Author: James McQuiston

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Spoon Benders – Resurrecting the Giants

The Spoon Benders – Resurrecting the Giants / 2007 Self / 8 Tracks / http://www.thespoonbenders.net / The Spoon Benders craft a style of music that brings me back to the early days of the nineties. The disc’s first track is “Making My Name”, and it has The Spoon Benders linking together the works of Rusted Root, the Dave Matthews Band, and hints of more current (Maroon 5, Matchbox 20, and…

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

GREG LASWELL To Release “How The Day Sounds” on 3/11

Santa Monica, CA – Lyricist/singer/multi-instrumentalist/producer Greg Laswell reveals another chapter in his musical and emotional journey with How The Day Sounds, a six song EP that is openly transitional from its spotlight on Laswell’s elegantly expressive piano playing to the sense of healing and moving on that resonates throughout its course. How The Day Sounds will be released March 11th on Vanguard.

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

A Third Wish Granted – The Lost Art of Conversation: Vol. 1

A Third Wish Granted – The Lost Art of Conversation: Vol. 1 / 2007 Self / 6 Tracks / http://www.a3wg.net / If you have been around Los Angeles in any serious sense since 2001, and followed the local music scene at all, chances are good that you have heard of A Third Wish Granted. Hell, I’m from Ohio, and I had heard them before I was sent “The Lost Art…

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Introducing: King of Prussia

While a quick assessment of King of Prussia’s debut might bring to mind the Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, or a more straight-ahead Flaming Lips, the band’s deftly-designed, often misanthropic, lyrics–which speak of home as place, home as state, consumerism, summertime, etc.–place the band closer to the Steely Dans and Magnetic Fields of the world. The point here is that it’s hard to categorize KoP, even if their erudite power pop…

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Aaron English – The Marriage of the Sun and Moon

Aaron English – The Marriage of the Sun and Moon / 2007 Self / 12 Tracks / http://www.aaronenglish.com / It has been a few (5) years since Aaron English first hit the music scene with “All The Waters of This World”. “The Marriage of the Sun and Moon” is his second album, and by the time “Moon Murmurs” (the disc’s last track) peters out, it is clear that English has…

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Bullet For My Valentine are streaming their entire new album, Scream Aim Fire, in its entirety on Myspace

Bullet For My Valentine are streaming their entire new album, Scream Aim Fire, in its entirety on Myspace. Scream Aim Fire will be in stores on January 29th. The band has also released an exclusive audio commentary on their new album at MP3.com. The commentary gives an inside look at the making of the new album. Bullet For My Valentine are currently on tour in Europe and will kick off…

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Fat Nugs Fanzine

Man, does this zine blather on or what? Haha! Its like how Amish Drive-By used to be. There are a lot of these types of these fanzines on the east coast, and I really have no clue why they are so large. Specifically, this zine is racist, sexist, classics, and generally whatever -ist you can come up with. I’m not writing this review to condemn anyone. Specifically, this magazine just…

Posted on: January 28, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

AIR TRAFFIC Fractured Life Release Date Feb. 5th, 2008

…an album of startling beauty and depth. – FILTER A gloriously, glamourously giddy treat – NME Air Traffic‘s Fractured Life is a debut album of brilliant, occasionally brutal, mood music. From the sexual euphoria of “Charlotte” to the bleak introspection of “Empty Space“, its mindscape is one we have all experienced, or soon will. By turns anguished and exuberant, cocksure and crestfallen, it is rock lived at a pitch of…

Posted on: January 27, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Cheryl B. Engelhardt – Craving The Second

Cheryl B. Engelhardt – Craving The Second / 2007 Self / 12 Tracks / http://www.cbemusic.com / 2004 marked the first Cheryl Engelhardt album; “Shoes Off and Run” provided individuals with a sense of Engelhardt’s pop-laced style. “Craving The Second” is so much more; “Keep” uses a melody that could be created by a Scarecrow and Tinman with a set of vocals that touches upon all of the famous female singers,…