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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2017 Women in Entertainment

Best indie albums of 2017

Here’s our list of the best indie albums of 2017.  Some of them were nominated and/or won LA Music Critic Awards during the first half of 2017, and most of the rest will be included when the nominations for the second half of 2017 are announced on January 17.  Consider this your “sneak peak” of those nominations.  Every album on this list has been reviewed in the “Get it or Forget it” column of our Blog.  How many of them do you have?

Honorable Mention:  Even though we have selected 25 albums for our list, there were a few that didn’t make the list, but deserve mention, including Ride by Marc Berger, Find the Silver Lining by Kelly Fitzgerald, Little Folks Like You and Me by Mike Younger, Small World by Monica Chapman and Honestly by Jay Asher.  Definitely check out these albums.

25.  The East Pointers, What we Leave Behind – This award-winning Canadian band has what they need to break into the American music scene.

24.  Becca Richardson, We are Gathered Here – Check her out at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on January 20.

23.  Harper Grae, Break Your Crowns – Definitely check out this rising star from Nashville.

22.  Rusty Young, Waitin’ for the Sun – Young was the former lead singer for Poco, and the band has reunited to support his solo artist.  This is his first solo effort for Blue Élan Records.

21.  The Show Ponies, How it all Goes Down – The band recently announced they would be disbanding and this album was their final one.  They were an LA Music Critic Award winner during the first half of 2017.

20.  Elizabeth and the Catapult, Keepsake – Check her out when she performs at Sundance this year.

19.  Great Willow, Find Yourself in Los Angeles – This band is becoming a player on the Americana circuit.  Check them out live if you live near there.

18.  Bryan Stephens, Village of Dreams – Another great Blue Élan Records artist.

17.  Jeffrey Halford & the Healers, Lo-Fi Dreams – Another LA Music Critic Award multiple nominee from the first half of 2017.

16.  Ray Goren, Me – This past LA Music Critic Award winner has a great future ahead.

15.  Marina V, Born to the Stars – This Russian-born singer-songwriter is one of a kind.  Welcome back to the charts.  More than 65,000 worldwide fans can’t be wrong.

14.  Chris Daniels and the Kings, Blues with Horns – This indie artist has had a storied career and his latest is one of his best.

13.  Chelsea Williams, Boomerang – Another premier act from Blue Élan Records, she will also be performing at Sundance.

12.  Jangling Sparrows, 140 Nickels – Watch for these guys near the top of the Americana music scene.

11.  Andrea Harsell and Luna Roya, Something for the Pain – This band is a Missoula, Montana staple that is definitely going places.

10.  Halladay Quist, self-titled – Another Montana artist with a family legacy of musical excellence.

9.  Gina Sicilia, Tug of War – Another Blue Élan Records artist who is at the top of her game.  Multiple LA Music Critic Award winner.  Watch for her 8th album coming soon.

8.  Amilia K. Spicer, Wow and Flutter – Another past LA Music Critic winner, this is one of the best Americana albums released in quite a while.

7.  Seasonal BeastMuscle Memory – One of our best “finds” this year, watch for great things from this New York duo.

6.  Breaking Grass, Warning Signs – Another multiple LA Music Critic Award winner, this band is redefining bluegrass music.

5.  Wendy Sweetlove, Dirty Sunday – She was nominated for several LA Music Critic awards right out of the gate,  She is definitely an artist worth checking out.

4.  Janey Street, In my Own Skin – Reigning LA Music Critic Icon Award winner, she is another of the special breed of artists signed to Blue Élan Records.

3.  Rod Melancon, Southern Gothic – Multiple LA Music Critic Award winner, he is the last of these artists signed to Blue Élan Records.  He is currently touring Sweden.

2.  Katie Costello, Twice the Love – This artist has consistently produced award winning albums.  She also had one of the Best EPs of 2017.

1.  FreeWorld, What it is – The pride of Memphis, this band is redefining American Blues.  Check them out the next time you’re in Memphis.

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

Get it or forget it – FXRRVST, The East Pointers, Dave Kerzner, Roslyn Moore, McKee Brothers

It’s been almost a month since our last album reviews, and as you can imagine, we have quite a few left from 2017.  We will do our best to get them caught up by the end of the year.  As such, we will now be reviewing five albums each time to help in that process.  Here we go.

Artist Name:   FXRRVST

Album Name:   May XXVI

Label:   Self-released

Genre:   Folk Rock

Track Listing:   1.  Road to Nowhere; 2.  Picture Frames; 3.  Drown Me; 4.  Parks; 5.  Tidal Wave; 6.  Lovely; 7.  Safe House; 8.  June 8th; 9.  Roofs

Publicist:   Last Tango Productions

Review:   The first thing that grabbed our attention was the amazing lead vocals of Holly Forrest and the harmonies of Matthew Fuentes, and the perfect accompaniment underscoring those vocals.  FXRRVST is a Canadian import that should do very well in the States.  They have already taken Canada by storm, and secured a nomination for Best Indie Act from the Toronto Independent Music Awards.  Their music is soothing with intelligent lyrics and a groove that incorporates the best parts of folk, indie rock and Americana.  Every single track is memorable – we love them all.  We especially love the obvious Blue October influence on “Tidal Wave.”  If this is the quality of their debut full-length album, then we can’t wait for the next one.

Recommendation:   Don’t even think about it – you simply must Get this one for your musical library.

Artist Name: The East Pointers

Album Name:   What we Leave Behind

Label:   Self-released

Genre:   Celtic

Track Listing:   1.  Tanglewood; 2.  82 Fires; 3.  Party Wave; 4.  Two Weeks; 5.  What we Leave Behind; 6.  Miner’s Dream; 7.  Pour Over; 8.  The Crossing; 9.  John Wallace; 10.  No Bridge too Far; 11.  Hid in Your Heart

Publicist:   Penney and Logan

Review:   OMG!  It’s no wonder that this band won the JUNO Award for Best Traditional Roots Album for their debut album back in 2015, and are surely in the running for another one for this album.  As a true connoisseur of Celtic music, The East Pointers definitely hit all our buttons – great fiddle and vocals, well crafted story songs and the added cherry of some amazing banjo and drums.  Although we are used to the mandolin in a Celtic band, Koady’s banjo skills more than make up for the lack of mando.  We love the mixture of instrumentals with story songs, in true Celtic tradition.  Here’s another album that is amazing from start to finish.  Consequently, we love every song, and especially “82 Fires” and “Party Wave.”  This one is perfect for the whole year, and not just to pull out in March.

Recommendation:   Get this one like there’s no tomorrow.  It is a MUST for every music aficionado.

Artist NameDave Kerzner

Album NameStatic

Label:  RecPlay

Genre:  Prog Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Prelude; 2.  Hypocrites; 3.  Static; 4.  Reckless; 5.  Chain Reaction; 6.  Trust; 7.  Quiet Storm; 8.  Dirty Soap Box; 9.  The Truth Behind; 10.  Right Back to the Start; 11.  Statistic; 12;  Millenium Man; 13.  State of Innocence; 14.  The Carnival of Modern Life

Co-Manager:  ACR Management

Review:  Dave Kerzner may be familiar to lovers of Prog Rock, as he was the co-founder of the band Sound of Contact, along with Simon Collins, son of Genesis drummer Phil Collins.  This album is a prog rock opera, and not since Jesus Christ Superstar have we heard anything this awesome.  There is perfect harmony between the guitars, keys, drums and vocals.  Special guests Steve Hackett (Genesis), Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd), Nick D’Virgilil (Big Big Train) and Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) join regulars Fernando Perdomo, Randy McStine, Matt Dorsey and Derek Cintron.  The music has the distinctive flavor of Pink Floyd, and is a welcome addition to the indie rock community.  The music will provide the perfect soundtrack for a night of reflection and relaxing.

Recommendation:  Get. It. Now.

Artist Name Roslyn Moore

Album NameTropic of Cancer

Label:  Borderline Musick

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Mermaid Heroin Prologue; 2.  The Burbs 17; 3.  Deep Blue; 4.  XO; 5.  Cream; 6.  Electric Pill Intermission; 7.  Hazy/Agents at the Ferris Wheel; 8.  The Great Escape/15 Rounds; 9.  Coke & Weed; 10.  Shampoo 17; 11.  The Beach; 12.  Mermaid Heroin Epilogue

Publicist:  None

Review:  Roslyn Moore subtitles her latest release “A Desert Opera.”  It is the perfect album to follow the masterpiece created by Dave Kerzner, and with its dark tones, underscores why Moore calls her music “Gloompop.”   Her vocals remind us of The Bangles meet Avril Lavigne, and despite the darkness of the music, are still upbeat.  These songs would be perfect for placement in numerous television shows, and deserve industry attention.  The harmonies are dreamy, with just the right amount of scoring beneath to portray a ship lost at sea, just before an encounter with creatures from the deep blue.  This is an album that would make your daily escape into a delightful musical journey.  Despite the numerous “F-bombs” on “XO,” the rest of the album is more or less appropriate listening material for all ages.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  You need to Get this one for your collection.

Artist NameThe McKee Brothers

Album NameMoon Over Montgomery

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Delta Blues

Track Listing:  1.  Pig Feet; 2.  Confidential; 3.  I Feel Like Dynamite; 4.  Worried About Tomorrow; 5.  You Know how I Lie; 6.  Moon Over Montgomery; 7.  Kicks; 8.  Bayou Man; 9.  Go 2 Work!; 10.  Where you Gettin’ It?; 11.  Runaway Love; 12.  Late at Night; 13.  Remember When; 14.  Flat, Black & Circular; 15.  Blues of the Month Club; 16.  Celebrate me Home

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  What do you get when you cross blues with Americana, cajon rhythm & blues and New Orleans jazz?  Why, the McKee Brothers, of course.  Their sound is full and hearty, like Southern cooking, with a healthy dose of guitar and horns.  The vocals are authentic and fit the music perfectly.  Each song has a special place in this collection, and combine to form a solid soundtrack for a Louisiana Saturday Night.  Favorite tracks include “I Feel Like Dynamite,” “Worried About Tomorrow,” the title track, “Bayou Man,” “Go 2 Work!,” “Where you Gettin’ it?,” “Blues of the Month Club,” and the simply amazing cover of “Celebrate me Home.”

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk, and Get this one.  It’s the hottest thing out there right now!