Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: September 15, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Blind Lemon Pledge Evangeline CD Review

Evangeline is Blind Lemon Pledge’s latest album, and captures a wide variety of styles and approaches over the album’s 10 tracks. Buley’s Farm is a very emotive and authoritative track that touches upon a much earlier blues and folk tradition. Each constituent element that contributes to this track (stomping, guitar, harmonica) is on-point. The multiple vocal harmony provides considerable energy to this track, ensuring that listeners stick with Evangeline. Jennie…

Posted on: September 15, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Billy Roberts and the Rough Riders The Last of the Originals CD Review

This Australian act has all of the energy and talent that they need to make the tracks on The Last of the Originals shine; over the course of 10 tracks, the band is able to establish their own unique style. Mrs Jones is a compelling track that settles in nicely to mid-nineties alt-country; hints of R.E.M. and Wilco can be made, all while the vocals provide a wonderful narrative quality…

Posted on: September 10, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Waterkeeper Hefeweizen Ale

Waterkeeper is a golden Hefeweizen that pours with lots of carbonation and a white head that laces down the glass. The initial bouquet is sugary with more acerbic hints that complete the nose. The initial quaff of Waterkeeper is very gentle and brings like a golden German before bursting forward with banana and clove elements. Subsequent sips provide malty and refreshing peaks that make it incredibly easy to finish up.…

Posted on: September 8, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 1

The Posies – Failure (CD)

The Posies were one of the best Power Pop bands to come out of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s (just take a moment to let that sink in…). And thanks to nostalgia and a slew of Generation X-ers now running boutique record labels, the world gets to rediscover a number of sadly over-looked beauties from the not too distant past.

Posted on: August 29, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Joe Purdy Eagle Rock Fire CD Review

Joe Purdy may have only been around since 2001, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting out an astonishing 13 records in that time frame. His latest, Eagle Rock Fire, is more of the same from this Arkansas folk/country musician.

Posted on: August 29, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Shovels & Rope – Swimmin’ Time Review

The Charleston, SC duo Shovels & Rope caused quite a frenzy among critics jumping over each other to praise their 2012 debut. I can only imagine the chorus of approval that will meet the even stronger Swimmin’ Time.

Posted on: August 28, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Midge Ure – Fragile

It’s been more than a decade since Midge Ure last offered a full album of new songs and the result is sure to please those who’ve been following the musician since the ‘80s. Fragile, coming in at 10 songs, is a delicate collection of synth-heavy songs that have not been swayed by recent fads in contemporary music; there is no forced reinvention, rather Ure sticks to his own brand New Wave…

Posted on: August 25, 2014 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Elvis Presley – That’s The Way It Is: Deluxe Edition

Legacy Records continues its massive project cleaning out every company vault and looking under every old rug for goodies and extras to tack onto their Elvis Presley re-releases. The latest, the massive eight CD, two DVD collection for Presley’s 1970 concert and documentary, That’s the Way It Is, is one of their best offerings date. But be warned, this is not for the casual Elvis fan. It should be noted…

Posted on: August 23, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Royal Holland Volume One – The Maze CD Review

Devil’s Night is a fun track that showcases the sheer depth and breadth of Royal Holland. The music is a bouncy bit of alt-rock that ties together influences as disparate as Warren Zevon, Blur, Dick Dale, and The Smiths. The track is further bolstered through the presence of on-point claps and an infectious beat. Statues is a track that keeps listeners on the edges of their seats through a dual-barrel…

Posted on: August 23, 2014 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Curious Quail After The Lights Failed CD Review

After The Lights Failed has a tremendously emotive and orchestra sound that creates a larger than life feeling for the track, with rapid shifts in tempo showcasing a Protean nature to this San Jose-based act.Instant Gratification has Curious Quail kick things into high gear, with the band taking up the standard of fun. And Mumford & Son.