Had a blast yesterday checking out LA Music Critic Award nominee Stacy Jones Band at Missoula’s weekly “Out to Lunch” series. She put on an amazing show with her four piece band, bringing the smooth sound of her harmonica to their southern rock and blues mix.
Today we’re back with five more reviews from some incredibly rocking bands. Please let us know what you think.
Artist Name: Stringer
Album Name: My Bad
Label: Wiretap Records
Genre: Indie Rock/Punk
Track Listing: 1. Intro; 2. USA; 3. Ghosts; 4. Through the Walls; 5. Rachel; 6. Swimming; 7. Dead Horse; 8. Abergain; 9. Flower Bomb; 10. Termites; 11. Halving; 12. Miss Slovenia; 13. InFinFly
Publicist: Earshot Media
Review: Stringer has been a staple in the underground DIY music scene in Brooklyn for many years. With the release of My Bad, they show the rest of the world why they have become so beloved in New York City. Their first single, “Ghosts,” reminds us of The Beastie Boys, and has the potential to be a break out song, especially with the release of their music video. “Through the Walls” is very radio friendly and more indie rock than punk, and deserves heavy rotation, especially on college stations, as does “Swimming.” Other tracks deserving of attention are “Dead Horse,” “Flower Bomb,” “Termites,” “Halving” and “InFinFly.”
Recommendation: You really should Get this one.
Artist Name: Trevor James
Album Name: Maxine
Label: Self-released
Genre: R&B/Funk/Alt Rock
Track Listing: 1. Maxine; 2. Sorry; 3. Touch the Sky; 4. Assassin; 5. Cool Breeze; 6. Creepin; 7. Street Walker; 8. Crazy; 9. Locked Out; 10. I’m Gone
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: Trevor James has hit the scene, sounding like a mix of Jimi Hendrix and Lenny Kravitz, but with his own kind of attitude that sets his music apart from them. The title track kicks ass, and sets the tone for the amazing stuff that follows. On “Sorry,” he adds a jazzy vibe that makes this song pop, making it a great candidate for radio. His inner Hendrix kicks in on “Assassin” and “Street Walker,” where he demonstrates his extreme virtuosity on the guitar. He returns to the mellow sound on “Cool Breeze,” which would also sound great on the radio, while “Creepin” and “I’m Gone” are just plain cool R&B/Funk.
Recommendation: You can’t go wrong with this one. Add it to your collection today.
Artist Name: FINE POINTS
Album Name: Take Shape
Label: Dine Alone Records
Genre: Indie Pop
Track Listing: 1. The Fang; 2. Water Run; 3. Ready and Able; 4. Technicolor Dreams; 5. It’s What I Know; 6. Wandering; 7. Pharaoh; 8. Sanctuary; 9. One by One; 10. Bell Below; 11. I’m not the One
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: San Francisco-based FINE POINTS are a band on their way. They secured the services of Grammy winning producer Jason Carmer, who has previously worked with Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol and Merle Haggard, and he has helped them create a masterpiece that stretches from start to finish, and especially on their singles, “The Fang” and “Ready and Able.” Other tracks worthy of attention include “Technicolor Dreams,” “It’s What I Know,” “Wandering,” “Pharaoh,” “One by One,” “Bell Below,” and “I’m not the One.”
Recommendation: Get it!
Artist Name: Jane in Space
Album Name: Gorerunner
Label: Aion Records
Genre: Industrial/Electronic
Track Listing: 1. Little Raurus; 2. Eat Your Face; 3. Full Stop; 4. Breaking Glass; 5. Gorerunner; 6. Through the Vines
Publicist: Effective Immediately PR
Review: Jane in Space is another band from Brooklyn that has been compared to Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode. For this album, they tapped Keith Hillebrandt, who has worked with Nails, to produce the album, and we think he has delivered a stellar album that fans of those bands will also enjoy. The band hits the ground running on the first track, and never slows down as they deliver music that melts faces. is in your face. Our only complaint is that there are only six songs. We can’t wait to see what comes next.
Recommendation: If you are a fan of Nine Inch Nails or Depeche Mode, you should definitely add this one to your collection.
Artist Name: Code Red Riot
Album Name: Mask
Label: Sony RED Music
Genre: Metal/Alt Rock
Track Listing: 1. Panic and Pain; 2. Killing the Kings; 3. Living Low; 4. Slide; 5. Chaos Calls; 6. Ghost; 7. Fuel in the Fire; 8. Bulletproof; 9. Black Hole Hero; 10. Handle This; 11. 7 More Days; 12. My Failing Soul
Publicist: Right Angle PR
Review: Former Otherwise drummer and now Code Red Riot frontman, Corky Gainsford, draws his inspiration from legends like Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Sully Erna (Godsmack) and Blake Allison (Devour The Day). Currently on tour with Gemini System, Mask is the band’s debut album, and it’s an incredible start to their career. The band has set the bar very high, and delivers a masterful set of dynamic and hard-hitting songs that not just metal fans will enjoy. This one is a treat from start to finish, and a worthy addition to your musical collection.
Recommendation: Rush out and Get this one!