It’s been very busy this week preparing to take my client, Jerad Finck, on tour. So much to do gathering merchandise, making last minute logistical runs and finalizing everything. In addition to that, we have 21 new releases for the month of October to review, as well as eight more through the end of the year. We will do our best to get all of the October reviews done before the end of the month, but that may be difficult being on tour. Nevertheless, we will get them done and will start with four reviews for you today.
Artist Name: The Rasmus
Album Name: Dark Matters
Label: Playground Music Scandinavia
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Paradise; 2. Something in the Dark; 3. Wonderman; 4. Nothing; 5. Empire; 6. Crystalline; 7. Black Days; 8. Silver Night; 9. Delirium; 10. Dragons into Dreams
Publicist: Guerilla Music Promotion
Review: The Rasmus have previously released eight studio albums between 1996 and 2012, and are making their comeback with Dark Matters. The sound is indie rock meets anthemic heavy metal, and is worthy of serious consideration. Recorded and mixed in Sweden and produced by The Family, Dark Matters arrives at a time when the USA market desperately needs new rock music. This album hits the ground running and never lets up. It is the type of album you want to hear again and again, especially “Something in the Dark,” “Nothing,” “Empire,” “Silver Night” and “Delirium.”
Recommendation: This one rocks – Get it Now!
Artist Name: Kele Okereke
Album Name: Fatherland
Label: BMG
Genre: Indie Singer/Songwriter
Track Listing: 1. Overture; 2. Streets Been Talking; 3. You Keep on Whispering his Name; 4. Capers; 5. Grounds for Resentment (ft. Olly Alexander); 6. Yemaya; 7. Do U Right; 8. Version of Us (ft. Corinne Bailey Rae); 9. Portrait; 10. Road to Ibadan; 11. Savannah; 12. The New Year Party; 13. Royal Reign
Publicist: The End Records PR
Review: British artist Kele Okereke of the band Bloc Party has been working on his acoustic release Fatherland for quite a few years, and the resulting album was definitely worth the wait. The album shows the singer/songwriter side of Okereke, and we are impressed with the finished product. The sound is definitely international with insightful lyrics that offer a rare glimpse inside this amazing artist. He even throws in a couple of duets: “Grounds for Resentment” with Olly Alexander and “Version of Us” with Corrine Bailey Rae. Best songs include “Streets Been Talking,” “Capers,” “Yemaha,” “Do U Right,” “Portrait,” and “Savannah,” as well as the aforementioned duets.
Recommendation: If you like acoustic music with an international flavor, then this is your lucky day. We recommend you Get this one.
Artist Name: Becca Richardson
Album Name: We are Gathered Here
Label: Pink Mirror Records
Genre: Indie Pop
Track Listing: 1. Wanted; 2. My Father’s Daughter; 3. Stronger; 4. Right Now; 5. Dig; 6. Killing all the Beautiful; 7. Before the Chorus; 8. Crooked Hearts; 9. Rise; 10. Are you Ready?
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: We fell in love with this artist when we first heard her single “Wanted” and couldn’t wait for her to release her album. OMG – this one is a definitely keeper that should find a lot of repeat time on your music player, and belongs on your local radio station. Her voice is crisp and clear, soaring above the music as only those few special artists can. The songs are well crafted with intelligent lyrics, a steady beat, and just the right instrumentation to support Richardson’s amazing voice. Besides the killer first single, “Wanted,” we also love “Stronger,” “Right Now,” “Dig,” “Crooked Hearts,” and “Rise.”
Recommendation: This one’s a keeper. We think once you’ve heard it through you’ll want to hear it over and over again. Get this one Now!
Artist Name: Harper Grae
Album Name: Break Your Crowns
Label: Oliver Ann Records
Genre: Pop Country
Track Listing: 1. Young Blood; 2. Dear Daddy; 3. Blame it on You (ft. Corey Bost); 4. Thunder Rolls; 5. 7 Years; 6. Good with your Goodbye; 7. Break Your Crowns; 8. True Love; 9. Free; 10. Where my Heart has Been (ft. Rand)
Publicist: Alliance Media Relations
Review: Harper Grae is a product of the awesomeness that was Glee, and was a contestant on the Glee Project 2. Break Your Crowns is her debut album, and what a debut it is. Grae contributes most of the tracks and adds an impressive cover of Garth Brooks’ classic hit, “Thunder Rolls.” This album deserves serious radio air play, as well as consideration for placements in television and movies. Our favorite tracks include “Young Blood,” her duets “Blame it on You” and “Where my Heart has Been,” “Good in your Goodbye,” “the title track and “Free.”
Recommendation: Don’t even think about it, just Get it!