So the heavy snow never materialized but we still got lots of freezing rain. Luckily, today was a better day, and our Lady Griz won again to go 2-0 in the conference. In celebration, here are five more reviews for your New Year’s Eve Eve. Enjoy them.
Artist Name: Peter Simpson
Album Name: Return of the Dilettante
Label: Verified Records
Genre: Alternative Rock
Track Listing: 1. All my Tomorrows; 2. She’s Gone; 3. Stain in the Sand; 4. Stare at the Sun; 5. Every Time we say Goodbye
Publicist: None
Review: After being a part of the Australian music scene for 20 years, beginning in the 80’s, Peter Simpson has returned as a solo artist, recording the songs he has been writing during his 20 years of absence from music. These five songs bode well for his potential, and reaffirm his role as a musical pioneer. All of the songs are great, and deserve industry attention as a voice of the future. They have a strong guitar soundtrack, well-written lyrics, and capable and strong vocals. We especially love “She’s Gone” and “Stare at the Sun.”
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a listen. We encourage you to Get it and see what we mean.
Artist Name: Downfall 2012
Album Name: We Welcome the Pain
Label: Self-released
Genre: Metal
Track Listing: 1. Take Control; 2. Find Your Enemy; 3. Attack Point; 4. We Welcome the Pain; 5. Fooled Once; 6. Save the Queen; 7. Don’t Give In (Nine More Lives); 8. The Mission; 9. Forward Movement; 10. Make us One; 11. End Credits
Publicist: Yvonne Laughlin
Review: With strong drums and guitar riffs, vocals that are sung and screamed and a strong message, Downfall 2012 is not your typical metal band. As such, they will find an audience beyond the normal metal crowd, as their music is good enough to deserve industry attention. The first track, “Take Control,” would work on radio, and be perfect for placement in television and film. It firmly establishes this band as a voice for their generation. It is hard to believe that this incredible music comes from a trio of musicians. Besides “Take Control,” we also love “Find Your Enemy,” “Don’t Give In (Nine More Lives),” “The Mission,” “Forward Movement,” and “Make us One.”
Recommendation: If you are a die-hard metal fan, then you must add this one to your collection. For any true music lover, we recommend you also consider it. If you don’t like rock music, then you’d best forget it.
Artist Name: Peter Oren
Album Name: Anthropocene
Label: Western Vinyl
Genre: Americana
Track Listing: 1. Burden of Proof; 2. Anthropocene; 3. Falling Water; 4. Chain of Command; 5. Throw Down; 6. Canary in a Coal Mine; 7. New Gardens; 8. Pictures from Spain; 9. River and Stone; 10. Welcome, Goodbye
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: We can pretty much guarantee you’ve never heard a voice like Peter Oren. It’s part Leonard Cohen, part Josh Turner, and totally unique, with its deep bass throatiness. The lyrics are cleverly written, and the studio musicians he and his producer Ken Coomer have assembled are some of the best in Nashville, including Michael Webb (John Fogerty), Maureen Murphy (Zac Brown Band), Sam Wilson (Sons of Bill) and Laur Jaomets (Sturgill Simpson). This is an album for reflective times when you just want to separate yourself from the world around you. We really love the title track, “Falling Water,” “Throw Down,” “New Gardens,” “Pictures From Spain,” and “River and Stone.”
Recommendation: Get it – you’ll thank us later.
Artist Name: The Zephyr Bones
Album Name: Secret Place
Label: La Castanya
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Black Lips; 2. Hurricanes; 3. I’ve Lost my Dinosaur; 4. Jugular Child on the Carousel; 5. Las Olas; 6. Penny’s Week; 7. Secret Place; 8. September; 9. Telephone; 10. The Arrow of our Youth
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Light, dreamy, airy and upbeat – these words describe the awesomeness of Secret Place, the debut album of The Zephyr Bones. It is music without compartmentalization, free of genre restraint, and perfect for all types of musical tastes. We previously shared their music video for “Telephone” in our Monday Mashup column on December 12, but that song was only the tip of the iceberg for what is included in their album. Best tracks include “I’ve Lost my Dinosaur,” “Jugular Child on the Carousel,” “Las Olas,” “Penny’s Week,”” the title track, “September,” “Telephone.,” and “The Arrow of our Youth.”
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.
Artist Name: Sierra Blanca
Album Name: Honorable Mention
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Folk
Track Listing: 1. Broken Gun; 2. Book; 3. Paint the Road; 4. Beds; 5. Former Core
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: Jethro Gaglione aka Sierra Blanca is a self-taught, multi-instrumentalist who began playing music while in Mexico as part of his parents’ missionary team. Beginning with keys, he has also mastered bass, guitar and drums since moving back to the States in 2002. He created the Sierra Blanca name when he relocated to Nashville in 2015. With his rich vocals and well-written lyrics, he has the complete package to continue to grow as an artist, and his music should receive serious industry consideration. All five songs on the EP are amazing, but we really love “Broken Gun,” “Book,””Paint the Road,” and “Beds.”
Recommendation: Get it, sooner rather than later.