Tuesday, April 28, 2015

John White, A Message and Beat Born to Lead

“Won’t Be Long” - From the opening backwards guitar tracking this cut has an awesome bounce. Overall the track is very professional. The kick has a tight low pop with a snare that has the snap and crack to counter and get this song flowing. John’s vocals ride overtop this spin and with a low laid back delivery give calm to the storm that can be life. Clean electric guitar tones help increase the peace needed in such a day and age. With key work floating in the background you can almost see the angels at work singing backup and welcoming you into a life that can be more peaceful as described here. John has really stepped up his game here and delivered a track that not only has vision, but promise to help redefine the landscape of Rap and Hip Hop. With such a message one can hope that the range of music will broaden beyond the desires for Drugs, Alcohol and sleazy sex. I would recommend this to anyone that likes music that inspires, Rap, Hip Hop or Alternative genres. A leader doesn’t need to brag about their stature, but speak a message that rings loudly with truth and here John speaks as a leader.



Michael 
Music Reviews


Si Astbury, Times Change but Love Never Gets Old

“Times Change” - With notes sliding out of my speakers and across the air, the opening piano seems to be looking behind and times past that were better. A soundscape that is reminiscent of classic power ballads Mr. Astbury belts one out straight from the heart.  With this mournful tune Si sings of love like a man that has lived. His vocal approach hides behind no autotune or tricks of effect. On display you clearly have a man that just pours it out from his soul. His employment of vocal vibrato is done rather well. Certain phrases do seem though that they are a bit of a caged lion. Cutting completely loose this man can really let it rip. Overall production of this track is done rather well. The lead guitar is buried a bit but adds the right amount of edge to the track. Upfront is the delicately played piano which does well to establish the overall mood. The drum kit and bass guitar lay well in the pocket and fill out this ensemble but don’t do anything too flashy. What is pinnacle here is the heart of Si and his approach to this heartfelt song. I would recommend this cut to those that like Pop, Rock, and especially ballad numbers. While “Times Change” nothing stands up better than a love song. They never get old especially when sung from the heart so pure. 



Michael
Music Reviews

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Patersani, Throwing Back and Aiming for the Stars

“The Ugly Friend” - Listening to this track from Patersani I can close my eyes and find myself in my favorite bar. Sitting there resting my arms up on the back of my favorite booth I eye a beautiful woman across the room. The scent of her flawless skin cuts through the smell of cheap stale beer being spilt on the floor, and her beautiful eyes connect with mine through the secondhand smoke of cigarettes. She licks her lips and giggles silently across the room. While I shift in my seat a jingle enters my ears and my focus is adverted. Sometimes you hear a song and the whole world just ceases to exist, well for me anyway, and this is one of those songs. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland the men from Patersani have crafted quite a song and one that sounds to be a hit. With trebly guitars that bounce and careen out of your speakers you will find it hard to not snap your fingers and sway to the beat. The sound is a bit of a throw back to what became classic with the British Invasion, but attacked with such zeal and fervor Patersani keep it new and fresh. The band plays lock tight and executes well. The bass hops around the beat and will be sure to have your hair bouncing with it. Drum work has an awesome snap to it and nails the tempo perfectly. By far though what makes this song crank is the vocals. I don’t know if they could be sung any better, wait I do, and they can’t. The production on this track leans on the high-end rather hard. While it may sound out of place against other current Pop artist, it fits the vibe of the track dead on. This is one of those tracks that is rather infectious and you will want to play over and over again. I would highly recommend this track to those that like Pop/Rock, Alternative and Garage Rock. While you maybe distracted and miss out on hooking up with that hot girl across the bar, you’ll definitely be money ahead and great songs don’t off and leave your for your “Ugly Friend”. 



Michael
Music Reviews


Johnny Straws, Offering a Variety of Textures to Get You Through Your Rainy Days

“Don’t Forget Me”/“If you Love Someone”/“Can’t Stop” - As I close my eyes and listen to these three songs from Johnny Straws I find myself staring down at the ground on a cold rainy day. Standing under the awning of an old building I watch the water as it falls and creates ripples in the puddle that continues to grow. Far off in the distance I hear birds beginning to sing and as I look up I see a break in the clouds. The sun is trying to break through and as the light strikes my face I find hope to walk out into the day. “Don’t Forget Me”, is a mournful ballad with the hope of a better day. Singing from the heart Johnny singing style fits the chiming guitars. While the guitars rain notes from above his voice breaks through with strong assurance. With lead note choices that seem like Alt Rock the mood in “If You Love Someone” has a swinging feel. You almost feel like you are traveling, or that you will want to and get back to that love that is so true. This song is written rather well. With the vocal performance resting as a duet, the additional voice adds dimension. With the sun on your back and Johnny in your ears you will sure to find that great love again. On “Can’t Stop”, Johnny snarls and curls his lip a bit and lays down some attitude. With the classic 1-2 beat from the drums and the bass guitar bouncing off the walls Johnny pulls off the punk vibe rather well. This is a nice collection for those that like something away from the mainstream. I would recommend Johnny to those that like Rock, Alt Rock or Punk genres. On a journey to find his groove Johnny Straws proves that he is no one trick pony.


Michael
Music Reviews


Sky Kings, Conquering the Studio and Soaring into the Sky

Morose Tales From the Left Coast - Listening to this release from Sky King I whisk off to better days. It’s a warm summer day, driving down the interstate the window is down and the wind is in my hair. With one hand on the wheel I take my free hand and set it out the window. Letting the air flow over and below my hand it becomes free in the wind and takes flight. The pull becomes stronger and I find myself floating out of the car and upward into the sky. As I look down I see my car fade. Looking upwards I see the billowy cotton like clouds drawing closer. I feel the warmth of the sun wrap around me like a passionate lover. Soaring in the sky I bob and weave around and through the cloud formations. I feel at peace and at home in this dream like land. This is the type of band that sings about the low points of life but create textures that make you feel like you can soar high into the heavenly clouds. The feature of this release is Walter Morosko. Behind the microphone he commands the spirit of a life truly lived. Holding nothing back he weaves vocal lines through the tapestry of this band creating a true piece of art. With guitar in hand he delivers a second voice to this group which seems to come first nature. With true guts he lays down lines and licks that blaze towards glory. With Garth Farkas backing him with his rhythmic six strings the two get into the dirt and kick some up for fun to the point that you find yourself lost in musical ecstasy. Laying down the low-end is the great Larry “Fuzzy” Knight. With lines thick and solid as an oiled swimsuit model you will find yourself stomping the floor and your hips will cut a groove across any room. Each song blooms to the point where nothing is held back. With accompaniments of horns, piano, drums and harmonica this full ensemble creates music that will give any floor a punishment in pure musical bliss. This is truly a great Blues/Rock band throwing down. I would highly recommend this release to anyone that loves Blues, Rock, Classic Rock and because of some of the beautiful tender moments created here, those that like Soft Rock will also find bliss. Take some time and let this band sweep you off your feet and fly into the sky with true pure passion. 




Michael
Music Reviews


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Papermoon Gypsys, Cooling the Summer Days With Their Brand of Scorching Blues

Papermoon Gypsys - Pressing play on this release from the Papermoon Gypsys whisks me away to a gravel road in the middle of nowhere. Sitting there starring at my flat tire I can’t decide if I want to walk to get help or crack a cold one out of the cooler in the trunk. It’s a beautiful summer day and while leaning up against my car trying to decide a beautiful woman pulls up in a convertible with top down. With a wink and a smile you hop in and take off for paradise with your cooler in her back seat.  Papermoon Gypsys at its core is a blues group that takes pleasure in dabbling in rock textures. While their track “Halls of that Chandrian” flirts with hard rock, they turn right around on “Have You Ever Had a Reason” and deliver a pure dose of the blues. On songs like “Little Town” you will find the drums rocking right in the pocket. The kick has just the right amount of slap and attitude countering the snap of the snare. Bass guitars lay in the pocket and will have you wanting to dance across the floor and slide the night away. Musically the cornerstone of this band though is the six strings of the guitar. Wether winding and crying on “Have You Ever Had a Reason” to snarling grind of “She’s Tough” the guitar sings a full range of emotions. Vocally you have Kenny dominating the opening track however the passionate female vocals from Lexi serve the lion’s share of singing. With brash attitude and vocal prowess Lexi gets in you face and you can’t find someone to better to sing the blues to you with your radio cranked driving down the road. I would recommend this to anyone that likes Blues or Rock genres. While the Papermoon Gypsys on the surface may sound like a lightweight Americana group they prove that they have true blues power pumping through their veins and are ready to set the world afire. 


Michael
Music Reviews


Memory In Plant, Tired of Pushing the Envelope They Invent a New One

“Astronomy Domine” - Recently I went on a journey courtesy of Memory In Plant and their take on Pink Floyd’s “Astronomy Domine”. I found myself in a metal corridor where the walls were cold slick black steel. The area was barely lit by what appeared to be a string of L.E.D. lights on either side of me where the walls met the floor. A feeling came over me thought that I was not alone. The walls began to eerily pulsate and waveforms seemed to come from that would penetrate my body internally. I could almost feel as the sound waves were trying to sync with my heart or vice versa. Then all at once the pulsing walls revealed images like gigantic computer monitors. The first images of snow quickly transitioned to the far reaching cosmos it was almost as if I was drifting is space. With the image showing a quick descent to earth I watch it form from the inside out, almost as if I was watching the creation of the earth in a sort of fast forward. Memory In Plant have taken a track from the band Pink Floyd and miraculously found a way to make it more trippy. Imagine if the Beatles (In all there LSD rage) were in charge of the Matrix, and you will start to get an idea of what these guys can create. While standard songwriting dictates that you find a hook, use that as your foundation and build a song. M.I.P. throw that ethnic in the trash bin like a styrofoam container from the seventies. While blending the traditional elements of drums, bass and guitar with those of the unlimited electronic realm the men from M.I.P. create a sonic journey that comes out of nowhere but not completely unfamiliar. Challenging the status quo of recorded music they blend crisp textures with professional recording approaches and mishmash them together to create unique sonic collages. If you are the type that insists on coloring within the lines and counting the stokes while brushing your teeth then you may feel uncomfortable checking this out, but if you feel that the movie Alice in Wonderland was made far too tame then this is the band for you. I would recommend this to those that like Avant-Garde, Electronic, Progressive and Alternative genres. “Never say never”, I rarely say but in the universe of music Memory In Plant has taken a new perspective on Astronomy and never will you be the same. 

Link to the stream

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Michael
Music Reviews



Sunday, April 12, 2015

Dissector, Into the Pit of Grey Anguish You’ll Find a Metal Perspective

Grey Anguish - Listening to the latest release from Dissector I close my eyes. I see myself lying flat on my back traveling down a black conveyor. I appear to be moving towards a furnace where I will be incinerated into oblivion. I hear the raging fire get louder and I get closer. As I can feel the heat rising around my feet. I begin to wonder if I am about to enter the realm of hell. Three feet from the open flames though I seem to fall off the end of the conveyor and into a bottomless pit. As I feel the heat fade my body slowly rotates and I now falling head first. With each passing second I pass varying images from my past nightmares. They appear as vivid holograms on the pit’s cavern like walls. I begin to slow for no reason and the laws of gravity seem to no longer exist. As I hover midair the hallucinations continue. Out of myself I can examine my travels and choices, but the question is, will I fall again. Dissector does an excellent job taking you on a surreal journey. Their dense soundscapes provide the perfect escape from life and it daily toils. If the average office cubical worker only finds solace in filing and overpriced coffee, then they haven’t discovered the release in extreme metal served here in Grey Anguish. If you find yourself in the midst of having the worst day of your life… again, Dissector has the perfect remedy. Taking this album and cranking it to 10 in your headphones or car stereo will prove very therapeutic. From the opening electronic intro you will feel yourself being pulled towards a crescendo of rage which absolutely releases over the following 10 tracks. Andrey’s drumming not only sounds like a man unleashing his full rage into his instrument but his attack and precision is that which Industrial/Metal mountains are made of. Wether choosing to lay low in the back beat or firing hits as fast as a machine gun he creates the vast catacombs in which these tales are set in. As you fall through Dissector’s world you with be overcome by the mass girth on show from Oleg’s bass guitar. Like a raging famished lion growling 3 octaves lower Oleg lays a murky background of textures that make you feel like someone is writing a soundtrack for your nightmares. Just when you think you might have had enough Yan’s guttural vocals and guitar work come raging out of your speakers like a demons worst nightmare. While vocally he continually harnesses his lowest registers possible, his guitar layers add harmony textures so that the songs don’t become overly low-end heavy. He also has the ability to harness a power and rage consistently over these 11 tracks so that you can release from the daily toils and disappointments. This isn’t an album to share with your children or Grandma, especially  if you don’t want to deal with whines of nightmares or unexpected funerals. This is the type of music that you want to crank through your speakers so you don’t kill you boss tomorrow at work. I would recommend this album to those that like Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Black Metal or Industrial Metal. While falling into the pit of Grey Anguish you will find a peace through the pulsing metal from Dissector and find perspective in knowing you are not alone in your rage. 


Michael
Music Reviews


The Dark Shines, Destined to Become Popular Despite the State of Pop

No Time for Regrets - Listening to this release from The Dark Shine’s I feel like I am running down a back alley downtown. As my sneakers grip the cobblestone and dig in and run as fast as I can. Looking to either side I see old buildings whose front facades for the public seem fresh and new, but in the alley behind you see the corroding broken cinder blocks. I outstretch my arms and I can feel the rough concrete buildings with my finger tips on either side. I look upwards to the sky and an overcast day presents itself to my eyes. With a breeze floating through my hair and my chest pounding with excitement, lightning flashes and thunder crashes. A downpour ensues and I continue to run. As puddles emerge in the alley I continue to run hard and stomp creating miniature tidal waves in my wake. With the state of Pop held down with the undertow of clinical, computerized synthetic music it is a band like The Dark Shines to provide a breath of fresh air and a solid dose of freedom. This is the type of band that delivers shot of Rock ’n Roll straight to your vein. While some sigh anymore at the thought of another traditional rock band The Dark Shines stand out from the rest. While they employ all the classic signatures of a great rock band their personal slant on it differentiates them from the rest of the pack.  Manu’s performance behind the drum kit rectifies like a concrete wall and while it serves as a solid backbone for this band it also adds a slant of flare and artistry that makes this band unique. In between the drum beats you have Nick on bass guitar winding his notes like a sculptor and providing groove to this release that will not only have you pumping your fists but moving your hips. While there are some minor electronic embellishments on this record it is largely a guitar rock record. Laying textures and guitar solos that will have you looking to the heavens Marce excels at taking this group around corners that are somewhat unexpected yet still pure Rock ’n Roll. Holding everything together is Ros whose vocals serve as the spirit of this band. You won’t find any typical La-De-Da singing here. Ros lays it out, straight from the soul, from behind the mic and guitar and gives The Dark Shines their signature sound so that you know who it is as soon as the music starts coming out of your speakers. I would recommend this album to those that like Rock, Hard Rock, and Alternative Rock genres. The Dark Shines clearly has No Time for Regrets and has just cranked out a record that you will want to turn up till your neighbors ears bleed. 


Michael
Music Reviews