Category: Get it or Forget it

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it International Wildlife Film Festival Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it: Gigi Rich, Hush Machine, Jimmy Urine

Can’t believe it’s April and still snowing, although it was perfect this morning for our River Nature Walk as part of the International Wildlife Film Festival.  Good to know that we’ve got some great indie music to warm us up and get us ready for a music-filled summer.  Check out our reviews of these three great artists!

Artist Name:  Gigi Rich

Album Name:  All in my Head

Label:  None

Genre:  Pop/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Mr. Bossman; 2.  Stupid; 3.  Some Kind of Crazy; 4.  Still Want You; 5.  All in my Head 

Publicist:  None

Review:  We have always had a soft spot for pop & soul performers, and are proud to welcome Gigi Rich and her debut EP to that list.  From the first glance at the cover art, you realize what a beautiful lady she is, but from her first notes, you realize that beauty is shining forth from the inside out.  Her EP hits the ground running with the lead track, “Mr. Bossman,” and goes nowhere but up from there.  This five-song EP is simply too short and leaves the listener wanting much much more.   All five songs are outstanding, and we really love her music video for the third track, “Same Kind of Crazy,” which we shared in yesterday’s Monday Mashup article.  If you love power ballads, we think “Still Want You” will become your go-to jam.

Recommendation:  OMG, this lady can sing.  We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Ms. Rich.  In the meantime, we highly recommend her debut EP All in my Head, and urge you to Get It ASAP.

Roger de La Fresnaye (French, 1885 – 1925 ), The Watering Can (Emblems: The Garden), 1913, oil on canvas, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon 2014.18.26

Artist Name:  Hush Machine

Album Name:  Hush Machine

Label:  Jigsaw Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Batter Up; 2.  Congress Hotel; 3.  Diner; 4.  Realize (Hands on the Wheel); 5.  So we can Dance; 6.  Sorry; 7.  Try Forever; 8.  U Best 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Hush Machine is the alter ego of pop guitarist Sam Boatright, only 21 years old but light years ahead of his peers.    Although written four years ago, they are just being released to the world via his debut self-titled album, which is finally being released on April 21, 2017.   The music is reminiscent of an upbeat Plain White T’s song, and lifts the listener’s spirits as only good positive music can.  The upbeatness continues throughout the album, as more and more of his influences are revealed, like Oingo Boingo and Tears for Fears.  Boatright does not have the best voice, but he more than makes up for it with the sheer brilliance of his musical compositions.  Best tracks on the disk are “Batter Up,” “Diner,” “So we can Dance,” and “Try Forever.”

Recommendation:  If you’re all about the vocals, then this is not the album for you.  But if you can look beyond its vocal shortcomings, then Hush Machine provides quality musical entertainment.  We are proud to recommend that you Get it when it comes out on Friday.

Artist Name:  Jimmy Urine

Album Name:  The Secret Cinematic Sounds of Jimmy Urine

Label:  The End Records

Genre:  Electro-punk

Track Listing:  1.  Fighting with the Melody; 2.  I Want to be Human; 3.  Phase; 4.  Final Level; 5.  End Boss; 6.  All Together Friends Forever; 7.  Patty Hearst; 8.  Not for Me; 9.  Aching Addicted Affection Again; 10.  Salome; 11.  Beethoven Symph 7 Alleg Mvt 2; 12.  Available on Betamax; 13.  Lento Romantico Erotic Incubo; 14.  Based on a True Story 

Publicist:  The End Records PR

Review:  Some of you may be familiar with the music of Jimmy Urine’s band Mindless Self Indulgence, but unless you play a lot of video games, you may not have heard this side of his creativity.  It’s obvious upon even a casual listen why his music is popular for movie soundtracks, television and video games.  In fact, some of his music will be included in the soundtrack for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 movie to be released this summer.  Best tracks include “Fighting with the Melody,” “I Want to be Human,” “Phase,” “Patty Hearst,” and “Salome.”

Recommendation:  This album is set for release on April 28, and we recommend you pre-order it now.  It is a great album that provides a stirring soundtrack for your everyday living, and we highly recommend that you Get it.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Oak House, Omega Vague, Desert Culture

Our second Get it or Forget it article today features three more bands from the Noisy Ghost PR roster.   Sit back and check them out as we review their latest releases.

Artist Name:  Oak House

Album Name:  Hot or Mood

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock/Psychedelic

Track Listing:  1.  Damp Eyes; 2.  Reticence; 3.  Spirit; 4.  Cut That Out; 5.  Esque; 6.  Seventeen; 7.  Mundane; 8.  Song of Myself; 9.  Around the Room; 10.  Spring 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Oak House is a band that cannot be pigeonholed into any particular musical genre.  With elements of rock, psychedelic, grunge, and experimental, their music is in a category all itself.  With the release of their sophomore album, Hot or Mood, on April 7, the world will soon be able to taste musical greatness from these Georgia boys.   Be warned – this is not your typical indie rock album, and we are excited to see where their career takes them from here.  Every song brings out a different nuance of their music, and keeps the listener occupied with its creativeness.  We believe their music should be enjoyed by every true audiophile, and only wish we could check them out at a live show to see how it translates in concert.  We especially like the tracks “Spirit,” “Cut That Out,” “Esque” (which is their first single), “Mundane,” and “Song of Myself,” which are all different and unique and provide a good representation of the total package.

Recommendation:  If you like more than the average indie release, and enjoy music that separates itself from the rest, then this is the album for you.  We recommend you go and Get It.

Artist Name:  Omega Vague

Album Name:  Aversion/Reversion

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Dream Pop/Prog-Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Afraid; 2.  Awake; 3.  Drown; 4.  Hideaway;  5.  Cringe; 6.  Forever; 7.  Resolve 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Omega Vague is a project created by Craig Douglas, who wrote, sang and played all the instruments on the album, as well as producing it.  It is a modern take on anthemic indie music, incorporating portions of dream pop, shoegaze, darkwave, minimal ambient and prog-rock.  It is well conceived and performed, creating a wave of musical sounds that envelope the listener with a sense of peace and dreaminess, providing a worthy audio backdrop to daily life.  We think it would make a wonderful addition to any music lover’s library.

Recommendation:  We simply love this album, and highly recommend you Get It when it is released on April 14.  It should be a necessary part of your daily life.

Artist Name:  Desert Culture

Album Name:  They’re Not Gone

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Buffalo; 2.  Elva; 3.  Terlingua; 4.  Badlands; 5.  Desert Theme; 6.  Matagorda; 7.  C Minor; 8.  Texarkana 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  One of the best things about Texas is that so many of their artists are unafraid of combining different musical styles into their own creations.  Desert Culture fits that description to a “T,” combining surf rock, country, and Latin into a unique combination that is reminiscent of Dick Dale and the music of the movie Pulp Fiction.  From the first notes of “Buffalo,” it becomes immediately obvious that this is a work of musical genius.  It is clearly the type of album you put on and then listen straight through, as every song builds on its predecessor, culminating in a musical climax that is worth the wait.  All hail to Daniel Vega and Desert Culture, who are setting the bar extremely high and whose music is like an oasis in a desert, providing much needed audio relief to our day-to-day dreariness.

Recommendation:  This one is a true no-brainer – you simply MUST Get It.  This album is scheduled for release on April 28, but we highly recommend you pre-order it today.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Joe Goodkin, my education, Chris Shiflett

We’ve got a couple of articles for you today while we review six more great indie albums, including the latest from the amazing guitarist of the Foofighters, Chis Shiflett.  Be prepared for some amazing tunes.

Artist Name:  Joe Goodkin

Album Name:  Record of Loss

Label:  Quell Records

Genre:  Folk Singer-Songwriter

Track Listing:  1.  Nothing to Lose; 2.  Never Come Back; 3.  Charlie and Roger; 4.  Sarah and Julie; 5.  Eric and Gina; 6.  For the Loss 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Folk music keeps a record of our lives and legacy, and keeps them alive by retelling those stories in song.  Our country has not had a true troubadour since Woody Guthrie, but we believe that his successor has finally arrived in the person of Joe Goodkin.  His latest effort, Record of Loss, is the second in a trilogy of albums about life and loss.  His first album, Record of Life, was released to rave critical review and his second album picks up where the first left off.   Besides the deeply personal nature of the songs, with lyrics that create word pictures that strike deep within your soul, what sets this record apart is the fact that it is recording using just a guitar and voice, although that guitar contains up to  eight layers within each song.  It is impossible to listen to these songs without having them impact you, unless you’ve lived in a cave for the majority of your life.  They deal with such issues as ALS, suicide, divorce, abortion and euthanasia, topics few songwriters will touch.  The overall effect is an album that is brutally honest but still uplifting.

Recommendation:  This album is not for everyone, but if you’re brave enough to face the truth about your frailties and weaknesses, it just may surprise you with its uplifting truth.  We highly recommend you add Joe Goodkin to your list of favorite musicians.

Artist Name:  my education

Album Name:  Schiphol

Label:  Headbump Records

Genre:  Instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  Intro; 2.  Open Marriages; 3.  Coordinates; 4.  Class A; 5.  Krampus; 6.  This Time Let’s Rock; 7.  Grey An; 8.  Reekei Plume Plucked Minnow; 9.  Reprise (Coordinates) 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Unless you listen primarily to jazz, classical or movie scores, you probably don’t care too much for pure instrumental tracks.  If that is the case, we want to introduce you to my education, a rocking band out of Austin, Texas that just might change your mind.  With a sound reminiscent of some of the great prog-rock bands like Rush and Kansas, my education has released a sweet mix of tunes that combine elements of rock, classical and strings to create the perfect soundtrack for your life.  These lad were chosen Austin American-Statesman as the Artist of the Month for March, right during SXSW, and even a casual listen will explain why.  Their music is like a symphony of why we love rock music, with guitars, strings, discordant notes and chords that stimulate the mind with the sounds of true music.  We also recently shared their music video with you and truly believe that this band has a great future and a place in today’s musical world.

Recommendation:  This album is the perfect addition to your musical library, and should be part of your daily relaxation and/or stimulation session.  We highly recommend you Get my education and look forward to more from these forward-thinking musicians.

Artist Name:  Chris Shiflett

Album Name:  West Coast Town

Label:  SideOneDummy Records

Genre:  Alt Country

Track Listing:  1.  Sticks & Stones; 2.  West Coast Town; 3.  Goodnight Little Rock; 4.  Room 102; 5.  The Girl’s Already Gone; 6.  Blow out the Candles; 7.  I’m Still Drunk; 8.  Cherry; 9.  Tonight’s not Over; 10.  Still Better Days 

Publicist:  Sacks and Co.

Review:  Although you may be most aware of the talents of Chris Shiflett as the lead guitarist for the Foofighters, he is a most talented solo artist as well, with a sound reminiscent of two of Bakersfield’s finest – Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakum.  His voice is perfect for the alt-country/Americana sound and his tantalizing guitar licks provide just the right background for his storytelling lyrics.  His music is the perfect blend of old and modern country, and is ripe for radio and for placement in a variety of movies and television shows.  We love every song on this album, but are most excited by the title track, “Goodnight Little Rock,” “The Girl’s Already Gone,” “Blow out the Candles,” and “Cherry,” which has a Vince Gill sound and a great two-step beat.

Recommendation:  Although the album will not be officially released until April 14, it is currently available at live shows, and can be pre-ordered online on the website.  We highly recommend this album and consider it to be one of the best we’ve heard in 2017.  Definitely Get It.

 

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

Get it or forget it: See, Emily Zuzik, Mark McKinney

After a long hiatus, we’re back.  Indie artists have been blowing up our email with news about their new releases, so it’s time to start returning the favor with the continuation of our review series, “Get it or Forget It.”  This edition will cover three amazing artists, with lots more to follow.  Grab your coffee and check them out.

Artist Name:  See

Album Name:  Ties

Label:  Blue Élan Records

Genre:  Electronica

Track Listing:  1.  Green Line Killer; 2  Closed Eyes Open; 3.  Blue Await; 4.  Potions; 5.  See Cries 

Publicist:  MAD Ink PR

Review:  Teenage sensation See is the youngest artist on Blue Élan Records impressive list of artists, but her potential for stardom cannot be denied.  Although her EP Ties was released last year, she is just beginning to create a buzz on the music scene, thanks in no small part to her YouTube channel, where she has been releasing acoustic versions of her songs, as well as her two official music videos.  Her first single, “Potions,” has received more than four million views, while her latest single, “Green Line Killer,” has already gotten more than 50,000 views in less than a week.

Needless to say, it really is all about the music, and all five tracks deliver, both musically and lyrically.  Although listed as “electronica,” her music has elements of rock and pop that underscore the extremely mature lyrical content.  Hard to believe See is only 19 years old.  We believe this artist will have a long career ahead, making her a worthy addition to the Blue Élan roster of Grammy winners and nominees.  We especially like the final track “She Cries,” which deserves radio airplay now.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  Definitely Get It and be the cool kid on the block as you share in her current and future success.

Artist Name:  Emily Zuzik

Album Name:  Angelenos

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Electronic pop-rock

Track Listing:  1.  Gravity; 2.  Alone; 3.  Spiritual Heart; 4.  Warrior; 5.  Oh Yeah (feat. Knower); 6.  Modern Lovers (Louis Cole remix) 

Publicist:  None

Review:   The music immediately grabs your attention and then that voice comes in, lifting your spirits as the lyrics open your mind to the amazing artist who has composed and performed these songs, which are nothing short of masterful.   This is one of those albums that you can just put on repeat and revel in the magic.  These songs are perfect for chilling, and should also find a home in the soundtrack of your favorite movie or television show.  The first notes of “Gravity” awaken your senses and makes you want to listen to the track all day.  That trend continues with “Alone,” for which we shared the music video back in January, and stand by our assessment that this artist is destined for greatness.  We especially like the instrumentals in “Spiritual Heart.”  The music takes a different turn on the final three tracks, with “Modern Lovers” being the best of the three.

Recommendation:  If you don’t rush out and get your copy of Angelenos, then you should seriously consider therapy.  This is one of the best releases of 2017, and we strongly recommend you Get it.

Artist Name:  Mark McKinney

Album Name:  World in Between

Label:  Texas Evolution

Genre:  Country

Track Listing:  1.  90 Miles; 2.  Bridge; 3.  Bacon & Eggs; 4.  Rainy Day Money; 5.  Sunshine; 6.  Alright; 7.  Yours; 8.  Stories; 9.  Close; 10.  Monday; 11.  Revolution 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Like Chris LeDoux and Pat Green before him, Mark McKinney has made a decent living playing his music in the great state of Texas.  However, with the release of his fifth studio album, World in Between, Texas can no longer contain his greatness, which is destined to spread throughout the US and the world.  If the songs on this new album are any indication, McKinney should become a household name and a regular on country radio, as well as a popular performer at the ACM and CMA.  His songs have a great musical feel that is conducive to a good two step, and his instrumentation will appease even the most sophisticated country music lover.  He immediately grabs our attention with “90 Miles” and “Bridge” before stealing our hearts with the dynamic “Bacon & Eggs,” and its amazing backing vocals by his wife Cassie.  On and on the hits keep coming.  This one is our early favorite for best  Country album of 2017.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk and Get It.  If you love country music that easily provides the soundtrack for life, then this is definitely the album for you.

 

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Derek Davis, Of Verona, Findlay

Welcome back to our review series, Get it or Forget it.  We’ve gotten quite a few new submissions since 2016 closed out, and we have been listening to them in preparation for the return of this series.  Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and learn about these three great artists and their latest offerings.

Artist Name:  Derek Davis

Album Name:  Revolutionary Soul

Label:  Apocalypse Records

Genre:  Classic Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Revolutionary Soul; 2.  Rapture; 3.  Valerie; 4.  Think About It; 5.  Love and Abuse; 6.  Nobody Knows you When You’re Down & Out; 7.  Vicious Heart; 8.  Woman’s Gotta Have It; 9.  King of Fools; 10.  Picture of Love; 11.  Stop!  Wait a Minute; 12.  All the Roads 

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  If Janis Joplin and James Brown had a child who grew up playing the music of Grand Funk Railroad, the result would be a fitting description of the musical style of Derek Davis.  Formerly the lead vocalist of Babylon A.D. , Davis combines the best elements of Joplin, Brown, Jim Morrison and GFR to create his own musical genre, which hits you right out of the box on the title track.  He especially shows off his abilities on covers of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” Jimmy Cox’s “Nobody Knows you When You’re Down & Out,” and Bobby Womack’s “Woman’s Gotta Have It, all of which he makes his own with his dynamic interpretations.  Of the rest of the self-penned songs, “Rapture,” “Think About It,” and “Love and Abuse” continue to showcase his rock side, while “Vicious Heart,” “King of Fools” and “Stop! Wait a Minute” highlight the R&B and soul side of his repertoire.  He wraps it all up with the heartfelt “All the Roads,” which is the perfect icing on this magnificent cake.

Recommendation:  This album releases next Tuesday, but we highly recommend you Get it  by any means possible.  This one will rock your world for years to come!

Artist Name:  Of Verona

Album Name:  Glass Beach

Label:  None

Genre:  Alternative Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Kids on the Street; 2.  Can you Hear Me; 3.  Under a Purple Sky; 4.  Glass Beach (interlude); 5.  Fleurs de la Lune; 6.  Bright Precious Things; 7.  Wish you Were Here; 8.  Miracles 

Publicist:  De Novo Music Management

Review:  We have followed the career of Mandi Perkins, lead singer of oV, as the band is affectionately known by is fans, for many years.  Their first album, The White Apple, released in July 2012, and its key single, “Dark in my Imagination,” has been streamed more than one million times, while other songs have received placements on such television shows as Grimm, Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Teen Wolf, and Stalker.  Their new album takes off from there, and should propel this dynamic duo even further into the musical stratosphere.   The first two tracks, “Kids on the Street,” and “Can you Hear Me” are already receiving massive attention while being constantly streamed on such sites as Spotify and SoundCloud.  There are no bad songs on this second masterpiece,  and their cover of Pink Floyd’s “Wish you Were Here” is especially poignant, not only capturing the true meaning of the song, but giving it that special oV treatment.

Recommendation:  If you love music that comes from the heart, and is true to itself, then we highly recommend you rush out and Get It.  This album, which was released on February 24,  is perfect for repeated listens and can form the soundtrack for your daily living.  Be one of the first to grab it and share it with your friends.

Artist Name: Findlay

Album Name:  Forgotten Pleasures

Label:  The End Records/Mint Records-BMG

Genre:  Electronica/Garage Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Electric Bones; 2.  Waste my Time; 3.  Stuck in Your Shadow; 4.  Greasy Love; 5.  Monomania; 6.  Junk Food; 7.  Off and On; 8.  Wild & Unwise; 9.  Forgotten Pleasures; 10.  Stoned and Alone; 11.  We are Never the Last; 12.  St. Elmo’s Fire; 13.  Sunday Morning in the Afternoon 

Publicist:  The End Records PR

Review:  Manchester, England born Findlay is an artist that has been around the industry and back again.  Signed to a major label at the tender age of 17, she found the arrangement stifled her creativeness.  Consequently, she created her own label, Mint Records, which is distributed by BMG in the UK and Europe and by The End Records in the United States.  She has had success in the European music festival scene, while writing and putting together the 13 songs on her debut indie album.  She’s inspired by such diverse creative muses as David Lynch and Michael Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.  Working with such great producers as her accompanist Jules Apollinaire, as well as Jake Gosling, Samy Osta and Flood, she has assembled an album that takes you on a musical journey across time and space.  The best tracks include “Electric Bones,” “Waste my Time,” “Monomania,” “Stoned and Alone,” “Sunday in the Afternoon,” and “St. Elmo’s Fire,” on which she collaborated with Carl Barat of the Libertines.  In addition, her song “Off & On” was used by BMW on a recent international campaign.

Recommendation:  If your musical tastes include artists like Bjork, Beck, Tame Impala and The Velvet Underground, then this is definitely the album for you.  It will be released on March 3, and we recommend you go out and Get it.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Imaginary Friends, AJ Hobbs, Andrea Hamilton

As 2016 draws to a close, we have one last Get it or Forget it to bring you.  We’ve reviewed a lot of great music this year and can hardly wait to see how 2017 turns out.  Watch out of the LA Music Critic Award nominations for the second half of 2016, which will be announced soon.

Artist Name:  Imaginary Friends

Album Name:  Falling Inward

Label:  None

Genre:  Indie Folk Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Spirits of Ballona; 2.  On my way to Nowhere; 3.  Shades of Fire; 4.  Don’t You; 5.  I Wanna be There; 6.  Heaven Knows; 7.  Karma Doesn’t Sleep; 8.  Keep Hope Alive; 9.  Never-Ending Nights; 10.  Forever and a Day; 11.  Generations 

Publicist:  None

Review:  Imaginary Friends is a musical collaboration featuring Stacy Robin, Donna Rawlins, David James and Tom McCauley, as well as special guest musicians.  This time around, those guests include Michael Yorky, Barrie Berg, Angie Taylor, Chris Garcia and Ed Gould.   From the first percussive beat of “Spirits of Ballona,” it becomes quickly evident that this is going to be a great record.  Add in those seamless harmonies of Robin and Rawlins, coupled with the backing vocals of James and McCauley, and Falling Inward becomes a must-have for every serious audiophile.  The perfection continues with “On my way to Nowhere,” a dreamy song that brings memories of CSNY. which is followed by the equally wonderful “Shades of Fire.”  The indie rock sound finally manifests itself in track 4’s delightful “Don’t You.”  The band even does a beautiful cover of Cindy Alexander’s “Heaven Knows” that truly captures her spirit and attitude.  James knocks it out of the park when he takes over lead vocals on “Karma Doesn’t Sleep,” before Robins returns with her mystical sound on “Keep Hope Alive.”  The album concludes with an amazing instrumental by McCauley.  Overall, every song is worthy of attention and will provide thoughtful insight into things we can do to make this a better world.  Thank  you Imaginary Friends.  You are true friends to the world.

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk to your computer and pre-order this CD, which will be released in January 2017.  You simply must Get it.

Artist Name:  AJ Hobbs

Album Name:  Too Much is Never Enough

Label:  Booker Records

Genre:  Country

Track Listing:  1.  Too Much is Never Enough; 2.  Life Without You; 3.  The Loser; 4.  The Bottle let me Down; 5.  Daddy Loved the Lord; 6.  Eastside; 7.  Shit Just got Real; 8.  Are you Going to Tennessee?; 9.  A Whole lot of You and Me; 10.  Take it Slow; 11.  Waylon & Merle; 12.  Tomorrow I’ll be Hurtin’ 

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:   There has been a lot of chatter these past few years from old time country fans who want more of that old style country music.  If this describes you, then your ship has come in.  AJ Hobbs has a style that mixes in equal parts Travis Tritt, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings, which seems appropriate since the album was mastered by Grammy winner Pete Lyman, who has worked with this year’s Grammy nominee Sturgill Simpson, as well as Jason Isbell.   Hobbs even has that “country outlaw” look, with his hat, denim shirt and two-day beard.  He has also surrounded himself with some of the best musicians in country music today, including Storm Rhode IV, Jeremy Long, John Schreffler, Jr., Aubrey Richmond, Matt Lesser, Jim Doyle, Brian Whelan and Jeremy Long.  But the important fact is that Hobbs can sing country music like he belongs on the radio.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see him amongst the nominees for next year’s Grammies.  He even gives a loving tribute to Haggard with an excellent cover of “The Bottle let me Down.”  This is a great album from start to finish, with “Life Without You” being our pick for the best cut.

Recommendation:  This album is scheduled for release on February 17, 2017, and we HIGHLY recommend you pre-order it to ensure you Get it before it becomes scarce.  We highly recommend Hobbs and expect to see more great things from  him in the future.

Artist Name:  Andrea Hamilton

Album Name:  Hope and Struggle

Label:  None

Genre:  Hopeful Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Am I Dreaming; 2.  Finally Free; 3.  Our Love; 4.  Carry Me; 5.  Higher; 6.  Fevertown; 7.  An Easy Life; 8.  Love you Better; 9.  Meant to be; 10.  Colors; 11.  You Bring to Mind; 12.  Shadow Dancer 

Publicist:  None

Review:  The angelic voice of Andrea Hamilton, coupled with the insane production work of Kevin Penner, give Hope and Struggle life and instantly make it one of the best albums that will be released in 2017.  It’s hard to believe that Hope is Hamilton’s seventh album, and yet she is still a relatively unknown indie artist.  Although she has had some success in the pop world with co-writes with award winning songwriters and producers like Kevin Fisher, Ashley Argotta, Matt Arcaini, Jonathan Lee, Eman Cervantez and Tyrone Wells, Hamilton has not reached household name status like Kari Kimmel. This should not be true.  Hamilton’s voice alone, as well as the incredible songs on Hope, demand a larger audience and we think this album may just finally introduce Hamilton’s greatness to the world at large.  Every song grabs you with its musicality, while the thoughtful and heartfelt lyrics soar on Hamilton’s vocals, giving you hope in the midst of your daily struggles.  This album belongs on stations like KLoVE and Air One, as well as on other mainstream stations.  We especially like “Am I Dreaming,” “Carry On,” “Higher” and “Meant to Be.”

Recommendation:  Although the album is not out until February 1, 2017, we think this one is truly worthy.  We strongly advise you to pre-order it so you can listen sooner.  Go out and Get it.

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Pollen Rx, Kari Kimmel, Daddy Issues

Only ten more days until Christmas.  We thought we’d get you ready with our latest edition of Get it or Forget it, featuring three entirely different artists for your musical edification.  Today we feature releases from two artists we’ve told you about before:  Kari Kimmel (pop) and Daddy Issues (rock), and introduce you to a new artist, Pollen RX (punk).  Check out our reviews below.

Artist Name:  Pollen Rx

Album Name:  Sunbelt Emptiness

Label:  Austin Town Hall Records

Genre:  Dance Punk

Track Listing:  1.  Billboard Promises; 2.  Control; 3.  Packaging; 4.  Apartment; 5.  Sunbelt Emptiness; 6.  Interstate; 7.  AR AK; 8.  Again; 9.  Sand in the Well

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Composed of Maud Morgan, Ben Hirsch, Caroline Sallee and Maggie Exner, the music of Pollen RX is part punk, part pop, part indie rock and part dance, seasoned with a healthy dose of 60s rock and roll.  The music is memorable, complete with catchy hooks and beats you can groove to, as well as a message that needs to be heard about the difficulties of growing up.  Both Morgan and Hirsch provide electric vocals as they trade off on the lead, and the music this band creates is worthy of your attention, especially the amazing guitar riffs.  Best tracks include “Control,” “Packaging,” the title track, “AR AK,” and their single, “Sand in the Well.”

Recommendation:  Pollen Rx is the perfect prescription for what ails you.  We definitely think they have a great future and recommend you Get It, play it and dance on.  This album will drop on January 27, 2017.

Artist Name:  Kari Kimmel

Album Name:  Covers One

Label:  Rykim Records

Genre:  Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Against all Odds; 2.  Eternal Flame; 3.  Ring of Fire; 4.  Rocketman 

Publicist:  None

Review:  By now the music of Kari Kimmel should be very familiar to readers of this blog.  We have been fans of hers since her early days, and she continues to surprise us with hit after hit, not to mention weekly placements on television shows, movies and commercials.  This time around, Kimmel reinvents four classic songs as only she can, adding that special Kimmel magic to the mix.  We love all four of these covers, and think that they stand up well to the originals.  our favorite is “Against all Odds.”  Let us know what you think.

Recommendation:  Kimmel’s latest EP drops this Friday, December 16, and we think you should definitely Get it, especially if you love cover songs by a classy artist.

New album releases on September 10

Artist Name:  Daddy Issues

Album Name:  Handle It

Label:  Play Like a Girl Records

Genre:  Alt Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Inside my Mind; 2.  Different; 3.  Dead end Road; 4.  Too Soon; 5.  Nice Try; 6.  Rusty; 7.  My Favorite Fantasy; 8.  Born to Fly; 9.  Your Lies; 10.  The Blade

Publicist:  Jennifer Allison Publicity

Review:  Girls rock, and no band exemplifies that more than Daddy Issues, who we introduced back in September.  With Angela Alvarez on lead vocals and rhythm guitar and Julia “Jules” Whelpton on bass and rhythm guitar, supplemented by Andrew Cushman on lead guitar and Brett Weir on drums, this band has a sound that sets them apart and creates an atmosphere where it would be cool to be a groupie.  Reminiscent of the Wilson sisters of Heart, Daddy Issues truly bring “girl power” to a whole new rocking level.  There is such a sweetness to their music that complements the cutting edge guitar sounds laid down by both Alvarez and Whelpton.  We love every song on this debut album, but are especially impressed with “Inside my Mind,” “Different,” “Too Soon,” with its obvious No Doubt influence, “My Favorite Fantasy,” and “Your Lies.”  The album closes with a very personal song, “The Blade,” which gives an intense message about the dangers of depression.

Recommendation:  One of the best CDs of 2016, this one is a true no-brainer:  you simply MUST Get it!

 

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Landing, Serengeti & Sicker Man, Stereo Off

Wow – we finally did it.  This is volume 20 of our Get it or Forget it review series, and that equals 60 reviews in the past three months.  We are overwhelmed at the quality of indie music and the shear volume that has been recently released.  Congrats to all of you on releasing such amazing material.  Today we cover three more artists from the Noisy Ghost PR catalog.  Enjoy these reviews as we help you decide where to spend your hard-earned cash on music.

Artist Name:  Landing

Album Name:  Complekt

Label:  These are Not Records

Genre:  Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Light; 2.  Complekt; 3.  Weft; 4.  Shifts; 5.  Thither; 6.  Grow; 7.  Coulds II; 8.  World 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Complekt is the tenth full-length album released by Landing, a four piece band formed when Aaron and Adrienne Snow, guitarist and keyboardist, met drummer/bassist Daron Gardner and guitarist/bassist Dick Baldwin after moving to Connecticut following graduation from Brigham Young University.  They later added multi-instrumentalist Peter Baumann to perfect their sound.  Multi-instrumentalist John Miller later joined the group to replace Baldwin.   Their music has an airy cosmic sound with elements of indie rock that focuses on instrumentation versus vocals, creating an atmosphere that envelopes the listener like a snowy avalanche of sound.  Like prog rock, this is the type of album you put on and listen to straight through, as each track builds upon the foundation laid by the previous track.  The album provides a surreal soundtrack to your daily relaxation and meditation period.

Recommendation:  If you like having music in the background while you go about your daily life, this is the perfect album for that.  We recommend that you Get it and enjoy it.

Artist Name:  Serengeti & Sicker Man

Album Name:  Doctor My Own Patience

Label:  Graveface Records

Genre:  Hip Hop/Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Doctor my own Patience; 2.  Boy; 3.  Impress a Girl; 4.  Loose Control; 5.  Hotelroom; 6.  Hills; 7.  Top Up; 8.  Beltloop; 9.  Remember 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Formed as a collaboration between rapper Serengeti and Tobias Vethake aka Sicker Man in 2013, this duo have created songs that add keyboard based musical beats to Serengeti’s verses and bring them to life.   Sicker Man has an intense control of his keys, which gives Serengeti the perfect foundation to share what’s on his heart.  Although these are the type of songs you might expect at a techno club or a rave, the lyrical punch provided by Serengeti makes them also songs you want to listen to and not just dance to.    Best tracks include the title track and “Loose Control.”

Recommendation:   If you love hip-hop, techno or house, you will probably dig this release.  For the rest, it might not be the best fit.

Artist Name:  Stereo Off

Album Name:  EP III

Label:  None

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Sunsetting; 2.  Wolves; 3.  Venir; 4.  Disaster Plan; 5.  Ordinary Lives 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Based in Brooklyn, this dynamic band of musical wizards create music unlike anything you have heard before.  The beats swirl underneath the song, while outrageous saxaphone solos and deep throaty vocals emanate from the foundation to create a sound that is impossible to pigeonhole but which will appeal to listeners of a myriad of musical tastes.  It’s upbeat, catchy and fun, kinda like an 80’s new wave band discovering techno music.  We think you’ll like it, especially the first track, “Sunsetting.”  Check it out below and let us know what you think.

Recommendation:  This album won’t be released until February 3, 2017, but we highly recommend you pre-order it now so you can be sure to Get It.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: Year of Suns, Fort Frances, The Show Ponies

Happy Tuesday.  Time now for the 19th installment of Get it or Forget It.  Today we’re featuring music from a pair of clients of the uber amazing indie PR firm Red Boot PR, as well as a long awaited review of a truly outstanding artist from In Music we Trust.  Grab a cup of coffee and join us as we discuss these three new releases.

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Artist Name:  Year of Suns

Album Name:  Sounds of Silence

Label:  Milk + Gum

Genre:  Indie Rock/Singer-Songwriter

Track Listing:  1.  Rode the Darkness Home; 2.  Hard to Forget; 3.  Once it Comes; 4.  Plain Sight; 5.  Autumn Light 

Publicist:  Red Boot PR

Review:  Chris Matthews aka Year of Suns has had an interesting year.  According to his publicist, Matthews moved from one unstable living scenario to another, this relative died, that relative died, then another, and another, in what would become a tragic comedy of biblical proportions . . . except it wasn’t ever funny.  To top it all off, he also had an intimate relationship fall into dissolution, and was hit by a car in the San Fernando Valley.  Despite all of this, he has created a masterpiece of simplicity with an honesty and rawness that cuts through the crap to deliver powerfully inspiring music.  All five tracks deliver a message of hope, enthroned on a simple musical backdrop that focuses the listener on the lyrics.  It is in our opinion one of the premier indie releases of 2016.  We also discovered this gem from earlier in the year.  Check it out and we think you’ll agree that this artist is the real deal, whether simple and intimate as on the EP, or with a full soundtrack as below.

Recommendation:  Don’t stop, don’t think, just Get It!

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Artist Name: Fort Frances

Album Name:  Alio

Label:  Roadblock Records

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing: 1.  You got the Wrong Man; 2.  Take the Wheel; 3.  Days get Heavy; 4.  Best of Luck; 5.  Sigh of Relief; 6.  Anonymous; 7.  Everything is Starting to Make Sense; 8.  Building a Wall; 9.  These are the Mountains Moving; 10.  The Light Years; 11.  This Year is Yours 

Publicist:  In Music we Trust

Review:  On first listen, you might confuse Fort Frances with Maroon 5, as they share a great lead vocalist and an ‘in your face’ musical style that is instantly memorable.  But on closer examination, Fort Frances separates itself in a way that only indie bands can.  They recently completed a very successful tour in support of their new album, Alio.  Listening to this amazing disc confirms the reason why – this band simply rocks!  Every song is radio ready, and keeps the listener occupied with its dynamics and great lyrics.  We could easily put this album on repeat and never get tired of listening to potential hit song after potential hit song.  Best tracks include “Take the Wheel,” “Days get Heavy,” “Best of Luck,” “Anonymous,” “Building a Wall” and “These are the Mountains Moving.”  So glad we were able to introduce you to this band with an exclusive preview of their video for “Going to California” back in October.  These guys are gonna be around for a long time to come!

Recommendation:  Another no-brainer.  If you love quality rock with great musical backdrop to brilliant lyrics and a lead singer that is fast becoming one of the premier voices in indie music, then get off your butt and Get It.

photo by Daley Hake
photo by Daley Hake

Artist Name:  The Show Ponies

Album Name:  How it all Goes Down

Label:  FreeMan Records

Genre:  Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  The Time it Takes; 2.  This World is not my Home; 3.  Kalamazoo; 4.  Someone to Stay; 5.  Shoulda Showed Him; 6.  Folks Back Home; 7.  Only Lie; 8.  Something Good; 9.  Sweetly; 10.  If you Could Break That Chain; 11.  Don’t Call on Me; 12.  Bravery be Written; 13.  How it all Goes Down 

Publicist:  Red Boot PR

Review:  Laura Goldfarb of Red Boot PR has introduced this writer to a few amazing artists over the years, but none of them compare to this amazing band.  The Show Ponies combine the fun of Mumford & Sons with the lyrical brilliance of Bruce Springsteen to create musical genius that is destined to propel this band to the head of the pack and make them a household name.  Their video for “The Time it Takes,” which was formed from tour footage, is simply amazing.  The second track, “This World is not my Home,” rocks as only a true gospel bluegrass song can.  It is impossible to pick the best tracks, as every song delivers in its own way.  The multiple lead singers (Andi Carder and Clayton Chaney) make every song like a Christmas present that you can’t wait to open.  One thing that truly stands out is the amazing fiddle work of Phil Green, as well as the banjo of Carder.  Add to that the perfect percussive foundation of Kevin Brown on drums and Chaney on bass, coupled with the guitar and piano of Jason Hawk Harris and it is easy to see why we are so in love with this band.  If they ever come within 500 miles of your home, you owe it to yourself to get out and see them perform.

Recommendation:  This album is not scheduled to be released until January 20 2017, but we highly suggest you pre-order it NOW so you don’t miss out.  Here are the links:  iTunes or Google Play.

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews

Get it or forget it: JERK, Solilians, Spelling Reform

It’s the last day of November and time for another Get it or Forget.  Today we’re reviewing three Noisy Ghost PR clients, with three totally different sounds.  As we get closer to Christmas, sit back and learn about some new music you may want to check out for the holidays.

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Artist Name:  JERK

Album Name:  Jerk

Label:  Very Jazzed

Genre:  Dance Pop

Track Listing: 1.  Couch Surf; 2.  Accidents; 3.  Delicacy; 4.  Robert Palmer; 5.  Stand Tall 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  With a dense bed of bass and booming rhythms, JERK provides some interesting tunes that will have you dancing in no time at all.  Composed of Austin Smith, Zach Alderman and Vicki Lynn, this band knows how to boogie.  Unashamedly inspired by the music of ABBA, JERK builds on their danceable disco flavor to create its own style.  The vocal harmonies build their home on the perfect foundation, giving the listener a taste of the greatness that awaits this band.  Their songs bear a striking resemblance to Twenty-One Pilots, so if you like them, you’ll love JERK.  All five songs are wonderfully created, but “Delicacy” has the kind of unique sound that would play well on the radio, especially college or public radio.

Recommendation:  Definitely add JERK to your holiday shopping plans.  We’re sure there’s someone on your list that would enjoy these beats, so be sure to Get It.

solilians_shin_cover1500x1500

Artist Name:  Solilians

Album Name:  Shin

Label:  Goodbye Better

Genre:  Psychadelic World Pop

Track Listing: 1.  Hine Ma Tov (Merc Yes mix); 2.  Hatikvah The Next Generation; 3.  Lamedvavniks; 4.  Rev’s Gold; 5.  Hine Ma Tov (Space Drone Dream mix); 6.  I have Been, and Always Shall be, Your Friend; 7.  Planet Binah; 8.  Post – Rev’s Reprise 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Solilians’ debut release contains some interesting sounds that would fit best in a futuristic sci-fi film, say a remake of Blade Runner.  Based on Middle Eastern and Hebraic music, Solilians transform these ancient notes into something that is distinctly other-worldly.   Their version of “space rock” makes an ideal soundtrack for watching your favorite anime, but is not the stuff you would put on just to listen to.  This band has a place in the grand musical scheme, but their music will probably not appeal to the general public.

Recommendation:  Unless you are a fan of futuristic soundtracks, you will probably not want this disc.  We recommend to most of you that you just Forget it.

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Artist Name:  Spelling Reform

Album Name:  No One’s Ever Changed

Label:  Black Rd Records

Genre:  Indie Pop Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Microscope; 2.  Expiration Date; 3.  Tuscaloosa; 4.  For Clair Patterson; 5.  Everyone Else’s Experiences; 6.  No One’s Ever Changed; 7.  Tourniquet; 8.  Everybody’s Going Home With Someone Else; 9.  Let’s Start Over; 10.  Drag Your Horse; 11.  The Coolest Guy 

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  Imagine if Weird Al was the lead vocalist of an energetic indie rock band and you have a good understanding of the magic of Philly-based Spelling Reform.   With driving guitars, frenzied vocals and interesting lyrics, these four lads are destined to take the Indie Rock community hostage with their unique blend of music.  We can only imagine how much fun they must be during a live performance, and would love to have the opportunity to do just that.  This is definitely the type of album you put on and listen to from start to finish, it’s that good.  We love it.

Recommendation:  If you don’t rush out and Get It, you should have your head examined.  These guys know how to rock and we expect they will be rocking for a long time to come.