Welcome to our belated New Music Friday edition of Get it or Forget it. Due to our hectic schedule with the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, we were unable to review these brand new releases last Friday, so we are doing them today. Thanks for your patience during one of our busiest times. Enjoy these five new releases.
Artist Name: Tiffany Pollack and Eric Johanson
Album Name: Blues in my Blood
Label: Nola Blue Records
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Blues in my Blood; 2. Memories to Forget; 3. Keep it Simple; 4. Michael; 5. Diamonds on the Crown; 6. No Expectations; 7. Do I Move You?; 8. Slave of Tomorrow; 9. Get Lost With Me; 10. River; 11. If I Had a Hammer
Publicist: Blind Raccoon
Review: Vocal duos are all the rage in other genres, but relatively rare for blues lovers. Thankfully, New Orleans jazz sweetheart Tiffany Pollack and former guitarist for Cyril Neville Eric Johanson have teamed up to show the world that great blues songs can be done by two harmonious voices. Amazingly recorded and produced by multi-award winner Jack Miele at The Music Shed Studios, Blues in my Blood is one of the best blues albums of 2019. come out of blues music. This duo brings an indie roots-based depth to their blues, and could easily become a force to reckon with in that genre. Pollack also channels her inner Nina Simone on her gut-wrenching cover of “Do I Move You?” She is joined by Johanson for a thrilling cover of the classic Pete Seeger freedom anthem, “If I Had a Hammer,” sending this album off to a perfect conclusion.
Recommendation: Run and Get this one!
Artist Name: NIIGHTS
Album Name: Hellebores Part Two
Label: Tragic Hero Records
Genre: Alt Rock
Track Listing: 1. It Was; 2. Hellebores; 3. With Bated Breath; 4. Segue; 5. Sylvia; 6. Caterpillar
Publicist: Tragic hero Music Group
Review: We brought you Part One of this two part release last month, and are happy to complete our review with Part Two. Both parts are now available on a single album, available on BandCamp. Part Two picks up the powerful strand created in Part One with “It Was,” a song that begs for heavy rotation on the radio. The title track is heavier and darker than the rest, with an almost metal feel, and that vibe continues on “With Bated Breath” and “Sylvia,” before closing out the album on a more upbeat and beautiful vibe with “Caterpillar.” All in all, this one is a keeper.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one!
Artist Name: Harlem
Album Name: Oh Boy
Label: Female Fantasy Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1, All Men are Dogs; 2. Smoke in Mirrors; 3. Dreams is Destiny M; 4. Swervin; 5. Lana; 6. Click Your Heels; 7. Elegant and Sophisticated; 8. Blonde on Blonde; 9. Cry Now Cry Later; 10. Oh Boy; 11. Me and the Boys; 12. Queen of Mosquitos
Publicist: Wolfievibes Publicity
Review: It only took them nine years, but Harlem is back with their latest release, Oh Boy. They have a mellow almost acoustic sound like Snow Patrol and Plain White Ts, and should be a big hit on the college radio circuit. They have obviously been influenced by the sound of The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel, because you can feel it in their vibe. They have released three of the songs as singles so far (“Swervin,” “Cry Now Cry Later,” and “Queen of Mosquitos”) and we think there is plenty of material remaining for several more.
Recommendation: Definitely worth adding to your collection.
Artist Name: MINKA
Album Name: End of the Affair
Label: Self-released
Genre: R&B
Track Listing: 1. Introduction; 2. Sugar & Cream; 3. Sentimental Girl; 4. Secret Lover; 5. That Look; 6. All I Ever Had
Publicist: The Syndicate
Review: We last heard from MINKA back in April 2017 when when reviewed their album Born in the Viper Room. This time around, MINKA is a solo act, returning to a more 80’s sound similar to his idols Prince, Hall & Oates, Todd Rundgren and The Stylistics. The first track sets the mood for the music to follow, and the gloves come off with “Sugar & Cream.” The soothing R&B sound continues with “Sentimental Girl,” while “Secret Lover” and “That Look” are more upbeat but no less danceable. The final track returns to the smooth R&B sound, and leaves us with a feeling that we haven’t heard the last from this amazing artist.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one.
Artist Name: Lisa Papineau
Album Name: Oh Dead on oh Love
Label: Team Player
Genre: Alt pop/rock
Track Listing: 1. Beautiful; 2. Little Hell; 3. Oh Dead on oh Love; 4. Hey Lord Take me Over; 5. Endless Story; 6. Seasons with Marilu; 7, The Last City; 8. Waystation; 9. Bent to Bow Down; 10. Been a Long Time; 11. Endless Story Cumbia Olindense (bonus track)
Publicist: Noisy Ghost PR
Review: It is difficult to place the music of Lisa Papineau into a specific genre, although it reminds us of Dido. It has smooth and majestic instrumentation, soaring vocals and the ambiance and vibe of great meditative music. The lyrics are a combination of English and her native French, and are as smoothing as a good glass of wine at helping you relax and chill. This one will be best enjoyed after a long day when you need some down time, and we recommend you listen to it from start to finish.
Recommendation: This album makes a great addition to your chill collection. Grab a glass of wine, put it on, and relax.
