Month: January 2015

Posted on: January 17, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Shattrholik Interview

We’re sitting down with Shattrholik. Let’s get right to it – What’s your story?  I’m born and raised in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay New Zealand. I’m just a typical hard working new zealander making the most of the opportunities overseas. I get along with everyone. I see things from a different angle. Very respectful to others. I’m always happy. I love music – that’s me.

Posted on: January 17, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Cole Phoenix Hello Single Review

Hello is the latest single from Cole Phoenix, and is a track that ties together past and present in pop music in a way that will ensure that listeners will be able to find something to dig. The vocal ability of Phoenix represents the focal point of Hello, and it is further boosted through an eighties-tinged instrumentation that is influenced by ZZ Top, Yaz, and Dead or Alive. To keep…

Posted on: January 16, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Atticus Institute DVD Review

The Atticus Institute is the latest title from Peter Safran (Buried, Scary Movie, and The Conjuring), and ties together a solid cast that includes John Rubenstein (Desperate Housewives, Angel), William Mapother (The Mentalist, Lost), Rya Khilstedt (Home Alone 3, TV’s Nashville), and Sharon Maughan (Holby City, By The Sword Divded). The film surrounds Dr. Henry West, who had the titular location commandeered by the U.S. Government. A special client –…

Posted on: January 15, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Winter Ale (Rivertown Brewing Company)

Winter Ale is a bold flavored beer that has hints of ginger, cinnamon, and various spice and dark fruit elements. The beer is able to hide the alcohol content (8.2% ABV) incredibly well, allowing imbibers to have a heady feeling while having their taste buds tantalized. The beer opens up nicely, with a little more malty of elements becoming commonplace as the sweeter and more sugary elements move to the…

Posted on: January 15, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Patrick James Clark Letters to Beatrice CD Review

Busy Loving You is a softly spoken and calm effort that will impress listeners with the smart arrangements and the soulful vocals laid down by Clark. The production is spot on, ensuring that listeners will fall in love with each track only a few moments after they have started listening.

Posted on: January 15, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Universal You – Perfect EP

There is a powerful singer-songwriter tradition that is presented during the initial track on the Perfect EP, Cry. The track benefits from a smart production hast could easily have it present on pop or adult contemporary radio play. The intelligent arrangements that back up these vocals make for a compelling and alluring style that will resound loudly in listener’s ears long after the album has ceased spinning. Perfect is a…

Posted on: January 15, 2015 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Cole Phoenix Interview

How did your latest single, Hello move from initial thought to finished effort?   “Hello” is ultimately about the struggle to move on, to start looking again after falling for someone or even something that has proven to be toxic. It’s a survival song heralding a new beginning. That’s why New Year’s Day felt very appropriate for its release – hello 2015!

Posted on: January 15, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Sugar Candy Mountain – Mystic Hits

Yup, a band that goes by the name Sugar Candy Mountain is just as odd and trippy as you’d expect. But that’s part of the appeal of these Bay Area neo hippies. On their latest, Mystic Hits, they churn out a baker’s dozen of swirly guitars, vocal feedback and layers and layers of keyboards that sound like a mix between The Beatles in their LSD years and Tame Impala.

Posted on: January 14, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Jellyfish – Bellybutton and Spilt Milk [Deluxe Reissues] (CDs)

The past couple for years have been a virtual nirvana for fans of the brilliant, yet short-live ‘90s Power Pop band Jellyfish. Despite only having only released two proper studio albums, Omnivore Records has been slowly putting out a slew of gems from the California band. It started by releasing both Bellybutton and Spilt Milk on vinyl, followed by a trio of never before released records: Live at Bogart’s, Stack-A-Tracks…

Posted on: January 13, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 1

The Fireworks – Switch Me On

Despite a fairly generic moniker, the full length for the UK-based The Fireworks, Switch Me On, manages to blow away any preconceived notions about this being just another run-of-the-mill indie pop band.