Happy New Music Friday, where we review five new albums that are being released that day. We think we have an eclectic selection for you today, so sit back and check them out.
Artist Name: Taylor Barton
Album Name: House of Light
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. House of Light; 2. For Those Among Us; 3. Chaos; 4. Lost Horizon; 5. Last Time; 6. Where did you Go; 7. Steeplechase; 8. The Wheatfields; 9. I’ll Stand Strong; 10. 7 Steps; 11. Jerusalem
Publicist: KG Music Press
Review: Taylor Barton has been a lifelong student of songwriting, and wrote her first song on Bob Dylan‘s bus. She takes the struggles of everyday life, including loss, heartbreak and sorrow, and converts them into songs that reach deep inside the listener’s psyche. On her tenth album, she brings us another exceptional collection of songs that will remain with the listener long after the song is over. She lost her mother during the making of the album, and also had to deal with a suicide. “Last Time” and “Where did you Go” came from those experiences. Best tracks include “Chaos,” “Lost Horizon,” “Steeplechase,” “7 Steps,” and “Jerusalem.”
Recommendation: Definitely add this one to your collection.
Artist Name: Dire Wolves
Album Name: Paradisiacal Mind
Label: Feeding Tube Records
Genre: Psychedelic Rock Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Unfettered and Alive; 2. Just Live Your Life Behind Your Eyes; 3. We are Stardust; 4. In and Out of Den Garten he Goes; 5. Paradisiacal Mind
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: Not sure what we expected, but this one is more experimental than rock. The vibe is very spooky and dark, and the music might be useful as placements in television and film. Other than that, it is not very commercial, and would seem to be difficult to build a fan base or have a successful tour with this type of sound.
Recommendation: If you like experimental music, then you might dig this one. For the rest of us, just forget it.
Artist Name: Matt Campbell
Album Name: The Man with Everything
Label: Flour Sack Cape Records
Genre: Country/Folk
Track Listing: 1. The Night That I Found Jesus (Down at Robert’s Western World); 2. Pillar of Fire; 3. Trading Teardrops; 4. Christmas in Nashville; 5. Twice as Big; 6. That’s the Way; 7. It’s Ours; 8. Simple Twist of Fate; 9. More Than Memories
Publicist: Broken Jukebox Media
Review: Matt Campbell is part of a dying breed, the storytelling troubadour of classic country music. Much like Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie and Buck Owens, he writes folk songs that tell great stories, and knows how to make the listener feel them. He also throws in some great humor and surprises, as he does in “Christmas in Nashville.” He also turns in an impressive cover of Bob Dylan‘s “Simple Twist of Fate.” Spend some time with this troubadour and we think you’ll leave with a different attitude about life.
Recommendation: Definitely worth checking out.
Artist Name: Holygram
Album Name: Modern Cults
Label: Cleopatra Records
Genre: Shoegaze/New Wave/Post-punk
Track Listing: 1. Into the Void; 2. Modern Cults; 3. A Faction; 4. Signals; 5. Dead Channel Skies; 6. Hideaway; 7. Still There; 8. Odd Neighbourhood; 9. She’s Like the Sun; 10. Distant Light; 11. 1997
Publicist: Shameless Promotion PR
Review: This German band crafts elements of shoegaze and new wave into a post-punk frame to create an truly unique and fun sound that will grab you from the first note, reminiscent of Depeche Mode. We also think they have a great sound that would work well on the radio and in live performances in the States. There isn’t a weak track on the album, so enjoy it from start to finish.
Recommendation: Definitely give this one a spin.
Artist Name: Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue
Album Name: The Heist
Label: Rhythm Bomb Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. The Heist; 2. Back Home to Stay; 3. Rock with You; 4. I Used to Love You; 5. Saints & Sinners; 6. Juke Joint Shakedown; 7. Mine all Mine; 8. Home to Me; 9. High Stakes Hustle; 10. Girl for Me
Publicist: ABIK Radio Promotions
Review: This album combines elements of big band with Chicago-style blues to form music that is the perfect size for placement in movies and television, beginning with the title track. They add in elements of rockabilly on “Back Home to Stay,” swing on “Rock with You,” and country on “I Used to Love You,” proving how versatile this band can be. This album is a treasure-trove of both instrumentals and vocals, with interesting songs that will become instantly memorable. You can’t go wrong with this one.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.