We made it to Friday again, and the weekend is ahead. Time to get revved up with five more incredible releases from indie artists, including a collective of Mountain Home Music Company artists helping to raise money for the International Bluegrass Music Association Trust Fund. All of these albums are being released today!
Artist Name: Roan Yellowthorn
Album Name: Indigo
Label: Blue Élan Records
Genre: Alternative/Pop/Folk
Track Listing: 1. Intro; 2. Talk About It; 3. Fingerless Gloves; 4. Factory Man; 5. Do you Know; 6. Mark my Words; 7. Lie; 8. Indigo; 9. How are You; 10. Outro/On the Outside
Publicist: MAD Ink PR
Review: We simply love this amazing duo and future superstars, one of the latest artists launched by the magic of Blue Élan Records. They are composed of Jackie McLean on lead vocals, accompanied by producer and multi-instrumentalist Shawn Strack, and they deliver amazing and ethereal indie-rock songs with a singer/songwriter heart. We have previously featured the videos from their first two singles, “Talk About It” and “Lie,” and this album is chock full of future singles. This is a band that is going to be talked about for a long time to come. Had they been around a few years ago, they could easily have been part of The Hotel Cáfe sound that produced Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Elizaveta and others, and we consider them to be true peers of those artists. There is not a weak track on this album, and every one could be a potential hit. They are worthy of attention from both radio music directors and music supervisors. Our favorite tracks include “Talk About it,” “Fingerless Gloves,” “Do You Know,” “Lie,” the title track, and “How are You.”
Recommendation: This one NEEDS to be in your collection. Run out and Get it.
Artist Name: Mountain Home Family
Album Name: Come See About Me
Label: Mountain Home Music Company
Genre: Bluegrass
Track Listing: 1. Their Hands Made the Music (Sideline); 2. A Little Trust (Donna Ulisse); 3. All the Good Things we Could Do (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver); 4. If I Needed You (Lonesome River Band); 5. We’re all in This Together (Balsam Range); 6. You’ve got a Friend in Me (Love Canon); 7. We’ll Never Walk Alone (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver); 8. Those Tears (Darin & Brooke Aldridge); 9. Glimpse of the Kingdom (Chris Jones & the Night Drivers); 10. Help! (The Grascals); 11. Come see About Me (Mountain Home Family)
Publicist: So Much Moore Media
Review: Mountain Home Music Company is a bluegrass label that has introduced us to some incredible artists we have previously reviewed, including Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Balsam Range and The Grascals. Their artists have joined together to contribute these amazing tracks on an album intended to help raise money for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Trust Fund, which provides financial assistance to member musicians who have fallen on hard times or have emergency needs. This collection includes some amazing songs, including brilliant covers of songs like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and “Help!” as well as the collaborative title track. We have indicated the individual artists in the Track Listing.
Recommendation: Please help support this worthy organization and Get this one today! It will easily become one of your favorite bluegrass albums.
Artist Name: Stephen Winston
Album Name: Unresolved
Label: Self-released
Genre: AAA
Track Listing: 1. Sun on the Boats; 2. Maidens; 3. Unresolved; 4. Rainbow County; 5. Maybe it’s for James; 6. For What Purpose; 7. Remember; 8. Talk on the Town; 9. The Last Night
Publicist: Open all Nite Entertainment
Review: Stephen Winston is a gifted musician with a voice that reminds us of Randy Newman, and a sound that encompasses several different genres including country, pop, and folk, all perfect for the AAA format. The title track is especially moving, with perfect lyrics set on an orchestral musical base that is soothing and memorable. “Rainbow County” has a sound similar to Jimmy Buffet‘s “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” while “Maidens” has a sweet country groove. Overall, this is a great collection for your chill time.
Recommendation: We highly recommend you check out this one if you like your music on the softer side.
Artist Name: Animal Waves
Album Name: EP1
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock
Track Listing: 1. WTF; 2. In the Meadow; 3. Cold Turkey; 4. Bed Full of Blues; 5. Tell Me
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: This band features Los Angeles session player and former Laurynn Hill guitarist Robert Wayne Davis, and quickly establishes itself as a force to be reckoned with. The band also includes bassist Charles Salvaggio and drummer Matt Zavorski, while long-time writing partner Nathaniel Cox contributed on the creative side. The result is some straight ahead rock that you can bang your head to. This band obviously has a “take no prisoners” approach as they come right at you with their hard rocking sound, delivering songs that will leave a permanent impression on your ears.
Recommendation: If you love rock, then you simply must Get this one.
Artist Name: TAUK
Album Name: Shapeshifter II: Outbreak
Label: Self-released
Genre: Rock Fusion Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Prelude; 2. Recreational Outrage; 3. CMF 9000; 4. Checkmate; 5. Convoy; 6. Not Your Nemesis; 7. Let it Ride; 8. Ratchet; 9. Pioneer; 10. Pitter Pattern; 11. Upside Down
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: We previously reviewed the first album in the series, and were impressed with the amazing new jazz sound of the band. This time around, the music has a rockier sound, with its combination of prog rock, funk and jazz, and is much more cinematic in its overall vibe. Like the previous release, this one provides an amazing soundtrack for parties, exercise or just living life. In addition, the music is perfect for placement in commercials, film and television. We think you should just put it on repeat and listen all day, as there are no weak tracks on the album. We also can’t wait to review their live performance when they come to Missoula on November 6.
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one today!
