Few genres in the pop music lexicon have been as consistently popular as the blues have since its inception. No matter what seems to be going on in the world around us, there’s always a good blues song out there to suit the mood at the moment, and in Izzie’s Caravan’s Leo’s Guitar, there are four such songs ready and waiting for fans to appreciate. Leo’s Guitar is a barebones blues-rock record that…
At first, the driving beat in “Habibi” is skewed with a reticence that suggests bittersweet emotion finally coming to the surface in the midst of vicious exchange between lovers. It doesn’t take very long for this reticence to fall under the weight of the pulsating bassline in the foreground in this latest single from Ilyah, eventually resulting in one of the smoothest rhythmic ebbtides of the new decade to date.…
Innovative and instantly connecting with the listener, the 12 songs on the new album Eastside Sessions bridge the gap between jazz, rock and even Latin-flavored music. Proving once again that big sound gets big results, the veteran group, Project Grand Slam, have been doing this since 2007 and show no signs of stopping. New York City’s Project Grand Slam have thrilled audiences far and wide. While we’re at the disadvantage…
Over the course of 2020, Colorado’s Oskar Blues is releasing a number of barrel-aged varieties in cans. The line is starting out with All Monde, an over-the-top imperial stout utilizing toasted almonds and vanilla beans. Oskar Blues is utilizing continuous circulation of the stout through adjuncts in order to impart a deepness of flavor. While the decision to incorporate materials alongside the beer in the finishing process is not a…
On The River, Campbell Harrison is able to blend together equal amounts Jane’s Addiction and Layne Staley, adding more than a fair share of bluegrass and alt-country to the mix. The guitar laid down here is fantastic, bringing more than just musical accompaniment to the composition. Rather, the guitar work adds considerable depth to the soundscape that is crafted here. Hopeful and vibrant, Campbell’s vocal approach is matched shortly after…
Animal has Jane N’ The Jungle create a musically complex composition that contains enough hookiness for the single to easily slot onto alternative and hard rock rotation. The supersonic vocals that will wash over listeners keeps fans firmly planted on the edge of their seat. With nods to both Skillet and Fleetwood Mac, Animal is one of those track that is truly timeless in its overall sound. A stand-up production…
Alex Sparrow is able to create a positive love song in these dark times with his new single, Let’s Stay Home Tonight. The track has considerable vocal charisma, a robust backing instrumentation, and a production that ensures the single will garner airplay on numerous pop radio station. There’s a fulfilling complexity to Let’s Stay Home Tonight that differentiates Sparrow’s latest from countless other tracks. The amount of progression that fans…
As part of the Live Screenplay Reads during the Urban World Film Festival (held yearly in New York City, Deborah Lee Fong was able to provide considerable experience to new and experienced actors from around the United States. Over the course of the last 30 years in film, Fong’s been able to take a turn in productions from PBS to nationwide theatre performances. Keeping active even when the audience is…
Linda Collins, star of the Andres Irias-directed Perception, picked up the Best International Film award from the Brightside Taverns Shorts Film Festival. Additionally, Collins’ turn as Lauren was awarded with a Best Supporting Actress award at the Omaha Latino Film Festival. The pair of awards caps off a busy time for Collins, who has contributed her abilities to films ranging from drama (In My Eyes), comedy (Three for the Road)…
CLICHÉ is the first effort off of Dead Freddie’s new self-titled LP, and it immediately calls back to acts like The Stranglers and The Adverts. Melodic pop-punk with driving beats and a robust bass line sound absolutely timeless here, while the passion and charisma of the lead vox will immediately draw fans in to the rest of the disc. When I’m Bound begins with some Cars-esque keys and a hint…
Given Everything is a hopeful track that has Linker blend together early-1990s Tom Petty with mid-1990s alternative. Multiple instrumental layers unite to make for a complex backdrop. Subsequent listens are essential for listeners to hear each and every dynamic that is included within. The hopeful vocals laid won here by Mitch has just a tinge of melancholy playing at the periphery. A secondary vocal layer adds further depth to his…
During Charon, Jordan Rome is able to create a compelling instrumental backdrop that is part Jethro Tull, part Low Man’s Lyric-era Metallica. The guitar and vocals act here as complementary narrative components. Drums punctuate the backdrop of Charon. Little more is needed during this composition than Jordan’s voice, guitars, and drums; the resultant combination of these elements establishes a melody that will bury itself deeply into listeners’ minds. Never content…
When we personalize our efforts to engage the world, the positive impact we create is powerful. Anyone can hold up a sign, march shoulder to shoulder with others in the name of a particular cause, or reel off a bevy of slogans and adages we believe illustrate solidarity with an issue. This observation does not denigrate such efforts. Being an informed member of our global community is laudable. Pouring our…
Hello Robert. How goes it in these interesting times? Hi James. Yes, these are definitely interesting times. I’ve been keeping very busy, mainly due to the new Better Day release. I’m pretty much in my office morning, noon and night, so I don’t go out much and when I do there’s nobody on the roads, which is strange and cool at the same time. I live in the upper Northeast…
Trap Fashion, the latest track by Baltimore’s Cutty Kev, has an airy production and a delivery style that is infectious as all get out. With a style that takes hints of TK N Cash and T-Pain, Cutty Kev is able to bring people out to the dance floor. Hooky choruses and a smart feature (Tae Wilson) keep listener interest in this song high. Cutting out before the 3 minute mark,…
Head In The Clouds, the latest cut from Reverse Mechanic, is a fun and vibrant track that brings back the bouncy style of Men Without Hats and Midnight Oil. With bits of rap interspersed within, Reverse Mechanic is able to craft a wholly unique style over the course of 4 minutes. An infectious chorus will bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners, while Reverse Mechanic is able…
The Dead Daisies’s new single link together Cinderella, AC/DC’s “For Those About To Rock”, Chris Cornell-infused vocals, and just enough in the way of blues-rock playing in the background to make for an emphatic effort that will resound with listeners long after the track ceased plays. Unspoken’s tempo is insistent with the guitars and drums combining to make a fulfilling wall of sound. Guitar licks and emotionally heavy vox establish…
David D’Angelo’s Priceless Commodity is a trippy, otherworldly rap track in the vein of Kid Cudi or Danny Brown. The rap flow contributed by MayDay is intricate, intimate, and ultimately does a number of things over the course of the track. Of course, the narration given Priceless Commodity is smart, but the method in which the bars are delivered are immediately inviting. The track is able to take a j-curve…
Lila Blue’s new single The Dead is interesting in that the beginning immediately unites LB’s vocals with a humming, new age-inspired synth. With such a large force playing out in the back ground, it has the effect of providing considerable highlighting for both Lila’s voice and the narrative that issues forth on the single. The vocal range achieved by Lila Blue on this single is fantastic; low and high notes…
lotusbliss creates a haunting, electronic-tinged composition in their Carpet. With dreamy vocals and bits of 1980s new wave and synthpop, lotusbliss is able to build off of Depeche Mode and Erasure. The tautness of the composition here is stellar. The dynamic that is established between the stringed and electronic elements pushes each to a higher plateau. Impressive as well is the ability for the band to change the overall sound…