Happy first Hump Day of 2018. We’re back with five more reviews for you, leaving only 12 more which we’ll get out by Sunday. Once that’s complete, we will prepare our list of Top American Indie Albums of 2017, Top International Indie Albums of 2017, and Top EPs of 2017, before preparing our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards for the second half of 2017. In order to be considered, the album, EP, single, or video had to be released between July 1 and November 30 of 2017. We had to cut back on this cycle’s eligibility period because of the surplus of submissions. The eligibility period going forward will be December 1 through May 30 for the first half awards, and June 1 to November 30 for the second half awards. Now, back to our reviews.
Artist Name: Ben Anderson
Album Name: YouTopia
Label: Chromodyne
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Clay Pigeon; 2. Absentia; 3. Goodbye Serenity; 4. Lukewarm
Publicist: Chromodyne
Review: With a bevy of interesting sounds and textures, the music surrounds you in its complexity. Although discordant at times, somehow Ben Anderson makes it work together. Add to that the amazing lyrical content and the strong and smooth vocals and you have music that is commercially viable and suitable for placement in television and film. His tunes begin acoustic, but build layer upon layer until they reaching their satisfying climax. We also love that the four songs are all part of one concept, and that the accompanying music videos will be released as three parts of a trilogy. Definitely give this guy a chance. “Goodbye Sereny” is our favorite track.
Recommendation: He’s worth the risk – we recommend you grab his EP.
Artist Name: Miller Campbell
Album Name: Sweet Whiskey
Label: Self-released
Genre: Country
Track Listing: 1. All Summer’s Breaking Loose; 2. Obsession; 3. Ghosts of Fidalgo; 4. One Step; 5. Emmeline; 6. Baby Back off of Me; 7. Sweet Whiskey
Publicist: Ever Kipp
Review: For a young lady from Washington State, Miller Campbell has taken to classic country like she was raised in Nashville. Her lyrical content reflects her youth, but the music is downhome country, and suitable for country dancing, drinking and partying all night long. Campbell performed at our Western Montana Fair this year, and totally wowed the crowds with her country sound. This young lady has a tremendous future ahead of her, and should definitely consider moving to Nashville to further pursue her goals. She has some of the same feistiness of early LeAnn Rimes and Taylor Swift, without the pop music influence. Check out the fiddle on “Ghosts of Fidalgo” and the Linda Ronstadt vibe on “One Step.” Our favorite track is “Baby Back off of Me.”
Recommendation: Hop on the train early before it leaves the station – this one’s a keeper.
Artist Name: Sam Marine
Album Name: Big Dark City
Label: Self-released
Genre: Roots Rock
Track Listing: 1. Big Dark City; 2. Dawn Come and Gone; 3. Freeze em Out; 4. I’ll Soon be Gone; 5. Mike Lee
Publicist: KG Music Press
Review: Sam Marine has been creating a name for himself on the California Country scene, playing alongside such indie greats as Rod Melancon, Jamie Wyatt and Sam Morrow. Consequently, it only made sense that Marine would choose Brian Whelan to produce this EP, especially considering Whelan’s track record this year with mega hits for Rod Melancon and Chris Shifflet, as well as his pedigree as the lead guitarist for Dwight Yoakam. His songs are pure roots rock, his lyrics are well written and his raspy vocals have been compared to Tom Petty and Springsteen. The bottom line is this EP rocks, and we are proud to add it our list of the best EPs of 2017.
Recommendation: Don’t hesitate – Get this one today!
Artist Name: The County Liners
Album Name: Mary Jane Dunphe & Chris McDonnell in the County Liners
Label: Wharf Cat Records
Genre: Americana
Track Listing: 1. Love Letter; 2. Walkin’ Out; 3. Maria; 4. The County Line; 5. Oklahoma
Publicist: Promo Juke Box
Review: Very strong effort, with top-notch guitar rifts, soaring and unique vocals, and a total package that keeps your toes a-tapping and makes your body want to get out and cowboy boogie. Both sets of vocals are haunting and draw the listener into the story line and the mood of the song with hook after hook. We just wish they could get the notes right! Great job, however, on the cover of Lucinda Williams’ hit “Maria.”
Recommendation: In a year of some many great alt-country and roots rock artists, and the amazing albums they have generated, you should probably just Forget this one, unless tonal quality is not a priority for you.
Artist Name: Ryan Sims
Album Name: My Side of the Story
Label: High 4 Recordings
Genre: Country Rock/Americana
Track Listing: 1. Get Away; 2. American Things; 3. Black and Blue; 4. Tragedy; 5. Red Head; 6. Before I Sell Myself; 7. Little Ms. Bad Decision
Publicist: MSO PR
Review: We must admit that we have been waiting to review this one ever since our friend Jason “Slim” Gambill, the guitar player for Lady Antebellum, raved about working with this artist. Ryan Sims has been paying his dues for quite a few years, but finally broke out in 2011 when he was chosen to perform on The X Factor. For this EP, he had help from the aforementioned Gambill, as well as Darryl Jones (Rolling Stones), Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, John Mellencamp) and Kim Bullard (Elton John). The result is a dream come true for true music lovers. Sims has a voice that squarely puts him alongside his superstar peers like Brad Paisley, Diercks Bently, and Florida Georgia Line. These songs have “HIT” written all over them, starting with the rocking tracks “Get Away” and “American Things.” “Black and Blue” has that Tim McGraw feel while “Tragedy” reminds us of one of Collin Raye’s tearjerkers. “Redhead” is a beautiful waltz with a sweet story. Sims closes out with a pair of rockers, “Before I Sell Myself” and “Little Ms. Bad Decision.” Truly one of the great EPs of 2017.
Recommendation: Add this one to your list of must-haves. Get it now!
