Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: August 7, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Gravity and Friction (LP) by King Ropes

Plunging percussive thrusts are joined by a gush of distorted melodies in “Butterfly Joint,” one of the eight songs comprising King Ropes’ exquisite sophomore album, Gravity and Friction. In “Butterfly Joint,” and really all seven of the tracks that it’s accompanied by on Gravity and Friction, a mind-bendingly surreal soundscape is utilized as a forceful canvas atop which the band can colorize the otherwise simplistic beats. The music is unrepentantly experimental, but…

Posted on: August 5, 2019 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Mike Jacoby – Long Beach Calling (CD)

Although Mike Jacoby offers hints of Americana and even rockabilly throughout his third solo offering, the record is still firmly planted in the world of rootsy rock and roll. Jacoby cites folk troubadour Todd Snider as an inspiration for Long Beach Calling, but it’s just as easy to pick out influences from folks like John Fogerty and The BoDeans here. The opening song, the rollicking title track with its Johnny…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Paul Kloschinsky ‘Gamble on our Dreams’

During Gamble on our Dreams, Paul Kloschinsky is able to make a country and western infused rock track that will keep listeners eagerly focused on what Paul has to say. There is little more to this composition than Paul’s voice and guitar, but the space that Gamble on our Dreams takes up is considerably greater. As the song moves to a quicker tempo, Kloschinsky is able to call back to…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

You Know by Jaco is built around stylishly heavy tracks

Though its sway can be, at times, both nauseating and cerebrally entrancing, Jaco’s “Say Goodbye” is nonetheless one of the most evocative tracks that you’ll encounter in the debut solo affair from the noted Birmingham scene stalwart, You Know. Released this past July 19th to critical acclaim, You Know is built around stylishly heavy tracks like “Say Goodbye,” the crushing “Shoe” and monolithic “For Myself,” all three of which contain as many pop facets…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

THESE PEOPLE – A / B Vision

On A/B Vision, THESE PEOPLE are able to make a dreamy track that builds upon the tradition of Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie and the dreamy progressive rock of Donovan and early Genesis. Beautiful instrumentation continues to yield new twists and turns for listeners long after the song ceases to play. With vocals that touch upon Wayne Coyne and a more space-focused Perry Ferrell, THESE PEOPLE make a truly epic sound to…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Jade Gotti “Nik Nac”

Jade Gotti is able to bring listeners to her side thorough the lyrics of her new song, Nik Nac. The track is short and sweet but is able to bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners; with there being so much in the way of lying and cheating in modern married (and dating) life, what Jade Gotti shines a light onto is something that likely most fans…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

The Peculiar People “On Purpose”

On On Purpose, The Peculiar People come forth with some tremendous beats and spat-out lyrics forged in the fires of Kanye and Meek Mill. The rapid-fire word play on this single puts traditional gospel music on its head while cutting up some hard hitting lyrical content. The Peculiar People use a bit of screwed and chopped sound to separate the two distinct sections of On Purpose. With a crystal clear…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

88 Lo ft. 88 Goldie “Nothins Changed”

Nothins Changed is a hard-hitting rap track that blends together a robust flow with an in-your-frace backing beat. The bit of thoughtful pre-chorus bars that issue forth during Nothings Changed allow for switching out between the distinct vocal approaches of 88 Lo and 88 Goldie. This single is able to refresh the rap approach of the late-ought while calling forward to performers like Migos and Young Thug. It’s this desire…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Baker Grace “Sad Summer”

On Sad Summer, Baker Grace effortlessly blends together modern pop music with the electro-pop of the mid-1980s. With nods to Gloria Estefan and Madonna, Baker Grace is able to bring to bear all the sultriness and coy sounds of her inimitable take on modern music. Mixing together a bit of Lily Allen and La Roux with Halsey , Baker Grace is able to transform Sad Summer into something that deserves…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Chloe Tang “Take Care”

On Take Care, Chloe Tang is able to make a pop track that ties together mid-oughts R&B with modern EDM. These stylistic flourishes allow the track to shine brightly when compared to other tracks. The soft, silky sound of Tang’s vocals are able to bridge the gap between the sweeping synthesizers and the booming beat that issues forth. A stylistic shift at the 2:20 mark provides a brief breathing space…

Posted on: July 31, 2019 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Crowded House – The Very Very Best Of (Vinyl Reissue)

In the 11-year span of their first run, Australia’s Crowded House could simply do no wrong, churning out one brilliant album after the next at a rate of just about an album every other year until their split in 1996. The band has since reunited twice – between 2006 – 2011 and again in 2016 – but it’s hard to find a period as creatively solid as their first four…

Posted on: July 29, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

The Gillum Bros “Sticky Note”

The Gillum Bros are able to reinvigorate the style of Lou Reed and Pulp with their latest track, Sticky Note. With wistful guitars and deliberate keys, the act is able to imbue a timeless sound to the composition. Beautiful in its execution, The Gillum Bros are able to make something that will stick with listeners long after the song ceases to play. All too short at a hair over three…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Chris Butler “Summer Money”

Chris Butler creates his own brand of 1960-infused rock. Dreamy vocals and contemplative guitar riffs paint a solid picture while Butler’s vocals add fine detail to the composition. With a lead-in to the chorus built upon the tradition of Van Morrison and The Who, Summer Money sails away with contemplative arrangements. The extended instrumental interlude separates the two sections of the track, keeping the song’s energy high while showcasing some…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

The NaveBlues “Pale Blue Dot”

The Pale Blue Dot is a bouncy effort that links together surf rock, rockabilly, and has the band come forth with a tremendous amount of charisma. The distinct sections to the track are what will keep fans coming back to the track, as it showcases the tremendous capability of the band. Able to change up styles at the drop of a dime, the NaveBlues are able to keep their fans…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

ONLAP “Miracle”

ONLAP creates some hard-hitting melodic rock with their new single Miracle. The track is delightful not only for the supersonic vocals that reach their crescendo during the song’s chorus, but also for the intricate arrangements and interplays that exist between the guitars and drums. Each part of ONLAP on Miracle is clear and crisp, be it the synths, the double-bass drums, or the shouted-out statement “We Don’t Care”. With enough…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Chris Douglas welcomes us into his incredible new single

With a fierce gallop of the drums, Chris Douglas welcomes us into his incredible new single “Ain’t Getting Any Younger,” the juggernaut debut release from one of the season’s most discussed young songwriters. Right off the bat, we’re hypnotized by the chic stylization of the percussion, the marvelously melodic crooning of Douglas, and the fiery tonality of the guitars, which have a much sportier, hard rock-inspired depth than what I…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Generationals “Breaking Your Silence”

On Breaking Your Silence, the Generationals are able to call back to the power-pop of the 1970s and a bit of the late-oughts (e.g. Peter Bjorn and John) alt sound. The dreamy vocals are matched well with punctual drums. When the synths and a fuzzy, echo-laden section confronts listeners at the 1:15 mark, the effort is well on its well. With gradual increases in the song’s momentum as it continues…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Ronin releases debut “Chemical Smiles” (single)

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/album/5EA6FSQuQ489bOrdCvJRSN Silence. And then, out of nowhere, we’re smacked in the gut by the first in a tizzy of boldly arranged beats. The bass and the percussion are fused together in “Chemical Smiles,” the new single from Ronin, and they’re likely to leave anyone and anything that gets in their path humbled (and hobbled) by their devastating thunder. “Chemical Smiles” is a song that can be described as a sonic…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Brittany Howard “Stay High”

On Stay High, Brittany Howard is able to create a soulful, laid-back effort that draws on 1970s soul and funk. Including Terry Crews is a major get, but Howard’s technical ability will ultimately be what wins fans over. The sheer range that is achieved by these vox is testament to Howard’s ability. The percussion and driving beat that plays behind Howard’s voice adds a bit of momentum to Stay High.…

Posted on: July 28, 2019 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Jay Som “Tenderness”

On Tenderness, Jay Som is able to make a compelling track that opens up with little more than softly-sung vocals and a sequenced drum beat / guitar back drop. When the song opens up (at around the 1:20 mark), the instrumental dynamic become more dense and thrushier, a response to the higher registers Jay Som reaches. The interesting arrangements continue through to the second half of Tenderness. A subtle update…