Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: April 1, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Falling Birds Native America EP

Darling is a wonderful bit of lo-fi rock that will appease fans of the seventies and eighties. With equal parts stoner and hair metal, what The Falling Birds do on this intial track is immediately bash their fans with catchy melodies and Edgar Winter-esque heaviness. The track keeps listeners on the edges of their seats for four minutes, and provides brief hints into the band’s influences. This means that bits…

Posted on: April 1, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Gregor Morley Roll On Single Review

Roll On is a solid bit of seventies rock that keeps a frenetic amount of energy from beginning to end.  The track benefits from a solid production, allowing the guitars, drums, and vocals to shine separately or as a cohesive unit. The switch between instrumental and vocal elements keeps things particularly fresh, while the narrative that is created by Morley here allows listeners to be firmly involved with the track.…

Posted on: March 31, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Heart Pills Gunfighter CD Review

Gunfighter is an album that has a number of twists and turns, allowing The Heart Pills to take on hints of mid-90s California, The Anniversary, and even hints of Bright Eyes before the initial effort Concrete ceases. Cowboy has a bouncy feel to it that will appease fans of NoFX and The Aquabats, even as an electric sound (think The Red Hot Valentines) plays at the periphery. The dynamic that…

Posted on: March 30, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Double Vision (Ra)w Form EP Review

Nothin to Lose is a track that utilizes deep and dark production, creating a Three 6 or B.O.B. sound for the backing beat, while the flows themselves very between Del the Funkee Homosapien, J. Cole, and XV. The track is catchy while not eschewing the street aspects of rap. The lyrical flow is incredibly tight and complex, while keeping things interesting for those that are looking for music similar to…

Posted on: March 30, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Hooyoosay Come On EP Review

Few artists are able to provide listeners with a full semblance of the band’s nuance in the course of two tracks. Hooyoosay has stuffed each track on this single with enough passion and aplomb to keep things lively. Come On is a track that touches upon the sixties and eighties with a bouncy beat and a surfish vibe that permeates all points of the song. There is a tautness to…

Posted on: March 28, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual: a 30th Anniversary Celebration

Wanna feel old? Cyndi Lauper’s breakthrough debut, She’s So Unusual, the album that launched a career and a slew of hits that took over radio in the ‘80s (“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “Money Changes Everything, “All Through the Night”…) came out 30 years ago! In its honor, Legacy is putting out a two disc box set complete with demos, rehearsal takes, remixes and a live track.…

Posted on: March 27, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

TaQuita Thorns Rough and Fancy CD Review

Few musicians are able to keep listeners interested through ten tracks, much less fifteen. TaQuita Thorns has imbued each of the cuts on Rough and Fancy with enough of her inimitable style and eclectic tastes in music to ensure that fans will stick with the album from the beginning strains of “Forever” until the last notes of “Believe (Power of Love).” The production of the tracks on Rough and Fancy…

Posted on: March 27, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Friend Slash Lover Don’t Retouch Me There Single Review

  Friend Slash Lover have just cut their new single, “Don’t Retouch Me There.” The track presents listeners with hints of Chromeo, Imagine Dragons, and MGMT. With equal parts EDM and seventies-inspired indie rock, “Don’t Retouch Me There” is as much of a dance single as it is good fodder for dorm parties. The band cultivates a crisp sound on this release, while keeping the echo-heavy vocals in perfect harmony…

Posted on: March 26, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Broken Gold Residency at Hundo Beach EP CD

  Punk rock has no shortage of super groups and side projects. The big question, after one of these projects surface, is whether it will be an ongoing occurrence (like Me First and the Gimme Gimmes) or a one-off moment in time (like Rumbleseat, the fantastic acoustic folk side project featuring members of Hot Water Music that only put out one full length). Looks like Broken Gold decided to keep…