Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheContactsBand
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/simon-j-biscoe
Michael
Music Reviews
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
The Contacts, Taking You For a Ride
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Long Nights, Staying Up Late and Crafting Artistic Songs
The Teaser - This is one of those records you could see the Beatles making if they were still together and making album. The songs have a genuine artistic quality to them. Unlike some music that now seems to be cranked out like stamped pieces of plastic, Long Nights sound as if they are a group of artists hanging out creating music with true passion. As the songs unfold you almost feel like you are a fly on the wall as they create these intimate moments right in front of you. The collection has a true down to earth quality. Vocals seem to slide out effortlessly in time and in key. Guitar work feels like an old pair shoes that fit you perfectly and feel like home. Keyboard stylings add a swing and swagger that comes from the confidence of just knowing your craft. Drums are played in a beautiful artistic manner. Each beat is created specifically for each song. Bass guitar duties lay down a powerful groove for each track. As lines slink out of the speakers you almost feel as if you are being called by a whispering voice to dig deeper into the world of each cut. Vocals act as if they are an instrument in and of themselves creating textures for each song that help each track conquer a bit of your heart. My personal favorite was the song, "Died at Five" the music has a carefree feel backed by passionate lyrics and a beautiful vocal approach. Long Nights have a real crossover quality. Straight up they are a good Rock band, but those who are fans of Americana, Folk, Pop and Alternative will find pleasure here as well. The Late Nights would be wonderful to fall asleep to, but they excel at crafting sunshine for any day as well.
Michael
Music Reviews
Roses Unread, With Power, Beauty and Passion They are Changing the Landscape
The Silver Lining - As I close my eyes I see myself walking in a cold black desert. Barefoot I examine the horizon. There is nothing but low hanging grey clouds and dead vegetation. I feel the ground beneath my feet begin to vibrate. As the feeling intensifies I see the ground rip in front of me. Out of the earth whip wide bands of fire. I’m afraid, but I watch like a small child at a fireworks display. As the bands of fire roll in the sky I see something emerge. A bird fire takes shape and morphs into a Phoenix. Raising my hands the mighty bird sees me and swoops in my direction. Grabbing hold to its strong claws we fly towards the horizon in search of better days. Here on this release Roses Unread pushes the boundaries and soars to new heights. The drum work hits you like a sharp slap in the face early in the morning. Grabbing your attention the hits are full of precise power and build a foundation for a mighty palace that reaches to the sky. Bass guitar notes are as thick and solid like a concrete wall on which beautiful treasure are held protected. Guitars bring passion that rages like a mighty fire. Rhythm guitar tones stand like a behemoth taking the muscle in each song to highest possible limits. Lead guitar work aid each of these epic numbers to blossom in your imagination and wash away your daily toils. Keyboard embellishments take Roses Unread to a new level and help frame the back story of each number. Backing male vocals bring a rage and character to this release as if some creature from the dark has been uncovered and is to now be reckoned with. The cornerstone of R.U. is the beautiful, melodic and seductive vocals from Allison. At the helm she leads you through a series of treatments that will evoke the power, passion and ability that you have inside yourself. This is one of those albums that just rocks track after track. I would recommend this to those who like hard rock and heavy metal genres. Roses Unread have created a pinochle piece of art here. You need to get this now.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosesunreadband
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/rosesunread
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosesunread
Michael
Music Reviews
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Rachel and the Ruckus, Kicking Up Tunes While You Kick Your Feet
Rachel and the Ruckus - Sauntering full of sizzle Rachel and her band slides into your feet, and you wont be standing still for long. With a bass guitar that walks and slides while drums hop through a set of blues rock you will find your heart falling in love with the voice of an angel. Sax work on display in “Bounce” adds the right amount of take-no-attitude character. Piano notes delicately slide across your ears in “Could Be Tonight” till the guitars get you juiced up for a night of hot passion. With the opening bass guitar pulses you can almost imagine a woman putting on some sexy black leather boots and heading out on the town. Rachel has no problem rocking the stage or hanging back and delivering tender moments. This release is thoroughly well balanced. Rachel has the rock swagger needed to give any band a run for their money and her partners can kick up enough Ruckus to make any crowd shake. I really like the mix on this set. Everything is in its place and well heard. The bass isn’t buried, the guitar has room to breath and the sax can swing without stepping on anyones toes while the drums work the beat hard without overpowering. Piano and Acoustic guitar elements that lead the opening of “Leave Your Light On” stand strong on their own, but as the track blossoms and the rest of the instruments come in the song soars to amazing heights. Sass and swagger are on full display with “Melt Away”. You’ll probably want to avoid eating ice-cream unless you can eat it really fast. Stinging guitars round out the set on “Romeo” and you can almost smell them starting fire. Rachel has heft and hooks to snare your heart and enflame your emotions. I would recommend this band to those that like Rock, Blues, Pop and Soul genres. Anyone complaining that music today is just a bunch of Ruckus hasn’t heard of Rachel and her crew. This is one to turn up and share with all.
Website: http://www.rachelandtheruckus.com
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/racheltheruckus
Michael
Music Reviews
J.P. Edwards, From His Heart to Your Home
Hearticulate - With the opening acoustic guitars I feel like I am hanging out on my old worn couch in my favorite comfortable Saturday afternoon rags. A warm voice and music that speaks to the compassionate heart J.P. will make you feel at home no matter where you are. Vocals are focused and have traction like a great pair of boots on a worn wooded trail. Electric guitar work on “Stargazing” will make you feel like you are dancing with the stars on a clear summer night. With sweet electronic elements dusting the backdrop you almost feel like you can reach out and grab that passing shooting star and taste its sweetness. Backing vocals will make you feel like you can float anywhere you want to go whether it be to the girl next door or across the ocean. Mr. Edwards has a way with words. These songs communicate understanding while his heart on display. In “Ties” you will almost see yourself standing in the doorway as this song unfolds in your ears. Percussion work not only lends itself to keep the beat, but to also provide a solid strong heartbeat for these songs that enrich the emotional ride. With beautiful finger picked notes from the heavens the guitars on “Destinations” skate across the sky like clouds on a spring day. Dancing with emotions the shuffled phrasing almost makes you feel like you are in the arms of the perfect partner. With authenticity J.P. Edwards delivers songs that will win you over again and again. I would recommend this to those that like Americana, Folk, Pop and Alternative genres. With such Hearticulate abilities this surely won’t be the last we see of Mr. Edwards.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jpedwardsmusic
Michael
Music Reviews
Roses Unread, An Epic Track Full of Power
“One Eye Open” - With Latin percussion and swelling strings you almost forget what Roses Unread do and who they are. Though once the guitars drop in your ears you feel like you have the ability to punch through concrete walls. With thundering drums in toe this track is one that will make the lovers of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal bang those heads full of sweaty hair. Vocals stream through the air like a wafting ribbon of smoke between notes of utter bliss creating a melody that breaks the heart and empowers the soul. Grinding male vocals add and additional layer of aggression to this track, you can almost smell the fire and brimstone raining from the sky. A breakdown section that quickly morphs into a blues and soulful guitar solo makes you feel like you are atop a snow capped mountain ready to swoop back down to civilization and lay claim to all that should be yours and bring hell to those that need be paid. Roses Unread once again deliver a powerful track like only they can. I would recommend this to those that like Hard Rock/Heavy Metal. Roses Unread may only have “One Eye Open” but they continue to deliver cuts that hit the bulls eye like a deadly sniper.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosesunreadband
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/rosesunread
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosesunread
Michael
Music Reviews
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Tristan Avakian, A True Honest Artist
As Waters - As I close my eyes I see myself walking out the front door of my home where I see farmlands to the end of forever. Shutting the door behind me I raise my coffee mug to my lips and take a quick sip. Down the steps of my front porch I cross to the drive and my truck where I hop in, put my mug down and start the engine. Pulling out of the drive I survey the farm and I feel total happiness and freedom. I don’t know what the day will bring but I know my place in the world. Sometimes music, even if you have never heard it before, just sounds like home. With the opening chords on this release you will feel like you have been here before. Not that Tristan creates boring, all-to-familiar songs, but he sings to your heart and welcomes you into his. The song, “As Waters Engulf Us We Reach For A Star” unfolds like a spring blossom that becomes more beautiful with each passing second. These are pro cuts here with art that has been lived for long hard hours. Acoustic guitars sound as sweet as putting on your most comfortable pair of shoes. Keyboard work soars like birds in pure glee on a warm spring day. Notes roll out of bass guitar like a stream rolling over smooth rocks giving life to the land. As the page turns to the song “Hollywood Ending” you will find yourself wanting to slide across the room. The percussion work feels as if it is smooth as glass. Guitar playing has a nice hop to it as if it is jumping from bubble to bubble floating in the air. Strings swell and so will your heart even if you are not a sucker for a love song, sour or not. It will be hard to keep from dancing on your tiptoes with this number. Tristan has a vocal delivery that holds solid over a variety of styles. Effortlessly he can hold a melody that will make any ladies man jealous because somethings just can’t be faked. With a bit of sting off an electric guitar the song “Priceless” is just that. Organ tones add an honesty and down-to-earth quality to this song. In toe with falsetto notes sung the song cracks like a grand slam as it unleashes wide open choruses that great tracks are made of. Here you have a true artist on display, willing to search the depths to make each song sing and unique. As Waters can be rocky or smooth, all is held strong with Tristan’s command of mic and guitar. The only question is, why aren’t you listening yet?
Website: www.aswaters.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tristanavakian
Michael
Music Reviews
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