Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Even in Arcadia, Two Great Tracks That Rock Dynamics

"City in the Dark" - With the opening bass notes sounding rather brooding EIA transform this track quickly with overlaying some beautiful guitar textures. The drum work pairs with the bass and creates a strong backbone for this song. With awesome cracks off the snare, delicate driving ride work in the verses and massive kick presence throughout. The drums do well to help create a wall of sound that seems like it cannot be moved.  In contrast the vocals drop a beautiful melody like a perfect string of pearls. In tandem with the guitars the vocals create an angelic atmosphere that compliments the rhythm section.  There is a push/pull dynamic between the verses and choruses that makes this a great Alt Rock song. The guitar solo takes this track over the top. While it remains clean in texture it sounds as if it is shakingly walking a tightrope trying not to fall as it navigates the obstacles in the narrative. A beautiful wonderful story is being told here. I would recommend this track to those that like Rock, Alt Rock and Pop. 

“Electric Thumb” - As clean electric guitar chords bounce around inside my ears I can feel a true hop in my step and then EIA unleash the rock. They kick in the gain and crank up the drum power and push past wonderful Pop textures. I really liked the ascending guitar chords that helped take the track up a notch. Drum work matches mellow sections as well as when things get cranked up. The bass guitar sits well in the mix and lends the cut some punch while playing against the rest of the band to create some wonderful ear candy. Vocals come across loud and clear and soar when cranking out the choruses. Even in Arcadia are awesome at creating classic tension and release dynamics here. While this song has some beautiful moments it can also rage like a lion. EIA are definitely a force to be reckoned with.  I would recommend this track to those that like Rock, Alt Rock, Hard Rock and Pop. 


Michael
Music Reviews


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Mike Lowery, Covering All the Bases on an All Out Rocker

Violent Lies - clean guitars chime in as the song opens building tension till the distorted guitars take over. These are the type of songs that are always interesting to listen to. One guy alone in a room covering all the bases. It can be tricky business playing all the instruments. It can be challenging to change “characters” and approach each instrument as a separate entity. As songs go it is constructed rather well. At the about the 1:53 mark Mike opts for something of a break down section and cuts the time on the drums allowing the song dynamics flourish and have character. The guitars for the most part grind and have a wall-of-sound character with overdriven fuzz characteristics. The bass guitar is rather buried however there is a low-end present that helps the track have power. Drums do well to help this track shine and definitely accentuate the dynamics. Vocals sit in the mix well and serve the Hard Rock/Alt Rock dynamic that is present here. It will be interesting to see how Mike Lowery grows as he progresses and evolves. I would recommend this track to those that like Hard Rock, Indie ,Alternative and Underground genres. 




Michael 
Music Reviews


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Monday, October 5, 2015

Carl Growcutt-Clarke, Rising High On This Low

The View - As the opening chords play I feel like I am about to open my eyes and see something awesome like the Grand Canyon. On the opening track you get a great dose Pop/Rock has a snap in its step and a tempo that will make you get up and “do”. You can’t help but feel a bit inspired and want to commit acts of positivity. Transitioning into the track, “Photo in Your Mind” Carl relies on a traditional Pop/Rock/Folk approach with Acoustic guitars that sway with chords that seem as light and effortless like the wind blowing. Bass notes push the song with low end power that give the song a concrete foundation. Percussion work is tight and right on beat countering the vocals and accentuating points that peak or valley as the story is told. Keyboard work lays in the background like beautiful flowers on a picturesque summer day. As a singer Carl is not going to shatter the glass in your windows nor is he going to tickle your ears with Autotune tricks of wizardry. He is merely a man that sings honestly from his heart. He welcomes you into his world and shares his life. He is straight up, honest, a true artist and his voice rings with soulful authenticity. There are really cool little nuggets of sonic bliss found on this EP. On the cut, “The View” the organ work that swells weaves through the track as if it is another voice singing in tandem with Carl. As the Rock aspect of Carl’s abilities come to the fore in “Reason and Rhyme” your ears receive a track that mirrors how life can feel manic sometimes. This is the type of music that I would want to put on those days I am just hanging around the house before I goto work. Life does all it can to drag you through the muck. Sometimes you just need to hear something that is inspiring before you head out. As you proceed on this journey though Carl’s mind you come across “You’re All That I Want” where his voice soars in desire to the point that you feel his passion in your gut. Rounding out this collection is the track, “Bright” which invites you to come out and enjoy life and all it can be. While life can throw you a curve or dip from time to time all you have to do is play this release and you will see a wonderful view. 




Michael 
Music Reviews


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Sunday, October 4, 2015

Grenouer, A Rainy Day Not Forgotten

“On a Rainy Day” - Grenouer have the ability to write great songs that hit the heart hard. Here they deliver a video to unite with their song, “On a Rainy Day”. I love the song on it’s own. The bass guitar plows through your mind and when the guitars drop they cut so hard that you feel that you have been personally affected. Drum work pummels hard as the emotion the band launches into this song. Vocals sung from the gut sound as if they are born out of an aching heart. As dour words drift across your screen you see beautiful thoughts remembered. Shot as if it was pulled from someones broken memories a life lost is on display. Cold stark nature scenes seem evocative of a life once soft and beautiful now cold and lost. I would highly recommend checking out this video if you are a fan of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal genres or if you are a fan of independent film in the Noir genre. Quite simply Grenouer has done it again.




Michael
Music Reviews


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Respublica Mars, A True Rock Album That Rocks!

Music From the Underground - From the opening notes off guitar this album takes flight and refuses to come down. With a little bit of Rock n’ Roll, a dash of Punk and a twist of Alternative Respublica Mars crank out a killer album that delivers. Mass hooks will pull you in and when the band pauses a second it is only for your sake. Guitars on this record set the new standard in classic tone. Whether it is clean guitar work that sparkles the air around you to the down and dirty grinding rhythm chops you will be hard pressed to stay still. There is a true groove factor that has been missing in Rock for quite some time and Republic Mars is here to fill the void. Lead work sounds as if it is effortlessly flying out of fingers on fire. Bass guitar work hits like a 12 ton concrete hammer. Ballsy and full of power each song is given a strong dose of girth that will have the ladies swinging and thrusting all night long. Backed up against the wall of guitars the bass has plenty of room to breathe and both elements are clearly heard. The interplay is a beautiful sonic dance that help the songs come to full fruition. Backing it all up is the drum work that cracks like a cocking shotgun, and explodes on each track as if the trigger gets pulled as fast as possible. The whole band works together like a well oiled machine and delivers quality Rock on every single song. Up front and in your face are the vocals that with out a doubt hold nothing back. With the right amount of harmony and melody mixed with strutting snarl the vocals will inspire you to get off your seat and sing along. From the opening track of “Hudozhnik” you will be propelled into sheer Rock n’ Roll bliss. As things twist a bit on “Willis” you will find yourself on the edge of your seat. “Epoch” will have you rising and wondering what is next and when the other shoe will drop. Soothing Bass lines only fool you till the guitar hammer hits you over the head. A molten metal version of the Blues is dancing on “Crazy”. Mellowing acoustic guitars of “Osen” will let you grab your girl and sway her into ecstasy. Rounding out the set is “Coda” that will have you pumping your fists and wanting more. Unfortunately your only recourse it to go back to track one till the next release, but fear not there is plenty of rock to tide your over for quite some time. 


Michael 
Music Reviews


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Shadows and Mirrors, Challenging Your Senses In the Dark

"In the Dark" - As the oscillating synths swirl around my head I close my eyes and see myself driving through a post-apocalyptic city in a convertible with the top down. The wind in my hair makes me feel alive but as my eyes glance across the horizon I realize everything is oh so wrong. Stark cold electronic landscapes rise and fall with the peaks and valleys in this song. With textures familiar with yesteryear Shadows and Mirrors take you through a journey in the dark with a modern twist. With a sampled kick and snare pulsing in your ears you will find yourself looking over your shoulder to see if the footsteps you hear are really there. From traditional grinding tones to angelic notes that float overhead the key work build an aura of anticipation and tension. Vocal interplay with all the elements at hand are done in a spoken word fashion in a matter-of-fact type of delivery. There is nothing hidden here and you are left to face your own demons. The song is crafted rather well and if you are a fan of Darkwave, Industrial, Electronica, EDM or Alternative genres I would check this track out.  While many are scared of the dark, this is not a track to fear but rather embrace and wait for the cannibal headhunters to arrive. 





Michael 

Music Reviews

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Thursday, October 1, 2015

Ultrafunctional, Heavy Acoustics That Allow You to Breathe

"To Burn: Breathe" - There are many ways to get someone's attention, for this instance Ultrafunctional decide to hit you over the head with a large heavy object. I don't think I have ever heard such a heavy song from a group fronted by an acoustic guitar. This is the type of song that I could envision Pink Floyd writing if they were still relevant today. Lead vocals snake into my mind as if they were slyly sung by a sinister ringmaster. On display here you have a wonderful interplay of instruments in a slightly unorthodox fashion. The acoustic guitar clearly sits up front and swaggers chords from its sound hole like a seductive mistress up to no good. Bass guitar lines groove through the track with just the right amount of bounce. Drum work holds the beat and serves the song well. What's interesting is that the metal work is kept extremely low in the mix allowing the bass to breath and the kick and snare to pound creating the heavy atmosphere. Electric guitar passages are rather subdued as well except for when the lead work is allowed to poke through and add the correct amount of flame. I would highly recommend this track to those that like Folk, Alternative and Americana, but there is such a boutique factor at play I think that those who usually favor Pop music might like his track as well. One thing is for sure, this is a track that you will want to burn to your player so that you can breath all that Ultrafunctional has to offer. 



Michael
Music Reviews


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