Tag: Noisy Ghost PR

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Oak House, Omega Vague, Desert Culture

Our second Get it or Forget it article today features three more bands from the Noisy Ghost PR roster.   Sit back and check them out as we review their latest releases.

Artist Name:  Oak House

Album Name:  Hot or Mood

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock/Psychedelic

Track Listing:  1.  Damp Eyes; 2.  Reticence; 3.  Spirit; 4.  Cut That Out; 5.  Esque; 6.  Seventeen; 7.  Mundane; 8.  Song of Myself; 9.  Around the Room; 10.  Spring 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Oak House is a band that cannot be pigeonholed into any particular musical genre.  With elements of rock, psychedelic, grunge, and experimental, their music is in a category all itself.  With the release of their sophomore album, Hot or Mood, on April 7, the world will soon be able to taste musical greatness from these Georgia boys.   Be warned – this is not your typical indie rock album, and we are excited to see where their career takes them from here.  Every song brings out a different nuance of their music, and keeps the listener occupied with its creativeness.  We believe their music should be enjoyed by every true audiophile, and only wish we could check them out at a live show to see how it translates in concert.  We especially like the tracks “Spirit,” “Cut That Out,” “Esque” (which is their first single), “Mundane,” and “Song of Myself,” which are all different and unique and provide a good representation of the total package.

Recommendation:  If you like more than the average indie release, and enjoy music that separates itself from the rest, then this is the album for you.  We recommend you go and Get It.

Artist Name:  Omega Vague

Album Name:  Aversion/Reversion

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Dream Pop/Prog-Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Afraid; 2.  Awake; 3.  Drown; 4.  Hideaway;  5.  Cringe; 6.  Forever; 7.  Resolve 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Omega Vague is a project created by Craig Douglas, who wrote, sang and played all the instruments on the album, as well as producing it.  It is a modern take on anthemic indie music, incorporating portions of dream pop, shoegaze, darkwave, minimal ambient and prog-rock.  It is well conceived and performed, creating a wave of musical sounds that envelope the listener with a sense of peace and dreaminess, providing a worthy audio backdrop to daily life.  We think it would make a wonderful addition to any music lover’s library.

Recommendation:  We simply love this album, and highly recommend you Get It when it is released on April 14.  It should be a necessary part of your daily life.

Artist Name:  Desert Culture

Album Name:  They’re Not Gone

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Buffalo; 2.  Elva; 3.  Terlingua; 4.  Badlands; 5.  Desert Theme; 6.  Matagorda; 7.  C Minor; 8.  Texarkana 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  One of the best things about Texas is that so many of their artists are unafraid of combining different musical styles into their own creations.  Desert Culture fits that description to a “T,” combining surf rock, country, and Latin into a unique combination that is reminiscent of Dick Dale and the music of the movie Pulp Fiction.  From the first notes of “Buffalo,” it becomes immediately obvious that this is a work of musical genius.  It is clearly the type of album you put on and then listen straight through, as every song builds on its predecessor, culminating in a musical climax that is worth the wait.  All hail to Daniel Vega and Desert Culture, who are setting the bar extremely high and whose music is like an oasis in a desert, providing much needed audio relief to our day-to-day dreariness.

Recommendation:  This one is a true no-brainer – you simply MUST Get It.  This album is scheduled for release on April 28, but we highly recommend you pre-order it today.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Joe Goodkin, my education, Chris Shiflett

We’ve got a couple of articles for you today while we review six more great indie albums, including the latest from the amazing guitarist of the Foofighters, Chis Shiflett.  Be prepared for some amazing tunes.

Artist Name:  Joe Goodkin

Album Name:  Record of Loss

Label:  Quell Records

Genre:  Folk Singer-Songwriter

Track Listing:  1.  Nothing to Lose; 2.  Never Come Back; 3.  Charlie and Roger; 4.  Sarah and Julie; 5.  Eric and Gina; 6.  For the Loss 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Folk music keeps a record of our lives and legacy, and keeps them alive by retelling those stories in song.  Our country has not had a true troubadour since Woody Guthrie, but we believe that his successor has finally arrived in the person of Joe Goodkin.  His latest effort, Record of Loss, is the second in a trilogy of albums about life and loss.  His first album, Record of Life, was released to rave critical review and his second album picks up where the first left off.   Besides the deeply personal nature of the songs, with lyrics that create word pictures that strike deep within your soul, what sets this record apart is the fact that it is recording using just a guitar and voice, although that guitar contains up to  eight layers within each song.  It is impossible to listen to these songs without having them impact you, unless you’ve lived in a cave for the majority of your life.  They deal with such issues as ALS, suicide, divorce, abortion and euthanasia, topics few songwriters will touch.  The overall effect is an album that is brutally honest but still uplifting.

Recommendation:  This album is not for everyone, but if you’re brave enough to face the truth about your frailties and weaknesses, it just may surprise you with its uplifting truth.  We highly recommend you add Joe Goodkin to your list of favorite musicians.

Artist Name:  my education

Album Name:  Schiphol

Label:  Headbump Records

Genre:  Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Intro; 2.  Open Marriages; 3.  Coordinates; 4.  Class A; 5.  Krampus; 6.  This Time Let’s Rock; 7.  Grey An; 8.  Reekei Plume Plucked Minnow; 9.  Reprise (Coordinates) 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Unless you listen primarily to jazz, classical or movie scores, you probably don’t care too much for pure instrumental tracks.  If that is the case, we want to introduce you to my education, a rocking band out of Austin, Texas that just might change your mind.  With a sound reminiscent of some of the great prog-rock bands like Rush and Kansas, my education has released a sweet mix of tunes that combine elements of rock, classical and strings to create the perfect soundtrack for your life.  These lad were chosen Austin American-Statesman as the Artist of the Month for March, right during SXSW, and even a casual listen will explain why.  Their music is like a symphony of why we love rock music, with guitars, strings, discordant notes and chords that stimulate the mind with the sounds of true music.  We also recently shared their music video with you and truly believe that this band has a great future and a place in today’s musical world.

Recommendation:  This album is the perfect addition to your musical library, and should be part of your daily relaxation and/or stimulation session.  We highly recommend you Get my education and look forward to more from these forward-thinking musicians.

Artist Name:  Chris Shiflett

Album Name:  West Coast Town

Label:  SideOneDummy Records

Genre:  Alt Country

Track Listing:  1.  Sticks & Stones; 2.  West Coast Town; 3.  Goodnight Little Rock; 4.  Room 102; 5.  The Girl’s Already Gone; 6.  Blow out the Candles; 7.  I’m Still Drunk; 8.  Cherry; 9.  Tonight’s not Over; 10.  Still Better Days 

Publicist:  Sacks and Co.

Review:  Although you may be most aware of the talents of Chris Shiflett as the lead guitarist for the Foofighters, he is a most talented solo artist as well, with a sound reminiscent of two of Bakersfield’s finest – Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakum.  His voice is perfect for the alt-country/Americana sound and his tantalizing guitar licks provide just the right background for his storytelling lyrics.  His music is the perfect blend of old and modern country, and is ripe for radio and for placement in a variety of movies and television shows.  We love every song on this album, but are most excited by the title track, “Goodnight Little Rock,” “The Girl’s Already Gone,” “Blow out the Candles,” and “Cherry,” which has a Vince Gill sound and a great two-step beat.

Recommendation:  Although the album will not be officially released until April 14, it is currently available at live shows, and can be pre-ordered online on the website.  We highly recommend this album and consider it to be one of the best we’ve heard in 2017.  Definitely Get It.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday Mashup 2017: Vol 11

Sorry about the past two weeks, but we have been hit with computer problems on our desktop, losing the CPU fan and, of course, the part is out of stock everywhere.  We have been forced to go back to our trusty lap top computer for the foreseeable future.

Consequently, we are offering a rare Wednesday edition of our Monday Mashup because we just couldn’t wait until next Monday to share indie news and these amazing videos with you.

REDHEAD EXPRESS SIGN LABEL DEAL

We are proud to announce that one of our favorite indie bands,  Redhead Express, have signed a record deal with a major indie label.  The band recently shone during their time at CRS in Nashville, and as a result, not only will they be signed to the label, but will also be the stars of a reality show based on the label.  We send our love and best wishes to these four amazing sisters, and wish them well in the future.  We will continue to update you here about their successes.

THE WILD NOW RELEASE VIDEO AND PERFORM AT SXSW

Noisy Ghost PR client The Wild Now just finished performing at SXSW and released a music video for their song “Run for Your Life,” ahead of the release of their new EP Afterglow, which is set for May 19.  We will be reviewing their new EP shortly, but in the meantime, enjoy this amazing video.

CHELSEA WILLIAMS RELEASES NEW ACOUSTIC VIDEO

Blue Élan Records artist Chelsea Williams has released another acoustic music video in support of her EP Little Halo – Demo Sessions.  Check out her incredible vocals and enjoy the simplicity of her song “Boomerang.”

my education releases dreamy video for ‘Class A’

Need some soothing background music?  Check out the new video by my education for their single “Class A” off their recently released album Schiphol.  This eight minute video should provide the perfect background for reflection, meditation or just chilling.

Have a wonderful first week of Spring and we’ll be back soon with more indie news, reviews and videos.  Please let us know what you think of this series and all of the rest of the content on Indie Voice Blog.  We love hearing from you.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: JERK, Solilians, Spelling Reform

It’s the last day of November and time for another Get it or Forget.  Today we’re reviewing three Noisy Ghost PR clients, with three totally different sounds.  As we get closer to Christmas, sit back and learn about some new music you may want to check out for the holidays.

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Artist Name:  JERK

Album Name:  Jerk

Label:  Very Jazzed

Genre:  Dance Pop

Track Listing: 1.  Couch Surf; 2.  Accidents; 3.  Delicacy; 4.  Robert Palmer; 5.  Stand Tall 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  With a dense bed of bass and booming rhythms, JERK provides some interesting tunes that will have you dancing in no time at all.  Composed of Austin Smith, Zach Alderman and Vicki Lynn, this band knows how to boogie.  Unashamedly inspired by the music of ABBA, JERK builds on their danceable disco flavor to create its own style.  The vocal harmonies build their home on the perfect foundation, giving the listener a taste of the greatness that awaits this band.  Their songs bear a striking resemblance to Twenty-One Pilots, so if you like them, you’ll love JERK.  All five songs are wonderfully created, but “Delicacy” has the kind of unique sound that would play well on the radio, especially college or public radio.

Recommendation:  Definitely add JERK to your holiday shopping plans.  We’re sure there’s someone on your list that would enjoy these beats, so be sure to Get It.

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Artist Name:  Solilians

Album Name:  Shin

Label:  Goodbye Better

Genre:  Psychadelic World Pop

Track Listing: 1.  Hine Ma Tov (Merc Yes mix); 2.  Hatikvah The Next Generation; 3.  Lamedvavniks; 4.  Rev’s Gold; 5.  Hine Ma Tov (Space Drone Dream mix); 6.  I have Been, and Always Shall be, Your Friend; 7.  Planet Binah; 8.  Post – Rev’s Reprise 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Solilians’ debut release contains some interesting sounds that would fit best in a futuristic sci-fi film, say a remake of Blade Runner.  Based on Middle Eastern and Hebraic music, Solilians transform these ancient notes into something that is distinctly other-worldly.   Their version of “space rock” makes an ideal soundtrack for watching your favorite anime, but is not the stuff you would put on just to listen to.  This band has a place in the grand musical scheme, but their music will probably not appeal to the general public.

Recommendation:  Unless you are a fan of futuristic soundtracks, you will probably not want this disc.  We recommend to most of you that you just Forget it.

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Artist Name:  Spelling Reform

Album Name:  No One’s Ever Changed

Label:  Black Rd Records

Genre:  Indie Pop Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Microscope; 2.  Expiration Date; 3.  Tuscaloosa; 4.  For Clair Patterson; 5.  Everyone Else’s Experiences; 6.  No One’s Ever Changed; 7.  Tourniquet; 8.  Everybody’s Going Home With Someone Else; 9.  Let’s Start Over; 10.  Drag Your Horse; 11.  The Coolest Guy 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Imagine if Weird Al was the lead vocalist of an energetic indie rock band and you have a good understanding of the magic of Philly-based Spelling Reform.   With driving guitars, frenzied vocals and interesting lyrics, these four lads are destined to take the Indie Rock community hostage with their unique blend of music.  We can only imagine how much fun they must be during a live performance, and would love to have the opportunity to do just that.  This is definitely the type of album you put on and listen to from start to finish, it’s that good.  We love it.

Recommendation:  If you don’t rush out and Get It, you should have your head examined.  These guys know how to rock and we expect they will be rocking for a long time to come.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: No One Mind, Racing Heart, Affordable Hybrid

Welcome back to another edition of Get it or Forget It.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to review indie music, and to let you know what we think of it before you give your hard earned cash away.  Take a moment from all the Thanksgiving preparation and join us as we discuss three new releases from Noisy Ghost PR’s talented client base.

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Artist Name:  No One Mind

Album Name:  Self-titled

Label:  Third Uncle Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Folk Wagon; 2.  Tiger; 3.  In the Valley; 4.  Revenge; 5.  I Don’t Know who you Are; 6.  Big Talking Man; 7.  Grey Days; 8.  Bad Attitude; 9.  Island of Hours 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  No One Mind (“NOM”) was created by Ellis Anderson, Noah Dehmer and Missy Thangs after their previous musical partnerships had dissolved in betrayal and acrimony.  Fused together on a musical base of traditional rock and pop, NOM brings their message from the perspective of both the accuser and the accused, creating an interesting sound along the way.  Based on the material contained in their debut album, we believe that this band still has a lot to say.   Stand out tracks include “In the Valley,” “Revenge,” “I Don’t Know who you Are,” and “Big Talking Days.”

Recommendation:  NOM has a truly unique sound within the indie community, and a message that needs to be heard.  If you like music that is outside the norm, then this is the band for you.  Take a chance on this as yet unknown band and Get It.

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Artist Name:  Racing Heart

Album Name:  What Comes After

Label:  Misra Records

Genre:   Experimental/Electronica

Track Listing:  1.  Flogging a Dead Horse; 2.  That Doubt Remains; 3.  Bargaining Chip; 4.  New Economy; 5.  Letters From the Compound; 6.  Sleep With my Fists Clenched; 7.  A Prayer From our Leaders; 8.  New Economy (Slight Return); 9.  Badlands; 10.  Squaring the Circle; 11.  What Comes After 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  What Comes After is the sophomore release for Norwegian artist Mathias H. Tjønn, who calls his solo project Racing Heart.  The album is full of political statements about many different issues, including recession, power, conflicts with no clear enemies and those caught in the crossfire.  The sound is fresh and diverse, helped in no small part by the creativity and musical genius of Jenny Hval, who contributed both lyrics and vocals.  The album is a definite departure from the type of music we usually hear, but that departure is a badge of honor as Racing Heart continues to find its voice.  Best tracks include “That Doubt Returns,” “Letters from the Compound,” “Sleep With my Fists Clenched,” “Badlands,” and “Squaring the Circle.”

Recommendation:  Racing Heart brings a lot of meat to its material, creating a diverse and fresh sound that crashes through supposed musical barriers to deliver hard hitting social commentary.  We recommend you Get it.

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Artist Name:  Affordable Hybrid

Album Name:  Bat/Roky

Label:  Flannel Gurl Records

Genre:  Post-punk

Track Listing:  1.  Bat; 2.  Roky

 Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Affordable Hybrid is a four-piece post-punk band from Sweden which has not released any music since 2009.  On their latest two-song 7″ vinyl EP, they reintroduce themselves with a frenzied sound that immediately draws the listener in and puts a spell on their ears and mind.  Both songs are best listened to loudly, and offer hope that this band is back on the scene.  Welcome back to Lars Ludvig Löfgren, Samuel Järpvik, György Barocsai and Mikael Björklund.  The music world and music lovers everywhere have missed you.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get It.  The energy alone is worth the price.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Get it or forget it: Chrome Pony, Save the Clocktower, Night School

After a crazy weekend of work and football, it’s good to be back writing more reviews in our Get it or Forget it series.  We are once again featuring artists submitted by Noisy Ghost PR, and we still have seven more to review.  Sit back, enjoy your Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day holiday, and learn about these amazing indie artists.

chrome-pony

Artist Name:  Chrome Pony

Album Name:  Past Lives

Label:  Seagreen Records

Genre:  Psychedelic retro Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Road Dope; 2.  Eugene; 3.  Mr. Mister; 4.  Ragged Child; 5.  White Witch; 6.  There he Goes

 Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Unfortunately, the publicist only sent me six of the ten tracks on this album, but what she sent gives a strong indication of the type of material this band has to offer.  With a throwback sound to the psychedelic music of the 60’s with a touch of grunge, these boys know how to rock.  Fronted by brothers Tyler and Kyle Davis, Chrome Pony has amassed a strong Nashville following which has encouraged them to take their music to Europe, where they recently completed a tour with Cage the Elephant.  This album would have been a great soundtrack for the Austin Powers movies, especially the “Ragged Child” track.   Listening to “Mr. Mister,” I almost expected the voice of Mick Jagger, since this track has the unmistakable sound of being under the influence of the Rolling Stones, just as “White Witch” sounds influenced by the Doors/Rolling Stones.  This band is just plain fun.

Recommendation:  If you have a  hankering for a modern day approach to the music of the 60’s, then you should definitely check out Chrome Pony.  In our humble opinion, definitely Get It.

save-the-clocktower

Artist Name:  Save the Clocktower

Album Name:  Taboo

Label:  None

Genre:  Electronic indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Taboo; 2.  Something Different; 3.  Twenty One

 Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Chicago based Save the Clocktower have recently released a short three song EP.  The EP follows their 2011 debut album Carousel and their 2012 follow-up Through the Glass, which collectively garnered music placements with NPR’s World Café, MTV, E!’s Keeping up with the Kardashians and in Victoria Secret stores nationwide.  The band has a unique sound that while electronic, is dreamy and sufficiently non-mainstream as to immediately make it different enough to stand out.  Best friends Greg Newton, Sean Paras, and Jimmy Shenk reunited with their own friend James “Umbrella” Washington to create this rich sound that will keep your toes tapping and encourage you to get up and boogie.  Enjoy.

Recommendation:  If you like cutting edge music that throws caution to the wind, then this is the band for you.  Enjoy the soundtrack of your life and definitely Get It.

night-school

Artist Name:  Night School

Album Name:  Blush

Label:  Graveface Records

Genre: Indie pop/rock

Track Listing:  1.  These Times; 2.  Last Disaster; 3.  Casanova; 4.  City Kiss; 5.  Misty and Blue; 6.  Airplanes; 7.  Hypnotized; 8.  Teen Feelings; 9.  Lost; 10.  Pink 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  This first thing you notice when listening to these three ladies from Oakland is amazing organic guitar riffs that provide the perfect backdrop for their amazing harmonies.  Even though the band has only been making music since 2014, they sound like they were born performing together.  Their sound is so rich and multi-layered and their harmonies are so tight, we can see a long career ahead for  Alexandra, Baylie and Cheyenne.  Check out how much fun they have in the video for their second track, “Last Disaster.”  Blush is their first full length release, and we believe there will be many more.  Best tracks include  “Last Disaster,” “Casanova,” “City Kiss,” “Airplanes,” and “Lost,” although quite frankly the entire album is kick ass.

Recommendation:  Night School is an amazing collaboration, and Blush is a trendsetting release that should make these ladies a household name.  We highly recommend you get off your ass and get out to your favorite record store and Get It.

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Artists Worth Checking Out Reviews

Get it or forget it: Starlight Girls, TW Walsh, Hospital Ships

As a reviewer, we love to create relationships with publicists, and no publicist has shown us as much diversity as Noisy Ghost PR.  In fact, sometimes we get so many requests, it takes a while to get to them all.  But we intend to review every artist submitted, and we are starting to catch up by reviewing three of the artists submitted early in 2016.  We apologize for the delay in reviewing these albums, but we have been a little overwhelmed lately with so many new releases this year.  We will do our best to catch up as quickly as possible, and hope that our readers will enjoy learning about these dynamic artists represented by Noisy Ghost PR.

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Artist Name:  Starlight Girls

Album Name:  Fantasm

Label:  none

Genre:  Retro Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Intrigue; 2.  Lodestar; 3.  Lion in a Cage; 4.  Hero; 5.  Inhibitionist; 6.  Cobra; 7.  $9,000,000; 8.  Red Rover; 9.  La La Lune; 10.  Fancy 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Starlight Girls call their style of music “spy-rock,” but even a casual listen can hear the influence of 80’s new wave in their tracks.  Listening to their songs one can only imagine how much energy the band must exert during a live show, as the beat is intense, the mood is upbeat and the lyrics are memorable.   By the third track, the style and intensity turn dark and gothic, but no less enjoyable.  This band has a way to transcend genre and create music that should appeal to all true music lovers.  It’s hard to pick any tracks that stand out because they are all good, but we were particularly impressed with “Intrigue,” “Lodestar,” “Hero,”  “Inhibitionist,” $9,000,000,” and “Fancy.”  This is one of the finest Noisy Ghost PR albums we have reviewed to date.

Recommendation:  This one is a no brainer.  If you love music, and especially bands that make music without trying to fit into any particular genre or style, then you will love Starlight Girls.  We are proud to give Fantasm a rating of Get It or Else.

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Artist Name:  TW Walsh

Album Name:  Fruitless Research

Label:  Graveface Records

Genre:  Retro-futuristic techno pop

Track Listing:  1.  Public Radio; 2.  Shallow Water; 3.  Young Rebels; 4.  Body-Mind; 5.  Fundamental Ground; 6.  Monterrey; 7.  Counting Cards; 8.  The Bright Void; 9.  Chocolate Milk; 10.  The Glow 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Musically, this album is all over the place, with obvious influences of bands like ELO, The Fixx, and The Beatles, to name a few.  This is one of those albums that you cannot in a million years put into a box.  It defies categorization, and evokes true musical freedom and artistic vision.  TW Walsh is a musical genius, and that brilliance is played out in these diverse 10 tracks.   Our favorite tracks were “Public Radio, “Young Rebels,” “Monterrey,” “The Bright Void,” and “The Glow.”  This entire album is a true work of art.

Recommendation:  Fruitless Research is an audiophile’s dream release.  With its myriad of styles and influences, every music lover should be able to find something they can identify with.  As such, we are proud to give this release two thumbs up and a definite Get It rating.

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Artist Name:  Hospital Ships

Album Name:  The Past is not a Flood

Label:  Graveface Records

Genre:  Impossible to describe – must be experienced

Track Listing:  1.  You and I; 2.  Long may You; 3.  Oh my Light; 4.  All in Time; 5.  Little Flower; 6.  Nothing to Hide 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Hospital Ships is the moniker used by Jordan Geiger for his solo projects, when not making music as part of such groups as Shearwater, Des Ark and Minus Story.  The Past is not a Flood is his fourth release as Hospital Ships, and his sixth record recorded with producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, The Walkman, Modest Mouse).  It is a true collaborative effort with many of his friends contributing to the project, including Thor Harris of Swans.   The result is an eclectic musical mix that spans the decades.  This album doesn’t feel like it has individual tracks, just movements in a grand symphony.   As such, we don’t feel that singling out any particular track would do this album justice.

Recommendation:  This album is unique in its approach, and as such, will probably not appeal to everyone.  If you have an eclectic musical palate, then you will probably enjoy it, but if you just want to hear a quick song, it probably not appeal to you.  We are happy to give it a Get it rating.

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Artists Worth Checking Out

Juliana Wilson captures the airwaves with the release of “Blah Blah Blah”

You may not have heard of Juliana Wilson yet, but if the impact from the release of her first single, “Blah Blah Blah,” is any indication, you definitely will be hearing about her soon.  Amazingly, Wilson is only 13 years old, yet she already possesses a maturity and understanding of music that her much older peers are still struggling to learn.

Wilson was discovered in November 2014 by Matty Amendola, a Brooklyn-based producer and artist development specialist.  Amendola and his team at 825 Records immediately began honing Wilson’s performances skills on stages throughout New York City after signing her to a developing artist deal.

Wilson has been dubbed by Girl’s Life Magazine as “the next big thing,” and touted by Music Connection Magazine as someone “expected to pique the interest of music supervisors worldwide.”

Her teaser video for her song “I Know a Girl,” which was released in April 2016, is a powerful pre-cursor to what the future holds for this most promising new artist.  She is currently working on the music video for “Blah Blah Blah,” which she hopes to release shortly.

In the meantime, she recently performed as part of the SheRocks Showcase at the 2016 summer NAMM show in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her label head Amendola has also reported that Wilson has completed recording a full-length album, but that no release date has been set.  According to Amendola, “This is only the starting line for a long marathon.”

Her publicist, Noisy Ghost PR says it best in their press release:

“Deftly expressing her point of view with poignant lyrical content (sometimes riddled with sarcasm), Juliana’s warm and intimate tone surfaces forcibly through wide echoes of ambient backdrops and dynamic indie-driven pop alike.  With content as unique as it is relatable, Juliana’s visual storytelling sets the scene for any listener by combining universal narratives with conceptual standpoints throughout every song.”

To find out more about this future superstar, check out her website and Facebook pages, follow her on Twitter and subscribe to her label’s YouTube channel.

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Reviews

Atoms and Void bring new life to prog rock

Atoms and Void cannot accurately be considered a “band,” although the music they produce is amazing and unequalled in today’s marketplace.  Rather, they are a unique collaboration of musicians with a joint mission to breathe new life into the indie music scene.

At the heart of Atoms and Void is a friendship and songwriting collaboration between guitarist and lyricist Arlie Carstens, formerly of the band Juno, and audio engineer Eric Fisher.

According to their official release, “the two began recording songs onto 4-tracks, answering machines, micro-cassette recorders, laptops and iPhones.  They recorded in cramped apartments, empty houses and tiny rehearsal spaces in Los Angeles. They recorded in real and make believe studios in Seattle, Shoreline, Sunland, Santa Monica, Studio City, Echo Park, Angelino Heights, Highland Park and downtown Los Angeles, (as well as) Portland, San Francisco, Boston, Austin, Mexico City and New York.”  In total they recorded 33 songs, of which they chose 12 for their debut album, And Nothing Else, which is being released on vinyl on May 20, 2016 on Artic Rodeo Records.

The list of musicians and audio engineers who have joined them on this album is impressive, and includes Nate Mendel (Sunny Day Real Estate, Foo Fighters, Juno, Lieutenant), Gabe Carter (Juno), Jay Clarke (Pretty Girls Make Graves, Jaguar Love), Cory Murchy (Minus the Bear), Morgan Henderson (Blood Brothers, Fleet Foxes, Cave Singers), Rosie Thomas (Sufjan Stevens), Eric Akre (Treepeople, Built To Spill, Juno), Joel Cuplin (Constant Lovers, Triumph of Lethargy), Josh Myers (The Fire Theft, Jeremy Enigk, Rosie Thomas), Drew O’Doherty (Ted Leo & the Pharmacists), Griffin Rodriguez (Icy Demons, Need New Body), Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Big Business, Lieutenant), Kory Kruckenberg (J. Tillman, The Revenant), Jenna Conrad (Avians Alight, Damien Jurado), and Lena Simon (Pollens, La Luz, Kairos).

The album has already spawned three videos, and “Feathers from a Bird” is worthy of inclusion at major film festivals as a true work of art.

If you are a true audiophile and love real music, we highly recommend you check out Atoms and Void.  For more info on them, check out their website and Facebook pages and most definitely subscribe to their YouTube channel.