Last Gasp Collective’s “Small Town” is an eclectic track that blends together the R&B of the early 1990s, jazz, and chill electronic music into a laid-back effort. The different vocals heard during Small Town bolster one another; the ability of the male and female efforts here to both add to the harmony as well as the lyrical content is unmatched. Hints of Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, and The Pharcyde can…
Ryan Brahms “Love Dealer” is a bit of thick, luscious R&B pop music with a hint of EDM. Fans of Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and Ed Sheeran will find solace in the hooky sound crafted by Brahms during Love Dealer. The production allows the instrumentation and Ryan’s vocals to shine equally brightly. The bit of a slowed-down middle of this single calls back to performers like The Weeknd, Ne*yo…
You know you’ve got a drug problem when Courtney Love – circa the late ‘90s – is taking part in your intervention.
Over the decades, Sting has evolved from being at the forefront of the punk/New Wave movement as front man for The Police, to being a go-to for adult contemporary radio programmers thanks to his mid-career slide to much softer fare. And yes, the jokes at his pretentiousness and self-indulgence are certainly easy to make, thanks in part to his fondness for the lute. All that aside, it’s hard to argue…
Guided By Voices are nothing, if not prolific. Despite breaking up a few times between the late ‘80s and now, they’ve already turned in 25 albums, ranging from great to, well, so-so. With a spotty track record, it’s nice knowing you can easily dip into their catalogue thanks to this fantastic live collection from 2004. Recorded on the set of Austin City Limits as part of the band’s first farewell…
Wyclef Jean has released a video for “Turn Me Good”, his latest single. This slower jam showcases the sultry side of Jean, who is able to use horns, strings, and a blend of 1970s soul and more contemporary sort of beat to make for something that sparkles. Drawing back to an earlier reggae tradition (e.g. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh), Jean makes for a retro hit in Turn Me Good. The…
John Tracy’s “Silent Night” is a rare cover that both keeps the sound of the traditional composition sacrosanct while impressing his own spirit and inimitable sound onto the performance. The stretched out, slower tempo of Tracy’s take of Silent Night puts a certain gravity to each utterance. The thoughtful sound of this composition will stick with listeners, as does the strumming of the guitar. Set up over the course of six…
Radiator King’s “The Guns You Pawned” provides fans with a rich narrative and an impassioned set of vocals. The track works well no matter whether one likes alternative-rock performers like the Counting Crows or the Goo Goo Dolls or country-styled acts like Henry Connick or Wilco. An intense guitar line matches Radiator King’s vocals, making the narrative of The Guns You Pawned shine that much brighter. With an epic sound,…
On the surface, this appears to be just another standard music legend/world class orchestra collaboration; A gift to fans, but a collective shoulder shrug from everyone else. “A Love So Beautiful,” however, is so much more.
Guitar legend Eric Johnson was made for live albums. The proof is all over the re-release of “Live From Austin, TX,” the latest in the partnership between the PBS show Austin City Limits and New West Records. This re-release, originally out in 2005, is finally on vinyl and also available in a CD/DVD combo.
Since leaving the V-Boys in the late ‘90s, Scott Miller has forged a career as a solo artist, making waves in the alt country scene, but managing to fly under the radar of most outside the genre. It’s a shame though, as his 10th effort, “Ladies Auxiliary” shows, Miller is a fantastic songwriter.
AKoVA’s “Headlights” is a tremendously close and touching track. Little more is needed during this single than a set of vocals and a softly strumming guitar. As the song continues to play, there is a bit of additional instrumentation entered in. The gradual shift into a more engrossing effort showcases the emotional complexity of the composition. Anyone that has been in love and lost, especially when the person that the previous…
Deeper Feeling has a retro vibe to it. Bits of Beck and The Breeders can be heard in the airy sound of the vocals and the crunchy sound of the guitar, drums, and bass. The laid-back sound of this effort draws back to an earlier seventies musical tradition. Quirky, fan, and infectious as all get out, Beaux Cheveux’s Deeper Feeling is an effort that will hold up to repeat spins. It…
The hard rock style that The Outfit craft during “Soldier Boy” builds off of the framework of acts like the Foo Fighters and Nickelback. The frenetic energy that is threaded through this single will have listeners on the edges of their seat. Supersonic vocals call forth comparisons to Scott Weiland and David Draiman. An intense, head-bobbing sort of track, fans will be singing along to Soldier Boy each and every time…
Aaron Robinson’s “365 (Confess His Name)” showcases a solid sort of faith with a hard-scrabble, intense sort of rap flow. The beat does does enough to provide a good highlighting for Robinson’s flow. Hints of Wiz Khalifa and Chevy Woods can be heard in Robinson’s vocals, but there is a certain undefinable quality that permeates his output during 365. With an intricate flow that will stand up to repeat plays, Aaron…
With “Next Time”, Sarah Ragsdale is able to make a very current and contemporary sort of pop track in the vein of Jess Glynne and Meghan Trainor. With a bit of the rye humor of a Shania Twain, Ragsdale is able to make her Next Time into something that a wide swath of fans can appreciate. Particular care has to be taken when focusing on this track as the spirited piano line…
Ori Dagan’s “Sting of The Cactus” draws upon a much earlier form of twentieth century jazz. The inclusion of vocals is a bold choice, but Dagan’s vocals and bit of scatting here add an entirely new level to this composition. The robust piano and breakneck bass line that comprise Sting of the Cactus have this track going at 100 miles an hour. While each constituent element feels as if it…
Laust Sonne’s “On The Radio” is a catchy pop track that will have listeners singing along after a precious few spins. The bit of echo and electronic infused backing instrumentation for Laust Sonne’s latest distinguishes it from the rest of the fare typically encountered on the radio. Strong vocals, thoughtful instrumentation, and a tempo that gradually increases into a shuffling, intense dance. On The Radio is one of those tracks…
The Naveblues’ “Possess You” comes forth with a tremendously powerful take on 1970s rock. Imagine the work of bands like Jethro Tull and The Moody Blues. Sections during Possess You will slow things up and make each note resound with fans, while the tempo picks up at other points to whip fans into a frenzy. The guitar and drums are high-water marks for The Naveblues here, while the rapid uptick…
REMZ’ Where You Belong is a power-pop track that deftly ties together synth pop with strong instrumentation. The inimitable vocals which are laid down here soar out over the air, while the synthesizer / guitar dynamic is surprisingly deep. REMZ create a unique style during this single that will resound loudly with listeners long after the single ceases to play.