I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Lincoln Barr’s record collection stopped sometime in the late 70’s after the first couple of Elvis Costello albums came out and Big Star’s Sister Lover hit the racks… and there ain’t anything wrong with that. With his laid back vocal delivery over strong power pop melodies Barr and the rest of the crew in Red Jacket Mine (no idea where that name…
Archeus begins Ride The Void, and it immediately calls forth the collective voices of symphonic metal (Scorpions, Queensryche); this brief moment of clarity immediately is shattered at the onset of Bestia Triumphans. During this track, Holy Grail is able to tie together Avenged Sevenfold with power metal and eighties heaviness alike. The production of Ride The Vooid is absolutely stellar, adding much-needed warmth to the release. The vocals of…
To call experimental rocker Pere Ubu an acquired taste is an understatement. For more than four decades now music writers have struggled to properly classify the Cleveland musician, tossing out terms like Post Punk, New Wave, Art Punk and taking on every imaginable prefix and suffix to the term rock in a futile effort to find a shorthand for the group’s sound. Lady From Shanghai, the band’s 15th album…
Do what you want is the introductory track to Exile, and it builds off the work of Queensryche and The Scorpion. There is an eye to current music, with the vocals achieving Maroon 5 levels of allure. A.S. provides listeners with a track that will immediately draw them in; the eponymous track follows and spins the act into a new romantic (Psychedelic Furs, The Smiths) meets emotive rock (Fuel, Soundgarden)…
So There begins with Impressions, a track that captures in a hair less than three minutes the different styles and influences that Lyle draws on during So There’s runtime. The momentum achieved by this initial track is bolstered considerably with Let It Out. The array of guitar-heavy rock and blues will draw listeners in and keep them through the next few tracks. What separates Lyle from similar musicians is that…
Don’t Ever Tell Her No is a track that will resonate loudly with anyone that has been in a relationship. Don’t Ever Tell Her No ties together college rock, rockabilly, and even sprinkles in hints of They Might Be Giants and B-52. The bouncy beat of the track is tied together with a story-telling nature, hearkening back to the blues tradition. Thru Lovin’ You continues the trend of high-energy…
Matthew Patrick looks to change what listeners expect from country music. Blue Sun is his latest effort, and the tracks presented her marry together a traditional down-home sound with hints of the islands. Patrick is able to weave a cogent narrative through Blue Sun’s 11 tracks while establishing an instrumentally-intricate effort. Blue Sun begins with Dog, a track that will immediately snare fans. This track soars on dual vocals and…
Rockin’ On the Inside opens up So Much More, and immediately provides listeners with Gentry’s stellar vocals and intelligent instrumental arrangements. Blending equal amounts pop, rock, and country proves to be a success for Gentry, as the momentum that she builds up over the first trio of songs (Rockin’ On the Inside, You Know You Should, and Justin Timberlake Show). Hold Me starts out slowly but shines on the…
Catch a Cold is a track that allows the widest possible swath of listeners to appreciate 2 The Nines’ inimitable style. While there is a catchiness to the song that would easily make it onto rock radio rotation, Hic Up is a darkly emotive track that sets the stage for subsequent efforts; the track has a bounciness that is bold and distinctive. These introductory efforts stand at opposite…
Hunter is looking to make himself a household name in the vein of Chris Brown, Ne*yo, or Justin Timberlake. Pressure is Hunter’s debut album, and its 12 tracks provide listeners with an intimate look into Hunter’s soul. The titular track to Pressure will tattoo its catchy harmonies into the minds and hearts of listeners, while Dancin’ Man seems to be the track that will provide Hunter with a considerable boost.…
