We made it to Friday again. Unfortunately, there are only two weeks left of summer, so get out there and enjoy. These five artists should give you some listening enjoyment, so let’s get going.
Artist Name: Zach Callison
Album Name: A Picture Perfect Hollywood Heartbreak
Label: Self-released
Genre: Alt Rock
Track Listing: 1. Phantom Love; 2. Interlude I – Franticity; 3. She Don’t Know; 4. Interlude II – Christie Only Knows; 5. Nightmare; 6. Interlude III – Second Thoughts; 7. Curtain Call; 8. Interlude IV – Showtime (ft Grace Rolek); 9. War!
Publicist: Magic Tree Productions
Review: Zach Callison is best known as an actor on The Cartoon Network (the voice of Steven Universe), and Disney XD (the voice of Prince James on Sofia the First), as well as numerous guests appearances including the role of Brian on The Goldbergs, but he is a fine musician in his own right. On his debut EP, he combines the best of both worlds with a stirring and theatrical concept album that would also make a great Broadway show. Callison has set the bar high for his next album with this stellar debut album. We have no doubt that he will be able to meet or exceed that standard, as his vocal abilities are truly outstanding. Too few artists can pull off a concept album like this, and we are thankful for the chance to catch an artist on the rise.
Recommendation: Definitely Get this one!
Artist Name: Constanza Herrero
Album Name: Constanza Herrero
Label: A&R Records
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1, Packing Up; 2. Silent War; 3. Caged; 4. Young Tree; 5. High Heels; 6. Me Voy (Packing Up)
Publicist: The A&R Department
Review: We featured the video for “Packing Up” recently, and fell in love with the Latin sound of Constanza Herrero. This lady has a very bright future on the radio, and we believe she could become a superstar. She has the look and sound to make it big, and her music would make great placements for television and film. There is not a weak song on the EP, and we think this one belongs on repeat. We really love “Packing Up” as well as the ballad “Caged,” but all of the tracks are simply great music. She closes the EP with a Spanish version of “Packing Up,” giving her the chance to cross-over to Latin stations.
Recommendation: Drop everything and Get this one!
Artist Name: Benjamin Jason Douglas
Album Name: First World Blues
Label: Flour Sack Cape Records
Genre: Americana
Track Listing: 1, Tentpole; 2. Beat Black and Blue Collar Blues; 3. Walking Down the Grain; 4. Raggedy Andy Williams; 5. Doc Red Blues; 6. Digging a Stigmata; 7. Funny Feeling; 8. Tchoupitoulas; 9. Street Preacher; 10. Gloria
Publicist: Broken Jukebox Media
Review: With his gravelly voice, Americana is the perfect choice for the musical style of Benjamin Jason Douglas. The album has been a work in progress for the past three years, and the results were worth the wait. He is already getting critical praise for his first single, “Raggedy Andy Williams,” and we think that the praise will continue for the entire album. His songs are reminiscent of Randy Newman, capturing the wit and humor in his lyrics. He even gives us a gospel sound for “Tentpole.” With his various different musical styles, we think this album accurately portrays the state of Americana music today.
Recommendation: If you are a fan of Americana music, then this album should be at the top of your “Must Have” list.
Artist Name: Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis
Album Name: Wild! Wild! Wild!
Label: Bloodshot Records
Genre: Country
Track Listing: 1. Round too Long; 2. I Just Lived a Country Song; 3. That’s why They Call it Temptation; 4. Wild Wild Wild; 5. Who Cares; 6. Till Death; 7. Memphis Never Falls From Style; 8. Boogie Woogie Country Gal; 9. Foolmaker; 10. Your Red Wagon; 11. On the Jericho Road; 12. It Came From the South; 13. Hardluck, Mississippi
Publicist: Bloodshot Records
Review: Robbie Fulks is a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter while Linda Gail Lewis is the younger sister of Jerry Lee Lewis. Together they recreate the amazing rockabilly sound made famous by her older brother, and sound great in the process. It is no wonder that Lewis has been making music for more than 50 years, but the surprise that this is only her third album. (The other two were a duet album with her brother and You Win Again with Van Morrison.) Fulks, on the other hand, has recorded 13 solo albums since 1996, receiving two Grammy nominations for Folk Album and American Roots Song (“Alabama at Night”). This amazing collaboration should earn him another nomination, as every song is simply perfect classic country.
Recommendation: This one is a must have for every lover of classic country and early rockabilly music. Get it now!
Artist Name: My Brothers and I
Album Name: Heartbeat
Label: Expunged Records
Genre: Indie Pop/Rock
Track Listing: 1. When You’re Ready; 2. Temporary Love; 3. Didn’t see it Coming; 4. Just Getting to Know You; 5. My Heart; 6. Always be Loving You
Publicist: Impulse Artists
Review: Back in March 2016, we had the privilege to review this band at the final stop of their tour in Spokane, Washington. Their released their debut album Don’t Sleep Alone back in 2015, so we’ve been patiently waiting for their new one. Trust us – it was time well spent. Their arrangements are tighter, the songs are extremely well written, and definitely sound better than most of what’s on today’s Top 40 radio stations. This EP could be the breakout the band has been waiting for, starting with the lead track, “When You’re Back.” Other impressive tracks include “Didn’t See it Coming,” the bittersweet “Just Getting to Know You,” and “My Heart.”
Recommendation: You simply must Get this one today!