Archi Deep, Showing You What Rock n’ Roll Is

NOWHERE MAN - Have you ever had a pot of ultra thick black coffee mainlined into your brain? Neither have I, but imagine it is similar to the feeling that I get off the open track on this release from Archi Deep. From the staccato swiped electric guitar strings I am woken up and this title track makes me want go all night. This is definitely a guitar rock record. If you are too easily offended or only listen to cute little electro-records that fit into the nice clean box the music industry sells, then turn around and run away from this release. You won’t be able to handle it. The guitar oozes awesome tones of blissful anarchy the way rebellious Rock n’ Roll should. Drum work is hit with power and reckless abandon yet will pull back to accentuate some of the funk infused grooves like found on, “I’m on the Run”. I know some would call this band “Punk” or “Alternative” but this is just a straight up a great Rock ’n Roll release.  The songs constructed here are fun and full of rage with great hooks. Room is allowed in each number so that the songs can breath. Notes are as if hand-picked for your listening pleasure with plenty of extra “ear candy” in the background. You’re going to want to listen over and over again. On the track, “High Minds” Archi Deep prove that even an acoustic guitar can rock. The added texture with the backing vocals make you feel like you have snuck backstage with the guys in some sort of voyeuristic moment.  AD build things back up with the track “I Can See”. Opening with just vocals and a grinding electric guitar you may feel like its going to be another stark number. Never fear Archi Deep kick in the bass and guitar and let this number swagger into your ears. Fighting that temptation to grab the cute girl in the miniskirt and sweat the night out dancing will be very hard. The vocals are great, the guitars grind and sound as if someone plugged their emotions straight into an overdriven guitar amp. Bass guitar tones have a full round tone like a beautiful woman who has found the tightest jean in the world to wear. Notes and lines slink and bounce around each track that help this album have not just the low-end power but also an interesting character. Now please note that this release isn’t just going to rock your face off with one spicy acoustic number. The vibe on this release is well balanced and will duck and weave like a seasoned boxer. Beautiful tender moments like that found in, “Real” counter balance the power that Archi Deep unleash so well. Making this possible is everyone in the band playing excellently to the song. On the final cut, “If Only It Was Sunny” Archi Deep take you on one final ride of peaks and valleys. With excellent Rock n’ Roll dynamics on show you will want to shout along. You’ll finding yourself wishing that there were more tracks to come. You’re only recourse is to press play again or go see them live. I would recommend this album those that like Rock, Alternative, Punk, Hard Rock and Pop Rock. With bands like Archi Deep cranking out music Rock will never die as long as you find yourself NOWHERE MAN. 

Website: www.archideep.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/archideep

Instagram: www.instagram.com/archideep

Michael

Music Reviews

musicreviewsbymichael@yahoo.com

Chris Cole, Bringing the Rock With Slide, Style and Groove

Still Rolling With The Times, As I close my eyes I find myself in bed. It’s late morning and turning my head I see the nightstand with overflowing astray and an alarm clock telling me to get up. I sit up an light a half-gone cigarette from the night before. Smoke rolls out of my mouth and nose. As the morning sun weaves in-between the rays of smoke I begin to see pictures take shape. The smoke bends and takes form of a road. My consciousness leaves my body and follows the road. Transported into some sort of alternate universe I find myself riding a motorcycle down that road of smoke. Colors slowly transform into some sort of ultra-technicolor dream scape. With the wind in my hair I look upon the horizon and see evergreen trees trying to touch the sky. Below my feet the road screams by. Following the road I find myself winding in between the hills, over peaks and within the valleys. With no road signs I have no idea where I am or where I am going. I find peace though on this road. I am willing to take in whatever comes around the corner. Chris has the ability to write songs that take you on a laid back journey through your mind. On his opening track, “Let it Go” you will find a rich soundscape that lures you out of mind-numbing world that surrounds. He doesn’t scream in your face or try to rip your face off with a flurry of notes, he merely creates a track that grooves and warmly invites you in. He plays from the heart and isn’t afraid to lay it all on the line. “Without You” has man pouring his heart out for the world to see. With the keyboard work exemplifying his beating compassionate heart he shows the world what it is like to love. Electric guitar work on, To Find Peace in This Place” swirl around ears and fly off into the distance. An earthy chorus of vocal work take off in pursuit in hopes for a better day. Strong vocal hooks on this cut take this album to a special place. As the journey continues the low-end groove from the bass guitar is absolutely infectious on “What Comes Around Comes Around”. With tasteful percussion work in toe this track cuts so hard that you will want to move. Wether you find yourself sliding across the floor or spinning into the ground, the flow of the verses and the soaring choruses will put a shining sun on any horizon. As the music swells on “I Owe This All To You” you will feel like you are cresting a hilltop to look down and see a beautiful valley city where peace and happiness rein. Guitar work overall on this record is rather tasteful. Chris doesn’t over do with a million tracks of dribble. He allows each of his songs to sing on their own. With just the right amount of flair and character the guitar weaves into each story and sings like a bird. The track “Life Carries On”, makes you realize that events are like people on a crowed sidewalk. Sometimes it can be hard to navigate through them all. Occasionally you may even find you’re doing the 2-step with someone for a bit, but for better for worse life goes on. This track slides through your mind like a someone with a strong faith does in life. It finds the sweetness and learns from the rest. Chris is wonderful at creating song that exemplify what life is really like, and that obtain a lyrical message that won’t pull you down. Cranking it up a notch the cut, “Running Out of Time” has a bounce in its step and stands out in this set. Its as if you are at the end of a diving board and you have to decide if you are going to go, or walk back. Letting the Acoustic guitar shine on, “Got to Let Her Go” Chris Cole sings with a voice that reassures. Everything is going to be alright, and if you think not this song will sooth and heal. As you pick yourself up and dust yourself off the song “Feel It In My Bones” drives to that little place in your heart and soul that refuses to give up. With a focused beat and grooving bass you will find yourself wanting to put on your boots and head out the door. Chris’s vocal approach is that of late great classic rock artists. He merely gets behind the mic and sings. Nothing fancy, nothing auto-tuned, just a man behind the mic with his voice singing from his wisdom, so much so that you can “Feel It In His Bones”. Life is about navigating negative and not letting it pull you down. With music like this from Chris Cole you are often reminded that this is all temporary and that you got preserve through as exemplified with, “Rolling with the times”. I would recommend this release to those that like Rock, Pop, Alternative and Classic Rock genres. 

Cdbaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/chriscoleandthecircus3

ReverbNation: 

https://www.reverbnation.com/chriscole4/song/23777745-running-out-time--album-version

Michael

Music Reviews

musicreviewsbymichael@yahoo.com

Version 5, Taking You on an Inspiring Journey of the Imagination

Version 5 - As I close my eyes I find myself atop a large skyscraper. Squinting off in to the distance I see a comet falling to the earth. Looking straight up I see that it is not a lone object but rather the sky is filling with them. As they speed to earth I find nothing else to do but to dive to the ground. With the ground quickly approaching I pierce the pavement as if it is water. I swim into depths I have not ever known. As I look around I see an underwater cavern as I swim to, and then up into it I find an underwater lair. Coming out of the water air fills my lungs. Scanning the cave I see a rocky corridor lined with blue flamed torches which I begin to walk down. Walking along I hear chanting and with each step it keeps getting louder. The corridor opens to a hall full of other-worldly beings. Immediately I am surrounded, bound and put on trial for the misdeeds of my past. As my prosecutor froths at the mouth I look to the judge and see her shaking her head in disgust. I am then paraded back out to the masses. Full of hate they start to cuss and spit at me. Pulling from the passion and power deep inside I crouch and launch to the air. With the ceiling of the cave approaching I raise my fists and pierce through. Back above the surface of the earth I look around and see the remains from the meteor shower, but to the horizon I look and the sun rises. In this new day I feel I cannot be defeated.  Version 5 have released a set of songs that are epic in nature and sure to inspire. With a style that hybrids Pop, Rock, Industrial and Alternative Version 5 has created something beautiful and unique. Electronic embellishments do well to create a backdrop over which Version 5 build beautiful narratives over. Guitars embody a wall-of-sound character that feel like they weigh 20 tons.  Percussion elements drop hard and hold the spine of each number tight. These are the type of songs that have enough groove to them that you could easily dance as a posed to throwing your neck out from headbanging.  The vocal approach from this group is aggressive, but they dispense with the over processed or the impossible to understand typical hard rock style. Embodying plenty melody V5 stand strong with vocal hooks straight from their souls. There is a real crossover possibility here. I would recommend this set to this that like Hard Rock, Industrial, Alternative and even Pop. With Version 5 being so strong, one is to wonder what they will come up with next. 

Website: http://version5music.com/

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/v5music

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/version5music

Twitter: @Version5_Band

Instagram: @Version_5

Michael 

Music Reviews

musicreviewsbymichael@yahoo.com

Brad Wilson, Firing Up a Storm with Blues Thunder

Blues Thunder - Sometimes music speaks to you, other times music speaks for you. On this release Brad Wilson has music that does both.  On his opening track, “Is it any Wonder" Brad's guitars sing like a mans heart on fire. You can almost feel his desire as he bends the notes into the stratosphere. On "Change It Up" the guitar dons a tone with a bit more sting and has the kind of swagger that personifies how I like to navigate downtown traffic.  The guitar sits backseat for a bit on, “Blue Shadows" where the piano inspires flashbacks of passions, and love long gone rises to the surface. Brad has assembled a group of players that tend to each song like sharp eyed gatekeepers. Drum work unleashed on this set can lay back in the pocket and hold things together, or add the right amount of heat. Key work, wether from the piano or organ, contribute the jangle to make you get up and move, or inspire the soul to fly off the bar stool where life is really at. With the opening whines from the harmonica on “Step by Step” you will be moving closer to pure blues bliss with every note played. Bass guitar lines will have you looking for your baby no matter where you are at. Once found you will grab them by the hands and want to dance the rest of the day away. The textures present on this release range from the slick, clean and soulful to the smokey, dirty nitty gritty. With so much music auto-tuned and gimmicked within a hair of insincerity, Brad Wilson delivers an authentic musical experience played and preformed by humans with soul. For those that like a little more Rock in their Blues, “Blues Thunder” comes out of nowhere and sucks you in with a tornado of high gain guitar work. The rhythm section has a hey day and creates a real track that bounces with, “Let’s Go Barefootin’ It”. It will really put a hop in your dance steps, and in toe with the harmonica work you will spice it up for the day. Now you can shred guitar all day long and practice your scales but to be a real blues man you gotta be able to write songs. Brad delivers track after track, with a one spin of “My Faith Has Been Broken” you will hear and feel the true soul of an artist. Baring all Mr. Wilson has a variety of guitar tones and phrasings just as a soul has feelings traveling through life. Throwing out a variety of techniques to express the back drop of, “Cool Runnin” you might just want to keep you drink back from the speakers for it might just freeze over. As the set continues the warming track of “Home” rolls into your ears. With the intricate acoustic picking Brad creates an earthy track that will make you want to sit back in your seat. Taking deep breath you will be able to close your eyes and envision fond memories of yesteryear and envision what might be next. One of things that really strikes me about release is that it truly takes you on a journey. The fact is, you could spin this record in a room full of different people and just about everyone would find a track that they could latch on to. I really liked the throwback 50’s boogie vibe injected into the cut, “Black Coffee At Sunrise”.  Closing my eyes I can see beautiful women in ponytails and poodle skirts spinning the night away into the late hours in a diner. Without a doubt though the main character on this epic release is the guitar. With bends and trills, blistering runs and ghost notes the guitar is upfront and in your face. Talking all throughout this album the six strings have a voice of their own expressing true human passion and sorrows. It’s amazing what the guitar can to in the hands of a man that has lived life and can project that through his instrument. In “Sugar Sweet” it can sit back and jam or light up the heavens. Rounding out the album is “Never Again”, with high gain guitars that sing to the heavens. Wether you are heartbroken or a heartbreaker this track will speak to you. I would recommend this album to those that like Rock, Blues, Pop and Country. There is a little bit here for just about anyone, so give it a spin and these “Blues” will take away any storms or “Thunder” and turn them into sunny days. 

Website: http://bradwilsonlive.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bradwilsonlive

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVkFNawDMjf6kIWZaE2Nblg

Michael 

Music Reviews

musicreviewsbymichael@yahoo.com

Man.Goes Human, Traveling Amidst Sweet Notes

Man.Goes Human - As this collection spins I close my eyes and I find myself on a bus traveling to an unknown destination. My head leans against the cold glass and I wonder how I got here. Man Goes Human has a wonderful knack for writing heartfelt songs that make you ponder life and the curves in it. Their song, “No See” has a modern The Doors feel to it. It has a loose feel and you aren’t quite sure where the song is going to go. It has a free-flow Jazz type feel to it while held in a rock structure. On "Together for Eternity", you have a lone man and his guitar. It takes a real talent for a singer/songwriter to record something so stark and have it feel so warm and full. I don't think I have heard such a beautiful acoustic guitar tone in such a long time. Gears switch a bit on, "Fading" the acoustic work is accompanied by a stinging electric and soulful female vocals.  Things really spice up at the 3:21 mark where a full rhythm section comes and brings the emotions to a musical peak. If you are the type of person that likes cookie-cutter la-de-da Pop songs MGH is not for you. They challenge the typical notion of a beautiful song. They will take you on a ride of not just the senses but also the mind. With a sharp left turn Man.Goes Human throws in a dash of Electronica flare on "Ba Ba Black Sheep". At the 2:01 mark they break down and throw in a Dance beat that proves quite infectious. I look around yeah, people are staring at me dance, listener be warned. “Leave Me or Love Me" rocks things up a notch over a twisted love affair. With guitar work that sounds crinkled in just the best way you are far from feeling sorry for the victim as the drum and bass work wind you up.  Man.Goes Human crank out a nice tension/release rocker on "I'd" that explains just about what any man goes through when they are truly in love with a muse that takes them too far. Rounding out the set is the noodling track “EEEEE”. The notes off the electric guitar will spin around your ears like blues rock bliss. Soulful vocals soar to the sky while the bass guitars begs you to dance, and the drums suggest you grab your love. I would highly recommend this collection to those that like Rock, Alternative, Progressive and Indie. Man.Goes Human are a unique act that deliver top shelf goods. Don’t ask, just go and listen. You will not regret it. 

Website: www.mangoeshuman.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManGoesHuman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mangoeshuman

Michael 

Music Reviews

musicreviewsbymichael@yahoo.com

Chill Magnet, Sunny Side Up Sounds

Gringo Mariachi - With the opening lines I close my eyes and  find myself in an open field. Picturesque clouds are scattered across the sky. Bare foot I run through the fresh early summer grass and extend my arms out as if I could fly. Chill Magnet has created a set of songs that make your heart feel free. Acoustic guitars seem strummed as if there wasn't a care in the world. The drums keep everything anchored to the ground but make you want to bounce and jump to the sky. Electric guitar work spins around each track and adds just the right amount spice so that they can melt in your mouth. Electronic elements help to keep the set fresh and mix things up a bit allowing each song to have their own character.  Bass guitar work brings the low-end and aids with the dance factor Chill Magnet serves up. Vocals slide out of mouth and into your ears like an arrival of a long lost friend. While some of the lyrical content may seem dour C.M. do well to put a sunny spin on any cloudy day. My personal favorite was the cut, "In Mexico". With its playful nature talking about a life that is on the edge it seeps into my mind and I smile knowing everything is going to be alright. I would recommend this to those that like Emo, Alternative, Indie, Rock or Pop. With dedication and hard work Chill Magnet is only going to get better from here. The question is, are you coming along for the ride?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chillmagnet

Website: http://chillmagnet.net

Michael

Music Reviews

musicreviewsbymichael@yahoo.com

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. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareeveninarcadia

Twitter: https://twitter.com/xeveninarcadiax

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/xeveninarcadiax

Michael

Music Reviews

musicreivewsbymichael@yahoo.com