Well, we survived Pearl Jam and last night’s rock show which featured New Years Day, In This Moment and Halestorm. Wach for our review of the show this weekend. Then I spent this morning taking up the floor from the Pearl Jam concert. Three crazy days but it was fun work.
Time now for our weekly hump day edition of Get it or Forget it. Here’s the latest from a familiar face, as well as four new artists. Let’s get going.
Artist Name: KT Tunstall
Album Name: BBC Live Sessions
Label: Universal Music/EMI
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Black Horse and Cherry Tree; 2. Tangled up in Blue; 3. The Prayer; 4. Suddenly I See; 5. Fake Plastic Trees, 6. Other Side of the World; 7. Get ur Freak On
Publicist: Right Angle PR
Review: We were lucky enough to catch KT Tunstall when she opened for Barenaked Ladies at the Big Sky Amphitheater earlier this summer, and have been fans of her music for many years. This wonderful EP is a compilation of several live performances Tunstall did for the BBC, and captures all the fun and excitement of her live show with a set of some of her biggest hits.
Recommendation: If you love KT specifically, or great pop music in general, this is a wonderful addition to your collection. Get it.
Artist Name: Cosmogyral
Album Name: Behold
Label: Self-released
Genre: Metal
Track Listing: 1. Apostles of Ignorance; 2. Reap What you Sow; 3. Agony & Ecstasy; 4. Path of Ruin; 5. Last one Standing; 6. In Chaos Lies Creation; 7. Final Judgment; 8. Time/Set This World Alight; 9. Coming Storm; 10. Age of Reason; 11. Honor in Death; 12. Behold the Fire’s Rage
Publicist: Eric Alper PR
Review: Let me be honest – metal is not my favorite music, but after spending last night watching New Years Day, In This Moment and Halestorm, I more fully understand the intense love metal fans have for their music. Cosmogryal formed four years ago and has been tearing up the Florida metal scene ever since. This is their debut album, and it seems that the wait will be worth it for their fans. The musicanship is first rate, and most of the screamo is understandable. Their energy comes through loud and clear, and we are sure that their live show is incredible.
Recommendation: We think it is a worthy effort and definitely worth checking out for any metal fans.
Artist Name: Jordan Siwek
Album Name: Sun Inside You
Label: Self-released
Genre: Singer-songwriter Pop
Track Listing: 1. Island With no Name; 2. Lover and a Giver; 3. Sun Inside You; 4. Reach Me; 5. Never Give Up; 6. Can we go Back; 7. Waiting for You; 8. Fun Ride; 9. Underachiever (Know Your Song); 10. Ecstasy; 11. Floating
Publicist: EMPKT PR
Review: We featured Jordan Siwek’s first single, “Lover and a Giver,” and knew that we would enjoy the entire album. We were not disappointed. He truly belongs on the radio, and his songs would also make great placements for commercials as well as television and film. We may be witnessing the birth of the next Elton John, as Siwek’s music has that same feeling, especially Elton’s early material. He adds a jazzy vibe to “Island with no Name” and the title track, which is definitely Top 40 worthy. He returns to the simple sound of the piano on “Reach Me” and “Underachiever (Know Your Song.” Other songs that we love include “Never Give Up,” “Waiting for You,” and “Floating.”
Recommendation: This one is a no-brainer. Definitely Get it.
Artist Name: Provincial Camps
Album Name: Fuzz Pop
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Temple in the Sky; 2. In Your Heart my House; 3. Bigger Drags; 4. Mother; 5. Jaws; 6. House of Dust; 7. Life Companion; 8. See you Tomorrow; 9. Caroline No; 10. Retreat
Publicist: Eric Alper PR
Review: The musicianship is solid on this new album from Canadian indie rockers Provincial Camps. We only wish the vocals were as well done. They tend to be quite pitchy, but the outstanding musical performance behind the vocals makes them tolerable. The music is perfect for college and underground radio. With the energy displayed on the album, we imagine they also put on a pretty good live show.
Recommendation: If you like your indie rock raw, then you will probably enjoy this one.
Artist Name: Hulk Wasabi
Album Name: Learning About Shoegaze with Friends!
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock/lo fi
Track Listing: 1. Space Dog; 2. A lil bit zen ‘n a lil bit Stud; 3. I’m Tim Buckley’s Boy; 4. Basic Situation at Greyhound Station; 5. The Youth’s Almost Enough; 6. You Could at Least Leave the Light On (Because it’s Night, Because it’s Time, Because it’s Night-Time); 7. Chanara; 8. Hi Kids, Hi Mom
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: This is an interesting album. “Space Dog” is an instrumental that has almost a carnival-like sound, or something you might hear in a David Lynch film. As he was quick to point out, the production is lo fi, and the disparity between the quality of the vocals and the instrumentation drives home that point. The second track has a ska feel that could make an interesting instrumental. The third track tries on a surf rock style, while the fourth one is more britpop. On track five, you get the feeling that you’re listening to a Bond title track, One thing is for sure, every song is different stylistically, and there should be something for just about everyone here.
Recommendation: If vocal quality is important to you, you want to skip this one. Otherwise, we think it is definitely worth checking out.