Tag: Black Irish

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – LOLAA, Shannon McNally, Eli Raybon, Kelly Fitzgerald

Because of some snafus with getting access to several of the CDs and EPs that were released in June, we now have quite a few that need to be reviewed so that we can get back to the reviewing those that have been released since July 1.  Here are (we hope) the final three from June, as well as one from July.  While we try to catch up, we will be interspersing the Get it or Forget it reviews with our live performance reviews of recent shows, including Chris Chilton, Jerad Finck, Celtic Festival Missoula, and Anni Piper/Magic City Blues Festival.  Let’s get this party going!

Cover by Jose Garcia

Artist Name:  LOLAA

Album Name:  LOLAA

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Breaking Sound; 2.  Always Been; 3.  Lola; 4.  Song 6; 5.  Barricades; 6.  Spirits

Publicist:  The Syndicate PR

Review:  Toronto based sisters Lex Valentine and Nadia Valerie King combine their amazing voices to form LOLAA, and the result is pop heaven.  The music is upbeat and makes you want to tap your toes or get up and dance.  The songs are radio friendly.  This band deserves industry attention.  We love all six songs on this all-too-short EP, and can hardly wait to see what comes next.  We especially love their first music video of “Always Been” and also love the song “Barricades.”

Recommendation:  Don’t waste any time.  Just Get this one – trust us.

Artist Name:  Shannon McNally

Album Name:  Black Irish

Label:  Compass Records

Genre:  Roots/Americana/Blues/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  You Made me Feel for You; 2.  I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It; 3.  Banshee Moan; 4.  I Went to the Well; 5.  Roll Away the stone; 6.  Black Haired Boy; 7.  Low Rider; 8.  Isn’t That Love; 9.  Stuff You Gotta Watch; 10.  Prayer in Open D; 11.  It Makes no Difference; 12.  Let’s go Home

Publicist:  The Syndicate PR

Review:  Shannon McNally has been floating around the indie music community for quite a few years.  In fact, Black Irish is her tenth studio album.  But what sets this one apart is the fact that it is produced by Roots icon Rodney Crowell, who brings out the best of McNally, both in her vocals, the musical arrangements and the overall sound of her songs.  He also wrote two of the songs, including “You Made me Feel for You,” and co-wrote one additional song.  These songs are radio ready and definitely should be considered for placement in a myriad of television and movies.  McNally’s interpretations of songs from classic artists like Robbie Robertson, J.J. Cale, Muddy Waters, The Staple Singers and Stevie Wonder, clearly establish her as a major voice in today’s music market.

Recommendation:  We can’t believe we haven’t heard of this artist until now.  If you’ve also been in the dark about this amazing voice, remedy that by running out to Get this CD.

Artist Name:  Eli Raybon

Album Name:  Green

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt/Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  30 Cents; 2.  Like an Eel; 3.  Sucker me In; 4.  Unsymmetrical

Publicist:  Working Brilliantly

Review:  Don’t let them tell you that 80’s music is dead, because it is alive and well in the person of Eli Raybon.  His songs bring back memories of such acts as A Flock of Seagulls, and have a soothing effect, especially on those of use who still remember that decade.  This four-song EP is far too short, but is the perfect teaser of what is to come from this truly outstanding artist.  We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this EP digitally now, even before the hard copy comes out.  It will brighten your day.

Artist Name:  Kelly Fitzgerald

Album Name:  Find the Silver Lining

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Singer-Songwriter Pop

Track Listing:  1.  I Think You’re out of my Mind; 2.  You’re the man for Me; 3.  Piece of Cake; 4.  Behind Bars; 5.  Everything That’s Good; 6.  I Can’t Stop Thinking About You; 7.  Make Your Heart Happy; 8.  Sweet Love; 9.  Thinkin’; 10.  Bring me Back

Publicist:  None

Review:  Kelly Fitzgerald is one of those old school indie performers.  Her songs are well crafted and upbeat, her voice is heavenly and she is one of the sweetest and most personable of performers.  She sings about everyday subjects in such a way that they become instant classics.  This time around she has hooked up with Brian Pothier and the result is one of the most fun CDs we have reviewed in quite a while., as she mixes genres with ease.  We especially love the jazzy fun horns on “You’re the Man for Me,” and the ukulele on “Piece of Cake.”  Our other favorites include “Behind Bars,” “Everything That’s Good,” and “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You,” which pretty much sums up the way we feel about Fitzgerald.

Recommendation:  If you love great music, then this one is a no-brainer – Get it ASAP.  If  you’re in Southern California, we strongly suggest you see her perform live.  It is definitely a rewarding experience.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it: Maita, Scarlett Taylor, Garrison Starr, Vacant Home

Now that the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2017 have been put to bed, we can begin looking at submissions for the second half.  With the exception of Maita’s Waterbearer, these albums will be considered for the second half awards, even though they were technically released in June 2017.  They were unfortunately overlooked in the nearly 100 submissions for the first half, so we are giving them a fresh look now.

Artist Name:  Maita

Album Name:  Waterbearer

Label:  Maita Music

Genre:  Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Kinder Than Most; 2.  Geography; 3.  Too Tired to Love You; 4.  Burned Out Has Been; 5.  Waterbearer

 Publicist:  None

Review:  Maria Maita-Keppeler is one half of the Americana duo The American West, but also is the lead singer of her own band, Maita.  Her short five-song EP is a breath of fresh air in the female singer-songwriter genre, and bodes well for this budding artist.  Her voice is haunting like Gillian Welch and Shannon Hurley, and is perfectly suited to the lyrics she has skillfully written.  All five songs are perfect for a chill afternoon or night, enjoyed with a beer or wine, while the listener contemplates the meaning of life.  Give her a listen and let us know what you think.

Recommendation:  We definitely think this one is a keeper and recommend you Get it for your collection.

Artist Name:  Scarlett Taylor

Album Name:  III

Label:  Borderline Musick

Genre:  Alternate Pop

Track Listing:  1.  I can Fly; 2.  Children of the Sun; 3.  Concrete Angels; 4.  Orphan; 5.  Unborn 

Publicist:  None

Review:  We reviewed her second album, Churches, last November.  What we said then still goes, but Taylor continues to work on her style, and the lyrical content has gotten better.  She is still not a radio friendly artist, but her music makes you stop and think about the issues she is addressing, and her unique musical background provides the perfect foundation for her truth.  This album is dedicated to those who suffer from addiction, and the toll it takes on them and those who love them.  She also continues to make interesting music videos that bring out the darkness in her music, and we think that she still has a lot to say.  Our favorite cuts are “Children of the Sun” and “Concrete Angels,” and the music video for the latter is definitely worth checking out.

Recommendation:  If you like your music dark, disturbing but relevant, than you should Get this album.

Photo by Shervin Lainez

Artist Name:  Garrison Starr

Album Name:  What if There is no Destination

Label:   Self-released

Genre:  Folk/Singer-Songwriter

Track Listing:  1.  Put Your Weapon Down; 2.  Hollow; 3.  Easy Mark; 4.  All About You; 5.  The Lucky One; 6.  Tough Girl

Publicist:  Red Boot PR

Review:  From the opening notes of the powerful protest song, “Put Your Weapon Down,” it becomes quickly apparent that this is no ordinary indie artist.  Starr is a woman on a mission, with a dynamic story to tell and a lesson to teach.  Her voice is throaty and unique, carrying the truth of her words deep into your consciousness.  Her musical background is simple but provides the necessary foundation for these liberating words.  Starr is an indie artist who has come full circle, and is content in her DIY “indieness.”  But that doesn’t mean the world is not taking notice of her music and her message, as indicated by her recent participation as part of Amy Pohler’s Smart Girls.  We love everything on this EP, but especially “Put Your Weapon Down,” which was Starr’s response to the Pulse tragedy in Orlando last June.  Stop and smell the roses while you listen to the wisdom of these songs.

Recommendation:  This one is a total no-brainer.  You NEED to Get it, now!

Photo courtesy of Split Task Media

Artist Name:  Vacant Home

Album Name:  Reflect, Respond

Label:  Mutant League Records

Genre:  Post Hardcore Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Lament; 2.  Bliss; 3.  Inner Peace; 4.  Shiver; 5.  Back Bay; 6.  Reflect Respond; 7.  Heirloom 

Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:  Vacant Home comes to us from Perth, Australia.  Their music starts out as great indie rock, with stirring guitar riffs and pounding drums, providing a nice musical interlude.  But then the Screamo vocals come in and the serene mood is lost.  This is definitely an album for hard rock lovers.  There are moments when the lyrics are sung, but they are lost amidst the angst and the screams.  It is apparent that this bad is pissed off and wants the world to know it.  Were it not for the screaming of the lyrics, we might actually be able to understand their message.  Nevertheless, their instrumentation is strong, and make it worthy of a closer listen.

Recommendation:  This is another artist that is not radio friendly.  However, if you can understand the screaming, and like that kind of music, then this is a strong effort.  For the rest of us, just Forget it.