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

Get it or forget it – Noiseheads, Sugar Queen and the Straight Blues Band, Greg Sover, Freevolt, Endre Nordvik

Happy Tuesday.  Are you ready for five more great indie artists?  We hope so, cause we have another edition of Get it or Forget it for your perusal.

Artist NameNoiseheads

Album Name Sitcoms for Aliens

Label:  Silly Monkey Music

Genre:  Alt-Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Prelude; 2.  Wait.; 3.  I, Bleed; 4.  Enter Starship; 5.  Homecoming; 6.  ’72; 7.  Ballad of Me, Myself and I; 8.  Drown Me; 9.  Who?; 10.  Friend; 11.  Still Alive; 12.  Here

Publicist:  Effective Immediately PR

Review:  Noiseheads is a trio of lads from Florida who are making a name for themselves in the alt-rock world.  On their third album, they hit the ground rocking with a 90’s grunge edge.  Their sound sits right on the ledge between alt-rock and metal, and has enough going to keep most listeners enthralled and engaged.  The songs are well written, well played and the amazing guitar riffs will stick with you long after you finish the song.   Just when you think you know their sound, they slip in a track like “Enter Starship” or “’72,” with a retro classic rock vibe.  Our favorite tracks include “Wait.,” “I, Bleed,” “Enter Starship,” “Homecoming,” ’72,” “Ballad of me, Myself and I,”  “Who?,” and “Friend.”  Might as well say we love just about the whole album.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  Surely a candidate for one of the best albums of 2018, we highly recommend you Get it now!

Artist Name Sugar Queen & The Straight Blues Band

Album Name340 Blues

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Crab Boil; 2.  Give Sugar; 3.  Wanna Take my Man; 4.  15 Dollars; 5.  Hey Guys; 6.  Handfast Love; 7.  By the Law; 8.  Moonshine Bill; 9.  I Can’t Wait; 10.  Sugar Queen Blues Groove; 11.  I Miss You

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotion

Review:  Sugar Queen aka Michele Denise is an American blues singer who currently resides in The Netherlands.  She has brought in a killer band of local musicians to form the core of The Straight Blues Band, and collectively they have put together an amazing debut album.  From the first notes of “Crab Boil,” it becomes quickly evident that Sugar has come to rock the blues in the traditional manner.  We really love the slow, sexy feel of “Wanna Take my Man” and “By the Law,” but there isn’t a weak track on this album.  We love them all, especially the final song, “I Miss You.”  Great debut – can’t wait for the next one.

Recommendation:  If you love traditional blues, you will love this record.  Get it now.

Artist NameGreg Sover

Album Name Jubilee

Label:  Grounded Soul Records

Genre:  Indie Rock/Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Emotional; 2.  Jubilee; 3.  Hand on my Heart; 4.  As the Years go Passing By; 5.  I Give my Love; 6.  Temptation (live); 7.  Hand on my Heart (acoustic)

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  Greg Sover has grown immensely as an artist since our last review of him in July 2017.  This time around, he has an even more rocky edge to his music, as demonstrated on the opening track, “Emotional,” but he shows on the title track,”As the Years go Passing By,” and “Temptation (live)”  that he still knows how to rock the blues.  His rock ballad “Hand on my Heart” is a masterpiece and worthy of radio airplay, as well as placement in film and television.    For a change of pace, check out “I Give my Love,” with its island/reggae feel.  We really love the acoustic version of “Hand on my Heart” that closes out the EP.  Can’t wait for the next one!!!

Recommendation:  Don’t think twice – Get it NOW!

Artist NameFreevolt

Album Name Open  up Your Door

Label:  Evolvement Music

Genre:  Tropical Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Always Feel so Good; 2.  Not Beg; 3.  Pounds of Love; 4.  Ritual; 5.  Wiling; 6.  Cinnamon; 7.  Open up Your Door

Publicist:  Evolement Music

Review:  According to the press release, Freevolt is “a tropical rock act that fuses the genres of roots, reggae, jam, funk, americana and pop . . .”  What that means for the average listener is that you are in for a treat.  This is just plain great music, regardless of the genre you try to stuff it into.  It is feel good music, starting with the first track, “Always Feel so Good.”  This is a band that deserves to be on the radio, and their music would be a great choice for commercial placement, as well as film and television.  You can’t go wrong with this one.  Favorite tracks include “Always Feel so Good,” “Pounds of Love,” “Ritual,” and “Open up Your Door.”

Recommendation: Just Get it already.

Artist NameEndre Nordvik

Album NameSuburb Hero

Label:  Beatstone/AITP Europe

Genre:   Indie Pop/Rock/Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Gold; 2.  I Can’t Find my way Home; 3.  I’m in Love with You; 4.  Mother; 5.  Silvia Amberlie; 6.  Like old Friends; 7.  Sometimes; 8.  I Believe; 9.  In Your Garden; 10.  Let the Good Times In

Publicist:  AITP Europe

Review:  Wow.  We were not prepared for the awesomeness that is Endre Nordvik.  He has a 70’s Eagles vibe that is refreshing and pure.  From the first note of “Gold, we were hooked.  Nordvik has a way with words, and his voice matches that first track – solid gold.  This artist deserves the attention of the American music industry.  The music is upbeat and left us feeling so good.  He brings in his folky side on “I Can’t Find my way Home.”  The goodness continues track after track.  Why can’t we get great music like this at home?  The International market is ripe with talent, and we hope they come here soon.  Our favorite tracks include “Gold,” “I’m in Love With You,” “Mother,” “Silvia Amberlie,” “Like Old Friends,” “Sometimes” (love the duet and the feel – this one is a hit!), and “Let the Good Times In.”

Recommendation:  Rush out and Get this one NOW!

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Greg Sover, Mare Island, House Hounds, Aviator

As we close out the month of July, we are doing the last of our reviews for CDs released during the first half of 2017.  Here are our final four.

Artist NameGreg Sover

Album NameSongs of a Renegade

Label:  Grounded Soul Records

Genre:  Indie Rock/Blues

Track Listing:  1.  My Moment; 2.  Heroes; 3.  Preacher; 4.  Quicksand; 5.  (Make Me) Say Yeah; 6.  After Me; 7.  Deja vu; 8.  Ain’t no Sunshine; 9.  Superman; 10.  Cherie

 Publicist:  Frank Roszak

Review:   OMG.  We have a man-crush on Greg Sover.  Talk about the total package – amazing guitar work, soaring vocals and a classic rock feel that just feels right.    Although technically released in August 2016, Sover has not had any publicity or assistance with his career until recently, and this artist deserves some attention.  We strongly suggest that the music industry take notice of this amazing artist NOW.  His music is just plain good, and deserves both radio airplay and placement in television and movies.  Every song crushes the competition, exposing the hidden talent that is this Philadelphia blues rocker.  He deserves a national stage for his music, and we are proud to (hopefully) be the first rung on his ladder of future success.

Recommendation:  We don’t know why this artist has not become a huge star, but we are offering his Songs of a Renegade our highest recommendation – Get it NOW!

Artist NameMare Island

Album NameMare Island

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Dream Pop

Track Listing: 1.  Alight; 2.  Anon; 3.  Vanish; 4.  Crushed; 5.  Unawake 

Publicist:  The Syndicate PR

Review:  This seems to be the day for hidden gems.  This Bay Area quintet is just too good to be unknown, and we think their debut EP just might shed the light on their talent.   Their first single, “Anon,” became a huge hit in the San Francisco area, and it’s time for the rest of the world to discover what San Francisco has been keeping to itself – Mare Island is a treasure that needs to be shared with the world.  The five-song EP is simply too short – we want and need more!  All five songs are amazing and deserve more attention, with their moving musical arrangements, the wonderfully written lyrics, the ingenious guitar licks and the dreamy vocals.  This is a band that we guarantee will do well in this industry.  Let’s get them on a nationwide tour soon.

Recommendation:  Amazing work which we are proud to recommend – you should definitely Get this EP, and then pre-order the next one.

Artist NameHouse Hounds

Album NameSaturate

Label:  A&R Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Bird; 2.  Young Things; 3.  Karamel; 4.  Bully; 5.  Disquiet 

Publicist:  The A&R Department

Review:  House Hounds is another band from Australia who has a sound that we need here in the States.  They combine amazing guitar licks, drums and harmonious vocals to create a sound that is soothing and stimulating at the same time.  Their songs belong on the radio and deserve national attention.  From the first notes of “Bird,” to the haunting last notes of “Disquiet,” the band nails every song, providing a great soundtrack for life in the States.  We especially like their single, “Karamel.”  Australians are damn lucky to have these boys in their back yard.  We can’t wait until they visit us.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get it.  We promise you won’t be sorry you did.

Artist NameAviator

Album NameLoneliness Leaves the Light on for Me

Label:  No Sleep Records

Genre:  Indie Soft-core Rock

Track Listing:  1.  I Wanna Make a Movie, Heather; 2.  Nasonov Pheromone; 3.  Ad Nauseum; 4.  I Wouldn’t Leave Here if you Paid Me; 5.  Looks Deep Enough From  Here; 6.  End Scene; 7.  One Year Warranty; 8.  I Wouldn’t Live There if you Paid Me; 9.  Safety Coffin; 10.  Does it Make a Sound?

 Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:  Aviator has evolved from a hard-core metal screamo band to a more refined soft-core sound without sacrificing any of their passion or power.  The music still rocks, the screamo is still there, but the music is toned back enough that even other rock fans will enjoy the album.  You can feel the band’s angst and understand the lyrics enough to comprehend that they truly have a story to tell.  The pride of Boston will soon be heard around the country as it is impossible to keep a band this good regionalized.  Best tracks include “Ad Nauseum,” I Wouldn’t Leave Here if You Paid Me,” “Looks Deep Enough From Here,” “One Year Warranty,” and “Safety Coffin.”

Recommendation:  If you love metal, you will love this album.  If you like good rock music, you will probably like this album.  In fact, unless you only like soothing pop music, Get this album.