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Showing posts from January, 2018

Blue Apollo - Light Footed Hours + Circles (2017)

OFFICIAL: http://blueapollomusic.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/blueapollomusic/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BlueApolloMusic Written by Larry Robertson, posted by blog admin Formed by the core trio of Luke Nassar (guitars/vocals), Jeremiah Jensen (drums) and Rodman Steele on bass, Texan indie-groovers Blue Apollo got their start back in the summer of 2014.   Nassar and Jensen composed the songs that occupy Light-Footed Hours , Blue Apollo’s official debut release that summer and what began as a home recorded demo turned into a full band within a couple of years and the addition of Steele on bass. The band’s 6-song debut was finally born into the world and released in the summer of 2017.   What we have here is a very ranged and dynamic collection of tunes that somehow feels unified at the same time.   Maybe the circumstances in which the original demos were recorded influenced how the project later came together, I’m not sure, but these songs feel lik

Man Called Noon - Everybody Move (2017)

OFFICIAL: http://mancallednoon.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/mancallednoon/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ManCalledNoon Written by Frank McClure, posted by blog admin Taking their sound to the next level, Chicago’s Man Called Noon add new members and unique directions to their latest EP, Everybody Move .   Heightening their attention to melody and meticulous vocal arrangements the band explore fresh ground and further their experimental sonic approach on the three tracks all told here.   While the feelings communicated on the album are good natured, fun and positive they never dip into the realm of cheese and because the instrumentation flat out rocks Man Called Noon manage to transcend the bad karma that sometimes comes with getting labelled as “pop” or “indie rock.”   The band works up a noteworthy sonic sweat across the title track’s frolicking 4+ minutes of engaging happy go lucky rock music.   Swift, agile drumming pumps plenty of life into the w

Michael Askin - Road by the River (2017)

REVERBNATION: https://www.reverbnation.com/michaelaskin FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelAskinMusic/ Written by William Elgin, posted by blog admin As a fan of both acoustic and electric interpretations of southern rock, folk, country and blues, I’m kicking myself for not discovering New Jersey native Michael Askin’s music sooner.   His tunes trade complex playing for deep playing; sweeping passages where texture and multi-tiered instrumental layers are the basis of the sound here and take precedence over flashy, technically astounding soloist fare.   Road by the River is his third recording to date and after previewing his other works it would seem that Askin has reached a level of musical maturity with this album that in turns yields him the most nuanced and fully fleshed out set of songs in his catalog.   Road by the River’s namesake track acts as a gateway introduction number that touches on the songwriting themes and instrumental melting pot that

Sarah Morris - Hearts in Need of Repair (2017)

OFFICIAL: www.sarahmorrismusic.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sarahmorris10 Written by Larry Robertson, posted by blog admin Hailing from Minnesota, Sarah Morris’ music sounds like it came straight from the heart of Nashville on her 3 rd outing Hearts in Need of Repair ; the follow-up to her solid sophomore LP, Ordinary Things .   A gifted singer and composer is what can be heard across the album’s 11 delicious tracks and the simultaneously acoustic/electric sonic manipulation gives birth to tracks with unique multiple personality disorder (from rocking grooves to calm, melodic numbers).   Getting things started off with a loping acoustic groove and soft 60s folk touches the album’s title track piles on layered guitar motifs and a rousing lead vocal that’s absolutely trembles with authentic, edgy melody.   Keeping the atmosphere married to acoustic tunefulness “Good at Goodbye” trades the contemplative folk nuances for galloping, full-throttle country with gallo

The Joe Olnick Band - Downtown (2017)

OFFICIAL: https://www.joeolnick.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JoeOlnickMusic Written by Mike Yoder, posted by blog admin Six albums deep into a rich, constantly evolving career Joe Olnick drops Downtown , perhaps his band’s finest work yet.   Instrumental bands have it tough because even has a huge fan of instrumental music, some of my favorite bands without vocalists I still find myself imaging vocal melodies too.   Downtown has the distinct honor of not really inspiring me to do that because I was so completely involved with the seven tracks on offer here.   From funk to jazz to hard rock to ambient trance there’s a million different styles packed into every inch of this record.   The funky wah-wah guitars and concrete thick bass lines of opener “Downtown” builds up a groovy head of steam in the first half.   Drummer Jamie Smucker lays into a pocket beat full of spectral cymbal ghosting and jazzy snare marches while the song’s main groove eventually