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A.J. ROSALES – ULTRAMARINE: ABOUT ULTRAMARINE: Although this album is dynamic and experimental, and there are a number of different sonic environments on this album, it still manages to retain a consistent vibe. Songs like Alone Again and Nominate capture a vibrant rock sound while songs such as White Sunshine and What's with all the Heartache? utilize an artistic folk-rock sound that captures his subtly emotive lyrics and vocals perfectly. The album also features two instrumentals - 3:15 (which delves into math rock) and Telekinetic (which is somewhat of an extension of the song "Transistor" from "Resistor"). All in all, this is easily A.J.'s most well rounded and well thought-out record yet. It's a must if you've enjoyed any of his past musical forays! WHAT WE WROTE: 'Alone Again' is the crunchy and poppy opening track with vibrant guitar leads underscoring an understated and plaintive Rosales plea. 'Nominate' starts out in a more tuneful vocal in a solid mid range delivery. This track has nice flow. 'What's With All the Heartache?' is one of several tunes that will pull at your heart strings and possibly create some marine like salty water near your tear ducts. Overall, we like it. Take it with you this summer to the beach or out at sea - you'll be ultra cool like the music on this disc if you do. This sophomore effort from Mr. Rosales just might help him launch the good ship A.J.
BACK DOOR SLAM – ROLL AWAY: When we saw Back Door Slam open for Styx earlier in the year we were impressed. Close your eyes and you could easily discern the stylings of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn present in the music. A cover of Cream's version of "Outside Woman Blues" was the convincing knock out punch that proved this trio are carrying on the mantle of authentic blues rock in this young century. A quick look at their press kit reveals a universal acknowledgment of the capacious chops of the group - Davy Knowles, guitar; Ross Doyle, drums; and, Adam Jones, bass - with glowing reviews by the handful. The truth is - the group hailing from the Isle of Man - were boys not very long ago and they presented a youthful front as they took the stage in Englewood, New Jersey. It was only nine years ago when group leader Davy Knowles was an eleven year old boy who heard Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" on the radio while in a car with his dad. The knowledge was transferred and the goal was set right then and there - and you can still hear Mark Knopfler's influence on the talented Knowles. So far we have Knopfleresque authentic blues - add the final ingredient of youth - a la the type of appeal John Mayer possesses - and you can see the heavy guns in Back Door Slam's arsenal. On the debut Roll Away the groups launches their craft as they travel to far distant shores to stake their claim as giants in the new world of music. "Come Home" is the incendiary opener where we are officially introduced to the musical and vocal abilities of Davy Knowles - and they are as pleasing and powerful as any Clapton or SRV track and you'll keep coming back to this one over and over again. "Heavy on My Mind" is a tad heavier with a nightmare theme and a wicked lead. Overall, the debut is a dream CD for fans of blues rock and guitar aficionados. The title track and closer is a thoughtful look at where these boys have come from - it's where they're going that now interests me and apparently scores of others as well!
DAVE PAHANISH – NASHVILLIAN: He is perhaps the most talented indie musician we've ever known with pro level songwriting skills. Her garnered a lot of early attention early on from the indie world and was noted for his McCartney and Springsteen influences on the old MP3.com His first record Anywhere put him on the map and was a mostly high-energy acoustic affair lavished by Dave's many talents. His next CD Shine was perhaps the most incredible 11-song indie project we have ever heard and was an unheralded masterpiece to the ears of those who had ears to hear. That's not to say Mr. Pahanish has been completely overlooked and you may have already heard him perform on TV. His songs have been on MTV and we were recently flipping channels when we heard him in the background of a afternoon soap opera singing 'Love The World' from Anywhere. Our thoughts were - "All right, Dave, the world is starting to hear!" That prompted us to find out what's he's been doing and we discovered that Mr. Pahanish has been honing his craft in Nashville, TN these past few years and he sent us a demo titled Nashvillian which was immediately out of the package and in the player! We're not even sure is this disc is available for public consumption but here's what we liked. 'Gotta Give It Away' captures Dave's embrace of the south with a hook filled refrain inspired by The Band's 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' - this song moves on Dave's fast-paced lyrical delivery which forces you to try and catch the story. And Dave's got stories to tell. I like it. This track sounds like a combo of his first two discs. Uplifting, melodic, hopeful and emotive - all Dave's gifts are on display. 'Without Your Love' is another strong love song with a big chorus and Styx style synths. Reminded me of Dennis DeYoung meets Jackson Browne and as much as Dennis wrote many of his songs for his spouse, many of D.P.'s most touching songs have been penned for his supportive wife. 'I Will' - Wow, wow, wow! Dave have been resilient and persistent in his pursuit of perfect songcraft - all while seeking a rewarding career in music. His has committed himself to this life and it has resulted in a powerful song about commitment. 'I Will' soars on Dave's most plaintive and powerful vocal yet. He gives it all in this song - both to the subject of the song and also in his performance. 'Knew You When' is the obvious follow-up to 'The One That Got Away' from Shine and offers another strange semi autobiographical tale of overcoming critics, getting out of town, and making it big. Pahanish is following his own road map and the songs on Nashvillian confirm his belief in himself! As with any Pahanish CD it's all good and there's too many quality songs too mention them all. Other can't miss tracks are: 'The Deeper We Fall' which is a big song in the vein of Timothy B. Schmidt's Eagles contributions. Another cool track. 'Love Will Find a Way' 'is the hardest rocker on the demo with many layers of upbeat and rhytmic music to carry his affirmations about of the power of love. 'Havin A Ball' is another Eagle and Poco-esque mid tempo piece with nice harmonies and seems to be a tongue in cheek offering about missing someone - but not that much.
GINA CATALINO – SWEPT IN SOUND: Gina Catalino is a hot new talent who's debut CD, Swept In Sound, was released in early 2007. Gina is a fresh-faced beauty with an equal amount of talent as a singer-songwriter that it's easy to be swept away by the whole package and that bodes well for her future because she'll hook you and reel you in one way or the other. Originally hailing from New Hampshire Gina brought her natural style and aspiration first to L.A. and then to the Big Apple where a lot of top level musicians would eventually join her on her first full-length release. The disc opens up with a jazzy one-two punch of "11:32 p.m." which tells the tale of her struggles in Los Angeles and "Foolish" which bops along on a hooky chorus. This record jumps around and delves into many genres from jazz, folk, blues and pop but it's all tied together nicely by Gina's plaintive and, at times, vulnerable vocals which are always soulful and sultry and delivered with a refined clarity that jumps out of the speakers. The best tracks are the numbers featuring the understated production which lets Gina shine on vox and acoustic guitar but there is tasty accompaniment on piano, lead guitar and horns that is threaded throughout the CD providing a uniformly cohesive sonic experience. Gina's lyrics are wise beyond her years, intelligent and insightful and her compositions offer a real personal glimpse into the life of this rising star. "Move Me" is a song about love and rejection that is the most moving moment on the album. "Nobody's to Blame" finds Gina excelling at the moody up-tempo rocker which has a Jewell meets Edie Brickell meets Nelly Furtado vibe that proves Gina Catalino is a force to be reckoned with. Check out Gina Catalino's debut today and you'll be swept up in the sound - and vision. You'll have no one to blame but yourself if you don't!
JOE COLLEDGE – TABLE FOR ONE: Joe Colledge goes back to school for his sophomore effort and graduates to a higher level of musicianship on his 2007 release, Table For One. The opener "Best You Ever Hard" is one of JC's best tracks yet incorporating some of that horn-filled Jersey shore vibe into the mix coupled with an anthemic and determined vocal delivery. "Burden" is the fourth song and it's message gets a little weighty with its heavy harmonies. "Vacancy Sign" is a welcoming rocker that finds Colledge channeling a Jaggeresque vibe with a memorable and accessible guitar lead and keyboard coda. "Playin' Around" is a song about harmony in the home, or the lack thereof, featuring some honorable harmonica. Table For One is a full-course education on the ups and downs of life seen through the eyes of J.C. Get a yourself degree in indie rock by enrolling in Joe Colledge today - he's got room at the table for you!
LINQ – CHANGE THE PICTURE, GEORGE!: Linq takes on the status quo with a courageous and timely two song attack on the powers that be. CHANGE THE PICTURE, GEORGE! is a 2-song enhanced CD with video that pulls no punches as she challenges us to look at the roots of hatred and prejudice to gain insight toward a more peaceful world, and she also provides an Orwellian wake-up call complete with an accompanying video in CDr format that can be viewed by computer. The title track is a moody rocker which reminds us we can that we still have the power to change the world! Track two - "George Orwell Where Are You?" is an indictment of the current war and unrest permeating throughout our troubled planet that suggests we have entered the age of big brother. Ling takes her stand along with the A-Team who deliver a blow for freedom via a sometimes psychedelic folk rock sound of a higher calling.
MIKE MARINO & HIS RESTLESS SOUL – OUT OF THE DARKNESS: According to their publicist - Mike Marino is a singer/songwriter and guitarist who is insightful, subtle and explosive on his latest vintage flavored Americana Roots Rock release. Mike and his Restless Soul draw inspiration from the days growing up on a South Jersey farm in the magical era of the 60's & 70' with combustible intensity fueled by the constant erosion of the American Heartland. Mike writes music for our times while drawing comparisons to rock icons from the previous generation like Cougar, Petty and Springsteen. The song "Twenty Too Late" alludes to missing this bandwagon just like previous artists just missed the party in the 60's. "Marie Jean" is classic and mid-tempo plaintive shout out to a member of the opposite sex. "One Man's Destiny" sounds like rockers from Bruce's The River meets the Jefferson Airplane flying with The Byrds - all of Marino's worlds collide on this one fateful track. Marino does enough good work on Out Of The Darkness to get him some spotlight action - and don't miss the standout lead guitar work of Mark E. Johnson!
PAUL MCCARTNEY – MEMORY ALMOST FULL: Who knew that at the age of 64 - Sir Paul would release perhaps the most involving, most thoroughly enjoyable and most rocking of his four decade solo career. But that is exactly what he's done. Even the biggest McCartney fan (and I consider myself one of them) would have to admit that as a solo artist McCartney has never made three excellent solo records in a row. There's always a clunker in there somewhere to break up the proverbial hat trick. But "Memory Almost Full", co-produced by David Kahne, coupled with 2005's "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" and 2001 "Driving Rain" (minus the trite 9/11 anthem "Freedom") adds up to about as an impressive a run as any artist making music today - let alone one that carries the enormous expectations as McCartney. "Memory Almost Full" is a success on ever level. As a songwriter, McCartney finds away to reflect on his own wildly successful past, while still finding truisms that even us non-Beatles can relate to, such as deeply moving "The End of the End," the clever "Vintage Clothes" and infectious "Ever Present Past." And as a singer and musician McCartney continues to astound. "See Your Sunshine" features some of the most impressive 'lead' bass playing since "Rain," while the Brian Wilson-esque harmonies leave you awestruck at just how much he can do with his voice. Same for "Gratitude," perhaps his most bluesy vocal performance since Abbey Road's "Oh Darling." Book-ending this masterstroke is lead track "Dance Tonight" and the finale "Nod Your Head." Both very different songs - the former a sing-along that would seem appropriate around a campfire; the later as simple a rock tune McCartney has ever written - the overarching message is: reflect on your past, appreciate it, learn from it, but don't forget to have a good time.
ROBERT WINDPONY – MOONRIDER: Robert Windpony sent us his latest wind flute project called Moonrider and he blew us away. Windpony is actually an Arizona-based professional golfer who became interested in flutes after encountering a random musician in a hospital room who was playing for the patients there. Windpony is not only a great player who performs his spirit songs in traditional Native American style - he is an entrepreneur with an attractive and enticing web site dedicated to the Native American wind instruments. I had trouble keeping my credit card stashed away because I immediately became interested in collecting the beautiful and musical works of art. When Robert records or performs in concert, he plays each song differently each time. Robert feels that his playing is guided by spirit and that his flute playing gives voice to his spirit songs. Robert divides his time between the deserts, high plateaus and mountains of the southwest and his journeys are the foundation for the gentle tones that abundant in his soothing music.
RON ARMSTRONG – JUST AROUND THE BEND: Ron Armstrong is true vintage material. His band in the sixties, The Misfits, opened for The Rolling Stones in San Diego on their first U.S. tour and the keyboard player would later turn down a chance to join the act that would become Moby Grape. A lot of water and life has gone under the bridge but Armstrong never gave up the music bug releasing his solo debut Just Around The Bend in 2005. The 10-track CD is a rocking mix of covers and originals and the team knocks it out with "Oh Suzie" sounding like Orbsion era Wilburys. Armstrong honors the Glimmer Twins with a bluesy and authentic version of "Little Red Rooster". Ron's rendition of Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me" rolls along nicely and reveals Armstrong as one worthy of keeping up with. Hopefully the next bend in the road will come up a little faster with a new Armstrong release just around the corner!
SEAN WIGGINS & LONE GOAT – THE KITCHEN SINK: This New York City native folk rocking troubadour is now based out of LA and touring everywhere in between. On her seventh solo release Wiggins has set all her skills to honing in on success by mixing a little bit of everything into the aptly titled The Kitchen Sink. Stylistically, Wiggins has been compared at various times to Melissa Etheridge, Janis Joplin and the Indigo Girls while maintaining a quality that is completely true to herself. Musically, the attention grabbing lOne gOat are deeply steeped in country, rock and the blues while relaying gritty stories of life as they live it. The 13 songs on Sink are a down home rinsing of the soul that ultimately finds Wiggins cleansed and content in her circumstances. On Track 3, "Watchin' The World Go By" finds Wiggins "taking a break, slowing down the pace" in a fast-moving 3 minute rocker. Track 6, "Taking It Slow", is a heartening acoustic romp describing how Wiggins has come to her current frame of mind. The talented Wiggins has over 100 songs in her catalog and this award winning performer and writer has had tunes on TV, in films and on the radio both nationally and internationally. Live, her dynamic stage presence, humorous banter, powerful vocals, and insightful lyrics, are completely captivating. The Kitchen Sink is a mature statement from a singer songwriter who has lived her life through song and this just might be the breakthrough record she's been waiting for. Remember, your indie CD collection won't be complete until you throw in The Kitchen Sink!
THE GECKO CLUB – EVERGREEN: The Gecko Club are musical chameleons and somewhat reptilian in their approach to their craft. The colorful Evergreen has a way of growing on you. They sound is part 80's new wave, part R.E.M., part Styx, part Furs and the Cure and part AC/DC wrapped in a darkly understated neo emo ethos. Curious at first - but by the second listen through it becomes apparent that this amphibian-like rock outfit is an endearing creature like Geico's current spokesman - and these guys will help you save more on indie music. Because, once you go green you might not ever be able go back! Heavy and ambient guitar pop abounds on this CD that peaks with the mesmerizing "Kaleidoscope" and the alluring "Pretty Victoria". The Gecko Club is looking for members - will you climb on their difficult to grasp but solid rock to embrace the evergreen way? You got nothing to lose but a little green! |
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