Happy Friday. Let’s wrap up another great week of indie music with five more reviews, featuring some blues, Americana, and folk from America and internationally. Have a wonderful weekend. Here we go.
Artist Name: Allman Goldflies Band
Album Name: Second Chance
Label: Self-released
Genre: Southern Rock/Blues
Track Listing: 1. Baby Show me How; 2. Can’t Turn Back Now; 3. Ever Been so Lonely Baby; 4. Fadiddle; 5. Pretty Green Eyes; 6. Southern’s all I Ever Want to Be; 7. Standing in the Georgia Rain; 8. When Jesus Calls; 9. Yesterday’s Blues; 10. You Gave me Love
Publicist: Doug Deutsch Publicity Services
Review: Yes, the “Allman” in the band name is related to the original Allman Brothers Band. Gary Allman is a cousin of Greg and Duane, and he definitely inherited the skills that made his cousins legendary. Combining with his long-time friend and bassist David Goldflies (who was actually a member of The Allman Brothers Band from 1978 to 1982), AGB has accomplished their goal of keeping the Allman name relevant with the release of their debut album, Second Chance. Allman’s raspy voice has a striking resemblance to that of Darius Rucker, while the sweet southern rock tones will definitely remind you of those other Allmans. The lead track, “Baby Show me How,” is the perfect introduction to the power of this band, and prepares the listener for the rest of this awesome album. The vibe turns bluesy on “Can’t Turn Back Now” and “Ever Been so Lonely Baby.” Goldflies even shows off his fiddling skills on “Fadiddle.” The rest of the album is just as great, and best summed up in the instant classic, “Southern’s all I Ever Wanted to Be.”
Recommendation: Don’t hesitate to Get this one for your collection. We believe it will become a prized possession and one of the crown jewels of your musical library.
Artist Name: Jenny Van West
Album Name: Happiness to Burn
Label: Self-released
Genre: Americana
Track Listing: 1. Happiness to Burn; 2. Live in a new Way; 3. Never Alone; 4. 45; 5. Where I Stand; 6. Empty Bowl; 7. Twenty-Seven Dollars; 8. Thresholds; 9. Can’t Have you Now; 10. Embers
Publicist: KG Music Press
Review: This album was produced by an amazing LA musician named Shane Alexander, so we were instantly excited to review it. He has been able to bring the inherent talents of his artist to a new and exciting level, and add to his reputation as one of LA’s best. The first thing that hit us was the silky smooth vocals and the ragtime feel of the title track. It is obvious that both Alexander and Van West did their musical history homework before creating this masterpiece of an album, which seamlessly flows between venues while highlighting the immense talents of the participants. “Live in a New Way” could be the new theme song for many organizations, with its anthemic feel and soaring keys. Like most of the material on this album, it deserves industry attention for possible radio airplay and placement opportunities. Her track “45” is a straight-out country classic in the style of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky,” and could be a smash hit on country radio. You won’t find a single weak track on this album – it is all golden.
Recommendation: Easily one of the best albums of 2018, you would be a fool to not rush out and Get this one. It is destined to be a classic.
Artist Name: TAUK
Album Name: Shapeshifter I: Construct
Label: Self-released
Genre: Instrumental Jazz
Track Listing: 1. Square 2; 2. Premises; 3. For Laughing out Loud; 4. Stranger Danger; 5. Malware
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: Jazz has changed a lot over the years, and TAUK represents the latest contemporary version of this storied art form. Combining elements of funk, hip-hop, progressive rock with traditional jazz yields a new type of music that will draw in a younger audience. The sound is hip, funky and swanky while keeping all the nuances that traditional jazz lovers enjoy. These songs will thrill you, chill you and fill you with an amazing smorgasbord of sounds, beats and rhythms.
Recommendation: Every jazz lover should rush out and Get this one, as well as every lover of great music.
Artist Name: Lucy Wise
Album Name: Winter Sun
Label: Self-released
Genre: Folk/Pop
Track Listing: 1. Solid Ground; 2. Winter Sun; 3. Smile; 4. You are Here; 5. Wild Roses; 6. Rennie Street Love Song; 7. Swing and Turn Jubilee; 8. Lower East Side; 9. Walking Out; 10. Hard Times; 11. Here for Now; 12. Following Sparks; 13. Happy New Year Melbourne; 14. You Light up my Life
Publicist: Penney and Logan
Review: We previously had the privilege of sharing the music video for the first track, “Solid Ground,” about a month ago, and are very excited for the opportunity to review this stellar artist. Aussie Lucy Wise brings her background into her interpretation of American folk music, as her soaring sweet voice rises high above the simple acoustic accompaniment of her songs. She wrote 12 of the 14 songs on the album, and chose wisely with the other two, breathing new life into the Appalachian folk tune “Swing and Turn Jubilee,” as well as the Gillian Welch classic, “Hard Times.” This young lady’s time has come and she wastes none of it in bringing us a stellar collection of songs that are perfect for American radio as well as placement opportunities in television and film. The harmonies on “Winter Sun” are heavenly, as are the uplifting words contained in the simply beautiful “Smile.” Put this one on repeat, as you’ll want to be reminded of the amazing beauty of these songs time and time again.
Recommendation: This one is a must-have for every serious music lover. Don’t waste any more time – Get it today!
Artist Name: Kris Barras Band
Album Name: The Divine and Dirty
Label: Mascot Label Group
Genre: Blues/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Kick me Down; 2. Hail Mary; 3. I Don’t owe Nobody Nothing; 4. Propane; 5. Wrong Place Wrong Time; 6. Lovers or Losers; 7. She’s More Than Enough; 8. Stitch me Up; 9. Hold on for Tomorrow; 10. Blood on Your Hands; 11. Watching Over Me
Publicist: Mascot Label Group
Review: From the first note of “Kick me Down, Kris Barras leaves no doubt that he is the “badass” of blues/rock musicians, not only in the UK, but around the globe. His strong voice is perfectly suited to this style of music, which takes blues/rock to a whole new level. This entire album sparkles with raw power. Some of the best songs include “Kick me Down,” “Propane,” “Wrong Place Wrong Time,” “She’s More Than Enough,” and “Blood on Your Hands,” which combine elements of classic rock with the best blues guitar heard to date. You cannot go wrong with this one.
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one before it’s gone. It doesn’t get any better than this!!!