Getting closer to that weekend, so we’re bringing you more great artists to get you ready. We are pleased to present these four to you, which include multiple LA Music Critic Award winner Marina V. We hope you enjoy the music and will continue to support indie acts.
Artist Name: My Girl My Whiskey & Me
Album Name: In the Ground
Label: Other Southern
Genre: Progressive Bluegrass/Americana
Track Listing: 1. When I Die; 2. Olive Branch Silhouette; 3. Last Night I Dreamt I was a Ghost; 4. Carolina Reel; 5. Eye; 6. Lucy; 7. Cake & Wine; 8. In the Ground; 9. Petrichor; 10. Last Night I Dreamt I was a Ghost (reprise)
Publicist: None
Review: Florida natives George William Beardsworth and Kelly Colyer form the nucleus of MGMWAM, a truly progressive Americana band that includes elements of Depression era bluegrass with the more progressive sounds of bands like The Punch Brothers, The Decemberists and The Civil Wars to create a wholesome family-friendly. sound that should appeal to most listeners. They have embarked on a one-year tour of all 50 states, and we hope that they can accomplish their mission. If this debut release is any indication, they will be selling out venues before the tour is done. Their diversity is best shown in the songs “Last Night I Dreamt I was a Ghost” (with the amazing harmonies of Beardsworth and Colyer), “Carolina Reel” (showing off the amazing mandolin chops of Beardsworth, “Eye” (with its perfect marriage of mandolin and violin), current single “Lucy” and “Cake & Wine” (which feels like it would fit perfectly in the soundtrack of O Brother Where art Thou? All in all, this is one of our favorite bluegrass albums to review, and a necessary addition to our library.
Recommendation: We highly recommend this amazing CD. Get. It. Now.
Artist Name: Marina V
Album Name: Born to the Stars
Label: Self-released
Genre: Soft Rock
Track Listing: 1. Born to the Stars; 2. I am Iron; 3. Be my Light; 4. Together Alone; 5. Fire in the Sky; 6. Beautiful Forever; 7. Good; 8. Bring it On; 9. Autumn Song; 10. Imagine
Publicist: None
Review: We have been fans of Marina V almost since she first set foot in California from her native Moscow, and have enjoyed watching her career and influence rise within the world-wide music community. With the arrival of her new album Born to the Stars, she has brought us her best effort to date, and which has already spawned an LA Music Critic Award for the video to the title track. Anyone who has seen her perform live knows that she always brings light into the room, and songs like “I am Iron” exemplify that fact. It is an inspirational song that should find easy placement in television or film. Other songs that stand out include “Together Alone” (with its amazing string background), “Fire in the Sky,” “Beautiful Forever” (with its simple guitar and vocals), and her cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” one of the best homages to this song we have ever heard. Truth be told, there is not a weak song on the album, and we believe it will appeal to most, if not all, music aficionados.
Recommendation: This is one of the best indie music albums we have reviewed this year. We strongly urge you to Get it and support this artist. If you live anywhere near where her tour takes her, you would be remiss not to attend.
Artist Name: John Brownlow
Album Name: The Summertime
Label: Chromopop
Genre: Britpop
Track Listing: 1. Burn Hollywood Burn; 2. Live Forever; 3. Asteroids; 4. Government Work; 5. God Willing (and the Creek Don’t Rise); 6. Already Gone; 7. Baby got a Gun; 8. Don’t Walk Away; 9. Get yr Groove On; 10. Gonna Have to let you Down; 11. Let the Feeling Go; 12. Man in the Mirror; 13. On my Way; 14. Bullet to the Head; 15. Kingdom Come; 16. Occupy my Heart; 17. Rip it Up; 18. You Slipped Through my Fingers; 19. Shame the Devil; 20. Sunshine on the Radio; 21. Where my Mind Goes; 22. Radiation; 23. Let’s not and say we Did; 24. The Pink Raincoat; 25. Shalala Says I Love You; 26. Where Does Love Go; 27. Storm Coming; 28. One Fine Day; 29. Song for the Ferryman
Publicist: Last Tango Productions
Review: Veteran Hollywood screenwriter and former music journalist John Brownlow brings new life to the Britpop sound with his debut double album containing 29 original songs. He wastes no time with the upbeat rocking “Burn Hollywood Burn” and proceeds to give us a dynamic musical journey with a colorful narrative that lasts through all 29 songs, almost two hours of non-stop entertainment. This double album should be listened to several times in order to absorb all that Brownlow has to offer. His songs have great lyrical content as well as incredible musical accompaniment that will keep his listeners engaged and coming back for more. There is so much to this album, but we really like “Asteroids” (with its jazzy guitar), “Government Work” and “Baby Got a Gun (for their rockabilly/surf rock feel), “God Willing” (for its 60’s sound reminiscent of the Monkees), “Already Gone” (for its Smoky Robinson soulful feel), “Gonna Have to let you Down” (for its dynamic bass line); and “Let the Feeling Go (for its overall laid-back and groovy beauty. All in all this album will keep you company for a long time, so make sure you make time to enjoy it,
Recommendation: Brit pop is alive and well and we’re so glad we discovered this amazing artist. This one should be one of your “desert island picks.” Don’t delay – Get it today.
Artist Name: MUTTS
Album Name: Stick Together
Label: 8eat8 records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. I’ll be Around; 2. Neighbor; 3. Let’s Go; 4. Tin Foil Hat; 5. Don’t Touch It
Publicist: Perpetual Media Relations
Review: Critics are already hailing this Chicago-based band as the successor to Tom Waits, and we tend to agree with their assessment. The music would make the Blues Brothers proud, with its almost gospel choir feel and its feel-good musical accompaniment. If you are a Cubs fan, you’re probably already familiar with the band, as their song, “Let’s Go” was used extensively by the club during last season’s World Series run. This band has the power and the spunk to make a huge name for themselves. Check out “Tin Foil Hat” as proof. Don’t be surprised to see them continue to break down the walls that separate indie from mainstream. We expect these guys will go far in this business, and set a precedent that will enable other great indie bands to also bust out. As the Cubs (through MUTTS) like to say, “Let’s Go.”
Recommendation: Be the first in line to Get this one when it is released on September 12. Pre-order it now.
