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

Get it or forget it – BB and the Blues Shacks, Matthew Battle, Case Garrett, Laini and the Wildfire, Red Hymns

Hope you all survived the NYE festivities.  We’ve been sick for the past two days and only beginning to feel back to normal.  We’re back to plow through the remaining 22 requests we need to finish before we can assemble the nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2017.  Enjoy these five and we’ll be back soon with the remaining 17.

Artist NameBB and the Blues Shacks

Album NameReservation Blues

Label:  Rhythm Bomb Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Reservation Blues; 2.  Lay Some Shuffle Down; 3.  Mad About You; 4.  I Can’t go On; 5.  Year of Strife; 6.  From now On; 7.  Angry Cat; 8.  Not Much to Loose; 9.  Honeycomb; 10.  All About That; 11.  My Time Ain’t Long; 12.  Little Secrets; 13.  Things Won’t Change; 14.  Why Can’t I go Home

Publicist:  Airplay Direct

Review:  BB and the Blues Shacks are a European band that has been putting out quality blues for the past 28 years.  Their current album returns the quintet to their vintage blues roots.  The gravelly vocals provide the perfect authenticity to the screaming blues guitar accompaniment.  From the first note of the title track, it becomes quickly apparent that the blues are alive and well and in great custody of a European band that seems to have mastered this purely American genre.  The second track brings in some dynamic keys and horns action with a 50’s Chicago blues style, while the third track replaces the keys with organ and keeps the 50’s vibe.  The keys are back on the fourth track, and the feel is pure 50’s style, plus they have added some harmonica to spice it up.  You get the picture – this one is a true keeper.  All 14 songs on this amazing album deserve the attention of blues lovers everywhere.

Recommendation:  Don’t think twice – Get it now.

Artist NameMatthew Battle

Album NameWhat’s the Difference Between a Book and Your Self

Label:  Southend Records

Genre:  Folk/Indie Rock/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  There’s Always Something in the Way; 2.  Nothing Much More Left to do; 3.  Buddy Holly’s There; 4.  Music Saves; 5.  What’s Right is Right, What’s Wrong is Wrong; 6.  Dylan Fan Blues; 7.  What’s the Difference Between a Book and Your Self; 8.  Our Island; 9.  Our Bodies; 10.  So sad I’m Leaving; 11.  Blowing; 12.  Witching Stones; 13.  World Goes Round; 14.  We are Fiction; 15.  Time; 16.  Out Here in Space; 17.  You’re too Good to Me

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Matthew Battle does not have the best voice, but he writes such incredible and thoughtful lyrics and melodies that it is easy to ignore the tonal qualities and just focus on what he is trying to say in his song.  His songs run the gamut from folk to indie rock to 60’s pop.  Best tracks include the title track, “Our Island”, “Our Bodies,” “Witching Stones,” “World Goes Round,” and “Out Here in Space.”

Recommendation:  If you can look beyond the vocals, you should take a chance on this artist.  If you require perfect pitch, then you might just forget it.

Artist NameCase Garrett

Album Name Aurora

Label:  Suitcase Records

Genre:  Alt-country

Track Listing:  1.  What can I Say?; 2.  Long way Down; 3.  Going Down to Mobile; 4.  She Never Liked Elvis; 5.  Call me the Breeze; 6.  The Thought of You; 7.  Fill ‘er Up; 8.  Going Down to Mobile (Alt Mix)

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  On his debut album, Case Garrett brings hints of classic country, great fiddle, well-crafted storylines, and a steady beat for all the cowboy dancers out there.  Whether they be two-steppers, waltzers,  or line dancers, Garrett’s music has something for everybody.  Every country saloon/dance club should definitely add this album to their collection.  His voice has a hint of Willie Nelson on most songs and a Jimmy Buffet vibe on “She Never Liked Elvis.”  We really love the lap steel and cajun feel of “Call me the Breeze,” while “Fill ‘er Up” has an authentic gospel feel and impeccable harmonies.  He closes out with an alt-country mix of “Going Down to Mobile,” which we like more than the earlier version.

Recommendation:  If you love country music, or country dancing, this is your album.  We recommend you go out and Get it.

Artist NameLaini and the Wildfire

Album NameWandering

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Wandering (Radio Edit); 2.  Copilot; 3.  Bricks in the Water; 4.  All the Love in the World; 5.  Good Night is not Goodbye; 6.  Thunder; 7.  Outside the Norm; 8.  Sound of Change; 9.  Sunday

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  This is the band’s first full length album, and we are truly pleased with the result, which has drawn critical praise and comparison to the sound of Florence & the Machine meets Adele.  Trust us when we tell you this band not only lives up to the hype, but raises the bar beyond that hype.  Their first single, “Wandering,” is a first class hit that should do well on radio.  The band adds some great soulfulness into the mix on “Copilot,” with just a touch of vintage Elton John.  The Adele comparison is obvious on “Bricks in the Water” ‘All the Love in the World,” and “Good Night is not Goodbye.”  The vibe returns to Florence & the Machine on “Thunder,” “Outside the Norm,” and “Sound of Change,” before closing out in Adele mode on “Sunday.”  This is a solid album from start to finish.

Recommendation:  Truly one of the best of 2017.  Run, don’t walk and Get this one!

Artist NameRed Hymns

Album NameVol. 2

Label:

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Callisto; 2.  Vultures; 3.  Terra Preta

Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:  Not only has the band found time to release its second EP, it has also collaborated with Barrier Brewing Company to produce its own beer, Endless Sky IPA.  If it goes down as tasty as these three tracks, then it is a fine brew indeed.  These songs might be good placement material in film, as they have a hard edge but a great story, and the accompaniment is first-rate.  We would appreciate it if one of our east coast readers would check out the IPA (available in New Jersey and New York) and let us know what you think.

Recommendation:  If you like rock music, this is the perfect band for you.  Check it out.