Well, we made it to the weekend. This week we’ve featured 15 albums from June and we close it out with five albums being released today. Enjoy this eclectic group of indie artists.
Artist Name: Speedbuggy USA
Album Name: Kick out the Twang
Label: Self-released
Genre: Americana/Roots/Blues
Track Listing: 1. Take the Last Train to Clarksville; 2. Get Around; 3. Shaky Town; 4. Hold my Head up High; 5. South Bound; 6. Sorry; 7. Wood, Screws and Nails; 8. Unchain my Heart; 9. Long Gone; 10. Honky Tonk Singer; 11. Rodeo Star; 12. The Devil With Me; 13. Darlin I’m Comin Home
Publicist: KG Music Press
Review: Speedbuggy USA is a confident indie band that mixes elements of country, Americana, rock and blues to form their own unique mix. They are not afraid to cover anyone, as they demonstrate with their covers of The Monkees (“Last Train to Clarksville”) and Ray Charles/Joe Cocker (“Unchain my Heart”). They also write amazing original tunes, including “Get Around,” “Hold my Head up High,” “South Bound,” “Rodeo Star,” “The Devil With Me,” and the rousing closing track, “Darlin I’m Comin Home.” We think you will like their brand of music, and can only imagine how great they must be live.
Recommendation: This one is a must-have. Get it now!
Artist Name: Goosebump
Album Name: Goosebump by Goosebump
Label: Pleasence Records
Genre: Indie Rock
Track Listing: 1. Door in the Floor; 2. We’re a Canadian Band; 3. Piano Room; 4. Heather’s Invitation; 5. Don’t Have the Heart for the Hustle; 6. Dream of Pines; 7. Several Days Awake; 8. Heart of her Life; 9. She Don’t Say Goodbye
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: This Canadian band has a nice indie sound with retro undertones. We would have loved to review the entire debut album. Unfortunately, the links provided by the publicist only contained three of the nine tracks, while the link provided by the band only had two of those same three tracks. Consequently, our evaluation is based on what is available, and we like what we hear. The best of the three songs is “She Don’t Say Goodbye,” which is also the band’s first single. We only wish we could have heard the rest.
Recommendation: Based on what we could hear, they are worthy of the risk. Check them out.
Artist Name: All the Rage
Album Name: Everything I Couldn’t Tell You
Label: Squidhat Records
Genre: Pop/Punk
Track Listing: 1. Intro; 2. Hello!!!; 3. I’m not a Hero; 4. Color Blind; 5. Ali; 6. More Again; 7. Burning Bright; 8. Untouched; 9. When it’s Over; 10. Unrealistic; 11. 13 Rounds; 12. Memory; 13. Everything I Couldn’t Tell You
Publicist: Squidhat Records
Review: This is our first exposure to pop punk, and we kinda like it. This Las Vegas based band has a unique take on punk music, and we are sure they must put on a hell of a show in Sin City and beyond. This music is extremely energetic with excellent musicianship. We think they would do well on the radio and should be considered for placement opportunities in television and film. “Hello!!!” would make a great theme song, and should be part of your daily playlist. This one is great from start to finish, and we will definitely be jamming to it for a while.
Recommendation: This one is fun. We recommend you Get it and add it to your musical collection.
Artist Name: Leo Spauls ft. Mike Garson
Album Name: Heaven’s Deep Blue Sky
Label: Spauls Music
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Heaven’s Deep Blue Sky; 2. One Day; 3. Cry; 4. Every Night and Day; 5. The Sister’s Song; 6. History
Publicist: Guerilla Music Promotion
Review: We included his video for the title track in last month’s Ten Amazing Videos column, and are happy to now bring you the rest of this amazing EP. A Swedish musician who now lives in London, Leo Spauls has added the tremendous talent of David Bowie’s pianist Mike Garson to his sound, creating an even more powerful presence. All six songs are wonderful, and will give you hours of enjoyment, even though my wife thinks they are lyrically depressing.
Recommendation: This one is a hit. Definitely Get it and play it over and over.
Artist Name: The New Waves
Album Name: Volume II
Label: Squidhat Records
Genre: Instrumental Covers
Track Listing: 1. I Ran (so far away); 2. The Metro; 3. Send me an Angel; 4. Voices Carry; 5. Take on Me; 6. I Melt with You; 7. White Wedding (Part I); 8. Hungry Like the Wolf; 9. Turning Japanese; 10. Don’t Change; 11. Just What I Needed; 12. New Year’s Day; 13. Whip It
Publicist: Squidhat Records
Review: Who doesn’t like 80s songs, especially when they’re being lovingly played by surf rock legends like The New Waves? Even without the lyrics, most of us remember these songs and the feelings they generated when they were all over the radio. It’s as if we get to hear them all over again with new ears, as they sound different yet the same. These songs would make great placements for commercials, film and television, as well as replace the sleepy elevator music we so often have to endure. Hat’s off to The New Waves – you have created a true niche.
Recommendation: If you love the 80s and surf rock, you will love this combination. Go out and Get it.