We made it to hump day again. To reward you we have five more reviews to check out. Let’s get started.
Artist Name: Animal Confession
Album Name: Age of Today
Label: Self-released
Genre: Hard Rock
Track Listing: 1. Everyone is Watching; 2. Ritual; 3. Hole in the Sky; 4. Guillotine; 5. Red Eye; 6. All we Have is Now; 7. Panic Attack; 8. Age of Today; 9. Memories; 10. The World you Know; 11. Waiting for Yesterday
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Animal Confession kicks off their sophomore effort with a more upbeat and radio-friendly vibe while keeping their overall hard rock sound. This should make them more attractive to a larger indie rock audience, while maintaining the energy that made them so successful in their native Ottawa. They definitely have the chops to compete on the American rock scene. Smart music supervisors will check out their catalog and find songs that would make great placements, like their current single “Ritual.” “Hole in the Sky,” “All we Have is Now,” and the title track, among others.
Recommendation: If you love powerful, upbeat, high energy rock, then this is the band for you. Get this one.
Artist Name: Kristina Koller
Album Name: Perception
Label: Self-released
Genre: Jazz/Soul
Track Listing: 1. You go to my Head; 2. Simplicity; 3. I’ll Remember April; 4. You’re Here Now; 5. Skinny Love; 6. Nice Work if you can get It; 7. Blame it on my Youth; 8. Utopia; 9. I’ll Know; 10. Devil may Care; 11. I Miss You; 12. Our Lives
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: It may be cliche’ but Kristina Koller is an old soul in a young body. She has a firm grasp on making jazz music that is comparable with some of the greats like Diana Krall, Etta James, Billie Holiday and Norah Jones, albeit in a more progressive and contemporary fashion. From the first notes of “You go to my Head,” it becomes quickly evident that this lady can SING, and that we would buy her singing the phone book if she released it. “Simplicity” has that great traditional jazz standard sound, including some amazing stand-up bass and keys. All in all, this is one of those albums you put on and listen to from start to finish because there are no weak tracks.
Recommendation: If you are a jazz lover, then you NEED this one in your collection. Get it today!
Artist Name: David Hopkins
Album Name: Overlook
Label: St. August Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. A Small German; 2. C’est La; 3. When I do it With You; 4. The Spirit Song; 5. Who am I What are We; 6. Irresponsible; 7. Disappointed; 8. Let Somebody Inside; 9. God & Gabriel; 10. A Smaller German
Publicist: Vision Music Promotion
Review: “A Small German” is an instrumental gem filled with horns that serves as an intro to the awesomeness that is “C’est La,” the first single released from David Hopkins’ latest project, Overlook. The album is currently available digitally, but the label plans to release a vinyl version next week. The video for the first single, as well as the entire album, was produced by Mark Stoermer, who has made a name for himself working with The Killers, and that experience makes Hopkins sound like a million bucks. There are no weak songs on the album, but we really love “C’est La,” “When I do it With You,” the heavy Beatles influence on “Who am I What are We” and “Disappointed,” the Latin vibe of “Irresponsible,” the retro sound of “Let Somebody Inside,” and “God & Gabriel.”
Recommendation: This one is a must-have for all rock aficionados. Definitely Get it.
Artist Name: John Flanagan Trio
Album Name: Honest Man
Label: Self-released
Genre: Bluegrass/Americana
Track Listing: 1. Beauty on the Bottom; 2. Nomad; 3. Something to Complain About; 4. Free John Zarb; 5. The Last of the Cassette Men; 6. Honey I’d buy you a Home; 7. A Place Untouched by Man; 8. Ripples; 9. You can Love Yourself; 10. Honest Man; 11. Young Minds; 12. Leave me to my Blues
Publicist: Penney and Logan
Review: With harmonies as pure as a mountain stream, and musical prowess that equals or exceeds that of Nickel Creek and the Punch Brothers, Australia’s own John Flanagan Trio deliver perfection with the release of Honest Man. The trio features John Flanagan on lead vocals, guitar and banjo, Daniel Watkins on mandolin, guitar and backing vocals, and Liz Frencham on double bass and backing vocals. The awesomeness starts from the first note of “Beauty on the Bottom,” and continues throughout the album. The Trio were joined in the studio by guest musicians Justin Olsson on drums, Pete Fidler on dobro and lap steel and Kat Mear on fiddle, and their contributions are clearly evident. This band could easily sweep the Americana Music Association awards, and are ready to take on the North American continent. There isn’t a weak song on the entire album. We strongly advise station managers in the Americana market to consider this band for heavy rotation.
Recommendation: Don’t think twice. Run out and Get this one today!
Artist Name: The Dreggs
Album Name: Seas Embrace
Label: A&R Records
Genre: Indie Folk
Track Listing: 1. Blue; 2. Feel Alive; 3. Give Myself to You; 4. Ocean and Earth; 5. Simple Question; 6. Thinkin Bout Tomorrow
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: The incredible guitar picking hits you first, followed by that smoothly amazing voice and harmonies, and you know that you have found your place of relaxation. “Blue” is the perfect introduction to the duo of Paddy Macrae on lead vocals and percussion and Zane Harris on guitar and providing those perfect backing vocals. The Australian indie scene continues to impress us with some of the most dynamic musicians in the world. The Dreggs are pumped and primed to tackle the American radio market, and would surely be successful if they did. We strongly encourage indie radio stations and smart music supervisors to check them out, especially “Blue,” “Ocean and Earth,” and “Simple Question.”
Recommendation: This may be one of the best duos we have reviewed this year. Don’t wait for another minute – Get this one now and be the envy of all your friends.