Wages of Hope is a track that attempts to redefine what folk is as a genre. While many listeners would associate this song with traditional artists like Elliott Smith and Devendra Banhart, I feel that there is a robustness and livelier feel achieved by this track. Folk usually fades into the background, while Murdock’s work on Brand New Widow will draw listeners in by innovative arrangements and masterful production.…
Justin Stang and Jim Elenteny have known each other since childhood; the music that results from this friendship is some of the most pure and complimentary that we have heard. The duo is a platonic couple; where a husband and wife can complete each other’s sentences, these two finish lines and arrangements. It is this cohesive sound that makes Science! into one of the few acts that we have…
Few musicians come forth with a definitive message on their recordings, but George Cahill ties in hard-edged political themes to each of Relevant’s 9 songs. Nuclear Fallout is the introductory track on Relevant, and is focused on the “perfect storm” of tsunami and meltdown that hit Japan last year. Sucking on Weed has a psychedelic approach that soars on the back of Santana-esque guitar lines; Cahill’s vocals provide listeners…
Lissy Trullie is an individual that we have not had the chance to review in the past. We received a copy of eir latest, a 2012-released (and self-titled) LP. I believe that what ey does on this title is imbue a number of distinct music genres with eir unique style. Rules We Obey is a strong track and provides listeners with some semblance of who Trullie is and what…
There are few bands out that create rock music. Sure, there are rock radio stations, but I feel that a number of their playlists exclusively deal with metal and more heavy forms of rock. The Villains look to recall the days of Whitesnake, Every Mother’s Nightmare and .38 Special. While the band usually ends up taking the stage with country acts (Montgomery Gentry and Keith Urban, to name a…
It seems that the collective that is the United Kingdom has fallen behind in creating inspired music. Where there are some acts that possess a solid sound (The Maccabees), a great many of the current acts garnering airplay there are pretty sad. Jonquil is an act that has operated under the radar; Point of Go is their latest on Dovecote records, and looks to do much to repair the…
J Duff is one of the few rappers that are on their way to stardom. The 2012 XXL Freshman Class was filled with has-beens and never-weres, leading listeners to find the best new artists. I believe that J Duff is on a path to become a household name, and this is because of his incredible wordplay and punchy beats. His flow comes forth on the disc’s first cut, Can’t Stop…
There is such a sense that The All-American Rejects would struggle to create an identify for themselves separate from the singles that they have already released. A number of bands have not been able to follow up on their largest successes, but I feel that Kids in the Street is an essential title for establishing the band’s new style. Sure, there are overtures to their previous work (Gonzo and…
Everything about this live album works. Where there is some loss of fidelity with many live recordings, Hawkins’ inspiration piano arrangements are captured as clear as day. There is a vibrancy that weaves its way through each of this album’s 15 tracks. I feel that this vibrancy is linked to Hawkins’ narration through instrumental arrangements. With every track here, From The Outside to Love in Winter, there is a sense…
Chronicle: Music From The Motion Picture features a number of tracks from up and coming bands; their unique efforts here make for a compelling and surprisingly cogent narrative for Chronicle. This first track on this CD is Blonde Acid Cult’s Calypso, a track that contains a considerable amount of beefiness that belies the more laid-back style of the instrumentation. Bad Veins’ Gold and Warm comes fresh on the heels…
Tim Fite is one of those few artists that do not take well to a genre convention. Sure, Fite can be categorized as a singer-songwriters, but there is a level of density and gravitas to the tracks on Ain’t Ain’t Ain’t that belies that tie. When given an indie rock mantle, tracks like My Brother Sings showcases a certain glibness that is unparalleled. Listeners are then provided with an…
Alyssa Graham is an artist that is looking to break the world of the dominance of Adeles and Joss Stones; on Lock, Stock & Soul Graham shows that the true soul cannot be replicated for a mass audience. Rather, Graham’s point with Lock, Stock & Soul is to individually touch each person that listens in. This makes for an album that hits on all cylinders, from the opening strains of…
Despite the advances in recording technology, it seems that most live recordings do not capture the full spirit of the band. Going Out In Style should act as a blueprint for anyone that looks to make a good live album, as the band is able to showcase their inimitable style over the course of two discs. The band, even in the later segments of the concert, is still able…
Few videos seem to fit the artist that has commissioned them. This is because one artist (the performer) is outsourcing their vision to another artist (the videographer). What results in a typical video then is a disjointed mess, containing imagery that is not borne out by the music, along with musical intensity that is not highlighted by the images present. T.J. Doyle has just released a video for his “Everything,”…
There is considerable expansion on Gone of the indie rock genre. I feel that Everyone Knows acts as the blueprint for everything that is to follow. This track immediately captures listeners and keeps their attention, so that the band can build off of the different styles, influences, and approaches that were initially presented with this introductory track. Good as New is the disc’s second cut, and provides listeners with a…
The psychedelic style that starts off the Neon Life EP has a vibrancy and energy that will immediately ensnare listeners for the entirety of the release. Each element of Dashboard Madonna immediately gives it their all, creating a compelling and memorable track out of the gate. The vocals act as the perfect counterpoint to the instruments arranged here; Dead Men Tell No Tales is a perfect microcosm showing what is…
Blues Traveler has been around for 25 years. This is a surprising statement, as the band was at the top of the charts for only a few brief years in the 1990s. Blues Traveler’s 25 retrospective provides listeners with an exhaustive hit parade, along with a bonus track (the Gunslinger remix of Run-around). This set is value priced, meaning that a purchase from an online retailer will only set one…
ir Gunfire of Angels EP with To Be True, a track that ties together fuzzy guitar lines with strong female vocals. The overall track comes forth with a style that is reminiscent of Republica, Garbage or Hole. Ride allows the guitars some time in the sun; the switching of vocal and instrumental elements allows listeners to hear a different side of 28-200. This time out, a more current sound is…
Innocent Mistake is a bold track that blends together guitars, drums, and an utterly compelling set of vocals. Each element of Walking Sideways contributes to the overall feel of the track. Ready for mainstream rock radio, the band just feels more honest than other acts currently making music. Rather than allowing their producer to push everything into the red line, the dynamic modeling of the track allows for Walking Sideways…
I believe that the most difficult task that a musician can take is committing oneself to the creation of a ten minute-plus track. The difficulty of this effort is so high due to the sheer amount of work one has to put in. It is simply not enough to merely repeat different arrangements (albeit with minor variations) for the bulk of the composition. Opening Sound dives headlong into this…