The Devil Makes Three – Indie Voice Blog

Friday night’s concert with The Devil Makes Three was simply amazing, and it was the last night of the fall tour due to fire at the venue in Boise where they had intended to end their tour. We didn’t think they could get any better than their latest album, Chains are Broken, but they blew us away with their live performance. Thanks so much to Right Angle PR for the tickets. The winter tour begins in January, and if they are coming anywhere near you, we highly recommend you get tickets. You will not regret it.

Today was the Brawl of the Wild, and we were hoping for a great game. Unfortunately, as we have done the past two home games, we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, losing 29-25 to Montana State after being up 22-7 at the half, Fortunately, we have some good music to make things better, so here are our weekend reviews.

Artist Name: The Bob Peek Thing

Album Name: My Good Dog, a Doobie and You

Label: BLAJ Records

Genre: Country

Track Listing: 1. The Devil I Know; 2. Quicksand Smile; 3. Love Don’t Lie; 4. Not Just No; 5. Singin’ our Highway Song (Do Do Do); 6. Our Secret Fire; 7. My Good Dog, a Doobie and You; 8. Girlin’; 9. Between Your Body and Me; 10. Vitamin U; 11. I Like her Like That; 12. Be a Child Again

Publicist: Self-promoted

Review: It appears that this is a collection of demos written by Bob Peek. “The Devil I Know,” “Not Just No,” “Singin’ our Highway Song,” “Vitamin U,” and “Be a Child Again” feature one or more unknown female country singers reminiscent of Carrie Underwood, while the rest feature one or more male country singers, possibly Peek. The vocalist on “Our Secret Fire” and “Girlin'” reminds us of a cross between Trace Adkins and Jason Aldean. Overall, the songs are well written with upbeat lyrical content that would do well on the radio. The title track also has that classic country feel, while “Be a Child Again” is pure bluegrass/gospel.

Recommendation: Definitely check this one out, although we wish we knew exactly who was performing so we could give them proper credit.

Artist Name: Lavender Fields

Album Name: Music Beyond Music

Label: Self-released

Genre: Experimental/Electronic

Track Listing: 1. Babochka; 2. Like the Wind; 3. IceKream; 4. Sister Sister; 5. Ganga Puja; 6. India Street

Publicist: Effective Immediately PR

Review: Lavender Fields uses her music to make a statement about the close relationship between the various life forms. Her music combines recordings of actual animals with that of electronica and vocals, as best demonstrated on “Like the Wind.” Her music is not for everyone, but it does raise the collective consciousness about conservation, and sometimes it’s just lighthearted and fun, like “IceKream.”

Recommendation: Definitely worth checking out.

Artist Name: The Málchico!

Album Name: Estereotipia

Label: Vapour Trail Records

Genre: EDM

Track Listing: 1. Save the Rave; 2. Save the Rave (Kreisel rework); 3. Nexus; 4. Evil Ways

Publicist: Self-promoted

Review: Spain gives us a remarkable solo EP from The Málchico that will have you up and dancing in no time flat. The EP features a double dose of the song “Save the Rave,” with the second version a remix by famed Madrid DJ Kreisel. The beat is steady and consistent, and would go well with a crowded room and lots of lights. This is music for dancing, and possibly placement in commercials, but not right for radio or casual listening.

Recommendation: If you love to dance and rave, then this one is the perfect soundtrack for you.

Artist Name: thisquietarmy

Album Name: The Body and the Earth

Label: Consouling Sounds

Genre: Rock Instrumental

Track Listing: 1. Cometh; 2. Sixth Mass; 3. Seismic Waves; 4. Algal Bloom

Publicist: Viral Propaganda PR

Review: Thisquietarmy just completed a successful 16-city European tour in support of their latest effort, a breathtaking rock instrumental that borders on prog rock. The music is majestic and sweeping, providing a cinematic rock soundtrack for your listening pleasure. The music might be a good fit for placement opportunities, but not radio.

Recommendation: If you like prog rock, this one is definitely worth your attention.

Artist Name: Trevor Douglas

Album Name: Four in the Morning

Label: Self-released

Genre: Pop

Track Listing: 1. Pressure; 2. Problems; 3. Take This Back; 4. Stay by Your Side; 5. Hold Me; 6. Dandelions

Publicist: Magic Tree Productions

Review: Trevor Douglas has a warm, upbeat pop style reminiscent of Justin Timberlake, but with an even more soulful vibe. His songs are truly radio friendly, and would also make excellent placements for television and film, especially “Pressure.” “Stay by Your Side” is reminiscent of the best tunes ever done by N’Sync or New Kids on the Block. Every other song on the EP is a winner and deserves to be put on repeat.

Recommendation: You simply must get this one. It is one of this year’s best.

We made it to Friday again, so let’s celebrate with five more releases, four of which are dropping today. The fifth was released a few weeks ago, but the artist, The Devil Makes Three, is performing tonight as they close out their Fall Tour with a stop at our own Wilma Theater and we hope to be able to attend and review the performance. In the meantime, check out our reviews.

Artist Name: The Devil Makes Three

Album Name: Chains are Broken

Label: New West Records

Genre: Americana

Track Listing: 1. Chains are Broken; 2. Pray for Rain; 3. Paint my Face; 4. Can’t Stop; 5. Need to Lose; 6. All is Quiet; 7. Bad Idea; 8. Deep Down; 9. Native Son; 10. Castles; 11. Curtains Rise

Publicist: Right Angle PR

Review: The Americana genre encompasses a wide array of roots-based music, but no artist demonstrates the entirety of the genre like The Devil Makes Three. They have the vocals and harmonies of Mumford & Sons and I’m With Her, with the guitar sound of Dick Dale, and the storytelling of The Decemberists, all wrapped up in their unique style. We can hardly believe that all of that musical ability comes from just three people, but can easily believe they are one of the best bands in the world. On their latest album, they leave nothing on the table, but bring it all to deliver an exceptional collection of music that everyone should be proud to have in their collection. There is not a weak song on the album, but we especially like the title track, “Can’t Stop,” “Bad Idea,” “Native Son,” and “Castles.”

Recommendation: Run out and Get this one and definitely see them on tour.

Artist Name: William Bishop

Album Name: Second Time Around

Label: Self-released

Genre: Singer-songwriter/Folk

Track Listing: 1. Hesperus\Phosphorus; 2. Nicotine; 3. St. Augustine; 4. Screen Memory (It Used to go Like That but now it Goes Like This); 5. Quiver\Bitten\Shine; 6. Second Time Around

Publicist: Self-promoted

Review: William Bishop has a simple acoustic approach to his music, and his sound is somewhere between Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. His vibe is melancholy while his vocals are strong, capturing the mood of his lyrical content while his hands slide up and down the neck of his acoustic guitar, bringing it and his music to life. These songs demand your full attention to catch all the nuances of his words and music, but the payoff is rich indeed. Put this one on when you have the time to truly listen, and you’ll walk away a better person.

Recommendation: This one belongs in your collection. Get it.

Artist Name: Keir Vine

Album Name: Instance

Label: Trestle Records

Genre: Experimental/Electronic/Instrumental

Track Listing: 1. Bob the Dog; 2. Hench Chant; 3. Uncle Doovey’s Return; 4. Meditation No. 1; 5. Wavey Blade; 6. Audiogram; 7. Under Water; 8. Acceptance

Publicist: Trestle Records

Review: This album was definitely not what I expected. Beginning with the first track, which is a sung stream of consciousness by a friend immediately after he had an epileptic seizure, Portico Quartet‘s Keir Vine immediately lets you know that his music cannot easily be stuffed into any genre, but encompasses a wide variety of styles that is ultimately his own. The music would make a great soundtrack for visualizations of mental breakdowns, with its eerie, ethereal vibe. Other than that, it is not good for relaxation or meditation.

Recommendation: Unless you like the very weird in music, you may just want to forget this one.

Artist Name: KENT

Album Name: Hot Chicken Sandwich

Label: Self-released

Genre: Roots/Folk/Country/Blues

Track Listing: 1. Hot Chicken Sandwich; 2. Dry Little Cracker; 3. Far Out; 4. Tonto Lamento; 5. Me Neither

Publicist: RDX Promo

Review: Canadian KENT fully captures the essence of life in rural Canada, creating a roots masterpiece that can just as easily describe life in the deep south. His brand of roots music is raw but refreshingly real. Whether he is accompanying himself on tenor guitar, cigarbox, or ukulele, the instrumentation matches the mood of the song and makes each one a unique gift to the listener. This one’s a keeper, especially “Dry Little Cracker.”

Recommendation: Get this one and enjoy.

Artist Name: Stefano Lentini

Album Name: Fury

Label: Coloora Records

Genre: Alt-Classical/Prog Rock

Track Listing: 1. r73; 2. Suite After the Furies; 3. Les Fluers Da Mal; 4. Unaided Eye; 5. Fury; 6. You Must Respect the Sea; 7. Adagio; 8. Ouverture II; 9. Introitus; 10. Shine on Darkness; 11. Stabat Mater; 12. White Fish Black Fish

Publicist: Vision Music Promotions

Review: What do you get when you combine classical music with prog rock? You get an amazing sound that is cinematic and majestic and totally relaxing and fresh. Stefano Lentini delivers a stunning audio masterpiece with his latest project, creating music that is sweeping and perfect for placement opportunities in television and film. His majestic “Suite After the Furies” is one of the finest instrumental songs we have heard this year, as he does for classical prog rock what Bond did for string ensemble. The Italian and French vocals only add to the theme of this collection. This one is going on repeat, providing the perfect soundtrack for down time.

Recommendation: Run, don’t walk, and Get this one!

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