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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2018 Women in Entertainment

Forty best albums of 2018

What a year for indie music.  We received a boatload of review requests from around the world, and published reviews of nearly 1,000 CDs and EPs.  We culled through those we reviewed first to pick our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards, and now to compile our list of the 40 Best CDs of 2018.

Due to the sheer volume, we only considered full-length projects for this list, but that doesn’t mean that quite a few of the EPs we reviewed weren’t also worthy of distinction.  We may yet put together another list of just EPs.

In the meantime, while we wait for the winners of the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards to be announced tomorrow, here are our favorite CDs of 2018.  You can find their individual reviews by searching for them on our blog.

40.  Kate ReidThe Heart Already Knows

39.  Deb RyderEnjoy the Ride

38.  Jeffrey FoucaultWar on the Radio

37.  Katie HerzigMoment of Bliss

36.  Eric Tingstad – Electric Spirit

35.  Fanny Walked the Earth – self-titled

34.  Wily Bo WalkerAlmost Transparent Blues

33.  Buddy GuyThe Blues is Alive and Well

32.  Walt WeiskopfEuropean Quartet

31.  Mindi Abair & the BoneshakersAll I Got for Christmas is the Blues

30.  YYNOT – self-titled

29.  Peter V Blues Band Shaken but not Deterred

28.  Delta MoonBabylon is Falling

27.  The TextonesOld Stone Gang

26.  Ronny MorrisSweet Silence

25.  Sydney WrightSeiche

24.  GleesonThe Years Have It

23.  Colin DevlinHigh Point

22.  EverlastDon’t Complain

21.  ZsuzsikaStart Again

20.  Michael PetersonFrom Here to Eternity

19.  K. Michelle DuboisAutumn

18.    Broken BellowsI, Kaleidoscope

17.  Rachel SageMyopia

16.  Janiva MagnessLove is an Army

15.  John Flanagan TrioHonest Man

14.  Lee Ainley’s Blues StormShoot me Down

13.  FloodsBad Times

12.  Frank Hannon (From One Place . . . to Another, vols 1 and 2)

11.  Keith HarkinIn the Round

10.  Southern HaloJust Like in the Movies

9.  Cindy Alexander – Nowhere to Hide

8.  Kari KimmelGold & Glitter

7.  Hymn for HerPop-n-Downers

6.  Jordan Siwek Sun Inside You

5.  Slim GambillFake Jazz

4.  Gina SiciliaHeard the Lie

3.  Birds and ArrowsArbitrary Magic

2.  Brigitte Rios PurdyStill I Rise

and the Best Album of 2018 goes to

Norway Reloaded – My Longest Mile

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Awards Big Sky Documentary Film Festival Monday Mashup Women in Entertainment

Monday mashup 2018: vol. 9

March has arrived so spring shouldn’t be too far behind!  What did you think about the Oscars last night?  Besides the fact that it was long, we were delighted to see the focus shift onto the hard-working ladies and minorities who have contributed so much and received so little recognition.  With that in mind, let’s look at what’s happening in the indie world.

UM CIRCUS CLUB TO HOST FIRST EVER RENAISSANCE FAIRE

The University of Montana Circus Club is hosting their spring fundraiser, and it’s a mini-Renaissance Faire!  The event will occur on Sunday, March 11 from 2-5:30 p.m. in Schreiber Gym on the campus of the University of Montana.  It is right next to the Library on the southeastern corner of campus.

There is a $5/person suggested donation, or $15 per family (bring all the kids!)  Please pay at the door with cash!

The faire will include food and beverage (of course), a costume and “Best Knees-in-a-Kilt” contests with prizes, live weapons and combat demonstrations, archery and axe-throwing activities, circus performances, face painting, crafting workshops, and a photo booth with costumes and props.  Costumes will also be available for rent.

THE AUDIENCE AWARDS ANNOUNCE BIG SKY WINNERS

The recently concluded Big Sky Documentary Film Festival included a Native American Doc Challenge this year, which was run by the Audience Awards.  Here were their winners:

The First Place Jury Winner was Derrick Lamere, with his film United by Water, while the Jury Honorable Mention went to Anthony Florez for Generations.

Check out the top eight films which are competing for the $5,500 prize by clicking here.  Voting runs April 4-10.

NEW SINGLES

Our first single today comes from a band we have previously reviewed who has recently signed with Blue Élan Records.  Please check out “Tip of my Tongue” by Mint Trip.

Next up is a young artist named Ashley Delima, who has a lot to say with her single, “Stay in America.”  She is a living example of a Dreamer, and wants to tell everyone why she wants to stay here.   She is an American born child who was raised in Brazil but has now settled in New Jersey.  The song is a shout-out to those struggling to stay in the U.S. at a time when DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) is being threatened.  The song was produced by two-time Grammy winning producer Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, Hillary Duff) and mixed by Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, Fleetwood Mac).  Please share her story.

Our final single today comes to us from Amsterdam and features Belle and the Beats with their single, “Soldier of the Night.”

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS

Last week we had the pleasure of reviewing Floods.  They have now released a music video for their first single, “Heavy Hearts.”  We hope you dig it as much as we do.

Our second new video features acclaimed actor Danny Trejo in the latest video from The Zephyr Bones.  Check out “The Arrow of our Youth.”

Our third video is from Blue Élan Records’ latest revival artist, Fanny Walked the Earth.  We simply love this video for the amazing single, “Lured Away.”  Don’t forget to check out their review as well.

Our final video this week is from Little Stranger for their single, “Sing it High.”  this should get your week off to a great start.

Belle

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – TIDES, Floods, Leilani Wolfgramm, Maudlin, Alison Ferrier

Can you believe it’s March already?  This year is flying by, and the amazing indie music scene keeps pumping out great albums.  Here are five more for your perusal.

Artist NameTIDES

Album NameCrossroads

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  R&B/Electronic

Track Listing:  1.  Don’t let me Down; 2.  Lovely Day; 3.  Crossroads; 4.  Something

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  South Korean born and Los Angeles based Dan Song and Kimbabwe born and New York City based Innocent Tswamuno met at a Grammy camp in 2009 and collaborated long-distance until they were finally able to get into the studio in 2017.  This four-song EP is the result of that collaboration, and demonstrates that great musical genius will find its outlet.  You can feel the R&B roots of each artist in the songs, which feature a great African percussive base.  Their smooth voices blend well to create music that is memorable and soothing.  This is the kind of music we need on our Top 40 radio stations, as well as hearing it in our favorite television shows and movies.  This is by far a top-notch effort and sets the bar high for their subsequent efforts.  We expect that they will become household names in the music business, and perennial Grammy nominees.  The title cut is amazing and should be a mega hit.

Recommendation:  Don’t dilly dally – Get this one today.

Artist NameFloods

Album NameBadtimes

Label:  InVogue Records

Genre:  R&B/Pop/Electronic

Track Listing:  1.  Badtimes; 2.  Chasing Lines; 3.  Night Moves; 4.  Feel so High; 5.  Sleeptalk; 6.  I’m Alright; 7.  Heavy Hearts; 8.  Currents; 9.  Focus; 10.  Fire

Publicist:  InVogue Records

Review:  Floods is composed of Emily Prather, Sam Stamper and Jake Snyder.  Their music makes you want to dance, plain and simple, but it also features the soaring and uplifting vocals of Prather, with heavenly harmonies, a steady beat and intelligent lyrical content.  This music belongs on the radio, as well as in every dance club in the world.  The title cut sets the course for the album, which is non-stop fun.  We highly recommend you put this one on repeat and just get up and dance.  There is not a weak song on the entire album.  In the words of that great 80’s song, their future is so bright they gotta wear shades.

Recommendation:  This one is a necessity – Get it by whatever means necessary.

Artist NameLeilani Wolfgramm

Album NameLive Wire

Label:  Raleigh Records

Genre:  R&B/Reggae

Track Listing:  1.  The Trail; 2.  Sinner;  3.  Live Wire; 4.  Heaven; 5.  Without Condition; 6.  Bipolar; 7.  Another One; 8.  Warzone; 9.  Rise; 10.  Broken Ones

Publicist:  Effective Immediately PR

Review:  Reggae has a new voice that is worthy of the spotlight alongside such greats as Bob Marley, Maxi Priest, Sublime, Tribal Seeds, and Hirie.  In fact, she has shared the stage with some of these greats, as well as Incubus, Ziggy Marley and Dirty Heads.  Her soaring voice delivers reggae music to a new height, and incorporates some of her R&B roots into the mix, making this music more accessible to a myriad of tastes.  She is the Beyonce’ of reggae music, and belongs on the radio.  Music supervisors should also take note of Leilani Wolfgramm, because her music can only improve the quality of any television show or movie.  She’s currently sitting in the top 10 on the iTunes reggae charts and deserves to be #1.

Recommendation:  Get up and Get this one like your life depends upon it.

Artist NameMaudlin

Album NameSassuma Arnaa

Label:  Consouling Sounds

Genre:  Prog-Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Endless Expanse; 2.  Sassuma Arnaa; 3.  Above the Vast Clouds; 4.  The Fog Returns; 5.  Bête Noire; 6.  Erase; 7.  The Stowaway

Publicist:  Viral Propaganda PR

Review:  From Belgium and the shores of the North Sea comes the fourth album from post-metal band Maudlin, a concept album that explores the importance of the sea.  They have been compared to Alice in Chains by other media outlets, but we just love their prog-rock approach.  The music envelopes the listener in a wall of sound that crashes all around them and breaks down barriers.  This music is soothing and the perfect backdrop for your weekend get-togethers.  This one needs to be listened to from start to finish, and then put on repeat, as the songs get better with each listen.  These guys need to bring this music to America.

Recommendation:   If you love prog-rock, then this is a must-have.  Get it.

Artist NameAlison Ferrier

Album NameWhat she Knows

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Blues

Track Listing:  1.  The Boxer; 2.  Rest Easy; 3.  Do you Remember the Day; 4.  Once had a Love; 5.  Am I on the Right Track; 6.  Do you Ever Stop Loving Someone; 7.  Waiting for the Rain; 8.  River Flow; 9.  Don’t Patronise Me; 10.  The Cuckoo

Publicist:  Penney and Logan

Review:  London-born and Australia based country/folk singer Alison Ferrier has done it again with her latest effort.  She provides outstanding lyrical content and amazing guitar work on this effort, which should establish her as a force to be reckoned with on the American music scene.  The bluesy sound of “The Boxer” leads to the rocking country sound of “Rest Easy” which leads to the sweet waltz “Do you Remember the Day,” getting better with each song, all the way through the album.   The Americana community needs to embrace this artist, who captures the essence of the genre with the multiple facets of her music.  Keep an eye on this one – she’s headed to the top of her craft.

Recommendation:  We highly recommend you Get up and Get this one, like right now!