Tag: MINKA

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews

Get it or forget it – Tony Lucca, Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, Lindy Vopnfjord, Mekons, Minka

We made it to New Music Friday again, and we have five brand new ones to review and share, including the latest from a former Mousketeer.  It’s been a rough week on the home-front, with an simple puncture wound turning into an infection, but we think this music is just the medicine to make things better.  Let us know what you think.

Artist Name:  Tony Lucca

Album Name:  Ain’t no Storm

Label:  Off the Road Adventures / Rock Ridge Music

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Everything’s Changing; 2.  Come Around; 3.  One Less You; 4.  Frame by Frame; 5.  Restless Heart; 6.  Empty Headed Blues; 7.  Room with a View; 8.  Other Side of the Clouds; 9.  Frame by Frame (radio edit)

Publicist:  Skye Media

Review:  Tony Lucca is known for lots of things, including being a Mousketeer along side of Christina Aguilera, being a member of Team Adam on Season 2 of NBC’s The Voice, and being the artist who gave his slot with NSYNC to fellow Mousketeer Justin Timberlake.  But with the arrival of his latest album, it is truly evident that Lucca has definitely “arrived” as a hot songwriter and future Grammy winner.  From the upbeat opening track, “Everthing’s Changing” to the radio edit of his first single, “Frame by Frame,” Lucca hits us right between the ears with emotional lyrics and vocal delivery and incredible musicianship.  This is without a doubt his best album ever, and should finally elevate him to the level that he deserves – super stardom.  We have already featured “Restless Heart” and “Everything’s Changing” in our Monday Mashup, and think this album is jam packed with songs worthy of being released as singles.

Recommendation:  Drop whatever you’re doing – Go Get this one today!

Artist Name:  Chris Jones & the Night Drivers

Album Name:  The Choosing Road

Label:  Mountain Home Music

Genre:  Bluegrass

Track Listing:  1.  Your Remarkable Return; 2.  Letters to Brendan; 3.  Looking for the Bridge; 4.  I Can’t Change the Rhyme; 5.  Back in the High Life Again; 6.  Nyhan’s Regret; 7.  I’ll Watch her Soul; 8.  Bend in the Road; 9.  I Shouldn’t Even be Here; 10.  Who you Want me to Be; 11.  Own the Blues; 12.  Glimpse of the Kingdom

Publicist:  Crossroads Label Group

Review:  Sit down Rhonda Vincent and Alison Krauss – there’s another band in bluegrass that is ready to ascend the throne.  The new album from Chris Jones & the Night Drivers has everything you want on a bluegrass album – great story lyrics, a strong voice with perfect harmonies, and great performances on mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass, with amazing guitar thrown in for good measure.  Composed of Chris Jones on guitar and lead vocals, Gina Clowes on banjo and backing vocals, Mark Stoffel on mandolin and fiddle and Jon Wiesberger on bass, this band should be the standard for all budding bluegrass players.  We love every song, especially “Your Remarkable Return,” their amazing cover of Steve Winwood‘s classic “Back in the High Life Again,” the sterling instrumental “Nyhan’s Regret,” the soulful “Who you Want me to Be,” and the gospel-tinged “Glimpse of the Kingdom.”

Recommendation:  Run out and Get this one!

Artist Name:  Lindy Vopnfjörd

Album Name:  You Will Know When It’s Right

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Love me Like That; 2.  Standing on the Sea; 3.  Give Some Love; 4.  Our Greatest Irony; 5.  How did we get Away; 6.  Everlasting Odyssey; 7.  I’m so Hi; 8.  Love Sister (live in Reykjavik with Nydonsk)

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Talk about dejá vu!  As soon as the album started with the first track, “Love me Like That,” it felt like classical rock artists like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan were speaking through the voice of the lead vocalist.  The songs are well written and hit the ground running.  They are perfect for radio and inspiration, beginning with the first track and continuing on.  “Standing on the Sea” almost feels like Brit Pop.  Each song brings back a piece of musical history and puts this artist squarely on a track to the top of the charts.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Mekons

Album Name:  Deserted

Label:  Bloodshot Records

Genre:  Indie Rock/Punk

Track Listing:  1.  Lawrence of California; 2.  Harar 1883; 3.  Into the Sun; 4.  How Many Stars; 5.  In the Desert; 6.  Mirage; 7.  Weimar Vending Maching; 8.  Andromeda; 9.  After the Rain

Publicist:  Bloodshot Records

Review:  Mekons come to us from the UK, combining elements of punk, psychedelica and indie rock to their sound, hitting us over the head with a tidal wave of sound that quickly envelops the listener.  This is rock as it was intended and perfect for those time when you want to drown out the world and totally immerse yourself in the music.  If you want some sentimental folk, they have that on “How Many Stars,” so don’t think they can only rock.  We also love the sweeping strings and “cool” feel of “Andromeda.”

Recommendation:  Get it.

Artist Name:  MINKA

Album Name:  Mysteries of the Heart

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  R&B

Track Listing:  1.  Mysteries of the Heart; 2.  Something Special; 3.  Rollerblades; 4.  Parties; 5.  You Knew I was a Freak

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We introduced you to MINKA in April 2017 when they released their live album.  We again reviewed them in mid-February for the first of their EP trilogy, and are back again with the second in that trilogy.  While they maintain their overall R&B groove, this set if more upbeat and perfect for the soundtrack of your next party, especially if you like the sound of Prince.  The title track is a sure-fire hit, as is “Rollerblades.”  You can’t go wrong with this one.

Recommendation:  Definitely add this one to your party playlist!

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Tiffany Pollack and Eric Johanson, NIIGHTS, Harlem, MINKA, Lisa Papineau

Welcome to our belated New Music Friday edition of Get it or Forget it.  Due to our hectic schedule with the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, we were unable to review these brand new releases last Friday, so we are doing them today.  Thanks for your patience during one of our busiest times.  Enjoy these five new releases.

Artist Name:  Tiffany Pollack and Eric Johanson

Album Name:  Blues in my Blood

Label:  Nola Blue Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Blues in my Blood; 2.  Memories to Forget; 3.  Keep it Simple; 4.  Michael; 5.  Diamonds on the Crown; 6.  No Expectations; 7.  Do I Move You?; 8.  Slave of Tomorrow; 9.  Get Lost With Me; 10.  River; 11.  If I Had a Hammer

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Vocal duos are all the rage in other genres, but relatively rare for blues lovers.  Thankfully, New Orleans jazz sweetheart Tiffany Pollack and former guitarist for Cyril Neville Eric Johanson have teamed up to show the world that great blues songs can be done by two harmonious voices.    Amazingly recorded and produced by multi-award winner Jack Miele at The Music Shed Studios, Blues in my Blood is one of the best blues albums of 2019.  come out of blues music.  This duo brings an indie roots-based depth to their blues, and could easily become a force to reckon with in that genre.  Pollack also channels her inner Nina Simone on her gut-wrenching cover of “Do I Move You?”  She is joined by Johanson for a thrilling cover of the classic Pete Seeger freedom anthem, “If I Had a Hammer,” sending this album off to a perfect conclusion.

Recommendation:  Run and Get this one!

Artist Name:  NIIGHTS

Album Name:  Hellebores Part Two

Label:  Tragic Hero Records

Genre:  Alt Rock

Track Listing:  1.  It Was; 2.  Hellebores; 3.  With Bated Breath; 4.  Segue; 5.  Sylvia; 6.  Caterpillar

Publicist:  Tragic hero Music Group

Review:  We brought you Part One of this two part release last month, and are happy to complete our review with Part Two.  Both parts are now available on a single album, available on BandCamp.  Part Two picks up the powerful strand created in Part One with “It Was,” a song that begs for heavy rotation on the radio.  The title track is heavier and darker than the rest, with an almost metal feel, and that vibe continues on “With Bated Breath” and “Sylvia,” before closing out the album on a more upbeat and beautiful vibe with “Caterpillar.”  All in all, this one is a keeper.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one!

Artist Name:  Harlem

Album Name:  Oh Boy

Label:  Female Fantasy Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1,  All Men are Dogs; 2.  Smoke in Mirrors; 3.  Dreams is Destiny M; 4.  Swervin; 5.  Lana; 6.  Click Your Heels; 7.  Elegant and Sophisticated; 8.  Blonde on Blonde; 9.  Cry Now Cry Later; 10.  Oh Boy; 11.  Me and the Boys; 12.  Queen of Mosquitos

Publicist:  Wolfievibes Publicity

Review:  It only took them nine years, but Harlem is back with their latest release, Oh Boy.  They have a mellow almost acoustic sound like Snow Patrol and Plain White Ts, and should be a big hit on the college radio circuit.  They have obviously been influenced by the sound of The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel, because you can feel it in their vibe.  They have released three of the songs as singles so far (“Swervin,” “Cry Now Cry Later,” and “Queen of Mosquitos”) and we think there is plenty of material remaining for several more.

Recommendation:  Definitely worth adding to your collection.

Artist Name:  MINKA

Album Name:  End of the Affair

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  R&B

Track Listing:  1.  Introduction; 2.  Sugar & Cream; 3.  Sentimental Girl; 4.  Secret Lover; 5.  That Look; 6.  All I Ever Had

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  We last heard from MINKA back in April 2017 when when reviewed their album Born in the Viper Room.  This time around, MINKA is a solo act, returning to a more 80’s sound similar to his idols Prince, Hall & Oates, Todd Rundgren and The Stylistics.  The first track sets the mood for the music to follow, and the gloves come off with “Sugar & Cream.”  The soothing R&B sound continues with “Sentimental Girl,” while “Secret Lover” and “That Look” are more upbeat but no less danceable.  The final track returns to the smooth R&B sound, and leaves us with a feeling that we haven’t heard the last from this amazing artist.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Lisa Papineau

Album Name:  Oh Dead on oh Love

Label:  Team Player

Genre:  Alt pop/rock

Track Listing:  1.  Beautiful; 2.  Little Hell; 3.  Oh Dead on oh Love; 4.  Hey Lord Take me Over; 5.  Endless Story; 6.  Seasons with Marilu; 7,  The Last City; 8.  Waystation; 9.  Bent to Bow Down; 10.  Been a Long Time; 11.  Endless Story Cumbia Olindense (bonus track)

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  It is difficult to place the music of Lisa Papineau into a specific genre, although it reminds us of Dido.  It has smooth and majestic instrumentation, soaring vocals and the ambiance and vibe of great meditative music.  The lyrics are a combination of English and her native French, and are as smoothing as a good glass of wine at helping you relax and chill.  This one will be best enjoyed after a long day when you need some down time, and we recommend you listen to it from start to finish.

Recommendation:  This album makes a great addition to your chill collection.  Grab a glass of wine, put it on, and relax.

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – The Charlatans, MINKA, Gina Sicilia

Working our way through a massive hill of review requests and found these three new artists to share with you.  While we are familiar with one of them, the other two are brand new to us.  Grab your coffee and check out what we think of their new releases.

Artist Name:  The Charlatans

Album Name:  Different Days

Label:  BMG/The End Records

Genre:  Brit Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Hey Sunrise; 2.  Solutions; 3.  Different Days; 4.  Future Tense; 5.  Plastic Machinery; 6.  The Forgotten One; 7.  Not Forgotten; 8.  There will be Chances; 9.  Over Again; 10.  The Same House; 11.  Let’s go Together; 12.  The Setting Sun; 13.  Spinning Out 

Publicist:  The End Records PR

Review:  It’s hard to believe that Different Days is the 13th album released by The Charlatans, and we have never heard of them before.   But thanks to our friends at BMG and The End, they are now on our radar and we are overjoyed for the chance to review their latest collaboration, featuring such a diverse list of special musical guests as Paul Weller, Johnny Marr, and Sharon Horgan, as well as writers Ian Rankin and Kurt Wagner, who provide spoken word tracks that complement the album (“Future Tense” and “The Forgotten One”).  The band has a core of Tim Burgess, Martin Blunt, Mark Collins and Tony Rogers, and has never been afraid to supplement that core with special guests, resulting in an auditory experience that warms the heart, stimulates the mind and keeps the toes tapping.  The album has a 90’s vibe that is refreshing yet familiar, and features such strong songs as “Solutions,” the title track,  “Plastic Machinery” (the first single), “Not Forgotten,” “There Will be Chances,” and “Spinning Out” (the masterful conclusion to an amazing work of art).

Recommendation:   Different Days will be released on May 26 on all digital platforms, as well as in hard copy CD and vinyl.  We highly suggest you pre-order it so that you will be sure to Get It as soon as it is available.  In the meantime, check out their Facebook page for more information.

Artist Name:  MINKA

Album Name:  Born in the Viper Room

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Jam/Dance

Track Listing:  1.  I Can’t Shake This Feeling; 2.  Josephine; 3.  Gravity; 4.  Company Man; 5.  Still Waiting 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  OMG!  We were not prepared for the magic that is MINKA, a jamming dance band out of Philadelphia.  Where have these guys been hiding?  Borrowing heavily from the 80’s with a healthy dose of Bowie and Prince, their music compels you to get up and dance.  It has a great beat and a feel good vibe that makes everything better.  It is easy to see why they have become one of the best dance bands on the East Coast.  We just wish there were more than five songs on the EP.  If the band intended to entice their listeners with just enough to make you want more, then they have succeeded.   While we seriously love the lead track, “I Can’t Shake This Feeling,” we also love “Josephine,” their first single.  You can’t go wrong with this EP.

Recommendation:  We sincerely recommend this EP and suggest you pre-order it to ensure you are first in line when it is released on May 26.  Do whatever you have to do but you simply must Get It.

Artist Name:  Gina Sicilia

Album Name:  Tug of War

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Singer-Songwriter Blues/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Don’t Want to be (in Love); 2.  Damaging Me; 3.  He Called me Baby; 4.  I’ll Stand Up; 5.  Never Gonna End; 6.  I Cried; 7.  They Never pay Me; 8.  Abandoned; 9.  Tell Him; 10.  All my Lovin’; 11.  Heaven 

Publicist:  MAD Ink PR

Review:  Already a rising voice in the blues community, Gina Sicilia shows her songwriting chops on Tug of War, her seventh album in the last 10 years.  Her voice is unique, with a strong soulful sound, and the depth of her lyrics shine through every track on the album.  From the first notes of “I Don’t Want to be (in Love),” it quickly becomes obvious that this young woman is a force to be reckoned with, and someone who most definitely will have a long career ahead.  Her vocals are soothing while delivering honest and personal lyrics with universal themes that instantly connect with her listeners, especially the second track, “Damaging Me.”   The production efforts of Grammy-winner Glenn Barratt and Grammy-nominated Dave Darling bring out all the warmth of her voice, combined with a can’t-miss musical accompaniment that should cement Sicilia’s place on the musical landscape.  We dig every track on the album, which should be in the library of every serious audiophile.  There’s also a couple of hidden gems in her covers of the 60’s songs “Tell Her” and “All my Loving.”

Recommendation:  Surely a candidate for best album of 2017, Tug of War has everything a true music lover wants and needs in an album.  We are proud to offer our highest recommendation for this album, which will be released on June 2, and urge you to pre-order it so that you will be sure to Get It before it’s gone.