Dreamer on the Run is the first track on Nemo James’ The Minstrel, and this emotive, intense track is built off of the singer-songwriter tradition. Hints of James Taylor and Neil Young can be heard here, while the guitar provides a further fleshing out of the narrative weaved by Nemo’s voice. The titular track on The Minstrel balances the instrumental and lyrical sides of the composition perfectly. While the effort…
The Mantles paradoxically take somewhat tired musical genres and give them their own spin to make them fresh again. Walking that line is something many bands try to do, without success. With blends of new wave, neo-folk and other classic musical tones, singer Michael Oliveras wears his influences not just on his sleeve, but boldly emblazoned across his shirt.
Aspen Brewing (Aspen, CO) and Casey Brewing and Blending ( Glenwood Springs, CO) have collaborated on an extremely-limited Biére de Garde. This effort pours with a hazy brownish color and a small amount of head that lays upon the top of the beer. The Biére de Garde’s nose is fairly funky, with prune and citrus elements present. On the initial sip, imbibers will experience vanilla, brown sugar, and fruity elements that…
The 90s are back in full effect. Everywhere you turn, there is grunge fashion and retro stylings. Nirvana has been discovered by a whole new crowd; one that wasn’t even alive when the band was thriving. After checking out the Garbage show October 14th, 2015 at Stubbs in Austin, one can easily see that an entirely new crowd has fallen in love with the band. Fans of all ages seemed to…
Jump Out of the World is the first introduction that listeners will have to London’s Noisemate, and the band is able to create something that bridges the gap between punk, rock, and alt-rock. The insistence of the vocals and spot-on guitars and drums make for a track that is ready for radio rotation. Each side of Noisemate – the lyrics, instrumentation, and production – makes for something that will bounce…
You Wanna Make Me Fly (I Know You Belong To A Dream) is a track that possesses a retrospective sound that seems perfectly ensconced in the 1980s. To keep things current and contemporary, there are hints present here of EDM; the uniting element here has to be Nick Festari’s inimitable vocals.
Great Divide’s Hibernation Ale has finally made its way to cans, and this classic has never seemed more drinkable. The beer pours with an extremely dark brown to ruby coloration and a good amount of decent amount of off-white head that rapidly dissipates. Hibernation Ale goes down incredibly easy, a dangerous proposition when one considers the 8.7% ABV of the brew.
It’s Over (featuring Stiffler) is a track that skillfully blends trap, rap, and an R&B hook that showcases that Coraezy Hitz comes forth in a unique and eclectic fashion. Hints of Tech N9ne, Hopsin, and Tyler The Creator can be discerned here, but the sharp and pointed flow during this track is uniquely Coraezy Hitz’s own. With hints of Drake and Bun B playing at the periphery of the track,…
Water District create hopeful, sunny indie music with hints of emotive rock present during their new single, Dear California. The track succeeds upon skillful guitar work, a chunky bass, and alluring vocals that will bury themselves deep into the minds and hearts of listeners.
As many of my friends and family know, I am not very talented when it comes to any crafts that involve me using my hands. My wife, Danica, has had some luck creating balloon sculptures, but the amount of shapes and designs that she can create still numbers less than 10. There are balloon artists that are plying their wares that can craft hundreds of distinct designs. John Reid is…
The pop style of Paperplane Pursuit during their latest single Feel Good blends together a wide array of styles, from One Direction to Chromeo and Ca$h Ca$h. The catchy vocals and punchy drums here tattoo their melodies deep into listeners’ minds. A cohesive unity between the instrumentation and vocals here turns this cut into a must-listen.
“Stash” is a track that deftly blends ambient and atmospheric compositions into a twinkling track that will work perfectly in late autumn and early winter. The haunting vocals that lay on top of the track will resound loudly in listeners’ ears long after the track has ceased to pay. Along with the single, Cocopipes has released a video for the single.
Ed Accura has released a number of albums over the last 12 years, and continually refreshes his style with each additional release. Accura creates a unique style of rap and hip-hop with his latest single Bittersweet News Update.
Loren Smith has created a new single in Always Remember that skillfully blends together pop, musicals, and the gospel tradition to make something beautiful. There is little more to Always Remember than Loren’s vocals and a piano, but the richness of the composition will stick with listeners long after the track has ceased to play.
Pouring with an extremely dark brown to nearly black color, the Bourbon Barrel edition of Buffalo Sweat, Tallgrass Brewing Company’s oatmeal cream stout has a nose that is sweet with hints of coffee and chocolate. The aging that Buffalo Sweat goes through imparts hints of vanilla and a spicy bourbon bite to the conclusion of each sip. While the beer is light on the alcohol (5.8% ABV) when compared to…
The Clash’s English Civil War begins the release, Steve Lieberman’s latest and immediately hits listeners with a wall of fuzz and distortion. There is an insistence to this composition that sets the stage for the rest of the album. Lieberman’s cover of Echo & The Bunnymen’s Crystal Days allows for more of a psychedelic and new wave sound to make it into the track, with a rising and falling action…
The Hop Harvest Oktoberfest by Peak Organic Brewing (Portland, Maine) is a marzen that pours with a dark brown color that has a slight touch of orange. The head of the beer is off-white to yellow with a good finger’s worth of foam. The initial nose yields hints of malt and sweetness, trends that are just part of the complex set of flavors that one will experience when cracking into…
Oskar Blues has placed an eponymous IPA into their year-round rotation. The beer pours with a dark yellow /light orange coloration and a good amount of foamy white head. The initial nose of the IPA ties together citrus fruits, grain, and a small bit of malt. The raspberries, pineapple, and a bit of an alcohol burn makes this IPA into something that is just as exciting at the conclusion as…
A documentary about one-hit wonders (at least here in the U.S.) Spandau Ballet seems like an odd sell. But thanks to its loose feel and frank interviews, the movie somehow works. The London band led the New Romantic movement in the early ’80s alongside fellow eyeliner and blouse-clad bands like Duran Duran and OMD.
The premise of the British indie Riot Club is pretty intriguing. Unfortunately, the execution of the movie is not nearly as impressive and falls apart half way into the drama.