Happy Friday. Tomorrow is the first day of December, and the nominations for the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards will be announced on December 7. As we finish off the final reviews, here are five more for your consideration, including one that is being released today. Enjoy.
Artist Name: Grant the Sun
Album Name: Simmar Ur Bild
Label: Mas-Kina Recordings
Genre: Instrumental Metal
Track Listing: 1. Simmar ur Bild; 2. Ondskans Vakmastare; 3. Tje Kjonoj; 4. Sjuttonde Maj
Publicist: Viral Propaganda PR
Review: Grant the Sun is a trio from Norway, featuring founding members of the band Insense, Havard Sveberg and Martin Rygge (who is also the guitarist for Beaten To Death) and childhood friend and guitar virtuoso Markus Lillehaug Johnsen. The band creates instrumental metal inspired by such bands as Devin Townsend, Extol and Meshuggah. The music is complex and well-written, and could be useful as placements in commercials, as well as film and television. It is not overpowering, but melodic metal that excites all the senses. It is a combination of prog-rock and metal that should appeal to most rock music lovers.
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a spin – we think you will be delighted by the subtleties and complexities of their sound.
Artist Name: The Skiffle Players
Album Name: Skiff
Label: Spiritual Pajamas
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Cara; 2. Local Boy; 3. You’ll Miss it When it’s Gone; 4. The Law Offices of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe; 5. Wham!; 6. Long Horns, Long Necks, Long Legs; 7. Herbamera; 8. Los Angeles Alleyway; 9. Skiffleman; 10. Harsh Toke; 11. Oakland Scottish Rite Temple Waltz; 12. Santa Fe; 13. Sweet Georgia Brown
Publicist: Calabro Music Media
Review: We had the pleasure of reviewing their previous EP Piffle Sayers back in August, and their full length album was definitely worth the wait. Picking up where their EP left off, they have launched their ship even further into the deep, adding what they call “acoustic dance music” to their more traditional folk sound. We love the country vibe on their first single, “Local Boy,” and the retro feel of “You’ll Miss it When It’s Gone.” “Wham!” seems like a natural segue from the classic country song “Baby Likes to Rock It” by The Tractors. This one is fun from start to finish, and we think there’s something for everyone within these songs. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a traditional Skiffle romp through the classic song, “Sweet Georgia Brown.”
Recommendation: Get it!
Artist Name: Grave Danger
Album Name: Let ‘er RIP
Label: Self-released
Genre: Ska-Goth (Skath)
Track Listing: 1. Grave Danger; 2. Escape From Skull City; 3. Too Ghoul for School
Publicist: Earshot Media
Review: Grave Danger have taken ska and combined it with goth, creating a form of music they call skath. It is a natural progression from the music of Oingo Boingo, and it has all the great vibe of that amazing band. It was released on October 26, but we couldn’t get to it before Halloween. Never fear – you don’t have to wait until next Halloween to enjoy this three-song masterpiece. It will make you “Too Ghoul for School.”
Recommendation: This one is a hoot – get it!
Artist Name: New London Fire
Album Name: Tired of This Man
Label: Self-released
Genre: Folk-Rock/Americana
Track Listing: 1. The Fire; 2. Tired of This Man; 3. Now I’m Found; 4. I Still Believe; 5. You Know I Would; 6. I Hope You Hear This Song; 7. Momma It’s Alright; 8. Abigail; 9. When it Gets Hard; 10. Rise Above
Publicist: Behind the Curtains Media
Review: Combine the fun of Mumford & Sons with the Celtic vibe of Flogging Molly and the folkiness of The Decemberists and you get New London Fire. The lyrics are well-crafted and politically on point, and will definitely give you food for thought. They hit the ground running on “The Fire,” and never let up. They issue a call to unity and Americanism and provide empowerment to not forget the lessons of the past but use them to grow together, not apart. This one is definitely going on repeat, as every track has something to offer. Favorite tracks include “The Fire,” “Now I’m Found,” “I Still Believe,” “You Know I Would,” “I Hope You Hear This Song,” “Abigail,” and “Rise Above.”
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one!
Artist Name: Air for Ants
Album Name: Once Again With Feeling
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Rock/Pop
Track Listing: 1. We’re Together; 2. Like a Lion or a Tiger or a Bear; 3. The Loner; 4. Privyet; 5. Pieces; 6. Did You Know You’re Gold; 7. Cig
Publicist: Behind the Curtains Media
Review: Dominic Sahagun’s vocals shine on the latest for Air for Ants, which mixes ambient pop with elements of electronic music, jazz and funk to form their own version of Indie Rock that is uniquely theirs. Sahagun, a professor at Berklee College of Music, has received high praise from the likes of Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Ken Nelson, the producer for Coldplay, and you should definitely believe the hype. This is one of the most interesting albums we have reviewed this year, and we look forward to repeated listens to capture all the nuances of their craft. This one is just plain fun and truly belongs on the radio.
Recommendation: Go Get it now!