I love the style that John Hickman creates during his latest single, Hello Hello. This is a song that could easily be the theme for any late seventies or early eighties television show. John’s honest vocals play on top of a surprisingly complex instrumentation. The dynamic that the bass and piano create will stand up to repeat plays, while there is an incredibly layered sound that requires listeners many listens to…
Adam Mishan’s “Boomerang” is an engrossing pop track that has a solid rock backdrop. There are hints of Say Anything, The Starting Line and Yellowcard all present here. The catchy harmony of the chorus will have fans singing along well after Boomerang has ceased to play; this single is taut as a drum. The production is particularly impressive, allowing for multiple layers to exist in the same space in a…
My Silent Bravery’ acoustic take of Face to Face is tremendously emotive and touching for anyone that has been through a rough patch with their significant other. Matthew Wade’s vocals rise and fall as the rich instrumentation continually shifts and changes, making for a track that is livelier that a great many acoustic-based compositions. My Silent Bravery is able to add another weapon to their arsenal; anyone that is an MSB fan…
Jay Pray’s new recording “Smile” is an indie pop hit for the summer. The light electronic pop mix with Justin’s vocals to create a sound that reminds you of superstars in the genre, he’s showcasing his talent in an emotional song that leaves you smiling long after the song has finished.
PWR BTTM has done it again with their latest single “Big Beautiful Day”. The Punk duo has brought classic 80’s pop-punk sounding melodies and deep bass riffs together to make a fresh yet familiar sound. The vocals are hard hitting and memorable, they are blended well with the music making a seamless connection.
A Little Bit More begins their Silhouettes album with Get Up Crowd, a radio-ready country track that skillfully blend together Braid Paisley, The Outlaws, and Hank Williams Jr. The bold instrumentation, sizzling guitar work, and dusty vocals make for a track that will bounce around listeners’ heads long after Silhouettes has ceased to play. If Only For A Moment allows Jill’s vocals to shine brightly as a slower, more contemplative instrumentation provides highlights.…
Black Bolts’ Antique Rhythms latest release, the Call it a Day EP, begins with Call it a Day. This rock track is an interesting one is that Black Bolts immediately come forth and showcase a wide variety of influences in the first few minutes of the release. This means that there are hints of 1960s pop, the gritty sound of the 1970s movement in Detroit, and a bit of the funk and…
Yes, as a rule actors and musicians should stay in their own lanes. But like every rule there are exceptions and Rob Benedict, singer/guitarist for the LA-based indie rock band Louden Swain may just be one of those exceptions (I refuse to concede that Jared Leto is).
Ivan Beecroft’s Believe is an effort that immediately draws listeners’ attentions. The beginning instrumentation is lively and bouncy, eventually ceding ground to Ivan’s imitable vocal style. A rousing piano line and punctual drums establish the backdrop upon which the lyrics can hang. The track itself draws from 1990s alternative, 1980s alternative, and even hints of new wave and Britpop to make for something familiar. It is Beecroft’s tremendous command of…
Lonesomeville starts out DocFell & Co.’s “Dust Bowl Heart”, a rapid track that links together 1950s and 1960s country with dusty desert rock, a hint of rockabilly, and is tied together through the musical arrangements that immediately take listeners’ breaths away.
On “Visitors”, Howard Simon provides a taut, focused instrumentation and new takes on a number of earlier genres. Albion is set up as the introductory track, providing fans with a brief run-down of the styles to be experienced throughout the rest of the disc. In Her Name utilizes two sets of vocals to add further depth to the albums. I feel that the multi-layered approach that Howard Simon uses here ensures…
Natalise + The Sunset Run start their Glimpses of the Sun EP with Abandon, a genre-defying track that touches upon rock, pop-country, and alternative before concluding. Natalise’s vocals soar brightly over this introductory track, acting as a glue that unites the guitars, drums, and bass. With an unfettered success out of the gate, Natalise + The Sunset Run move into their Love Unconditional. Love Unconditional slows things down for a brief moment.…
Mark Reitenga’s Unsung begins with The Detroit Blues, an effort that blends a close and cozy sound with a set of vocals that pull from Paul Simon and Dave Matthews. There is a timeless sound to this introductory track, richly playing upon the titular genre and a bit of folk. The track is able to immerse listeners into the unique sound of Reitenga in the space of 2:30.
Wanderlilly is the first track off of Fort Collins act Race To Neptune’s Oh Contraire. The track is a bold statement, creating something wholly unique in an era of musical conformity. Passionate vocals, a ropy bass line, and a frantic pace ensure that listeners are firmly planted at the edges of their seats.
Daphne Willis begins her Freaks Like Me with a soulfully-sang effort that draws upon influences as wide as Nancy Sinatra and Elle King. A plinking piano and walking bass line make for an engrossing introduction to Freaks Like Me. Out Of The Black is a high-energy, electronic-based song in the vein of La Roux or Meghan Trainor. The bass is again a prominent effort, giving a funky infusion to a track that…
Jason Andrew Brown is able to create a sort of pop-country that will have listeners singing along after the disc’s first spin. During Shine Sun Shine, funk, surf rock, and a charismatic set of countrified vocals tattoo their melodies deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Emptiness is Forever is an effort that anyone that has lost a loved one will be able to understand. During this single, Brown’s…
Today, we are speaking with Nate Baker, who has just released 4 on 10. Can you give us a little background information about yourself? How did you get into music?
In 1969, after his single “Space Oddity,” managed to garner a decent amount of attention, David Bowie with his wife Angie moved into a massive house in London along with a slew of other hippies, that went under the name Haddon Hall. The house is the setting for the quirky yet inventively creative book by graphic designer/comic artist Nejib. The hardcover comic tells the story of Bowie putting together his…
Morningblind is a duo that is comprised of Richard Hayden and Sandra Bossy Retti. The EP begins with The Spring, a track that immediately showcases the dynamic between the two. There is a rich narrative that is weaved through this introductory effort, with all of the passion and emotion of a play. The track is hard to categorize; the guitar work draws on a classical style while Sandra’s vocals build…
Many Mountains is a triad of performers from Colorado; their Lost in Love is an engrossing EP, conveying more over the course of four songs than many bands can hope to impart upon their fans in 10. I feel that this is due to the engrossing instrumentation, the ability for each member of the band to shine alone or together, and a sound that is wholly unique while able to…