Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: September 15, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Blind Lemon Pledge Evangeline CD Review

Evangeline is Blind Lemon Pledge’s latest album, and captures a wide variety of styles and approaches over the album’s 10 tracks. Buley’s Farm is a very emotive and authoritative track that touches upon a much earlier blues and folk tradition. Each constituent element that contributes to this track (stomping, guitar, harmonica) is on-point. The multiple vocal harmony provides considerable energy to this track, ensuring that listeners stick with Evangeline. Jennie…

READ MORE
Posted on: September 15, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders The Last of the Originals CD Review

This Australian act has all of the energy and talent that they need to make the tracks on The Last of the Originals shine; over the course of 10 tracks, the band is able to establish their own unique style. Mrs Jones is a compelling track that settles in nicely to mid-nineties alt-country; hints of R.E.M. and Wilco can be made, all while the vocals provide a wonderful narrative quality…

READ MORE
Posted on: September 10, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Waterkeeper Hefeweizen Ale

Waterkeeper is a golden Hefeweizen that pours with lots of carbonation and a white head that laces down the glass. The initial bouquet is sugary with more acerbic hints that complete the nose. The initial quaff of Waterkeeper is very gentle and brings like a golden German before bursting forward with banana and clove elements. Subsequent sips provide malty and refreshing peaks that make it incredibly easy to finish up.…

READ MORE
Posted on: September 8, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 1

The Posies – Failure (CD)

The Posies were one of the best Power Pop bands to come out of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s (just take a moment to let that sink in…). And thanks to nostalgia and a slew of Generation X-ers now running boutique record labels, the world gets to rediscover a number of sadly over-looked beauties from the not too distant past.

READ MORE
Posted on: August 29, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Joe Purdy Eagle Rock Fire CD Review

Joe Purdy may have only been around since 2001, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting out an astonishing 13 records in that time frame. His latest, Eagle Rock Fire, is more of the same from this Arkansas folk/country musician.

READ MORE
Posted on: August 29, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Shovels & Rope – Swimmin’ Time Review

The Charleston, SC duo Shovels & Rope caused quite a frenzy among critics jumping over each other to praise their 2012 debut. I can only imagine the chorus of approval that will meet the even stronger Swimmin’ Time. 

READ MORE
Posted on: August 28, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Midge Ure – Fragile

It’s been more than a decade since Midge Ure last offered a full album of new songs and the result is sure to please those who’ve been following the musician since the ‘80s. Fragile, coming in at 10 songs, is a delicate collection of synth-heavy songs that have not been swayed by recent fads in contemporary music; there is no forced reinvention, rather Ure sticks to his own brand New Wave…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 25, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Elvis Presley – That’s The Way It Is: Deluxe Edition

Legacy Records continues its massive project cleaning out every company vault and looking under every old rug for goodies and extras to tack onto their Elvis Presley re-releases. The latest, the massive eight CD, two DVD collection for Presley’s 1970 concert and documentary, That’s the Way It Is, is one of their best offerings date.  But be warned, this is not for the casual Elvis fan. It should be noted…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 23, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Royal Holland Volume One – The Maze CD Review

Devil’s Night is a fun track that showcases the sheer depth and breadth of Royal Holland. The music is a bouncy bit of alt-rock that ties together influences as disparate as Warren Zevon, Blur, Dick Dale, and The Smiths. The track is further bolstered through the presence of on-point claps and an infectious beat. Statues is a track that keeps listeners on the edges of their seats through a dual-barrel…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 23, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Curious Quail After The Lights Failed CD Review

After The Lights Failed has a tremendously emotive and orchestra sound that creates a larger than life feeling for the track, with rapid shifts in tempo showcasing a Protean nature to this San Jose-based act.Instant Gratification has Curious Quail kick things into high gear, with the band taking up the standard of fun. And Mumford & Son.

READ MORE
Posted on: August 23, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Maggie Anderson Self-Titled (Acoustic) EP Review

It’s All Pretend is a catchy effort that allows Maggie Anderson’s vocals and instrument to shine brightly. This track has hints of Yael Naim, Ingrid Michaelson, and She & Him, with some of the most tender and softly-stated acoustic guitar work. The track’s charm ensures that listeners will be singing along whenever the track comes up on their MP3 player. You’ll Be Around is a sea change from It’s All…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 22, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 2

Stacy Burk – “Mix a Little”

Stacy Burk makes a tremendous splash with his latest track, Mix a Little. This timeless country effort works perfectly alongside the works of Jason Aldean and Dierks Bentley while staying honest to the nineties traditions of Alan Jackson and Travis Tritt. Mix a Little succeeds because of the front-forward vocals of Burk and epic arrangements on the track – each guitar line, punchy drum beat, and the sounds created by…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 22, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Parralox – “Crying on the Dancefloor”

Crying on the Dancefloor, Parralox’s latest single is a track that touches upon a wide array of dance styles, ensuring that the track resounds loudly for anyone that has dug 1990s, 2002, or current dance music in the past. The vocals utilized in the track absolutely soar over the composition, while the arrangements keep the energy high. The dubstep-esque drops that demarcate the mid-point of the track provide a further…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 22, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Molly Roth – “Pin Me Up”

Pin Me Up is a track that is built off of the work of mid-nineties Mariah Carey and It’s Not Right-era Whitney Houston and more contemporary influences (Carly Rae Jepsen). The track’s slower tempo is dreamy and represents a good love song. The slight hints of electronic music that are interspersed through the track firmly moor it to the cutting edge of music, while strong production values make it a…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 22, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 1

Holly Elle – “Lifeline”

  Lifeline is a track that skillfully blends R&B with EDM, creating a track that shines no matter in which context listeners enjoy it. The production is immaculate, keeping the energy high while enrobing Elle’s vocals in a very current and contemporary format. The tempo ebbs and flows as Elle captures a very common set of feelings for anyone that has found love, with the track gradually gaining speed as…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 22, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Amanda Lamb – “We Were Here”

Amanda Lamb has a new effort that straddles the line between pop and country, with her vocals fitting into a Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry type of groove. Unlike a great many pop tracks, there is a substantial focus on the instrumental arrangements during We Were Here. The guitars are emotive and thoughtful (and are reminiscent of The Eagles), while there is a chugging bass line and an…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 21, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Karim Baggili Kali City CD Review

Karim Baggili’s latest effort, Kali City, features Le Trio Joubran. The first few efforts of the album (Down Town, Ella & Jad, Dawn at Sea, Big Fish, and Silent Stories) provide listeners with a stellar introduction to Baggali’s unparalleled approach to world music. Arabic Circus is a stellar effort in terms of how taut the instrumentation is, while there is a fun and playful sound that is cultivated by the…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 19, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Breath of Life A Sacred Earth Collection CD Review

Sacred Earth have released a number of titles that have expanded what listeners can expect from world music. The Way Home’s Om Namah Shivaya is a thoughtful start to Real Music’s latest compilation, Breath of Life. The nearly nine-minute track allows listeners to meditate and get into a fruitful mindspace. The subtle shifts in styles that are present during this track will keep listeners focused for the entirety of the…

READ MORE
Posted on: August 19, 2014 Posted by: James Comments: 0

DIRTY SOUTH RELEASES NEW SINGLE “UNBREAKABLE”

“Unbreakable” the first single off Dirty South’s highly-anticipated sophomore album “WITH YOU” is out now and available as an instant download to fans who pre-order the album, which is slated for release November 4th in the U.S. on Astralwerks.

READ MORE