It’s almost Mother’s Day. If you’re lucky enough to still have your Mom around, make sure you show her how thankful you are. We are so thankful for indie music, and have five very unique artists from Russia, Japan, Germany and the US to share with you today. Let’s get started.
Artist Name: The Nightowls
Album Name: We are the Nightowls
Label: Nightowls Music
Genre: R&B/Soul
Track Listing: 1. Don’t it Feel Weird (Falling in Love); 2. Can’t Wait to Knock It; 3. #selfiequeen; 4. All the Good Things you Are; 5. Nice and Slow; 6. Interlude; 7. Lift me Up; 8. Together Alone; 9. Laybackwittit; 10. Get Funked Up; 11. We are the Nightowls
Publicist: Big Picture Media Online
Review: Consider our mind blown. The Nightowls hail from Austin, Texas, and have the sound of Tower of Power meets Earth, Wind and Fire. Their vibe is flawless, upbeat, high energy and downright fun. The music industry needs to stand up and take notice of this amazing band, from radio airplay to substantial placements in television, film and commercials. The first four tracks are definitely hit material, and establish The Nightowls as one of the best bands we have reviewed this year. They even sound great on slow jams, as they demonstrate on “Nice and Slow” and “Together Alone.” They also show they can just boogie without words on “Interlude,” before getting back to their funky groove on “Lift me Up,” “Laybackwittit,” “Get Funked Up,” and the title track, which provides the perfect icing on this cake, as well as introduce the members of this elite unit. There is not a weak track on the album.
Recommendation: This one is a no-brainer. You simply MUST Get it ASAP!
Artist Name: Tiavara
Album Name: Delusional Tales of Grand Intentions
Label: Self-Released
Genre: Metal
Track Listing: 1. The Empty Sky; 2. Faces; 3. Serenade of a Leech; 4. When Silence Reigns; 5. Among the Stars; 6. Celestial Dance; 7. Not a Hero
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: This Moscow-based alt metal band has all the elements of a good metal band – heavy driving drums, electric guitar shredding, strong bass beat and angst, with a few guttural screams thrown in for good measure. The lyrics are even understandable, for the most part, but the vocals seem to be missing the energy and drive, and their attempt at crashing the US metal market takes a nose dive at the finish line. They do have some well-written songs, but we believe they need to either go all out metal or drop a few notches more into alternative rock format. Their attempt to “bridge the gap” between metal and rock doesn’t quite seem to be feasible for the long haul, although the musicianship is first-rate at times, such as demonstrated on “Serenade of a Leech.” In the end, it is the vocals that hurt their sound, almost like a classically trained vocalist fronting Metallica. They don’t fit together well.
Recommendation: Forget it.
Artist Name: Cultural Critic
Album Name: All Electronica Must Go! (Deluxe Edition)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Electronica/Experimental
Track Listing: 1. Soap Opera (VHS only); 2. Intimacy; 3. Casio City (Blowout Sale); 4. Terraform; 5. High Line ’14; 6. Themes; 7. Shadow; 8. Orange Ocean; 9. Methods; 10. Computer Chat!; 11. humanoid tears; 12. Vegas Future
Publicist: Skilled Social Media
Review: This is the deluxe edcition of an album that was previously released in October 2017 on Sunset Grid. This time around, New York-based composer John Malmborg has chosen the DIY route through BandCamp, and has tweaked the tunes and added two new ones and new artwork to his computer-generated experimental and electronic music sound. He even released it on cassette. This retro style is reflective of the 80’s and 90’s influences of the music. Although this is not my particular cup of tea, it is not difficult to hear the genius in the music.
Recommendation: If you love electronica, then definitely check this one out.
Artist Name: Trautonist
Album Name: Ember
Label: Wolves and Vibrancy Records
Genre: Shoegaze/Black Metal
Track Listing: 1. Fire and Ember; 2. Vanish; 3. The Garden; 4. Smoke and Ember; 5. Hills of Gold; 6. Sunwalk; 7. Woody Allen
Publicist: Viral Propaganda PR
Review: This German duo have impressive musical chops, with dramatic flairs of awesomeness. Unfortunately, the screaming vocals do nothing but detract from the otherwise intriguing songs, which have so much artistic flair that they truly allow the listener to decide exactly what the mood is without the need for any lyrics to color that interpretation. The music is almost prog rock in intensity, with each song averaging six minutes long. Too bad there isn’t a button you can hit that turns off the vocals. The music stands on its on.
Recommendation: Musically, most metal fans will love this one. For the rest of us, forget it.
Artist Name: Vampillia
Album Name: Happiness Brought by Endless Sorrow
Label: Temple of Torturous Records
Genre: Metals
Track Listing: 1. Winter Ash; 2. Back to . . . ; 3. Ggggzzggzzz; 4. Hell PM
Publicist: Viral Propaganda PR
Review: We can described this one in two words: Drums and Screamo. There is nothing else.
Recommendation: Burn it.