Get it or forget it – Sandy Carroll, Farewood, Charlotte and Thieves, Old Vinyl Club, Ruth and Emilia

It’s another beautiful day, and we can see the light at the end of the submissions!  We plan to be finished reviewing all of the requests by the end of the month so we can prepare our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2018, which will be announced on December 7.  Here are five more for your consideration.

Artist Name:  Sandy Carroll

Album Name:  Blues & Angels

Label:  Catfood Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Soak me in the Spirit; 2.  Blues all for Myself (ft Rocky Athas); 3.  Somebody Gotta Dance; 4.  Wrapped in an Angel; 5.  Mama Don’t Like It; 6.  Love is a Wonderful Thing (ft Johnny Rawls); 7.  Slings and Arrows (ft Rocky Athas); 8.  Headin’ Home (ft Bernard Allison); 9.  Road Angels; 10.  Movin’ On; 11.  Mississippi Me

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Sandy Carroll is fast becoming an icon in the blues world, and her fourth album just adds to her legacy.  Her special guests on this one include Blues Music Award winning vocalist Johnny Rawls, guitarists Rocky Athas and Bernard Allison and Muscle Shoals studio musicians David Hood (bass) and Clayton Ivy (keyboards).  The album was produced by Grammy-winning producer (and Carroll’s husband) Jim Gaines, and features a mixture of blues, jazz and gospel.  Carroll’s soothing voice sits perfectly on the amazing accompaniment, conveying hope in the midst of turmoil.  There isn’t a weak track on the album, so put it on, grab a glass of wine, and just enjoy.

Recommendation:  If you love the blues with a touch of gospel and jazz, then you should definitely add this one to your collection.

Artist Name:  Farewood

Album Name:  Under Burning Sun

Label:  ARClight Records

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Secret Room; 2.  Under Burning Sun; 3.  Ash to Soil; 4.  War; 5.  Highest Garden; 6.  One Step Closer; 7.  Changing Shape; 8.  Back to the Mountain; 9.  Sun Moon Star;  10.  Beyond the Waves; 11.  Haunting Light (bonus track)

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  The hauntingly sweet voice of lead singer and bassist Leah Booker permeates every note on their latest album, delivering the perfect mix of angst and hope.  From the first note of “Secret Room,” this runaway train takes off and barrels through the night, delivering a potent dose of alternative rock, track by track.  These songs are perfectly suited for placement opportunities in commercials, film and television, and are also radio friendly, especially for college radio.  If this is the future of alternative rock, then the industry is in very good hands.

Recommendation:  Drop what you’re doing and Get this one.

Artist Name:  Charlotte & Thieves

Album Name:  It Won’t be Long, We Won’t Belong

Label:  Nordic Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Don’t you Wanna Know my Name; 2.  The Machine; 3.  Younger Boy

Publicist:  Nordic Records

Review:  Once again we get incredible music from the Great North, as Charlotte & Thieves delivers on their debut EP.  The band contains two members from Norway and two from Sweden, and the chemistry in the music is what world peace is made of.  This band knows how to rock and does so in a way that sets the bar high for subsequent bands.  All three songs are amazing and show great promise for the future of this band.  We only wish there was more.  We will wait with baited breath until their next release.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer – Get it today!

Artist Name:  Old Vinyl Club

Album Name:  Homemade Recordings

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie/Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Dutch Beer; 2.  Running Fast; 3.  Something New

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Spanish duo Old Vinyl Club brings some interesting indie/ alternative rock sounds to the mix on their latest self-released project.  “Running Fast” is the best track, but the other two had potential and reveal that the band could develop an even better sound.  They are worthy of your attention.

Recommendation:  Check out this band.  Although not quite ready for prime time, they definitely have potential.

Artist Name:  Ruth and Emilia

Album Name:  The Spaceship That Fell in my Backyard

Label:  Baa Baa Farms Records

Genre:  Children’s Pop

Track Listing:  1.  The Spaceship That Fell in my Backyard; 2.  Where do I Live?; 3.  We’re Gonna be Legendary; 4.  This is the way it Should Be; 5.  Repair the World; 6.  Everything is Better with Some Bubbles; 7.  I’m Smart on Safety; 8.  Can’t Janet Come and Play?; 9.  Dancing in our pjs; 10.  Just Inside This Classroom; 11.  The Spaceship . . . (reprise)

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Were the material not intended for children, the electric sound and amazing vocals of Emilia Lopez-Yañez and Ruth Weber aka Ruth & Emilia could easily elevate this duo to the top of the charts.  At any rate, they are one of the best children’s bands we have ever heard, and equally as versatile and dynamic as our own local children’s band, the Whizpops.  Their sound is similar to the cast of Glee, while the album tells a great story about aliens and their quest for knowledge about earth and its inhabitants.  “Repair the World” even won the Grand Prize in this year’s John Lennon Songwriting Competition in the Children’s category.  This soundtrack would be perfect for an animated children’s show.  They are most worthy of consideration for a Grammy nomination.

Recommendation:  If you have kids, they will love this one.  Get it for them.