Monks give me the urge to confess, so here goes. When I first saw the name of the band and that of their debut album, Turn the People, I thought it was going I was going to be listening to an album of sermons by monks from the Monastery of Mellonwah meant to turn people… Read More Music Review: Monks of Mellonwah – ‘Turn The People’
We all know music conveys emotions and feelings that words alone cannot adequately convey. We also all know when used this way music can be a very powerful inspirational tool. Unfortunately, in light of recent developments in the music industry, where sales seem to be granted more importance than quality, music has become more of… Read More Music Review: Various Artists – Playing for Change: Songs Around the World
New York City’s True Groove Records is releasing yet another worthwhile record in May of this year. Mac Gollehon & The Hispanic Mechanics features a gamut of tracks which, while they can be perhaps lazily (or ignorantly?) all filed under “Latin music”, each have many features that make they each quite distinctive. Produced by Tomás… Read More Music Review: True Groove Records – ‘Mac Gollehon & The Hispanic Mechanics’
Lily Lambert, born in England, is perhaps one of the few (if even only) musical artists who have graduated from law school, with honors at that. So Far is her sophomore album, to be released in November, following her debut, Life of Lily. Sounding at times like Taylor Swift, her lyrics feature a curious mix… Read More Music Review: Lily Lambert – ‘So Far’
When reviewing a music release, I prefer delving straight into the meat (i.e. the music). But sometimes, the band’s story is so unique and/or inspiring that I feel compelled to share it. This is the case with a band I just discovered, Boy + Kite (pronounced boys plus kite), a band that started strong, opening… Read More Music Review: Boy + Kite – ‘Blueprint’ EP
Indian-born Swiss singer and songwriter Ajay Mathur released his latest contribution to the world of music earlier this year with some help from Fausto Medici (drums and percussion), Christian Winiker (guitars), and Richard Hugener (bass). Mathur, who took care of vocals, guitars, and keyboards on 9 to 3, mixes up psychedelic, Americana, alternative rock, and… Read More Music Review: Ajay Mathur – ‘9 to 3’
While there is a certain joy in discovering edgy music that reimagines the rules, there is another type of joy in discovering music that is new and fresh but sounds deliciously familiar. Scott Krokoff’s latest EP, the adult contemporary Realizations and Declarations, Vol. 2, is a collection of familiar sounds that come off as new… Read More Music Review: Scott Krokoff – ‘Realizations and Declarations, Vol. 2’ EP
Magnificent Birds of Prey are releasing their new album next month, the 11-track Kaleidoscope. Carl Kunz Jr. (guitar and vocals), Chris LaFrancis (bass, synths, and backing vocals), Joel Adams (drums and percussion), and Lyle Kelch Jr. (vocals and guitar) have put together what can be loosely described as an alternative rock album with heavy punk… Read More Music Review: Magnificent Birds of Prey – ‘Kaleidoscope’
Today’s music review focuses on San Francisco’s electro noire pop duo no:carrier who set out to explore the darker side of California in their new EP, Ghosts of the West Coast, by covering Golden Coast-themed songs in a melodic setting very different from their original one. Each track is sung by a different guest vocalist… Read More Music Review: no:carrier – ‘Ghosts of the West Coast’
Seattle’s electronic/pop artist Aradia released last October her album Citizen of Earth, a collection of electronic music, a good portion of which is reminiscent of the style preponderant in the 1990s while remaining quite diverse. Driven by the “do it yourself” spirit, she writes her music, records it herself, designs her costumes, and provides her… Read More Music Review: Aradia – ‘Citizen of Earth’