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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Wieuca, Daley, Mike Younger

Happy Friday.  Hope your week has been as awesome as ours.  Indie music rules, and we are happy to get your weekend off to a good start with these three artist.  Please let us know what you think.

Artist Name:  Wieuca

Album Name:  Guilt Complex

Label:  Land of the Freak

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Snitches get Stiches; 2.  Slow War; 3.  Atrium; 4.  Enamel; 5.  Building a Shrine; 6.  Broke; 7.  Gas Giant; 8.  Canadian Tuxedo; 9.  Cold Beach; 10.  No G*d; 11.  Polyp 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  This band wastes no time in letting the listener know that they have come to rock, with the first track (and current single), “Snitches get Stitches,” hitting on all cylinders in a style reminiscent of The Clash.  The second track, “Slow War,” which was the first single, reminds you of early Genesis.  Both of these tracks lay the foundation for what is to come, and we believe that listeners will enjoy the ensuing tracks just as much.  After the first two tracks, the vocals are not as polished, but they fit with the indie rock feel of the musical accompaniment, which borders on punk rock.  Best tracks include “Snitches get Stitches,” “Enamel,” “Building a Shrine,” “Gas Giant,” and “Canadian Tuxedo.”

Recommendation:  These boys deserve your attention, even if you’re not a huge fan of punk/metal/indie rock.  They have interesting things to say and an interesting way to say them.  For that reason alone, we think you should Get the new album, which is being released today.

Artist Name:  Daley

Album Name:  The Spectrum

Label:  BMG

Genre:  Soul/R&B

Track Listing:  1.  Introlude; 2.  Until the Pain is Gone (ft. Jill Scott); 3.  Selfish; 4.  Temple; 5.  Slow Burn; 6.  Sympathy (ft. Swindle); 7.  The Only One; 8.  On Fire; 9.  Second to None; 10.  True; 11.  Distance; 12.  The Fabric; 13.  Careless (ft. Chiiiild) 

Publicist:  The End Records PR

Review:  We don’t ordinarily review albums released by major labels, but this one was just too good to pass up.  The first single, “Until the Pain is Gone,” features the voice of the one and only Jill Scott and has reached the top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts.  Daley’s voice is dreamy and the addition of Scott to the mix makes it a track that deserves to be put on repeat.  Once again the UK has given us an artist for the world, and his songs are some of the best we have heard in quite a while.  It is no wonder that his music has attained more than 25 million streams on Spotify and over 17 million views on YouTube.  This artist is so good that even Simon Cowell would have difficulty finding fault.  We especially love the funky sound of “Sympathy” (featuring Swindle), but honestly, there’s not a weak song on the entire album.  Even the closing song, “Careless,” (featuring Chiiiild) has a funky R&B beat, begging you to listen to the entire album again and again.

Recommendation:   This is one of the finest albums we have ever heard, and we strongly recommend you Get it when it is released today.

Artist Name:  Mike Younger

Album Name:  Little Folks Like you and Me

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Roots/Americana/Country/Folk

Track Listing:  1.  If I was a Wheel; 2.  Never was a Dancer; 3.  Poisoned Rivers; 4.  Drifter’s Lament; 5.  Rodeo Queen; 6.  What Kind of World; 7.  With Every Heartbeat; 8.  How to Tell a Friend Goodbye; 9.  Walk in the Mud; 10.  The Living Daylights 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Mike Younger likens himself to the social justice musical pioneers like Woody Guthrie, John Lennon and Bob Dylan.  After listening to his latest project, we would tend to agree.  His voice has that perfect swagger that makes you stop and listen to the words of the song.  Definitely check out “Poisoned Rivers,” which talks about the damage being done to our environment.  The album was produced by the legendary Bob Britt (Leon Russell, John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Delbert McClinton), and that brilliance shines through every track.  We especially like “If I was a Wheel,” “Never was a Dancer,” “What Kind of World,” “With Every Heartbeat,” and “The Living Daylights.”

Recommendation:  Don’t think twice, just Get this album when it is released on July 14.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it LA Music Critic Awards Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – The Daybreaks, Wendy Sweetlove, The Raft, Paradise Kings

We are so humbled by the response to our announcement of the nominations for the first half of 2017 for the LA Music Critic Awards.  You guys are the reason we recognize and share the incredible talent in the indie music scene.  Thanks for your support.  Here are four more great acts, one of which has already been nominated for three LA Music Critic Awards.  Please let us know what you think about them.

Artist Name:  The Daybreaks

Album Name:  Meet me at the End of the World

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  The Machine; 2.  Do Whatever Gets you High; 3.  Stranger; 4.  Cruel Summer; 5.  Panic; 6.  Hypnotized; 7.  Hold on to Me 

Publicist:  Think Press

Review:  It was just supposed to be a collaboration to write songs for placement in television and media, but the undeniable chemistry between Heather Bonds and Kaleb Jones led to the formation of The Daybreaks, one of the hottest groups in Nashville.  The release of their debut EP will only add to that exposure, as these guys are phenomenal.  They have already garnered one LA Music Critic Award for their stellar cover of “Cruel Summer,” and we believe they will get a few more during their career.  Kicking off with their single, “The Machine,” they hit the ground running and deliver a stunning debut that deserves world-wide attention.   There is not a weak song on this debut, and the EP should be placed on repeat.

Recommendation:  If you love well written songs, amazing harmonies and a musical background that heightens your senses and perks you up, then you should immediately Get this EP.

Artist Name:  Wendy Sweetlove

Album Name:  Dirty Sunday

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Modern Soul/Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Babysitter; 2.  Delilah; 3.  Come to Momma; 4.  Dirty Sunday; 5.  Shadow Son; 6.  Sharp Dressed Man; 7.  Burn it Down; 8.  I Bring the Word; 9.  Come Inside; 10.  Left of You; 11.  Sucker Punch; 12.  El Cubano 

Publicist:  None

Review:   From the first notes of “Babysitter,” it will quickly become evident that Wendy Sweetlove is a powerful performer who will quickly become a household name.  Sweetlove calls her music “Modern Soul,” but we simply call it magnificent.  It deserves to be played on every radio station and will surely continue to gain her new fans.  On top of that, she knows how to put on a great live show, and if you were lucky enough to be at the LA Music Critic Awards Winners Showcase last month in Los Angeles, you know what we’re talking about.  She is currently nominated for three awards, and we believe that she will receive many more during her career.  We are really impressed with her cover of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man,” which she has turned into a funky jazz standard.  Favorite tracks include “Babysitter,” “Delilah,” “Come to Momma,” “Dirty Sunday,” “Come Inside,” and “Sucker Punch.”

Recommendation:  If you like your music down and dirty, then this is the perfect album for you.  Although it is not yet available, you can stream three cuts on Sweetlove’s website.  The minute it comes out, we strongly urge you to Get it.

Artist Name:  The Raft

Album Name:  Coming up for Air

Label:  SoLar Records

Genre:  Indie Pop/Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Glad I Don’t Know; 2.  Coming up for Air; 3.  Anarchy in our Guitars; 4.  Regrets 

Publicist:  None

Review:  Phil Wilson, aka the Raft, is a UK artist whose music should do well here in the States.  His sound is smooth, with his sweet voice and musical backing that would be the perfect fit for radio airplay.  His four-song EP delivers the perfect taste that begs for more.  From his first song to the last one, we simply love this EP especially “Glad I Don’t Know.”  Give him a listen and we think you’ll agree.

Recommendation:  Definitely head over to the Bandcamp website and Get your copy now.

Artist Name:  Paradise Kings

Album Name:  Controlled Burn

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues/Rockabilly

Track Listing:  1.  ’69 Chevy; 2.  I’d Sing the Blues if I had Em; 3.  Three Strikes; 4.  Slow Down; 5.  Butter me Up; 6.  Patience; 7.  Poor me, Poor me, Pour me Another Drink; 8.  Money Ain’t my Friend (live) 

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  The album starts out with a rocking instrumental intro before launching into an incredible vocal that gets your toes to tapping before an uncontrollable urge to dance takes control of  your body.  You can fill the heavy influence of greats like Chuck Berry and BB King in the sound of Paradise Kings, and we think that this band has the potential to take the blues genre by storm.  Best tracks include “’69 Chevy,” “I’d Sing the Blues if I had Em,” “Slow Down” and “Butter me Up.”

Recommendation:  If you love great blues music, then you simply MUST Get this album.  It will be a valued addition to your musical library.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it LA Music Critic Awards Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Floco Torres, Ben Bostick, Rosi Golan

So, the nominations for the first half of 2017 of the LA Music Critic Awards have now been announced, so it’s time to start working on the second half.  We have three great artists to review today, and hope that you will check them out.

Artist Name:  Floco Torres

Album Name:  again

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Hip-hop

Track Listing:  1.  Floco’s Joint; 2.  You!; 3.  Voltron (ft Goodie Supreme & Billie Slum); 4.  Nobody Knows; 5.  Age of Comfort; 6.  Elevator (ft Kimie Yates); 7.  Thoughts; 8.  Charles’ Joint (ft Charles Davis) 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  His voice is not pretty, but his beats are sick, and you can feel that his heart is in his music.  “You got to hold on to what you believe in,” he sings on the first track, and you just know he means what he says.   This is hip-hop that doesn’t tear down, but builds up with positive lyrics.  Best tracks include “You!”, “Nobody Knows,” and “Charle’s Joint.”

Recommendation:  If you are a hip-hop lover, then this is the perfect vehicle for you.  If not, you should still give this one a listen.

Artist Name:  Brian Bostick

Album Name:  Self-titled

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Country/Folk

Track Listing:  1.  Independence Day Eve; 2.  Coast of Mexico; 3.  Paid my Dues; 4.  After the Rain; 5.  Paper Football; 6.  The Juggler; 7.  Sweet Thursday; 8.  Supposed To; 9.  I Should Have Been her Man; 10.  Erin is Blue 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Being raised in the south, country and folk music have always held a high place in my life.  With the latest from Ben Bostick, the genre has a new face, and it is one we believe will be around for quite a while.  From the first note of “Independence Day Eve,” it becomes quickly evident that this indie musician has set his sights on taking on the established market with some amazingly produced and perfectly written country music.  His voice is pure classic country, soothing and inspiring, with the perfect mixture of classic instrumentation, including acoustic guitar, harmonica, lap steel, accordion, upright bass and fiddle (with some horns, drums and electric guitar and bass thrown in for good measure).  “Paid my Dues” sounds like a mixture of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, when original rock and roll was heavily influenced by country music.  The rest of the album is just as good, and worthy of repeated listens.

Recommendation:  Watch for this artist – he is heading for the big time.  We highly recommend this album, and urge you to get out and Get it Now!

Artist Name:  Rosi Golan

Album Name:  Collecting Bullets

Label:  Gypsy Betch (digital only)

Genre:  Pop/electro-pop

Track Listing:  1.  Underneath; 2.  OMG (ft. Madi Diaz); 3.  Collecting Bullets; 4.  Cold Blush; 5.  Don’t You Dare; 6.  Let Go 

Publicist:  Red Boot PR

Review:  Rosi Golan took a one-year creative break before recording her latest Collecting Bullets, and it has paid off in spades.  This is truly one of the best indie pop albums we have heard in 2017, with a dynamic sound that reminds us of Mandi Perkins and Of Verona.   We really love both of her singles, “Underneath” and “OMG,” and truly expect to hear these tunes on the radio in the not too distant future.   The harmonies between Golan and Madi Diaz on “OMG” are heavenly, and deserve repeated listens.  If her live performance is even half as good as these recorded tracks, then we highly suggest you get out and see her perform if she comes to your area.

Recommendation:  Truly spectacular, Rosi Golan deserves your attention.  If you want to be one of the cool kids, then we highly recommend you pre-order this EP, which will be released on July 14, and then put it on repeat.  It will make your day.