Stryper is an act that has came back strong, while still maintaining the same concern for quality and engrossing music that has made them such a lauded band over the course of the last thirty years. The band’s rendition of the Arthur Reid Reynolds class Jesus is Just Alright completely changes the overall sound of the track while keeping the positive message present, providing listeners with the momentu Jesus…
Casinova is an up and coming artist from New York that changes what listeners will expect from the R&B genre. What I Need has a very funky and soulful style that will appease fans of Chris Brown and Trey Songz. There is a certain dynamism that is present in this track that makes Casinova’s output into something that touches equally upon the nuances of a rich genre. Whether it is…
Fashion-wise, the early ‘90s was a sad, sad time for metal bands. Fighting, and ultimately losing, the good fight against flannel-waving grunge bands from the Pacific Northwest, they were still opting for the painted on jeans or ridiculous spandex and sleeveless t’s. But music-wise, once you strip away the hair metal band that were standing in the spotlight, there were still some old guards of the metal scene that were…
/ 2013 Self / 10 Tracks / www.soraia.com/ http://soraia.bandcamp.com Love Like Voodoo is a track that immediately kicks things into high gear. The vocals laid down are reminiscent of The Runaways and The Distillers. There is a certain allure to this introduction that ensures that listeners will stick around with the band long after the track ceases. Like A Woman Would showcases the technical ability of Soraia. While the vocals…
Giant Flying Turtles are an act that blends a wide array of different genres and styles in the creation of an utterly unique album. Run for Your Life has the Giant Flying Turtles take up the countenance of seventies rock, tying a strong set of vocals with pleasant guitars and on-point drum and synth work. Utterly ready for radio rotation, GFT is able to keep things going well with Keep…
Jupiter in Velvet is able to cultivate and provide listeners with an inimitable style on his latest effort, Screaming The Love Behind The Scars. So How Could They Know? Is a track that looks back into the halcyon days of late eighties rock, all while the act impresses through stellar arrangements and a production that allows each constituent element to shine. Monkey See Monkey Do is a high-energy track that…
Hit’N’Run is the first track on the Wicked Bees EP, and long-time ska listeners will be able to pick out Mighty Mighty Bosstones, early No Doubt, and The Insyderz in Ska Skank Redemption’s overall sound. The production of this release allows the instrumentation to shine as brightly as the inimitable vocals, ensuring that an effort like Sheila could easily make it onto rock radio. Sheila combines elements as disparate as…
There is something dated about the sound on the debut full length from Philly’s Transitshop. And not in a “cool, this has a real vintage throwback feel to it,” but more of an “I’m gonna recreate an old ‘80s new wave record without really adding anything new to the mix” feel. The result is a bit of an affected Morrissey croon over some old Spandau Ballet tracks, which…
My Heart immediately tattoos a rhythm on listeners that lingers long after the track has ceased. The fullness that this track has is utterly surprising – the guitar, drums, and soulful vocals make this a home run. Dark Bar goes off in a completely different direction, as the slower and more brooding feel of this track takes upon hints of Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews Band, and Barenaked Ladies. I…
Her Bed of Thorns come out of the gates on Alive with some of the most furious hard rock / metal that we have heard this year. There clear and concise style of the band will bludgeon listeners over the head and take them for a ride. Bad Girl continues with this trend, allowing the band’s instrumentation to shine. Whether it is the splashy drums, shredding guitars, or the…
Harveyesmeit is the initial effort from Desire, and it provides listeners with a five and a half minute introduction to Neither. The track tells more in the interplay of electronic, tribal, and organic sounds than most acts can tell over the space of an album. Eumeipass may conform to a traditional song length, but the effort stands separate from what listeners would expect. There is a recasting here of the…
Canada punks The Flatliners have been all over the place musically with their albums in the past, and that’s far from a bad thing. At times focused on aggressive ska, other times rocking a Reggae-vibe (a ’la late era Clash), with Dead Language, the guys opt for straight-ahead punk rock. As a result, they have turned in their most consistently solid release to date. Ignoring overdubs and studio gimmicks, the…
Every Time We Talk is a track that plays on classical music while providing listeners with a current and contemporary feel. The ability of Gouzonis to provide a strong narrative to this instrumental arrangement ensures that listeners will stick with the title long after it begins. Joy of My Heart showcases the many different styles of Gouzonis; there are hints of more eastern musical traditions that are present here.…
Mermaid opens up Altered Reality, and provides listeners with a brief introduction for where the band will ultimately go over the course of the album. While the driving instrumentation hurtles listeners quickly to the track’s conclusion, I feel that there is a very meaty and fulfilling sound that is whipped up here. Black Bones is a track that takes on hints of alternative, goth, and psychedelic rock. The interaction between…
Bittersweet is a timeless bit of alternative pop that contains some alluring instrumental arrangements and catchy vocals. While the initial track on Bittersweet is easy on the ears, Burning is a track that is sultry and soulful. The inclusion of funk and soul into the mix will appease fans of Pink and Christina Aguilera. Play It Down is a very dynamic track that has The SIdleys continue to speed…
Against The Darkness is very heavy and has the same grit and grim determination of Animalize-era KISS or Fear of the Dark-esque Iron Maiden. The guitars cut a bold path that is further trodden by authoritative drums and a set of vocals that are raw and utterly forward. Rip It adds hints of Anthrax and Judas Priest into the mix, speeding up the tempo while presenting a ropy…
Please Don’t Die begins with The Price Put on You, an introduction that provides a microcosm of the styles and approaches that Skeletons in the Piano will utilize on this album. Longpig is a track that has the instrumentation and the vocals struggle for dominance. It is the dynamic between these two elements that push the track into a completely different effort. The shambling, jangling approach taken by Skeletons…
Abomination is an intense track that stands at the juncture between punk, metal, and hard rock. Wiseguys ‘n Scallywags kick things into high gear early, linking together an absolutely brutal sound with an emotional florish. Better Off Undead is a track that touches upon The Early November and Brand New as much as they take up hints of AFI and early Avenged Sevenfold. The disc hits a new high…
Quietly Freaky is a warm and inviting introduction for The Dream Logic, while the narrative brought will ensure that listeners stick around. The dynamic achieved by each of the instruments during Quietly Freak showcases another strength; the bass, drums, and guitars create a dense and fulfilling arrangement. What People Say continues to expand The Dream Logic’s palette as the band takes on bold new arrangements and a panoply of…
Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You starts in a very soulful and singular fashion, allowing the band to continue gaining momentum and energy. It is this delightful addition of speed that makes Reckless in Vegas shine; the vocals will call forth individuals like Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) while the guitars twinkle with all of the indie fury of Coldplay or The Black Keys. Reckless in Vegas tackles a…