AV Super Sunshine’s Spider Wedding is a progressive rock track in the vein of Jethro Tull or Pendragon. The band intelligently uses silence to provide considerable highlighting to the contemplative arrangements and rich vocals interspersed here. I see Spider Wedding as a track in the mold of a massive high fantasy tome. The guitar that rises and falls during this single adds an additional level of depth to an already-heady…
Los Angeles based Folk singer Les Bohem recently released his latest recording, Moved To Duarte, it’s quite immersive with 21 tracks. Each track provides a look into Les’ soul as he sings, this album is a lyrical confessional. My personal favorite from the recording is “When We Used To Get High”. Les’ voice is melodic and persistent; the lyrics are full of meaning and soul. When Les sings it’s reminiscent…
Tasha Michelle’s Letter of Appreciation is a powerful single in the R&B and gospel traditions. This unique single effortlessly adopts bits and bobs of myriad styles. We were impressed with the vocal range of Tasha Michelle; the twin sides of vocals and instrumentation can be enjoyed separately or together. There is just so much that is bubbling under the surface of Letter of Appreciation, ensuring that listeners will have to delve…
EMELINE’s “Angel” is a pop track that pulls bits of Fiona Apple, Taylor Swift, and Megan Trainor. Breaking free from the numerous female performers out now, EMELINE is able to both tell a cogent narrative as well as further the over harmony of the instrumentation. Nods to rock and R&B are interspersed through Angel, making for a musically distinct effort that stands out boldly from the pack. The production on…
Owen’s “Settled Down” showcases a band that has built a distinct sound over the years. The single is emotionally intense with a layered approach. The fuzz of the guitars, complex drum lines, and passionate vocals make for a track that stands up to repeat play. The ability of Owen to go forth and change the tempo of Settled Down is impressive; the rising action that the band places here is…
My Demons Galore create a hooky track in “Empty Bottles” that stands up to a number of spins. The rapid shifts of My Demons Galore during the single is reminiscent of acts like My Chemical Romance and AFI. The simultaneous attack of the instrumentation and the emotive vocals are enough to keep the momentum high from the first note until the concluding seconds of Empty Bottles.
Emily Zuzik is able to link together performers as diverse as Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks with her latest track “Alone”. There are so many things for listeners to delve into when they play Alone; the story that is told here is incredibly deep and detailed. The tautness of the instrumentation during Alone will have fans digging deep to hear the different interplay between instruments, while the insistent beat makes it…
SPiN’s “Dig Your Own Grave” a gritty and dirty sounding rock track that takes up both the sound of 1970s Detroit and of oughts British rock (including Jet here) to make for something unique. The bold strokes that SPiN creates here, the supersonic vocals that are present on the track, and the stadium rock-infused drums makes this into one of the few legitimate rock singles we have heard this year.…
Jeff Rosenstock’s “Pash Rash” is a high-energy alternative / punk sound that has the warmth and emotion of The Descendants and The Appleseed Cast. Hints of The Red Hot Valentines can be heard in the emotive sound and warmth of the guitars, which threaten to take over the track. When the music drops out and Jeff’s vocals are given highlighting, listeners will be locked in for the last bit of fury. Pash…
John Paciga’s “Tickling the Ivories” blends equal parts Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and The Rocket Summer into a bouncy, poppy track. The infectious melodies that Paciga crafts here will tattoo themselves onto the hearts of fans. A bit of guitar provide a grittier counter-point to the angelic sound of Paciga’s vox. The punchy drums add the final piece to the puzzle; Tickling the Ivories is a fun track. Paciga is…
