SPiN’s “Dig Your Own Grave” a gritty and dirty sounding rock track that takes up both the sound of 1970s Detroit and of oughts British rock (including Jet here) to make for something unique. The bold strokes that SPiN creates here, the supersonic vocals that are present on the track, and the stadium rock-infused drums makes this into one of the few legitimate rock singles we have heard this year.…
Jeff Rosenstock’s “Pash Rash” is a high-energy alternative / punk sound that has the warmth and emotion of The Descendants and The Appleseed Cast. Hints of The Red Hot Valentines can be heard in the emotive sound and warmth of the guitars, which threaten to take over the track. When the music drops out and Jeff’s vocals are given highlighting, listeners will be locked in for the last bit of fury. Pash…
John Paciga’s “Tickling the Ivories” blends equal parts Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and The Rocket Summer into a bouncy, poppy track. The infectious melodies that Paciga crafts here will tattoo themselves onto the hearts of fans. A bit of guitar provide a grittier counter-point to the angelic sound of Paciga’s vox. The punchy drums add the final piece to the puzzle; Tickling the Ivories is a fun track. Paciga is…
Ricky Lee’s “Looking For America” is a country track that builds off of the style of early nineties performers like Brooks and Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Travis Tritt. Soulful singing, intense instrumentation, and a story that will keep fans on the edges of their seats.
The Roy Orbison special “Black & White Night” was a must-see by rock fans of all ilk when it first aired on Cinemax in 1988. The star-crammed supergroup special has long since been hijacked by PBS stations across the country looking for an attention-grabber during pledge season, but the appeal is just as strong as when it first aired 30-years ago, (the special was recorded live in LA in 1987,…
Con’s Free Dreams is the rare example of a rap track that is able to have a down and dirty street rap sound while having a much more enlightened subject matter. The flows of Con and his feature Mvstermind are more than capable to keep listeners firmly on the edges of their seats.
Papa Pretty’s Let It Go showcases a unique flow from the rapper with a smart trap sound to the arrangement that keeps the energy high throughout the cut. Hints of distorted, J.Money meets T-Pain vocals do well to add further depth to Let It Go. Papa Pretty’s vocals cut through the track and give this single a wholly distinct sound from other efforts on the chart. Fans of Future, Two…
Connor Byers’ Like Oh is a catchy rap track that comes forth with a radio-friendly sound in the style of a Sean Kingston or a Jason Derulo. The back and forth between Byers’ vocals and the robust backing beat makes for a track that is catchy while having enough in the way of substance to withstand a number of spins.
Public Access T.V.’s “Evil Disco” is a track that looks back to the days of the Talking Heads and The Cars. Secondary vocals play in the background, while the guitar / drum dynamic that is placed through Evil Disco will tattoo a melody deep into the minds and hearts of listeners.
Lone Star state native Scott H. Biram started blending punk rock, Blues and country years before anyone decided to christen the cobbled-together genre, folk punk. Across nearly a dozen releases, Biram has been one-man banding it since 2000, churning out one great record after another. And “The Bad Testament,” his first full length in about three years, is no exception.
Primal Static’s Panstylistic EP is a tremendous introduction into the Austin, TX band’s sound. The release begins with Fall Before Your Pride, a track that skillfully blends together Jane’s Addiction and Deliverance-era Corrosion of Conformity. This fuzzy, intricate blend of alternative and rock styles will tattoo itself deep into the minds and hearts of fans, who will be locked into their seat. Hints of Nirvana and Weezer can be heard during…
Long Way From Home is a contemplative indie-inspired track that does more with instrumental arrangements than a great many vocal acts could hope to do. Ashes in the Snow is a track that deftly blends together traditional and classical music styles alongside electronic and ambient sounds to create a narrative that will have listeners hanging on every note. Of particular note during Ashes in the Snow has to be the…
For the past few years, Austin-based musician Matthew Squires has been turning out one great album of quirky indie pop after another and “Tambaleo” shows no signs that he is letting up anytime soon.
As a longtime fan of Metallica, literally I was hooked the first time I heard them the day ‘Master of Puppets’ was released back in 1986, I held so much hope of the potential for the rest of ‘Hardwired… to Self-Destruct’ to kick-ass and rank up as one of their best releases after Metallica strategically unveiled three singles leading up to its release date. I was up in Minneapolis just…
Continuing the tradition of reinvention and innovation, GRAMMY Award-winning rock band LINKIN PARK enjoyed another career first today by announcing the May 19 release date of their seventh studio album, One More Light and debuting their new single “Heavy” [feat. Kiiara] on Facebook Live.
World War IX call back to the halcyon days of The Ramones and Rollins-era Black Flag. Hints of The Stranglers and The Dickies can be heard during the band’s new single, Have You Seen My Drugs?. Punchy beats, a keen sense of humor, and a tight instrumentation make this into one of the favorite tracks that we’ve heard so far this year. Have You Seen My Drugs? starts and ends in 100…
Carmel Paradise’s “Turn Me On” is a vocal-heavy pop track that immediately draws fans in. Hints of synth do well to imbue Turn me On with a certain dark allure. The collection of insistent vocals, contemplative arrangements, and a production that allows each element to shine alone or as a cohesive effort.
Lawless Hearts’s All My Troubles is a hard rock track that builds upon the tradition of performers like Joan Jett and Vixen. Sizzling guitar work and booming drums give the single a larger than life feel. The biggest surprise on All My Troubles is how much the guitars/drums contribute to the overall narrative.
Mothertapes’ “Do Make Say” is a genre-crossing effort that refreshes the New Wave sound of the eighties with sweeping electronic compositions, huge drums, and a passionate set of vocals. Do Make Say ebbs and flows, keeping things light and airy even as the compositions have considerable depth. The track concludes at the five-minute mark but the feel of Do Make Say is so much larger. Mothertapes create a wholly-engrossing single…
Dumpstaphunk’s Justice is a track that benefits from the inclusion of Trombone Shorty to the mix. Hints of funk, soul, and electronic music can all be heard. There is a timeless sound to Justice that will stick with listeners long after the effort ceases to play. A lush instrumentation gives Justice a Billy Preston-infused sound that is bubbly, bold, and catchy. The ropy bass line that plays at the bottom of…