We’re heading into the home stretch for the 2018-2 LA Music Critic Award for Fan Favorite. Voting ends tomorrow, so don’t miss the chance to recognize your favorite indie artist. Winners will be announced on Friday, January 4, 2019. In the meantime, here are five more reviews to check out.
Artist Name: Liz Fawcett
Album Name: Start Again
Label: Lizzard Productions
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Start Again; 2. Waiting; 3. New Times; 4. Why you Gotta Change Me; 5. Let’s be Gone; 6. Ohh la La La; 7. Crazy Land; 8. I Just Wanna Dance; 9. It’s all Gone; 10. Don’t Let Go; 11. Somehow; 12. Make it Through the Day; 13. Never Before
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Liz Fawcett is an actress and singer-songwriter from Orange County, California. While we have seen a large number of actors/actresses branch out recently into the music industry, this one truly has the goods to make it as an artist. Her voice is heavenly, while her musical accompaniment is first rate and truly classy. From the first notes of the title track, she announces to the world that she has truly arrived. Although the overall sound is pop, there are so many nuances to her music that we think she could excel in any genre. Her songs are radio friendly and also perfect for placement in television and film. Best songs include the title track, “New Times,” “Why you Gotta Change Me,” “Ooh la La La,” “Crazy Land,” “I Just Wanna Dance,” “Don’t Let Go” and “Make it Through the Day” (both of which would make great Disney themes) and “Never Before.”
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one!
Artist Name: Karen Craigie
Album Name: Mountains of Gold
Label: Buttercup Records
Genre: Country
Track Listing: 1. Little Heartbreaker; 2. Kill me Now; 3. Bottom Line; 4. Mountains of Gold; 5. High; 6. Game Face; 7. Happy Ending; 8. Lonely Town; 9. So Long; 10. Till it Gets Done
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Once again a rising country star has emerged from Australia with the third release from Karen Craigie, who reminds us of such country greats as Mary Chapin Carpenter and Patty Loveless. Her songs are flawlessly written and should do quite well on American country radio, and have that classic country sound that endures, especially “Little Heartbreaker” and “Kill me Now.” Other songs worthy of your attention include the title track (the perfect waltz), “High,” “Happy Ending,” “Lonely Town,” “So Long” and “Till it Gets Done.”
Recommendation: This one truly belongs in your country music catalog. Go Get it.
Artist Name: Brother Brad
Album Name: Get Around
Label: A&R Records
Genre: Soul/Pop
Track Listing: 1. Gotta Be; 2. Digital Revolution; 3. Ger Around; 4. Yesterday; 5. I Gave you my All; 6. My Girl
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: Combining elements of jazz, funk, reggae, R&B and pop, Sydney, Australia-based band Brother Brad create a fun and entertaining sound that deserves worldwide attention. The horns truly shine through these six amazing tracks and clearly capture the chemistry and amazing songwriting that signal this is the band to see perform live. There is not a weak track in the bunch, and this one is definitely going on repeat. We especially love their first single, “My Girl,” and can certainly understand why everyone seems to love it as well.
Recommendation: Get off your duff and Get this one now!
Artist Name: Belly Squad
Album Name: Bon Appétit
Label: Self-released Mixtape
Genre: Rap/Afro Swing
Track Listing: 1, SOS; 2. Best in Town; 3. Jumpstart (ft Young T & Bugsey); 4. Bag; 5. Wanna Ride (Skr Skr); 6. Ribena; 7. Teamwork; 8. Missing (ft Headie One); 9. Say Nuttin
Publicist: Worldwide Friendly Society
Review: This mixtape clearly demonstrates why Belly Squad has risen to the top of the UK’s rap scene. Their tracks contain great music and lyrics you can actually understand. The first single “Missing,” which features Headie One, has amassed more than 8 million streams since it was released, and it is not the only great song in this collection. Other memorable tunes include “Best in Town,” “Jumpstart” (featuring Young T & Bugsey), “Wanna Ride (Skr Skr),” “Ribena,” and “Say Nuttin.”
Recommendation: If you love rap, this is a must-have for your collection.
Artist Name: Ronny Morris
Album Name: Sweet Silence
Label: Warner Music Scandinavia
Genre: Classic Rock
Track Listing: 1. I’ll Survive; 2. All About Love; 3. Still; 4. Windows; 5. Sweet Silence; 6. Purge; 7. Hey; 8. Lilly; 9. Built to Last; 10. Lost my Way; 11. Every Time it Gets Real; 12. So Young
Publicist: Morris Music
Review: Ronny Morris has already achieved success with his music, even before the release of his debut album Sweet Silence. He has secured placements in such television hits as One Tree Hill, Brothers and Sisters and The Ghost Whisperer, to name a few. Hooking up with Grammy-winning mixer Steve Thompson helped shape this composer into an artist, resulting in this album, which includes a dramatic score featuring the Czech Symphony Orchestra. This helps give his music the same feel as ELO, making these songs extremely radio friendly. His vocals are dreamy, seemingly floating on the musical accompaniment. There aren’t any misses in this dynamic collection, and you just may want to put it on repeat.
Recommendation: Definitely go Get this one!