After releasing and touring behind three CDs on his Spill Records label, singer/songwriter and guitarist Evren Goknar named his rock band Evil Maria for his fourth release. Â
No Better Voice #22 / 1:00 / $1.00 / 68S / No Better Voice, 764 Channing, Ferndale, MI 48220 Another issue of Jami’s personal zine, this time a litany of show reviews show off various facets about this interesting person and eir friends. The layout of the zine is fun, feeling as if 64 different collaborates created this issue; very hodgepodge, and as such, an individual will not get tunnel…
Joey Glenn and producer Graham Bland have spent the last year selecting and recording a 10 song CD “Driven By Emotion” to be released to stores in the fall of 2008.  Joey was first discovered by producer Graham Bland when she was presented to him by managers Rick Brady and Judy Ingerson of Artist International Nashville. First single to radio this week is “I Need A Man” which has already received…
Asia – Phoenix / 2008 Frontiers / 12 Tracks / http://www.originalasia.com / Asia’s music is still some of the most played on classic rock radio, but that is not because the act has been particularly active in the last few years. Rather, “Phoenix†marks the first reunion for all of the original members of the band, and the first album released by this iteration of Asia since 1983’s “Alphaâ€. This…
It’s been since Fall/Winter of 2007 since you’ve last heard from Phratry. Many have started to think we’ve gone under. Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. 2008 is shaping up/has shaped up to be the busiest year in the four year history of the label. Which is why you’ve not heard so much as a peep in last few months – it’s been too busy to stop and…
Love, Your Marathon #3 / :15 / $1 / Half-Sized / 32 Pages / This zine by Sarah Elizabeth Michaels is a poetry-filled romp with strong background images that really emphasize the ignorance by the world of Sarah’s feelings. The pieces that ey actually modified are the strongest, such as the x-ed out heart in the middle of the zine, with its only companion being the line twice-repeated: “it is/is…
“Stunning” – The Sun “Perfect pop” – NME 8/10 “a beguiling mix of all sorts of good things:” – The Sunday Telegraph 4*** “tunes that get under your skin after one listen… there’s life in Brit-guitar pop yet” – The Guardian 4****
This zine I had been waiting for for entirely too long (or what felt like too long since I was really looking forward to getting it) finally came in the mail today. The zine reads a lot like a sitcom, with different events that are almost all totally independent of each other. The zine doesn’t really go into a psychological breakdown of Jami, and I am really thankful of that.…
Astpai (Wiener Neustadt, Austria) is currently touring the East Coast and Midwest in support of the North American release of their sophomore album, Corruption Concealed (Under Deceptive Slogans), on Philly label Jump Start. The record will officially hit stores on May 10th but you can pick up a copy from the band on tour.
Philadelphia-based, Hoots and Hellmouth, will be playing East Coast dates to kick off the new year in support of their self-titled debut album, which was released last year by MAD Dragon Records and distributed by Ryko Distribution (WEA).
The New Tragedies – Souvenirs / 2008 Self / 5 Tracks / http://www.thenewtragedies.com / One of the former writers for NeuFutur reviewed the last New Tragedies albums, so I will have to apologize in advance for being ignorant about the band. “Souvenirs†starts out with “New & Improvedâ€, a slow track that gradually opens to an atmospheric, breath-y type of track that matches well the back cover: two individuals, lounging…
Known as a DJ and called “The Gabber Guru,†Rob GEE will release his latest album, “Says,†on May 6th on Rock Ridge Music. It is the second album in a three-part series and follows his self-titled release which came out last fall. The album is 100% Rob GEE: eclectic, unexpected and completely unique. GEE’s band, who recorded the album with him and perform with him live, includes: GEE on…
This is, in a few words, one of the cutest zines that I think I have ever received. While it is specifically for one man, the zine contains the story about how the zinester Andrea met her current boy and the blossoming relationship that they had. Placing one or at the most two different paragraphs on a page, Andrea ensures that each page is not too crowded with text and…
More dates have been added to Crash Romeo’s upcoming U.S. tour with Tub Ring, Driver Side Impact and School Boy Humor. The trek begins April 28 in Tampa, FL and concludes May 1 in Nashville, TN. The New Jersey band is hitting the road in support of their recently released sophomore album, GAVE ME THE CLAP (Trustkill Records). The album was produced by Chris Badami (The Starting Line, The Early…
Senior Discount – S/T / 2008 Self / 5 Tracks / http://www.seniordiscountmusic.com / I guess I forgot to review Senior Discount’s last CD when they sent it over. My apologies. Anyways, the style of music that Senior Discount play is a fast-forward, quick brand of punk music that does not let individuals have a moment to rest. “Ataxia†is a track that will get the pits started and will hammer…
Socratic – Spread The Rumors / 2008 Drive-Thru / 12 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/socratic / http://www.drivethrurecords.com / Socratic have finally came out with their sequel to “Lunch For The Skyâ€, three years after the album was released. “Boy In A Magazine†is the first single on the disc, and it starts off the album. The fact that Mark Hoppus produced this album comes forth strongly during this introductory track, as the…
Hear Music artist Hilary McRae released her debut album, Through These Walls, on 4/15. With influences including Chicago, Carole King and Fleetwood Mac, the 21 year old singer/songwriter/pianist wrote or co-wrote every song on the record. Hilary drew upon many personal experiences with love and heartbreak to gain inspiration for the album making it a record that everyone can relate to.
Nihil Ex / :20 / 32L / PMB 278, 6523 California Ave Sw, Seattle WA 98136-1833 / I hate when I lose a zine, only to review it later and find that all of the contact information I can verify has been changed. This is the case with the excellent Nihil Ex, done by Maggie in 2003. Nihil Ex is heavily picture-based and artistic, using blank space instead of just…
One of the most beautiful singers ever. Heartbreaking.” – Devendra Banhart “I consider myself one of her biggest fans.” – Josephine Foster Director Richard Linklater discovered her music sometime in the early ’90s and subsequently featured her song “Come Here” in his 1995 film, Before Sunrise,
The Ting Tings – Great DJ / 2008 Red Ink / 3 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/thetingtings / http://www.columbiarecords.com / The Ting Tings are an act that are still gaining prominence in their native United kingdom, and have not really reached American shores as of yet. “Great DJ†is their third single (after “That’s Not My Name†and “Fruit Machineâ€), and blends together electronic music with a pop singer. The track does…