As of today, we currently have 138 submissions still to be reviewed before the end of November, on top of the 335 we have already done since June. As you can imagine, it’s going to be a monumental task to sort through them to glean the nominations for our next set of LA Music Critic Awards, but we are up to the task and plan to announce the nominations on December 7. In the meantime, here are five releases from earlier this summer.
Artist Name: Louis Rive
Album Name: The Cheap Part of Town
Label: 771572 Records
Genre: Folk
Track Listing: 1. Francis Drake’s Last Trip; 2. Streetlights of London; 3. Cider Al; 4. Mulberry Mews; 5. The Cheap Part of Town; 6. House of God; 7. Lowlife; 8. Take me to Virginia; 9. Alone
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Barcelona-based Scottish singer-songwriter Louis Rive brings a new sound to traditional folk music with his brand of storytelling, keeping these folk stories alive for another generation. The tunes are simply written with just vocals and guitar, keeping the focus on the story itself. The words he uses create stunning mental pictures that make the listener feel as if he is right in the middle of the story. Each one is a masterpiece, and will teach as well as entertain.
Recommendation: Give this one a spin.
Artist Name: A Shoreline Dream
Album Name: Waitout
Label: Latenight Weeknight Records
Genre: Dream Rock
Track Listing: 1. Waitout; 2. In the Ready Sound; 3. Barnum; 4. New York; 5. Projections
Publicist: Shameless Promotion PR
Review: Colorado gives us A Shoreline Dream, a dream rock band that mixes shoegaze with postpunk to create a sound filled with memorable licks and dreamy vocals. While there are vocals to most of the songs, the music is predominantly the focus with killer instrumental riffs throughout. This is music that is instantly unforgettable, with stellar guitar and drums throughout. This music would play well on album rock radio, as well as provide suitable placements for film and television. Slip into the dream and enjoy the trip.
Recommendation: You should definitely check this one out. It has a unique quality that belongs in your music library.
Artist Name: Rey
Album Name: Windose 10
Label: Self-released
Genre: Hip-hop
Track Listing: 1. Hello; 2. Flex; 3. Story; 4. Extra; 5. Gore; 6. Shine
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: This is the first true international rap/hip-hop artist we have reviewed, and Rey seems to have gone to great links to learn this American musical form. It is full of colorful language, anger and angst, just like the myriad of hip-hop here in the States. Unfortunately, it does nothing to stand out, and therefore can easily be lost in the quagmire of similar music flooding our country. We think he has the talent but he just hasn’t figured out how to be unique in his strength. We hope he finds a way before he is just another artist in an extremely crowded genre.
Recommendation: Give it a chance – he may surprise you.
Artist Name: Rude Dude and the Creek Freaks
Album Name: Rude Dude and the Creek Freaks
Label: Graveface Records and Curiosities
Genre: Garage Rock
Track Listing: 1. Spinning; 2. Tiptoe; 3. Travellin’ Man; 4. Lost my Head; 5. Interlude (Disco Submarine); 6. Dancing in the Dark; 7. Spiders; 8. Pyramid Scheme; 9. Dan Halen; 10. Outro (How Rob Feels)
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: Ryan Graveface and his label have been supporting local Atlanta artists for quite a few years, and continuing to do so for their latest local release. On the sophomore album from this Savannah quintet, they show that they can rock it with the big boys, turning in a worthy effort that Jimi Hendrix would have been proud to endorse. They mix a healthy dose of psychedelia with their rock to form an eerie sound that immediately identifies them as leaders in the underground indie rock movement, bringing back memories of LSD and acid trips that heavily influenced the music of the late 60s. Try this one on for your next weekend party or rave.
Recommendation: Definitely worth checking out.
Artist Name: Monad
Album Name: Monad
Label: Self-released
Genre: Psychedelia
Track Listing: 1. A Knife; 2. Tension; 3. Turning Wheels; 4. Sun Song; 5. My Eyes are Open; 6. Out Through the Livingroom Window
Publicist: Outpost Media PR
Review: Israeli guitar virtuoso Ittamar Erb has created a special sound with his band, as they take psychedelia to a new plain. The EP starts out with “A Knife,” an amazing instrumental, before adding vocals on “Tension.” You will not easily forget this music, although you have to listen closely to fully understand the lyrical content. Our favorite track is “Sun Song.” although “My Eyes are Open” is a close second.
Recommendation: If you like well-crafted music, then definitely check this one out. We think it is head-and-shoulders over music created by other psychedelia artists.