The cohesiveness of Costa’s new album will bring a number of new fans aboard. The album opens up with Loving You, a track that looks back at 2010’s Mobile Chateau while allowing Costa to shift things considerable. Lyrical intensity melds perfectly with an approachable instrumentation to give the album the momentum it needs to succeed. Early November is the shortest effort on the title, but Costa utilizes the 2:30…
Shugo Tokumaru has continually evolved eir music to create something substantively different each time out. In Focus? is Tokumaru’s latest album, and the compositions that issue forth are some of the most complex efforts we have heard outside of full-blown concertos. The combined efforts of In Focus? provide listeners with a darkly emotive look into Tokumaru’s psyche as ey moves through indie to twee and even world music. Circle…
Don’t Go Messing With My Heart is the introductory track on Castles in the Sand, with an instrumentation that shines while highlighting Stockert’s imitable vocals. Stockert and the Como Brothers are able to make a very contemporary track built off the doo-wop and country traditions; a wide swath of listeners will be able to find something to appreciate. What They Say is a track that is destined for radio…
6 song EP, were founded in Finland in 1993. This is the sixth release by these guys, and the first on Necropolis records. They are a five piece band, and the CD Is definitely too short, as there are six songs in a 16 minute block. That comes out to about 2:40 a song. Very fast tempo on these songs, with unintelligible lyrics and killer guitars. Rotten Sound practically rivals…
The second part of Into the Rising Sun provides listeners with a considerably different set of instrumental elements than the initial one: Gandalf is able to link together the two through sheer ability, setting up listeners for Reaching for the Sky. Reaching for the Sky weighs in at 9 minutes (the disc’s longest), providing fans with an epic composition. The different movements in this track allow Gandalf ample opportunity to…
Param Sukh begins Path of the Divine; the narrative qualities of Teredesai’s Bansuri flute provide a cogent and coherent story that is weaved throughout the entirety of the composition. Shakti Dhyana is able to keep close stylistically, despite possessing an outward sound that represents a distinct facet of Teredesai. The tracks on Path of the Divine provide listeners with a brief glimpse into Teredesai the human just as they do…
Anders & Kendall may be a new band, but it’s comprised of a duo of music vets: Anders Parker, a solo artist and also former member of the Indie experimental band Varnaline, and Kendall Meade from Sparklehorse, Mascot and a handful of other groups. Wild Chorus, their debut, is a beautiful, bordering on precious (but not quite there thankfully) collection of nearly a dozen mellow, brushed drum, melody-drenched folk rock…
Cappadonna has continually been crafting music through eir career, with 1998’s The Pillage being a modern classic. Fifteen years have passed, but Cappadonna’s flame and desire to create stellar rap music has not faded. Eyrth, Wynd & Fyre is a two disc effort that does not suffer from the same problems that multi-disc albums have. This means that there is a good array of distinct efforts that touch upon…
Fat or skinny, Elvis put on one hell of a show and nowhere is there a better example of just how great he was as a performer than the Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite recorded in 1973 (ok, maybe with the exception of his 1972 Live from Madison Square Garden shows). It’s an amazing example of just how bad ass a performer he really was (for the record, despite the…
So Many Times Before is a cool effort, linking together Lynyrd Skynyrd-quality guitar riffs with a tremendously introspective and emotive set of vocals. For those that would doubt that this style would work, the honky-tonk strut of Right in Front of Me will convert. The style created by Hornyak on Marigold is something that is striking, in that it takes hints of Tom Petty, Hank Williams Jr., The Wallflowers…
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…