Category: Tuesday Treats

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Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it indie music Reviews Tuesday Treats

Get it or forget it – Tuesday treats vol. 2

Well, the work schedule has finally firmed up and now we can try to get back into a regular publication schedule.  We have some treats for  you today from artists who have already appeared at least once in Indie Voice Blog.  Here is our second edition.

Artist Name:  Katrina Parker

Album Name:  Stars

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Alt Pop

Track Listing:  1.  I Will Never Leave; 2.  Ring of Fire; 3.  Carry me Away; 4.  Strange World; 5.  Until  you Come Again; 6.  Stars; 7.  Follow Me; 8.  Without You; 9.  Don’t Give it Up

Publicist:  Working Brilliantly

Review:  Our relationship with Katrina Parker goes back nearly 15 years, long before she became a household name with her appearance on NBC‘s The Voice.  Her new album is by far her best work to date, and includes an amazing cover of Johnny Cash‘s classic hit “Ring of Fire” that we guarantee is totally different from anybody’s else’s version.  The other eight songs are all originals and every one deserves massive radio airplay.  Parker is just coming into her own, and we can’t wait to see where her new album takes her.

Recommendation:  Get this one like your life depends on it, and put it on perpetual repeat.

Artist Name:  Lovers and Poets

Album Name:  Sugar High

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Synth Pop/Electronica

Track Listing:  1.  Nevergonnastop; 2.  Barbarella; 3.  Here and Now; 4.  Keep Breaking my Heart; 5.  Sugar High

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Although this one won’t be released until September 20, we just couldn’t wait to share its awesomeness with you.  Lovers & Poets have won numerous LA Music Critic Awards, and their latest is better than anything they have done before.  Shannon & Ben have truly found their stride and deliver five amazing tracks that will make you feel like you just stepped into the 80’s.  These songs are just feel good masterpieces, and we guarantee you’ll want to put them on repeat, especially “Here and Now.”

Recommendation:  If you need a quick pick-me-up, just put this one on repeat – Run out and get it when it is released.

Artist Name:  Greg Laswell

Album Name:  Covers II

Label:  Leg Graswell

Genre:  Cover songs

Track Listing:  1.  Something in my Heart (ft Molly Jenson); 2.  Never let me Down Again (ft Molly Jenson); 3.  A Place Called Home; 4.  Crank; 5.  Lucky Man (ft Molly Jenson); 6.  Without You I’m Nothing; 7.  Love my Way; 8.  Don’t Give Up (ft Molly Jenson

Publicist:  Perpetual Media Relations

Review:  Ten years after the release of Covers, Greg Laswell returns with another set of amazing rock covers of songs from The Verve, PJ Harvey, Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel, Placebo, The Psychedelic Furs, Catherine Wheel and Röyksopp.  Laswell is assisted on the project by the amazing Molly Jenson, who contributes sweet vocals and harmonies on four of the eight songs.  These songs will haunt you and stay in your mind long after the song has ended.

Recommendation:  Be the first in line on Friday the 13th to get this one when it is released.

Artist Name:  Dudley Taft

Album Name:  Simple Life

Label:  American Blues Artist Group

Genre:  Blues/Americana/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Give me a Song; 2.  Simple Life; 3.  I Can’t Live Without You; 4.  In Your Way 5.  Don’t let Them get Away; 6.  Death by Bliss; 7.  Bombs Away; 8.  If Heartaches Were Nickels; 9.  Never Fade; 10.  Pouring Down; 11.  Shine; 12.  Back to You

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  We featured Dudley Taft’s music video for “Give me a Song” in our Monday Mashup column last month, and immediately fell in love with his raucous guitar and gritty vocals.  The remainder of the album is just as good if not better than that song.  If you love a mix of blues, Americana and good old fashioned rock and roll, then you are going to have a blast listening to all 12 tracks on this album.

Recommendation:  Don’t miss out on this one – it is definitely worthy of being a part of your musical library.

Artist Name:  Walt Weiskopf European Quartet

Album Name:  Worldwide

Label:  Orenda Records

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  Entebbe; 2.  Back in Japan; 3.  Soultrane; 4.  Russian Roulette; 5.  March by Moonlight; 6.  Back in Brazil; 7.  Oceans; 8.  The Pawnbroker; 9.  Scottish Folk Song; 10.  Coat of Arms

Publicist:  SW Marketing

Review:  We met Walt Weiskopf last year when he was performing with Steely Dan, and immediately fell in love with his amazing musicianship.  His European Quartet released an album shortly thereafter and we reviewed it then and are super excited to review their latest album.  Weiskopf is joined in the quartet by Carl Winther, Andreas Lang, and Anders Mogensen.  The album picks up where the last one left off, and is thrilling from the first to the last note.  Put this one on, pour a glass of wine, and chill.  You will truly feel your cares melting away.

Recommendation:  If you love jazz, then this is a must-have addition to your collection.  It sets the standard for modern jazz.

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out indie music Reviews Tuesday Treats

Get it or forget it – Tuesday treats vol. 1

We are proud to launch our first edition of Tuesday Treats, which will feature the latest releases from artists we are familiar with or have previously been featured on Indie Voice Blog.  Let’s get started.

Artist Name:  Bryan Haraway

Album Name:  Bryan Haraway

Label:  Melrose Artists/Part Time Criminal Artists

Genre:  Americana Rock

Track Listing:  1.  We get High; 2.  How it is; 3.  My Song; 4.  Alive; 5.  Moonlighting; 6.  Lucia; 7.  Sleep Well; 8.  Far Away; 9.  Jenny

Publicist:   Devious Planet

Review:  Bryan Haraway has been a staple on the Vegas music scene with his band, Part Time Criminals.  This is is first solo album, and we think he made a perfect one.  Not only is he a gifted songwriter and vocalist, but his guitar chops are spot on, creating a solid sound that brings out the best of Americana and old-fashioned rock and roll in the style of Tom Petty.  The album kicks off with the feisty “We Get High,” which was also his first single and should be a major breakout hit.  The album just gets better with each song, living the listener with the feeling that they have experienced something potentially life-changing.  You can’t lose with this one.

Recommendation:  This one is a major smash.  Don’t waste time – go get it now.

Artist Name:  Delbert McClinton and Self-Made Men + Dana

Album Name:  Tall, Dark & Handsome

Label:  Hot Shot Records

Genre:  Blues/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Mr. Smith; 2.  If I Hock my Guitar; 3.  No Chicken on the Bone; 4.  Let’s Get Down Like we Used to; 5.  Gone to Mexico; 6.  Lulu; 7.  Loud Mouth; 8.  Down in the Mouth; 9.  Ruby & Jules; 10.  Any Other Way; 11.  A Fool Like Me; 12.  Can’t Get Up; 13.  Temporarily Insane; 14.  A Poem

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Delbert McClinton has been making music for more than 50 years, and has been called the “Godfather” of Americana Music.  On this, his 26th album to date, the listener is treated to a sweet treat that further proves what an American treasure McClinton is.  His band is made up of some of the best in the business, including the sweet sound of Dana Robbins on saxophone, Jack Bruno on drums, Mike Joyce on bass, Bob Britt on guitar, James Pennebaker on guitar, Quentin Ware on trumpet and Dennis Wage on keyboards.  Get down to this jam.  There are some surprises here as well, like “Gone to Mexico,” that will keep you engaged until the final note.

Recommendation:  Don’t even think about it – just get up and get this one.

Artist Name:  Lasers Lasers Birmingham

Album Name:  Warning

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  California Country

Track Listing:  1.  Warning; 2.  Perfection in 3/4 Time; 3.  After Party After Life; 4.  Sugar Momma; 5.  Wild Animals; 6.  Lead me On; 7.  Don’t go Trying to Fix Me; 8.  Phantom Vibrations; 9.  Emmylou; 10.  Numbers and Figures; 11.  What a Shame

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  We haven’t heard from Alex Owen aka Lasers Lasers Birmingham since he came out with Royal Blue back in 2016, which earned him a nomination for an LA Music Critic Award.  On his official debut full-length album, he reaffirms that nomination, and gives us another healthy dose of California Country.  He has the twang and the songs to put him on every country music lover’s radar, and we think he has the goods to rise to the top.  Pop a top and put this one on repeat.

Recommendation:  Definitely go get this one.

Artist Name:  Mike Jacoby

Album Name:  Long Beach Calling

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Long Beach Calling; 2.  Here and Now; 3.  Pine Box; 4.  Your Love Song; 5.  Just in Case; 6.  Knew Right Away; 7.  Smile; 8.  Hangers (a Christmas Tale); 9.  BBQ Pit; 10.  Play Like Richards; 11.  Long Live the King; Bonus Track – Yes, But

Publicist:  KG Music Press

Review:  Like Birmingham, we last heard from Mike Jacoby back in 2016 when he released northsoutheastwest, which also garnered him an LA Music Critic Award nomination.  Just like that release, he produced, recorded and mixed this album as well, bringing back Grammy-winning mastering engineer Gavin Lurssen to sweeten the deal.  However, unlike his previous release, which focused on acoustic guitar, this time around Jacoby unleashes his electric side to further establish himself as one of the best in the business.  He belongs in that amazing group of Americana artists that includes Brian Whelan, Chris Shifflett and Rod Melancon.  His music is exciting and relatable, and should keep him busy.  We fully expect to see him on our next list of nominations for this masterpiece, which is definitely going on repeat.

Recommendation:  This one needs to be on your short list of the best of 2019.  Go grab yourself a copy.

Artist Name:  The HawtThorns

Album Name:  Morning Sun

Label:  Forty Below Records

Genre:  Pop/Rock/Country

Track Listing:  1.  Shaking; 2.  Rebel Road; 3.  Morning Sun; 4.  Give me a Sign; 5.  Broken Wings; 6.  The 405; 7.  All I Know; 8.  Come Back From the Stars; 9.  Nobody Gives a Damn About Songs Anymore; 10.  Steady Fire; 11.  Lucky Charm

Publicist:  Devious Planet

Review:  The HawtThorns are a husband and wife band composed of KP Hawthorn, one of the founders of CALICO the band, and rocking blues guitarist Johnny Hawthorn.   All of the songs are either written or co-written by KP, with the exception of “Give me a Sign” (written by Johnny) and “Nobody Gives a Damn About Songs Anymore,” written and recorded by the amazing John Moreland.  Coincidentally, that same song was recently covered by KP’s former CALICO bandmate, Manda Mosher.  In addition, “The 405” was recorded by CALICO on their second album.  Other than that, these two former band members have gone on divergent paths, and we love the direction both of them have taken with their music.  We truly love the harmonies that the HawtThorns have created.  There is not a weak song on the album, and we are sure we will be playing many of these songs over and over again, especially “Shaking,” “Rebel Road,” the title track, “Broken Wings,” “All I Know,” and “Come Back From the Stars.”

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer – you simply MUST add this album to your collection.