The high-energy attack of The Royal Guard link together power-pop, punk, rock, and emotive styles into an easy to digest while still intricate effort. The disparate elements here – the supersonic vocals, splashy drums, and orchestral compositions – unite to create a track that will stick in the minds and hearts of listeners long after it concludes. The unique sound created by The Royal Guard during I Wanna Know gives…
Rough Times in America is a soulful track that resounds loudly even after the track ceases. A smart production allows each constituent element of the track to shine, meaning that the bass, drums, and multiple vocals are provided with ample opportunity to shine separately and as a contributing element. The track is a call to action, building off of the work of artists like Phil Ochs and USA For Africa.…
After more than a decade off, the Berkley power pop band Lunchbox is back with what is easily their finest collection of songs. A little goofy, but immensely fun, Lunchbox Loves You is 10 indie pop songs brimming with jangly guitars, sing-along choruses and plenty of handclaps.
I Am the Beast is a track that blends together catchy electronic, rap, and rock styles into something that is an expansion of P.O.D. and Eminem. The sheer quality of the musical arrangements during Rock-Rap Dynasty is hat sets off the title from other titles released this year. Lethal Weapon puts the instrumental side of things to the fore, creating a very quick tempo that keeps listeners on the edges…
The production of So Ashamed creates a vibrant backdrop for WydeFrame’s unique rap style, which touches upon hints of Andre 3000, 50 Cent, Killer Mike, and Young Buck. The high energy flow present during this track keeps things interesting from beginning to the end. The overall recording of the track is perfect, allowing for the lyrics to be easily digested. The track blends the gritty post-gangster rap of the early…
Foundation begins with She Hides Away, a track that touches upon progressive rock, alternative, and harder forms of music. The production is such that the dfferent elements of the tracks – guitars, drums, and vocals – are able to shine on their own as well as contribute to a very cohesive sort of opening. Awake begins with a very spacy / fuzzy guitar and shuffling drum beat before Faraday’s Zevon…
The titular effort on the Lovekill EP is a complex unity of synth-pop, The Anniversary, Say Anything, and Matt and Kim. The track is very dense and filled to the brim with different vocals, instruments, and arrangements. Amongst all of this material something honest and beautiful is created, with the introductory track dovetailing nicely into Honey. The more authoritative and emotionally heavy arrangements here showcase the instrumental side of the…
Shoegaze is still alive and well, thanks to bands like Denver-based A Shoreline Dream. Their fourth full-length, The Silent Sunrise, sounds like a band raised on old Lush, Ride and even a couple of Sigur Ros records. The nine-tracks here divert little from the basic formula of atmospheric guitars and Ryan Policky’s subtle vocals struggling to be heard over the deep lines of synth and guitars. The recording of The…
Duel is the latest effort from Vozerts, who are a cutting edge band from Macedonia. The single will immediately make fans of anyone that has listened to eighties and nineties dance music, industrial, and gothic rock. The production of the track is incredibly clear and allows all the constituent elements ample opportunity to shine through. The different elements – vocals, synthesizers, drums – all combine to make an alluring and…
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…
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…
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.…
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.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…