It never ceases to amaze us with the quality of recordings coming from the indie music community, not only in the US but around the world. We have five more quality projects to review today, so let’s get started.
Artist Name: Laura Dickinson
Album Name: Auld Lang Syne
Label: Music and Mirror Records
Genre: Christmas (Jazz/Blues)
Track Listing: 1. Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season; 2. I’ve got my Love to Keep me Warm; 3. Christmas is Starting Now; 4. Peace and Joy; 5. (Everybody’s Waiting for) The Man with the Bag (ft Steve Trapin); 6. Love, You Didn’t do Right by Me (ft Kye Palmer); 7. A Marshmallow World; 8. Miss you Most (at Christmas Time); 9. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!; 10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (ft Alan Steinberger); 11. Auld Lang Syne (ft Andrew Synowiec)
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: Laura Dickinson is a Grammy®-winning music producer, vocal contractor, and studio singer whose voice has been heard in countless movies, television shows and commercials, including two on the Disney Channel (Phineas and Ferb and Sofia the First). On her sophomore album, she has created a beautiful holiday treasure that will surely become one of the highlights of your holiday music collection. Besides several traditional Christmas songs, she also covers the Mariah Carey tune “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time).” She brings a beautiful big band sound to these holiday classics and establishes herself as an incredible solo performer.
Recommendation: This one deserves a place in your holiday collection. Get it and enjoy the season.
Artist Name: Clark Twain
Album Name: Life is Wonderful
Label: Self-released
Genre: Alt-Pop
Track Listing: 1. Best is Yet to Come; 2. Fly High (Like Richard Branson); 3. Try Too Hard; 4. A Brief Interlude to Dance in the Elevator (with Strangers); 5. Tiny Windows; 6. God is She; 7. Made for This; 8. Wedding Bells; 9. Flower Interlude; 10. Dreams; 11. Home; 12. Black Car; 13. Not Fade Away (Saloon edition)
Publicist: Shameless Promotion
Review: Clark Twain has a sound comparable to some of the best artists in Top 40 radio, including Toad the Wet Sprocket, Coldplay, Gin Blossoms and Death Cab for Cutie, and his music is equally as radio friendly. He hits the ground running with “Best is Yet to Come,” and never lets up. The best tracks include “Best is Yet to Come,” “Try too Hard,” the first single “Tiny Windows,” “Made for This,” “Home” and “Black Car.”
Recommendation: Definitely worth checking out. We recommend this album for anyone who loves pop music.
Artist Name: Brian Falduto
Album Name: Stage Two
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop/Country
Track Listing: 1. The One I’m After; 2. Fault; 3. Kiss you Back (ft Daniel Joseph Baker); 4. Rainy Day; 5. She (ft Kelsey Martin); 6. What If; 7. One More (Mateo) (ft Bronwyn Whittle); 8. Rainy Day (acoustic)
Publicist: EMPKT PR
Review: If you’re like most of us, you think 2003’s School of Rock was one of the best movies about music that has ever been made. Brian Falduto was a cast member in that movie, portraying Billy, the gay kid who became the costume designer for the school band. Fifteen years later, Falduto is a proud gay man who is releasing his first full length album with a pop/country groove in the style of artists like Dustin Lynch and Cole Swindell. We think he has serious potential for country radio, and love his sound, especially on “Fault” and “What If,” with their amazing backing vocals, and the beautiful duet with Kelsey Martin on “She.” Actually, there are no weak tracks on this outstanding debut album, and we think that we’ll be hearing a lot more from the latest actor to become a musician.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one, sooner rather than later.
Artist Name: Kuar Nhial
Album Name: Kuar Nhial
Label: Consouling Sounds
Genre: Post-Metal/Black Metal
Track Listing: 1. Corvus; 2. Nomam; 3. Spiraal; 4. Lamantate
Publicist: Viral Propaganda PR
Review: Belgian band Kuar Nhial is not your typical “black metal” band. Their songs do have feature that aggressive style, but there are also moments of cinematic genius that more closely resemble prog rock and post-metal. Needless to say, this trio is composed of amazing musicians who know how to bring their best to the table. While they still have some of the “required” screamo vocals, the music is what attracts listeners, who can hear the dedication these players put into their instrumentation. This debut album spotlights the potential this band has to find its place in the world music scene.
Recommendation: Definitely check this one out, especially if you are a metal fan.
Artist Name: Kenny Carr
Album Name: Departure
Label: Zoozazz
Genre: Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Intervals; 2. Time Change; 3. Tell me I Can’t; 4. Warmth; 5. D&P; 6. Evolutions; 7. Departure; 8. Waiting; 9. Bear Call; 10. Parallels
Publicist: Kari-On Productions
Review: Kenny Carr is a gifted musician, composer and arranger and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. He began his career as part of the band supporting Ray Charles, and spent 10 years working with the legend. Since then, he has gone on to make his own music. Departure is his sixth studio album, and stands on its own as one of the best jazz recordings in recent years. This one is the perfect relaxing soundtrack for your daily chill time, just add a glass of wine and enjoy. Put this one on repeat and let it melts your cares away.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one if you are a jazz fan. It is a premier addition to your collection.