Finally, a true day off. We will still be busy here on Indie Voice Blog, with a ton of album and performance reviews on the way. In the meantime, here are five new artists to check out.
Artist Name: Crack of Dawn
Album Name: Spotlight
Label: Ford Street Records
Genre: R&B/Funk
Track Listing: 1. Crack of Dawn; 2. Somebody’s Watching; 3. Booby Ruby; 4. Keep the Faith; 5. It’s Alright; 6. Ol’ Skool; 7. Seasons Change; 8. Spotlight; 9. Your Love; 10. Changes
Publicist: Last Tango Media
Review: Take the funkiness of Parliament, add in the horns of Tower of Power and the amazing vocals and songwriting of Earth, Wind and Fire, and you have an idea of the awesomeness of Crack of Dawn. The party starts on the first note and lasts until the end of the album. It is impossible not to get a smile on your face listening to these jams, and we think this album is the perfect remedy to the summer doldrums. Every track is killer, and we would love to hear them on the radio. If you love Old School R&B and funk, then you simply must check out Canada’s premier band, Crack of Dawn!
Recommendation: Get this one and get your groove on!
Artist Name: Xeresa
Album Name: II
Label: Shore Dive Records
Genre: Electronica/Shoegaze
Track Listing: 1. Arcturon (ft Roman Kalitkin); 2. California Queen; 3. Killer (ft Anastasia Panchenko); 4. The Good Life (ft Tom Lugo); 5. Atlanta to Mumbai (ft Nicolas Castello); 6. Feels Like the First Time (ft Mina Karimi); 7. The Last Genesis (ft Nicollette Vaughn); 8. Fehlerfluss (ft Vlimmer); 9. And I Don’t Know About you Now (ft Phil Wilson and Claire Janet Oneill); 10. Far Beyond the World of Sleep; 11. I’m Your Vessel (ft Dani Mari); 12. Newtonite (ft Corasandel); 13. Ocean (ft Cat Hall); 14. Xeresa’s Theme
Publicist: Shore Dive Records
Review: Some of the best electronica we have ever heard seems to come out of the UK, and Xeresa is no exception. Their second album is a wonderful collection of electronica/shoegaze that kept our toes tapping with the great beat, while the vocals kept our ears filled with a groovy sound. This is perfect music for your party or just good times in general. Our favorite tracks include “Killer,” “The Good Life,” “And I Know About you Now,” “Newtonite,” and “Ocean.”
Recommendation: We think you should definitely Get this one.
Artist Name: Black Cat Road
Album Name: Black Cat Road
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues Rock
Track Listing: 1. Crow Show; 2. Faith and Ammunition; 3. Undertow; 4. Hard Hearted Woman; 5. Rock Salt and Nails; 6. Watch the Middle; 7. Work It; 8. Coal Mine; 9. Rain Pushing; 10. Eleanor; 11. Talk is Cheap; 12. Black Cat Road; 13. Damned
Publicist: ABIK Radio Promotions
Review: From the far reaches of Maine comes an amazing mixture of rock and blues called Black Cat Road. Featuring the stellar vocals and washboard of Jessie Mae Hines, this killer band features Steve “the Ice Man” Bailey on guitar and vocals, Kate Seavey on bass, guitar and vocals, Don “SlowPoke Johnson” Reed on keys, percussion and bass, and Chris “Krank” Hartogh on drums. This is drinking music, perfect for that Friday night party or anytime you want to have a good time. Besides Hines’ vocals, Bailey shows he can also sing the blues on “Hard Hearted Woman.” There is not a weak track on the album, and we recommend you put it on repeat and just have fun.
Recommendation: You simply MUST Get this one. You will not regret the decision in the morning.
Artist Name: Peter Kleinhans
Album Name: Something’s not Right
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. 3,000,000 Years; 2. A Separate Time; 3. Leaving Home; 4. To Hell and Back; 5. Something’s not Right; 6. Falling Apart; 7. Sky Blue; 8. ’til the Music Stops; 9. Turn the Tide; 10. Waltz Into Darkness; 11. Halifax Harbor
Publicist: EMPKT PR
Review: Peter Kleinhans adds a little jazz to his pop/rock vibe, making the music brighter and even more upbeat, starting with the first note of “3,000,000 Years.” This is one of the best debut albums we have reviewed, and we see great things ahead for this artist. He has a little of “Weird Al” in his tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and every song is well crafted and well written. These songs make political statements, and speak out loud what so many Americans are thinking and feeling inside. In many ways, this album could be a modern-day version of the protest songs of Woody Guthrie.
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a spin!
Artist Name: Delta Will
Album Name: Multitudes I
Label: Self-released
Genre: Psych-pop and soul
Track Listing: 1. Liquid Magma; 2. Nothing is Enough; 3. Into the Wild; 4. Tout va Bien; 5. No Skin no Bones; 6. Feel Like
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: Toronto based Delta Will is released their album in three parts, and this album is the first section. Through the three portions, a full image of the band should emerge, and possibly we will be able to categorize their genre-bending sound. There are elements of retro new wave and 80s britpop, but the vibe is so much more. These songs are upbeat and fun, and would be perfect for a multitude of commercial use as well as radio airplay. We love every song, but are especially impressed by the instrumental “Tout va Bien.”
Recommendation: This one is a no-brainer – Get it today and expect parts II and III to be equally as good.