Happy Friday. We’re exciting to share some new releases with you, including the long awaited new EP from Kris Angelis. Hope this gets you off to a great weekend.
Artist Name: Moonshine Saints
Album Name: Six Ways to Sunday Volumes 1 & 2
Label: Self-released
Genre: Southern Rock
Track Listing: 1. Sugar N Thunder; 2. Frankenshine; 3. The Fire; 4. Production; 5. Strong; 6. Hell or High Water; 7. You Take the House; 8. Love is Like a River; 9. Roll Like a Landslide; 10. Drivin on Over; 11. Anything to be Your Man; 12. Wicked Intentions; 13. Southern Bonafide (bonus track)
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Moonshine Saints have come to rock in the style of Lynryd Skynyrd, and they show on this album that they have the same grit and fire. From the first note of Sugar N Thunder, it quickly becomes obvious that this is a band to take notice of. If their live show has half the energy of their album, then it must be amazing. These songs are radio friendly and ready for immediate airplay. There is not a weak song on this album, and we love it from start to finish. Radio Station Managers – you need to put this band on your radar and get them on your airplay list ASAP!
Recommendation: This one is a must-have. Get it now!
Artist Name: Grandpa Grew Trees
Album Name: Grandpa Grew Trees
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. After; 2. Still; 3. Ours; 4. Backstroke; 5. Swamp; 6. Wolf; 7. Worry; 8. Names (Heaven Hold On); 9. Morning; 10. Better
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Elijah Poston, the songwriter behind the band, has compiled a beautiful collection of songs dealing with grief, based on his personal history with the suicides of two family members, and his desire to move on. Poston also provides guitar and vocals, and is joined by Miguel Pilcher on drums, Griffin Rone on bass, and Mitch Mealer on guitar. These songs are in the style of the Plain White T’s and are beautifully written with powerful lyrics about moving on. This album should be used by every grief therapy group to help their members deal with their pain. We highly recommend this soothing dose of musical medicine.
Recommendation: This one belongs in your musical library. Get it and share it today.
Artist Name: Sara Marie Barron
Album Name: Sad, But True
Label: Self-released
Genre: R&B/Soul/Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Let me be Yours; 2. That Man; 3. Known Better; 4. New York City; 5. Wanna Know; 6. Bad News; 7. One Thing; 8. Does She
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: OMG – Sara Marie Barron is amazing. Mixing a jazzy feel into her R&B and soul gives her a sound somewhere between Norah Jones and Alicia Keys, with a touch of the amazing being that is Carole King. She could easily compete with anyone in the AAA/AC community, and we think she should be on the radio NOW. This is soothing, relaxing chill music that you will want to put on repeat and listen to over and over again. It is by far the best album put out by a female artist so far this year. Her music would also be a smart choice for music supervisors for placement in television and film, as well as commercials. We simply can’t get enough of this album. It is no surprise that Billboard Magazine is championing her first single, “That Man.”
Recommendation: If you only get one album this year, this should be it! It is amazingly smooth and will make you the coolest cat on the block.
Artist Name: Dennis Jones Band
Album Name: WE3 Live
Label: Blue Rock Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Blue Over You; 2. When I Die; 3. Passion for the Blues; 4. Stray Bullet; 5. Hot Sauce; 6. Don’t Worry About Me; 7. Super Deluxe; 8. Enjoy the Ride; 9. You Don’t Know a Thing About Love; 10. Kill the Pain; 11. Big Blat Cat; 12. Devil’s Nightmare; 13. I’m Good; 14. Born Under a Bad Sign
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Boy were we in for a shock when we opened the CD case and noticed that this album was recorded in eastern Montana, at a brewery in a town that has less than 600 people. That’s a long way to go for an album because the band is based out of Los Angeles. We are sure the joint was jumping because the Dennis Jones Band is HOT! This band proves that the power trio is still alive and well in music, with Jones on lead guitar and lead vocals, Sam Correa on bass and backing vocals and Raymond Johnson on drums. The album contains 14 tracks featuring selections from all five of Jones’ solo albums as well as a stirring cover of the Albert King classic “Born Under a Bad Sign.” This is the perfect choice if you’re in the mood for rock and blues, and it will definitely get the party going.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one. It belongs in the musical library of every rock and blues lover.
Artist Name: Kris Angelis
Album Name: Pieces That Were Stolen
Label: Self-released
Genre: Singer-songwriter Folk
Track Listing: 1. Photobooth; 2. The Sparrow; 3. Stained Glass; 4. Bravest
Publicist: Magic Tree Productions
Review: Kris Angelis has been a favorite of this blog for many years, and has won multiple LA Music Critic Awards for her previous efforts. We have also featured the first two singles (“Photobooth” and “Stained Glass,” which she co-wrote with Garrison Starr) in our Monday Mashup column, and strongly encourage you to subscribe to her YouTube page. It is no wonder that we always have high expectations for anything she records, and she has truly exceeded those standards. The short four-song EP deals with loss, and she does so in a way that heals the broken heart, and brings hope and joy to the downtrodden. This EP took a year to create, and the finished product was well worth the wait, Angelis is one of a kind, and the best singer-songwriter to come out of Los Angeles, bar none. Just make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy.
Recommendation: The music of Kris Angelis is priceless, and we strongly recommend that you Get this one TODAY!