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| KWEEVAK'S TRACKS: THE GALAXY'S GUIDE TO WEB MUSIC |  | | |
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REVIEW ARCHIVE: N – Z NEIL
RAMBALDI – PERPETUAL HORIZON: Perpetual Horizon is the
debut solo release from New Jersey guitar virtuoso, Neil Rambaldi.
Rambaldi has been recognized for his high quality of musicianship and
professionalism by Tonos.com, guitarist Steve Vai and the New York/New
Jersey club scene. Neil has done lots of session work that spans a wide
range of styles such as rock, Latin, R&B, metal, blues, new age and
classical, all of which find their way into Neil’s diversified collection.
Perpetual Horizon is an eleven track assortment of instrumental
songs loaded with heavy guitars. Rambaldi produced, wrote and performed
all of his own material. In addition to being a skilled guitar player he
handles the bass, keyboards and drumming programming with expertise. Every
track on this CD is a winner. ‘It's Time’ ebbs and flows with its slow,
sultry start to its hard driving jams. ‘Personalities’ is expressive with
fast furious guitars and high energy. ‘Funky Brew’ as the name implies is
a great mix of guitar, funky sounds and wild percussion that is spell
binding. Perpetual Horizon is majestic like the setting sun and
should insure Rambaldi a perpetual place on the music horizon. PAUL
COTTON – FIREBIRD: Paul Cotton,
Poco’s longtime lead guitarist and master of the art of
visual stimulation through music, has produced a very fine new CD,
Firebird. After 10 years without new music from Paul, this CD is
truly a joy for all of his many fans. When you listen to any of Paul
Cotton’s music, you can’t help but be drawn into the imagery his music and
lyrics evoke. This CD is no different and may be some of his best work
ever. The CD contains 11 tracks two of which - “Ride The Country” and "Bad
Weather” - are remakes from his Poco contributions. The CD opens strong
with "Woman with a Broken Heart," a song with a theme that Paul has made a
staple for himself. It’s your love lost, love tried type ballad. Sometimes
you need to get deeper with Paul on some these songs, because he may not
be speaking of your typical love lost. In some of his songs they talk of
the love lost between partners in the band situation. There are two
favorite new tracks — “Firebird” and “Across A Painted Sky.” Both of these
lyrically evoke the sensation of being in the American Southwest. “Painted
Sky” was penned by current Poco partner and master of the pedal steel
guitar, Rusty Young. In both of these songs Paul lifts you and transports
you to those southwestern scenes and allows you to fill in the painting.
The two remakes are very well done, considering both of these were honed
to perfection in Poco. “Bad Weather,” first recorded when Paul was in
Illinois Speedpress, and again with Poco on From The Inside (1971)
is a classic Paul Cotton song. Here Paul’s voice is a little bit older and
little deeper and he receives great backing vocal from Rusty. It also
shows off the wonderful pedal steel work of Rusty. For a lover of Poco’s
version of “Bad Weather,” it may take a couple of listens to appreciate
what Paul has done in this remake, but it no doubt will become a favorite.
“Ride The Country” is a favorite from A Good Feelin' To Know
(1972), and the remake here is awesome. The entire CD is fine and worth
checking out. Give it a listen you won’t be disappointed. PETE'S LIFE AS A DOG! – TODAY IS LIKE ANY OTHER
DAY: Today is like any other day is the latest release
from Pete Poumbourios and his mates. Pete is the singer/songwriter and
guitarist for the band but he also tours as a solo artist. He is joined by
Russell on drums and Phil on bass, who are accomplished musicians. Pete’s
life as a dog! is based out of Victoria, Australia, where Pete has played
lots of shows, made many recordings and continues to promote his music.
Pete is influenced by 60's vocals groups, guitar great Jimmy Page,
composer Brian Wilson and Lou Reed. Poumbourios’ music is a blend of
guitar-based pop, catchy hooks and a touch of the blues. Pete writes witty
lyrics and straightforward arrangements. Poumbourios sings with enthusiasm
and soul. Today is like any other day has solid instrumentation and
a whimsical almost carnival feel complete with a faint dark side. Pete
sings about relationships and the environment in smooth tones and subtle
echoing effects. The title track ‘Today is like any other day’ begins calm
and gentle like a new day and moves into a slightly psychedelic vibe
progressing towards the captivating hook line and closing with a steady
beat and nice guitar work. ‘5 seconds to go’ has an ominous opening and
flows to the bridge where Pete the prophet warns that people’s
mistreatment of the earth is speeding mankind to the end of history.
Pete’s vocals contrast from sweet to shadowy and merge well with the dark
instrumentation. Today is like any other day is a fun nine-track
collection of well-produced, well-played songs from talents from the land
down under. PETER GRAND – PETER GRAND: Peter Grand is the
grandmaster of his self-titled debut CD. All songs are written, arranged,
produced and preformed by this multi-talented artist. Peter plays piano,
keys, bass, guitar and drums on this well orchestrated album. His songs
are well written and grandly produced. He describes his music as
contemporary piano pop rock. Born in Germany and now living in LA, Peter
has a passion for music which clearly comes across in his music. His
compositions are straight-forward but poetic. The piano pieces throughout
the CD are beautiful and are the highlights of this collection. Peter
Grand has a good positive feel to it that creates a relaxing mood. I
particularly liked 'Wild As The Wind' which had great instrumentation and
a light breezy feel. 'April Rain', the closing track, has a soothing flow
and is a great showcase for Grand to demonstrate his piano skills. Peter
is also quite proficient on the other instruments that he plays. Overall,
this is a grand CD for fans of light rock music. Enjoy! PETER SANDO – CREATURES OF HABIT:
Singer/songwriter, Peter Sando has been playing since the psychedelic era.
His latest project, Creatures of Habit, blends his 60’s roots with
modern folk-rock in this 14-track collection. Peter’s songs are stories
that unfold in well-crafted lyrics. He speaks of counting your blessings,
positive relationships and romance. Talented musicians back Peter’s clean
and concise vocals. Sando plays solid guitar leads on this mostly acoustic
CD. ‘John Brown’ has precise percussion, soft guitars, a fiddle and
reflective vocals telling the story of the fight for freedom. ‘Dessert
Flower’ is another social commentary (possibly about Native Americans)
with a melancholy tone and fine acoustic guitar work. ‘Helpless’ combines
the sax, piano, the organ and female vocals with a good groove through
out. Warning: This CD could be habit forming! PHILIP FOXMAN & PRIME 8 – WEST 4TH &
CHARLES: West 4th & Charles is the latest release
from singer-songwriter Philip Foxman and his band Prime 8. The
Australian-born Foxman wrote the 11 tracks on this CD named after an
address in Greenwich Village. This New York City-based band uses an array
of instruments such as the violin, the mandolin and keyboards in
conjunction with traditional rock and roll instruments to produce
compelling songs. All the tracks are well-crafted stories that have
powerful imagery. There are dark undertones to many of the songs, which
ironically are upbeat in tone, a prime example being ‘Random Fire.’ This
music is emotionally charged and captures the urban tone of the band’s
origins in a unique style that merges various forms including folk rock.
The opening song ‘Here It Comes’ melds various sounds with a catchy hook.
‘My Valentine’ is a heartbreaking, well-orchestrated song about his dying
valentine, which brought tears to my eyes. ‘Spanish Armada’ has good
instrumentation that sends the listener sailing. West 4th &
Charles is an interesting mix of songs about NYC, relationships and
life in general and a good addition to any CD collection. PORTER – WHISKEY HILL: Whiskey Hill,
the debut CD by Porter is an eclectic mix of sounds and sensations. This
five-piece band based out of Brooklyn, New York blends various genres such
as electric groove, jazz, country and international sounds for a funky
enjoyable mix. Talented musicians back the singer/songwriter/bassist Peter
Fand. Whiskey Hill is a flavorful mix of musical styles utilizing
various instruments with strong guitar and percussion work on many of the
tracks. The journey up Whisky Hill takes twist and turns through
various moods and intriguing lyrics to conclude in an overall satisfying
trip. I particularly liked 'Alone,' 'By & By,' 'What I've Learned' and
'Camouflage' for the funky beat and musicianship. Songs are enhanced by
the use of the xylophone, the djembe and the krin and chimes in
conjunction with traditional rock and roll instruments. Overall, Porter is
the fusion of musical worlds that integrates unique sounds in deeply
rhythmic arrangements with interesting lyrics. Bon appetite! RANDI RUSSO – SOLAR BIPOLAR: After playing
music in the Midwest for a few years, Randi Russo returned to New York to
form a new band and play the East Village’s Antifolk scene. Randi’s songs
draw from the traditions of punk, art-rock and garage bands. Russo sites
numerous influences such as the Sonic Youth, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Led
Zeppelin and David Bowie. Randi blends these varied influences into her
own enchanting hypnotic music with driving beats. In addition to being a
singer/songwriter, Russo plays guitar. Since she is a southpaw her
instrument is inverted, which adds unusual sounds and edgy tones to her
latest release Solar Bipolar. Russo is supported by the talents of
Spencer Chakedis, Matthew Carlson and Lenny Molotov. Chakedis and Randi
produced this collection and all the CD artwork is by Russo. Randi’s
compositions are journeys that explore various musical paths and are
delivered with intensity. She writes songs that are deep, dark and
emotional. The CD opens with ‘Dead Citizen,’ which has steady solid
percussion, funky haunting guitar rifts and raw vocals. This set the tone
for the rest of this well produced collection. ‘Possession’ grabs its
listeners with its solemn start that merges into a gritty knife to the
metal cutting edge sound. Solar Bipolar shines with
potential. RAY
WINCH – LIVE AT THE SACRED BEAN!: Live At The Sacred
Bean! is a 21-track collection of Ray’s originals and a number of
covers. His music is a combination of rock, new country, folk and 70’s
pop. Ray’s lyrics are well-crafted and generate beautiful visual images
and reflections. Winch’s songs are upbeat, positive and hopeful even when
dealing with sad subjects. As a singer/songwriter, Ray’s music is
introspective but he sincerely sings about topics that many of us can
relate too such as the soul, relationships and love. Ray states that he
has loved music from an early age and has been heavily influenced by Joni
Mitchell. He pays tribute to her on this CD by performing ‘Big Yellow
Taxi.’ Solid musicians back Winch on this live effort and his songs from
the studio album Vision and Reflections transfer well to the stage.
There are many prime examples of Ray’s beautiful lyrics and delightful
delivery throughout the acoustic and full-band tracks on this disc. ‘Sun
is Shining’ is a great visual song about the coming of spring and new
love. ‘Another Day’ is also a seasonal song with strong imagery backed by
solid instrumentation. ‘Summertime’ is the sad ballad of losing love with
a lively hook line. ‘I Won’t Be Back This Time’ has a catchy soft guitar
rift to accompany solid lyrics and musicianship. Overall, this is a crisp,
clean live CD and a visit to the Sacred Bean is highly recommended to fans
of modern folk rock! ROBIN BROCK – HIDDEN POWER: Hidden
Power is the sophomore release from Canadian rocker Robin Brock.
Robin’s music is getting plenty of airplay and she has been touring
internationally perfecting her craft. Robin, an award winning
singer/songwriter has a strong, powerful edgy voice. She sings with
passion and conviction. Brock joins forces with Randy Bachman and John
Capek who co-wrote some of the songs found on her latest CD. Brock
surrounds herself with talented musicians who complete the full hard
driving rock sound established on Hidden Power. The intense guitars
jams of Tim Pierce are energizing and enhance this twelve-track
collection. Brock’s lyrics are honest, provocative and contain
well-crafted melodies. ‘The Game’ has steady percussion (James Kottak) and
solid bass rhythms (Jeff Pilson), which create a good grove that is
carried by Robin’s robust vocals. ‘I Surrender’ has a commanding guitar
solo, great instrumentation and strong vocals. Hidden Power is an
energetic collection of rock songs that are delivered by high-powered
vocalist - Robin Brock. SALLY TAYLOR – APT #6S: APT #6s is the
second release from Sally Taylor. Sally founded her own record company,
Blue Elbow Music, to independently release her CDs. Taylor plays hundreds
of shows a year promoting her music. She takes time to respond to fan’s
e-mails and keeps a journal of life on the road, which is posted on her
website. Sally graduated from Brown University with a degree in Medical
Anthropology. Taylor has played in a variety of bands and writes all of
her own songs. Sally is the daughter of legendary musicians Carly Simon
and James Taylor, yet despite her connections she prefers to take the road
less traveled to market her music and control its artistic direction. She
states “success to me is happiness.” On APT #6s she plays rhythm
guitar and is the lead vocalist. She is supported by the talents of Chris
Soucy on lead guitar, Kenny Castro on bass and Brian McRae on drums.
Together they form a cohesive unit that delivers a great collection of
songs that are folk inspired with a touch of country, pop and the blues.
Sally writes insightful intriguing songs. Taylor’s vocals are soulful and
sultry with echoes of Carly. ‘All this Time’ has a good groove accented
with steady horns and keys. ‘March like Soldiers’ flows like a pageant on
Sally’s rich, smooth vocals and subtle instrumentation. ‘Convince Me’ is
light and optimistic and sung with sweet conviction. Taylor’s musical
background and skill culminate at the door of APT #6s in a diverse
mix of well produced songs. SAUCE – SAUCE: Caution: This Sauce is
Hot! Give a listen to the debut album from this 5-piece act
from northern New Jersey and you'll understand why Sauce has been
hailed as the next big thing by the likes of Steve Miller and the
legendary Les Paul. Featuring the deft and exhilarating guitar
mastery of Sauce founder and lead-singer, Dave Haywood, the
10 tracks on the band's debut run the gamut from the jazz-rock fusion of
'Lonely Child' to the trippy meanderings heard on 'Place in Your Heart'
and 'So Alone.' Haywood's main guitar influences are Clapton and Gilmour
and it's likely that you'll hear his name mentioned among theirs when the
history of rock is completed. SECOND SELF – SOUVENIR: Souvenir is the
vision and debut CD from New Jersey singer-songwriter Ray Ecke. Ray, who
writes insightful visual lyrics and who also plays some of the instruments
on this eleven-track CD, is supported by the talents of Rick Bustamante
(guitars and keys), Terry Farley (drums) and Chris Sokolewicz (guitars and
bass). These musicians have been playing together for a long time, thus
the sound on Souvenir is tight and cohesive. Second Self is
characterized by strong songwriting, crisp production and a real sense of
traditional power-pop values. Ray's songs are multi-layered and the CD has
a variety of moods and tones. His heartfelt lyrics address life's
difficulties and challenges but are hopeful that in the end all is good.
Souvenir has an upbeat positive feel and great instrumentation. The
percussions, keys and guitar leads are top notch and the CD as a whole is
expertly produced. 'Tidal Wave' has vocals that move like the sea and a
quality guitar solo. 'You Never Know' is filled with the hope of a bright
sunny day accented with the accordion. The title track 'Souvenir' has
great instrumentation and the wonderful lyrics tell a story about holding
on to memories and moments in time. SEVERIN BROWNE – THIS TWISTED ROAD: This
Twisted Road is the latest release from Californian singer/songwriter
Severin Browne, who comes from a strong musical heritage. Playing a
variety of instruments in his childhood, he selected the guitar by age
ten. Severin has been involved in the music industry for much of his
working career but only in the past few years has he returned to the
recording studio. In addition to vocals and guitar, Severin produced his
CD with Edward Tree. Browne is supported by talented musicians who lend a
hand on percussion, bass, piano, organ, strings and the steel pedal
guitar. This Twisted Road takes many turns down the paths of folk,
rock, country, acoustic and jazz. Severin blends these traditions into
meaningful well-constructed songs. Browne sings with feeling and is backed
by solid instrumentation throughout his ten-song collection. Severin
writes mature, poetic, philosophical lyrics about relationships, life,
faith and dreams. His music is serious, reflective and well produced.
‘Water’ flows like a smooth stream through good steel guitar leads.
‘Sweet, Stupid Dreams’ has a soft subtle beat, fine guitar work and
high-quality backing vocals. ‘Strange Life’ has smooth, silky guitars,
good vocal inflections that tell the story of love and pain. This
Twisted Road is a musical journey that is worth the trip. SHELLITO – INGREDIENTS: Ingredients is
the sophomore release from Shellito, who is Mike Shellito and Jeff Tanner
supported by talented guest musicians. Mike is the producer, singer and
songwriter for the group. Jeff plays guitar, bass and harmonizing vocals.
This Philadelphia based band magically blends pop, modern, funky jazz and
psychedelics into a unique mix of tasteful tracks. All twelve courses
include complex instrumentation, poetic lyrics, new wave keys and lots of
clever guitars. Mike writes short snappy songs that are filled with one
line imagery. Ingredients is meticulously produced and well
prepared. Shellito has been compared to a diversity of artists including
David Bowie and Simon and Garfunkle. Shellito is imaginative and their
voices merge together smoothly. Their music is a variety of spices and
flavors served in soft almost whisper like vocals which adds a aura of
mystery to their sound. ‘All Right’ opens with a steady beat and retro
guitars that flow into a velvety narrative about Lori. ‘Virgo Torpedo’ has
a groovy grove, faint percussion and intriguing echoing harmonizing
vocals. Ingredients is full of flavorful tracks that are subtle,
sweet, spicy but never bland. Bon appetite! SMART APPLE – THE ADVENTURES OF ONE.../VALLEY OF THE
DOGZ: Smart Apple is a multi-talented one-man band from the
Virginia/Washington DC Metro area. Teddie Tapawan covers all the vocals,
guitars, bass and percussion on his CDs. In addition, Tapawan occasionally
plays keyboard and is responsible for all his own artwork. Teddie states
that he likes all kinds of music and he combines his interests to create
his own unique sound. Tapawan describes his music as alternative rock
mixed heavily with funk, blues, grudge, metal, techno and rapcore. His
compositions have many moods but are a cohesive blend of various genres.
Teddie has a wide vocal range as demonstrated on his well-produced CDs.
Tapawan’s songs include solid guitar solos incorporated into funky
rhythms. His deep lyrics are supported by full sound. Kweevak received two
disks from Smart Apple, entitled Valley of The Dogz and The
Adventures of One. Both are jammed packed with first-class diversified
songs. Recommended tracks on Dogz include 2 and 4 . ‘Procrastination’
opens with a weird guitar sound that grabs and carries you to the hard
rocking hook and then returns back to the catchy, unusual grooves. ‘Breath
Like Water’ is a prime example of Teddie’s ability to successfully blend
different genres into one song. Suggested tracks on One are 5 and 6.
‘Morning Light’ has driving percussion, bullet shot vocals and
high-quality guitar work. ‘All I Live Is You’ is a great ballad with solid
instrumentation. Smart Apple is a smart choice for any music
collection. SMITH BROS. – LOST: Lost is a breakout,
smash-hit effort from the Smith Bros. This three-piece power-pop outfit
from Columbus, Ohio delivers edgy, exciting music on their debut CD
Lost. The Smith Bros. culls from a diversity of influences with
traces of The Beatles, the Smithereens and the Gin Blossoms. They use the
best elements from the genres from the 60's to the 90's throughout their
13 tracks CD. Mike Clark, the bassist and one of the two vocalists, writes
most of their songs. His voice blends beautifully with Pat Dollenmayer,
the guitar player and other singer in the band. The triangle is complete
with the solid percussion of Matt Gramly. The sound and style throughout
the CD is exciting, with great hooks and up-tempo beats. Songs are well
crafted and executed with enthusiasm and energy. 'Without You' grabs you
with its first rift and carries you through with rockin' guitars, a solid
grove and a great hook line. 'Without You' is under consideration by the
Fox Network who might use the track for their new series
Undelcared. 'Words Fail Me' is a great blend of musical styles with
solid instrumentation and a mysterious feel. 'Walk Away' is another good
example of how the Smith Bros. blends various styles to create a great
song with their own signature. Overall this is an enjoyable CD but I
sometimes had difficulty understanding the lyrics - which could have been
intentional - like early REM. SPOOKIE DALY PRIDE – MARSHMALLOW PIE:
Marshmallow Pie is the debut release by Spookie Daly Pride a five
man band from Boston, Massachusetts. SDP is an eclectic mix of boogie,
funk, Dixieland, hip-hop, jazz and roots rock. They are well known for
their intense live show and are building a wide fan base on word of mouth.
SDP has opened for many major acts including Kid Rock, Foo Fighters and
Primus. They have played a number of notable festivals and are
aggressively touring in 2002 to reach an even wider audience. SDP’s music
is featured on college radio and their songs are being used on TV and in
films. Marshmallow Pie is an energetic collection of hooked filled,
funky, fun songs. Each member of the band has different tastes and
influences, which merge into this compilation of cohesive music that can
be described as joyfully improvisational. The instrumentation on this CD
is exceptional and SDP invites other talented musicians to play on their
songs to give them an even deeper, wider sound. The vocals are intriguing
and bluesy but sometimes hard to understand. ‘Happy Happy’ is smooth and
polished with a cheerful vibe and plenty of synergy. ‘Coffee and Pot’ has
jive and great subtle horns to give the song a funky jazz feel.
Marshmallow Pie is a thirteen track montage of musical styles and
moods that are well produced and expertly executed, which should appeal to
a wide range of listeners. STICKFIGURE – APE OF THE KINGS: Stickfigure is
an alternative rock band that can also be classified as top 40 and
contemporary. Stickfigure uses an interesting mix of sounds and styles to
create a diverse mix of songs. Their influences include Tom Petty, REM and
the Replacements. Their lead singer/songwriter is former major league
pitcher Jack McDowell. Over the past eight years Stickfigure has been
working and touring as a group. Ape of the Kings is their third
release and is the culmination of hard work on the road, lasting
friendships and writing maturity. This thirteen-track collection has a
variety of moods from whimsical to serious. Vocals are passionate and the
instrumentation through out is solid. ‘Just Like Them’ opens with a grungy
guitar and continues to blaze along with a steady beat warning about
conformity. ‘Hour of Day’ is a musical roller coaster ride complete with
intriguing sounds hard driving vocals and raging guitars. ‘The Action’ is
smooth and steady with nice backing vocals provided by fellow guitarist
Mike Hamilton. Mike Mesaros on bass is consistent in creating a good beat
and groove throughout the CD. Ape of the Kings covers all of the
musical bases and Stickfigure is on their way to the big leagues! TERRY WALSH & 2 A.M. – BUSY BEING BORN:
This is a D.A.M. good CD! Terry Walsh and 2 A.M.'s "Busy Being Born"
showcases the best tracks from the band's first two full-length releases.
They sent us a copy of their mp3.com produced D.A.M. CD and we were quite
surprised by the quality. We had heard that D.A.M. CD's left a little to
be desired, but it looks as though mp3.com has gotten their act together.
This disc arrived complete in a shrink-wrapped jewel box and contained
audio tracks, mp3 tracks, and an mp3 player built in! We only wonder why
Terry Walsh and 2 A.M. chose not to put a cover on it (part of the free
service provided by mp3.com). The music reflects just what the title
suggests, a band "Busy Being Born." If you can get through the birthing
process listen to the maturing band shine while sounding like a young
Springsteen (Serra Angel, Negative Vibes), young Dylan (The Greatest
Mystery), and a young Van Morrison (Beautiful Thing). Terry Walsh and 2
A.M. has been called "extremely spirited rock and soul with obvious links
to the purer pop forms of classic rock" by their hometown Minneapolis
City Pages. We agree! THE
ALIBIS – FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS: The Alibis, formed in
1998, are four music veterans that blend the best of classic rock with a
modern edge. Their debut CD Forty Days and Forty Nights
energetically echoes the past sounds of the 60's and 70's but is very much
a modern pop album. The Alibis -- keyboardist /producer Peter Elman, lead
vocalist/guitarist Mike Costello, bassist Bob Lindfors and drummer Steve
Cameron -- call themselves "four veterans of the rock wars" and have spent
time in their careers playing with national acts. Each of the
multi-talented members of the band plays a variety of instruments and
three of the four are songwriters also. This CD is a group effort drawing
from the ideas and varied musical experiences of each member, yet it is a
cohesive collection. Their lyrics are insightful and well crafted,
addressing serious issues such as love, faith and the state of the world.
The stories are told passionately with gritty vocals. The Alibis are
basically a guitar driven band accented with soulful keys and a solid
rhythm section. The guitars jams are skillful and are multi-layered,
adding depth to many of the songs. Forty Days and Forty Nights has
a variety of moods and good instrumentation. I particular liked the grove
on 'Hey Little Mama,' 'Havin a Good Time' and 'Take Me Away' all of which
had a great classic rock feel reminiscent of other greats such as Little
Feat and The Band. THE
AQUA VELVETS – RADIO WAVES: The Aqua Velvets are a northern
California based band. Their latest and much anticipated release is
Radio Waves. This CD is packed with great live broadcast
performances from 1992-1998. The recordings are crisp and clear. The five
members of The Aqua Velvets are cohesive and play with precision. Radio
Waves includes music from the Aqua Velvets' four previous CDs as well
as some classic surfer covers. This 23-track collection is loaded with fun
upbeat jams and beautifully executed slower instrumentals. The Aqua
Velvets merge psychedelics with surf music to create powerfully energetic
songs. The Aqua Velvets have their own unique sound. Yet, some of their
compositions could be the Grateful Dead playing with The Beach Boys.
Overall, I enjoyed every track on this release and find it difficult to
choose a few favorites. I particularly liked the tone and jams on
‘Gringo,’ ‘Martini Time,’ ‘Green Sunshine’ and ‘Blue Rhumba.’ A limited
edition bonus CD was also shipped with Radio Waves containing a
must-hear classic trippy surf-rock cover of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen
Spirit.’ THE
DENT – NEUROTICA: The Dent is a harmonizing trio from
Fairfield, Connecticut. They have been writing, recording and performing
together for over ten years. In that time that have perfected their sound,
which can be described as “melodic rock with perfect pop choruses.” The
Dent has been liken to Vertical Horizon, Cheap Trick and Elton John, which
shows that their music is a diverse mix of classic rock and contemporary
power pop. Neurotica is their third independent release. They write
meaningful lyrics about broken relationships and emotional pain, yet the
music is catchy and upbeat with plenty of solid hooks. Jeffrey Norberg
expertly handles the guitars on this five-track collection. Mitchell
Linker provides solid percussion and D. Raul is skilled on the bass and
keyboards as well as production. It is hard to pick favorites on this CD
as each song is good and every track has its own unique personality. The
songs flow smoothly into one another even as the tone and mood changes.
The layered vocal harmonies of the trio blend beautifully together and are
one of the highlights of Neurotica, which can be fixating! THE
GABE DIXON BAND – MORE THAN IT WOULD SEEM: The Gabe Dixon Band
is a rock jazz-fusion ensemble sans the guitar. Gabe Dixon is the singer
and songwriter for the group. He also plays piano and keyboards. Gabe is
an accomplished musician and was the keyboardist for Paul McCartney at the
concert for New York show. Winston Harrison provides the strong steady
bass lines that drive each of the ten tracks found on this collection.
Jano Rio plays percussions with precision, which sets the tone for the CD.
Chandler Webber on the Alto Saxophone creates the sultry jazz feel to each
well-orchestrated song. The quartet has been touring the New York City
music scene, perfecting their unique blend of composition. Gabe’s vocals
are smoky and soulful and the band is tight. The CD opens with ‘Happy
Woman’ an energetic song with strong vocals, a steady beat and fine
keyboards. ‘Look Into Your Eyes’ is a good example of the smooth
interaction between the members of band and it has great hooks. ‘Love
Story’ is a soulful track with beautiful piano work and animated
instrumentation. More than it would seem is a great collection of
rock meets jazz in songs that have depth, clarity, feeling and
emotion. THE
LOST TRAILERS – AMERICAN SOLE: The Lost Trailers officially
formed on Independence Day in the year 2000. Shortly thereafter, they were
discovered by Willie Nelson, who asked them to support him at a sold out
show at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. The band has been touring
up and down the east coast, thrilling audiences with their unique blend of
musical styles. American Sole, conceived by Lost Trailers
co-founders Geoffrey Stokes Nielson and Ryder Lee, is the second in a
trilogy of concept albums. It merges elements of the 60's and 70's-styled
classic rock and blues, to form their own brand of southern-influenced
American-soul music. This CD rocks with horns, blues and country sounds.
The Lost Trailers are a solid troop of talented musicians, who bring flair
to each song on this collection. The vocals by both co-founders are crisp
and engaging as each tale unfolds. ‘Family Reunion’ has great
instrumentation and quick flying vocals. The soulfully-charged ‘Walking
Blind’ followed by the country-funky sounding ‘Sidewalks’ are also
highlights. Overall, American Sole has got plenty of soul in a
diversified mix of songs and stories. THE
MCCLOSKEY BROTHERS BAND – THE MCCLOSKEY BROTHERS BAND: The
McCloskey Brothers Band self titled debut CD is out and from the opening
chords of ‘Together Home’ with its fast furious tempo to the closing
chords of ‘Peace with God’ their listeners are in for a treat. This upbeat
spirit filled CD is rock/blue grass in the highest order. This Colorado
based group is about love of life, nature and music, as expressed in this
wonderful 15-track collection. Todd and David McCloskey write powerful,
reflective lyrics that are poetic and very visual. Both McCloskey brothers
are accomplished musicians and share the stage with the talents of Dan
Menchey on drums and Steven Roseboom on bass. The guitars and banjos are
high flying throughout and the mandolin adds beauty and depth to many of
the songs. Percussion and bass is subtle but solid on each track. The band
has a wide range of influences, which include Prince, Cat Stevens and
Robert Plant. Thus, their music is diverse and fresh. The McCloskey
Brothers Band is “new grass” as it blends solid rock with the traditional
bluegrass sound. The CD has many well-expressed moods starting with the
upbeat opening track to the dreamlike quality of ‘Dream’ and the soulful
‘Rocked.’ The McCloskey Brothers Band is a great first album and
clearly demonstrates why these musicians are building a solid following in
their hometown region and beyond. THE
REDEEMERS – SHE ROCKS ‘N’ ROLLS ALL NIGHT & DAY: The
Redeemers are four veteran musicians based out of Virginia. Their sound is
a blend of many retro sounds including early British invasion, garage
rock, country, surf, folk and soul. The Redeemers pay tribute to many
historical rock sounds but are enhanced by modern production. There are a
variety of moods and styles to be found on their latest 17-track release.
Most of their songs are written by lead singer and keyboard player Mark
Mansfield, who is supported by the talents of Derek Brock on guitars, Hank
Burnett on drums and John Stanton on guitars and bass. Their music is fun
and the use of horns and duel guitars on some of the tracks adds another
dimension to their work. The Redeemers are featured on Little Steven’s
“Garage Rock Invasion CD” representing vintage rock with an energetic and
enthusiastic style. ‘Get It On Down’ is a rockin’ track with fast and
furious guitars. ‘Soul’ has a good feel and good guitar leads. ‘I’ve Got
It Bad’ is soulful and sung with lots of feeling. She Rocks ‘n’ Rolls
All Night & Day is an eclectic mix of well-crafted songs that
should appeal to rock historians. THE
RENOVATORS – RHYTHM & BLUEPRINTS: Rhythm &
Blueprints is the aptly named CD from The Renovators, a four-man band
from Bronxville, New York. They renovate traditional styles such as the
blues, R & B, Rock a Billy, retro, country and jazz into their own
unique upgrades. This CD is packed with a variety of sounds and styles
that includes both funny and insightful lyrics, well-crafted blues rifts
and solid instrumentation. The production is masterful and each track
builds upon a foundation of great guitars, steady percussion, skillful
keys and rugged vocals. The Renovators come from diverse backgrounds. Bob
Rasero by trade is a renovator when he is not playing guitar and singing
with the band. Bob Mayo, keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist has toured
with major acts including Peter Frampton and Aerosmith. Ted Hemberger on
drums, and his brother Al on bass and vocals, own and operate The Loft
Recording Studios. The Hemberger brothers have worked with many different
artists such as Britney Spears and Pete Seeger. All fifteen tracks on this
collection are interesting, well orchestrated and flawless. ‘Who’s To
Blame’ has soulful vocals; soft sticks and strong blues based guitars.
‘Bandaido’ can be described as a retro surf instrumental with an edgy
funky sound. ‘Never Really Saw Your Face’ has reflective lyrics, excellent
keys and a colorful country blues feel. The Renovators have the tools and
enthusiasm to build a colorful collection of music as drafted on Rhythm
& Blueprints. TIN
DRUM – SMALL PARADE: Small Parade is the second release
from Tin Drum. This southern Californian quartet brings maturity and
complex, captivating arrangements to their latest fourteen-track
collection. The core of the band is husband and wife team Burleigh
Drummond and Mary Harris both singers and songwriters for Tin Drum.
Burleigh was the founding drummer for the Grammy nominated group Ambrosia.
Mary has experience in both the studio and on the road having worked with
top acts such as Pink Floyd, XTC and Jimmy Buffett. Joining them is the
talented Mike Mahan on bass and Larry Treadwell on guitar. Additional
musicians who play a wide assortment of instruments such as the mandolin,
the diggeridoo, the Irish flute and the cello complete this well-rounded
CD. Mary who also plays keyboards has a rich clear concise voice and
harmonizes delightfully with Burleigh. The instrumentation throughout
Small Parade is whimsical and magical. The subtle up-tempo
percussions create a fun mood but some of the tracks are serious and
reflective. Tin Drum provides a nice blend of moods and styles. The CD
opens with the title track that has powerful, poetic lyrics and vocals
that soar. ‘Wailing Wall’ is majestic and haunting with steady percussions
and piano. ‘Luck of the Irish’ has appealing bridges that flow smoothly
into each other. Small Parade is a procession of musical
delights. TODD
GIUDICE – DESTINATION VENUS: Destination Venus is the
debut CD from singer songwriter Todd Giudice. Todd also produced and
arranged his latest release. In addition, he plays guitars, harmonium,
organ, piano and percussion. On some of his tracks he is backed by
skillful musicians that add an additional edge to his well-crafted songs.
Todd is from Woodstock, New York and is influenced by many historical
rockers such as Neil Young, CS&N, Dylan and The Beatles. He writes
soulful songs that are delivered with emotion and passion. Giudice’s
lyrics are introspective and interwoven into solid choruses, great hooks
and good acoustic guitars. Although there is heavy emphasis on the
acoustic guitar this is not a folk album but truly a rock and roll CD with
a variety of moods. All ten tracks on this collection are soulful and
heartfelt; I particular liked the tone of ‘Grind,’ which is the story of
damaged love with excellent guitar work. ‘She’s So Beautiful’ is an upbeat
love song with a great groove. Destination Venus is a solid
collection by a man who clearly loves music and conveys that through his
art. TODD
HERZOG – WHAT I WOULDN’T GIVE: Todd Herzog is a singer,
songwriter, arranger and producer. Todd lives and works in Los Angeles,
California and has done vocal tracks for both television and film. In
addition, he has worked with well-known artists such as Sarah McLachlan
and Dave Merenda. Herzog’s music can be described as pop/adult
contemporary. What I Wouldn’t Give is Todd’s debut release. This
ten-track collection is the poignant story of personal loss and pain but
evolves into a beautiful assembly of ballads. His songs have strong
messages that stress the importance of valuing each day and every moment.
His poetic tales are a reminder to let people know you care today. Todd’s
lyrics are philosophical, serious and insightful. Herzog sings from the
heart with much passion and has a wide vocal range. Todd is supported by
skilled musicians and the CD is well produced. Both ‘I’ll Be Waiting’ and
‘Out There’ are smooth like a calming stream with heavy undercurrents of
deep reflective struggles and tones. Both tracks showcase Todd’s diverse
vocal inflections and command of musical scales. The title track ‘What I
Wouldn’t Give’ has a soft steady beat, gentle expressive guitars and
heartfelt vocals. This CD is a very personal powerful work, which teaches
that loss is a learning experience and that even in our darkest moments
there is still light and growth. TOM
LILLO – BLUE EYED MYSTIC: Take the Midnight Train with Blue
Eyed Mystic, the debut CD for singer/songwriter Tom Lillo. Based out
of Los Angeles, California, Lillo has long been involved in studio work,
engineering and production. He is now releasing his own music supported by
a team of diversified artists. His first CD draws from various musical
disciplines and is backed by good instrumentation. His songs explore love,
truth and mysticism in traditional rock and roll format. Lillo’s lyrics
are deep, reflective and spiritual. His words leave lasting visual
impressions. Tom states, “the songs on this record are sometimes ambiguous
and could be about a person, or God or both.” Blue Eyed Mystic is a trip
into the unknown ending in a satisfying journey. Some of my favorite
tracks on the CD were “I Found Love,” “The Man I Thought I Was,” and “Walk
on Water,” which had a good vibe and situations of confusion and hope
common to most of us. Overall, Blue Eyed Mystic is a solid rock and
roll CD. TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA – CLOSER TO THE
TRUTH: Closer to the Truth is the latest release from
veteran musicians Trout Fishing in America. The core of the band is
vocalists Keith Grimwood who plays string bass and electric bass and Ezra
Idlet on guitars. They are joined by guest musicians who play mando,
harmonica, dobro and fiddle to complete the rich tones found on this
thirteen-track collection. Keith and Ezra have been writing and performing
music together for both adults and children for over two decades. They
were nominated for a Grammy in 2002 for Infinity a record geared
towards youngsters. They have received lots of positive press and many
awards for both their children and their folk rock music. Closer to the
Truth can be described as American folk rock with a touch of country
and even reggae. Keith and Ezra compose well-crafted reflective songs with
catchy hooks and bridges. This dynamic duo creates a very full sound with
just the guitar, bass and harmony. ‘Dreaming’ the opening track is upbeat
and hopeful with positive instrumentation. ‘Closer to the Truth’ the title
track has visual lyrics with nice accents from the piano, the violin and
the cello. ‘Dangerous’ utilizes the pans and timbales, which gives the
song an island feel and is a good example of the funny witty lyrics that
Keith and Ezra write. Closer to the Truth is a good catch and an
inspiring example of musical chemistry between long time friends.
• Artist & Song Title: [Balance of Power/Shelter Me] • Secret MP3 Site: [Zev Web MP3s] • Secret MP3 Site: [SysDate MP3s] Confused??? see contests |
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