World Void Web’s Memories in Raindrops is a tremendously emotive effort that tells a story over the course of four and three-quarters minutes. Little more is needed from World Void Web than a synth and a percussive element to get listeners engaged. The video (enclosed below the drop) provides additional context to the composition. There are distinct movements to Memories in Raindrops that keeps the momentum of the composition high.…
Kelly McGrath has enjoyed considerable and gathering commercial success in the last two years propelled by her acumen for writing and delivering songs possessing across the board appeal and genuine musical, as well as emotional weight. Her latest single “O Holy Night” expands on those qualities with a particularly affecting performance, both vocally and musically, that pushes far beyond the broad-stroked cheer and clichés typical to Yuletide themed releases. Instead,…
Liz Kennedy scores big with her latest studio release Hike Up Your Socks and enlists some major league firepower to pull it off. Taj Mahal guests on significant album cuts and adds another weapon in Kennedy’s sonic arsenal. It helps, however, that Kennedy has written her best collection of songs yet for this recording and, based on exuded confidence alone, comes off as a musical artist who entered the studio…
MkX has scored big with his newest single “Ghost” – this budding pop sensation spares no effort with a fantastic song that accomplishes the dual feat of making a personal statement with great artfulness and entertaining audiences with a highly musical and physical approach to performance. It’s a winning combination throughout. It’s been released with an accompanying video that emphasizes the intense connection MkX feels exists between his music and…
Matteo Markus Bok’s energetic new holiday song “This Christmas” is able to have a current and contemporary sound while drawing heavily on the traditional jazz sound of the middle 20th century. The vocal range that Bok reaches during This Christmas allows the track to have a much deeper and more alluring sound, as Matteo is able to add considerably to the overall melody of the composition. When there are so…
The release of the Midnight Sessions EP constitutes vocalist Brian Hutson’s first full on attempt to capitalize on the success he’s experienced with a spate of singles. His initial single releases revealed him as a young vocalist with unusual versatility and depth readily achieving effects that it takes other promising youthful talents a decade or more to reach. Much of this has to do with innate talent, naturally, but producer…
Phil MC’S latest single It’s Christmas is a psychedelic-tinged effort that showcases an emphatic bass line, echoing vocals, and a frenetic pace that gradually open into something more contemplative and trippy. The distinct elements of It’s Christmas are able to combine into a stomping, strong song that will tattoo its melodies deep into the minds and hearts of listeners . Phil MC is able to make a Christmas track into…
The latest release from singer/songwriter-Americana act Django Mack, 100 Page Tattoo, continues the band’s creative progress while consolidating their past achievements. Few outfits working today in this style can claim the depth and entertainment value of the six songs included with this new EP release.
A few months back, we moved from Akron, Ohio down south to a spot in southern Arkansas. To say that the food in our little city (Magnolia) is a bit lacking is somewhat of an understatement. Luckily for us, there’s a town about thirty miles up the road in El Dorado, Arkansas. We’ve been looking for a reason to go to the Applebee’s as it is the one store that…
Otis Silver’s got a hell of a voice. On his new single, “Catch Me If You Can”, Silver is able to immediately place himself alongside performers like Jeremih and R. Kelly. We were absolutely stunned with how well the backing beat accentuates Otis’ vocals. Kidocean’s production is the glue that ties everything together, making for a single that could easily garner airplay on R&B, rap, or crossover stations. The intricate,…
Liquid Mind has crafted an engrossing release in XII: Peace. At The Center is Love opens up with confident synths that elicit imagines of a warm, inviting glade. The 6-plus minute run time of this introduction provides Liquid Mind the time to gradually move into a more richly emotive sound. There is a narrative that is weaved throughout the entirety of Peace that continues through to Communication and Person to…
Alex Stanilla creates a unique sound during his latest release, the 4-track EP WEN. Lehehiah builds off of the synth-pop of the mid eighties, with hints of Depeche Mode and Yaz influences present. Taking hints from industrial and gothic genres, this first song is a tremendous introduction to the performer.
Elena Andujar begins her new album Flamenco in Time with Fever. The track builds upon the dance of the 1980s and the R&B of the 1990s, establishing Andujar as an unique and exciting performer. The emphatic vocal / instrumental dynamic that leads listeners into the two-minute mark keeps the momentum high as more introspective and world music-styled approach. There are just so many things that are occurring at any one moment…
Never Too Late is a solid rock track from Canada’s Garrett. The track is able to link together the heavier styles of mid-1990s Ozzy Osbourne with the more introspective hair rock of acts like Enuff Z’nuff. The vocal harmonies, thoughtful guitar work, and splashy drums unite to make a catchy track.
King in the Belly’s latest single Magic Town is a funky sort of 1970s-infused rock music that draws upon the blues rock of The Rolling Stones with the vocal charisma of Frank Zappa. Emphatic guitar lines and ropy bass lines unite to create a robust, lush backdrop for the lyrics.
Matt LeGrand’s soulful cover of the Stevie Wonder classic What Christmas Means To Me further showcases Matt’s ability as a performer. The robust piano and bass line that plays at the bottom of the track further increases the replay value of LeGrand’s latest, while the inclusion of additional voices at points during What Christmas Means To Me provides a robustness to the composition that ensures that it will stay fresh…
Passion is a supremely confident track, ensuring that AWOLNATION can come forth with a considerably different approach from their last few singles. There are hints of The Killers and the same frenetic energy crafted in the late-nineties by acts like The Offspring. The falsetto of the vocals make for a nice counterpoint to the crunchy, intense tempo achieved by the drums and guitars. Together, these elements combine to make for a…
DYK creates a retro-sounding rock track with their latest single “The Procrastinator”. This single links together mid-eighties Genesis, Velvet Revolver, and Saliva into a funky, intense, and ultimately taut sound. The charismatic vocals will draw fans in while the slinkiness of the bass lines and additional synths provide a reason for fans to stay. The Procrastinator is surprisingly deep; listeners will continue to find new twists and turns each time…
We were lucky enough to be invited in for a tasting at Houston’s Platypus Brewing, where I had a few moments to speak with Kerry Embertson, the head brewer and Sean, the owner. While there, we were treated to a number of their year-round and seasonal offerings.
Monique Barry’s Open Road is a powerfully-sang effort that blends together traditional vocal-heavy compositions with a hint of classical and more modern (e.g. U2, Mumford & Sons) style. This unique sound makes for an expansive and engrossing effort. Fans will need to play Open Road numerous times before hearing every twist and turn that Barry has included here. We were particularly impressed at the range that Monique reaches during this…