TGIF! We made it through the week. We are reviewing five new albums that are being released today, and think you will love the eclectic sounds. After today’s reviews, we only have 35 or so more reviews to write to conclude the submissions for the LA Music Critic Awards for the first half of 2018. We plan to publish the nominations on June 8. Fans will have until June 26 to vote for their favorites, and then the winners will be announced on June 29. Let’s get started.
Artist Name: Kari Kimmel
Album Name: Gold & Glitter
Label: Glow Music Group
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. High; 2. Color; 3. Can you Feel It; 4. Blurry; 5. Never Alone; 6. Ignite; 7. Inevitable; 8. My Obsession; 9. Gold & Glitter; 10. Voices (bonus track)
Publicist: Park Life Unlimited/MAD Ink PR
Review: Kari Kimmel is one of the most successful DIY indie artists on the planet. To date, she has placed more than 650 of her songs in television and film, and has provided backup vocals to a diverse list of mainstream artists, including Ringo Starr, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell, Toby Keith and Willie Nelson. In addition, her songs have been covered by artists like The Backstreet Boys, Ke$ha, Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato and Gloria Gaynor. Her latest effort, Gold & Glitter, continues that amazing string, including the placement of the title cut in the movie Blocked. She has also written and/or sung the theme songs from 18 television shows, including The Fosters, which recently garnered her an ASCAP award. There is nothing but good stuff on this album, and every song is a potential hit. Our favorites include “High,” “Color,” “Blurry,” “Ignite,” “Inevitable,” “My Obsession,” and the title track.
Recommendation: You owe it to yourself to Get this one TODAY!
Artist Name: Sharp/Shock
Album Name: Youth Club
Label: Heart & Skull
Genre: Power Punk
Track Listing: 1. Red Life; 2. Superficial; 3. Dancing all Night; 4. Bad Lad; 5. Thingy Pt. 1; 6. I Don’t Want a Nuclear Family; 7. Dead End Town; 8. The Reds; 9. I Just Can’t get my Head Around It; 10. Thingy Pt. 2; 11. Steps; 12. Walking a Thin Line
Publicist: Indie Publicity
Review: Upbeat and punk don’t often go together, but in the case of Sharp/Shock, they are an apt description of their sound. The songs are short and sweet, with powerful lyrics sung powerfully over a dynamic punk rock soundtrack. Among the best tracks are “Red Life,” “Dancing all Night,” “I Don’t Want a Nuclear Family,” “Dead End Town,” and “Walking a Thin Line.”
Recommendation: This one is unique enough to appeal to both punk and rock lovers. Give it a chance.
Artist Name: Mystery Art Orchestra
Album Name: Prismatic Dream
Label: robojim
Genre: Post-Punk
Track Listing: 1. Ether; 2. Dead Faint; 3. Camouflage; 4. Awake; 5. Immaculate Youth; 6. Lost on the Run; 7. Dreams; 8. Encrypted Soul; 9. Inside; 10. Sunday Afternoon; 11. Silent Distance
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: The sound of Mystery Art Orchestra can best be described as electronic and ambient sound mixed with a punk foundation. At times it’s easy and mellow and others rocky and driving. The vocals have a strange resemblance to those of the late Jim Morrison, while there is also a hint of new wave thrown in. This is best shown on “Camouflage.” Other songs worthy of your attention include “Awake,” “Lost on the Run,” “Encrypted Soul,” “Inside,” and “Sunday Afternoon.”
Recommendation: These guys are worth a listen. Check them out.
Artist Name: Nation
Album Name: Something Happened
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop/Soul
Track Listing: 1. Something Happened; 2. Baltimore Rising; 3. Brooding Thuggery; 4. Suddenly I Feel; 5. Rainstorm; 6. Computer People
Publicist: Musigamy
Review: With an old-time soulful voice and a modern electronic/ hip-hop accompaniment, Nation skillfully bridges the gap between soul, pop and modern electronica-based hip-hop. His songs are instantly memorable, and would do well on American radio. Best cuts include the title track, “Baltimore Rising,” “Brooding Thuggery,” and “Rainstorm.”
Recommendation: If you like soulful music, then definitely give this one a test drive.
Artist Name: The Sediment Club
Album Name: Stucco Thieves
Label: Wharf Cat Records
Genre: Punk
Track Listing: 1. Half Fool Dub (interlude); 2. The Payoff; 3. BMP MAP; 4. Cobalt Ruin; 5. Stucco Thieves; 6. Shadow, Soon; 7. My Dungeon Shook; 8. Hydraulic Saint; 9. Making Spent Americans
Publicist: Promo Juke Box
Review: These songs have a heavy punk style with hard to understand lyrics full of angst and anger. There might be a good message there, but it is hard to hear it from the discordant music they have chosen to play underneath. This one is for hard-core punk fans only.
Recommendation: Forget it.