So glad we made it to Friday! Looking forward to winding down this month and moving into spring. Let’s celebrate with five more albums that are all being released today. Please let us know what you think.
Artist Name: The Tracys
Album Name: Humdinger
Label: Self-released
Genre: Punk
Track Listing: 1. People Scare Me; 2. I Don’t Want to Think About It; 3. Your Team Sucks (ft. Flying Jay Armant); 4. Wendy O; 5. Psych Ward; 6. Free Easy Life; 7. Man in the Cloth; 8. New World; 9. Frequent Street Pisser; 10. Small Hands Big Problems; 11. Redhead Riding Hood; 12. I Hate Dancing
Publicist: Behind the Curtains Media
Review: The Tracys have nailed the punk rock formula – heavy handed guitar, angst, screaming, and lyrics that complain about life in general. They pack a lot of energy in their angst-riddled music, and keep the listeners interested in their myriad of topics, including people, sports, public urination, and dancing. “Your Team Sucks” sounds like something you might hear from the Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly. It is obvious that the Tracys have plenty of talent, and are not afraid to use it to get their point across. Like punk music, this one is not for everyone, but if you like that kind of music, or just angst in general, you will probably love this one.
Recommendation: Although you probably won’t hear these songs on the radio, you just might hear them on your favorite television shows or in the movies. Give the boys a chance and check them out.
Artist Name: The Claudettes
Album Name: Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium!
Label: Yellow Dog Records
Genre: Jazz/funk/blues
Track Listing: 1. Don’t Stay with Me; 2. November; 3. Give it all up for Good; 4. Naked on the Internet; 5. Pull Closer to Me; 6. Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium!; 7. Bill Played Saxophone; 8. Influential Farmers; 9. Death and Traffic; 10. Total Misfit; 11. Taco Night Material; 12. Utterly Absurd
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Chicago has long been on the cutting edge of the blues, and The Claudettes are one of the finest bands we have ever heard that originated in the Windy City. The smoky hot vocals of Berit Ulseth and the scorching piano of Johnny Iguana ignite to set their music on fire. This is the type of music you love to have in the background, regardless of what you’re doing. It is unobtrusive yet its sound will remain with you long after the song ends. These songs would work well on the radio, and deserve the attention of intelligent music supervisors who want the best in their television and film productions. These are definitely weekend party songs, and I can almost hear them playing at the bar where I’m trying to forget the week behind and refocus on the weekend ahead. The Claudettes must be a dynamic live band, because that performance energy comes through on every track.
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk to your nearest retailer and Get this one today!
Artist Name: Typhoid Rosie
Album Name: This is Now
Label: Self-released
Genre: indie Punk/Rock
Track Listing: 1. Sailing On; 2. What Have you Done; 3. Belong to Somebody; 4. Broken Man; 5. Pieces; 6. Diamonds in the Snow; 7. Happiness; 8. Take it Away; 9. Come on Baby; 10. That was Then
Publicist: Earshot Media
Review: The release kicks off with their single, “Sailing On,” full of punk attitude encased in some straight-ahead rock and roll. The drum beat is intense and the pace is almost manic, but it sets the stage for what is an amazing effort by this Brooklyn-based band. Rosie’s vocals are rough and dirty, and fit perfectly with the driving sound of the band. Best songs include “Sailing On,” “Pieces,” “Diamonds in the Snow,” “Take it Away,” and “That was Then.”
Recommendation: Another band that will appeal primarily to those in the punk vein, but definitely worth checking out.
Artist Name: Dom Fricot
Album Name: Deserts
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Echoes; 2. Help is Needed; 3. Time Flies; 4. Measure Up; 5. Home; 6. Meredith Clark; 7. Hold You; 8. Slippery Slope
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: Dom Fricot has an 80’s sound reminiscent of Phil Collins and Jon Secada, and is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He voice is powerful yet smooth while his beats bring out the best in the lyrical material. These songs are definitely radio friendly, and should be in heavy rotation on commercials and television and film placements. We particularly love the Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” feel of “Echoes,” and the African rhythms employed on “Help is Needed,” which make it stand out as one of the best tracks on the album. Similarly, the strings bring out the best of “Measure Up.”
Recommendation: We highly recommend you Get this one.
Artist Name: Discrepancies
Album Name: The Awakening
Label: InVogue Records
Genre: Metal
Track Listing: 1. Intro; 2. The Awakening; 3. Art of War; 4. Raising the Bar; 5. Not Alone; 6. Prevail; 7. Wake Up; 8. Keep Hope Alive; 9. Rock the Show; 10. Digitas Medius; 11. Foresight in Hindsight; 12. Made you Love Me
Publicist: InVogue Records
Review: Discrepancies are a new arrival on InVogue Records, and it appears the label got the better end of the deal. The band’s sound is a marriage between metal and hip-hop, and although it sounds like an improbable marriage, this band makes it work. The songs definitely have some commercial appeal, including possible placement opportunities. The band hits the ground running with a driving hard rock sound similar to Drowning Pool, but the music is still appealing to lovers of hip hop as well metal. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album, which was a pleasant surprise.
Recommendation: This one merits your attention. Get it and enjoy it.