No one will look at you askance when you say, “Who’s Crack the Sky?” I didn’t know the story behind this 70’s prog rock band bestowed with a breathtaking brush with ever-lasting fame only to end up defeated by circumstance and largely forgotten. It’s well-worth looking up and reading. The band’s members didn’t necessarily fold up their respective tents and abandon any hope of making music; many went on, in…
If you’re into heavy music or, more specifically, inclined towards stoner rock in any capacity, the sludgy guitar play in Sisteria’s Dark Matter may well be the most intriguing element of the record to behold, but if you listen a little closer, you’re definitely going to see that there’s more to this LP than is initially expected. With lead vocals that bring to mind the fragility of a bohemian folk-rock…
Kramies’ new self-titled album marks, in my opinion, a re-emergence. His willingness to self-title the collection is evidence of such thinking from Kramies’ himself as it suggests a sort of clearing of the decks. Changes in his personal life are in significant part responsible for a point of view shift that has Kramies looking back on the period of his life covered by these songs with a sort of elegiac…
Dark Below is a hard-hitting heavy rock band that brings intense energy in their music and live performances while providing rhythmic songs that people can sing along to. Formed in Columbia, MO, the band signed with Nashville based JPS Productions in 2014. The current lineup has been together since 2016 and includes Josh Campbell (Guitar/Vocals), Josh Grove (Bass/Backing Vocals), and Quin Koldan (Drums). New single “Tense” was produced by Jason Schrick and award-winning producer Malcolm Springer (Matchbox…
It’s rare that an album like That Girl I Knew by Black Sweater would require a parental advisory sticker, but that is sure to be the case. Essentially a 16-track review of a break-up with blow-by-blow commentary, That Girl I Knew is a rather gentile-sounding record. However, there are moments that see outbursts of internalized rage and confusion. Black Sweater somehow combines several aspects of multiple genres into a solitary…
Starfish Memories is the new release by the UK’s Chris Lewington (The Bicycle Thieves and The Silence), which can be streamed on Lewington’s Bandcamp. This extended play begins with The Bridge At Midnight, a 5:54 track which reaches through countless styles and approaches. There’s a good amount of 1960s rock, whether it the more experimentasl fare of The Beatles or something a bit more psych-tinged. The vocals that rise up…
Jenny Bruce is the mastermind behind Ghoste, who has just released a new extended play (and self-titled) album. The Ghoste EP begins with Slow Motion, an effort which showcases a dreamy pop approach. The dynamic that is established here stands boldly out among the masses of performers currently occupying spots on radio and playlists. The track does well to provide listeners with some sort of information about Ghoste as she…
Nick Demopoulos could have played it safe. Cyber Solstice could have been a nine track collection of straight ahead techno tracks with a bright keyboard and synthesizer-fueled bounce. Predictable, but intelligent and possessing widespread audience appeal. He chose another direction with his project Smomid, however, and now several releases into a growing discography, the latest collection Cyber Solstice plays like the fullest realization yet of the project’s promise. FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Smomid…
The cover of Kimberly Morgan York’s new album Keep On Goin’ says it all – this is a record that’s all about a player and her guitar, and she wastes no time proving as much in tracks like the title cut, “Kick Us,” and “Ruby.” York experiments with the depth of her compositional wit, but always within boundaries as they’re created by her six-string counterpart, and from what I can…
Josh Fiend immediately brings together a number of distinct approaches with the first song on his new EP. The Last Time unites traditional country music, a bit of blues, and a whole heck of a lot of the singer-songwriter style. The inimitable vocal tack that Field takes here has a bit of the grittiness of a Waylon Jennings or John Mellencamp. The production of The Last Time ensures that the…
Jojo Engelbert’s “Sweet n Sour” is a high-energy track that will bury its hooky chorus deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Both the supersonic vox of Engelbert and the synth/drum backdrop combine to make for something that could easily make it onto pop rotation and radio playlists. There’s a timeless sound to Sweet n Sour that ensures that a wide swath of fans will be able to find…
Ricci Bamboo’s “Papa” is an impactful track. The vocals laid down here are effervescent, telling a story as each subsequent utterance adds mightily to the overall harmonies established by the drums and keys. The track twinkles in its runtime, moving ever closer to the end. The song itself eats, shoots and leaves but listeners are never quite the same. Check out the video (below) for Ricci Bamboo’s Papa and let…
Norman Alexander makes some significant progress with his latest single ‘The Reason.’ The unwavering musical aura of Norman Alexander is spreading even far with his latest musical activities. The latest music video, ‘The Reason,’ has premiered with an official music video that garnered over a million views in just 12 days. Aside from the track ‘The Reason’ creating a massive buzz in the music industry, Norman also caught the attention…
The Ballad Of Elvis Presley has such a timeless sound to it that listeners will be shocked that the track was released in the current era. From the immaculate walking guitar line or the crystal-clear vocals laid down by Cotton and Preston, the song will check all the boxes for fans of classic 1960s country. The Ballad Of Elvis Presley’s product serves two masters – aside from keeping things sounding…
Rob Eberle’s doubtful is a track that effortlessly joins together pop, R&B and EDM in a fashion that will be appreciated by anyone that listens to the song. The vocals here are emotive and impacting, taking inspiration from Panic at the Disco and BTS while the dynamism of the track’s instrumentation keeps things fresh throughout. The second movement of doubtful acts as a soft reset, shining a spotlight on Rob’s…
I’ll Be The One, Le Sonic’s latest has a timeless sound to it that ensures that the song could easily hang alongside the work of The Carpenters and Carole King, all while having snazzy instrumentation leading the song to glory. The bit of brass that swells up at points plus the perfectly-timed percussion combine to make for something eminently enjoyable. Le Sonic’s decision to feature Lauran Beluzo on lead vocals…
Elektragaaz’s Behind The Final Veil is an interesting composition, blending together 1990s electronica with hints of industrial and goth. There’s a narrative that weaves its way through the song, gradually shifting and changing as the song brings in guitars and bass lines. The track will have listeners firmly planted on the edges of their seats. The infectious beat that plays throughout Behind The Final Veil provides the baseline upon which…
Sergio Napoletano’s Kids In The Hall calls back to the indie-rock of the early-to-mid 1990s. There’s subtle nods to Sebadoh’s fuzziness and the assertive vocals of Perry Ferrell. The addition Napoletano brings to this genre of music comes in the richness of the composition. The plinking of the keys, the alluring guitar work, and an ear not only for radio-friendly music but for arrangements that are complex and fulfilling ensures…
Canada’s Jeremy Rice may have finally found that breakthrough hit – “Why Do You Lie” has jumped and jived its way onto the pop rock scene. The song’s swagger and addictive chorus will surely have audiences dancing in the aisles. Rice, who is from Quebec, injects just a bit of French-spoken lyrics, and leaves most of the talking up to the harmonies and the excellent music riverbed. Tethered to the…
Nick Phoenix has released a cinematic video for the song ‘Andromeda’ from his ‘Wide World’ album.The video was shot in Pasadena, CA on the historic campus of the California Institute of Technology and various locations in the Mohave Desert. Explaining about ‘Andromeda’, Phoenix says “The song is about an astronomer who dreams of visiting the Andromeda Galaxy and he designs a propulsion system. The song delves into whether he is looking to escape this world…