Julia Othmer’s Hungry Days (Make Me Feel) is an effort that builds off of a rich pop tradition. Othmer’s vocals take hints of Pink and Kelly Clarkson and adds hints of Nancy Sinatra, all while a high energy blend of rock and electronic styles create a compelling backing beat.
Melissa Robertson’s ‘He’s A Writer Of Songs’ is a powerful track that draws upon the 1970s singer-songwriter; Robertson is able to build off of the framework of performers like Carole King and Karen Carpenter. The instrumentation presented to fans on He’s A Writer Of Songs ties together pop, country, and folk styles. Melissa’s vocals are the focal point on this single, rising and falling with tremendous care. These vocals, while confident…
Londale’s Let’s Take A Ride is a mid-tempo effort that is tremendously touching, emotionally intense effort. The dynamic between the lyric and vocal sides pushes each to an entirely higher plateau. The drum / guitar back and forth creates the backdrop upon which the weathered, slightly gritty vocals can shine. The track does well in showcasing the weariness of life and how refreshing the titular activity would be. Let’s Take…
On Quaker Hill, Kala Farnham is able to establish a unique style that ties together 1960s pop, folk, and country music. With an instrumentation firmly located in the bluegrass / folk style, Quaker Hill is a track that is bouncy, emotionally intense, and ultimately appreciable by anyone that has ever felt like a fish out of water. The production of Quaker Hill allows each instrument and lyric to shine on…
Tommy Stinson surprised many earlier this year by resurrecting his old band (or the moniker at least), Bash & Pop to put out a new full LP of tracks. The result was “Anything Could Happen,” a dozen down and dirty straight up rock songs that hues pretty close to The Replacements, the band that started it all for Tommy.
There is a rich array of sounds that Masaki Hanakata can included on his current release, the Bremen Soundtrack. Donkey’s Fanfare is a track that is deceptively deep, and is doubly so when one considers that the track does not break the two minute mark. The song draws from an earlier (19th/early 20th) folk sound, while adopting hints of Celtic music. The track is instrumental, but Hanakata is able to…
Though he started as a drummer with ‘60s garage rockers The Doughboys, Richard X. Heyman has proved albums after album, since his first solo effort in the ‘80s, that his real talents are meant to be at the front of the stage.
Rhode Island’s Deer Tick decided to go big on their latest release and man did it pay off. After a four years absence, the indie band is back with two phenomenal albums, boasting two completely different sounds, quiet and reflective (Vol. 1) and loud and rowdy (Vol. 2).
Natalie Paige Bentley’s “Ride Home” defies genre convention. The track unites indie rock, sedate singer-songwriter, and world music styles. The track ties together organic and electronic, loud and soft, and exists as a testament to Bentley’s ability to seamlessly meld together disparate styles. Natalie’s vocals, the focal part of Ride Home, add a bit of humanity to immaculately arranged guitars and drums. The instrumental side of things echoes and resounds…
Jane N’ The Jungle’s “Killed Someone”comes forth with the same instrumental intensity of early sublime; there are just so many things going on during the band’s latest single Killed Someone that fans will have to go and spin it multiple times before hearing everything that is contained within. The strong female vocals, the Fugazi-esque bursts of intensity, and an overall style that touches upon rock, emo, and metal pushes Killed…
Van Gordon Martin’s “Let it Grow” is a track that effortlessly ties together reggae and ska styles in a very radio-friendly format. The instrumentation is solid, allowing the bass and guitars ample time to shine alone or as part of the greater whole. The complexity of this arrangement, which include a bit of drums as well, makes it easy for listeners to continually find new twists and turns that had…
MaWayy “Wrong” possesses hints of Maroon 5 and Coldplay, all laying on top of an EDM-infused composition that will appease fans of artists like Avicii and Diplo. There is a tribal beat and island sound that will get fans out on the dance floor, which is matched with sultry vocals. The blending of slower and quicker elements during Wrong will keep fans’ attention throughout the single’s three-ish minute run time.…
Sarah Ragsdale’s “This Kiss” is a pop track that draws on a modern (1950s-1960s) tradition. Sarah’s vocals stand out boldly from the backdrop of the single, which succeeds via a plinking piano line. The richness of This Kiss will lift the spirits of anyone listening in, while Sarah’s vocals do double duty in providing fans with a narrative and adding considerably to the overall sound of the cut. Ragsdale is…
Sammi Rae Murciano’s Reflection is a powerful statement. Rich vocals soar out above the track, while the backing instrumentation provides a solid backdrop upon which Sammi Rae’s vocals can shiner. The R&B meets pop sound of Reflection is catchy, emotionally effecting, and fits right alongside the rotation/playlist of pop and R&B charts.
The Johnny Mac Band’s Ace is a funky rock track that blends together a thick bass line, and sizzling guitar work into a must-listen. The vocals draw upon a sixties style in the same vein of Credence Clearwater Revival and early Led Zeppelin. The tremendous guitar work laid down on Ace will have listeners repeating the single; this is such a deep and detailed line that it stands up nicely…
Jackson Legg is an artist that has caught our attention with the song “OverEasy (She’s Always)”. The single is a hard rocking tune with heartfelt lyrics, the sound is similar to early U2, splashed with a harder slightly faster sound. Jackson’s voice is perfectly matched with his instrumentation allowing the song to flow smoothly but still grab your attention. The production is solid with no mismatched sounding areas to the…
Venus Theory begin their Nightwalker EP with Fire, a song that ties together EDM styles with dub step and trip-hop (e.g. Portishead, Massive Attack). This first track does a great job in tying together the natural and electronic elements of life; one can hear a more organic sound alongside the sequenced percussion and wobble. Afraid to Let Go is another hit for Venus Theory. The female vocals have a perfect…
Marker 7-58 opens up Brendan McMahon’s EP, Universalist. The touching and careful arrangements during this first track will stoke listeners’ attention. The gradual coming in of an engrossing instrumentation keeps things interesting as McMahon moves through the track. Atmospheric guitars, emotive vocals, and a twinkling instrumentation make for an introductory effort that is nothing less than fantastic.
Voice Of Addiction’s “The Lost Art Of Empathy” EP is a furious album that continues to kick listeners’ asses from the beginning salvo Rustbelt all the way to the final effort Are We Even Human Anymore. Along the way, the band is able to distinguish themselves from the other punk acts currently kicking. Rustbelt is a track that builds off of the Unwritten Law and Bad Religion playbook. The band goes all in…
Jason Gisser has created his own style of music with his latest release, The River EP. The lush production showcases Gisser’s own inimitable style coupled with talented instrumentation contributed by the rest of the band. The titular effort on The River is a rock track that touches upon artists as diverse as the Black Crowes, Blues Traveler, and Credence Clearwater Revival. Particular high notes during this effort have to be…