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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Bonsai Universe, New Row, Adrian Underhill, Steven Casper and Cowboy Angst, Fernando Perdomo

Happy Valentine’s Day!  We are proud to share the love of great indie music, and have five more reviews for you today.  We have previously reviewed releases by Adrian Underhill, Steven Casper and Cowboy Angst and Fernando Perdomo, but the other two are new to us.  We hope you enjoy checking them out as much as we have.

Artist NameBonsai Universe

Album NameMoonstream

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Electric Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Moonstream; 2.  Am I Good Enough; 3.  Walking with my Eyes Closed; 4.  Summertime; 5.  Why are my Dreams?; 6.  Sweet Exaggeration; 7.  Should I Believe you; 8.  A lot of Nerve; 9.  Once Upon a Dream; 10.  Too Real; 11.  Everything; 12.  Astrotonic; 13.  Starstream

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Bonsai Universe is the brainchild and creation of multi-talented musician Woody Aplanalp.  Prior to the creation of his new project, Apanalp spent his time as a recording and touring guitarist with such notable acts as Grammy-winning artist Lauryn Hill, Boby Womak, Aloe Blacc, Trilok Gurtu and Thomas Mapfumo, as well as collaborations with Nels Cline, Banyan with Stephen Perkins and Old Californio.  He had help on this new album from Anthony Logerfo (Neil Young), Paul Lacques (I See Hawks in LA, Jason Chesney and Justin Smith from Old Californio and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, among others.  This is our first time reviewing electric folk, and we are impressed.  This album seems to take the folk music of the 60’s and infuse it with electric instrumentation, such that it becomes folk music for a new and more sophisticated age.  We think Aplanalp has hit upon a novel idea that should help him find a new niche in today’s indie music marketplace,

Recommendation:  We like the unique sound of Bonsai Universe and are proud to highly recommend this one.  We suggest you go out and get it.

Artist NameNew Row

Album NameWaging War

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alternative Rock/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Binary; 2.  Belong; 3.  The Day that Never Ends; 4.  Waging War; 5.  Male Order; 6.  Home; 7.  Sandslide; 8.  Our Song; 9.  Dreamtime; 10.  Falling Forward; 11.  Halflife; 12.  Let Go; 13.  X File 1; 14.  In a Perfect Circle; 15.  The Things you Say; 16.  Stars

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Toronto, Canada-based alternative rock-pop band New Row have brought us something different.  The message is hook laden with a pop mentality, but with a hard rock edge.  Each song brings a new dynamic to this unique vision, and we can’t stop listening.  These songs are so good, they deserve serious radio airplay.  We think they are heading for the top of the charts, and encourage station managers in the alt rock genre to reach out and add them ASAP.  Sure-fire hits include “The Day that Never Ends,” the title track, “Our Song,” “Dreamtime,” “In a Perfect Circle,” “The Things you Say” and “Stars.”

Recommendation:  Welcome these lads from up north to America.  We believe they are coming to take the country by storm and encourage you to be one of the first to Get their new album and help them in their mission.

Artist Name Adrian Underhill

Album Name C U Again

Label:  Indica Records

Genre:  Electronic Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Not Good Enough; 2.  C U Again; 3.  Holding Out; 4.  Cruel; 5.  I Want it All; 6.  Weather; 7.  As I Think of Something Different; 8.  How to Make a Life Count; 9.  I Could; 10.  Carry On

Publicist:  Auteur Research

Review:  Canadian native Adrian Underhill is no stranger to readers of this blog, as we shared two of his songs with you last year via our Monday Mashup column.  He has finally completed his debut album, and we are proud for the privilege of reviewing it.  His music is smooth, soulful and laden with pop hooks, just the thing for American radio.  From the first song, “Not Good Enough,” to the last one, “Carry On,” Underhill brings us a fresh new sound that is ripe and ready for American ears.  We also love his songs “C U Again,” “Cruel,” “I Want it All,” “As I Think of Something Different,” and “How to Make a Life Count.”

Recommendation:  This one belongs in your music library.  Get it.

Artist Name Steven Casper & Cowboy Angst

Album Name Sometimes Jesse James

Label:  Silent City Records

Genre:  Country/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Down; 2.  The Best Day of Our Lives; 3.  My Wrecking Ball; 4.  They Call it Love; 5.  Born to Lose Blues; 6.  Mi Sueno, Mi Dolor

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Since the last time we reviewed Steven Casper and his band, they have gotten tighter with their musicianship and vocal harmonies.  On Sometimes Jesse James, they kick off the six-song EP with some rocking country that will get your toes tapping and compel you out to the dance floor.  We really love the Hammond B3 on the first track, especially because it is not your typical country band instrument.  The second track is a lovely and haunting ballad that features the amazing pedal steel of John McDuffie, who also contributes electric and classical guitar and lap steel.  The band shows their creative prowess on their cover of Ryan Adams’ “My Wrecking Ball,” which also features a couple of other instruments not normally associated with a country band – dulcimer and cittern.   On “They Call it Love” and “Born to Lose Blues,” the band tries their hand at the blues, with amazing results.  They close the EP with an instrumental number, a Casper tradition.  This one has a Spanish flair and feature McDuffie on a nylon string Spanish guitar.

Recommendation:  You simply must add this EP to  your collection.

Artist Name Fernando Perdomo

Album NameOut to Sea

Label:  Forward Motion Records

Genre:  Instrumental Prog Rock

Track Listing:  1.  The Architect (tribute to Peter Banks; 2.  Out to Sea; 3.  De Boerderij (tribute to Focus); 4.  Roses Spread all Over the World; 5.  The Future According to Royce (tribute to Roye Albrighton); 6.  The Dream; 7.  Sonja (tribute to Sonja Kristina and Curved Air); 8.  Dreaming in Stereo Suite

Publicist:  ACR Management

Review:  We were so impressed with Perdomo’s last album, The Golden Hour, that we couldn’t wait for his next project.  His excellent work earned him a nomination for an LA Music Critic Award, as well as our respect.  On Out to Sea, he takes an entirely different musical approach, turning in an impeccable instrumental album in the Prog Rock style.  Perdomo played all the instruments on the album, with the exception of the drum track on “The Dream.”  That alone merits Perdomo respect, as well as the fact that this album simply rocks from start to finish.  It is perfect for a musical background for your end of day chill or your Friday night party.  If you enjoy the beauty and simplicity of great music, then this album is definitely for you.

Recommendation:  Don’t wait or hesitate – Get this album while you can.  It is a must for every serious audiophile.