It would be easy to simply dismiss Sammy Brue’s debut LP “I Am Nice” as little more than a novelty. It’s the work of a 15-year-old, so naturally a raised eyebrow or two can be expected. However, that kind of simplistic thinking is moot just one song into the record as you quickly learn, Brue is a fantastic singer/guitar player and an even better song writer.
Over the years, SideOneDummy has done a yeoman’s job of discovering an eclectic and brilliant collection of indie and punk musicians and bringing them to a larger audience. From Gogol Bordello and Flogging Molly to Gaslight Anthem and the Smith Street Band, the LA-based label has a helluva track record. Add West Virginia’s Rozwell Kid to the list.
My Subconscious starts off in an ominous fashion, providing a bit of world-building before Deaf/Blind/Dumb begin their self-titled EP. Guitar fuzz, a nasty guitar / drum dynamic, and a shuffling beat will get listeners into the release; crust, a bit of thrash, and 1980s hardcore punk can all be heard here. The track picks up speed, with a few seconds of guitar before intense vocals take over. Stud Count is a…
Can you give us a little background information about yourself? We are Trae Byrnes, an Alternative band from the north side of Chicago. We all have are own Influences that we incorporate into our music which makes a nice blend of ear soothing yet hectic music. (Danny Eddz)
Big Star were a tragically underrated band for their time and while they have finally clawed their way up to cult status, thanks in part to a deep love from a slew of influential musicians, sadly there is only one surviving original member of the band left. As this deep cuts-collection from a pre-Big Star Chris Bell shows, the talent was there long before the band was founded.
Simple Minds may best be remembered in this country for their song that played out across the screen during the final shot of The Breakfast Club, but the band has an exhaustively large cannon of music that pre-and post-dates that mid ‘80s gem. And while we may not have fully appreciated the depth of this Scottish band here in the U.S., folks in Europe still hail the band as musical…
Reese and the Bonus Plan’s Sharing Size is a funky, rock-infused track that refreshes the sound of mid-seventies rock with hints of mid-1990s jam band and blues. Hints of Neil Young, .38 Special, and Drive-Thru Truckers can all be heard here. Sharing Size succeeds because of the sheer grit and virtuosic skill exhibited by the drums, bass, and sizzling guitars. A dusty set of vocals unites each of these disparate…
Brandon Stone’s Right Kinda Wrong is a track that could eaisly make it onto pop or R&B radio rotation. The production of the track allows for Stone and Breana Marin’s vocals to shine alone or as part of the greater whole. There are hints of EDM and trap that make themselves known during this track. What results is an effort that stands up to repeat plays, whil;e having enough depth to…
The Day She Left is an intense track that ties together hints of world music, gothic, and ambient styles. There are a number of distinct things that are occurring during this introductory track, which will continue to influence the rest of the tracks on An Orphan’s Dream. A Life so Changed is an interesting addition to the Anwaar Ali corpus, in that it links together a guitar line, vocal elements,…
The Burning Peppermints’ Don’t Try To Lie To Me is a slinky bit of 1970s Detroit rock-infused rock (MC5, Alice Cooper), with hints of 1990s alternative (Siamese Dream-era Smashing Pumpkins). The raw passion and fury that comes forth during this single is hard to top. Every fuzzy guitar line, drum hit, or tortured vocals make this into a fully engaging track. The Burning Peppermints are able to revitalize a style…
Tia P.’s “4 Seats From Beyoncé” is a fast-tempo track that buries an intense rap flow and pop sensibilities into this track. The production and instrumentation during 4 Seats From Beyoncé make this into an effort that could easily be heard on rap / R&B rotation. Tia P.’s strength and swagger during her latest single will endear herself to listeners, while each constituent element of the single is able to shine separately…
Patent Pending “Wasted/Wake Me Up” is a blending of Wasted (by Tiesto) and Wake Me Up by Avicii. There is a good pop-punk / alt-rock vibe that is given to the track through the splashy drum and the slightly quicker tempo over the original. Patent Pending are able to provide a nice boost to these tracks, putting an indelible mark on each composition. The bits of each track that the…
Minus the Bear’s Last Kiss is a perfect polished piece of alt rock. All parts of the performance – the rich tones of the vocals, the dynamic between traditional and electronic elements, and an overall sound that draws upon the mid-1980s – makes Last Kiss into a track we can get behind. The dynamism of Minus the Bear here is stellar; there are a number of points during this single…
Sexual Chemistry is a dance / EDM track that shines through strong female vocals, an emphatic beat, and enough ambient samples to keep the spontaneity of the single high. With a sound that touches upon Diplo, Zedd, and Tiesto, R-Wan is able to make one of those perfect summer drive songs in Sexual Chemistry. The dirty beat and tempo shifts heard here keep the replay value of the single high;…
4 AM is one sick track. Maliibu Miitch’s flow is furious, intense, and spat out with a never say die attitude. Building off of the work of performers like Nicki Minaj and Lil Brat, Maliibu Miitch adds to the overall corpus of rappers in that the rapidity of her flow is unparalleled. The backing track provides a highlighting to the flow at the right points.
“Oh My Sweet Lord” is a touching track that brings together classical music, show tunes, and world music. The single, the latest from Wai Lana, is something that can speak to a wide variety of listeners no matter what genre they like. There is little more to the single than Wai Lana’s vocals and just the lightest in the way of instrumentation, but this composition opens into something magnificent by…
On “Jugg x Juggle”, Peter Currency is able to go back to the grimy sound of Three 6 Mafia. Having an intense flow bolstered with a trap beat, Peter Currrency is able to make a track that would fit in perfectly on any rap station. The fact that Peter Currency is able to make his own unique sound shine on Jugg x Juggle showcases his talent; while the track will fit…
“Tension” is the latest release from Mista Roe. This track is touching and will be appreciated by anyone that has had any sort of issues with significant others. Hints of Ray J and R. Kelly can be heard here. The double duty pulled here by Mista Roe – he lays out the narrative presented in the track as well as adds an additional layer of harmony – showcases his talent as a…
Circlin’ the Henhouse, the latest single from Ellis Dyson & the Shambles, is an effort that will transfer listeners (And viewers) back into the 1920s-1940s of American music. There are hints of jazz, swing, and even ragtime and bluegrass. One of the most surprising things that we experienced during Circlin’ the Henhouse has to be the robustness of the compoisition – one could easily hear this song on an alternative radio…
Young Bull’s Voicemail is a track that skillfully bounces between rap and R&B. The flow presented during Voicemail is intricate and catchy, while the backing instrumentation is surprisingly deep. Hints of reggae and trap permeate Voicemail.