Ben Lorentzen’s “Lay Down In The Dark” is an expansive indie track that builds off of the work of The Tea Party and Muse. The thoughtful instrumentation is reminiscent of performers like Pulp and The Verve Pipe. The tight production present at the three-minute mark makes this effort feel as if it would be a James Bond theme. There is an epic sound to Lay Down In The Dark that…
The NaveBlues’ “Sitting On Top Of The World” is a powerful, impassioned take on the Doc Watson classic. Little more is needed during this performance than a set of vocals and a piano. Together, these two elements combine to make something tremendously effecting. When the harmonica enters into the fray, everything is ratcheted up to ten. The ferocity and emotional content of the track is impressive – all parts here…
Alex Cuba’s “Piedad de Mi” is a touching mid-tempo track that showcases Alex’s narrative ability as well as his ability to add considerably to the overall harmonies of the track. This vocal-heavy track stands out as wholly unique from the rest of the pop fare being played on the radio. The timeless sound of Alex Cuba on Piedad de Mi ensures that fans of a wide swath of sunny, poppy…
The Dice’s “Streetlights” is a power-punk track that calls forth comparisons to MxPx, Mest, and Good Charlotte. Hard-hitting drums, a chorus that will have listeners singing along, and a punchy set of guitars make Streetlights tremendously catchy. The vocals are able to bring on hints of Matchbox 20 and Fuel into the mix; The Dice are able to make something new and fresh while drawing to a good degree on…
Brian Mackey’s “Underwater” is a tremendously honest and effecting track that needs little more than Brian’s vocals and hints of piano and a guitar. Taken together, these elements make for an effort that can be appreciated by anyone that has held out unrequited love. The gradual increase in the single’s tempo allows for a more full sound to take over; the rising and falling action of this single is nothing…
It’s been about six months since Willie Nelson last put out a record (a near eternity in Nelson time), so of course he’s got another one ready to release. Keeping in theme the first offering of “Willie’s Secret Stash” (a collection of duets with his older sister Bobbie), “Vol. 2” finds Nelson teaming up with his sons Micah and Lukas, both solid singers in their own right.
It takes less than a minute into Chris Barron’s latest album before you recognize where you’ve heard that voice before. Twenty-five years ago, The Spin Doctors were inescapable. You couldn’t turn on the radio, the TV or even go to the movies without hearing “Two Princes,” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” or “Jimmy Olson’s Blues.” The jam band-lite songs connected with fans instantly and just as easily elicited vitriol from…
What Sonic Radiation does on his latest track Dyon is immediately get listeners out on the dance floor. The track is able to tell a pretty deep and detailed story without needing anything in the way of vocals. While there are a number of distinct things that are occurring at each and every second of the track, Sonic Radiation is able to corral every disparate sound into a complex and ultimately…
On Sketches 2 Seed, Liquid Lunch create a unique sort of style. The laid back lounge approach of the CD’s first track All She Wants showcases the vocal power of Michele, while the instrumentation is fairly Spartan and adds to the overall composition in all of the right places. Can’t Live There has a timeless sort of sound. Liquid Lunch bring a number of distinct elements to the fore with this effort.…
Left Arm Tan’s El Camino ties together a wide array of styles even from its introductory moments. There are hints of desert rock and alternative that will immediately hit listeners. A strong vocal side is matched with talented instrumentation to allow Left Arm Tan ample opportunity to create their own brand of country music. The multiple part harmonies and emotive guitar lines make this effort something that could easily be…
50 years together and NRBQ are still not showing any signs of wear. This latest 5 song EP, a mix of covers and new originals, comes not long of Omnivore put out the band’s career-spanning five-CD box set.
Tritonal’s Good Thing is a nice laid-back sort of track. Laurell’s vocals establish a hopeful sound that has just a hint of weariness to it. It is this reality that adds a further level of complexity to the track; while Laurell is confident that she will be a good thing, there is always a sense at the periphery that she (or her significant other) will not ultimately match up. Tritonal’s…
Here at NeuFutur, we typically focus on the musical side of things. I feel that this may be a bit shortsighted when there is an interesting video that is crafted alongside a stand-out song, and that is precisely what we see with Airy Jeanine’s animated video for Everywhere. The video showcases an approximation of Airy performing on a stage with a number of distinct movements and sweeping crowd shorts. The…
Barry Rock’s “Closer” is an effort that calls back to the pop and rock style of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Hints of Billy Joel and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes can be heard during this track. Bits of guitars blend with a sizzling bit of horns. The back and forth feels like a couple talking. The heavenly vocals of Rock during Closer are sedate and tell a tremendous…
CHARACULA’s “Mummy Dance” is a metal / goth element that is built on smart guitars, on-point drums, and a supersonic set of vocals that stand boldly above the fray. With a bit of gristle and growl, Mummy Dance is a track that will interest a wide array of listeners. Heavenly vocals represent the middle point for Mummy Dance, establishing that the second part of the single will be considerably different…
SOiL’s Gimme Some Lovin’ is a fun rock track that mixes up current hard rock with the sludgy bar rock of Thin Lizzy and early AC/DC. A strong, assertive set of vocals is matched with an equally-pointed female set of vocals. The back and forth dynamic pushes the guitar/drum sound to an entirely higher plateau. A chugging guitar line and splashy drums ride the track to its conclusion. SoiL is…
Kevin Tiah’s “Beneath The Sea” is a powerful rock track that ties together hints of Yellowcard and metalcore together into a ferocious effort that is replete with sizzling guitars, growled out vocals, and enough musicianship to keep listeners focused in until the single’s final notes.
Antherius has released a Christmas-themed album that looks to provide listeners with an idea of how Antherius perceives the holiday. Over the course of 14 tracks, Antherius is able to craft a number of distant compositions that create a overall cohesive, cogent, and compelling sound.
Battlecall starts with a strong, impassioned set of vocals. While the instrumentation takes a back seat during the first thirty seconds or so of Battlecall, when the beat drops, one is left with a powerful pop track that deftly ties together indie, rock, and alternative styles into a wholly engrossing sound. The vocals and production unite to make a track that will take listeners on a journey, all while the…
Adam Prince King’s “Witches” is one of the most interesting efforts that we have heard so far this year. A thick bass line, an utterly unique set of vocals, and a blending of styles as unlikely as R&B, 1980s new wave, and reggae ensure that fans’ attentions will be solely on Witches. The unlikely combination of genres works perfectly here, establishing Adam Prince King. The powerful vocals laid down on…