Tag: LA Music Critic Award

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

Get it or forget it – Meg Williams, Nate Currin, L-space, Steven Blane, Heart Attack Man

Welcome to another New Music Friday.  With our move coming up next weekend, we are scaling back for a couple of weeks.  We decided to post just our Monday Mashup and New Music Friday Get it or Forget it articles, so you won’t miss us too much.  Here are five albums that dropped today.

Artist Name:  Meg Williams

Album Name:  Take me as I am:  The Muscle Shoals Sessions

Label:  Nola Blue Records

Genre:  Blues Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Come on Over to Me; 2.  Tell Everybody; 3.  Shame; 4.  Little bit of the Devil; 5.  Played by the Blues; 6.  Sometimes I Need you, Too; 7.  Take me as I Am; 8.  What About Me?; 9.  Can’t Keep Waiting on You; 10.  I Feel a Heartache Coming; 11.  Make a Move; 12.  Take a Chance on my Love

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  We reviewed her previous release back in January 2018, and fell in love with her sound, which has only gotten better since then.  It also earned her an LA Music Critic Award nomination for Best Blues Artist.  In addition, her skills on the guitar are second to none as she teaches her male counterparts how to play blues guitar, while her songwriting skills are head and shoulders above most of her peers.  Whether she’s rocking the blues or bringing you the traditional style, you will be enthralled from the first note to the last.  You can’t lose with this album, which is awesome from beginning to end, and which we bet you’ll be putting on repeat.

Recommendation:  Drop everything and go Get this one!

Artist Name:  Nate Currin

Album Name:  Ashes & Earth

Label:  Archaic Cannon Records

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Ramblin’ Man; 2.  Heart on the Run; 3.  Guilt and Grief; 4.  Wander til I Die; 5.  When I was Younger; 6.  Ashes & Earth; 7.  Desert Skies; 8.  Oklahoma; 9.  Flowers on her Grave; 10.  1979

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Nate Currin has always been an incredible voice in the indie music singer-songwriter community, but he has outdone himself on his latest release.  This one is raw and honest, and cuts to the bone.  These are songs from someone who has lived, and is unafraid to share that reality.  There is not a weak song on the album, whether it’s the heartbreaking truth of “Ramblin’ Man” or “Heart on the Run,” or the rock n’ roll goodness of “Wander til I Die,” Currin is truly the voice of this decade.  His goodness needs to be on display for all to hear.  We also love the vocal harmonies on “Ramblin’ Man,” “Desert Skies” and “Flowers on her Grave.”

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  Run out and Get it!

Artist Name:  L-space

Album Name:  Music for Megastructures

Label:  Last Night From Glasgow

Genre:  Electronic instrumental

Track Listing:  1.  [Transport] Approaching an Arcology; 2.  [Transport] The Slow Descent of a Cruise Ship Into Port; 3.  [Transport] Morning Traffic Overhead; 4.  [Transport] Lots of Colorful Lights at all Times of Day and Night; 5.  [Transport] Approaching a Megastructure; 6.  [Work] A Small man Waits While the Rain Sizzles on the Tarp; 7.  [Work] A Sleepy Robot Watches Over a Rarely-Used Car Park; 8.  [Work] The Captains of Industry and Their Interests Outside of Work; 9.  [Work] An Aspiring Actor Works as a Barrista Under Hallogen Lights; 10.  [Work] Free Body Augmentations – No Questions Asked or Answered; 11.  [Health]  Lives are Getting Longer; 12.  [Health]  Biology is so 21st Century; 13.  [Health]  Browsing the Latest Pharmaceuticals at the Hospital Drive Through; 14.  [Health]  Stopping for Neon Ice Cream; 15.  [Health]  Getting Sick and Being Cured; 16.  [Life]  A Brief Moment of Triumph After a Period of Alienation; 17.  [Life]  Gambling in Virtual Reality with Real Life Consequences; 18.  [Life]  A Sense of Unease Descends Upon the Bar; 19.  [Life]  Sitting in a Crowded Basement Watching Automations Approximate Music; 20.  [Life]  Waking up Bathed in the Light of Things you Can’t Afford

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  This one is definitely not what we expected.  The music is other-worldly and perfect for use in movies and television.  These tracks would also work well for mixing house music.  They hit you from all sides and the song titles are so very pretentious.  Our advice is to ignore them and just listen to this album from start to finish and let the waves of musical energy wash over your body and mind, relaxing and refreshing them.  This one needs multiple listens.

Recommendation:  Truly worth of being in your collection.

Artist Name:  Steven Blane

Album Name:  I Walk Alone

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Hot AC/AAA/Jazz

Track Listing:  1,  Look Who’s Crying Now; 2.  Bottoms Up; 3.  Incredible; 4.  I Walk Alone; 5.  Don’t Know You; 6.  My Baby’s Coming Home; 7.  Brooklyn Bridge; 8.  Dressed in Blue; 9.  Walk by Me; 10.  Please; 11.  Sacred Chain

Publicist:  EMPKT PR

Review:  If you’ve always been impressed by the sound of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley, then you will simply love the latest offering from Steven Blane.  He pulls out all the stops in this retro tribute to the sound of Orbison and Presley, featuring simple accompaniment and Blane’s hearty tenor sound.  In particular, the title track is an homage to Orbison’s “Pretty Woman.”  Blane also does some of his signature jazz sound on “Incredible” and his Americana sound on “Brooklyn Bridge.”

Recommendation:  This one would make a fine addition to your collection.

Artist Name:  Heart Attack Man

Album Name:  Fake Blood

Label:  You Did This/Triple Crown Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1,  Fake Blood; 2.  Blood Blister; 3.  Low Hanging Fruit; 4.  Out for Blood; 5.  Rats in a Bucket; 6.  Moths in a Lampshade; 7.  Cut my Losses; 8.  Crisis Actor; 9.  Asking for It; 10.  Sugar Coated; 11.  The Choking Game

Publicist:  Earshot Media

Review:  This hit this one hard with an edgy indie rock sound, well-crafted lyrics and excellent instrumentation that truly complements the overall sound.  This is a band that is different enough to stand out from its indie peers, and deserves industry attention, both from radio stations and music supervisors.  The title track sets the tone for the album, and it never lets up.

Recommendation:  Give these lads a chance.  We think they’ll win you over.

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – mmhmm, Russ Green, Sylvia, Jon Mullane, Catlow

Did you get your free slurpee yesterday for 7-11 Day?  Unfortunately, we don’t have any up here in Montana.  At any rate, here are five more reviews to cool you down on these hot summer days.

Artist Name:   mmhmm

Album Name:   mmhmm

Label:   Self-released

Genre:   Americana/Pop

Track Listing:   1.  Let’s get Together; 2.  Aw Hell; 3.  Number Song; 4.  Up in Smoke (Don’t it Have to Wait); 5.  Earn my Love; 6.  Mama’s Little Yella Pills; 7.  Lookin’ Like a Tranny Blues; 8.  Coy Boy; 9.  Good Love; 10.  Blue Eyes; 11.  Take it on the Run; 12.  3 am and sake; 13.  So Hard to say Goodbye

Publicist:   Independent Music Media

Review: Finally, a band name that truly describes the group.  Mmhmm is just that – tasty in every way – visually stunning with a musical sound that makes your ears and your feet happy as well.  Composed of Raelyn Nelson and Hannah Fairlight, this indie duo is taking Nashville by storm, bringing a pop sensibility to their Americana vibe.  If they look familiar to you, that’s because Fairlight is also an amazing actress, with roles on A&E’s Crazy Hearts:  Nashville and the movie Pitch Perfect 3, while Nelson is the granddaughter of legendary country artist Willie Nelson.  These ladies definitely live up to the hype and deserve all the accolades.  They could very well be the new face of Americana.  We strongly advise music supervisors, radio station managers and the industry in general to open their eyes – these ladies are true stars in the making.  The icing on the cake is their spirited cover of The Eagles’ “Take it on the Run,” complete with kazoos and lots of ‘tude.

Recommendation:   Don’t even think about it – Get this one TODAY!

Artist Name:  Russ Green

Album Name:  City Soul

Label:  Cleopatra Records

Genre:  Blues

Track Listing:  1.  First Thing Smokin; 2.  Believe in Love; 3.  The Edge; 4.  Goin Down South (ft Eric Bibb); 5.  Lover Man; 6.  Train of Pain; 7.  Up From the Bottom; 8.  Lint in my Pocket; 9.  Somethin New; 10.  Love to Give

Publicist:  Blind Raccoon

Review:  Russ Green epitomizes the term “Windy City Blues” with the 10 original tunes on his debut album.  He offers us everything we love about the blues – killer blues guitar, harmonica, great lyrics, an awesome voice and the feeling that only the blues provides.  Although the entire album is stellar, we really loved “Believe in Love,” “The Edge,” “Goin Down South” (with the amazing vocal addition of Eric Bibb), “Lover Man,” “Up From the Bottom,” “Lint in my Pocket” and “Somethin New.”

Recommendation:  This is a must-have for all lovers of the blues.  Get it now!

Artist Name:  Sylvia

Album Name:  Second Bloom:  The Hits Re-Imagined

Label:  Red Pony Records

Genre:  Country/A-C

Track Listing:  1.  Drifter; 2.  Nobody; 3.  Tumbleweed; 4.  Fallin’ in Love; 5.  Cry Just a Little Bit; 6.  Sweet Yesterday; 7.  Like Nothing Ever Happened; 8.  Snapshot; 9.  I Love you by Heart; 10.  You Can’t go Back Home

Publicist:  So Much MOORE Media

Review:  Country music in the 1980s was constantly changing but one name was consistent – Sylvia.  She accumulated 12 Top Ten hits, including two that made it to #1, won BMI Song of The Year with “Nobody,” was nominated for a Grammy and won the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year.  Not surprisingly, five of those hits were all written by the team of Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan.  Oh yeah, and she sold over four million records.  Well, she’s back with new recordings of many of those huge hits, and we couldn’t be happier.  She wanted her songs to be more reflective of the A-C artist she is now, and we think she has hit the ball out of the park with these versions.  Put this one on and remember the good ole days.

Recommendation:  If you loved 1980s country, then you simply must have this one for a wonderful trip down memory lane.  Grab your copy soon.

Artist Name:  Jon Mullane

Album Name:  Singles

Label:  Forward Motion Music Group

Genre:  Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Freaks me Out; 2.  Desert Moon; 3.  Make You Move; 4.  The One That Got Away; 5.  Born Beautiful; 6.  My new American Girl; 7.  Change Your Life; 8.  Any Other Way; 9.  Go the Distance; 10.  Got it Goin’ On; 11.  Body Rock; 12.  One More Chance; 13.  Eternal Life

Publicist:  ACR Management

Review:  Canadian Jon Mullane has been doing things a little different from most indie artists.  Instead of creating albums, he releases his music primarily as singles, while also getting multiple placements in commercials, television, film and sporting events.  It is indeed a rare pleasure for him to release an album of these “singles,” so that we can find some of his best material all in one place.  The collection, which kicks off with his latest single, “Freaks me Out,” also includes the LA Music Critic Award winning song, “Born Beautiful.”  You cannot go wrong with this collection  There is not a weak song in this incredible collection, many of which you have heard before and didn’t even know it.

Recommendation:  If you only buy one CD this month, make it count and Get this one.

Artist Name:  Catlow

Album Name:  Main of Nowhere

Label:  File Under:  Music Records

Genre:  Indie Pop/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  Scrapes; 2.  A Moment Passes By; 3.  My Sun (ft. David Beckingham); 4.  Settle Up; 5.  Main of Nowhere; 6.  Forget the Rest

Publicist:  Right Angle PR

Review:  Upbeat, great vocals and incredible musicianship are the words that best describe the latest offering from Vancouver-based band Catlow.  This is the perfect remedy for a hot summer day, and should be listened to on a daily basis.  This Canadian band has everything it needs to take on the American radio market, especially College Radio.  Their harmonies are sick, while the guitar and drum driven melodies make for an amazing aural adventure.  You will love all six tracks, and we are sure that you will play them over and over again.

Recommendation:  If you love music, then you must add this one to your library and put it on repeat!

 

 

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

Get it or forget it – Joey Racano, Ben de la Cour, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Andy Sydow, Wolfe Jackson

As we explained yesterday, while we were off covering the Hollywood Fringe Festival, we received 94 review requests for the month of June.  We will be focusing on those for our Get it or Forget it articles on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  For the Friday edition, we will focus on the July releases.  We should be caught up with everything by the end of the second week in August, so let’s get started.

Artist Name:  Joey Racano

Album Name:  Midnite Madness

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues/Rock

Track Listing:  1.  In the Middle of the Night; 2.  Tell the Truth; 3.  Medicine Wheel; 4.  Eight Ball Jones; 5.  Saturday Cyberdate; 6.  Hello Baby (Reunion Blues); 7.  Six String Savvy

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  Joey Racano takes traditional blues guitar and adds in elements of pop (repetition) and rap to create a most unique sound, as demonstrated on the first track, “In the Middle of the Night.”  He also throws in some wailing sax for good measure.  “Tell the Truth” has more of a rock beat but continues with his spoken/sung vocals and pop repetitions that immediately distinguish his sound from others in this genre.  His lyrics are deep and may require multiple listens to fully comprehend all that he has to say.  What he lacks in vocal prowess is more than made up by the musical accompaniment.

Recommendation:  This one is worth a listen or two just because it is so different.  It’s a throwback to when music was more important than smooth silky vocals.  You may or may not like it, but it’s worth a listen nevertheless.

Artist Name:  Ben de la Cour

Album Name:  The High Cost of Living Strange

Label:  Flour Sack Cape Records

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Dixie Crystals; 2.  Uncle Boudreau Went to Texas; 3.  Company Town; 4.  Face Down Penny; 5.  Tupelo; 6.  Guy Clark’s Fiddle; 7.  Just Like the Blues; 8.  The High Cost of Living Strange

Publicist:  Broken Jukebox Media

Review:  Americana is a uniquely American genre, and Ben de la Cour plays it better than just about any other artist we have heard in recent memory.  His voice is strong, smooth and fluid, and his songs are well written masterpieces.  His instrumental soundtrack perfectly captures this genre, delivering compelling time capsules of life.  His publicist said his album was the best he’d heard this year, and we would tend to agree to that.  This is an artist that should be on the top of the Americana scene, and we are proud and privileged to have been chosen to review his album.  We think he belongs in the company of Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton, as well as in the national spotlight.  We really love the sound of “Dixie Crystals,” “Company Town,” “Tupelo,” “Guy Clark’s Fiddle,” and “Just Like the Blues.”

Recommendation:  If you love Americana, then you must add this one to your collection.  Get it today.

Artist Name:  Cathy Segal-Garcia

Album Name:  The Jazz Chamber

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Jazz

Track Listing:  1.  Star Eyes; 2.  Velho Piano; 3.  Time After Time; 4.  High Trapeze; 5.  Cinema Paradiso Theme; 6.  Message to Prez; 7.  This Moment; 8.  Universal Prisoner; 9.  Compared to What; 10.  Sleep in Peace

Publicist:  Mouthpiece Music

Review:  Cathy Segal-Garcia is a gifted jazz vocalist who has just released her 11th CD.  This time around, she adds an entire jazz chamber orchestra to the mix, and the result is rather grand, as in ballroom.  These tunes would have been right at home in the 1940s, with their elegant and expansive sound, and the feeling that you should be dancing around a large ballroom floor while she serenades your senses.  She even throws in a couple of cover songs, including a brilliant adaptation of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.”  Grab a glass of wine, dim the lights and enjoy.

Recommendation:  If you love jazz, then we’re sure this artist is already in your collection.  We recommend you add her latest.

Artist Name:  Andy Sydow

Album Name:  Reasons for Departure

Label:  Uncle Ralph Records

Genre:  Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Reasons for Departure; 2.  Directions to the Moon; 3.  Who I Want to Be; 4.  Secret Rodeo; 5.  Hearts go On; 6.  Shame on Me; 7.  Lonely Love; 8.  Jenny’s Masquerade; 9.  Bus Drive; 10.  Whispering Moon

Publicist:  EMPKT PR

Review:  Andy Sydow is a gifted songwriter who hails from Denver, Colorado.  On this album, he has hooked up with LA Music Critic Award winning producer Chris Daniels to deliver an amazing group of songs that loudly proclaim he has arrived and is ready for his cameo.  From the first notes of the title track, Sydow firmly establishes himself as a force that cannot be overcome, so we advise you to sit down and enjoy these tracks.  Daniels has managed to highlight all the strengths of Sydow’s style, and give us an album that is good from start to finish.  You will not want to miss a single track, but just sit back and savor the instrumentation, the lyrics, the stories and the voice of calm that permeates this music.  Sydow is a combination of Tom Petty meets Jackson Browne, and we will forever be a fan.

Recommendation:  You simply MUST add this one to your library.  Get it ASAP!

Artist Name:  Wolfe Jackson

Album Name:  Nobody Knows Me (Better Than You)

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Americana/Soul

Track Listing:  1.  Nobody Know Me (Better Than You); 2.  Comfort Love; 3.  One More Time; 4.  Where my Heart Belongs; 5.  Brother; 6.  Lord Forgive Me (I’ve Been Bad) (bonus track)

Publicist:  Effective Immediately PR

Review:  Wolfe Jackson is a UK transplant who has firmly established himself as an American artist.  On his debut EP, he shows why he sold out his record release show at Hollywood’s famed Hotel Cafe.  His sound is raw and rare, and should provide him with a long career in music.  From the first notes of the title track, his amazing voice rises above the simple accompaniment, reminiscent of Jason Mraz, who was also had success at the Hotel Cafe early in his career.  His songs feel like they are being sung directly to  you while you listen to him in the comfort of your living room.  This is a voice that will surely rise like cream to the top of the music scene.  We expect to see him become a household name in no time at all.

Recommendation:  This one is a no-brainer.  You need this album in your library, where we are sure you will listen to it over and over again.