Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: April 28, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Toronto’s iridescent indie rock syndicate Across the Board drop the high-powered anthology

YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3tv2Y9iPCU-FgOmRWRUaw Toronto’s iridescent indie rock syndicate Across the Board drop the high-powered anthology of sonic super-strength that we’ve all been waiting for in their all-new album Wild Ones, and after having the opportunity to review the LP ahead of its highly-anticipated release, I can confirm that it’s everything that critics like myself had hoped it would be. We start off with a haunting prologue in track one that can’t…

Posted on: April 27, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Little Bird’s – gHost

URL: http://www.thisislittlebird.com/ When you mix cerebral post-rock that knows no boundaries when it comes to dishing out a mountainous melody with lush R&B harmonics and an ambient groove pattern taken straight out of a science fiction novel, you get Little Bird’s “gHost,” in all of its magical musical glory. Little Bird aren’t a household name, but they have been churning out some really urbane, psychedelic-tinged R&B over the past few…

Posted on: April 26, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Project Grand Slam’s all-new LP PGS 7

Bluesy riffs start a fire that singer Ziarra Washington will cool with her sensuous serenade in the stylish hybrid “Redemption Road.” A sly groove will wash away the slightest notion of anxiety as we strut to the beat of “Python.” Washington and saxophonist Mario Castro harmonize in the heavenly melodic tapestry that comprises “The ‘In’ Crowd”,” and in all three of these tracks and the ten that accompany them on…

Posted on: April 23, 2019 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

The Rolling Stones – Honk [Deluxe Version] (CD)

There’s certainly no big hole out there in the record collections of Rolling Stones fans when it comes to greatest hits albums. But if there’s any group in history of rock that would deserve yet another package of best of songs, it’s The Stones Honk collects a slew of hits (36 to be precise) that span the band’s 1971 classic Sticky Fingers up to their latest studio album 2016’s Blue & Lonesome.…

Posted on: April 18, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Victor Pedro’s “Call Me, I Miss Ya!,”

Making R&B that stands out in the crowded and competitive market that the genre’s biggest scenes have been enjoying the last decade is no easy task no matter how talented the artist, but in Victor Pedro’s “Call Me, I Miss Ya!,” the Nigerian singer/songwriter makes it look incredibly simple. Following collaborations with some of the biggest stars in the South African circuit, Pedro has truly come into his own as…

Posted on: April 18, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Kingdom of Birds are finding a nice niche in their latest record Glitz

Millennials can be a tough crowd to please, but Kingdom of Birds are finding a nice niche in their latest record Glitz that appeals to their generation in a uniquely surreal way. Kingdom of Birds are a band of musicians whose ages range from eleven to sixteen, but were you to miss the video for Glitz’ leadoff single “Goodbye” (in which they star), you might be disinclined to realize how young they really are.…

Posted on: April 17, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Cleveland International Records returns to the cities roots

The blast of bass and guitar brutality that comes roaring out of the amplifiers in The Boyzz’ “Too Wild To Tame.” The rollicking riffage of “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive)” from Iron City Houserockers at the peak of their creative prowess. Meat Loaf’s theatrical crooning in “Paradise By the Dashboard Light.” Ronnie Spector’s lush lyricism in “Say Goodbye to Hollywood.” The only place that you’re going to find…

Posted on: April 17, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Brandon James – So Emotional

On So Emotional, Brandon James is able to link together a tremendously charismatic set of vocals with taut instrumentation. The song brings in hints of soul, funk, and 1970s R&B with James impressing his own unique vocals into every note. The dynamic between Brandon’s vocals and the horn is the focal point of the single’s second minute before a more contemplative sound begins to dominate. We’re absolutely in love with…

Posted on: April 17, 2019 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

The Strumbellas – Rattlesnake (Glassnote Records)

With their latest release, Rattlesnake, Canadian six-piece The Strumbellas have pivoted a bit away from their original neo-folk/alt country sound for a more pop sheen. And while this may cause some early adopters to walk away, it’s hard to ignore the charm and appeal of many of the tracks here. The album opener and lead single, “Salvation” is probably one of the band’s catchiest, most optimistic songs yet and a…

Posted on: April 14, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Jasper “Jazz” Myers

I Meant To Tell You I Loved You is completely engrossing in the sheer vocal range that CoCo lays out here. There is a cogent story that is weaved through this composition that is highlighted through a very laid-back, Prince-infused synth. The vocal and instrumental elements during the track push each to a higher level than if they were alone; by the end of the time I Meant To Tell…

Posted on: April 14, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

SynthetikReal – Vaya Con Dios

Vaya Con Dios provides a heck of an introduction to SynthetikReal. The track soars on its engaging arrangements as well as a hopeful, Latin-inspired flair that calls forward comparison to Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin. With nods to both the traditional and modern pop genres, SynthetikReal is able to create a crossover hit that feels equally at home no matter whether on the pop, dance, or Latin charts. A robust…

Posted on: April 14, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Chrystian Lehr – Friends / Hit My Line

Friends Chrystian Lehr comes forth on Friends with a tremendously intense R&B track that touches upon the last 20 years of the musical style. That means that there are hints of Jodeci present alongside Jason Derulo, The Weeknd, Neyo and Trey Songz. In this cut. Chrystian is able to both weave a cogent narrative and add mightily to the overall melodies established on the track. The tempo rises and falls…

Posted on: April 13, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Hoozbah – ‘Kneel to the Power’

On Kneel to the Power, Hoozbah is able to make a tremendously engrossing rock track that builds upon Frank Zappa and Bennie and the Jets-era Elton John to create one of the deepest and most emotionally complex tracks we’ve heard. The backing instrumentation rises and falls with the shifts in momentum enough to firmly lock listeners to their seats. The charisma of Hoozbah’s vocals are paralleled quite nicely with the…

Posted on: April 13, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Hogz in Dandyland – Dr. Grimm’s Parade

Dr. Grimm’s Parade is the latest effort by Hogz in Dandyland, following up on some of the themes and styles initially broached on 2009’s Across a Miracle. Leafhopper begins the album, showcasing a measured and sedate approach that is able to tell a story through the instrumental interactions that wash over listeners. A focused guitar line and brooding sound pulled out of 1980s goth imprint a certain set of expectation…

Posted on: April 13, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Tommy Botz – Teddy Bear

Teddy Bear is a perfect example of a song that draws mightily on the country and western sound of the mid 1960s. The tremendous vocal quality of the track calls comparison to Tammy Wynette and Reba McEntire. The backing instrumentation of Teddy Bear is alluring with emotive slide guitar, on-point piano, and tremendous pathos presented through the bass line that is weaved through the track. There is a vibrancy to…

Posted on: April 13, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

“Magic Carpet” by Ricky Rebel

Ricky Rebel’s Magic Carpet is an energetic effort that possesses hints of Latin and middle eastern style, all while calling back to the pop style of the mid-oughts. The eclectic sound that Ricky Rebel crafts here will bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. We’re particularly impressed at Ricky Rebel’s ability to both tell a story and add an additional level of depth to the backing instrumentation.…

Posted on: April 13, 2019 Posted by: Cyrus Rhodes Comments: 0

Stars in Toledo release LP

Two years. That’s how long Stars in Toledo have been building a relationship as a band. Two short years. And yet, when I listen to their eponymous debut album, I don’t hear a group of musicians who have only spent a couple of holiday seasons together as a family of artists. I hear a band that has found their groove and gotten in sync with each other in a way…

Posted on: April 13, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

The new EP from doubleVee has Arrived

URL: https://www.doublevee.net/ The “alternative” branding, as it currently stands in contemporary pop music, doesn’t mean a whole lot to very many people anymore, and it’s got nothing to do with the sudden death of a culture or the musicians who inarguably brought it to life in the first place. It’s because the term has been overused, misapplied and skewed with inarticulate subtexts; but in the case of Songs for Birds…

Posted on: April 12, 2019 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

SOTTO VOCE – Safety (CD)

With Sotto Voce’s latest LP, Safety, it’s mastermind Ryan Gabos seems to have finally perfected his brand of moody, sometimes drowsy, pop music. The Pittsburgh native now holed up in Brooklyn (naturally), plays all of the instruments here, down to the programmed drum beats, and the result is a tidy satisfying collection of digestible pop ditties that swirl around long after you stop playing them. Residing somewhere between Yo La…

Posted on: April 9, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

C’Marie “Be Nice”

Be Nice is a fun pop track that is wholly unique when compared to the rest of the music clogging up terrestrial radio. C’Marie is able to build her own unique style upon the framework initially laid down by Corinne Bailey Rae and Ciara, while bringing to bear some seriously fun backing beats. With a bouncy, 1990s-infused pop / dance approach, Be Nice is one of those tracks that does…