Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: May 7, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Holly Elle Mirage Single Review

There is a sultry and richly emotive sound to Holly Elle’s vocals during the beginning of Mirage that will ensure that listeners are firmly ensconced in the single. The track builds upon the framework of artists like Sia, Madonna, and Rihanna.

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Mercy Breath Review

There is a sultry and slinky sound to Mercy’s vocals on her latest track, Breath. There are hints present here of Shakira, Christina Aguilera, and Megan Trainor, but the cut succeeds on the unique twists and turns that Mercy does here.

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Only On Tuesdays Darling Dearest Single Review

Only On Tuesdays have released the Darling Dearest single from their Break Free EP. The track sits at the juncture of pop, country, and mid-nineties alternative rock, succeeding due to smart instrumentation, lush production, and a set of vocals that are awe-inspiring, strong while ageless.

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Ghost Lit Kingdom You Don’t Know Me Single Review

Ghost Lit Kingdom’s You Don’t Know Me is led by ethereal vocals and a haunting composition that echoes and twinkles throughout. The vocals are fresh and interesting while still having some special quality which listeners can love.

Posted on: May 6, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

weareTheBigBang Smoke Single Review

There is a bouncy sound that works well for Smoke, which has weareTheBigBang blend together pop, EDM, emo and rock into something that is fresh, fun, and interesting from beginning to end. The production allows the rich bass, guitar, vocals, drums, and synth into something unitary without losing out the passion or the intricate arrangements that lead Smoke to the mountaintop.

Posted on: May 4, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Faith Healer – Cosmic Troubles Vinyl

It’s a little surprising to hear that Faith Healer is actually the alias for Canadian folkie Jessica Jalbert. Her first solo album, Cosmic Troubles is under this new moniker, while still having a softness thanks to Jalbert’s light as air vocals, is complimented nicely with a strong psychedelic pop vibe.

Posted on: May 4, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Simple Minds – Sparkle in the Rain [Deluxe Edition]

Simple Minds’ sixth studio album, Sparkle in the Rain, was released in 1984, a full year before the band would permanently be wedded to The Breakfast Club movie, a feat that defines the band in the country to this day. But the album was still an impressive collection on its own.

Posted on: May 4, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Velvet Lane Sitting on the Fence CD Review

Babe that Boasts is the first track on Velvet Lane’s latest album, Sitting on the Fence. The track ties together the psychedelic rock of the late sixties and early seventies with mid-nineties alternative (Happy Mondays, Oasis); what results is a track that is tremendously infectious.

Posted on: May 3, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Whorrifick l.o.l. Single Review

Whorrifick creates a flow in his “l.o.l.” single that is more beat poetry and Gil Scott-Heron than it represents current sorts of rap music. The instrumentation utilized in this track ties together electronic and industrial styles, intruding just enough to highlight specific lines and phrases.

Posted on: May 3, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Inspekta Jump Jump Single Review

Inspekta’s Jump Jump is a track that touches upon the trap and electrified-rap style of Juicy J; Inspekta’s flow here is dark, dingy, and dirty. This means that there are hints of Gravediggaz and Bone Thugs n Harmony that can be discerned, but with a cleanness to the arrangement that will garner radio play for the track.

Posted on: May 3, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Matthew Charles Roam CD Review

Nothing’s Out Of Reach is the first track on Matthew Charles’ Roam and it ties together Crimpshrine, Defiance, Ohio and hints of Against Me! into a frenetic track that straddles the line between folk and punk. While this introductory track is only a hair above two minutes, there simply is a lot of material for listeners to digest. As a result, the energy that listeners have when they move into Reliance…

Posted on: May 3, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Ian and the Dream California Cauliflower CD Review

Girl From California is a feel-good sort of pop-rock that takes equal parts seventies rock, funk, soul, and an easy-going sound and makes them something that will work on current radio stations. The infectious harmonies created by Ian and the Dream will stick with listeners long after their album has ceased; this is one of the first albums that we have heard in 2015 that makes it seem as if…

Posted on: May 2, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Phenteus Evidence Review

Woman Clothed with the Sun is a track that tells more with an instrumental arrangements than most bands can do with four members and an entire page of song lyrics. There are nods to the organic and the electronic throughout the entirety of this album, which takes an epic turn with Apocalypse. The track possesses a very deliberate beat, which is fleshed out with strings and atmospheric soundscapes into something…

Posted on: May 1, 2015 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Mittenfields – Optimists

D.C.’s Mittenfields have been pretty under the radar since the release of their 2011 EP, The Fresh Sum, but rather than just taking it easy, it seems the five-piece have spent the time evolving their sound from simple indie rock, drawing in influences like shoegaze and noise pop. The result can be heard all throughout their solid debut full length, Optimists.

Posted on: April 28, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Ferni Afterburn EP

Wonderful is a tremendously soulful effort on the latest album by Ferni, Afterburn; the track is one that needs little more than a piano and a strong set of vocals to succeed. The two elements combine to create something that would work well on pop radio (taking a similar tack to Sam Smith and Charlie Puth) as well as appeasing those that want something deeper and more intricate with their…

Posted on: April 27, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Contending Feature

A major failing of Christian rock is that a number of bands are not able to reconcile their faith with a sound that is catchy and would be alluring to individuals that may need a hand up.

Posted on: April 27, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Omar Bowing Warrior Single Review

Omar Bowing has released a new single, Warrior. The track is able to tie together the work of Judas Priest, Dio, and Mercyful Fate into something that is extraordinarily catchy while being heavy as all get out. There is a certain theatricality to this track that is reminiscent of Alice Cooper or early Aerosmith, while the complexity of this single calls forth comparisons to Megadeth or Blind Guardian. Taken together,…

Posted on: April 27, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

eM – When You Were Here (Craig London chillout mix)

There is a deliberate beginning to eM’s When You Were Here that will immediately draw listeners in. There is a narrative quality to this composition that is spun into an entirely new realm when eM’s vocals begin. The track is able to work in a wide variety of genres, meaning that fans of EDM, traditional dance music, and pop can find something that they can appreciate with this single.

Posted on: April 25, 2015 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Mpathy Golden Boy EP Review

Mpathy’s Golden Boy is an electronic-infused track that will have listeners singing along after the first few listens to the titular EP. During the track, there is a deliberate and intense drum beat with a sterling set of vocals that are reminiscent of acts like They Might Be Giants and Depeche Mode. Taken together, what results is a fun track that will get listeners on the dance floor. The track…