Niva the Soul Diva has just released “Hennessy Love”, a track that links together the 1990s R&B scene with a current and contemporary vocal approach. The backing instrumentation ebbs and flows, while Niva’s vocals are able to rise to prominence by the one-minute mark. The bit of percussion works well with hints of a soulful/funky guitar line. Hennessy Love is able to stand up to repeat plays due to this depth.…
Focused’s Grime Sublime is an intimate, intricate rap act that links together intelligent wordplay with a backing instrumentation that links together 1990s New York with the Kanye-infused Chicago approach of the mid-2000s. Grind Sublime is one of those efforts that really need to be focused onto; the lyrics are such that listeners’ eyes and ears will be opened. The double duty of Focused here – the vocals and the additional…
Randal Branham begins his Simple with Simple To Extreme, a tremendously engrossing effort that links together rock, funk, and even hints of traditional blues and country and western. The unique array of styles broached by Branham on this introductory track will have listeners on the edges of their seats. The narrative that is weaved through Simple to Extreme and Wonderful acts as the glue for the first half of the disc.…
Adina E’s latest track “I Couldn’t Help Myself” straddles the line between country and a pop/alternative style (e.g. The Carpenters, Natalie Cole, Melissa Etheridge). The introductory minute opens into something beautiful, with all elements – the bass, lightly-playing guitars, and drums – uniting to make a radio (or playlist)-ready effort. Adina E’s vocals will stick with listeners long after the track ceases to play. Listeners will be able to emote…
NIGHT’s “Charlottesville”is a tremendously emotional effect that needs little more to shine than a solitary set of vocals and a guitar. As the single continues to play, additional elements are able to join into the mix. At no point does this single lose its tender edge. At the 1:45 mark, an electronic element is brought into the fray; hints of Nine Inch Nails and The Tea Party bubble forth. The…
Images of Eden’s “Shield Me” is a supersponic metal track that showcases a band that is able to make something current while showcasing extreme reverence for the acts that had preceded them. Shield Me’s vocals are a melange of Queensryche and Iron Maiden, while the sizzling guitar work adds further narrative to the song. Shield Me has furious solos (2:45) and guitar/drum dynamics that push each to a higher plateau.…
Biting Elbows’ “Love Song” links together Disintegration-era Cure and mid-1980s Depeche Mode. The vocals that are laid down on this single are reminiscent of performers as wide-ranging as Walk The Moon and Conor Oberst. We dig the instrumentation that ebbs and flows on this effort. Take special care to focus on the track after the 2:30 mark. Love Song’s bridging point has the band move into new territory in the…
nIMO & The Light’s “Skin to Skin” calls back to acts like The Smiths and The Tragically Hip. The instrumentation on this new single builds upon the tradition of performers like U2 and INXS, with subtle nods to 1980s goth music. Skin to Skin’s bass, guitar and drum dynamic is fascinating, pitting the rich and omnipresent bass line with a more sporadic and impactful guitar. The drums punctuate Skin to…
Couch Jackets’ “Pillows And Rillos” is a fascinating track. The distinct sections oof the single – the synths, drums, vocals, and guitars – are pulling double duty. This means that not only do they contribute to the overall coherent effort that is Pillows and Rillos, but that they also can be enjoyed on their own. In the same way, pick out pieces of the track – the 1980s synths seemingly…
An Old Friend’s “Lady” is one of those track that imparts as much deep and effecting emotion with its instrumentation as it does with its passionate vocals. The track draws from the late-nineties and early-oughts indie/alternative rock styles of the Deep Elm acts. Lady is an effort that ebbs and flows, with louder, most guitar / drum -heavy moments buttressed alongside rich and impassioned vocals. The track will keep listeners on…
Tritonal have brought in Lourdiz to their new track “Love U Right”. The inclusion of her voocals allow Tritonal the ability to layer glowing synths and perfectly punchy beats in a way that makes the resulting track incredibly deep. While it is incredibly easy to enjoy the song driving around or doing something else, Tritonal’s unique ability to make this a heady and complex effort means that one should really…
Albert Hammond Jr has been crafting music for well over a decade at this point, and on his latest single,”Far Away Truths”, he’s able to spin the very angular rock music of the oughts in a bright new way. A guitar / bass dynamic hearkens a bit back to the 1980s; supersonic vocals draw upon Rush as much as Interpol.
Seconds Before Landing’s fourth release is a three song EP entitled Trio Volume 1 and shows how far songwriting John Crispino and Seconds Before Landing has progressed since their debut concept album The Great Deception. Crispino is a multi-instrumentalist as well and his drumming and synthesizer contributions to the release are every bit as important as his vocal and lyrical offerings. The band has worked with engineer Andy Jackson before…
The Rebecca Creek Saloon is the newest addition to the Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas. We were lucky enough too be invited in for dinner and a game. This night, the Rangers faced the Oakland Athletics. The stadium was massive and airy, ensuring that the 15,000+ in attendance did not feel crowded. A similar sort of ambiance was present in the saloon. Tall ceilings and tasteful design will immediately…
It’s taken five albums – albeit all really good releases – but Texas native Amanda Shires has finally put out a career-defining record.
For as much creativity and immersive artistry that has emerged in the last decade, one aspect of the entertainment business has continued to suffer, almost, ironically, in silence. I’m talking about pop music, specifically it’s more electrified rock n’ roll realm. Pop’s heavier side has been going through some particularly rough times since the fusion of electronic and urban subgenres to create super-scenes that know no boundaries both sonically and…
There is seems to be a strong sense of inauthenticity with the vast number of bands who are suddenly unplugging their guitars and calling themselves “Americana” now. But soon enough, another genre will come along and be ripe for exploitation. And when it does, you can bet Riley Moore, a refreshingly genuine voice in the Americana/Folk movement, will still be playing his brand of no frills, but deeply satisfying music…
Over the past several years, when not on their seemingly endless global tour, Mike Peters and his bandmates have been busy breathing new life into old classics. First came the 30th anniversary of their debut, “Declaration,” which saw the songs re-interpreted and re-recorded for a new decade, followed quickly by “Peace Train,” another series of re-recordings, this time of lesser known B-Sides. But, after an eight-year break, the band is…
Rumors of the Great White Skunk, the third album from Oklahoma based duo Cliff and Jeana Downing, builds on the success of Captain Ledge Band’s first two albums with a collection that shows their exponential growth as songwriters since the band first formed. The duo’s journey to a third album has been well chronicled and you hear a lot of the gratitude they share for making music together coming through,…
Karen Atkins’ cover of the classic Paul Simon track “Slip Slidin’ Away” is fantastic as it is able to possess the spirit of the original while imprinting her own unique tack on the track. Little more is needed on Atkins’ version than her inimitable vocals and just the lightest touch of guitars and drums. One will be teleported into close quarters with Atkins’ recording (a video is below) as she…