This is our final Get it or Forget it of the current LA Music Critic Awards cycle, and it has been a wild ride over the past six months. We wish we could give awards to every one of them, but that is not possible, so we will continue to sort through them before announcing the nominations on December 7. We hope you have enjoyed checking them out as much as we have enjoyed reviewing them.
Artist Name: Lauren Jaimes
Album Name: Here to Stay
Label: Self-released
Genre: Country
Track Listing: 1. Worn out Memory; 2. Song to Pa; 3. Leave the Light On; 4. Need You More; 5. Real Bad Habit; 6. Cherry Pie
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Country radio has a new sweetheart in the music of Lauren Jaimes, who combines the best of Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert and Kelsea Ballerini. The songs come from the heart, and that passion comes through loud and clear, especially on the very personal “Song to Pa.” We love every track on this EP, and think it is one of the very best of 2018. “Leave the Light On” is a hit, and deserves serious rotations now. We love her vocals and these well-written songs, and intend to put them on repeat.
Recommendation: Go. Get. This.
Artist Name: del-Toros
Album Name: Ten Stories High
Label: Down at the Nightclub Records
Genre: Alt Surf-rock Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Don’t Wipe; 2. Octowave; 3. End of the World; 4. Halloween Theme; 5. 21-74 (ft Bertus Borgers); 6. Gingerchord; 7. SoCal Killings; 8. King of the Rockettool (ft Peter te Bos); 9. Loose Lips; 10. Theme for Great Cities
Publicist: Down at the Nightclub Records
Review: The Netherlands continues to impress with another one of their bands. The music of del-Toros is sort of like Dick Dale on speed, with a harder edge to the signature surf rock sound. The album contains nine instrumental tracks, with the only vocals coming from Peter te Bos (Claw Boys Claw) on the track “King of the Rockettool.” We really love their interpretation of the “Halloween Theme.” This one is a keeper.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one!
Artist Name: Jason Erie
Album Name: The Art of Letting Go
Label: Self-released
Genre: Folk/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Talking to Chairs; 2. Conversation with a Bottle; 3. Lorelai; 4. Black Lung; 5. Gold Rush; 6. The Art of Letting Go; 7. Some Kind of Way
Publicist: Brennan Management
Review: Jason Erie reveals a lot about his life in this seven-song collection of modern-day folk songs. He talks about growing up in a broken home, watching his mother suffer from alcohol addiction and his father give everything to his job, and having to grow up faster than normal. While not so much protest songs, these tunes are reminiscent of the legacy of Woody Guthrie with a little bit of Dolly Parton wit and wisdom. We really love the rocking sound of “Conversation with a Bottle,” as well as the haunting vocal duet and tantalizing fiddle on “Gold Rush.” The final track “Some Kind of Way” has a John Mellencamp feel that would make it a great radio single.
Recommendation: This one will haunt you if you don’t Get it now. Jump on this train before it leaves the station.
Artist Name: The Dream Logic
Album Name: Liquid Sunshine
Label: Chaos Music
Genre: Jam/Blues Fusion
Track Listing: 1. Fakes and Fools; 2. Without You; 3. The Spider; 4. I’m Gonna Take it From You; 5. Queen of Hearts; 6. Liquid Sunshine; 7. I’m Afraid to Speak; 8. A Beautiful Thrill; 9. The Kiss Off; 10. Looking Into the Future; 11. Kinda You; 12. You Wrecked Me; 13. Disconnected
Publicist: Two Sheps That Pass
Review: NYC gives us yet another amazing jam band with the latest offering from Charles Compo, Camille Gainer and Jerry Brooks, collectively known as The Dream Logic. Their brand of rock and roll fuses elements of jam, funk, acid jazz and blues, along with a touch of 60s soul. Gainer’s drums fit seamlessly with Brooks’ funky bass beat to lay the perfect foundation for multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Compo to complete. This is the perfect soundtrack for every day, with a funky groove that is uniquely theirs. You will definitely want to put this one on repeat.
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one NOW!
Artist Name: Hollie Haines
Album Name: Letters to my Last Love
Label: Championed by 6 Music
Genre: Folk
Track Listing: 1. Except for You; 2. Like I Used To; 3. All You Did; 4. Since You’ve Been Gone; 5. I Got Through, Babe; 6. Better; 7. Mine
Publicist: Lander PR
Review: With a vocal style reminiscent of Enya, Hollie Haines brings a haunting and electrifying sound to her dreamy folk songs. Her contemporary touch is refreshing, making this album perfect for chill time or when you just want to reflect on life. The chamber orchestration adds to this feeling of well-being that comes through crystal clear, despite the sometimes melancholy lyrics. These are songs that are instantly memorable, and will haunt you like few other artists’ songs can. The vocal harmonies on “Since You’ve Been Gone” are heavenly, and add to the mystique of the song. We also love the tongue-in-cheek tribute to Sonny and Cher in her song “I Got Through, Babe.”
Recommendation: We highly recommend this one. Go Get it!