Happy Friday – been a really crazy week, busier than I thought it would be. The new job is fun, but there is so much to learn. Really happy to be working again, though. Sorry we missed our daily review yesterday, but here we come with five more reviews today. Enjoy.
Artist Name: The Commotions
Album Name: Volume II
Label: Self-released
Genre: R&B/Funk
Track Listing: 1. Good Enough; 2. Bad Girl; 3. Masquerade; 4. Let me Kiss you Baby; 5. Too Little Too Late; 6. Say Yes to me Tonight; 7. Right Kind of Wicked; 8. Believe in Yourself; 9. Don’t Walk Away; 10. Last Look; 11. Loving You; 12. Take a Chance; 13. Come Clean
Publicist: Last Tango Production
Review: At first listen, it was almost like Motown has returned with the amazing sound of The Commotions. Reminded us of the Tower of Power backing up the Supremes. The horns are powerful, the keys are as good as Grace Potter, and the vocals from both Rebecca Noelle and Jeff Rogers are second to none. This is the perfect soundtrack for any TGIF celebration, or any other party for that matter. This band can jam and raise the funk. All 12 members of this band are at the top of their class, and we could not be happier with the result. There is not a weak track on this platinum collection. This one definitely deserves repeated spins.
Recommendation: Definitely one of the best albums of 2017. Get this one like your life depends on it.
Artist Name: Fred Smith
Album Name: Great (double album)
Label: Self-released
Genre: Americana & more
Track Listing: Disc 1: 1. Some Lovers; 2. Little Jimmy Boy; 3. Wind and Wind; 4. If I’m Free; 5. Texas; 6. Lover Like Me; 7. Emily Rose; 8. Ellie May; 9. Raggedy Anne; 10. Zeebrugge FOB; 11. Greezy Spoon; 12. American Guitar; Disc 2: 1. What Could go Wrong; 2. Nice to Meet You; 3. Addicted to Addiction; 4. My Girlfriend; 5. Satisfied; 6. Backwoods Burn; 7. Sister Sandinista; 8. Watch the Road; 9. Sugar Boy; 10. New York City; 11. Go Fast Eddy; 12. Frederique Q. Love
Publicist: Penney & Logan
Review: Australian singer-songwriter Fred Smith has also spent time as the first Australian Ambassador to Uruzgan, as well as spending time as a merchant marine and working alongside American soldiers in Afghanistan. He turns his love of American history and literature into a double dose of songwriting bliss with this collection of story songs. Smith dabbles in a myriad of genres, ranging from Americana, bluegrass and alt-country to rock, pop and blues, and even throws in a little glam rock and jazz for good measure. His vocals have a Gordon Lightfoot vibe, and fit the quirky folk rock mixture to a “T.” From start to finish, his lyrical content tells interesting story after story, making each song worth the time it takes to listen. This one is a worthy addition to your Americana/folk collection. We really love “What Could go Wrong,” the lead track on Disc 2, a rousing and hilarious look at the tirades and boasts of Donald J. Trump.
Recommendation: A worthy effort by an outsider, who has captured the American spirit in storytelling. We recommend you Get this one.
Artist Name: Holy Hum
Album Name: All of my Bodies
Label: Heavy Lark Records
Genre: Ambient Pop
Track Listing: 1. All of my Bodies; 2. Yoo Duk Lee; 3. Flower in the Snow; 4. Heavy Lark; 5. Sex at 31; 6. Joseph pt. 2; 7. White Buzz; 8. Sun Breaking; 9. Ready to Have It; 10. Space and Time; 11. Mellotron Doom
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Andrew Lee aka Holy Hum creates a masterful blend of ambient noise to go with his keen mastery of instrumental music and brilliant lyrical content. On this, his debut album, he shares that knowledge with his listeners in a most profound and interesting manner, creating songs that are complex in their structure but easy on the ears. While not radio friendly, they provide an excellent musical background to keep you company when nothing else seems to fit.
Recommendation: This one is different enough to hold a special place in your musical library. Check it out.
Artist Name: Katie Costello
Album Name: Twice the Love
Label: REBEL POP Records
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. New York Graffiti; 2. Up in the Air; 3. Why Does my Heart Break; 4. New World; 5. Roses; 6. Silver & Gold; 7. I’ll be Here; 8. A Beautiful Mystery; 9. Lights; 10. Here & Now; 11. Holiday
Publicist: Far Digital PR
Review: Katie Costello is the reigning Indie Pop Princess, and with the quality of this recording, is poised to take her place on the Indie Pop throne. Two of the tracks, “New York Graffiti” and “New World” were featured on her New World EP released earlier this year, but bear repeating, as this lady knows how to write great radio-friendly songs that keep her fans entertained and glued to her musical treasures. She also makes amazing videos, which have been a regular addition to this Blog’s Monday Mashup columns and a big hit on YouTube. Quite frankly, Costello could release and re-release her songs monthly, and we would never grow tired of them. Best tracks include “New York Graffiti,” “Up in the Air,” “New World,” “Silver & Gold,” “A Beautiful Mystery,” and “Here and Now.”
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, to your favorite retailer and Get this one. Now.
Artist Name: Social Repose
Album Name: Empress
Label: Self-released
Genre: Alternative Electronic Pop
Track Listing: 1. Chemistry; 2. Empress; 3. Filthy Pride; 4. Mother; 5. Villain; 6. Behave
Publicist: Earshot Media
Review: Social Repose is the electronic alter-ego of YouTube sensation Richie Giese, who has amassed more than 140 million views on his channel. He has a truly unique style that is instantly recognizable, filling your ears with auditory excellence that penetrates to the very cells of your body. All six songs are masterpieces, and show a depth of songwriting and maturity that marks Giese as a visionary and an artist that will be around for a long time. Empress is his sophomore release, and shot to #9 on the Alternative charts immediately upon release. We can only hope for more of the same from this amazing musician. Until then, enjoy Empress as one of the best EPs of 2017.
Recommendation: Get. It. Now.