Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: October 22, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Dimestore Prophets Be Yourself CD Review

This three-piece act has an energetic rock style that will keep listeners locked in from the beginning to the end of their latest release, Be Yourself. The introductory  track on Be Yourself (Be Yourself in Time) shines on honest vocals, intricate guitars, and splashy drums that resound loudly. Hey Darlin’ is soulful, a hint funky, and is completed with a ropey and thick bass line. The production makes the finished…

Posted on: October 22, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Caleb Hawley – Side 2

Can’t get behind Robin Thicke’s white guy soul act (be it because there is too much modern pop and not enough soul in the mix… or maybe just because he’s an asshat)? There are plenty of others who can fill that funk void, from the brilliant Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings to the under-the-radar jams of someone like Caleb Hawley.

Posted on: October 21, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Coheed and Cambria – In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3

Released at a point when emo, screamo and pop punk were having an inexplicable revival in the early aughts, upstate New York’s Coheed and Cambria managed to sneak into the party when no one was watching the door, playing an impressive mix of prog rock and metal with a subtle inclusion of pop.

Posted on: October 20, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Skylar Gudasz – Car Song/Dream Lover 7” (Vinyl)

In just seven brief minutes, spread out over two songs, Durham, NC’s Skylar Gudasz has offered a glimpse at quite possibly the most starkly beautiful vocals to come along since The Cowboy Junkies’ Margo Timmins turned in her Trinity Sessions performance.

Posted on: October 20, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Tru vs. BMSN – The Mixtape

Fake Soldier, Fallen Soldier has a very street savvy sound to the effort, with some absolute fire that is spat by Tru; there is a quickness and natural feeling to this track that ensures that listeners will be able to keep focused on the rest of the album.

Posted on: October 17, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Kool Stuff Katie – Self-Titled

With just 10 songs, the duo Kool Stuff Katie has managed to sneak in the best debut of the year. Unfortunate band name aside, Portland-based musicians Shane Blem and Saren Oliver have crammed together garage rock, new wave, punk and a liberal mix of hooky pop music for an instantly-infectious sound that brings to mind everyone from The Cars and The Kinks to The Breeders and The Ramones.

Posted on: October 17, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Titan Slayer – Desolated Heroes Single Review

Titan Slayer has just released their latest single Desolated Heroes on Venator Music. There is a nice load-up period that starts things off, drawing listeners in as the arrangements gradually begin to pick up steam. The epic stylings of this single mean that listeners will be absolutely engrossed in the composition by the time that the last minute finishes and will be on the edges of their seats by the…

Posted on: October 15, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Thierry David Hypnosis CD Review

Freedom’s Alluring Call is a trance-infused instrumental composition that deftly links together natural and artificial elements into something that is brooding, expressive, and carries a narrative richer than any vocal effort.

Posted on: October 15, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Liquid Mind: Relaxing Rain & Ocean Mixes CD Review

The Joy of Quiet Rain Mix is an absolutely epic effort, with a number of different movements that elicit different emotions and mindstates. There are a number of environmental sounds that are interspersed during this effort (rain following, thunder) that approximate a storm that washes everything away. One can meditate and create a positive state in this nearly ten-minute offering The Soft Focus Ocean Mix does a stellar job in…

Posted on: October 15, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Horse Feathers – So It Is With Us

Much like their first four efforts, Horse Feathers’ latest, So It Is With Us, is a collection of quiet, indie music that straddles the line between folk and Americana. And that is far from being a bad thing.