Happy Hump Day! Did you enjoy yesterday’s amazing lineup? We’ve got lots more where that came from, and will top it all off on Friday with the review of the brand new album from Reel Big Fish. We can hardly wait. In the meantime, here are five more reviews for your consideration.
Artist Name: David Philips
Album Name: Acoustic Cover Versions 1
Label: KurVer Records
Genre: Cover Songs
Track Listing: 1. Dock of the Bay; 2. Freedom 2018; 3. Heart of Glass; 4. Hit the Road Jack
Publicist: Black and Tan Records
Review: David Philips is no stranger to indie music, or to this blog, as we reviewed his previous release back in May. On this brilliant EP, Philips strips down a pair of classic songs, “Dock of the Bay” and “Hit the Road Jack,” and totally re-imagines a pair of 80’s pop hits, “Freedom” and “Heart of Glass” to create a beautiful and peaceful soundtrack. This one is a treat from start to finish. We only wish there were more than four songs.
Recommendation: Definitely worth adding to your collection.
Artist Name: TULA
Album Name: Skin
Label: I Love That Song International
Genre: Dark Pop
Track Listing: 1. Colours; 2. Another Kind of Red; 3. Glow; 4. Wake; 5. Bullet
Publicist: Mystic Sons
Review: TULA was born in Sweden and currently based in Berlin. Her new sound is drenched in beauty and darkness and totally radio friendly. Tula’s first single, “Bullet,” which closes the EP, debuted at #1, and the follow-up single, “Colours,” is just as dynamic. This dynamic voice deserves heavy rotation on American radio, and the chance to tour North America. Her vocals are lovely while the songs provide food for thought. This is music that has plenty of commercial appeal, and should be on the radar for every music supervisor, as well as club DJs, as these songs are ripe for dance remixes.
Recommendation: Definitely add this one to your collection. These songs will remain long after the final note.
Artist Name: Harts
Album Name: Queens, Kings & All Big Things
Label: Marshmallow Pavement Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. QK&ABT (Intro); 2. Ain’t Nothin on Me; 3. Millionaires; 4. Crumbling Down (Interlude); 5. 21&19; 6. Wishfulness; 7. Wishfulness (Interlude); 8. Pearls (if you are my Lady); 9. Shake ya Pants; 10. Shake ya Pants (Interlude); 11. Queens, Kings & All Big Things; 12. Days Gone By
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: Harts has been compared to an early version of Prince, and the hype is real. Queens Kings And All Big Things is a contextual continuation to his last album Smoke Fire Hope Desire. The theme of the album continues on from the song “Desire,” the last song on that album. We first introduced you to him when we featured the video for “Ain’t Nothing on Me” back in March, and followed that up with his single “21&19,” in April. Our favorite track is “Pearls (if you are my Lady)” but the entire LP is memorable, especially “Shake ya Pants” and the title track.
Recommendation: We highly recommend this album, and believe it will be an amazing addition to your music collection.
Artist Name: Cal Raasay
Album Name: Rona
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Settling; 2. Rona; 3. Breakers; 4. Blaven
Publicist: Practise Music
Review: Rona is a true work of art, painting beautiful soundscapes of life near the ocean. The vocals of Cal Raasay flow seamlessly with his grandiose instrumentation, like the movements in a classical piece. This one is perfect for meditation and reflection, or when you just need to chill. We only wish there was more of this beauty, but this will have to do until the next time Raasay gifts us with his brilliance.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.
Artist Name: LeBarons
Album Name: Summer of Death
Label: Self-released
Genre: Alt Country/Folk Rock
Track Listing: 1, Long Highway; 2. Bad News; 3. Brand New Sound; 4. Open Road; 5. Quiet; 6. Waste; 7. Until it Goes; 8. Summer of Death; 9. Power Lines; 10. Born in ’76; 11. Nothing Left to Say
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: On their debut release, LeBarons prove that they are destined to become a major player in the Americana music scene. The alt country groove is the perfect soundtrack for the amazing vocals and incredible songwriting of Chris MacDonald. These are songs that should become classics, and are very radio friendly, especially “Long Highway,” “Bad News,” “Open Road,” “Until it Goes,” the powerful title track and “Power Lines.” We also bet they are a hoot to see when performing live, and hope we have the chance to see them when they come back to America again.
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one!