Let’s take a trip down the rabbit hole of moody ambient rock with b.d. Gottfried’s latest offering, “Ghosts and Girls.” This ain’t your typical album, folks. No sir, this is a sonic journey into the depths of emotion and existence, crafted by a true musical maverick who dances to the beat of his own drum. Now, if you’re expecting your run-of-the-mill rock album, you’re in for a surprise. b.d. Gottfried…
There has been considerable discussion about what AI (artificial intelligence) means for music. Many individuals feel that utilizing AI tools to generate music is ethically wrong, explaining that what is generated procedurally by a program is not “music” by any definition. However, I believe that AI music tools can be used to create music that is as valid as an Andy Warhol Campbell soup can or a Roy Liechtenstein panel.…
Visitation is a journey. The current track by Terri Bannister keeps listeners focused on in as the single gradually increases in tempo. Piano and drums unite to establish an engrossing backing for Bannister’s rising and falling vox, while the presence of additional vocal layers provides considerable depth. The extended run time of Bannister’s latest gives the performer ample time to weave a compelling tale of faith and devotion. The secondary…
Strong is a timeless country-rock track that will appease fans of a wide variety of styles. The confidence that Murgo espouses here is hard to deny, while the easy-going instrumentation encountered during the track will have listeners bopping along throughout. The guitar work that weaves through Strong matches Joe’s narrative quality, while the drums kick in at all the right places on Strong. There’s a vibrancy and earnestness to Murgo’s…
Cigarette Lover is an emotive and intense track that showcases drive and ambition on the part of Cleo Alexandra. The dynamic between the vocals and guitars pushes each to an entirely higher plateau, while the bit of blues riffs that play at the top of the track provide further depth to an already complex instrumentation. With all parts working so well in tandem, it’s not surprising that Cigarette Lover will…
On Smoke Clears, Dylan Clears is able to create a track that successfully looks back to the pop-rock of the 1980s and the alternative rock fare of the 1990s to create something distinct from the other music cluttering the charts. Taylor is able to create some serious hooks with the chorus before moving back into the driving beat of the main sections of Smoke Clears. We’re loving the assertive drums…
Damage is the lead single off of Colm O’Mahony & The Hot Touches Band’ – Damage’s self-titled album, and it provides fans with a wonderful blend of rock, psychedelic, and alternative msic. Building off the tradition of the Counting Crows and Every Mother’s Nightmare, the act’s able to make something that both can garner serious playlist looks while impressing even the most picky of music fans. The dynamic that exists…
Save Your Cry is a hopeful track that works well in the sunny spring days we initially encountered it. This track showcases tremendous charisma and heartfelt vocals in the vein of The Kid Laroi or Mac Miller. The backing guitar work links together 1990s rock acts like Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus and Oasis. Together, these elements create something vibrant and current, a distinctly different sound from anything else that’s currently…
We Feed Alone’s “What Burns Beneath” draws on late 1990s and early 2000s hard rock for influence. The song imparts a dark and brooding sound on listeners, while the angsty, tortured vocals are able to match the drums and guitars beat for beat. Whether Static-X, Nine Inch Nails, or late Nirvana, We Feed Alone are able to distill the spirit of acts that have preceded them into one seriously-awesome track.…
Milwaukee has came into national recognition with J.P.. His new effort Bad Bitty is one of those feel-good tracks that will get people out on the dance floor. Existing in the space between rap and R&B, the song incorporates tremendously catchy lyrical hooks and perfectly-placed percussion. Bad Bitty comes in at a hair under two minutes but will stick with listeners long after it ceases to play. This is one…
Ryck Jane’s “You Gone Learn Today” is a hard-edged track that will get fans’ heads banging. The repetition of the titular phrase in the single’s chorus further hammers this home. Adding a secondary set of vocals to the aforementioned chorus provides a bit of bass, separating it from the main bars. The synth that plays behind these vox is the element that glues everything together. Ryck Jane has a track…
Gold Star is one of those songs that you’ll have to play numerous times before hearing everything that devoN Nickoles has placed inside the composition. While the song works perfectly in the pop paradigm, there’s a thoughtful, indie-infused guitar and drum composition that fills the backing space. It is there where one will find numerous nods to 2000s indie and alternative rock. Gold Star succeeds because Nickoles is able to…
One will immediately be drawn in by the interesting vocal delivery that starts out the new single from AG Gatling, Name It. There’s a drive to his delivery that starts out the song with a splash before settling into a more moderate tempo. The presence of Latice Crawford’s inimtable voice on Name It spins the effort into a bold new direction. It is this desire to keep things dfresh and…
The opening seconds of Ryck Jane’s No Problems is tremendously alluring. There’s a mid-1990s Outkast sound that gets whipped up during the single’s opening that allows a strong lyrical flow to dominate. It is this flow that continues to impress as listeners progress through No Problems, as RJ continually switches things up. One will be firmly locked onto their chairs throughout this cut’s run time. Cutting out at the three…
On Girls Night Out, Jes Marie makes a track that speaks to the last twenty years of pop and country music styles. There’s a supersonic set of vocals that are placed front and center, while the shuffling backing instrumentation will tattoo itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. We’re amazed at the vocal range that Jes Marie achieves here. A crystal-clear production makes each element shine singularly while…
I’m a steadfast admirer of Universal Dice’s past releases and expect that their pending release Misfit Memoirs matches or exceeds the standard set by Gerry Dantone and his bandmates. The forthcoming collection’s first two singles “Curse”, and “Once Upon a Time”, establishes a high bar. “Once Upon a Time” is the latest track from Universal Dice’s pending album and leaves a lasting effect on the listener. I applaud Dantone and his band’s faithful adherence to traditional songcraft and eschewing any bells and whistles abundant in many modern releases. It…
Jim Vierra & Friends’ “Just One Touch” is a tremendously hopeful track that will have listeners firmly on the edges of their seats. The swelling instrumentation that washes over the composition provides tremendous emphasis to the lyrics that immediately preceded it. Jim Vierra is able to masterfully utilize tempo changes to constantly refresh Just One Touch. The song will be appreciated by anyone that is a fan of gpsel and…
On God Is Good, Powerhouse Fellowship Soul Choir is able to put forward solid messaging with tremendously compelling instrumental arrangements. The dynamic that is established here provides both the vocal and instrumental sides of the act ample time to shine separately as well as to contribute to a greater whole. The inclusion of Shawn Cottrell’s vox into this mix provides further complexity and depth to the song. The back and…
Slow Wine is the new track from Ohio’s D. Watkins, providing a tremendous introduction to the performer. The cool beat is filled out with a bit of an island sound, while the smooth voice of Watkins is able to achieve a considerable range over the song’s run time. The bit of echo that is placed on these aforementioned vocals do well in tattooing them deeply into the minds and hearts…
Michael V. Doane’s Let’s Go is a hooky track that crosses over a variety of genres and styles during its three-minute run time. There are hints of 2000s country, rock, and even the lightest trappings of pop music that all bubble through at points. Doane’s current single is able to appease music fans through thoughtful compositions, a bombastic production, and a charismatic set of vocals that tie these elements together.…