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.
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!
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.
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.
