We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day. Our beloved LA Music Critic turned 60, and is raring to get back to work and share some more great indie releases. Voting ends in just two days for this cycle of the LA Music Critic Awards, and next week will be busy with the calculations and the announcement of the winners on January 4. We also have to publish our Ten Amazing Videos and Ten Great Singles lists for December, as well as our “Best of 2018” album feature, so stand by for lots of great indie music. In the meantime, here are five more reviews for your consideration.
Artist Name: Evan Egerer
Album Name: Mystery
Label: Self-released
Genre: CCM/Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Mystery; 2. Runaway; 3. On my Way; 4. Are You; 5. Years Gone By
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Evan Egerer is a rising star in the world of Contemporary Christian Music, with a positive message that brings hope in a troubled time. He has shared the stage with many of the “stars” of this genre, and considers NEEDTOBREATHE as one of his influences. His musical style borrows heavily from many Top 40 artists, but it is his message that sets his music apart. All five of these songs are inspirational and radio friendly, and deserve even more industry attention. They are truly relatable, especially the title track and “Runaway.”
Recommendation: This one deserves a place in your library. Go Get it.
Artist Name: Alan Pasqua
Album Name: Soliloquy
Label: Gretabelle
Genre: Instrumental Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Hello Young Lovers; 2. I Got it Bad and That Ain’t Good; 3. Lotus Blossom; 4. I See Your Face Before Me; 5. In a Sentimental Mood; 6. Embraceable You; 7. Isn’t it Romantic; 8. Girl From the North Country; 9. A Time for Love; 10. There are Such Things
Publicist: Mouthpiece Music
Review: Alan Pasqua is a Professor of Jazz Studies at USC’s Thornton School of Music, and has played and recorded with a cavalcade of the greats, including Tony Williams, Jack Dejohnette, Paul Motion, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton, James Moody, Gary Peacock, Gary Bartz, Reggie Workman, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Sheila Jordan and Joe Williams. On his latest CD, he offers us amazing piano versions of his favorite standards, as well a cover of a Bob Dylan song, “Girl From the North Country,” which he used to play when he was in Dylan’s band. This is a lovely addition to your relaxation and meditative catalog.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one if you love instrumental jazz.
Artist Name: Gleeson
Album Name: The Years Have It
Label: Almost There Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Holding On; 2. Through the Motions; 3. You can Have it All; 4. Let you Run; 5. No Egress; 6. The Years Have It; 7. Sitting in my Hotel; 8. That’s Called Home; 9. Ya Get Away; 10. She’s Starting to Feel It; 11. Sweet Virginia; 12. God Only Knows
Publicist: Almost There Records
Review: Gleeson is a seven piece rock collective from Austin, Texas that truly knows how to bring the rock, ranging from indie to modern, all delivered with a healthy dose of southern charm. Their music is flavored with Americana and country influences, and shows the world that this band is worthy of serious industry attention and respect. Behind the dynamic vocals of Elyse Estrada, the band digs deep to deliver one of the best albums of 2018. There isn’t a weak track on the album, and many of the songs would do well on the radio, including “Holding On,” “Through the Motions,” “Let you Run,” “No Egress,” “Sitting in my Hotel,” the jazzy “She’s Starting to Feel it,” “Sweet Virginia,” and the amazing arrangement and cover of the classic Beach Boys‘ hit, “God Only Knows.”
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one today!
Artist Name: Sydney Wright
Album Name: Seiche
Label: Self-released
Genre: Country/Pop
Track Listing: 1. Wait for the Wave; 2. Tool; 3. Something; 4. Let you Let me Go; 5. Let me Stay; 6. Dragonskin; 7. Time of Night; 8. You can Stay; 9. Underwater; 10. Tip; 11. Seiche
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: Sydney Wright is an overcomer and spent almost 12 years working on her debut album Seiche. Along the way she had to deal with a hit-and-run accident that left her with four rods in her right leg from a broken tibia, screws in her ankle from a compound ankle fracture, and multiple wrist and lumbar fractures. Despite it all, Wright has released an amazing album of country-tinged pop songs that are truly radio friendly and worthy of industry attention. She reminds us of a country version of Colbie Caillat. Although there aren’t any weak songs on the album, we really love “Wait for the Wave,” “Something,” “Let me Stay” and “You can Stay” (all worthy of serious Top 40 rotation), “Let you Let me Go,” “Dragonskin,” “Tip,” and the title track.
Recommendation: Don’t even think about it – just go Get this one!
Artist Name: Ballroom Boxer
Album Name: A Little Wild
Label: Man on the Mast Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. A Little Wild; 2. Damn Fine Characters; 3. So Summer; 4. September; 5. Bill Murray
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: Ballroom Boxer delivers a drum and synth heavy sound that puts them head and shoulders above their indie rock peers. From the opening notes of the title track, they demonstrate their prowess in delivering a true rock experience that should appeal to all music lovers. All five songs are amazing, and leave us just a taste of the awesomeness yet to come, especially “So Summer” and “Bill Murray.”
Recommendation: Definitely Get this on!
