Jenn Nucum’s Revival album begins with Better Optimist, a single that sets the stage for a theme of hope and lessons learned. Nucum’s approach takes nods from mid-1990s alternative and the singer-songwriter style, linking together a guitar of guitars with a close-knit drum line. Cutting out well before the 2:30 mark, Better Optimist keeps the momentum robust as fans move into All The Same. Nucum’s All The Same is a…
{Shamelessly grabbed from Ecliptic Brewing) Ecliptic Brewing of Portland, Oregon is excited to release their newest beer in their Seasonal Series: SunRay Juicy IPA. Offered in 12-ounce cans, the beer is set to hit store shelves in mid May. SunRay Juicy IPA is brewed with Bru-1 and Idaho 7 hops and 100% Pale Malt. Together these hops pack a punch of juicy flavor, with heavy notes of tropical fruit and…
Preface is more than just an introduction to Luna Scar’s new album, The Relation Between Unrelated Concepts. It is a fully-formed track that will bury its melodies deep into listeners’ minds; the charisma that Luna Scar immediately brings to the release will garnet fans even at the onset of this disc. Bite is a powerful effort that could easily slot onto pop or EDM rotation. The strong, assertive vocals that…
Go Do That With Sharon has a powerful main guitar riff and assertive vocals. Haerle establishes a complex arrangement that brings in hints of surf and nods to mid-1990s Beck and R.E.M.. David’s vocals ring out over the composition, but the ancillary inclusions here – a robust bass line, for one – makes the effort fulfilling as all get out. Romy and Michele slows things down; David ensures that listeners…
The Death of Me blends together Tom’s supersonic vocals with a stripped-down rock in the vein of AC/DC and Kyuss. The ferocity of this single is further punctuated with sizzling guitar work and on-point drums. The melodies encountered during this cut will bury themselves deeply into the psyche of anyone listening in. Rise is a power ballad that count easily hang with the highlights of the genre. Tom’s vocals are…
On I Need More, Christina Morgan-Diaz is able to create a timeless gospel effort. With a slow, deliberate tempo and considerable vocal chops, Morgan-Diaz is able to tell a story of praise as well as anyone. The backing instrumentation heard on I Need More is robust as all get out as well; the piano and bass unite to make a stellar tapestry upon which Christina’s voice can truly shine. Adding…
On Stay, Snuttock are able to craft a fun bit of alternative rock that builds upon The Buggles and Jellyfish. The pair vocals are matched nicely with an electronic/guitar approach. The melodies that the act crafts during their latest single will stick around with listeners long after the song ceases to play. The bridge at the 1:55 mark allows Snuttock the ability to change things up for the song’s second…
Over the course of 2020, Colorado’s Oskar Blues is releasing a number of barrel-aged varieties in cans. The line is starting out with All Monde, an over-the-top imperial stout utilizing toasted almonds and vanilla beans. Oskar Blues is utilizing continuous circulation of the stout through adjuncts in order to impart a deepness of flavor. While the decision to incorporate materials alongside the beer in the finishing process is not a…
On The River, Campbell Harrison is able to blend together equal amounts Jane’s Addiction and Layne Staley, adding more than a fair share of bluegrass and alt-country to the mix. The guitar laid down here is fantastic, bringing more than just musical accompaniment to the composition. Rather, the guitar work adds considerable depth to the soundscape that is crafted here. Hopeful and vibrant, Campbell’s vocal approach is matched shortly after…
Animal has Jane N’ The Jungle create a musically complex composition that contains enough hookiness for the single to easily slot onto alternative and hard rock rotation. The supersonic vocals that will wash over listeners keeps fans firmly planted on the edge of their seat. With nods to both Skillet and Fleetwood Mac, Animal is one of those track that is truly timeless in its overall sound. A stand-up production…
Alex Sparrow is able to create a positive love song in these dark times with his new single, Let’s Stay Home Tonight. The track has considerable vocal charisma, a robust backing instrumentation, and a production that ensures the single will garner airplay on numerous pop radio station. There’s a fulfilling complexity to Let’s Stay Home Tonight that differentiates Sparrow’s latest from countless other tracks. The amount of progression that fans…
As part of the Live Screenplay Reads during the Urban World Film Festival (held yearly in New York City, Deborah Lee Fong was able to provide considerable experience to new and experienced actors from around the United States. Over the course of the last 30 years in film, Fong’s been able to take a turn in productions from PBS to nationwide theatre performances. Keeping active even when the audience is…
Linda Collins, star of the Andres Irias-directed Perception, picked up the Best International Film award from the Brightside Taverns Shorts Film Festival. Additionally, Collins’ turn as Lauren was awarded with a Best Supporting Actress award at the Omaha Latino Film Festival. The pair of awards caps off a busy time for Collins, who has contributed her abilities to films ranging from drama (In My Eyes), comedy (Three for the Road)…
CLICHÉ is the first effort off of Dead Freddie’s new self-titled LP, and it immediately calls back to acts like The Stranglers and The Adverts. Melodic pop-punk with driving beats and a robust bass line sound absolutely timeless here, while the passion and charisma of the lead vox will immediately draw fans in to the rest of the disc. When I’m Bound begins with some Cars-esque keys and a hint…
Given Everything is a hopeful track that has Linker blend together early-1990s Tom Petty with mid-1990s alternative. Multiple instrumental layers unite to make for a complex backdrop. Subsequent listens are essential for listeners to hear each and every dynamic that is included within. The hopeful vocals laid won here by Mitch has just a tinge of melancholy playing at the periphery. A secondary vocal layer adds further depth to his…
During Charon, Jordan Rome is able to create a compelling instrumental backdrop that is part Jethro Tull, part Low Man’s Lyric-era Metallica. The guitar and vocals act here as complementary narrative components. Drums punctuate the backdrop of Charon. Little more is needed during this composition than Jordan’s voice, guitars, and drums; the resultant combination of these elements establishes a melody that will bury itself deeply into listeners’ minds. Never content…
Hello Robert. How goes it in these interesting times? Hi James. Yes, these are definitely interesting times. I’ve been keeping very busy, mainly due to the new Better Day release. I’m pretty much in my office morning, noon and night, so I don’t go out much and when I do there’s nobody on the roads, which is strange and cool at the same time. I live in the upper Northeast…
Trap Fashion, the latest track by Baltimore’s Cutty Kev, has an airy production and a delivery style that is infectious as all get out. With a style that takes hints of TK N Cash and T-Pain, Cutty Kev is able to bring people out to the dance floor. Hooky choruses and a smart feature (Tae Wilson) keep listener interest in this song high. Cutting out before the 3 minute mark,…
Just Want To Talk is a fun, traditional pop rock sound that builds off of the style of Roy Orbison and Weezer. There’s a bit of funkiness and soul in this composition, further buttressed by the amount of charisma that Ryan ferries. The timeless sound of Jack’s latest single with have listeners’ toes tapping. The confident guitar lines exude further confidence in the song as well as provide a taut,…
Head In The Clouds, the latest cut from Reverse Mechanic, is a fun and vibrant track that brings back the bouncy style of Men Without Hats and Midnight Oil. With bits of rap interspersed within, Reverse Mechanic is able to craft a wholly unique style over the course of 4 minutes. An infectious chorus will bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners, while Reverse Mechanic is able…