Tag: The Persian Leaps

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

Get it or forget it – Keith Stone with Red Gravy, Shoshy, Birds and Arrows, The Persian Leaps, Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm

Happy Halloween – no tricks for you today, just five new treats.  We hope you enjoy this diverse group of artists.

Artist Name:  Keith Stone with Red Gravy

Album Name:  Keith Stone with Red Gravy

Label:  Self-release

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:   1.  Ain’t That the Blues; 2.  Love Done put me Down; 3.  You Ain’t got Nothing; 4.  Red Gravy; 5.  Crazy in Love With You; 6.  Don’t Count me Out; 7.  Blue Eyed Angel; 8.  Time to Move On; 9.  Hard to Have the Blues; 10.  Something in the Water

Publicist:  Frank Roszak Promotions

Review:  The music of New Orleans is world famous for its intensity, drive, and style.  Add  the blues into that mix and you have Keith Stone with Red Gravy, a local band that is starting to take the world by storm.  This is blues you start to feel deep down in your soul until it takes over your whole body and leaves you with no choice but to get up and dance.  This music is tailor-made for placement on such shows as NCIS: New Orleans, among others.  This band deserves industry attention and a bigger stage.  Jump on the train before it leaves the station.

Recommendation:  If you love the blues and the music of New Orleans, then you simply MUST add this one.  Go Get it today!

Artist Name:  Shoshy

Album Name:  GAMERGIRL

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Intro; 2.  Pansy Dreams Parts 1&2; 3.  What’s the News; 4.  ULTRA MINI // Life me Up; 5.  Clouds; 6.  In Bloom; 7.  Love Crimes; 8.  Melting; 9.  Floating; 10.  The End; 11.  Spirited Away // It wouldn’t have made any difference; 12.  If it’s not the End

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Inspired by the myriad of games on Nintendo, England based singer-songwriter Shoshy Boo delivers an interesting collection of indie/alt pop songs.  With her sweet voice, Shoshy brings the listener into her world of fantasy, creating mental images that peacefully co-exist with the music and images that Nintendo created for these games.  In fact, some of these songs would make great radio tunes, especially “Pansy Dreams.”  For the most part, the songs are short and sweet.  We also love her mashup within her cover of Todd Rundgren‘s “It Wouldn’t Have Made any Difference.”  She reminds us of indie artist Lenka, and we think she has the potential to do well on the indie music scene.

Recommendation:  Definitely worthy of your time – check it out today on BandCamp.

Artist Name:  Birds and Arrows

Album Name:  Arbitrary Magic

Label:  Baby Gas Mask Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Overloaded; 2.  No Hand me Downs; 3.  Adrift; 4.  Stay Down; 5.  All Souls Sell Out; 6.  The Distance that we Drive; 7.  San Jacinto; 8.  Animatronic Heart

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We have loved this group since we first heard of them, and are so happy that they have finally released an album.  They were nominated last year for an LA Music Critic Award for their single, “Stay Down,” and the album includes a ton of new songs that are every bit as worthy of critical acclaim as that single.  In addition, the album is a political statement of our current government, giving lead vocalist Andrea Connolly and her partner, Pete Connolly, a wealth of material on which to write some amazing songs, including what could become the anthem for the mid-term election cycle, “Overloaded.”  There isn’t a weak track on this album.  All hail the new face of rock and roll.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk, and Get this one Today!

Artist Name:  The Persian Leaps

Album Name:  Pop That Goes Crunch

Label:    Self-released

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  See me Unaware; 2.  The Weather; 3.  Firestarter; 4.  Dottie, Queen of the West; 5.  Picture my Reaction; 6.  Pretty Boy; 7.  Under the Lilacs; 8.  Silent Treatment; 9.  Entropy; 10.  Hard Feelings; 11.  About the Lions; 12.  Anthem; 13.  Terribly Happy; 14.  Not That Brave; 15.  Truth = Consequences; 16.  Even Less; 17.  Time Slips; 18.  Sleepless

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:  This album is a remixed/remastered anthology of the band’s five previous EPs and one new single, “Time Slips.”  We previously reviewed the band’s Bicycle Face EP last year.  We must admit that this time around the band has seriously improved on their sound, and are ready to take their next step towards becoming a well-known band.  These songs are definitely radio worthy, and would do well on the college radio circuit.  Best tracks include “Dottie, Queen of the West,” “Picture my Reaction,” “Under the Lilacs,” “Entropy,” “Anthem,” “Not That Brave,” and the new single, “Time Slips.”

Recommendation:  This anthology is worthy of your collection.  Grab it.

Artist Name:  Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm

Album Name:  Bankruptcy

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Bankruptcy; 2.  Lady Loretta (radio edit); 3.  Crosshairs; 4.  Earth Mother

Publicist:  ABIK Radio Promotions

Review:  This new four-song EP comes about six months after their previous release Shoot me Down, which we reviewed back in May.  Lee Ainley proves once again that she is one of the hottest blues/rock singers in Europe and probably the world with her soulful tunes that will appeal to most lovers of rock, soul and the blues.  She gives to the blues what Janis Joplin gave to rock – a true front-woman who knows how to deliver great jams.  You can’t go wrong with any of these four songs, and we bet they will become some of your favorites.

Recommendation:  Don’t waste any more time – go Get this one!

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it – The Persian Leaps, Surf Rock is Dead, Jon Langford, RVBY MY DEAR

We’re winding down through the September releases, with only 12 more after this batch,  We have four very eclectic bands for you today.  Hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed reviewing them.

Artist Name:  The Persian Leaps

Album Name:  Bicycle Face

Label:  Land Ski Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Picture my Reaction; 2.  On the Downside; 3.  Even Less; 4.  About the Lions; 5.  Pushpins

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:  The Persian Leaps release an EP every year, and Bicycle Face is their fifth.  It contains five high energy rocking songs that will help get the cobwebs from between your ears as they deliver their well-written lyrics in a perfect indie rock/power pop package.  Their previous releases have received critical acclaim, and their latest one will surely earn more of the same.  Their publicist pointed us to focus on tracks 1 and 3, and we would tend to agree, although we personally enjoyed track 3 more than track 1.  All in all this is a worthy effort, and we look forward to what next year brings.

Recommendation:  Just released on September 22, you can Get this one now.

Artist Name:  Surf Rock is Dead

Album Name:  We Have no Friends?

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  In Between; 2.  As If; 3.  Everything They Said; 4.  White Salsa; 5.  Fitting the Mold

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Their music definitely has a new wave feel as they bring us their version of Dream Pop enveloped in an 80’s vibe, like A Flock of Seagulls meets Howard Jones.  The result is music that brings back memories for those of us who lived through the 80’s, and creates fond memories for those who didn’t.  All five songs are worthy of attention, but we really love “As If.”  The band will be celebrating with an EP release party on October 6 at Rough Trade NYC, so if you happen to be in the Big Apple then, we recommend you check them out live.

Recommendation:  The EP was just released on September 22, so Get it now so you’ll know all the songs before the Release Party.

Artist Name:  Jon Langford

Album Name:  Four Lost Souls

Label:  Bloodshot Records

Genre:  Folk Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Poor Valley Radio; 2.  Natchez Trace; 3.  I Thought he was Dead; 4.  In Oxford Mississippi; 5.  Mystery; 6.  Half way Home; 7.  Fish out of Water; 8.  What’s my Name; 9.  Masterpiece; 10.  Snake Behind Glass; 11.  I Felt my Courage Fail; 12.  Indestructible; 13.  Waste

Publicist:  Bloodshot Records

Review:  Jon Langford has a sound that marries country with folk rock, reminiscent of Cat Stevens.  His songs are well crafted with witty lyrics, incredible harmonies, and a simple musical accompaniment that highlights his vocals.  The pedal steel adds a unique depth to the music that further complements the songs, especially on “Poor Valley Radio.”  The music revs up a bit with “Natchez Trace,” before returning to the slow and steady rhythm of “I Thought he Was Dead,” with its bluesy feel and amazing female lead vocals.  Langford shows his love for his hometown in the song “In Oxford Mississippi.”  “Mystery” reminds us of those girl group ballads of the 60’s.  Other sounds that caught our interest include “Fish out of Water,” the rocking “What’s my Name,” the soft and dreamy “Masterpiece,” “I Felt my Courage Fail,” and “Indestructible.”

Recommendation:  You should definitely Get this one, as it will bring back memories of days gone by, while creating memories of the future of indie music.

Artist Name:  RVBY MY DEAR

Album Name:  Cycles

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt Pop

Track Listing:  1.  10-17; 2.  Try; 3.  Cycles; 4.  Draw

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  RVBY MY DEAR aka Gabbi Cosnen comes to America via Perth, Australia, and we are sure glad she has arrived.  Her music is dreamy and radio-friendly pop, with a voice that hasn’t been on American radio since Dido.  The first track, “10:17,” which is also her first single, leaves no doubt that this young artist has come to capture the hearts of her new home.  The remaining three songs are just as sweet, and leave us wanting much more.  We can only hope that a full-length album will arrive soon.  Until then, just put Cycles on repeat and find your happy place in her succulent voice and sweet sound that envelopes you with hope and love.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer – you had better Get it or you will truly miss out.