Category: Reviews

Reviews of music albums, singles or videos.

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Reviews

DR King shares his life in song

While we usually do our album/EP reviews in the Get it or Forget it format, today we have a very special review of an artist who is currently a featured vocalist on tour with Kelly Clarkson.  His latest EP It’s my Life was released last Friday,

DR King, born Donald Ray King, Jr., is an American recording artist and songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio.  He reached the Top 12 on Season 14 of NBC’s The Voice as a member of Team Kelly Clarkson. His powerhouse vocals and wide range made him a quick fan favorite.  His battle round with Jackie Foster made The Voice history when they became the first two contestants to not be eliminated from the competition after a battle round.  They performed Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” and both moved on.  The recording of that battle song landed them at #71 on the iTunes overall Singles chart, just one of three songs from the round to crack the Top 100.  It also reached #22 on the iTunes Pop Singles chart, and received enough viewership to chart on YouTube’s Top Trending videos, days after the performance.  King’s later elimination from the Top 12 was described by The Voice as among “the most shocking eliminations in Voice history.”

Following his appearance on The Voice, King signed with Monocentric Music/ONErpm and released his debut single, an incredibly powerful ballad that featured his battle partner Foster.

That single was followed up with “Gravedigger,” which like his debut single, received critical acclaim.  Both of those singles are included on his debut EP, which also includes the songs “Anyway,” “Crying Alone,” “Your Body” and “Do you Love Me.”

King co-penned all of the songs on It’s My Life with two-time Grammy winning songwriter/producer Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, Ke$ha, Roger Daltry), and veteran songwriter Brielle Brown.  Swersky also produced the EP, which was recorded live at Shorefire Recording Studios in Long Branch, New Jersey.

The resulting songs are almost visceral in their stance on important social issues and command attention.  For example, “Gravedigger” and “Crying Alone” address the Black Lives Matter movement that King felt was relevant and imperative to address.  “I want to empower the people”, says King.  Although these songs are saturated with layers of soul, rock, pop, and funk, his message is simple and shines through – “Love and value your self-worth.  Always believe in yourself, even when no one else will.”

King and his six siblings grew up in humble beginnings in a poor and highly drug infested neighborhood.  King’s father, a city employee and keyboardist, and his mother, a homemaker, worked hard to shelter the family from the streets by immersing them in after- school programs and the church.  King didn’t fully realize their immense struggle until he came of age.

With roots firmly planted in the church, King began singing at the age of three in his choir.  He honed his skills at the Cleveland School of the Arts in the world-renowned R. Nathaniel Dett Choir and later in the Grammy-nominated Central State University Chorus.  He shared the stage with the world-class Cleveland Orchestra, The Dayton Philharmonic, and sang at the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI.   After graduating from college, King became a high school music teacher in St. John the Baptist Parish in LaPlace, Louisiana before returning to Cleveland to become a first grade teacher at Hope Academies.

Music was the vehicle which allowed King the opportunity to leave Cleveland and travel the world.  He soon relocated to New York City, where he landed background vocalist work with major artists including Eli Paper Boy Reed, Eric Benet, John Ellison, Andy Grammer, Melvin Davis and most recently, 50 Cent.

King was eliminated from The Voice on his coach’s birthday.  He describes the iconic singer as “generous, loving and real.”  The two formed a close camaraderie during the show.  Upon his elimination, Clarkson vowed the two would soon share the stage again.  A few months later, King received the official call to join Clarkson on tour as a featured vocalist.

“Trust your gift,” says King on continuing to create music and share it with the world. “I have to keep fighting and keep on believing. I’m not going to stop.”

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews

Get it or forget it – MSB, Murray A. Lightburn, David Huckfelt, Semaphore, Hot 8 Brass Band

For the second week in a row we were too busy on Friday with the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival to do our New Music Friday reviews, so we are sending them out today.  Thanks for your patience, and to the wonderful folks at The Syndicate for providing four of these gems.

Artist Name:  MSB

Album Name:  Short Stories

Label:  CEN/The Orchard

Genre:  AAA/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  1000 Times; 2.  Death to the Uptight; 3.  Slip and Fall; 4.  City Living; 5.  Trouble is Fun; 6.  On Your Own; 7.  Love Right Now; 8.  Sparkling Eyes; 9.  Top of the Hill; 10.  One of You; 11.  Moment to Steal

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Michael Sackler-Berner aka MSB is a masterful songwriter and storyteller whose lyrics are heartfelt and whose musical composition is majestic and memorable.  Each song is a complete story and provides the basis for the album title.  He mixes multiple genres into his sound, creating a masterpiece in indie music.  From the cinematic sound of “1000 Times” and “Sparkling Eyes” to the funkier “Death to the Uptight” and “Love Right Now,” and from the soulful “Slip and Fall” to the big-band groove of “City Living,” he shows us over and over that he is a true force to be reckoned with.  We love his style and look forward to hearing a great deal more from this amazing artist.  Just put this one on repeat and listen to it from start to finish and over again.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Murray A. Lightburn

Album Name:  Hear me Out

Label:  Dangerbird Records

Genre:  Jazz/Soul/Pop/R&B

Track Listing:  1.  Anew; 2.  Centre of my Universe; 3.  To the Top; 4.  I Give Up; 5.  Hear me Out; 6.  Belleville Blues; 7.  Changed my Ways; 8.  Fan Fiction (Ballad of a Genius); 9.  I’m not Broken; 10.  When They See Me

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We introduced you to the amazing sound of Murray A. Lightburn last month in our Ten Great Singles article.  That song, “Belleville Blues” is just the tip of the iceberg of the greatness contained in this album.  There are hints of the soulful 60s, the jazzy greatness of the 70s and a joyful pop sound that is timeless.  He is also the lead singer and principal songwriter of Montreal band The Dears.  The first track, “Anew” is cinematic in its approach, giving us powerful and soulful vocals and a soothing pop/R&B sound that would fit nicely on AAA radio.  That vibe permeates this album, making it one that you will want to hear again and again.

Recommendation:   Run out and Get this one!

Artist Name:  David Huckfelt

Album Name:  Stranger Angels

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  King Whirl; 2.  Still and Still Waiting; 3.  As Below so Above; 4.  Heart Wherever; 5.  Everywind; 6.  The Lost 40; 7.  Starring the Night; 8.  Stranger Angels; 9.  The Field & the Pearl; 10.  You Get Got; 11.  False True Lover Blues; 12.  Star Nation

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  David Huckfelt is the lead singer of critically acclaimed band The Pines, and wrote his debut solo album in the solitude of Isle Royale while spending time in that isolated area as an Artist in Residence.   The resulting album is hauntingly folk and almost transcendental in nature, capturing the isolation and mysterious vibes of one of our country’s most unique national parks.  The album also features some of his peers, including Amelia Meath from Slyvan Esso and Dave Simonet from Trampled by Turtles.  His solo album just continues his mastery of this genre and will give you delicious food for thought.

Recommendation:  This one is a must-have for all lovers of Americana music.  Go Get it!

Artist Name:  Semaphore

Album Name:  Leave with the Season

Label:  Si Doux Productions

Genre:  Post-Shoegaze/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Unreliable; 2.  Convergence; 3.  Pie; 4.  Leave with the Season; 5.  Didn’t you Dream; 6.  Unreliable (acoustic bonus track)

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:  Semaphore is a Brooklyn-based band that blends elements of post-shoegaze, pop punk, post-hardcore, electronica, jazz and metal to create a truly unique sound.  Featuring jazz saxophonist Siddhu Anandalingam, drummer Emmett Ceglia, guitarist Jay Kohler and bassist Niko Hasapopoulous, the band is an eclectic range of superior musicians who are not afraid to bring it all, and who together create an amazingly lush soundscape of music that will stay with the listener.

Recommendation:   Definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  Hot 8 Brass Band

Album Name:  Take Cover

Label:  Tru Thoughts

Genre:  Hip-Hop/Street Brass

Track Listing:  1.  Love Will Tear us Apart; 2.  Shake Your Booty (Down to the Ground); 3.  Remember the Time; 4.  Give me the Night; 5.  Baby be Mine

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Hot 8 Brass Band is one of the hottest acts in New Orleans, mixing an old school brass band approach with harder edge hip-hop treatments of some of your favorite songs, breathing new life into the songs of artists like The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, George Benson and more.  They are jam-packed with energy and it shows in the sound they deliver.   We especially love their version of “Shake Your Booty,” as well as “Remember the Time,” which would be the perfect song for a Second Line Parade.

Recommendation:  This one will quickly become your jam.  Get it and play it on repeat!

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Burn the Treaty, Satellites, California Hearse, TOZ Antonio Piretti, Magela Herrera

Welcome back to our hump day edition of Get it or Forget it.  It’s gonna be a very busy Wednesday, as the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is still going strong and Shooter Jennings comes to town for a concert at The Top Hat.  We will be attending the screening of Fire on the Hill:  Cowboys of the South this afternoon and then hanging with our LA musician friend Ted Russell Kamp, the bassist for Shooter Jennings, before attending the concert tonight.  Let’s get this day started with five reviews.

Artist Name:  Burn the Treaty

Album Name:  Sticks and Stones

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana Folk Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Murky Moon Sky; 2.  Volcano; 3.  Grateful; 4.  Sticks and Stones; 5.  Fool’s Gold

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Burn the Treaty is a Nashville-based duo consisting of Morgan Bracy and her husband.  We met Bracy a few years ago at the Durango Songwriters Expo, and were impressed by her sound, which has exploded on their debut EP.  This is music that can easily compete in today’s Americana-loving market, and this band deserves major attention from  the industry, both radio and music supervisors.  These songs would be a huge hit on the radio, especially “Volcano,” “Murky Moon Sky,” and the title track, and are ripe for placement opportunities in television and film.  You don’t want to miss the opportunity to catch band that is destined to rise to the top.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one now!

Artist Name:  Satellites

Album Name:   Love and Disaster

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Love & Disaster; 2.  Breathless (ft Martha Wainwright); 3.  Sucker; 4.  Take Me; 5.  We got Lost (ft Paul Cargnello); 6.  Only Two; 7.  The Butcher; 8.  Just a Trace; 9.  Back for More; 10.  Love Sweet Love

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Jasmine Bleile aka Satellites is a funky and soulful pop artist from Montreal.  She has a carefree sound that is soothing and playful, yet full of hope and joy.  Every song began as a poem that was then set to music.  The title track kicks off the album, and it only gets better from there.  The music has a wonderful retro feel to the feel good music of the 70s, and deserves heavy rotation on American radio.  Bleile’s vocals are legendary and she proves that she was born to sing this funky material.  We really love the beautiful duet with Paul Cargnello on “We Get Lost.”

Recommendation:  Don’t think about it, just Get it!

Artist Name:  California Hearse

Album Name:  California Hearse

Label:  1078380 Records

Genre:  Pop Punk

Track Listing:  1.  Welcome Home; 2.  Used to Be; 3.  Best Worst; 4.  Dissection; 5.  Half to Death; 6.  No Seoul

Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:  California Hearse is otherwise known as the rhythm section of the band Gentlemen Prefer Blood, who sing about such diverse topics as depression, death and surfing.  We love these short ditties that make the lyrics come to life and get the listener moving to the beat.  We love the energy contained in these tracks, and would love to catch the band performing live.  We strongly encourage college radio programmers and intelligent music supervisors to give this band serious consideration.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth your attention – go Get it!

Artist Name:  TOZ Antonio Piretti

Album Name:  #STRONGER

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Singer-songwriter Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Heroes; 2.  Another Place for Us; 3.  Together; 4.  You Have Been the One; 5.  We all are One; 6.  E Tutto in Un Si; 7.  Quella Scheda Era La . . .

Publicist:  Press Town PR

Review:  This Italian born and Canada-based artist is a gifted vocalist with a powerful sound that is not only pop but also cinematic in its scope.  It would be an amazing addition to any music supervisor’s library and could easily be placed in a myriad of television, film or commercial application.  It is also the perfect music to experience life, as it draws the listener in and blows them away.  From the first note of “Heroes,” it becomes quickly crystal clear that this artist has something to say, and the creativeness to make it something the listener wants to hear.  This one is definitely going on repeat.  We also love the bi-lingual songs and look forward to learning more about this truly original artist.

Recommendation:  Be an intelligent music consumer and add this magnificent album to your collection.  Get it today!

Artist Name:  Magela Herrera

Album Name:  Explicaciones

Label:  Brontosaurus Records

Genre:  Latin Jazz

Track Listing:  1,  Two Sidewalks; 2.  Que te Pedi; 3.  Principios; 4.  Explicaciones; 5.  Ahora; 6.  Besame Mucho; 7.  Danson Para Papa; 8.  My One and Only Love

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review:  Magela Herrera is an incredible Cuban-born vocalist, flautist and composer who blends her Latin heritage into incredible works of jazz. On her debut album, she mixes her original tunes with Latin standards to bring this amazing music to the world.  She was formerly a member of Mezcla, one of Cuba’s best jazz and fusion bands.  These songs will take away your worries and cares and are best heard with a glass of wine and the time to unwind.  Sit back and enjoy the awesomeness that is Herrera.

Recommendation:  You simply must have this one in your jazz collection.  Go Get it now!

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Tiffany Pollack and Eric Johanson, NIIGHTS, Harlem, MINKA, Lisa Papineau

Welcome to our belated New Music Friday edition of Get it or Forget it.  Due to our hectic schedule with the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, we were unable to review these brand new releases last Friday, so we are doing them today.  Thanks for your patience during one of our busiest times.  Enjoy these five new releases.

Artist Name:  Tiffany Pollack and Eric Johanson

Album Name:  Blues in my Blood

Label:  Nola Blue Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Blues in my Blood; 2.  Memories to Forget; 3.  Keep it Simple; 4.  Michael; 5.  Diamonds on the Crown; 6.  No Expectations; 7.  Do I Move You?; 8.  Slave of Tomorrow; 9.  Get Lost With Me; 10.  River; 11.  If I Had a Hammer

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Vocal duos are all the rage in other genres, but relatively rare for blues lovers.  Thankfully, New Orleans jazz sweetheart Tiffany Pollack and former guitarist for Cyril Neville Eric Johanson have teamed up to show the world that great blues songs can be done by two harmonious voices.    Amazingly recorded and produced by multi-award winner Jack Miele at The Music Shed Studios, Blues in my Blood is one of the best blues albums of 2019.  come out of blues music.  This duo brings an indie roots-based depth to their blues, and could easily become a force to reckon with in that genre.  Pollack also channels her inner Nina Simone on her gut-wrenching cover of “Do I Move You?”  She is joined by Johanson for a thrilling cover of the classic Pete Seeger freedom anthem, “If I Had a Hammer,” sending this album off to a perfect conclusion.

Recommendation:  Run and Get this one!

Artist Name:  NIIGHTS

Album Name:  Hellebores Part Two

Label:  Tragic Hero Records

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  It Was; 2.  Hellebores; 3.  With Bated Breath; 4.  Segue; 5.  Sylvia; 6.  Caterpillar

Publicist:  Tragic hero Music Group

Review:  We brought you Part One of this two part release last month, and are happy to complete our review with Part Two.  Both parts are now available on a single album, available on BandCamp.  Part Two picks up the powerful strand created in Part One with “It Was,” a song that begs for heavy rotation on the radio.  The title track is heavier and darker than the rest, with an almost metal feel, and that vibe continues on “With Bated Breath” and “Sylvia,” before closing out the album on a more upbeat and beautiful vibe with “Caterpillar.”  All in all, this one is a keeper.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Harlem

Album Name:  Oh Boy

Label:  Female Fantasy Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1,  All Men are Dogs; 2.  Smoke in Mirrors; 3.  Dreams is Destiny M; 4.  Swervin; 5.  Lana; 6.  Click Your Heels; 7.  Elegant and Sophisticated; 8.  Blonde on Blonde; 9.  Cry Now Cry Later; 10.  Oh Boy; 11.  Me and the Boys; 12.  Queen of Mosquitos

Publicist:  Wolfievibes Publicity

Review:  It only took them nine years, but Harlem is back with their latest release, Oh Boy.  They have a mellow almost acoustic sound like Snow Patrol and Plain White Ts, and should be a big hit on the college radio circuit.  They have obviously been influenced by the sound of The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel, because you can feel it in their vibe.  They have released three of the songs as singles so far (“Swervin,” “Cry Now Cry Later,” and “Queen of Mosquitos”) and we think there is plenty of material remaining for several more.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth adding to your collection.

Artist Name:  MINKA

Album Name:  End of the Affair

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  R&B

Track Listing:  1.  Introduction; 2.  Sugar & Cream; 3.  Sentimental Girl; 4.  Secret Lover; 5.  That Look; 6.  All I Ever Had

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We last heard from MINKA back in April 2017 when when reviewed their album Born in the Viper Room.  This time around, MINKA is a solo act, returning to a more 80’s sound similar to his idols Prince, Hall & Oates, Todd Rundgren and The Stylistics.  The first track sets the mood for the music to follow, and the gloves come off with “Sugar & Cream.”  The soothing R&B sound continues with “Sentimental Girl,” while “Secret Lover” and “That Look” are more upbeat but no less danceable.  The final track returns to the smooth R&B sound, and leaves us with a feeling that we haven’t heard the last from this amazing artist.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Lisa Papineau

Album Name:  Oh Dead on oh Love

Label:  Team Player

Genre:  Alt pop/rock

Track Listing:  1.  Beautiful; 2.  Little Hell; 3.  Oh Dead on oh Love; 4.  Hey Lord Take me Over; 5.  Endless Story; 6.  Seasons with Marilu; 7,  The Last City; 8.  Waystation; 9.  Bent to Bow Down; 10.  Been a Long Time; 11.  Endless Story Cumbia Olindense (bonus track)

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  It is difficult to place the music of Lisa Papineau into a specific genre, although it reminds us of Dido.  It has smooth and majestic instrumentation, soaring vocals and the ambiance and vibe of great meditative music.  The lyrics are a combination of English and her native French, and are as smoothing as a good glass of wine at helping you relax and chill.  This one will be best enjoyed after a long day when you need some down time, and we recommend you listen to it from start to finish.

Recommendation:  This album makes a great addition to your chill collection.  Grab a glass of wine, put it on, and relax.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Reviews Women in Entertainment

In a time of darkness, Sonja Midtune encourages you to be ‘My Light’

Sonja Midtune is that rare, ultra-intuitive singer/songwriter and storyteller who can take the deeply intimate emotions of a close friend and translate them into a timeless universal love song.  What started as a commission for a friend turned into so much more.  A friend asked Midtune to write a song that she could give to her husband for Christmas.  Midtune accepted the challenge, wrote and recorded the song, and even sang it to the couple as they slow danced to the music.

Born and raised in Minnetonka (only 15 minutes from Prince’s digs in Paisley Park), she grew up harmonizing to Queen songs in her car seat at age 2 before becoming involved in musical theatre.   She toured Japan as a member of the cast of the Dr. Seuss musical The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins at the age of eight.  Midtune began writing songs in in high school.  When she wasn’t involved in a musical, she spent her time portraying Robert Plant as the lead singer in a Led Zeppelin tribute band.  She earned her degree in Music Theory and Composition at St. Olaf College as the only candidate to specialize in voice.  She went on to complete the program at the European American Music Alliance (EAMA), a Paris based, Julliard affiliated educational program.

“With ‘The Light’, I’m really excited to finally have found a sound that perfectly represents me and showcases my voice,” explains Midtune.  “It truly encapsulates the solo music I have been working on for the past five years . . . there’s definitely more to me as an artist, so as I release more singles this year in that style, I will also be working on a whole new sound that reflects the ‘band’ side of me . . . No matter what style I’m writing in, for me, everything comes down to live performing.  I love nothing more than a loud mic and an acoustic space where I can get carried away with the lyrics.”

“My Light” was co-produced by Midtune and engineer Mike Lizzaraga at Ground Up Studios.  The single was just released last Friday and is the first of several new singles she plans to roll out in 2019.

The song was recorded in one take with vocals and guitar, after which Midtune, with the assistance of Lizzaraga and engineer Kai Nakamura, added drums, guitar and cello (beautifully played by Jean Paul Barjon) around the core track.  This process allowed Midtune to capture in the studio the exact vibe she had created when she performed it live.

The song is about a real, everlasting kind of love with someone who is the fuel to his or her partner’s flame.   Midtune personalized it to her own life with a whimsical video featuring raw home movie footage of her walking along a deserted beach – the moments presumably being captured by a romantic interest of her own.

The cinematography in the video is simply beautiful.  It shows the full emotional impact of the song, creating a romantic masterpiece.  Even if you don’t currently have that special person in your life, you can relate to the emotion of loving somebody, and feel that joy again and again with each viewing.

Midtune has collaborated extensively with  Brittney Bouchard, and the songwriting team has either won or placed high in numerous songwriting competitions.   She has also had success with placements in film, including last year’s documentary The Way North, which follows Midtune and her family as they traveled to Norway to uncover their heritage and their grandfather’s past.

“’My Light’ is different from any other song I have ever written,” says Midtune.  “My friend is a literary genius, a philosophy major, and wrote me an essay about her love for her husband.  I absorbed her words and let them be my inspiration.  What I love most about the song is that there are words that I would never have used, like ‘more than enough’, because I have a different vocabulary than her.  They are also more spiritual than I am, and my lyrics reflect that.  The tricky part was making sure the song also completely resonated with me, and that it was ‘catchy’ and grooved enough that I would want to sing it to an audience.”

“On a deeper level, I think it perfectly reflects who I am as a songwriter,” she says.  “I was able to make this beautiful song out of someone’s story and make it my own.  I thought the task might me daunting, but it ended up being a blast from start to finish. I will be teaching songwriting at Cal Poly Pomona University starting this fall semester and I’m excited to share ‘My Light’ as an example of what you can do with someone else’s story.”

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Danny Gochnour, Combings, V’Nuss, Godsleep, Christopher Lockett

Once again, reality got in the way of our best intentions.  Work was crazy yesterday and we couldn’t finish our Get it or Forget it column, so we are finishing it up today.

Happy Valentine’s Day!  We appreciate all our readers and consider you family.  We wanted to give you a special day with five more indie reviews to consider.  Please let us know what you think.  With the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival kicking off on Friday, we will be busy covering events and volunteering.  We’ll post as often as we can.

Artist Name:  Danny Gochnour

Album Name:  The Despair of Summer

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Prelude; 2.  The Bell; 3.  Take me Tonight; 4.  Crazy Linda J.; 5.  Better Off; 6.  The American Dream; 7.  I Can’t Tell you Why; 8.  The Sound of us Breaking; 9.  The B-Side of Me; 10.  Better Things to Do (Epilogue)

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Danny Gochnour is an extraordinary guitarist and the lead guitar for Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers.  This is his first solo release and we felt the same excitement the first time we heard Tom Petty.  He kicks off the album with an incredible guitar instrumental before showing us the rest on “The Bell.”  The entire album is radio friendly and deserves heavy rotation, especially “Take me Tonight,” which could be a mega-hit.  You can’t go wrong with this amazing debut release.  Other noteworthy tracks include “Better Off,” “The American Dream,” the brilliant cover of The Eagles‘ “I Can’t Tell you Why,” “The Sound of us Breaking,” and “Better Things to Do.”

Recommendation:  Don’t think about it – just go Get this one!

Artist Name:  Combings

Album Name:  It Seems Everything I Got is Broken Anyway Why Should I Mind

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Fallow Deer; 2.  Turpentine; 3.  So Long, Oxytocin; 4.  I Can Not be Found in This; 5.  Push & Pull; 6.  52 Hz Whale; 7.  Paul; 8.  A Constant Taste of Blood; 9.  Penrose; 10.  Dwellbings; 11.  Hekla

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  With the exception of the strangely dark spoken word “Fallow Deer” that opens the album, the music of Combings is upbeat, energetic and bright,  This German band has captured the essence of American indie music and created songs that would fit well on American radio.  Some of them are introspective, like “So Long Oxytocin,” but for the most part, they are happier tunes, especially “Turpentine,” “I Can Not be Found in This,” “Paul,” and “Penrose.”  The album closes with the eerie “Hekla.”

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  V’Nuss

Album Name:  So Far From the Mirror

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Folk Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Fly Away; 2.  So Far from the Mirror; 3.  Lonely Death; 4.  Call Me (I Miss You); 5.  City of Dreams; 6.  Des Couleurs Sur la Mer; 7.  Bandrui; 8.  Still You Dance; 9.  Freedom (It’s Alright Now); 10.  Rouge Sang; 11.  Secret Garden; 12.  Stranger

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  V’Nuss is a French artist with a unique hybrid folk rock style that is reminiscent of Stevie Nicks meets Joan Baez.  We love the power in her vocals, the smooth instrumentation and the retro 60’s-70’s folk rock sound.  She kicks the album off with the high-flying “Fly Away,” and the album just takes off from there.  There is not a weak track on the entire album, and we really love hearing her French on “Des Couleurs Sur la Mer” and “Rouge Sang,” as well as her jazzy side on the 8-minute long “Still You Dance” and the bluesy goodness of “Stranger.”  Nevertheless, we think “Secret Garden” is the best cut.

Recommendation:  This one is worthy of your collection.

Artist Name:  Godsleep

Album Name:  Coming of Age

Label:  The Lab Records/Three Chords Records

Genre:  Psych Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Ex-Nowhere Man; 2.  Unlearn; 3.  N.O.U.; 4.  Celestial; 5.  Poku Dom; 6.  Basic (The Fundamentals of Craving); 7.  Karma is a Kid; 8.  Ded Space

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  Led by the blistering vocals of Amie Makris, Godsleep gives  us hard-edged “Stoner Rock” that borders on metal.  Makris’ vocals are instantly memorable, putting her into the same class as Amy Lee and raising the bar on hard rock.  This Greek band just might give the American rock scene a run for their money, and deserve serious industry attention.  This is music that grabs hold of your eardrums and refuses to go away.  You will remember these songs long after the record has quit playing.  We wouldn’t be surprised to see them touring the States soon with the likes of Halestorm, In This Moment and Evanescence.

Recommendation:  If you like your rock hard, this one is a must.  Go Get it.!

Artist Name:  Christopher Lockett

Album Name:  Between The Dark and the Light

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Country/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Ashes; 2.  Ask the Dust; 3.  Drag the River; 4.  Jacarandas; 4.  Phalaborwa; 5.  Shake It; 6.  Some Sharp Turning; 7.  Between the Dark and the Light; 8.  Song you Forgot you Knew; 9.  Old December; 10.  Thunderjaw; 11.  There is a Darkness

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Christopher Lockett is a country/Americana singer-songwriter who writes songs in the style of classic artists like Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt.  His music is a throwback to the days of classic country before the genre went pop, and his lyrics are thought-provoking and memorable, with plenty to think about.  His vocals are rough, but perfect for this kind of classic country tunes.  This is country for intellectuals who like to have substance in their music, not just a dancing beat.  There are still sweet songs in this collection, including the breezy fiddle and sweet harmonies on “Jacarandas” and the incredible instrumentals “Phalaborwa” and “Thunderjaw.”   We also love the delta blues sound of “Shake It.”  We think you’ll like this one from start to finish.

Recommendation:  If you like your country classic and love meat in your music, then this is a great one for your collection.  Go Get it.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews

Get it or forget it – Brick Nova, John Daversa, 500 Miles to Memphis, Dylan Rodrigue, Travellin’ Blue Kings

We made it to hump day again, and the music keeps flowing.  We have five more to check out today, including the latest from three-time Grammy winner John Daversa.  Let’s get started.

Artist Name:  Brick Nova

Album Name:  Overgrown

Label:  1851 Records

Genre:  Rock

Track Listing:  1.  8 to 3; 2.  Overgrown; 3.  Stay all you Want

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review: Brick Nova was created in 2014 with Tom Drakeford on vocals and guitar, Paul Dallas on lead guitar, Jared Filer on bass and Eric Lesinski on drums and percussion.  After playing the Philadelphia rock scene for the past four years, they finally released their first EP in December 2018.   Their version of alt rock combines elements of power pop, rock, punk and alternative rock.  They have a smooth vocal delivery with intricate guitar and rhythm undertones.  The songs are well written, and should allow the band to make the transition to radio.  The first track is reminiscent of The Beatles‘ White Album, and is very radio friendly, but all three tracks have potential.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name:  John Daversa

Album Name:  Concerto for Jazz Guitar and Orchestra

Label:  ArtistShare

Genre:  Jazz/Blues/Classical Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Lost, Found and Lost; 2.  Life and Times; 3.  Terraforming

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review:  This amazing jazz concerto was written by Justin Morell, and features the jazz guitar of Adam Rogers along with the Frost Concert Jazz Band directed by multi-Grammy winner John Daversa.  The concerto is composed of three movements, and adds a jazz and blues element to a classical masterpiece.  Get away from the world and enjoy the smooth sounds of this album.

Recommendation:  If you love classical music, as well as jazz and blues, then you will love this modern day piece.

Artist Name:  500 Miles to Memphis

Album Name:  Blessed be the Damned

Label:  Deep Elm Records

Genre:  Folk/Punk Rock/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  The River; 2.  Bonnie; 3.  Hold on Tight; 4.  I Said Babe; 5.  Blessed be the Damned; 6.  No Doubt About It; 7.  Piggie Boy; 8.  In my Chest; 9.  Save Me (ft Philip Peeples); 10.  What a Waste; 11.  I’m a Bastard (ft Philip Peeples)

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  We were skeptical when we read the press release about a band that mixed punk, folk and Americana, but we are here to tell you that it works beautifully, much like Flogging Molly mixes Celtic and punk.  We simply love their sound and every song on this fifth studio album works and deserves industry attention, both from radio and music supervisors.  Just from the energy we can hear in their music, we bet they also put on a hell of a live show.  We also love the two songs that feature Philip Peeples of the Old 97’s.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk, and Get this one immediately!

Artist Name:  Dylan Rodrigue

Album Name:  Cat’s Game

Label:  Palomino Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1. White Moon; 2.  Self-Love; 3.  Some Kind of Heaven; 4.  The Money Game; 5.  Living This Way; 6.  If You’re not my Lover; 7.  It’s so Funny (ft Sie Sie Benhoff); 8.  Minimize the Damage; 9.  Living in Color

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Dylan Rodrigue mixes acoustic folk with Neil Young-inspired electric guitar rock and punk to create his own version of music that is at times emo and sadcore like the first three tracks and others straight on indie rock, like “The Money Game.” and “Minimize the Damage.”  His lyrics are introspective and each song is set to the perfect accompaniment to match the mood of the song.  This is his first studio album, and we think he shows a lot of potential.  We can  hardly wait to see what comes next.  We really love his vocal harmonies with Sie Sie Benhoff on “It’s so Funny.”

Recommendation:  Definitely worth checking out.  Keep an eye on this one.

Artist Name:  Travellin’ Blue Kings

Album Name:  Wired Up

Label:  Naked

Genre:  Blues Rock

Track Listing:  1,  I Don’t Wanna Stop; 2.  About This World; 3.  The way it Used to Be; 4.  I Cannot Believe; 5.  Straight Eight; 6.  I’m a Good Man; 7.  Wired Up; 8.  Ninety Minutes; 9.  Get it Done; 10.  Your Being; 11.  Into the Night

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  This Belgian band delivers a rocking  and rousing dose of pure American blues as they do on the opening track and “I Cannot Believe,” along with touches of R&B, as shown on “About This World,” “The Way it Used to Be and “Good Man.”  This album is great from start to finish, with the kind of freshness and energy you want to experience live.  It could easily become one of our favorite blues albums.  We definitely think this one has legs.  We really love the surf rock instrumental title track.

Recommendation:  Go Get it!

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews

Get it or forget it – Glen Clark, Tomislav Goluban, Vin Mott, Benny Turner and Cash McCall, Trevor B. Power Band

We have several amazing PR firms that consistently forward us amazing artists to review.  One of those firms is Blind Raccoon.  Today we are featuring five of their clients, four of whom are long-time blues artists, and the fifth is a debut release.  Let’s get going.

Artist Name:  Glen Clark

Album Name:  You Tell Me

Label:  Glenco Records

Genre:  Blues/Roots

Track Listing:  1.  You Tell Me; 2.  Accept my Love; 3.  I can Tell by Looking; 4.  This Old Road; 5.  Walk On; 6.  When the Time is Right; 7.  I’m Never Gonna Stop Loving You; 8.  Dreamer; 9.  In Search Of; 10.  That’s Where you Come In

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  On his first solo album since 1994, Glen Clark brings all of his influences – honky-tonk, blues, soul, country, gospel and rock and roll to create a mix of American Roots music that will appeal to just about everyone.  This is not your traditional blues but an amazing mix of the best of multiple genres.  The title track sets the tone with its country nuances before heading into the horns and soulful sound of “Accept my Love.”  There is even one cover on the album, “This Old Road,” a ballad penned by long-time friend and collaborator Kris Kristofferson, that shows the softer side of Clark.  You can’t go wrong with this one.  You will treasure every track.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one.

Artist Name:  Tomislav Goluban

Album Name:  Chicago Rambler

Label:  Spona

Genre:  Chicago Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Pigeon Swing; 2.  Locked Heart; 3.  Bag Full of Troubles (ft Joe Filisko); 4.  Jerry Ricks on my Mind; 5.  Can’t Find Myself; 6.  Home Made Honey; 7.  One Way Ticket; 8.  Do the Right Thing; 9.  Little Pigeon (ft Joe Filisko); 10. Jerry Ricks on my Mind (acoustic); 11.  Searchin’ for my Baby; 12.  Išel budem v kleticu (I’ll go to my Cottage)

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Croatian singer-songwriter and harmonica player Tomislav Goluban has celebrated the blues for the past 20 years in his native land.  For his 10th studio album, he got the chance to come to America and record this album in Chicago, incorporating all that he had learned into a masterpiece of blues.  Goluban salutes some of the pioneers of his chosen genre, such as Jerry Ricks and Eric Noden, who played guitar and produced the album.  Noden also brought in two of the best blues musicians in E.G. McDaniel and Kenny Smith, and added special guest Joe Filisko into the mix.  The result is an album that will live forever as one of the best examples of Chicago blues.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Vin Mott

Album Name:  Rogue Hunter

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Car Troubles Made me a Good Blues Singer; 2.  Give me Cornbread; 3.  Rogue Hunter; 4.  Ice Cold Beer; 5.  Honey; 6.  Whistlin’ by the Graveyard; 7.  Paterson is Crumblin’; 8.  I got the Blues on my Mind; 9.  Countin’ on Them Chickens; 10.  Fire to Your Flaws; 11.  Please Mr. Devil; 12.  Greaser

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Vin Mott gives us everything that makes the blues special – wailing harmonica, great guitar riffs, soulful vocals and lyrics we can all relate to.  This one is a joy from start to finish, and blues lovers will want to listen to these songs over and over again.  The songs conjure up images of a hot smoky honky-tonk, filled with working class stiffs who just want to relax after a hard week of work.  The songs are down and dirty and take your mind off you own personal troubles.  There isn’t a weak song on the album, and we encourage you to enjoy these tracks as often as you need them.

Recommendation:  This one is a must for every true blues lover.  Go Get it.

Artist Name:  Benny Turner and Cash McCall

Album Name:  Going Back Home

Label:  Nola Blue Records

Genre:  Chicago blues

Track Listing:  1.  Got to Find a Way; 2.  Spoonful; 3.  Poison Ivy; 4.  Money; 5.  Shake Your Money Maker; 6.  It Hurts me Too; 7.  It’s a Man Down There; 8.  The Dirty Dozens; 9.  Built for Comfort; 10.  Bring it on Home

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  BMA nominee Benny Turner and Grammy-winning co-producer Cash McCall have been involved in the blues industry for the past 60 years.  As more and more of our blues pioneers are passing on, they decided to go back to their roots to create a masterful work that helps preserve that legacy.  They are helped in their endeavor by pianist Joe Krown, drummer Rodd Bland and three-time Grammy nominee Billy Branch.  The result is a lasting tribute to the best of Chicago’s jazz and blues scenes, and an album that you will treasure for life.  Among the artist they pay tribute to are Howlin’ Wolf, Freddie King, Elmore James, Tampa Red, G.L. Crockett,Willie Dixon, and Sonny Boy Wiliams.

Recommendation:  If you are a lover of the blues and music history, you must have this one for your collection.

Artist Name:  The Trevor B. Power Band

Album Name:  Everyday Angel

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Jack; 2.  You Ain’t Actin’ Right; 3.  Future Plans; 4.  Saddest Thing; 5.  Storm Brewin’; 6.  Baby I’m Through with You; 7.  I Wrote it Down; 8.  Murder in the First Degree; 9.  Lord Have Mercy; 10.  Everyday Angel

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Trevor B. Power has been a force in indie music for more than 25 years.  On his new band’s debut album, he brings that experience together for a blistering good time.  Powers band ( Billy Gensch on guitars, Mark Enright on bass and Tom DiCianni on drums) are joined in this effort by special guests Bob Lanza, Nick Conti and Bobby Whitlock.  From the first note of the hard rocking road song “Jack,” it is evident that the listener is in for a treat.  The band follows that opening number with the blues shuffle “You Ain’t Actin’ Right,” and the album just keeps getting better after that, culminating in the title track, with Whitlock and his wife Coco Carmel joining into the mix.

Recommendation:  Jump on this train.  Go Get this one today!

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – YODOK III, iridea, Jason Robert, Bettman and Halpin, Y La Bamba

Happy New Music Friday!  Two of today’s releases dropped last Friday, one this past Tuesday and two today.  We think this is a very diverse and eclectic blend and hope you enjoy and check out these amazing artists.

Artist Name:  YODOK III

Album Name:  This Earth we Walk Upon

Label:  Consouling Sounds

Genre:  Avant Garde Rock

Track Listing:  1,  This Earth we Walk Upon

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  This is a one-song live album that lasts for 63 minutes.  During that time, you will hear a myriad of musical styles, including jazz, post(rock) and classical, among others.  You can feel the adrenaline that runs through the piece, much like listening to a highly emotional classical suite.  All together, this magical tapestry takes your ears to places they’ve never been before, and keeps your senses enthralled with the changing aural landscape.  Make sure you have plenty of time to grasp all the nuances of this music.  This one make take several listens to grasp its totality.

Recommendation:  If you love classical and rock music, you can now enjoy them in a combined format.  Sit back and enjoy the ride.

Artist Name:  iridea

Album Name:  agitationist

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Metal

Track Listing:  1.  Centaurus; 2.  Flint Slope; 3.  Geometry; 4.  Juxtapose; 5.  Release

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  iridea is an Australian band composed of brothers Matthew and Daniel Headland.  They take their metal serious, and build these five songs as if they were prog rock.  The music is intense and the screamo is mixed with spoken word to form an eerie and profound statement.  Their sound is not for the faint of heart, as it will pound your head and electrify your ears.

Recommendation:  If you love metal music, this is the album for you.

Artist Name:  Jason Robert

Album Name:  The Death of Stone Stanley

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  All I Need; 2.  Good Vibes; 3.  Hereafter; 4.  John the Revelator; 5.  Moonshiner; 6.  Mr. Bell; 7.  Never Gonna Die; 8.  Sat Around; 9.  Soul of a Man; 10.  Woke up This Morning; 11.  You Gotta Move

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  Jason Robert was formerly the driving force behind Stone Stanley.  On his debut solo album, he uses the inspiration of the Mojave  High Desert to create Mudstomp Music, a fusion of 30’s Delta Blues and 90’s Grunge rock.  We have already featured a pair of these songs, “Mr. Bell” (which earned an LA Music Critic Award  nomination for Best Video (Male) for the second half of 2018) and “John the Revelator” (which was featured in our first Monday Mashup of 2019.   This is an album with much to say and an incredible way to say it, and is definitely one of the finest albums released to date in 2019.  If it took the death of Stone Stanley for the brilliance of Jason Robert to emerge, then may they rest in peace – the resulting art was worth it.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one – it will appeal to all of your senses.

Artist Name:  Bettman & Halpin

Album Name:  1000 Miles

Label:  Fiddlin Lizard Records

Genre:  Americana/Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Take me Home Country Roads; 2.  A Million Hearts; 3.  Don’t let it get you Down; 4.  Cherokee Rose; 5.  In Pain; 6.  Banjo Boogie Stomp Stomp; 7.  Keep on Singing; 8.  Mama Don’t you Cry; 9.  Reflections; 10.  Eastbound to Westville; 11.  Go on High; 12.  Spirits in the Shadows; 13.  Diggin’ in the Dirt; 14.  Stone County Breakdown

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Fiddler, songwriter and vocalist Stephanie Bettman and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Luke Halpin are two of the most dynamic singer-songwriters and musicians to ever create an album.  We love this quote from their Facebook page:  “Some have said Bettman & Halpin is what would happen if Joan Baez had a lovechild with Charlie Daniels. . .  With roots in both bluegrass and classical music, Bettman & Halpin bring unforgettable soaring vocals and virtuosic instrumentation to their original Americana Folk Music.”  Along the way, they have won a myriad of competitions, including the 2008 SoCal Music Live acoustic competition, the 2007 Topanga Banjo/Fiddle contest, and been selected one of Folk Works Top 10 LA-based female singer-songwriters as well as one of Music Connection Magazine‘s Top 25 New Music Critiques, both in 2008.  Their latest project brings all of this out, and reveals a duo that prove that the finished product is so much more than the sum of its parts.  We love every track on this album, especially the impressive cover of John Denver‘s “Take me Home Country Roads” and the amazing vocal harmonies on “Don’t let it get you Down.”

Recommendation:  Drop everything and go Get this one.  You won’t want to stop listening.  This one is perfect for your next road trip.

Artist Name:  Y La Bamba

Album Name:  Mujeres

Label:  Tender Loving Empire

Genre:  Latin Psychedelic Rock

Track Listing:  1,  My Death; 2.  Real Talk; 3.  Cuatro Crazy; 4.  Conocidos; 5.  Lightning Storms; 6.  Dieciséis; 7.  Boca Llena; 8.  Perder; 9.  Mujeres; 10.  Una Letra; 11.  Santa Sal; 12.  Bruja de Brujas; 13.  Follow Your Feet; 14.  De Lejos (bonus track)

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  This project highlights the sound of this Portland-based band, and shows their firm grasp on their Mexican-American heritage, and the role of Mexican-American women like singer-songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza in today’s America.  The title track, an anthem for female empowerment, was highlighted by NPR as “a battle cry against machismo.”  It is one of a host of amazing tracks on this album which demand your attention.  You cannot listen to this album and not be moved, as the music and the lyrics make a powerful political statement.  Listen to this one over and over to capture all of its subtle nuances.  You will come away a changed person.

Recommendation:  This album demands your attention.  Unless you intend to be Switzerland, take a stand and Get this one today.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Lost Cousins, Shayfer James, El Palacio de Linares, Eric Brace Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz, Twilight Fields

It’s time to review five new albums that all dropped on Friday, February 1.  This is a very eclectic set of offerings, and we are happy to share the New Music Friday love.

Artist Name:    Lost Cousins

Album Name:  In Scenery

Label:  Pheromone Recordings

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Stay; 2.  Mindmaker; 3.  City Escape; 4.  Seajets; 5.  Trails; 6.  Montreal; 7.  Forest Floor; 8.  Shores; 9.  Nothing

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We introduced you to this amazing band last September when we featured their equally amazing single, “City Escape” in our Ten Great Singles article.  We said then that they belonged on the radio, and with the release of their new album, there eight more reasons for that assessment.  These songs are great, and the sound is true indie rock, with pop sensibilities and a touch of psychedelic rock to sweeten the mix.  The music is sweeping and majestic, and should also be considered for placement opportunities in television and film.  So glad that the Lost Cousins have arrived.

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one!

Artist Name:  Shayfer James

Album Name:  Hope and a Hand Grenade

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Gothic Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Mercy Down; 2.  Ophelia; 3.  Boots Worn Through; 4.  Day of Reckoning; 5.  Mostly Major Chords; 6.  Crack a Bottle, Run a Bath

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:  Shayfer James is a gifted songwriter who is heavily influenced by the likes of Danny Elfman, among others.  He adds a touch of reggae to his mix that elevates these songs to a new dimension, and will definitely remind the listener of the great songs released by Oingo Boingo.  These songs are definitely radio friendly, especially “Mercy Down,” Boots Worn Through,” “Day of Reckoning,” and “Crack a Bottle, Run a Bath.”  This is one of the best solo albums we have heard this year.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  El Palacio de Linares

Album Name:  Largos Agotadores

Label:  Pretty Olivia Records

Genre:  Latin Pop

Track Listing:  1,  Cielo Amahilo; 2.  Ciervo y Elizo; 3.  Este Rato (Contigo); 4.  Piscinas Naturales; 5.  Cuestiones Inciertas; 6.  El Estilo; 7.  Modo Aviõn; 8.  Pez Espada; 9.  Luz Blanca; 10.  Robert y Vashti

Publicist:  Bobo Integral

Review:  Music is truly the universal language, and even if you don’t speak Spanish, the power and joy of the words comes through in this collection of power pop tunes from Spain’s El Palacio de Linares.  The fun and upbeat rhythms will make you feel good, like the music of The Beatles speaks to those who don’t understand English.  We are proud to give this one two thumbs up, and encourage you to expand your horizons and add it to your collection.

Recommendation:  Whether or not you understand Spanish, this one belongs in your collection.  Go Get it.

Artist Name:  Eric Brace, Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz

Album Name:  Riverland

Label:  Red Beet Records

Genre:  Americana/Folk/Country/Bluegrass

Track Listing:  1.  River City; 2.  King of the Keelboat Men; 3.  Down Along the River; 4.  Drowned and Washed Away; 5.  Old Tom T. and Brother Will; 6.  Mississippi Magic; 7.  In the Presence of the River; 8.  Southern Mule; 9.  To be a Steamboat Man; 10.  As far as I can See; 11.  It Might be Hollywood; 12.  Uneasy Does It; 13.  Fort Defiance; 14.  Mississippi, Rest my Soul

Publicist:  Broken Jukebox Media

Review:  These three amazing musicians have just released their second album as a trio, and it sets the standard for modern day folk troubadours.  These songs about the Mississippi, both the river and the state, are destined to become part of American folklore.  This time around, they have joined with bassist Mark Fain and drummer Lynn Williams, and feature the artistry of the Steeldrivers’ Tammy Rogers on fiddle, Justin Moses and Terry Baucom on banjo, and Mike Compton on mandolin.  These songs will become a treasured part of your collection, and provide a wealth of information for American history buffs.  We especially love the sweet tribute to the great Tom T. Hall contained in “Old Tom T. and Brother Will.”

Recommendation:  We highly recommend you rush out and Get this one.  It is truly a musical treasure.

Artist Name:  Twilight Fields

Album Name:  Songs From the Age of Ruin

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1,  Prologue:  The Ruined City; 2.  Bomber; 3.  Lazarus; 4.  Demagogue; 5.  Offended; 6.  Taken Away; 7.  The Animal’s Song; 8.  Soldier Song; 9.  The Holy War; 10.  Maximum Darkness; 11.  Lovers in a Dangerous Time; 12.  Why did we do It?  (The Last Ones); 13.  Loss; 14.  Epilogue:  Barren Planet

Publicist:  Shameless Promotion

Review:  Canada’s Twilight Fields combines elements of prog rock, ambient, dream-pop, psych-folk and shoegaze to form their own mix they call ambient rock.  The instrumentation is sweeping and broad, painting a picture perfect complemented by their stunning vocals and lyrics.  This is an album that recounts our failures but encourages us to do better.  Among the topics covered are the bombing of Hiroshima and the absurdities of the atomic age, homelessness and economic inequalities, the evils of populism and political repression, the toxicity of social media communication, animal rights, the utter stupidity of war and climate change.  It also features two stirring covers of Bruce Cockburn’s immortal classic “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” and Thin Lizzy’s “Holy War.”

Recommendation:  This one will make an interesting addition to your collection.  We highly recommend it.