Category: Features

Posted on: May 9, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Igor’s Dream 2016 (Two Roads Brewing)

Igor’s Dream is an always-highly anticipated Russian Imperial Stout from Connecticut’s Two Roads Brewing. The beer pours with a dark brown to nearly black coloration and only the smallest in the way of a head lays on the top of a poured glass.

Posted on: May 7, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Producing gold: KFM beats

The production that opens up Mxlcxlm z’s latest album After Party will immediately draw listeners in. There is a vibrancy to the arrangements here (laid down by KFM beats)that threaten to overwhelm the lyrical flow present. The dynamic established by KFM beats is spun off into a bold, different direction during Can’t get enough and Aint fa’ me. The backing beat that is created during each is more low key…

Posted on: May 5, 2016 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Dixie Chicks Soar with Vinyl Reissues

It didn’t exactly seem so at the time, but the Dixie Chicks were more punk rock than just about any band while Bush Jr.  was in the White House. Sure they seemed like just another Saccharine Southern Country band from Texas when their major label debut “Wide Open Spaces” came out in 1998, but soon after they would start to show an admirable “Screw it, we’re going to speak our…

Posted on: May 4, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

The Sweetwater Hillbillies Take Me to the Mardi Gras CD Review

I’m a Sweetwater Hillbilly is a timeless track that ties together guitars, drums, soulful vocals and flutes. This introductory single to the latest Sweetwater Hillbillies album, Take Me to the Mardi Gras, present fans with a brief taste of what they will experience over the following 13 tracks. Alabama Hippie is a similarly-dense track. The bouncing beat of the track calls back to the country & western of the 1970s, while…

Posted on: May 4, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Soles of Passion – Escape from Jurisdiction B

The electronic-infused rock that begins the latest Soles of Passion album “Escape from Jurisdiction B” hearkens back to the halcyon days of the mid-1980s. The act is able to create something wholly unique through the entirety of this album, bolstered by sizzling guitar work, a chugging bass, and an emotive and alluring set of vocals. The complex arrangements that are fostered through Wheezy Hissy Fit will require listeners multiple listens to…

Posted on: May 3, 2016 Posted by: Randude Comments: 0

Iron Maiden – 2/24 (Sunrise, FL), 4/6 (Chicago, IL)

Back in early October of last year, having just spent the most metal week of my life aboard Motörhead’s Motörboat, catching up on the metal news that had transpired while we were away was the discovery that Iron Maiden had announced a tour, which was to open only a few hours from where I lived. All focus and discussion about the cruise was temporarily suspended while my cruise mates and…

Posted on: May 3, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Deborah Henriksson Makes “Harry’s Game” Her Own

Deborah Henriksson has just released a haunting and beautiful cover version of Clannad’s “Harry’s Game”. Henriksson’s ability is enough to unite the instrumental and vocal sides of the composition into a cohesive entity. The rich tapestry that is weaved through the track’s three minutes will stick with listeners long after the song has ceased to play. The multimedia component of this single is completed by its video. The shots imbue each…

Posted on: May 3, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Bryan Deister “Spines of the Heart” CD Review

All That I Have is the opening effort from Bryan Deister’s Spines of the Heart, an intense track that is able to hurtle listeners to the end with a unique blend of electronic and more alternative vocal elements. Responding Well changes things up to have a more atmospheric and twinkling sound; the different tack taken here prepares listeners for In Her Eyes. In Her Eyes builds off of the trip-hop…

Posted on: May 3, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Charlie Funk “Give Me A Groove” EP Review

Give Me A Groove is an eclectic track that will immediately get up people on the dance store. Hints of funk, soul, and dance all vie for dominance. A sizzling guitar line ties the disparate elements together, establishing high momentum as listeners move into Sexy Cutie. Sexy Cutie builds on a timeless base (hints of Isaac Hayes and James Brown) while establishing a dense instrumentation replete with horns and ropy…

Posted on: May 2, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Ronjo V “Ronjoism”

Ronjo V’s Ronjoism starts with Un-Friend, an impassioned piece of indie-rock that sparkles with the careful dynamic established by the vocals, guitars, and piano. A bit of fuzz links together these disparate elements, giving the track a timeless feel that will appease fans of alternative from the 1990s, oughts, and current. The progression of the track imbues the effort with considerable catchiness, ensuring that listeners will eagerly devour the opening…

Posted on: May 2, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Jim Wellman “Dawn to Dusk” CD Review

Dawn to Dusk begins with Lucy, an effort that links together jazz and funk into a chill package; Judy La Rose’s vocals will immediately tattoo themselves deep into the psyche of listeners. Lewontin Campbell is an extraordinarily complex track that will require listeners multiple listens to fully understand. While there is a very easy-listening, lounge-meets-soul sound that plays at the top level of the composition, there are so many elements…

Posted on: May 1, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

The Magic Lightnin’ Boys are “Stealin’ Thunder”

Bones immediately sets the stage for the rest of Stealin’ Thunder. This blues feels sunbaked and straight from the bayou. Soulful vocals, intelligent instrumentation, and a band that is working as a cohesive unit immediately will draw together fans of rock, country, and blues-rock.

Posted on: May 1, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Therapedic TruCool Side Sleeper Memory Foam Bed Pillow

There are so many pillows that are on the market and these range from $4 all the way up to about $200–$300 at the absolute high end. As a result it seems to be nearly a collegiate course required to understand what product is best for you based on how you sleep, whether you snore, and how your sinuses are impacted by sleep – the list of concerns goes on…

Posted on: April 30, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Bare Tree Barley Wine Style Weiss Beer (2015 Vintage)

A number of the previous experiences that NeuFutur had with barleywines were not overly impressive. The beer tasted grainy and boozy without much in the way of other flavors that came into focus. It was very nearly enough to go and keep us from purchasing any other beers in that style. We received a bottle of the 2015 edition of Two Brothers’ Bare Tree, having such a dense and detailed…

Posted on: April 30, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Dandies All Natural Marshmellows

Many times the type and brand of a marshmallow is not considered at all by those looking to purchase a bag. The typical assumption is that all marshmallows are created (and as a result) taste the same. We had our perceptions permanently changed when we received a bag of Dandies All Natural Marshmallows, which are non-GMO, vegan, and gluten free. At first, I can honestly say I was not the…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Ray Goren – “Save My Soul” EP

Stop refreshes The Tubes, Van Halen, and Thin Lizzy into a chunky, funky, second coming of blues-rock bands. By pulling in other approaches (listeners can hear hints of progressive rock and acts as wide-reaching as The Black Crowes, Jane’s Addiction, and Alice in Chains), Goren is able to ensure that listeners on firmly on the edges of their seats through the entirety of the Save My Soul EP. The titular…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Athena – Ready for the Sun Part 1 CD Review

You Bring Me Luck is a perfectly-polished bit of pop that has a timeless feel to it; Athena is able to showcase tremendous amounts of personality with a backing instrumentation that is that the top of their game. Everything to Me has hints of alternative rock interspersed through it, with Athena’s vocals pulling double duty in both weaving the narrative as well as contributing to the lush instrumentation of the…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Oziris Spore CD Review

Space is the opening effort on Oziris’ Spore and it will immediately draw listeners in through otherworldly percussion. This initial arrangement will tattoo itself melodies deep into listeners’ minds, while a clap track provides the counterpoint for the inimitable flow of Oziris.