Happy Independence Day to all our indie music lovers. We’ve got a great bunch of reviews for you today, so let’s get this show going.
Artist Name: Slowtrip
Album Name: Blur
Label: Anchor Eighty Four Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Follow; 2. 02 2004; 3. Slowtrip – Makeshit Happiness; 4. Secondary
Publicist: Earshot Media
Review: Despite the fact that the members of Slowtrip are also members of three other hardcore bands, the combination created by the consolidation of their combined talents is more indie rock than hardcore. These four songs offer hope that this is not just another indie rock band. This band has something to say, and couch their message in solid, hard-hitting rock that will draw listeners in. This band has definite potential. If you live in or near their Orange County, California stomping grounds, we highly recommend that you go and check them out. The vinyl edition of their EP will be released on July 13.
Recommendation: Definitely give them a try. This EP is worth the risk.
Artist Name: Waydown Wailers
Album Name: Backland Blues
Label: Woodstock Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Back Door Woman Blues; 2. I Want Your Soul; 3. Done Somebody Wrong; 4. Another Bump in the Road; 5. No Mercy; 6. Dizzy Miss Lizzy; 7. Every Passing Mile; 8. Somewhere in the Middle; 9. I’m on the Hunt; 10. State of the Union – remix; 11. Lover of the Bayou
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Hailing from the area in upstate New York that borders Canada, the Waydown Wailers combine elements of classic rock bands like The Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers with British invasion bands like The Byrds to form their own version of gritty, dirty blues. This album combines eight original tunes with covers of classic tunes from Elmore James (“Done Somebody Wrong”), The Fab Four (“Dizzy Miss Lizzy”) and a deep cut from The Byrds (“Lover of the Bayou”), the song they chose to close out this amazing set of tunes. This album is great from start to finish, and belongs on your TGIF playlist, especially the sweet “No Mercy” and “Somewhere in the Middle,” which are more roots rock than blues.
Recommendation: Get out there and Get this one!
Artist Name: Tuxedo
Album Name: III
Label: Musarañas Records
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. III; 2. Sigue Hablando; 3. Enviado Desde mi iPhone; 4. Mi Deporte Favoito; 5. Intolerancia; 6. La Espigayla Tormenta; 7. Victoria; 8. La Explanada; 9. La Vida Aqúi
Publicist: Musarañas Records
Review: Tuxedo comes to us from Spain, and immediately hit us with some amazing psychedelic and electronic sounds on the title track, a spectacular instrumental tune with layer upon layer that will stay in the listener’s memory long after the song is over. When the vocals arrive on the second track, they are haunting, rich and very memorable, despite the foreign language. You can sense the meaning through their delivery and the tone set by the underlying instrumentation. We would place these guys right beside the Gipsy Kings as proof of the quality of music that still emanates from the Spanish peninsula. Regardless of whether the song has vocals or not, this band rocks and deserves your attention.
Recommendation: You must Get this one – it will become one of your favorites.
Artist Name: Frankie Simone
Album Name: Love//Warrior
Label: Infinite Companion
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. War Paint; 2. Blow my Mind; 3. Love//Warrior; 4. Queer; 5. Love You Just the Same
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: Frankie Simone delivers pop music that is reminiscent of Gwen Stefani and Nicki Minaj. It is music that makes you want to get up and dance and belongs in the house mix of every DJ in America. Not only is it just plain good music, it also has a message about accepting yourself and reveling in your differences. It belongs on Top 40 radio, especially “Blow my Mind,” and should be in the catalog of every smart music supervisor, as these songs would do well as placements in film and television, especially the title track.
Recommendation: If you love to dance, or you believe that love should conquer hate, then this is the one for you. Get it now.
Artist Name: The Mountain Carol
Album Name: Starkiller and the Banshees
Label: Third Eye Industries
Genre: Electro-pop
Track Listing: 1. Dino; 2. The Mountain Carol; 3. Essex Ferry; 4. Adventure Safari; 5. Sway; 6. Shadow Puppets; 7. The Party’s Over
Publicist: Behind the Curtains Media
Review: We featured the music video for the lead track, “Dino,” in our first Monday Mashup in May, and little did we know that it would be just the tip of the iceberg of the amazing material forthcoming from this intriguing band that has a futuristic but retro sound. You will love their hard driving sound which is reminiscent of new wave bands like Talking Heads. This is music that definitely sets the mood, and will prepare you for something different. This band is not afraid to experiment, and still delivers well rounded grooves that you will never forget. This is not melodic music with smooth vocals – it is raw and edgy stuff that will help the band to rise to the top of the indie world. We think this album has something for just about everyone.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.
