Rockin’ On the Inside opens up So Much More, and immediately provides listeners with Gentry’s stellar vocals and intelligent instrumental arrangements. Blending equal amounts pop, rock, and country proves to be a success for Gentry, as the momentum that she builds up over the first trio of songs (Rockin’ On the Inside, You Know You Should, and Justin Timberlake Show). Hold Me starts out slowly but shines on the…
Catch a Cold is a track that allows the widest possible swath of listeners to appreciate 2 The Nines’ inimitable style. While there is a catchiness to the song that would easily make it onto rock radio rotation, Hic Up is a darkly emotive track that sets the stage for subsequent efforts; the track has a bounciness that is bold and distinctive. These introductory efforts stand at opposite…
Hunter is looking to make himself a household name in the vein of Chris Brown, Ne*yo, or Justin Timberlake. Pressure is Hunter’s debut album, and its 12 tracks provide listeners with an intimate look into Hunter’s soul. The titular track to Pressure will tattoo its catchy harmonies into the minds and hearts of listeners, while Dancin’ Man seems to be the track that will provide Hunter with a considerable boost.…
Based off the raunchy, but equally hilarious, British series of the same name (and not the weak, watered-down American version on MTV) The Inbetweeners Movie proves this quartet of (almost) loveable losers can sustain the humor for the length of an entire feature film. Much like American Pie and Porky’s before that, but with a far cooler accent, the movie mines the well-trodden, but no less funny territory of young…
Over the past year, the label 429 has been building a reputation as a safe haven for 90’s musicians exiled too soon from the majors (Lisa Loeb, Camper Van Beethoven, Soul Asylum, etc.), but if their latest signing, the Scottish indie rockers The View is an indication, they have a hell of a knack for picking the next big thing as well. Cheeky For a Reason, actually the band’s…
Somewhere between Big Star and Urge Overkill records, you’ll find Count it In, the first full length from Thorcraft Cobra. Comprised of Billy Zimmer and Tammy Glover, each a refugee from other bands, and a handful of guests including Steve McDonald of Redd Kross, Thorcraft Cobra is a pop/rock band stripped of pretentions, crammed with a myriad of influences, and amazingly satisfying. There is not a weak track out the…
As a black woman raised on a steady diet of metal music, Laina Dawes is used to getting stares in the mosh pit. So as music writer and cultural critic is was just a matter of time before she looked to herself – and fans like her – as an ideal subject to write about. What Are You Doing Here? is a fascinating look at the double outsider status black…
Abel’s Field is a heartwarming tale of brotherhood and inspiration; the title is able to succeed as it provides viewers with characters that are human, rather than approximations of humans. Abel’s Field focuses on Seth, a high school senior that is forced to fend for eir sisters. Along with this larger burden, Seth attempts to have a normal life. When the football term mercilessly bullies him, Seth snaps and is…
It’s hard to be a rebellious punk rock teen in the U.S. in 2013. When even suburban fourth graders have mohawks (courtesy of lame moms and dads who want everyone to say, “Man that kid must have cool parents”), you know a subculture has been tamed. But being a punk in Communist China, well that Punk Rock! As the rest of the world was tuned into the 2008 Olympics…
4 Assassins (also known as Far Away Eyes) is a Hong Kong-import that ratchets up the action by inserting hints of the mystery genre. The titular group is assembled without any sort of information regarding whom has contacted them or what they will have to do. Each of the 4 Assassins have history with each other, making the reveal that much more tense. Before that occurs,…
