Hope you all survived Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. We were swamped at work, doing almost double the sales from the previous year. Time to put that behind us and check out five more recent releases.
Artist Name: The Dream Eaters
Album Name: Pagan Love
Label: Song Dynasty
Genre: Dream Pop/Shoegaze
Track Listing: 1. Crucifix; 2. Mockingbird; 3. Pagan Love; 4. Bats in the Belfry; 5. One of the Gods; 6. Tequila River; 7. Caligula; 8. Moonlight on Gowanus; 9. Sun Clouds
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: We reviewed their first album We are a Curse back in April 2017, and their new one is definitely worth the wait. They hit the ground running on “Crucifix,” and never let up, delivering the perfect soundtrack for fans of gothic-themed music. Although the lyrical content is dark, the music is delivered in an upbeat style and feel that is still enjoyable. This music would be perfect for placement in the myriad of supernatural-based television shows currently on the schedule, as well as future horror films. The harmonies are incredible, and we love every song on this album. We are proud to highly recommend this band for all true music lovers.
Recommendation: You simply must Get this one!
Artist Name: Hymn for Her
Album Name: Pop-n-Downers
Label: Rhythm Bomb Records
Genre: Roots/Folk
Track Listing: 1. Blue Balloons; 2. Human Condition; 3. November; 4. Scoop; 5. Roses; 6. Fireflies; 7. Shallow Graves; 8. Yard Sale; 9. Dingle Town; 10. First Clown on the Moon; 11. Auf Wiedersehen
Publicist: Rockstar Records
Review: Modern day hippies Lucy Tight and Wayne Waxing live in their 1961 Airstream trailer and travel all around the US and Europe, creating incredible folk songs with a roots vibe. Their instrumentation, while simple, is perfect for their music, allowing Tight’s amazing vocals to rise above it all. She is by far one of the best pure vocalists we have reviewed this year, and Waxing provides the perfect harmonies. There isn’t a weak track on the album, so put it on repeat and enjoy it over and over again.
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one.
Artist Name: Frankie Crea
Album Name: Countless Days
Label: A&R Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Countless Days; 2. Dream; 3. Little Miss Fear; 4. So Long . . .; 5. Mary; 6. Until we Meet Again
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: We featured his first single “Dream” in our Monday Mashup column last month, and think that the rest of the EP is just as outstanding, especially the title track. Frankie Crea is from Western Australia, and we think he would do well on American radio. His music is better than most of our Top 40 artists, and we love his retro classic rock sound, part Blue Oyster Cult, part Red Hot Chili Peppers. This one is a definite keeper. We only wish there were more than six tracks!
Recommendation: Go Get it now!
Artist Name: Rebel Rampage
Album Name: Divided we Fall
Label: Self-released
Genre: Metal
Track Listing: 1. Hymn to Freedom; 2. Resistance March; 3. Not the Enemy; 4. Red Star (ft Angelo Moore); 5. Immigration Man; 6. Women in White; 7. I am the Power (ft Emily Armstrong); 8. Sick of Dying; 9. To be Free; 10. Scorched Earth; 11. Divided we Fall
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: Rebel Rampage takes metal to an entirely new level in political activism. Their songs are strong statements about our current landscape, especially their anti-Trump anthem, “Not the Enemy.” They also feature Angelo Moore (Fishbone) on “Red Star” and Emily Armstrong (Dead Sara) on “I am the Power.” This one has everything you expect from a power rock trio – hard driving drums and bass, screaming electric guitar and powerful lyrics that leave no doubt which side of the political spectrum this band stands. While there are few radio stations that would take a chance on their songs, there are plenty of intelligent music supervisors that would quickly put these powerful tracks into television and film placements, especially “I am the Power.” Follow their example.
Recommendation: If you like powerful music with an equally strong message, then this is the band for you.
Artist Name: Teachers with Guns
Album Name: Red October
Label: Blue Honey Records
Genre: Indie/Experimental Rock
Track Listing: 1. Bad Art; 2. Thru the Deep Blue; 3. Mission Beach; 4. Trap Pt II; 5. All I Know; 6. Faded Shit . . .; 7. California Dream; 8. Medusa
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Despite their name, this band is not composed of teachers. They are an independent band from Los Angeles who have written an album based on the ideals of the October Revolution of 1917, in protest of future climate catastrophe and economic breakdown. Their sound is lo-fi and experimental, with intriguing instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics. While you probably won’t hear them on the radio, you can hear them at various venues around the greater LA area.
Recommendation: Worth checking out.