The music documentary, “Musicwood” tells the story, through interviews and performances, as to how important the trees are to the world of music, specifically acoustic guitars. The film premiered on June 15 at the Bonnaroo Music Festival and will make its way around the country, being shown at Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival and the Newport Folk Festival.
The film was directed by Maxine Trump (Silent Life) and takes you on an adventure to the beautiful northern state of Alaska were some of the greatest guitar makers in the world (Bob Taylor, Chris Martin and Dave Berryman) are on a quest to save the Sitka Spruce trees. Known for their fine even texture and durability, the Sitka Spruce are disappearing at a great rate, due to Native American loggers clearing huge strips of land. This documentary shows how important these trees are, not only for the exquisite instruments it is used for, but also for the survival of the Alaskan rainforest.
The film begins with a little history lesson on how some of these classic guitars are made and how important the right materials are that create some of these outstanding acoustic guitars. Then, it moves on to show how Greenpeace have tried to stop the destruction of this rainforest. Within the story are little breaks of inspiration as musicians such as Yo La Tengo, Turn Brakes and Kaki King give their insight as to why they love these types of guitars and through these breaks we get some outstanding music interludes that are just wonderful to listen to.
As the three guitar makers journey to Alaska, you begin to get a sense of the devastation that is happening to one of the premier areas of the world. But as much as the land is being wiped of its natural resource, the land owners are using this resource as their only form of income. So the highlight of the film becomes the compromise between all groups as to a plan to utilize what is left.
While visually the movie is very moving, you don’t fully appreciate the guitar maker’s journey without the music fulfilling the emotions of the scenery. The soundtrack could definitely stand on its own, but with the visuals of this documentary, you will from this point on appreciate the resources that are put into the creation of these amazing musical instruments.
To find out more about “Musicwood,” please visit musicwoodthefilm.com/.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
CD Review: Train Revisits "California 37" Album With The "Mermaids Of Alcatraz"
San Francisco based band Train are riding a wave of success that is almost unheard of in today’s music world. Their 2009 album, “Save Me, San Francisco” has sold over a million copies and spawned five singles that made the Billboard US singles chart, including the Top 5 hit “Hey, Soul Sister.” To promote their 2010 tour, the band re-released the “Save Me, San Francisco” album and added seven bonus songs and called it the “Golden Gate Edition.”
Last year Train released their latest album, “California 37” where it debuted at #4 on the Billboard Album chart, their highest charting album to date. This album has also spawned five charting singles and has steadily stayed on the charts because of the band’s constant touring. Now once again Train are re-releasing the album, adding six bonus songs to promote their biggest tour to date.
The new album, “California 37: The Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour Edition” was released on June 25 and adds 3 additional studio tracks and 3 live versions of songs from the album. The new studio songs include a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” and two other song s (“Futon” and “To Be Loved”) that were recorded during the sessions for the “California 37” album, but were left off the original release. The song “To Be Loved” does not sound like it fits in with the original album, but has a more classic Train sound that helped them find success early on in their career, while, “Futon” fits the roll of Train’s current fun-loving songs with its playful lyrics. The other three bonus songs are live versions of “Drive By,” “This’ll Be My Year” and “When The Fog Rolls In” recorded in San Francisco during their 2012 tour.
Train has also released a new mobile game for all Android and iOS devices called “50 Ways To Survive.” The game plays off the lyrics to their hit single “50 Ways To Say Goodbye” as you try and survive the different situations presented in the original song's lyrics. The game is available now to download for free and all proceeds raised from sponsorship from the game goes toward Family House, Train’s San Francisco based charity.
Train will begin their summer tour on July 11 at Virginia Beach and will slowly making their way to the west coast. For a complete list of tour dates and for more information on the band’s new release and mobile game, please visit savemesanfrancisco.com.
Last year Train released their latest album, “California 37” where it debuted at #4 on the Billboard Album chart, their highest charting album to date. This album has also spawned five charting singles and has steadily stayed on the charts because of the band’s constant touring. Now once again Train are re-releasing the album, adding six bonus songs to promote their biggest tour to date.
The new album, “California 37: The Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour Edition” was released on June 25 and adds 3 additional studio tracks and 3 live versions of songs from the album. The new studio songs include a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” and two other song s (“Futon” and “To Be Loved”) that were recorded during the sessions for the “California 37” album, but were left off the original release. The song “To Be Loved” does not sound like it fits in with the original album, but has a more classic Train sound that helped them find success early on in their career, while, “Futon” fits the roll of Train’s current fun-loving songs with its playful lyrics. The other three bonus songs are live versions of “Drive By,” “This’ll Be My Year” and “When The Fog Rolls In” recorded in San Francisco during their 2012 tour.
Train has also released a new mobile game for all Android and iOS devices called “50 Ways To Survive.” The game plays off the lyrics to their hit single “50 Ways To Say Goodbye” as you try and survive the different situations presented in the original song's lyrics. The game is available now to download for free and all proceeds raised from sponsorship from the game goes toward Family House, Train’s San Francisco based charity.
Train will begin their summer tour on July 11 at Virginia Beach and will slowly making their way to the west coast. For a complete list of tour dates and for more information on the band’s new release and mobile game, please visit savemesanfrancisco.com.
Friday, June 28, 2013
CD Review: Tributes, Drummers And Seventies Rock Highlight New Albums
From Portland, OR comes Kenny Feinstein with his debut solo album, “Loveless: Hurts To Love.” Feinstein is the front man for the west coast based punk band Water Tower and has decided to pay tribute to the My Bloody Valentine’s classic 1991 album, “Loveless.” It is one of Feinstein’s favorite albums and is recreating the music with an unlikely batch of instruments including the dobro, fiddle and dulcimer.
Right from the opening song, “Only Shallow” you realize that Feinstein it showing another side to the My Bloody Valentine album. His vocals are haunting at times, while the music follows a very roots/Americana approach to the alternative rock of the original. The album’s lead single, “Loomer”sounds as if these basic wooden instruments make the perfect backdrop to the song’s dark lyrics. The gentle acoustics of “When You Sleep” makes it sound like a folk classic. Kenny Feinstein does an outstanding job getting to the root of the song, by stripping away all the excess to show the song’s pure existence as with “Sometimes” and “What You Want.” The album closes with “Swallow,” which did not appear on the original album, but instead was released on an EP prior to the release of “Loveless.”
For more information, please visit kennyfeinstein.com.
Next up is the latest release from The Decemberists’ John Moen with his second solo album, “Revise Your Maps.” Moen has worked with a number of musicians, including Stephen Malkmus, Elliott Smith and Robert Pollard, plus his full-time job as drummer/harmonist in The Decemberists. This album really shows off Moen’s falsetto voice without isolating fans from the music they are used to him performing with The Decembrists.
The album starts off with the familiar Americana sounds of “Birds Off A Wire” as Moen’s vocals soar above the music to give the song a lighter sound. The song “Willamette Valley Ballad” brings in some stellar slide guitar to give the song a more country feel. Moen brings all his strong elements together for the retro-rocking sounds of “Ramble Scramble,” before heading back to the country/folk melody of “Revise Your Maps.” Moen gives his music a sixties pop sound with the harmonizing on “True Sparrow” and “Find Me,” before returning to more familiar territory with the Americana sounding “Sill (Mt. Zero).” The album closes with the smooth vocals of John Moen just floating along the mellow backdrop of “Lightlow Nightowl.”
To find out more about John Moen and his new album “Revise Your Maps,” please visit www.facebook.com/thedecemberists.
From Nashville, TN comes the five-piece rock band The Lonely H with a new self-titled album. Their music has that seventies, FM-radio sound made famous by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Eagles. Also guesting on the album is Rolling Stones’ saxophonist Bobby Keys.
The album wastes no time getting up to speed with a couple of rockers, “Try Again” and “Runaway” as you’d think you were listening to a classic rock radio station. The Lonely H bring in that California rock sound made famous by Jackson Browne on “Waiting on a Broken Heart.” The band gets a little funky on “Light Burn Out,” then taps the country rock vibe of “Head In The Clouds.” The album closes with the island vibe of “Highway Heart” as the band shows off their stellar harmonizing.
To find out more about The Lonely H, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheLonelyH .
Right from the opening song, “Only Shallow” you realize that Feinstein it showing another side to the My Bloody Valentine album. His vocals are haunting at times, while the music follows a very roots/Americana approach to the alternative rock of the original. The album’s lead single, “Loomer”sounds as if these basic wooden instruments make the perfect backdrop to the song’s dark lyrics. The gentle acoustics of “When You Sleep” makes it sound like a folk classic. Kenny Feinstein does an outstanding job getting to the root of the song, by stripping away all the excess to show the song’s pure existence as with “Sometimes” and “What You Want.” The album closes with “Swallow,” which did not appear on the original album, but instead was released on an EP prior to the release of “Loveless.”
For more information, please visit kennyfeinstein.com.
Next up is the latest release from The Decemberists’ John Moen with his second solo album, “Revise Your Maps.” Moen has worked with a number of musicians, including Stephen Malkmus, Elliott Smith and Robert Pollard, plus his full-time job as drummer/harmonist in The Decemberists. This album really shows off Moen’s falsetto voice without isolating fans from the music they are used to him performing with The Decembrists.
The album starts off with the familiar Americana sounds of “Birds Off A Wire” as Moen’s vocals soar above the music to give the song a lighter sound. The song “Willamette Valley Ballad” brings in some stellar slide guitar to give the song a more country feel. Moen brings all his strong elements together for the retro-rocking sounds of “Ramble Scramble,” before heading back to the country/folk melody of “Revise Your Maps.” Moen gives his music a sixties pop sound with the harmonizing on “True Sparrow” and “Find Me,” before returning to more familiar territory with the Americana sounding “Sill (Mt. Zero).” The album closes with the smooth vocals of John Moen just floating along the mellow backdrop of “Lightlow Nightowl.”
To find out more about John Moen and his new album “Revise Your Maps,” please visit www.facebook.com/thedecemberists.
From Nashville, TN comes the five-piece rock band The Lonely H with a new self-titled album. Their music has that seventies, FM-radio sound made famous by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Eagles. Also guesting on the album is Rolling Stones’ saxophonist Bobby Keys.
The album wastes no time getting up to speed with a couple of rockers, “Try Again” and “Runaway” as you’d think you were listening to a classic rock radio station. The Lonely H bring in that California rock sound made famous by Jackson Browne on “Waiting on a Broken Heart.” The band gets a little funky on “Light Burn Out,” then taps the country rock vibe of “Head In The Clouds.” The album closes with the island vibe of “Highway Heart” as the band shows off their stellar harmonizing.
To find out more about The Lonely H, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheLonelyH .
Thursday, June 27, 2013
CD Review: These Hearts Want To Join With "Yours"

The eleven-song release blasts through with the opening track, “This Is Love” as These Hearts get a little help from Bert Poncet (Chunk! No Captain Chunk!) on the deep growling vocals. They keep the hardcore vocal attack going with “The Inconvenience,” then show off their harmonizing against the backdrop of hard rock in “Psycho” and “Miserable.” These Hearts go full-on punk on the inspirational “Been Through Hell” and still show their pop-punk aspects in “Birds Of A Feather.” The aggression returns with “War” which features the vocals of Christian metal front man Mattie Montgomery from the band, For Today. The album closes with the gentle acoustic beginning of “Never Mind Me” as the band’s vocals are allowed to breathe on this potential radio rock hit.
These Hearts have a handful of shows in July. To find out more about These Hearts, please visit www.victoryrecords.com/thesehearts.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
CD Review: One Less Reason Lay Out Their "Blueprint" And Sir O Writes 3-Song EP For "Someone"

This six-song album follows on the heels of their break-through hit album, 2010’s “Faces & Four Letter Words." The band continue with their hard rock approach as in “All Beauty Fades” and “Million Miles.” The album also includes a couple guest vocalists. The aggressive, edgy song “Never Let You Go” includes some screaming vocals from Anthony Basurto and the heartfelt piano ballad “Uneasy” gets a big boost from Blair Simpson vocals to help flesh out the song’s gentle tone. The EP closes with the seven-minute “Blueprints.”
To find out more about One Less Reason, please visit their website at onelessreasonmusic.com.

Sir. O has a few live shows lined up in London over the next couple months. For more information on Sir. O, please visit sir-o.com.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
CD Review: Willie Nile Takes Out His "American Ride" For A Spin

The 12-song album kicks off with the punk-pop groove of “This Is Our Time” as Nile still has a chip on his shoulder to prove he’s one of the best rockers of the past three decades. He seems to have more fun with “Life On Bleeker Street” as he creates a sing-along anthem for New York City. The title-song, “American Ride” has Nile showing off his folk music side as his vocal delivery mirrors that of a young Bob Dylan. He returns to the edginess of his signature rock/punk sound with “God Laughs,” then turns up the tempo with guitars blazing for “People Who Died.” Willie takes on the “Holy War” with an experienced grudge that no newcomers could pull off. The album closes with the biographical piano ballad “The Crossing” and the country jaunt of “There’s No Place Like Home.”
Willie Nile has a couple shows scheduled in New York to celebrate the release of his new album. To find out more about Willie Nile, please visit willienile.com.
Monday, June 24, 2013
CD Review: Indie-Artists Pouring Their Heart And Soul Into New EPs

To find out more from this new pop duo, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PaigeandPalermo.

Natalie Gelman is currently performing in New York and Washington D.C., but will be spending the summer out in California with shows running until mid-August. For more information, please visit nataliegelman.com.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Concert Review: Sting Brings "Back To Bass" Tour To Mohegan Sun

As the tour title suggested, his show was a "back to bass"ics as Sting performed the two hour, 21 song set with a raw, renewed ambition. Even the stage was basic with no video monitors or elaborate light show. It was just enough to give the band and the audience that simple, but effective lighting for each individual song.
The band strolled on stage followed by Sting, which drew a huge applause from the audience. As the night kicked off with "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You," Sting would interweave his solo hits with Police classics like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Driven to Tears." With each song performed, more and more audience members were drawn to their feet to move along to the songs of their past, like "Englishman In New Work" and "Seven Days." It seemed like the Police songs went over better with the older crowd as fans sang along to the choruses of "Message In A Bottle," "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da." The main set closed with an improvisational jam session featuring the outstanding talents of Sanchez on keyboards and Tickell's amazing violin solo that led into the crowd favorite, "Roxanne" as everyone stood and danced along to the song's throbbing bass line.
Sting and his band returned for the first of three encores performing one of his newer pop hits "Desert Rose," before returning to back The Police catalog to perform two of the former band's hits "King Of Pain" and "Every Breath You Take." Once again, Sting would leave the stage, only to return for a quick, rocking version of "Next To You," from the debut album of The Police.
Sting and his band stood arm in arm and bowed to the loud applause from the audience as the audience started heading for the exits. But once again, Sting returned to perform the gentle, heartfelt "Fragile" as the audience found seats anywhere they could to catch this pure emotional performance.
At 61 years old, Sting continues to perform at the top of his game and put on a truly exceptional show that his fans have no doubt enjoyed time and time again.
Setlist: If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Englishman In New York, All This Time, Seven Days, Demolition Man, Fields Of Gold, I Hung My Head, Driven To Tears, Heavy Cloud No Rain, Message In A Bottle, Shape Of My Heart, The Hounds Of Winter, Wrapped Around Your Finger, De Do Do Do De Da Da Da, Roxanne
Encore: Desert Rose, King Of Pain, Every Breath You Take, Next To You, Fragile
Saturday, June 22, 2013
CD Review: The Allman Brothers Band Revisit "Brothers And Sisters" After 40 Years

Now in honor of the album's 1973 release, we get the original album, remastered from the original recording tapes and released as a two-CD and four-CD deluxe editions. The original album has never sounded better as you can really hear all the instruments in their own place, without overcrowding the recording. Many of the songs from this album still show up regularly today when the Allman Brothers Band perform live, but the real treasure for fans is the second, third and fourth discs of this set.
Disc two gathers nine previously unreleased rehearsals, jams and outtakes, showing another side to the development of some of these classic songs. Highlights include an eleven-minute rehearsal of "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town," which shows some great interacting with Gregg Allman and Chuck Leavell and a 16-minute jam session that shows how well they fed off each other's input.

To find out more on this monumental release, please visit www.hittinthenote.com/cart/p-1543-the-allman-brothers-bandbrbrothers-and-sistersbr40th-anniversary-re-issue.aspx.
Friday, June 21, 2013
CD Review: "This Time" Lindsay Mendez And Marco Paguia Make Beautiful Music Together
Singer Lindsay Mendez and bandleader/pianist Marco Paguia
have prepared to release their debut jazz album “This Time.” The album saw a
digital only release back in May and will see a physical release in July to
coincide with their live concert at Birdland in New York City on July 21st.
Mendez may be known around the New York area for her stints on Broadway,
including her leading role in “Wicked.” Paguia is a musical
director and supervisor that has composed for a number of films and shows. The
two have teamed up with Pete Donovan (bass) and Tommy Crane (drums) to give
some of these modern and classic pop songs new life in jazz music.
The jazz re-arrangements on some of these songs work very
well, like in the album opener “Ordinary People” made famous by John Legend and
Alicia Keys’ “No One.” One of the biggest stretches is turning The Cars’ pop
classic “Just What I Needed” into a freeform jazz piece, but it’s tough to
forget such a popular song in order to show another side to Ric Ocasek’s
lyrics. Some of the more perfect matches are their cover of Stevie Wonder’s “As”
with Mendez’s vocals leading the way and “All My Days” from Alexi Murdoch,
which allows Paguia to stretch out a take control of the tempo. The album
closes with the piano gallop of “Sittin’ In the Middle” with Mendez keeping the beat with her vocals.
To find out more from this musical duo, please visit their
new website at lmandmp.com.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
CD Review: New Albums From Singer/Songwriters Joshua Worden And Tomas Doncker
Independent singer/songwriter/guitarist Joshua Worden
recently released his latest full-length album entitled “Always This.” The album
was written, produced an almost entirely performed by Worden, with some slight
help from Will Montgomery on drums.
The album has a very mellow, relaxed R&B sound as heard
in the opening tracks “Marrow” and “The Road.” The beats are slow as Worden’s
soft, smooth vocals put your mind at ease as in “Midnight” and “The Skies
Glowed.” The tone begins to get a little repetitive with “Embers” and “The
Turning Quiet” is a great starting point that needs some more adjustments to
make it stand-out. The album closes with “The Line,” which ads a welcomed hip-hop
rap from blxtxt to break the songs constant mellow tone.
Joshua Worden has a few shows lined-up in August, down in
the Florida/Georgia area. To find out more about Joshua, please visit his
website at joshuaworden.com.
Another independent singer/songwriter/guitarist Tomas
Doncker gathered his band together to pay tribute to blues legend Howlin’ Wolf
with a new six-song EP. Doncker has performed session work of the years with music
icons Meshell Ndegeocello, Yoko Ono, Bonnie Raitt, Ivan Neville and Corey
Glover (Living Colour) just to name a handful. The EP is just a taste of the
musical love story created by the original compositions of Howlin’ Wolf along
with original composition by Doncker and is called “Diablo Love.” The live
musical will make its debut at the NYC SummerStage in August, but for now we
get the outstanding craftsmanship of the “Howlin’ Wolf EP.”
The album is made up of five Howlin’ Wolf songs including “Spoonful,”
which was made famous by the band Cream in the late-sixties. Doncker’s voice
gives the songs an authentic sound with his ruff, gravelly vocals. Also
included are some lesser known blues classic like “Evil” and “Blind Melon
Morpheus.” Tomas adds one of his originals, “Shook Down” in the middle of the
mix that sounds as if it belonged as part of Howlin’s Wolf’s catalog. The album
finishes up with a blazing version of “Smokestack Lightning” and the pure blues
romp of “Back Door Man.”
To find out more on Tomas Doncker and his new album “The
Tomas Doncker Band’s Howlin’ Wolf EP,” please visit tomasdoncker.net.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
CD Review: Singer/Songwriters Sarah Miles And Carey Appel Look For Stardom
Singer/songwriter Sarah Miles will release her debut album, “One”
on July 16 through Rock Ridge Music. The album shows a reflection of her
journey of love and heartbreak during her recently move to New York City. Her
voice sound so innocent and soft on the opener “Middle of Nowhere” that you’d
instantly think that she is the next big act to follow Carrie Underwood and
Taylor Swift. The tone of her new album has a country pop sound as heard in “Just
So You Know” as her voice and melody are not overpowering, but very welcoming. The
gentle acoustics of “You’re Not” and “Gray” showcase the full talents of her
songwriting, while Sarah’s song, “Stand Up” about self-confidence is pure pop
fun. The album closes with “Take The Lead,” as the song really shows Sarah full
appeal for a hit country single and the country rocker, “I Don’t Want To See
You.”
Sarah Miles has some live shows booked for the end of July,
including a date at The Space in Hamden, CT on July 25th. For more
information on this rising star, please visit sarahmilesmusic.com.
Another singer/songwriter looking to make a name for herself
is Carey Appel. Her latest album, “House of Cards” was released back in May on
showcases Carey’s voice wonderfully. She is also supported by an all-star cast
of session musicians including Mark Prentice (Keith Urban), Mike Severs (Don
McLean), Jeff Roach (Kenny Chesney) and Ken Lewis (Sara Bareilles).
The album starts off with “Don’t Get Used To It” as it moves
along like a gentle breeze as Carey introduces her vocals to the listener. The
album begins to take off on the title-track, “House of Cards,” which sounds
like an acoustic outtake from the rock band Heart as Cary does her best Ann
Wilson impersonation. Her songwriting, along with Marc Platt hits a high note
on the regretful story of “Wish I’d Been There.” The gentle acoustics of “Pictures
On The Wall” and “Words Don’t Fit Here” perfectly highlight Carey’s angelic
vocals. The album closes with the story of “Heather Road” as Cary relives her
childhood.
Carey Appeal has a show scheduled for June 20 at The Witz
End in Venice, CA. To find out more about Carey, please visit her website at
careyappel.com.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
CD Review: Indie-Artists Have Arrived With New Music In Hand
From Minnesota comes “the new classic rock” of The
Oddfathers with their latest “Double Live 45” four song EP. The band has worked
with legendary producers Jack Douglas and Eddie Kramer, but put their best foot
forward producing their own music on this release.
Starting off with “Another Tear Goes By” the band has a
straight-up rock sound with David Lee Roth-type vocals. If you closed your
eyes, you’d think it was a new DLR album. The album’s lead single, “Whisper In
My Ear” has a jazz swing in the background that gets drowned out by some blazing
guitar solos. The Oddfathers move on to close the album with the softer swing
of “Bleeker Street.”
To find out more about The Oddfathers, please visit the band’s
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheOddfathers.
U.K. singer/songwriter Lucas Hardy has released his first EP
entitled “Blood, Sweat & Tears.” After spending the last ten years in
bands, Hardy though it was time to simplify his talents and have complete
control of his music.
Most of the music on this new release are mellow acoustic pop
songs that have been stripped of the all the extras to show how strong the
music at its core. The song “City By The Sea” is a comforting folk/pop song about
his past or current home. Lucas has fun with “Bug,” before closing the album
with the passionate “Sail Faith."
To find out more about Lucas Hardy, please visit his
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheLucasHardy.
Pennsylvania punk rock band Soviet Sleeper Agent released
their debut album, “Over And Out,” earlier this year. The band has found some
local success with the album, but is looking to branch out across the U.S.
The eight-song EP has that raw, garage rock feel as heard in
the opening song “Fonzie Jumps The Shark.” The band keeps the adrenaline
pumping with the quick 92-second, “Wolf Man” and the even quicker 60-second “I
May Have Alzheimer’s, But At Least I Don’t Have Alzheimer’s.” Trying to say the
title takes longer than the length of the actual song. The band’s mainstream
single could be “Casablumpkin” as the passion for performing is heard in the
vocals. The album closes with the acoustic, demo-sounding “No Need For Sheets,”
which is actually refreshing after all the quick, punk-like drumming.
To find out more about Soviet Sleeper Agent, please visit
the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SovietSleeperAgentPA.
Monday, June 17, 2013
CD Review: Great New Music Comes Pouring From These Rising Underground Bands
Underground rock acts band together through Head First Entertainment to release some great new music that music fans need to hear. Beginning with The New Black 7, their latest album, “Hangovers & Heartbreak” was released back in April and has been receiving a load of positive reviews. They combine country twang with an adrenaline shot of rock to create eight songs that have a raw, bar brawl energetic feel that fans can really grab a hold of.
Guitars come out blazing in the opener “Crazy All Over Me”and turn up the southern rock of “That Don’t Sound Like Country.” They add some fiddle to “Closing Time” to give the music that authentic feel, before blasting away the “Outlaw.” The acoustics of “Fly Me To Freedom” and “Can’t Go Home”show softer side that really accentuates that classic country twang, but their cover of Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” also shows how hard they can rock when they plug in.
To find out more about The New Black 7, please visit thenewblack7.com.
Late last year saw a surge of new underground metal music with new album from bands like Silencer, Creeper, Blacklist Union and Mongrel. Whether it was the aggressive thrash metal of Silencer or the classic L.A. rock sound of Blacklist Union, there was some great new sounds for every metal genre.
Hardcore metal band Creeper released “Welcome To Room 9”back in March of 2012. The album is filled to the brim with metal riffs and machine-gun drumming. The screaming vocals in “Now” and neck-breaking beats of “Powers Of Hell” show a band looking to obliterate the eardrums of listeners. Creeper found“The Magic” to create that classic “NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal)”sound that so many fans are attracted to. They turn to dark side with “War Machine,” before closing the album with the “Screaming Demon.”
To find out more about Creeper, please visit the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/creepertexasmetal.
The new album from Silencer entitled “The Great Bear” is a concept album for progressive metal fans without the long-drawn out solos and instrumental pieces. All the songs on the album clock in under the five minute mark. Quick songs like “I Am Thunder” and “The Roar” are the hardest hitting songs on the album, while “Star City Pt. I & II” are very epic sounding and have become the highlight of the album with its chord changes and space-like vocals.
To find out more about Silencer, please visit silencer.cc.
Female-fronted Mongrel released their full-length sophomore album “Reclamation” back in September of 2012 and the band is opening for Halestorm on July 14 at the Webster Theater in Harford, CT and on August 10 at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. Plus the album was recently released in the U.K. earlier this year. Their new 12-song release has its quick-hitting, aggressive songs (“Pseudocide”), counters it with the slow grind of “Zombies of War.” The album continues with the vocal attack of “C and a Half” and keeps the blood pumping with the up-tempo, but dark subject of “Crucifiction.” Mongrel throws everything into their two-minute power closer “No Gods No Masters.”
To find out more about Mongrel, please visit mongrelband.webs.com.
Finally we get to the California rockers Blacklist Union and their latest release, “Til Death Do Us Part.” The band is comprised of members of Saliva, along with members of Iggy and the Stooges and has access to the songwriting talents of Anthony Valli (Crazytown) and Todd Youth (Danzing). The album has that “Sunset Strip” feel with a modern hard rock sound that has become a staple on satellite rock radio. Blacklist Union’s sound is very polished on the song “Alabama Slammer” and finds the perfect combination of hard rock edginess with a mainstream appeal on “Game Over.” The band dives back to the classic rock of the seventies with the bi guitars of “Feed The Snakes,” then has some fun with the lyrics of “The Lick Kitty Split Theme Song, “ before closing the album with the acoustic power ballad “I Don’t Love You Anymore.”
To find out more about Blacklist Union, please visit the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlacklistUnionRocks.
Guitars come out blazing in the opener “Crazy All Over Me”and turn up the southern rock of “That Don’t Sound Like Country.” They add some fiddle to “Closing Time” to give the music that authentic feel, before blasting away the “Outlaw.” The acoustics of “Fly Me To Freedom” and “Can’t Go Home”show softer side that really accentuates that classic country twang, but their cover of Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” also shows how hard they can rock when they plug in.
To find out more about The New Black 7, please visit thenewblack7.com.
Late last year saw a surge of new underground metal music with new album from bands like Silencer, Creeper, Blacklist Union and Mongrel. Whether it was the aggressive thrash metal of Silencer or the classic L.A. rock sound of Blacklist Union, there was some great new sounds for every metal genre.
Hardcore metal band Creeper released “Welcome To Room 9”back in March of 2012. The album is filled to the brim with metal riffs and machine-gun drumming. The screaming vocals in “Now” and neck-breaking beats of “Powers Of Hell” show a band looking to obliterate the eardrums of listeners. Creeper found“The Magic” to create that classic “NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal)”sound that so many fans are attracted to. They turn to dark side with “War Machine,” before closing the album with the “Screaming Demon.”
To find out more about Creeper, please visit the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/creepertexasmetal.
The new album from Silencer entitled “The Great Bear” is a concept album for progressive metal fans without the long-drawn out solos and instrumental pieces. All the songs on the album clock in under the five minute mark. Quick songs like “I Am Thunder” and “The Roar” are the hardest hitting songs on the album, while “Star City Pt. I & II” are very epic sounding and have become the highlight of the album with its chord changes and space-like vocals.
To find out more about Silencer, please visit silencer.cc.
Female-fronted Mongrel released their full-length sophomore album “Reclamation” back in September of 2012 and the band is opening for Halestorm on July 14 at the Webster Theater in Harford, CT and on August 10 at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. Plus the album was recently released in the U.K. earlier this year. Their new 12-song release has its quick-hitting, aggressive songs (“Pseudocide”), counters it with the slow grind of “Zombies of War.” The album continues with the vocal attack of “C and a Half” and keeps the blood pumping with the up-tempo, but dark subject of “Crucifiction.” Mongrel throws everything into their two-minute power closer “No Gods No Masters.”
To find out more about Mongrel, please visit mongrelband.webs.com.
Finally we get to the California rockers Blacklist Union and their latest release, “Til Death Do Us Part.” The band is comprised of members of Saliva, along with members of Iggy and the Stooges and has access to the songwriting talents of Anthony Valli (Crazytown) and Todd Youth (Danzing). The album has that “Sunset Strip” feel with a modern hard rock sound that has become a staple on satellite rock radio. Blacklist Union’s sound is very polished on the song “Alabama Slammer” and finds the perfect combination of hard rock edginess with a mainstream appeal on “Game Over.” The band dives back to the classic rock of the seventies with the bi guitars of “Feed The Snakes,” then has some fun with the lyrics of “The Lick Kitty Split Theme Song, “ before closing the album with the acoustic power ballad “I Don’t Love You Anymore.”
To find out more about Blacklist Union, please visit the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BlacklistUnionRocks.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
CD Review: Delbert & Glen Share Their Stories Of Being "Blind, Crippled & Crazy"

Now the two singers reunited for the 2013 album, "Blind, Crippled & Crazy," due June 18 on Nine West Records. The two deal with the acceptance of aging, but in a creative, sometimes humorous way like in the opening song "Been Around A Long Time." The two trade lyrics along a country-shuffle backdrop as they explain how age is only a number. They pick-up the tempo for the country rock of "Whoever Said It Was Easy," then head over to the blues with "Oughta No." One of the highlights of the album is "More And More, Less And Less," as McClinton pulls off the Leonard Cohen-type song with ease. The duo show off their diversity with the acoustic blues of "Sure Feels Good" and the classic country of "Peace In The Valley." Delbert leaves his final stamp of approval on the album with the dark tones of the acoustic closer "I Could Be Your Lover."
Delbert McClinton will be stopping at StageOne in Fairfield, CT on his currently month-long tour. For more information, please visit delbert.com.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
CD Review: Steve Hunter Invites Some Friends To Share In His Latest "Project"

The album starts off with the rain pouring down the Manhattan skyline as Hunter's sweet "Prelude To The Blues" comes pouring from the speakers. His love for the blues is what this album was made for and he expresses it through the lonely sounds of "A Night At The Waldorf" and through his tribute of John Lennon and George Harrison in "Flames At The Dakota." He turns classic songs by Peter Gabriel ("Solibury Hill") and Marvin Gaye ("What's Goin' On") into unique masterpieces of his own as his guitar playing becomes the highlight of the music. Hunter shares the spotlight with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry on honky-tonk blues of "The Brooklyn Shuffle" and again with Joe Stariani and Mary Friedman on "Twilight In Harlem." Just to be in the studio during these recordings must have been a sight to see as Hunter leads this pack of all-stars.
To find out more about Steve Hunter's latest album, "The Manhattan Blues Project," please visit themanhattanbluesproject.com.
Friday, June 14, 2013
CD Review: Devour The Day Feel Their Way Through "Time & Pressure"
From Memphis, TN comes the newly formed metal band Devour
The Day with their debut album, “Time & Pressure.” Devour The Day was
created by Egypt Central members Joey “Chicago” Walser and Blake Allison after
the band went on indefinite hiatus. The new album was produced by Grammy Award
winning producer Skidd Mills (12 Stones, Charm City Devils) and released
through Fat Lady Music.
The eleven song album comes out demanding your “Respect” and
the opening song rocks hard with pounding drums and screaming vocals that make
you feel the band’s passion for performing. The album’s lead single, “Good Man”
just cracked the “top 10” on SirusXM’s Octane station “Big ‘Uns Countdown” for
the newest hits in heavy metal music. The song has a great, adrenaline pumping,
energetic sound that gets carried through the rest of the album. The song “You
and Not Me” shows that “nu-metal” sound that keeps the listener on edge with
tempo changes and firework drumming. Devour The Day take a page out of Linkin
Park’s book with “Move On” and “Get Out Of My Way” as aggressive lyrics get layered
over an electronic backbeat, fleshed out with grinding guitars and pounding
drums. The album closes on the lighter side with the airiness of “Crossroads”
and the acoustic storytelling of “The Drifter.”
Devour The Day just began their tour on Tuesday and are
continuing to make their way across the U.S. for the next couple of months,
supporting Hinder and Sevendust. To find out more information on this new
rising metal band, please visit devourtheday.com.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
CD Review: Supersuckers Leader Goes For "The Value Of Nothing"
Eddie Spaghetti, lead singer/bassist for punk/rock/country
band Supersuckers, is preparing to release his second solo album, “The Value of
Nothing” on June 18 through Bloodshot Records. The Supersuckers were a band
that always had fun with their music and Spaghetti continues that type of humor
on some of his latest music.
The ten song album touches upon all of Eddie Spaghetti’s
musical genres, beginning with the lead single “The Value of Nothing,” a song
that Johnny Cash would be proud of with its dark overtones and aggressive
classic country feel. He moves over to rock on “Empty,” before return to the
honky tonk, slide-guitar of “Waste of Time.” Spaghetti reflects on his life
through one of the few serious songs on the album, “You Get To Be My Age,” then
returns with the fun, sarcastic “People Are Shit.” He closes the album with the
appropriately titled, acoustic, campfire sing-along “When I Go I’m Gone.”
Eddie Spaghetti has half a dozen shows scheduled along the
west coast. For more information on his new album, please visit www.bloodshotrecords.com/artist/eddie-spaghetti.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
CD Review: New Music Arises From Some Underground Musicians
New underground music acts are beginning to rise to the surface, from the eighties punk-style of The Diemakers to the experimentation of Richard Tyler Epperson. The latest releases from artists belonging to The Rainmaker Media Group. All have a unique sound that is ready to be unleashed upon the world.
Beginning with the duo of TJ Runnells and Nick Midulla, 2 The Nines have an acoustic, earthly sound that is beginning to take hold of modern rock radio. They display their passion of creating music in their delivery of songs like “Catch A Cold” and “Take Me Home.” They add a little Spanish flair on the album’s title song, “Oblivion,” before moving on to Jason Mraz-type lyrical delivery of “Cemetery Wedding.” The most mainstream song on this album is the acoustic pop of “Best Friends” as they hit the right chords for a radio hit single.
To find out more from 2 The Nines, please visit 2theninesmusic.com.
Next up are a couple of great new EPs from Matthias Sturm and The Diemakers. Both have that nostalgic feel as Sturm’s album ventures into the alternative rock of the late-eighties/early nineties, while The Diemakers bring out the garage rock/punk sounds of the seventies.
Mattias Sturm mixes up his sound on “Luna Park,” beginning with the Bowiesque “1947 (Pandora Out The Box,” which leads into the ghostly sounds of “All Beauty Must Die.” The EP closes with the English pop of “Kingdom (Built On Sand)” and the Floydian keyboard driven “If The Devil Comes.”
To find out more from Matthias Sturm, please visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/MATTHIAS-STURM/182224888491205.
Now The Diemakers come right out of the gate with the new wave punk of “Way” as the band gets their edge from the early days of punk like in the vocals of “Take It Away.” The tempo change in “All The Plans We Make” gives the song a chance to breathe as the band put their best efforts into this possible single. They return to the Ramones-style punk of “Things,” before closing with the reckless, garage rock of “Gotta Go.”
To find out more from The Diemakers, please visit their website at thediemakers.com.
Last up is one of the most interesting and attractive albums to be released this year, “Falling Between The Stars” from Richard Tyler Epperson. His voice on the opener, “At Your Door” is so calm and soothing that you almost miss all that’s going on in the background with the music. The synthesizer fueled “Awake” and the gentle acoustics of “Stars” show-off both sides to Epperson’s songwriting. He continues with the rawness of “Sick,” the feel-good pop of “We’re Alright” and the country traveling sounds of “Drive.” The album closes with the slow blues waltz of “You And I.”
To find out more about Richard Tyler Epperson and his new album “Falling Between The Stars,” please visit richardtylerepperson.com.
Beginning with the duo of TJ Runnells and Nick Midulla, 2 The Nines have an acoustic, earthly sound that is beginning to take hold of modern rock radio. They display their passion of creating music in their delivery of songs like “Catch A Cold” and “Take Me Home.” They add a little Spanish flair on the album’s title song, “Oblivion,” before moving on to Jason Mraz-type lyrical delivery of “Cemetery Wedding.” The most mainstream song on this album is the acoustic pop of “Best Friends” as they hit the right chords for a radio hit single.
To find out more from 2 The Nines, please visit 2theninesmusic.com.
Next up are a couple of great new EPs from Matthias Sturm and The Diemakers. Both have that nostalgic feel as Sturm’s album ventures into the alternative rock of the late-eighties/early nineties, while The Diemakers bring out the garage rock/punk sounds of the seventies.
Mattias Sturm mixes up his sound on “Luna Park,” beginning with the Bowiesque “1947 (Pandora Out The Box,” which leads into the ghostly sounds of “All Beauty Must Die.” The EP closes with the English pop of “Kingdom (Built On Sand)” and the Floydian keyboard driven “If The Devil Comes.”
To find out more from Matthias Sturm, please visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/MATTHIAS-STURM/182224888491205.
Now The Diemakers come right out of the gate with the new wave punk of “Way” as the band gets their edge from the early days of punk like in the vocals of “Take It Away.” The tempo change in “All The Plans We Make” gives the song a chance to breathe as the band put their best efforts into this possible single. They return to the Ramones-style punk of “Things,” before closing with the reckless, garage rock of “Gotta Go.”
To find out more from The Diemakers, please visit their website at thediemakers.com.
Last up is one of the most interesting and attractive albums to be released this year, “Falling Between The Stars” from Richard Tyler Epperson. His voice on the opener, “At Your Door” is so calm and soothing that you almost miss all that’s going on in the background with the music. The synthesizer fueled “Awake” and the gentle acoustics of “Stars” show-off both sides to Epperson’s songwriting. He continues with the rawness of “Sick,” the feel-good pop of “We’re Alright” and the country traveling sounds of “Drive.” The album closes with the slow blues waltz of “You And I.”
To find out more about Richard Tyler Epperson and his new album “Falling Between The Stars,” please visit richardtylerepperson.com.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
CD Review: Mellencamp, Burnett and King Resurrect The "Ghost Brothers"

An introduction by The Zydeco Cowboy (Glen Morshower) is one of 18 interludes written by Stephen King specifically for this soundtrack to help with the development of the story through song. Elvis Costello sounds like he’s been hanging around the bayou on this southern acoustic number called “That’s Me.” Neko Case’s vocals in “That’s Who I Am” are very refreshing, leading the way on this country jaunt. Ryan Bingham and Will Dailey trade lyrics on the boogie swamp blues of “Brotherly Love” and Kris Kristofferson lends his deep, aged vocals to the pounding drumbeat of “How Many Days.” The collaboration between Sheryl Crow and Taj Mahal create a truly exceptional sound as heard in the song “Home Again." Sheryl Crow’s vocals take over the soundtrack, sweetening the songs “Away From This World” “And Your Days Are Gone” and “Junkin.”Singer/songwriter John Mellencamp finally gets into the act with the closing song “Truth” as his weathered voice warms up to the song’s gospel chorus.
This album was released as single standard edition CD, a deluxe CD/DVD set which includes the soundtrack and a “making of” documentary and also a hardcover edition which includes 2 CDs, 1 DVD in a hard, leatherette holder. To find out more about this exciting collaboration, please visit ghostbrothersofdarklandcounty.com.
Monday, June 10, 2013
CD Review: More From Metal Blade Records For The Month Of June
The month of June has a load of new heavy metal music coming
from Metal Blade Records. Many of these bands are four or five albums into
their career and are looking to dominate their metal genre with a stranglehold
of new music. On June 11, we get new
albums from doom metal bands, The Devil’s Blood and Church of Misery and death
metal band The Black Dahlia Murder which will be performing on this summer’s
Vans Warped Tour. Later on in the month we get new death metal music from Sweden’s
Amon Amarth, who will be climbing aboard the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem
Festival at the end of June.

Back in January, the band issued a statement that this will
be their final full-length album. To find out more on The Devil’s Blood, please
visit thedevilsblood.com.

To find out more about the Church of Misery, please visit
churchofmisery.net.

Look for The Black Dahlia Murder on tour this summer. For
more information, please visit the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theblackdahliamurderofficial.

Look for Amon Amarth to invade the U.S. this summer as part
of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. For more information on the band
and their new album “Deceiver of the Gods,” please visit amonamarth.com.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
CD Review: Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra Return With One "For The Baby Doll"

The eleven-song album begins with the country-blues of "Pitiful" which blazes a path with the guitar solo of John Pirruccello and slide-guitar of Rick Barnes as Tremulis' weathered voice is the perfect piece to complete the puzzle. The band brings back the garage rock of the sixties with "You're Gonna Lose (Everything You Got)" and shows a punk-like edge with "Lost Without You." Tremulis brings out the funk with the seventies groove of "Everybody Here," before returning to the raw garage rock/punk sound of "You're Too Much (But Never Enough)." The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra have fun on the smooth, jazzy rock sound of "Push It," then close the album with "Walk In The Sun Again," which comes off as a lost Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band outtake.
To find out more about the Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra please visit their website at nicholastremulis.com.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
CD Review: Kobra And The Lotus Release One Of Heavy Metal's Hottest Debut Albums Of The Year

The album begins with "50 Shades of Evil" as the duel guitar attack of Jasio Kulaskowski and Charlie Parra del Riego show off their heavy metal prowess as they try to keep up with the rhythm section of Griffin Kissack on drums and Pete Dimov on bass. As the music continues to blow you away, the voice of Kobra Paige is what draws you in on "Welcome To My Funeral." Kobra And The Lotus are beginning to gather their troops on the metal march of "Forever One," before the outstanding strong vocals of Paige turn all listeners into fans with "My Life." The band slow things down for a quick moment at the beginning of "Sanctuary," then quickly pick up the pace to close the album with the head-banging of "No Rest For The Wicked" and the epic sounding finish of "Aria Of Kamika."
Kobra And The Lotus released their self-titled debut album through the Universal Music Group in association with Gene Simmons' Simmons Records and T-Boy Records. For more information on this new rising metal band, please visit their website at kobraandthelotus.com.
Friday, June 7, 2013
CD Review: New Music From Independent Bands Chateau Marmont And Shotgun No Blitz
From France comes the indie-pop band Chateau Marmont with a new EP,
"Wind Blows." The combine an alternative rock edge with a dance/pop
sound that becomes very contagious to listen to.
The EP starts off with the title-song as
the disco rock sound become the perfect backdrop to the airiness of the
vocals. The band heads in the "new wave" direction for "Wargames" and
hits the vibe of the eighties on the head with their synthesizer-filled
"The Maze." The EP closes with remixes of "Wargames" and "The Maze" that
show another side to these song's appeal.
Chateau Marmont will be hitting the states for a
handful of shows beginning June 10 in New York. To find out more from
this "new wave" band, please visit www.facebook.com/chateaumarmont
Underground punk band Shotgun No Blitz recently released
their latest EP last month entitled "Letters To Myself." The band's sound
continues to grow and mature with each new studio album they release.
This album begins with the chord changes of "Bystander"
as they show an aggressive side to their music. The song "Reflections"
combines the lyrical delivery of NOFX with the punk-edge of Face To Face
to create a unique, but addictive sound. They speed things up with
"Mass-Produced," before letting their creativity flow on the album
closer "On My Own."
To find out more on this great rising punk band, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shotgunnoblitz.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
CD Review: New Music From Female Artists Holly Elle And Chantilly
From Nashville, TN comes the Canadian classically trained
Holly Elle with her latest EP, “Leopardess.” Her passion lies in the U.S. pop
music market as she combines her background of operatic singing with the mainstream
beats of today’s music charts to create a powerfully addictive sound to move
your body to.
The five-song EP kicks off with the club beats of “Predator”
as Holly’s voice demands your attention. She is “Seeing Red” as the beats pump
to her unforgettable chorus. The album’s current single, “Who I Am” pays
tribute to her current city that she calls home, Nashville. The song has very
contagious beat as Holly Elle wants you to accept her for who she is.
To find out more about Holly Elle and her latest release, “Leopardess,”
please visit hearholly.com.
From Brooklyn, NY comes singer/songwriter Chantilly with her
latest release, “Up To The Moon.” Her voice is very soft and sweet as in the
opening song, “Escape." The striking music gives the song a bigger impact. Chantilly's voice
opens up on “What You Do To Me” as she shows the full range of her vocal
ability. The five-song EP closes with the gentle acoustics of “Don’t Wanna Wait”
as you fully absorb Chantilly’s sound.
To find out more about Chantilly and her latest release, “Up
To The Moon,” please visit chantillysongs.com.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
CD Review: Damien Deadson Wants The Heavy Metal "Crown"
Hardcore metal band Damien Deadson released their sophomore
album back on May 14 entitled “Crown Me, Destroyer.” The band is the brainchild
of ex-Demon Hunter guitarist Ryan Helm who has taken over the singer/songwriter
duties in his new band. The band’s sound is an aggressive vocal attack with blasts
of energy from the drums and guitars.
The album kicks off with “15 Years of Hate” as Damien
Deadson take you on a trip through hell with howling vocals and machine gun
drumming. They kick things into high gear with the vocal attack of “The Full
Extent of Revenge,” before hitting a more mainstream metal chord with “All Hail
The Great Destroyer.” Damien Deadson speed things up, blasting through “The
Fire Sent Me” and breaking necks with the fast-paced drumming of “The Light
Bearer.” The album finishes up with the screams of “First Born, Curse Borne”
and the deep growls of “We Grew Through Darkness."
To find out more on Damien Deadson, please check out the
band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/damiendeadson/app_178091127385.
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