Happy hump day! We’re working hard on reviews, with nearly 50 left to write by the end of the month before choosing the nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards. This cycle is going to be extremely difficult, with nearly 500 submissions, but we think you’ll be pleased with the nominations, which will be announced on December 7. In the meantime, check out these five artists.
Artist Name: Monique Angele
Album Name: Alive
Label: A&R Records
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Pink Coloured Sky; 2. Our Paradise; 3. Forever Strong; 4. Rare Girl; 5. Hold On; 6. I Want A World
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: Monique Angele is a Canadian artist now residing in Australia, who possesses a voice and style that is somewhere between Adele and Sarah MacLachlan. Her voice soars to new heights on top of the majestic music that forms the melody. Her song “Our Paradise” was inspired by the beauty of her new home. Her voice could easily represent the next animated Disney heroine while her songwriting should be included in a myriad of placement opportunities. Angele’s sound brings pop music to a higher plain, taking it from Broadway to the top of the Billboard charts. There is great depth in her lyrics and a classical style to her music, with amazing piano solos that perfectly support these songs. If you want your spirit to be lifted higher, then put this one on repeat.
Recommendation: If you want to be uplifted and inspired, then run out and Get this one.
Artist Name: Alright Alright
Album Name: Surrender
Label: Hive-Mind Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Omie Wise; 2. Area 51 Revisited; 3. Supernatural; 4. Battle it Out; 5. Fell off the Face of the Earth
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Alright Alright is a quintet with an amazing chemistry that combines Indie Rock along with elements of Americana and alt country to create a fun power-pop mix that will take the listener to a fun and exciting place that gets your toes tapping and your spirit lifted, especially the irrelevant “Area 51 Revisited” and the sweet horns of “Battle it Out.” They incorporate their love of B-movies into the songs, creating a fun soundtrack for your silent movie night. This is the perfect album for nerds of all ages.
Recommendation: If you are a proud nerd, then this is the one for you – add it to your collection today.
Artist Name: Music Within
Album Name: Finding Stillness
Label: Self-released
Genre: Ambient Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Dream State; 2. Finding Stillness; 3. REM; 4. By the Sea; 5. Weightless; 6. Goddess of the Sea; 7. Quiet Mind; 8. Daydreams; 9. Alpha Waves; 10. Light Years; 11. Worlds Apart; 12. Floating; 13. Restore; 14. Calm Surrender; 15. Look Within; 16. REM (Soft Mix); 17. Daydreams (Soft Mix); 18. Worlds Apart (Soft Mix); 19. Goddess of the Sea (Soft Mix); 20. Quiet Mind (Soft Mix); 21. Finding Stillness (Solo Piano); 22. Weightless (Solo Piano); 23. Alpha Waves (Solo Piano); 24. Floating (Solo Piano)
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Rob McAllister aka Music Within has created an incredibly smooth soundtrack for day to day living. The music truly soothes the soul as the ambiance and instrumentation wash away all of the listeners worries and cares. It provides a welcome respite from the daily turmoils and puts the listener in the proper frame of mind to live their life. This album has great commercial appeal and would make excellent placement choices for every type of media. This one is going on repeat.
Recommendation: If you need to relax, this is the album for you. Get it now.
Artist Name: Velvet Flare
Album Name: Despair and Desire
Label: A&R Records
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. My Femme Fatale; 2. Ms Fox; 3. Nothing Left to Hide; 4. Don’t go Now; 5. This Life & Time; 6. How Could I; 7. Sunbeam; 8. The End of Us
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: Velvet Flare is another incredible Aussie band that pulls its inspiration from a myriad of subjects, including 40s film noir, global warming and bad relationships, with cutting-edge humor and lyrical content, all set to a throbbing indie rock beat, complete with screaming guitars and harmonious vocals. The music has a 60s/70s British Invasion feel and is fun to listen to. The music is radio friendly and should do well on college radio, especially “This Life & Time” and “How Could I.”
Recommendation: Give this one a spin!
Artist Name: Leo James Conroy
Album Name: Plastic Chairs & Cigarette Fumes
Label: Alternative Fidelity
Genre: R&B/Soul/Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Forbidden Fruit; 2. Plastic Chairs & Cigarette Fumes; 3. White Noise; 4. How the Hell; 5. Leave it all Behind; 6. Like Ink
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: We featured his first single, “Leave it all Behind,” in our Ten Great Singles of October article, and the remainder of his debut EP is just as great. From the first wailing notes of “Forbidden Fruit,” Leo James Conroy gives us amazing vocals and well-written lyrics, supported by the perfect mix of jazz/soul and R&B. This music is perfect for radio and for placement opportunities in television and film. His music is the perfect cross-over for jazz/blues, soul/R&B, pop and AAA formats. The title track has that smoky lounge sound that is prevalent in film noir. It also provides the perfect soundtrack for weekend parties or evening chill time. Hard to believe that all of this music came out of a time when he was in and out of the hospital for kidney failure. Conroy should be the poster child for “blue-eyed soul.”
Recommendation: This one is a no-brainer – Get it today!