February has sure flown by. Hard to believe tomorrow is March already, and within another week, we’ll be rolling the clocks forward an hour to start Daylight Savings Time. Good thing there are so many great new indie releases to share. Here are another five for your review.
Artist Name: The Fleeting Ends
Album Name: I Know you Lie ‘Coz so do I
Label: MilkBoy Recording
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. 20 Something; 2. 2die4; 3. How Much Longer; 4. Waiting for the Drop; 5. Prove It; 6. Life’s a Shortcut; 7. Ache; 8. Juniper
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: Straight forward indie rock with pop hooks describes the music of The Fleeting Ends on their latest effort. The songs are radio friendly, with a catchy melody and lyrics. They have a style similar to groups like Maroon 5 and One Direction. Their songs would also be appealing to music supervisors, especially “2die4,” “How Much Longer,” “Prove It” and “Juniper.” We believe these Philly boys are in this business for the long haul, and we expect great things from them in the future. Best cuts include “2die4,” “How Much Longer,” “Waiting for the Drop,” “Prove It” (with its amazing acoustic guitar), “Ache” and “Juniper” (which has the same amazing acoustic guitar as “Prove it.”
Recommendation: Definitely Get it.
Artist Name: Computer Magic
Album Name: DANZ
Label: Channel 9 Records
Genre: Electronica
Track Listing: 1. Amnesia; 2. Nebraskaland; 3. Ordinary Life (Message from an A.I. Girlfriend); 4. Delirium (Don’t Follow the Sheep); 5. Teegra; 6. Perfect Game; 7. Data; 8. Space and Time/ Pale Blue Dot; 9. Drift Away; 10. Clouds
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Although not a huge fan of electronic music, Computer Magic aka Danielle Johnson does have a unique approach in using synthesized computer sound to provide the musical backdrop to her singer-songwriter lyrics. This is why she has achieve success in such countries as Japan and had her songs placed in commercials for Panasonic and QP Half. She is a true DIY professional, recording all her music in her own studio for her own label. She also does all the design work for her nine previous EPs and four albums, as well as her merchandise. Her music does have an 80’s vibe, as best demonstrated on “Ordinary Life (Message from an A.I. Girlfriend).”
Recommendation: Give this one a try, purely because of its uniqueness.
Artist Name: Violetta Zironi
Album Name: Half Moon Lane
Label: Self-released
Genre: Folk Rock/Americana
Track Listing: 1. Toast; 2. Muddy Fields; 3. Half Moon Lane; 4. Song with Felix; 5. Don’t Make me a Fool; 6. Let’s get Lost
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Italian songstress Violetta Zironi, though only 22 years old, has an old soul that understands the Americana music scene. Her songs are well constructed and fit perfectly into this decidely American musical genre. Her sweet, lilting voice floats on top of the musical accompaniment, soothing the listener. Both of her previously released singles, “Toast” and “Don’t Make me a Fool” are incredible songs perfect for radio airplay, as well as potential placement in television and film. She landed a label deal, but realized that her songs were not her own, and did not speak what was in her heart, and decided to do it independently. We wholeheartedly support this decision, and believe that this young lady will have a very promising and successful career in the States. We can’t wait to hear what’s coming next. We also love the flute work in the title cut, as well as the simplicity of the closing tune, “Let’s Get Lost.”
Recommendation: You simply must Get this one.
Artist Name: Red Lama
Album Name: Motions
Label: All Good Clean Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Perfect Strangers; 2. Awakening (ft. Bjonko); 3. Post Optimism; 4. Have a Great Today; 5. Come What May; 6. Fular; 7. Wave; 8. Elements I; 9. Elements II
Publicist: Viral Propaganda PR
Review: The international music scene continues to impress us, and this band from Denmark is a prime example. They have a rocking sound that is fresh and perfect for American radio. The production is pristine, allowing every nuance of the music to come through crystal clear. The songs are well-crafted masterpieces, cemented by the soaring vocals. This one hits the ground running and never lets up. In many ways they remind us of U2 at their prime during the Joshua Tree period, Our favorite cuts include “Perfect Strangers,” the amazing instrumentation of “Awakening,” “Have a Great Today,” “Come What May,” “Fular,” and “Elements II.”
Recommendation: Definitely worth checking out.
Artist Name: Everett Bird
Album Name: People Person
Label: Royal Mountain Records
Genre: Indie Rock/Electronica
Track Listing: 1. A Blessing in da Sky; 2. Lizard; 3. Bucket of Dark Meat; 4. Paranoid; 5. My Town; 6. Shred City Nights; 7. Plug; 8. 2Mac; 9. Slitherin’
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: If all we had to go by was the first track, then we would have immediately given this a “Forget it” rating. Thank goodness it gets better after that horrible first song. The band settles into a strong indie rock groove on “Lizard,” which continues with their single “Bucket of Dark Meat” (which we featured in our Monday Mashup column), The best songs are “Paranoid,” “Plug,” “2Mac” and “Slitherin’.” If you love high energy, in your face rock, you will probably like “My Town” and “Shred City Nights.”
Recommendation: Overall, the album is worthy of your consideration, however, be prepared to skip a few songs, depending on whether you like the softer reflective or harder rock style of music.