It has been a few years since I have heard anything in the way of discussion about Limp Bizkit, or any of the members from that band. Black Light Burns features former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland, as well as members from acts like The Esoteric, Open Hand, Turn of the Screw and From First to Last. “Mesopotamia†is the first track on “Cruel Melodyâ€, and individuals that are looking…
There may not be much beyond a set of vocals and an acoustic guitar to start off “One More Doorâ€, but the skill shown by each piece dwarfs that of practically any other individual or act that has committed music to disc in the last few years. The diverse array of influences that act as a foundation for Cowdery on “One More Door†allow anyone listening in to identify with…
“Girl Like This†begins with the self-titled track; the song is one that brings forth influences from individuals as wide-spread as Carrie Underwood, the Dixie Chicks, and Sheryl Crow. The strong vocals that issue forth from the beginning of “Girl Like This†will ensure that listeners stick with the disc for a good, long time. “Mama Needs A Good Girl’s Night Out†has a guitar that immediately explodes in listeners’…
The Empty Mirror is a self-described “Nightmaricana†act, and have been blowing away live audiences since 2005. This previously Ohio-based act has moved up to Washington state, and have released “Overwhelm†after countless nights spent tweaking this album into what listeners will undoubtedly call their “magnum opusâ€. The disc is broken down into three segments of five tracks, which each track and section establishing a little more of a story.…
The first track on “Swimming Without Webbed Toes†is “Crashâ€, and it comes forth with a very grave and atmospheric feel that link together new wave acts like Enya and Enigma with hints of goth and “Ray of “Lightâ€-era Madonna. The resulting track is something that will stick with listeners throughout their “Swimming Without Webbed Toes†experience, feeding in well to “Am Iâ€. “Am I†is the longest track on…
Lisa Coppola is a singer-songwriter that has flirted with fame for years, whether it be backing up Billy Joel on one of his Saturday Night Live performances or playing a number of NYC’s world-renowned clubs and venues (The Bitter End and Brownie’s, to name a few). “Wisdom From The Pain†benefits from the touch of John Waite (“Missing Youâ€) and Anthony Krizan (Spin Doctors), but it is Coppola’s own skill…
While “Hope For Harmony” may be officially the debut for pianist Kathryn Toyama, the eighteen compositions that are present on this disc showcase a talent that far surpasses any other debuting act. “Hope For Harmony” leads off with “Hope”, a track that needs nothing more than a woman playing a piano to bring forth a narrative that will last throughout the whole of “Hope For Harmony”. From the light, airy…
“Drop Of Love†is the initial track on “Water Meâ€, and this track has a humanity to it that a number of major-label releases are seemingly unable to have. The vocals on “Drop Of Love†are approachable to a degree that is simply not heard in most current music, and the resulting Marie Black track is something that draws heavily on the vocal history established by individuals like Janis Joplin,…
Regardless of whether individuals are familiar with the work of Gee Davey, the one thing that can be said is that the band is dedicated. Over the course of the last five years, Gee Davey has came to the plate four times – 2003’s “Dear Theoâ€, 2005’s “Sparticle†EP, 2006’s “Sparticle†LP, and “She Sells Smilesâ€, the latest effort of the band. “Say Another Prayer†leads off this EP, and…
John Paul has had his fair share of accolades over the years. Whether it was a nine-week reign at the top of the Portland Phoenix local-artist sales charts in his old band, Stillview or another of his old acts (The Posters) getting the Got Milk-campaign’s stamp of approval in 2004, Paul has captured the attention of anyone that has had the chance to listen in. “Belmont Boulevard†marks the second…
We here at NeuFutur had the chance to review Hills Rolling’s last album, “Sweet Teaâ€, and we were very impressed with the rock stylings of the band at that point. “Something Delicious†is the latest disc by Hills Rolling, and it showcases 9 impressive tracks that build upon the solid foundation that was created by “Sweet Teaâ€. “Something Delicious†begins with “I Wake Upâ€, a unique track that defies convention…
Wilkins – consisting of Mark Wilkins (bass, guitars, and vocals), Julian Wilkins (piano/synths), and Jan Wilkins (acoustic guitars, vocals) – are a family that has been creating music together since 2000. “No Expiry Date†is an album that shows that, even with Julian’s hiatus from the act, that Wilkins is a musical tour de force in the folk music sphere. “Easy†is the first track on “No Expiry Dateâ€, and…
Man, “Future Luver†is an interesting track. The song itself links together rock and funk, while Statan’s output on the track shows influences from artists as different as Lenny Kravitz, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Gavin Degraw. While it would be easy for Statan to go off into absurdity, as acts like Chromeo (“Needy Girlâ€) and the Bloodhound Gang have done, Statan makes for a track that is compelling,…
“Cactus Lizard†is the initial track on “Bobby Barbadosâ€, and it showcases a very interesting musical style. Von Davis creates a folky, singer-songwriter type of music but creates a narrative style that is not typically present in this style of music. “Cactus Lizard†discusses the quandary of being a lizard where everyone else is a cactus, allowing Von Davis to add a little bit of Mexican influence to the track.…
“Jamie†is one of the stand-out tracks on The Bridge and the Prophet’s self-titled release. The track builds off of a seventies pop approach (think Rob Stewart and Cat Stevens), with instrumentation that provides the support for John’s vocals to truly soar. “Heavenly Candle†is a track that will immediately gain the attention of listeners, owing much to the intricate guitar work that is present. The guitar work has a…
Last week I got the chance to ask a few questions to the up and coming band Another Option. They are a New England based Indie/Rock band who is currently on tour with TGL and Brookside.
After four years, it feels like Conor Oberst’s label Team Love has came full circle. The first release on the Team Love label was Tilly and the Wall’s “Wild Like Childrenâ€, and at this moment, “o†is the current release that they are pandering. Tilly and the Wall’s “o†is their third full-length release, set on the same 2 year publishing schedule that “Wild Like Children†and “Bottoms of Barrels 
The Offspring have been around longer than about 90% of their fan base has been alive. This means that the act has been together since 1984, and “Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace†shows off a maturity that befits a band that is on their eighth studio album. The album follows from “Splinter†in that all four recording members of the band – Dexter Holland, Noodles, Greg K and session…
Hopeless Records has had a hell of a long streak of simply amazing albums, whether it be Amber Pacific, or The Dangerous Summer. The fact is that “Deadlines†is the first track on this EP, and it largely showcases the same attention to quality and solid arrangements that Hopeless acts are really known for. The emotive style of the band has a hopeful sound to it despite a much more…
Paper Rival has torn up CMJ showcases, toured with acts like Nightmare of You, and have even been noted by Spin as an “Artist of the Dayâ€. “Foreign Film Collection†is the first stand-out hit during this album. This is due to the fact that the act is able to create an emotive and grave sound to their tracks that will have individuals hearing a heavy Death Cab for Cutie.…