Happy Friday. It’s a wet one here in Montana, and a chill is in the air to remind us that no matter what time of year, winter is always near. Hopefully these five reviews will stimulate your senses and get you ready for the weekend, so let’s get started.
Artist Name: Marmalakes
Album Name: Please Don’t Stop
Label: Austin Town Hall Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Vittoria; 2. Bright Robes; 3. New Sweden; 4. Milwaukee; 5. Not Gonna Control You; 6. Canvases of Lukes; 7. Wells Tower Rosa Knees; 8. Geneva Hall; 9. Slow Dance; 10. Cancer Salute
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: This debut album starts out like The Lumineers before shifting gears to a sound more akin to X Ambassadors. The band has a great sound and makes a great addition to the indie music available for worldwide domination. This is a great album to simply put on and listen all the way through because there are no weak tracks. We love them all, and think you will too. We think this band has a bright future, and urge the industry to take notice of their sound.
Recommendation: Definitely worth checking out. Go out and Get it.
Artist Name: The Holy Knives
Album Name: Ritual Bloom
Label: Self-released
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Every Day; 2. To be Me; 3. Do You Ever Run?; 4. Hex on You
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Last month we debuted their music video for “Every Day.” Little did we know that there was more great music forthcoming from this dynamic duo. We only wish there were more than just four songs on their EP. We love the artistic muses they use, and think this could very well be the next indie band to move into the mainstream radio scene. Their music is perfect for placement opportunities in television, film and commercials, and could also be a big hit on the radio, especially college stations. They bring so much artistic vision into their music, which is soothing while at the same time challenging you to do something about the current state of things.
Recommendation: Get onboard now. Go out and Get it today!
Artist Name: Johnny & the Bootlegs
Album Name: NYC Rags
Label: JSanti Muisc
Genre: Indie Punk/Rock
Track Listing: 1. NYC Woman; 2. Wings; 3. Hesitant; 4. Thrift Shop; 5. Hey Jenny
Publicist: Behind the Curtains Media
Review: This is another band we featured in our Monday Mashup column last month, and are very excited to review their new album as well. The band was formed in 2016 by singer-songwriter John Santiago and bassist Eric Neuberger. Drummer Ryan Adams joined them in mid-2017. The band has been compared to everything from ZZ Top to Jimi Hendrix, Green Day and Sublime, and we find them somewhere in between. Their vibe is akin to classic rock, with those strong smoky vocals and amazing guitar riffs of Santiago perfectly supported by Neuberger’s bass and Adams’ drums. We really dig “Wings,” and recommend indie rock and college radio station managers put this one in heavy rotation. For a more “punk” sound, check out “Thrift Shop,” while “Hey Jenny” has that retro rockabilly sound that progresses into a punk rock ending.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.
Artist Name: Luke Winslow-King
Album Name: Blue Mesa
Label: Bloodshot Records
Genre: Blues Rock
Track Listing: 1. You Got Mine; 2. Leghorn Women; 3. Blue Mesa; 4. Born to Roam; 5. Better for Knowing You; 6. Thought I Heard You; 7. Break Down the Walls; 8. Chicken Dinner; 9. After the Rain; 10. Farewell Blues
Publicist: Bloodshot Records
Review: Luke Winslow-King has such a smooth voice that perfectly fits with his amazingly sublime blues guitar licks to form the perfect summer musical background for everything from parties to just chilling on a warm night. His guitar on “You Got Mine” draws comparison to the great BB King, while his voice has that southern rock feel that should catapult him into the national spotlight. He shows his softer side on the title track before roaring back with the future hit song “Born to Roam.” Other songs we love include the soft and sweet “Better for Knowing You,” the rocking guitar riffs on “Thought I Heard You,” the soothing guitars and vocals and overall gospel feel of “Break Down the Walls” and “After the Rain,” the groovy funk and horns of “Chicken Dinner,” and the Americana feel of “Farewell Blues.”
Recommendation: This one is a no-brainer. You simply MUST Get it and put it on repeat.
Artist Name: Calembour
Album Name: Let the Wind Lead us Home
Label: Standby Records
Genre: Folk Rock
Track Listing: 1. Let the Wind Lead us Home; 2. I Call Your Name; 3. Away From You; 4. Yours & Mine
Publicist: Standby Records
Review: All the way from the UK comes another band with a sound eerily similar to The Lumineers. The title cut immediately grabs your attention and lets the listener know that this band is anxious to crash into the US radio market, and has the goods to deliver. The lead vocals are deep and smooth, and fit perfectly with the acoustic guitar to create an eerie folk rock groove that deserves to be noticed. We can’t wait to hear more from this amazing British import.
Recommendation: This album is the perfect complement to your musical library. We highly recommend you Get it.