Category: emerging artists

Dynamo Bliss and Nat & Alex Wolff

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Dynamo Bliss “Circadian Rhythm”
I have a solid policy of not reviewing singles, yet this Scandinavian band has an 11 minute opus that’s longer than most EPs, so I’ll let it pass. Stafan Olofsson and Mikael Sandstrom creates this awesome follow up to the highly acclaimed 21st Century Junk. It starts out a soothing blend of synths and launches into Andrew Gold guitar styled ballad with impressive harmonies, and shifts to a dreamscape of flutes and keys. Cleanly produced with a nod to studio prog along the lines of Alan Parsons early work, its simply mesmerizing.  While you enjoy that, you can also check out is a wonderful cover of Stackridge’s Dangerous Bacon.

Bandcamp  | CD Baby

 

Nat & Alex Wolff “Black Sheep”
Musicians/actors Nat and Alex Wolff starred on the hugely popular Nickelodeon series “The Naked Brothers Band” from 2007-2009. Now the brothers are prepared to grow up musically with their first album released under their own names. Much like Drake Bell did years ago, the boys need to go into a more mature direction and it helps that they list the Beatles, Weezer and Nirvana as influences. A standout is the first single “Thump Thump Thump” as it actually reminds you that love songs about girls should be sung by teens (as opposed to middle-aged dudes). The best song here, “Disappointed” is a very authentic theme for a young teen, “I’m not mad at no one else/I’m just disappointed in myself” regarding his place in the world. The harmonies and melody here are great – and its more of this and the rebellious “18” that make a very clear statement to the music audience  –“we are not kids anymore!” The album comes out this October.

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Back to School Mini Reviews

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This is a collection of unsigned talent that I got requests to review – so if you wanna be daring give these a try…

The Blind Sides “Circles” EP
Toronto musician Aron Harris really impressed me with this gem of an EP. The title track is similar to the piano pop of Ben Folds or The Hillary Step, it just leaps out of the speaker and grabs you. And the following tracks are pretty good, with a DIY power pop effort in “When I Look Back Now” and the alt. country of ” I Don’t Want To Let Love Get In The Way.” Lead singer Stephen Scarrow has a real gift for songwriting and composition and he knows how to really croon on “Waiting For Tomorrrow.” I can’t wait for a full release from this new talent.
Bandcamp | Facebook
Toxic Melons “Melon Jam” EP
A very DIY effort by Paul Fairbairn of Newcastle UK, Melon Jam takes it’s cue from Jellyfish, The Move and Stackridge. “The Dole” is an ambitious opener, with a Jellyfish styled chorus and harmonies. The song “You’ve Changed” is slow pop waltz full of neo-psychedelics that creates a Zappaesque atmosphere. The ender “Tomorrow” is another standout, but unfortunately the low budget production starts to show on the other tracks. Fairbairn has tons of potential here and I would love to hear more… can someone sign this man to a proper label please?
The Sharks “Stockwell Love” EP
Lead by Paul Harvey this London band as a number of free EPs and singles available on Bandcamp. If you are more into the loud side of pop, similar to Paul Collins. Harvey has very distinct vocal that warbles like Roy Orbison a bit, but with a nasal sound that takes a little getting used to. The songwriting here is very good, and the guitar work on several singles is very impressive. “Jimmy” has tons of power and “Stories” has a great hook. Truth be told this is a great FREE collection, and you should give these guys a listen.

Billy Burnett and John Holk

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Billy Burnette “Rock and Roll With It”
Burnette has a long and proud history in rock and roll. And I’d be shocked if anyone else short of Brian Setzer can play Rockabilly better, as Billy’s dad helped invent the genre. He’s played with rock legends Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more. The title track of the new album “Rock and Roll With It” is a bona-fide classic with a catchy rhythm that doesn’t quit. “My Love Will Not Change” is an uptempo country rocker that has a highly polished sound that will impress the most jaded critic. “Beautiful Distraction” is a honky tonk theme suitable for the NFL or NASCAR and each following track is solid twang-fest thereafter. “I really felt like it was time. I really like this music. I didn’t get into my dad’s whole Rockabilly thing until after he died.” Burnette says, and we’re all the better he’s carrying on the family business. One listen to the autobiographical “Hot Rod Billy” and you’ll be shakin’ all the way home.

Billyburnett.net | Amazon | Itunes

 

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John Holk & The Sequins “If You See Her”
In country pop music, subtlety is a premium that is often hard to come by, but John Holk uses his mellow vocal and melodic approach to win you over. The band’s sound is in the vein of Gram Parsons, The Byrds, or The Scud Mountain Boys. The pop goodness shows up in the lush second track, “If You See Her” with its tight harmonies akin to The Association, floating on top of the jangling guitar rhythm. Carrie Shepard joins Holk for a sweet duet on “Lady Jane” and another great pop moment is on “Autograph” with its ear-worm worthy chorus. Another standout is “If She Were You” with a superb guitar solo at the break. The album breaks into bluegrass and traditional country in the latter half which slow it down quite a bit, but it recovers with the easy going guitar of the ender “The Mountain” with its “Proud Mary” bass line. Overall a nice gem of an album with solid performances.

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Dan Hubbard and Sally Crewe

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Dan Hubbard and The Humadors “The Love Show”
Dan Hubbard’s approach is unadulterated roots rock without all the showy excess of today’s major label acts. Hubbard and his band the Humadors are a blend of pop rock with some Americana thrown in, as evidenced in the opener “Don’t Take Me Now.” Lead vocalist Hubbard works a good harmony with Kyle Yap on “Stay Away” with a touch of blues guitar here. Fans of the recent Gerry Beckley or Jeff Larson album with be thrilled with the light piano and guitar on “This Is Your Life” with its heart-felt lyrical truths about life’s unexpected moments (It’s my favorite tune here). Things are pretty easy going until “Beautiful Bar” brings back more rock guitars, but out of left field comes the slow ballad “Half Vampires,” a pretty if disturbing story of loving a vampire, from the Van Helsing point of view. It ends on a high note, with “The Last Time You See Me,” a fast paced swan song to those long haired rock and roll dreams. The band is chugging on all cylinders here, and I wish this energy was shown earlier on. Maybe we’ll get more consistency on the next album, but that’s me nitpicking — this is a solid album worth your time.

CD Baby | Amazon

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Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves “Transmit/Receive”EP
Even power pop legend Tommy Keene compared Sally Crewe to female rockers Chrissie Hynde and Polly Harvey. The comparison is quite accurate, as her vocals are powerful and very melodic, and the opener “Make Me Stay” is a riff heavy classic. Crewe is based in Austin, but she grew up in Yorkshire and her influences cling to the classic guitar bands of the 80’s. A real standout here is “Punk Rock Kid” with it’s layered chords and punchy beat. You will also hear a little Pat Benatar or The Motels in compositions like “Living Like You’ve Got Forever.” No filler tunes in this short 5 song EP, and it shows Sally can rock with the big boys with the big riffs. I look forward to visiting her debut album Your Nearest Exit May Be Behind You for further enjoyment.

Bandcamp | SallyCrewe.com

Wondernaut and The Shirts

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Wondernaut “Mind The Pendulum Swing” EP
Wondernaut is the ongoing musical project of Oklahoma City native Billy Gro. Since 2006, he’s been performing at venues from Oklahoma City to Tulsa (Twilley country!). His approach is indie rock with a prog feel. This EP starts with the cool title track, an impressive multi-tracked chorus and steady beat. The other tracks are serviceable, standouts include “Delete Me”and the guitar fuzzed out “Sigh/Smile.” The companion EP is “1000 Love Songs” and Gro’s melodic sense and persistence has helped grow his dedicated fanbase. Fans of The New Pornographers and Death Cab for Cutie may find this artist irresistible.

 CD Baby | Amazon | Bandcamp

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The Shirts “The Tiger Must Jump”
It must be frustrating for this Brooklyn band with a plenty of talent, but a lack of direction here. The Shirts were a classic punk pop band from the CBGB’s era that has jumped into the adult indie pop arena recently. While they’d like to be compared to Jefferson Airplane, they are more like The Velvets meet Blondie. Led by singer/guitarist Art Lamonica and his wife Kathy sharing the vocal duties, they start out with “Hopper,” full of chiming guitars and a nice harmonic chorus.

But the next few songs just don’t distinguish themselves, and stylistically seem conflicted between fast guitar riffs with slow vocals. I was ready to give up on this album until I heard the title track. “The Tiger Must Jump” adds a wonderful retro organ riff and the vocals are brilliant here. Another standout is the Lou Reed-ish ballad “Tina of The Talking Heads” with its dreamy tribute to Tina Weymouth. The raw guitar riffs on “Mochaccino” are another gift to long time Shirts fans. The band should concentrate on this style, rather than trying to conform to a “mature” standard.

CD Baby  | Amazon
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