13 Questions is an album that feels absolutely epic in scope. The beginning track, Turn of the Century, ties together a masterful narration with bombastic instrumentation and a lavish production. The Busker utilizes an early country and western style; Cannon’s vocals pull double duty in telling a story and providing additional harmony to the song. True Eyes is an effort that is inspired by “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner”-era Warren…
Never Come Down is catchy and compelling, blending equal parts singer-songwriter pop with reggae. Fans of Jason Mraz and Dave Matthews can find something to appreciate. Touhill is able to distinguish himself from the rest of artists in the soul / reggae style as there is a decided effort to make each arrangement pop. One Thing builds off of the work crafted by The Police while infusing the track with…
Perfect Girl is the introductory track to Sterling Loves U, providing listeners with a catchy bit of alt-rock in the vein of Cake, Weezer, and They Might Be Giants. The chaotic energy that the track thrives on separates this introduction from other similar efforts. With a full head of steam, Witt is able to enjoy additional success with Help Yourself. This track builds thematically on the introduction while bouncing…
Don’t Give Up On Me is the first track on Nothing’s Permanent, and its poppy, female-led vocals will immediately provide listeners with a timeless, torch song-type of feel. The production present on this album is admirable, allowing each element of the band to shine on their own. No matter how clear the horns, guitars, or drums might ultimately be, there is a cohesion that makes the songs resound well…
Doesn’t Really Matter is a track that is able to build off of the goodwill established by Tried and Tried, forging a bold new path with a blend of folk, country and intensely emotional crooning. The rich instrumentation will immediately draw listeners in, while the slight shift in the vocals provides a much different feel to this composition. Sandbox is an act that can create a very close scattershot…
Cold Wind is a track that will immediately provide listeners with a microcosm of the styles and influences that will be presented to listeners on 1977. What results is a bouncy, soul-filled rock track that absolutely soars when included on the vocals. The arrangements presented on Cold Wind will immediately draw listeners in and keep them focused through the first half of the album; Quietly is an effort that…
The track is absolutely furious, but there is a sense that the distinct elements of the band are kept separate. While there is an intense musical attack from the get go, subsequent listens will reveal a surprisingly rich effort. The vocals provide additional melody to this metalcore meets pit anthem. While the specific array of styles that went into the creation of this track are not immediately discernible, Loma…
The sheer variety of different styles that are captured on these two discs is astonishing. Tune Your Mind (Momentum Folkhouse Remix) has an absolutely haunting feel created by the additional echo. As the synth fills some of space left open, the vocals begin to separate themselves from the instrumentation. Approaching the six-minute mark, the Momentum Folkhouse remix of Chords of Truth will make believers out of individuals lucky enough to…
Some of Us opens up Sparkleton, introducing Grown Up Avenger Stuff as an act that paces itself nicely. At a few seconds shy of a minute, the band immediately kicks into high gear. The distinct sides of Some of Us ensure that fans will be firmly affixed to their seats through the first half of Sparkleton. Sparkleton is the album’s titular track and provides listeners with a distinctly different…
The Dallas-based six-piece Home By Hovercraft is a family affair, comprised of husband and wife duo Seth Magill (vocals/tuba) and Shawn Magill (piano/vocals /xylophone) and Seth’s sister Abbey Magill (Step Dance) and yes, if they are listing a lone dancer as a band member you get a pretty good idea of what to expect; Somewhat pretentious pop music masquerading as experimental art rock. The band is described as…
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Lincoln Barr’s record collection stopped sometime in the late 70’s after the first couple of Elvis Costello albums came out and Big Star’s Sister Lover hit the racks… and there ain’t anything wrong with that. With his laid back vocal delivery over strong power pop melodies Barr and the rest of the crew in Red Jacket Mine (no idea where that name…
Archeus begins Ride The Void, and it immediately calls forth the collective voices of symphonic metal (Scorpions, Queensryche); this brief moment of clarity immediately is shattered at the onset of Bestia Triumphans. During this track, Holy Grail is able to tie together Avenged Sevenfold with power metal and eighties heaviness alike. The production of Ride The Vooid is absolutely stellar, adding much-needed warmth to the release. The vocals of…
To call experimental rocker Pere Ubu an acquired taste is an understatement. For more than four decades now music writers have struggled to properly classify the Cleveland musician, tossing out terms like Post Punk, New Wave, Art Punk and taking on every imaginable prefix and suffix to the term rock in a futile effort to find a shorthand for the group’s sound. Lady From Shanghai, the band’s 15th album…
Do what you want is the introductory track to Exile, and it builds off the work of Queensryche and The Scorpion. There is an eye to current music, with the vocals achieving Maroon 5 levels of allure. A.S. provides listeners with a track that will immediately draw them in; the eponymous track follows and spins the act into a new romantic (Psychedelic Furs, The Smiths) meets emotive rock (Fuel, Soundgarden)…
So There begins with Impressions, a track that captures in a hair less than three minutes the different styles and influences that Lyle draws on during So There’s runtime. The momentum achieved by this initial track is bolstered considerably with Let It Out. The array of guitar-heavy rock and blues will draw listeners in and keep them through the next few tracks. What separates Lyle from similar musicians is that…
Don’t Ever Tell Her No is a track that will resonate loudly with anyone that has been in a relationship. Don’t Ever Tell Her No ties together college rock, rockabilly, and even sprinkles in hints of They Might Be Giants and B-52. The bouncy beat of the track is tied together with a story-telling nature, hearkening back to the blues tradition. Thru Lovin’ You continues the trend of high-energy…
Matthew Patrick looks to change what listeners expect from country music. Blue Sun is his latest effort, and the tracks presented her marry together a traditional down-home sound with hints of the islands. Patrick is able to weave a cogent narrative through Blue Sun’s 11 tracks while establishing an instrumentally-intricate effort. Blue Sun begins with Dog, a track that will immediately snare fans. This track soars on dual vocals and…
Rockin’ On the Inside opens up So Much More, and immediately provides listeners with Gentry’s stellar vocals and intelligent instrumental arrangements. Blending equal amounts pop, rock, and country proves to be a success for Gentry, as the momentum that she builds up over the first trio of songs (Rockin’ On the Inside, You Know You Should, and Justin Timberlake Show). Hold Me starts out slowly but shines on the…
Catch a Cold is a track that allows the widest possible swath of listeners to appreciate 2 The Nines’ inimitable style. While there is a catchiness to the song that would easily make it onto rock radio rotation, Hic Up is a darkly emotive track that sets the stage for subsequent efforts; the track has a bounciness that is bold and distinctive. These introductory efforts stand at opposite…
Hunter is looking to make himself a household name in the vein of Chris Brown, Ne*yo, or Justin Timberlake. Pressure is Hunter’s debut album, and its 12 tracks provide listeners with an intimate look into Hunter’s soul. The titular track to Pressure will tattoo its catchy harmonies into the minds and hearts of listeners, while Dancin’ Man seems to be the track that will provide Hunter with a considerable boost.…