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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – Peter Simpson, Downfall 2012; Peter Oren, The Zephyr Bones, Sierra Blanca

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 NamePeter Simpson

Album NameReturn 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 NameDownfall 2012

Album NameWe 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 NamePeter Oren

Album NameAnthropocene

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 NameThe Zephyr Bones

Album NameSecret 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 NameSierra Blanca

Album NameHonorable 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.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out LA Music Critic Awards Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2017: Vol. 43

Day three of hospice care and I’ve discovered that this is definitely not for the faint of heart.  My brother and I are working hard to provide care for our Dad.  I had no idea how much work is involved in that.  Mad props to anyone who does this for a living.  Taking a break from duties while the hospice nurse works on him and thought it was time to work on our Monday Mashup.

WENDY SWEETLOVE SELLS OUT CD RELEASE SHOW

Wendy Sweetlove, who we introduced to you a few months back at our LA Music Critic Award winners showcase, recently performed at Hotel Cafe for a sold-out house, performing all the songs from her recent release Dirty Sunday.   Alana Sweetwater opened the show, and we wish we could have been there.  From what we hear, it was one of the best shows of the year.

KELLY McGRATH SIGNS NEW PUBLISHING DEAL

Kelly McGrath, who just returned from a tour of the UK, signed a new publishing deal with Luna Music Group, and released her holiday single on iTunes.  We expect even greater things from this indie superstar in the new year.

NEW SINGLES

First up is the latest from powerhouse band FlecHaus with “Finding.”  This one is a keeper – let it inspire you this season.

Next check out “Big G,” the latest from Neosho.  This one has enough energy to get you up and dancing with encouragement for the new year.  Let us know what you think.

Our last new single today comes from the band Echo City.  The tune is called “Burn Me,” and it definitely gets our flames arising.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Our first video today is “Shooting Stars” by Mellott.  We love this lyric video with its awesome background of shooting stars – it is perfect.  Enjoy.

Our next video, “Paint the Road,” by Sierra Blanca, has visually stunning cinematography and a beautiful story sung with a incredibly strong voice.  Please share this one with your friends.

Our final video for the week is “Rise” by Sluka, an intense protest song complete with images to drive home his point.  Let us know where you stand.