Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: November 30, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Down Home Band featuring Jeff Estes Monrovia CD Review

  Cajun Queen is a catchy bit of blues-rock that unites a strong instrumentation with a narrative that is weaved through the entirety of the album. The smooth, soulful vocals that listeners experience through this introductory track buttresses well with Broken Road. Broken Road has considerable pep and stands at the juncture of country and rock. Fans of the sixties C&W heyday, CCR, or contemporary acts like Mumford and Sons…

Posted on: November 26, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Made in America All My Money Single Review

All My Money is a track that would work perfectly on rock rotation, as the band’s overall sound ties together the disparate works of acts like Papa Roach and Our Lady peace. The vocals touch upon a rich tapestry of influences including  Kid Rock, Every Mother’s Nightmare, Moot the Hoople, and Cinderella, while the accompanying arrangements take up the standard of acts Foo Fighters and Guns ‘N’ Roses. All My…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Taylor Alexander Art EP Review

The Art EP may only have three tracks, but the variety of styles and approaches chosen on the CD ensure that listeners have a good idea about whom Alexander is and what he may do in the future. Emiline is a track that could easily make it onto top 20 rotation. Alexander’s vocals built off of the work of Adam Levine and Chris Martin, imbuing their easy-going style with more…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Ryan Cassata – Jupiter, It Won’t Be Long The Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 3 CD Review

Jupiter, It Won’t Be Long begins with I Don’t Really Wanna Go To College, a track that provides listeners with some semblance of the styles and approaches which Cassata will broach throughout this effort. Liberation is a track that touches upon the work of Contravene, The Devil Is Electric, and even Defiance, Ohio. There is a certain catchiness present to this effort that will make this a good fit for…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Addicted to Pop S/T EP Review

Formerly of Broken Poets, Lana Antropova has just released new music as Addicted to Pop. Over the course of five tracks, the mystique behind the new act is explored and Antropova is able to forge a bold new course with her musical career. This self-titled EP begins with Outcast. Outcast has a high amount of energy and immediately privileges the instrumental side of things. When Antropova’s vocals kick in, the…

Posted on: November 25, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Vaudeville Vendetta CD Review

The Messenger is a soulful track that deftly blends the instrumental and vocal sides of Vaudeville, creating a statement that is much greater than the sum of its constituent elements. The production of this track (and is present on the whole of Vendetta) allows the strengths of Vaudeville to be highlighted; V represents a distinctly different side to the act. Soaring upon hints on indie-rock, peppered by hints of surf…

Posted on: November 23, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Stryper No More Hell To Pay CD Review

  Stryper is an act that has came back strong, while still maintaining the same concern for quality and engrossing music that has made them such a lauded band over the course of the last thirty years. The band’s rendition of the Arthur Reid Reynolds class Jesus is Just Alright completely changes the overall sound of the track while keeping the positive message present, providing listeners with the momentu Jesus…

Posted on: November 21, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Casinova What I Need Single Review

Casinova is an up and coming artist from New York that changes what listeners will expect from the R&B genre. What I Need has a very funky and soulful style that will appease fans of Chris Brown and Trey Songz. There is a certain dynamism that is present in this track that makes Casinova’s output into something that touches equally upon the nuances of a rich genre. Whether it is…

Posted on: November 15, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Krokus – Stampede Vinyl Review

Fashion-wise, the early ‘90s was a sad, sad time for metal bands. Fighting, and ultimately losing, the good fight against flannel-waving grunge bands from the Pacific Northwest, they were still opting for the painted on jeans or ridiculous spandex and sleeveless t’s. But music-wise, once you strip away the hair metal band that were standing in the spotlight, there were still some old guards of the metal scene that were…

Posted on: November 11, 2013 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Soraia In The Valley of Love and Guns CD Review

/ 2013 Self / 10 Tracks / www.soraia.com/‎ http://soraia.bandcamp.com Love Like Voodoo is a track that immediately kicks things into high gear. The vocals laid down are reminiscent of The Runaways and The Distillers. There is a certain allure to this introduction that ensures that listeners will stick around with the band long after the track ceases. Like A Woman Would showcases the technical ability of Soraia. While the vocals…