Go For It is a timeless rock track that takes up hints of U2, 1990s British alternative rock, and hints of acts like The Black Crowes for inspiration. Tying together these disparate elements are Hollis’s inimitable vocals, exuding charisma while pulling double duty as another source of harmony for this track. Holistic in its approach, Go For It is one of those efforts that will have listeners singing along long…
Soul Sister Revolution, the latest effort from Rockie Brown has a solid blend of 1990s-infused rock and assertive vocals. A rich emotion is weaved through this composition; the guitar / drum dynamic lays a solid foundation upon which Rockie’s vocals can soar. The bit of gospel chorus that is presented here adds further replay value to the composition. Rockie Brown’s bright sound and confidence separates Soul Sister Revolution from other…
A gentle percussion and a gorgeous piano dance back and forth with one another as we listen in on the first few bars of Rob Alexander’s “Friend of Mine (Elton’s Epic),” and with the sway of every beat, we find a little bit more color within the growing melody before us. Alexander starts to sing, and even though his initial attack is as soft and decadent as the rhythm of…
Dark pop is a niche genre at best, but thanks to a few indie artists, the genre whispers on in the shadows. Colorado-raised California-resident Roniit is no stranger to the undercurrents of the indie electropop and darkpop scene, and her newest record “XIXI” is less of a music album and more a contiguous journey through the wilderness of her subconscious. The crickets overlaying the introduction to opening track “Noumenia” is…
Joe, the first track on Mike Bertini’s new extended play Thing Called Life is a fun effort that calls back to the college rock of the middle 1990s. This means that there are hints of Keller Williams and Dave Matthews that can be discerned here; tremendously amount of soul and positive vibes issue forth here as Mike creates a thoughtful composition. There’s a bit of material here for those that…
For the past 15 years, The Wood Brothers have managed to forge a wildly uncompromising career, trends be damned, churning out their own brand of folk, blues and Americana through a series of eclectically satisfying studio records and live albums, bringing along a growing crowd of followers with each successive release. Kingdom In My Mind, thankfully fits right in line with the rest of their cannon. This, their seventh album,…
On Iconic, Spitten Image is able to lay out some introspective bars as a haunting backing beat adds further gravity to each lyric. There’s a smart tack taken with the production here as each side (vocal / instrumental) recedes a bit to allow the other part ample time to shine. The straight-forward buckshot that Spitten Image fires here is honest and earnest, coming forth as utterly unique in an era…
Love & Fidelity is the first composition on Death Party Playground’s (DPP) new release, Little Joy. The track benefits from major Barenaked Ladies vibes, uniting a front-forward, confident set of lead vocals with splashy drums and assertive guitar riffs. Immense drum fills provide the head, while the guitars (~1:50 mark) bring the fire. This song will be burying itself in your brains for the foreseeable future. Bright New’s beginning instrumental…
Roll You Up is a fun track; the latest from Tex Moonlight ties together traditional country with funk, alternative rock, and soul styles. Moonlight’s earnest vocals stretch out over the song, linking together these distinctive section. Tex is able to lay layer after layer to the overall sound of Roll You Up until what results is one of the most epic and engrossing songs that we’ve heard so far this…
Tub Go Around is a vibrant beginning composition on Masaki Hanakata’s SONGBOOK1, bringing old fans and new listeners in alike. Hints of traditional Americana and folk styles bubble through. A cohesive statement continues through Open A Season. The presence of a vocal element here adds considerable depth to this composition, making the resulting track resound loudly in listeners’ ears long after the song has ceased to play. Slow Cook is…
Dates: Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24 At Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds in Pryor, Oklahoma Early Bird Passes On Sale Friday, January 24 at 10:00 AM CT Rocklahoma is set to take place on Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24 at Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds in Pryor, Oklahoma, just outside of Tulsa. Now in its 14th year, the three-day camping…
This mid-1990s record was Marshall Crenshaw’s first for the indie Razor & Tie and simultaneously marked his move into a more indie mindset. Recorded at least partially at his own home and playing just about all the instruments, its’ also the record that comes closest to Crenshaw’s brilliant 1982 debut. Having regained ownership of his efforts from the Razor & Tie era, Miracle Of Science is the first of four albums Crenshaw…
While G. Love’s latest, The Juice, is technically a solo album, he still filled the studio with plenty of friends for the outing. Most prominently was former labelmate Keb Mo, who co-produced, co-wrote and performs on several songs across the record. Other guests who stopped by the studio include Marcus King, Robert Randolph, Roosevelt Collier and Ron Artis. And while this slew of new voices and players don’t entirely change…
Too Close represents a major leap forward for Ontario’s The Noolands. The act is immediately able to create a bouncing beat and a memorable set of vocals that cut through the band’s instrumentation. There is a rawness, a ferocity to Too Close that calls back to the earliest days of Foo Fighters and Bloc Party. Of particular note during Too Close has to be the intricate guitar line and the…
Wilma Archer announces a new album, A Western Circular, due for release on April 3rd. A Western Circular is Will Archer’s debut under his new nom-de-plume, following early EPs and an album under the now-retired Slime moniker. Alongside the announcement, he shares a new track, “Last Sniff”, featuring MF DOOM. The video, directed by Jesse Collett, is available to watch now. Within A Western Circular lies an exciting and varied…
Today, of Montreal released their new album UR FUN via Polyvinyl Record Co. prior to release, they shared electro-pop protest song “Peace to All Freaks,” the pet-friendly video for “Polyanuerism” and the intimate, “You’ve Had Me Everywhere” giving us a taste for ten concise electro-pop songs to follow. It’s a collection that exposes the depths of Kevin Barnes’ current life, his private thoughts—both optimistic and brooding— and his passionate relationship…
Altuz Baby! showcases a backing beat and rap flow that are immediately at 100. A piano line tracing back to 1970s rock is married to a bold and confident flow that refreshes the 1990s NYC scene like no other. The high-water mark of Altuz Baby! hits right before the end, as the rapper effortlessly lays down some of the most complex lyrics we’ve heard. Bitchin’ has a tremendous backing beat…
Nuke The Soup have just cut their Feed The Fire. This sizzling track defies all genre conventions. This means there are nods to reggae, funk, soul, and progressive music. Easy-going on its surface, there’s no denying that Nuke The Soup can create some heady instrumentation here. The track moves into Police-level of intricacy between the drums, bass, and guitar lines. Vocals drip with charisma here while a sizzling horn line…
That’s It has Snypa coming forth hard as head. With nods to Migos and Lil Wayne in his vocal flow, Snypa is given a further boost through a booming backing beat that is part trap, part Hypnotize Minds. A distorted, echoing drum beat cuts through the silence between Snypa’s bars, adding a hint of urgency to the composition. Wrapping up things with a nice bow at the 2:30 mark, Snypa…
Habitz goes back to the mid-1990s with his latest effort, Cadillac Dippin. With luxurious synths representing the backdrop, the soulful vox that issue forth shortly after delve into the funk of Zapp & Roger. Including Knitwit and Trazel into the mix, Habitz are able to refresh the style of a Too $hort or an E-40. The duo are able to approach their flows in a distinctly different fashion, ensuring that…