track has something for fans of the singer-songwriter, jazz, and classical genres; Monsrud comes forth with tremendous force and finesse during this song.

Posted on: December 27, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Amanda Grace – Los Angeles (featuring Prime Blaq)

Los Angeles is a pop-infused track that shines, drawing comparisons to performers like Pink and Kelly Clarkson. There is a massive vocal range captured during this effort, one that is highlighted through intelligent instrumentation. The vocal delivery of Amanda Grace here is dusky, intricate, and ultimately familiar.