G.B.H. was one of those UK82 punk bands that I never really got into. There were a lot of those bands, like D.O.A. and The Varukers, and I never got into them because they are passed over a lot of times for those 77 punk bands that are just a little more famous (Sex Pistols et al). The band starts out chaotic as hell, which is good, but there are…
It had been a number of years since the last time I was in the New Orleans area,,but we were on the same road (Veterans Boulevard) that the wife and I ate for our honeymoon about a decade ago. Tonight, we were visiting the Metairie location of Mooyah Burgers and Fries. We were immediately greeting in line and were helped through our order, since we were novices to the chain.…
SuriLee’s Never Understood is an effort which draws on the rich songwriter tradition of performers like Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, and Bjork. Little more is needed during this track than a set of vocals, piano, and a bit of a percussive element. The dynamic that is crafted with these units makes for a single that resounds with listeners long after the effort has ceased to play. The track is able…
Mike Cook’s Reasons is an engrossing track that succeeds due to Mike’s impassioned and intimate vocals, along with an instrumentation that provides a stellar backdrop for these vox. Cook is able to build off of the tradition of performers like Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake, while imbuing each second of Reasons with his own unique sound. The production of this single is immaculate, ensuring that the track can hang with…
The Jewell Thieves make a very compelling track in Today Not Fade Away. This single begins with a very intense drum/bass collaboration that is matched well through the presence of a charismatic set of vocals. With multiple vocal layers on the track, The Jewell Thieves are able to make a psychedelic, trippy sound that add together influences as wide as Blur, James, Nirvana, and even Jane’s Addiction. The collision of…
Dhanya’s Lesson is a tremendously effecting track. Fans will immediately be drawn in through the strong vocals of Dhanya, which are bolstered through a nod to trip-hop performers like Massive Attack and Portishead. The vocals laid down on Lesson do more than simply tell a story; they add considerably to the instrumentation of the single. The dynamic between the human and electronic side makes the track twinkle brightly whenever one…
On Track is the lead single from DJ NoMis’s upcoming EP, Back To You. The effort blends together electronic and rap style in a track that will clubber listeners over their head. DJ NoMis’s flow here impresses with its depth while adding considerably to the overall harmonies achieved by the backing arrangements.
Simon XO’s new single “How Do I Fight It” is an electronic-infused pop effort. The supersonic vocals, bouncy backing beat, and polish to the single combine to make something that will get listeners out on the dance floor. The vocals are able to more than contribute to the lyric content; they act as a bridge between the instrumental and voice sections of How Do I Fight It, further increasing the…
The tension that begins No No Yeah Okay’s Make Believe is fantastic; listeners will be focused in to the single by the time that the vocals begin. The dynamic between the vocals and the instrumentation is fantastic. Hints of MGMT and Franz Ferdinand can be heard here. There is a unique sound that is weaved through Make Believe that distinguishes No No Yeah Okay from the rest of the pack. Particular…
Car Seat Headrest’s new song “Nervous Young Inhumans” refreshes the alt rock of the mid-1990s. The song whips up guitars, synths, and drums to make for a track that will have heads bopping and feet tapping. While the song could easily make it onto alternative radio stations, I find that arrangements are deep and will require quite a few spins to fully parse. A tremendous introduction to Car Seat Headrest,…
Be, Natalise + The Sunset Run’s latest single, is a tremendously positive song that immediately showcases Natalise’s vocal acumen. The rising and falling action of the instrumentation provides highlighting at all the right points. Building off of the tradition of performers like Natalie Cole and Avril Lavigne, Natalise + The Sunset are able to make a pop song with an instrumentation and arrangements that will have listeners coming back for…
Liyah Bey has just released a pair of singles – “Million Dollar Girl” and “Can’t Stop Loving You”. Million Dollar Girl showcases Liyah’s vocals. Hints of Sara Bareilles and Elle King dot Bey’s performance, but she showcases an ability to veer into pop that will do her well on radio rotation. Can’t Stop Loving You is a slower track that furthers hammers home Bey’s vocal range. Little more is needed here than…
DownTown Mystic has just released a new 4-song EP, On E Street, their 2nd release for UK Indie label Nub Music. The EP gets its name from the RnR Hall of Fame rhythm section of The E Street Band–drummer Max Weinberg and bassist Garry Tallent, who back DownTown Mystic on the 4 songs. Way To Know starts with an assertive guitar line and punctual drums. The vocals are rich and…
The Bavarian Bierhaus in Nashville, Tennessee is an inviting restaurant that creates some downright tasty food with traditional German beers. Creating a friendly aura in his restaurant, owner Brian Kehl brings a bit of Bavaria next to the Grand Ole Opry.
JJ Appleby is a performer that draws upon a rich musical tradition that includes nods of pop, R&B, and funk. JJ’s latest effort is a cover of Carla Thomas & Otis Redding’s song Knock on Wood. There is an assertive instrumentation present here that will keep listeners on the edges of their seats, while the raw passion and spirited performance of JJ during his cover completely transforms the original. The drums…
Birthday is the latest track released by J. Roy Champion, providing fans with a hybrid of rap and street-tinged R&B. The track, produced by Kloud Nine, draws upon mid-oughts-era 50 Cent, Fabolous, and The Game. Assertive lyrics work well with the distinctive beat, while J Roy Champion’s flow is lyrically impressive while bouncing through nuanced, tongue-twisting content. The track kicks into high gear at the two minute mark, with J…
Mr. Pöng puts his own spin on the Robin Thicke single “Lost Without U”. It is the addition of steel drums that give the song a considerable boost. There is a laid back, jazzy sound that marks the track now, with the steel pan acting as the vocal component. Keeping the taut instrumentation of the original, Mr. Pöng takes listeners on an island getaway with this cover. We’d love to hear more…
The last time that Canadian Breakfast Stout (aka CBS) was released, masses of beer traders hoarded the bottle so by the time that Founders announced that the brew was coming back, bottles were selling for hundreds of dollars. This time around, Founders has announced that this imperial stout will be made available throughout the entirety of its’ distribution footprint. As a result, a much larger set of craft beer aficionados…
Justina Valentine shifts things up with her latest single, a re-tooling of Eminem’s classic The Real Slim Shady. What were most impressed by is how Justina is able to match the original vocal flow while adding more contemporary mentions and telling a story that adds to her own narrative. The track is accompanied by a video that showcases the blending of gritty street and glitzy glam that Justina Valentine is known…
Dos Floris’ Silence is an ethereal powerhouse of a track. The song benefits from airy vocals, intricate instrumentation, and a very deep sound that will take multiple spins to fully appreciate. Hints of Radiohead and The Flaming Lips can be heard here; the rising intensity of the song crashes over listeners. A driving drum beat and luxurious bass lines issue forth after, with Dos Floris continually shifting styles and approaches…