Today and tomorrow we will be bringing you eight new Get it or Forget it reviews that should complete the albums that were released in the month of July. Enjoy these first four today as we get ready to go out and review a local live performance this afternoon as Miller Campbell comes to the Western Montana Fair in the first of three shows.
Artist Name: Relaye
Album Name: 9 to 5
Label: Blue Élan Records
Genre: Hip-Hop
Track Listing: 1. Vibe; 2. Cookin’ (ft. Old Man Saxon); 3. Snob (ft. Kelli Wakili); 4. Comfort Food; 5. LA; 6. Make Her Say It
Publicist: None
Review: Relaye is an anomaly for his label, Blue Élan Records, being their first foray into the crowded hip-hop market. His album 9 to 5 is also the first album released by Blue Elan that requires a “Parental Advisory” label for language. With a sound like a young Snoop Dog and language that would make NWA proud, Relaye raps about the problems facing black men in Los Angeles (and probably elsewhere). Relaye will be celebrating the release of his album with an EP Release Show at the Airliner Lounge in Los Angeles on August 13. For details, click here.
Recommendation: If you are a hard-core hip-hop and rap lover, you will love this album. For the rest of us, Forget it.
Artist Name: Choir Vandals
Album Name: Dark Glow
Label: Animal Style Records
Genre: Alternative
Track Listing: 1. A Place to Hide; 2. Head in the Oven; 3. Holiday Girls; 4. Keep it Under; 5. The Gardener; 6. Mother; 7. Sequencer; 8. White Gloves; 9. Hard to Hold; 10. For Lovers; 11. The Ones With the Bomb
Publicist: Earshot Media
Review: Their vocals are raw, but their musicianship is first rate, firmly establishing the Choir Vandals as a future leader of the alternative scene. Their music is appealing, real and fresh. Their music has to have been influenced by The Cure, as that vibe flows throughout the album. Best tracks include “Head in the Oven,” “Holiday Girls,” “Keep it Under,” “The Gardener,” and “Mother,” but the entire album is noteworthy.
Recommendation: This one is a keeper, regardless of your musical tastes. We highly recommend you Get it.
Artist Name: Nescora
Album Name: Someplace Somewhere
Label: Self released
Genre: Folk Rock
Track Listing: 1. Together Play Together Play; 2. Rescue (Radio); 3. Krazy Over U; 4. Pray for Rain; 5. Find Out; 6. Buy U a Mini Coop; 7. Rapid in my Head; 8. Days are Gone
Publicist: Working Brilliantly
Review: This album is full of acoustical brilliance, from the simple arrangements to the vocals to the lyrical excellence. Nescora delivers his music with a mixture of Americana, blues, folk and rock, stylistically similar to the White Buffalo and Joe Purdy, with a taste of Tom Petty. We especially like his first single, “Rescue,” as well as “Krazy Over U,” “Buy U a Mini Coop,” and “Days are Gone.”
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one. It will surely become one of your favorites.
Artist Name: Detroit Rebellion
Album Name: The Man
Label: Bodan Kuma Recordings
Genre: Modern Blues/Garage Rock
Track Listing: 1. The Man; 2. Fork in the Road; 3. Dirty Boots; 4. Desire; 5. Detroit Rebellion of ’67; 6. Some of the Time Some Other Time; 7. Trash Talk; 8. Dark Lady; 9. Nothing to Lose; 10. Echo Chamber; 11. Speak Your Mind; 12. The Spy
Publicist: The Syndicate PR
Review: Named after the infamous Detroit Riots of 1967, this dynamic duo from Providence, Rhode Island create blues music for the modern world, combining their song and music writing skills to create protest songs that would make Woody Guthrie proud, using a myriad of musical genres in the style of Bob Dylan. Really loved the stand-up bass sound of his guitar and the simple snare accompaniment. Best tracks include “Dirty Boots,” “Desire,” “Detroit Rebellion ’67,” “Some of the Time Some Other Time,” “Dark Lady,” and “Nothing to Lose.”
Recommendation: This album belongs in the library of every true audiophile. It’s simplistic tone and dynamic lyrical content are worth the price. We definitely recommend you Get it.