Tag: Katie Herzig

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Artists Worth Checking Out Best of 2018 Women in Entertainment

Forty best albums of 2018

What a year for indie music.  We received a boatload of review requests from around the world, and published reviews of nearly 1,000 CDs and EPs.  We culled through those we reviewed first to pick our nominations for the LA Music Critic Awards, and now to compile our list of the 40 Best CDs of 2018.

Due to the sheer volume, we only considered full-length projects for this list, but that doesn’t mean that quite a few of the EPs we reviewed weren’t also worthy of distinction.  We may yet put together another list of just EPs.

In the meantime, while we wait for the winners of the second half of 2018 for the LA Music Critic Awards to be announced tomorrow, here are our favorite CDs of 2018.  You can find their individual reviews by searching for them on our blog.

40.  Kate Reid – The Heart Already Knows

39.  Deb Ryder – Enjoy the Ride

38.  Jeffrey Foucault – War on the Radio

37.  Katie Herzig – Moment of Bliss

36.  Eric Tingstad – Electric Spirit

35.  Fanny Walked the Earth – self-titled

34.  Wily Bo Walker – Almost Transparent Blues

33.  Buddy Guy – The Blues is Alive and Well

32.  Walt Weiskopf – European Quartet

31.  Mindi Abair & the Boneshakers – All I Got for Christmas is the Blues

30.  YYNOT – self-titled

29.  Peter V Blues Band – Shaken but not Deterred

28.  Delta Moon – Babylon is Falling

27.  The Textones – Old Stone Gang

26.  Ronny Morris – Sweet Silence

25.  Sydney Wright – Seiche

24.  Gleeson – The Years Have It

23.  Colin Devlin – High Point

22.  Everlast – Don’t Complain

21.  Zsuzsika – Start Again

20.  Michael Peterson – From Here to Eternity

19.  K. Michelle Dubois – Autumn

18.    Broken Bellows – I, Kaleidoscope

17.  Rachel Sage – Myopia

16.  Janiva Magness – Love is an Army

15.  John Flanagan Trio – Honest Man

14.  Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm – Shoot me Down

13.  Floods – Bad Times

12.  Frank Hannon (From One Place . . . to Another, vols 1 and 2)

11.  Keith Harkin – In the Round

10.  Southern Halo – Just Like in the Movies

9.  Cindy Alexander – Nowhere to Hide

8.  Kari Kimmel – Gold & Glitter

7.  Hymn for Her – Pop-n-Downers

6.  Jordan Siwek – Sun Inside You

5.  Slim Gambill – Fake Jazz

4.  Gina Sicilia – Heard the Lie

3.  Birds and Arrows – Arbitrary Magic

2.  Brigitte Rios Purdy – Still I Rise

and the Best Album of 2018 goes to

Norway Reloaded – My Longest Mile

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Castle Black, Fellow Robot, Sean Paul, Katie Herzig, No Dry County

Hope your Monday was enjoyable.  It’s now time for our first Get it or Forget it of the week, and we have five very interesting artists for you to check out.

Artist Name:  Castle Black

Album Name:  the gods that adored you

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Punk/Grunge

Track Listing:  1.  Man on a Train; 2.  River; 3.  Sierra; 4.  A Cigarette, Saved; 5.  Linen

Publicist:  Behind the Curtains Media

Review:  Last year we reviewed their previous EP, Trapped Under All You Know, and they’re back with their fourth EP, the gods that adored you.  This band just continues to get better and better.  One thing we really love about them, besides their amazing post-punk grunge/ indie rock sound is the lead female vocals, which truly sets them apart from so many of their peers.  All five songs this time around are amazing, and we can’t get enough of any of them, especially “Linen.”  As we said last year, “Hop on the bandwagon now cause this band is going places.”  We stand by that analysis.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get it.

Artist Name:  Fellow Robot

Album Name:  The Robot’s Guide to Music Vol. 1

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Rock/Folk/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Tools of War; 2.  The Narcissist; 3.  Wedding Dress; 4.  Garden of the Lord; 5.  Clone Baby; 6.  I’m With You; 7.  Dime in my Pocket; 8.  Son of Fire; 9.  Better Days; 10.  Become the Sky; 11.  Fatherless Children

Publicist:  Far Digital PR

Review:  Fellow Robot has a unique but familiar style, reminiscent of the music of The Decemberists.  The music is simple yet majestic, and builds mightily as each song progresses towards climax.  This is a band you want to have as your everyday chill, and we don’t think you will ever tire of their sound.  They definitely have the potential for great things, and they are setting the bar high with this dynamic debut album.  We highly recommend you simply put this one on repeat.  You will want to hear them over and over.

Recommendation:  Get this one now.  They will be blowing up the charts in no time flat!

Artist Name:  Sean Paul

Album Name:  Mad Love – The Prequel

Label:  Dutty Hall Productions

Genre:  Pop/Dancehall/Reggae

Track Listing:  1.  Naked Truth (ft. Jhene Aiko) EXPLICIT; 2.  Bad Love (ft. Ellie Golding); 3.  Mad Love (ft. David Guetta, Becky G); 4.  Jump on It; 5.  Tip Pon It (ft. Major Lazer); 6.  Jet Plane Trip (ft. Steffen Don); 7.  Body (ft. Migos) EXPLICIT; 8.  Tek Weh Guh Heart (ft. Tory Lanez; 9.  No Lie (ft. Dua Lipa)

Publicist:  Worldwide Friendly Society

Review:  We doubt that there is anyone who hasn’t heard of Sean Paul.  On this amazing album, he has dubbed some of the hottest stars in the pop word and added his signature reggae vibe to songs that are guaranteed to get you up and onto the dance floor.  You can’t listen to these songs and not want to dance.  They are hot hot hot, and we are so proud to be able to share them with you.  Take your pick of these songs – you can’t go wrong with any of them.  Our favorites include “Bad Love,” Mad Love,” “Jump on It,” “Jet Plane Trip,” and “No Lie.”

Recommendation:  Get it before you can’t find it anymore.  This one is guaranteed to melt your turntable.

Artist Name:  Katie Herzig

Album Name:  Delicate

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Beat of Your Heart; 2.  Feel Alive (ft. Ingrid Michaelson); 3.  Lost and Found (ft. Sleeping at Last); 4.  Strangers; 5.  The Wilheim Scream; 6.  Wish you Well (ft. Brandi Carlille)

Publicist:  Right Angle PR

Review:  It’s only been a few months since we reviewed her last EP, Moment of Bliss, and we are thrilled that she has returned with her latest, Delicate.  She made us wait four years for Moment of Bliss, and we’re so glad that we didn’t have to wait that long for her latest blissful creation.  This time around, she has five of her originals, several of which were previously recorded, as well as an amazing cover of the James Blake song “The Wilheim Scream.”   She has also drafted several of the artists that she has opened for to sing on the EP, including Brandi Carlille and Ingrid Michaelson, and is currently on her own headlining tour,  It is no wonder that Herzig continues to get placements on hit television shows, including 10 songs on Grey’s Anatomy.  She was also recently nominated for an Emmy for her song “Morse Code,” which was written for Netflix’s The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show.  Everyone of these songs is incredible and a testament to the powerful songwriting force that Herzig has become.

Recommendation:  This lady is a future superstar.  Get this one ASAP!

Artist Name:  No Dry County

Album Name:  Panhandle Music

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Tucumcari; 2.  Get Away; 3.  Elvis Gun Runner; 4.  Bittersweet; 5.  SS 14; 6.  Manic and Mundane; 7.  Mountain of Clouds; 8.  On our Own; 9.  Sheep in Wolves Clothes; 10.  When you Came Around; 11.  15 Piece Band; 12.  Sway; 13.  Hey Thunder

Publicist:  Effective Immediately PR

Review:  Combining Americana, alt country and rock is pure genius, and truly sets apart the sound of No Dry County.  The vocals are crystal clear, the lyrics are ingenious and well written, and the musical score is unlike anything else.  This band has so much potential for placement opportunities and serious radio airplay.  This one is a winner from start to finish, and we will be putting it on repeat for the foreseeable future.  Our favorites include “Get Away,” “Bittersweet,” “Mountain of Clouds,” “Sheep in Wolves Clothes,” “15 Piece Band,” and “Hey Thunder.”

Recommendation:  Run, don’t walk, and Get this one Today!

 

 

Categories
Artists Worth Checking Out Get it or Forget it Reviews Women in Entertainment

Get it or forget it – Katie Herzig, The Evening Attraction, Margaret Glaspy, Patrick Yandall, Lucy Racquel and me

It’s almost Friday, and we can’t wait.  It’s been a long week already, but we have more great music to get you ready for the weekend.  Here are five more artists for your pleasure.

Artist Name:  Katie Herzig

Album Name:  Moment of Bliss

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Strangers; 2.  Beat of Your Own; 3.  Feel Alive; 4.  Learn to Hide; 5.  I Don’t Mind; 6.  Weight Lifting; 7.  We Can’t Deny; 8.  I Want to Make you Proud; 9.  Moment of Bliss; 10.  All This Time; 11.  Me Without You

Publicist:  Right Angle PR

Review:  Katie Herzig has a sweet voice that brings out all the emotions within her well-crafted lyrics, which fit perfectly into the musical accompaniment she has created.  As a result, her music is uplifting, upbeat and full of energy and fun.  The album is well named, because listening to her songs truly brings quite a few moments of bliss to every fan.  These songs are truly radio friendly, and should also find multiple uses by music supervisors in television, film and commercials.  They would also work well for dance remixes, as Herzig has a way with crafting the perfect beat that makes the listener want to get up and dance.  There is not a weak song on this album, but we especially love “Beat of Your Own,” “Feel Alive,” “We Can’t Deny,” “I Want to Make you Proud,” the title track, and “All This Time.”

Recommendation:  This one is most worthy of your attention.  We recommend you get it soon.

Artist Name:  The Evening Attraction

Album Name:  The End, Again

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Retro Rock

Track Listing:  1.  The End of the World, Again; 2.  Atop Loves Mountain; 3.  Love so Fine; 4.  Say you Will; 5.  Liar; 6.  Three in the Mornin; 7.  I Just Want you to Know; 8.  Ladaia; 9.  The Beginning, Again

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  The Evening Attraction has grown to become one of Chicago’s best kept secrets, although they are hugely popular in the underground scene.  Their music is reminiscent of 60’s rock and roll artists like The Beach Boys, The Animals, The Doors, The Zombies, and the like.  Despite this throwback in musical style, their sound is so refreshing.  They have reinvented that decade while bringing the music into the current digital age, and we could not be happier with the finished product.  This is a band that is ready to break out of the underground and move into the mainstream.  Their music would break up the monotony of today’s radio airplay, and we would like to see the broadcast industry stop and take notice of this unique talent.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get up and Get this one!

Artist Name:  Margaret Glaspy

Album Name:  Born Yesterday

Label:  ATO Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Before we Were Together; 2.  One Heart and Two Arms; 3.  I Love You Goodnight

Publicist:  The Syndicate

Review:  Margaret Glaspy is an artist on the verge of breaking out.  She has taken her singer-songwriter roots to a new level with this three-song EP that shows so much promise for the future.  She is about the launch a national tour in support of her new music, and we hope she comes close enough to us that we can check out her live show.  Her guitar work is so precise, while her voice is raspy and rough, bringing life to her bluesy songs, especially on “Before we Were Together,” her current single.  “One Heart and Two Arms” is pure blues rock, while “I Love You Goodnight” is laid back and smooth, leaving us begging for more.

Recommendation:  Don’t think twice – Get this one now!

Artist Name:  Patrick Yandall

Album Name:  10 South Riverside

Label:  Zangi Records

Genre:  Smooth Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  Mister Bean; 2.  Kona Boy; 3.  Breezin’; 4.  Sunrise in Monroe; 5.  Free Flight; 6.  Thumbs Up; 7.  10 South Riverside; 8.  Memory Lane; 9.  Momma T; 10.  It’s Always Been You; 11.  Thunder Road; 12.  Hermosa; 13.  Albany Park; 14.  Jump Back James

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Back in the day, when we were active in the San Diego jazz scene, we first came across a young guitarist named Patrick Yandall.  We have followed his career progression over the years and with his latest release, he has truly attained the level of excellence that we knew he would eventually achieve.  Over that period of time, he has recorded 20 albums, played to audiences around the world, and never lost his humility or friendliness.  He is truly one of the best kept secrets of the San Diego jazz scene, and also one of their greatest musical talents.  Put this one on when you want to chill and put it on repeat.  It will keep you entertained no matter how many times you hear it.  In particular, his cover of George Benson’s “Breezin'” would make Mr. Benson smile.

Recommendation:  We give this release one of our strongest recommendations – Get it like your life depends on it.

Artist Name:  Lucy, Racquel and me

Album Name:  Where the Moon Never Sets

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Soft Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Unravel; 2.  In my Head; 3.  Grey; 4.  Millions out There (orchestral edition); 5.  Pull Down the Moon; 6.  Inside my Vault

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Combining the best of Canberra, Australia; Los Angeles, California and Paris, France, Lucy, Racquel and me brings us an enchanting soft rock sound with traces of pop and jazz.  On top of the mix is the truly intoxicating of LA’s Racquel, bringing to life the wonderfully written lyrical content of Canberra’s Lucy, encircled in the amazing compositions of Paris’ Phillippe (aka me).  This music would do well on a multitude of musical stations, including NPR, and should likewise be excellent material for any musical supervisor looking for the perfect track for television, film or commercials.  You will love every track, especially the huge orchestral sound of “Millions Out There, the ELO-influenced “In my Head,” and the jazzy island feel of “Pull Down the Moon.”  This band has taken the musical style of ELO and expanded it, and every listener will be the beneficiary of their vision.

Recommendation:  You would be considered wise if you were to Get this one.