Showing posts with label underground music review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label underground music review. Show all posts

Friday, November 4, 2016

HARRISON RIMMER: AWESOME UNDERGROUND ★ MUSIC REVIEW #32

I spent the day going through review requests, and I get a ton of them... daily. I heard song after song that I didn't connect with. I had decided that I would listen to two more artists and then call it a day, because my heart couldn't bare much more slaughtering. And along came Harrison Rimmer, who presents a pleasant flashback smoothie of Nirvana and Matchbox 20, with vocals sounding oh so similar to the lead vocalist of The Calling. I honestly could not believe how much of my youth I heard in this EP. And for me to say an artist sounds like Nirvana is serious, because I don't hand out that compliment lightly (in fact, I don't think I ever have). But this guy's sound bares an undeniable resemblance to the 90's grunge band that was one of the first to make me fall for music in the first place. Perhaps that was why I had an immediate emotional connection with his music. I think it was a number of things. Sometimes, I feel bad saying that one artist sounds like other artists. In saying this about Harrison Rimmer, I don't mean that he doesn't sound original or different. His blend of sounds reminiscent of these other artists is definitely something unique! Today, where the music we are bombarded with on radio is over-produced, over-synthesized, and lacking soul, Harrison's music shines through brightly with elements today's radio music is sorely missing. Maybe I'm just an old grumpy lady shouting "Back in my day, we had good music!" But I don't think that's the case. Because I see (or hear) so many wonderful things in this generation of music, but it all seems to be on the small stage. Though I wish Mr. Rimmer all of the success in the world, unfortunately, it seems that radio isn't the place for him in this time where true musicians with real talent don't belong as they once did. But with my connection to this artist with his similar-to-Nirvana sound, I can't help but think that this is a musician that Dave Grohl would be proud of.



HARRISON RIMMER LINKS

For the indie musician and indie music lover:

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
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Actual Mail: P.O. Box 424 Gruetli-Laager, TN 37339

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

TOO CLOSE TO TOUCH: WARPED TOUR 2016 ► BAND REVIEW

Too Close to Touch had to be the first Warped Tour 2016 band for me to talk about because they're my favorite on the lineup. Too Close to Touch is an American rock band from Lexington, Kentucky. Band members include: Keaton Pierce (vocals), Kenneth Downey (drums, percussion), Mason Marble (guitars), Thomas Kidd (guitars), and Travis Moore (bass guitar).


The first time I heard this band was opening for I the Mighty on Connectour.
Their sound is great, but what I really fell in love with was the way Keaton walked out into the crowd, placing his hand on peoples shoulders and singing to them individually. And the way Kenny reminded me of a cartoon with his over exaggerated but super adorable facial expressions.
I went online and checked them out the instant I got home. Already head over heels before even clicking play but every track on the album Nerve Endings is fabulous! My favorite is "The Deep End"

How does it make me feel? sunshine and summer, but also stick it to them. I listen to this album when I need a good pick me up. But it also helps to work out rage.

Album's strengths: it flows perfectly


Pretty Little Thing: This track has a super poppy hook that warms my soul. Even though the lyrics are about a toxic relationship, it's upbeat. It doesn't feel contradictory, though. It feels like "Hey, I realize that you're bad for me, and I'm fine with being without you. Good-bye!"

Perfect World: I feel like they placed this song so well. Because sometimes, even if you realize that a relationship isn't right for you, later on a sadness sets in. And even if you don't really want that person back, you want them to want you back. So, I feel like it coming directly after Pretty Little Thing, which is pretty much an "adios, you're crazy" track, is perfect placement.

The Deep End: Hands down my favorite track on this album. The magnitude of the feelings it creates for me are unreal.

Until I Collapse: This song was the perfect ending to the album, and to hear them perform it live is something magical. It feels like the end. Like breathlessness after something strenuous.

This band reminds me of The Wedding in their style, sound, enthusiasm, and stage presence.




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Sunday, May 15, 2016

PICTURESQUE: AWESOME UNDERGROUND ★ MUSIC REVIEW

Picturesque is a Lexington, KY based underground rock band with those "northern notes" being "crushed" by lead vocalist, Kyle Hollis (as "Alternative Press" so accurately stated).

If you follow me at all, you know that I'm constantly searching for music. But I'm also constantly being reminded that while I am capable of finding pure gems all on my own, sometimes the music that falls out of the sky and into my lap unexpectedly is the greatest treasure. With plans to see one of my favorite bands (for the third time), I nerdily began listening to some of the other bands on the tour line-up. Quickly, I realized that the band (aside from my favorite, Too Close to Touch) that I was most excited to see was the underdog of the tour, the low men on the totem pole, if you will. Actually, it's not all that surprising in retrospect, because I'm forever traveling hours to see openers on tours where I have no real interest in the headliners. But somehow, this simple trait of mine keeps surprising me. Picturesque may have been the low men on this particular totem pole, but they sure as hell were stars on that stage, politely. The guitarist would glance down at me before stepping on the barrier every single time to make sure that he didn't step on my hand (thank you for that, Zach).

This band is full of talent, and the thing that made them an unusual favorite for me was their vocalist, Kyle Hollis. His voice is definitely on the higher end, which isn't something I usually enjoy. But it fits so perfectly with the sound of this band, how could anyone not love it? To me, his voice embodies heartbreak, which works so perfectly with the lyrics he's shouting. He won't just verbalize your pain, he puts those feelings out into the air as if they had been trapped within him for ages. And even if you didn't start off listening to this music with a broken heart, once you finish this EP, you'll know what heartbreak truly feels like.

Casting spells on the strings in this band are Zach Williamson, Dylan Forrester, and Robert Mote. I'll not pretend to know which wizard makes what sound, because I'm just not that advanced. However, I will say they come in hard to rock your face off right before pulling the strings attached to the most recently created hole in your heart. No worries, though, I'm quite positive that it's all in the service of stitching it up, or at least aiding you in the task.

Cole Clark is the warlock slamming on the voodoo doll that is your exes head (he plays the drums, if you didn't catch that). Be sure to thank him for doing such a great job. You didn't think they had backed off of the drunk texts for no reason, did you?

I don't know when this band formed, but I can definitely say that they compose and perform such perfectly pieced together works of art that it blows my mind. Every space is filled with the right chord, the right beat, the right note. Through my brief interactions with this band, I conclude that Picturesque is a great group of immensely talented guys who were lucky enough to from a band that is full of compliments to one another artistically, whose music is sure to captivate the broken parts of your heart, and maybe even heal it, if you let it.



Click the thumbnail below to watch the video review: 



Picturesque Links:

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Actual Mail: P.O. Box 424 Gruetli-Laager, TN 37339

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

FIVE HUNDREDTH YEAR: AWESOME UNDERGROUND ★ MUSIC REVIEW

In most cases, it is pretty simple to decide right away if a band is something I enjoy, can tolerate, or simply detest. However, when I am asked for my opinion, such quick-draw type judgment won't suffice. Why do I like this band? Why don't I like this band? What is it that they could do to sound more appealing to me? Or What is it that they do differently than the fourteen thousand other bands I've listened to this week that makes me smile and shout, "Yes!"
Had this been a band I found on my own, honestly, I would have skipped them. Don't stop reading yet. I would have skipped them because their style isn't what I normally enjoy listening to, not because of any lack of talent or fatal flaw.
The band is pushing a cover track "Talking Body," originally performed by Tove Lo and an original called "Blame."
Let's talk about that cover first, shall we?
The original version is what I would classify as bubble gum pop attempting to be badass, however not accomplishing that. This is a good song, how it is delivered by Tove Lo is substandard and mediocre. It's just "okay" but a great artist could really turn it into a fantastic song.
Five Hundredth Year covering this song is different. It's not like they're copying Tove Lo's version, they have made it their own. And I will repeat this until I can no longer utter the words: You will not do a cover song better than the original artist attempting to do it the same way as they did. If you do not make it your own, you will fail, and fail in an epic manner. We will laugh at you. Don't butcher our beloved tunes. Sorry, back to Five Hundredth year. They nailed the chorus. Fucking nailed it. They did the chorus of this song better than Tove Lo could have in an acid enhanced dream,okay? They beat her. FHY, you win.

Okay, quick intermission. I'm realizing more and more that I am extremely picky about the type of vocalists I enjoy... and those who don't fit that standard, I tend to pick apart (and I do it well). So, excuse me while I attempt to NOT do that with this band.

However, I couldn't properly call myself a critic if I didn't tell you the good and the bad, the sometimes harsh opinion more admirably known as mine. The lead vocalist is... well, his vocal chords are the doppelganger of Sully Erna of Godsmack's vocal chords, mkay? That's what I'm hearing. His delivery is okay but it tends to seem lacking a bit when he's in the spotlight. Don't argue with me, I know the lead vocalist is "always in the spotlight." What I'm getting at, is when the drums and guitars and all that magic is hanging back a bit he does not convey as much passion and enthusiasm and sense of belonging as he does when they are at closer to equal levels. Hate me for this, I know you will, but I could just do without the female vocals altogether. I do not feel like they add to any of the songs this lovely, and surely talented lady happens to be lending her pipes on. It does not seem to fit at all to me. It sounds out of place. I'm not bashing her, nor trying to downplay her gift. I'm just saying hers does not fit the sound of this band, in my opinion. I'm not sorry. *shields herself from inevitable stones thrown*

Moving on!
I stumbled upon a handful of original tracks that I actually listened to before the cover. "Blame" is the one they're pushing, but I do what I want, and I'm going to say save that for second. Why? Because "Reflection" is better. I am right about this. I believe the term "magical" was used in the discussion I had with myself concerning the guitars, the energy, and the emotional build-up. Again, I could do without the female vocals *ducks* but overall, that's the only complaint I have about this song. And if my opinion counted for anything, I would say FHY, you're pushing the wrong tune. "Reflection" is your gold star track. This is one of those tracks, you know? Those tracks that pull you out of life for 3 minutes or so and surround you. One of those that you could close your eyes and feel like you're levitating to (I swear I'm not on drugs).

"Blame" starts off high energy and immediately grabs your attention. I can't help but think of Drowning Pool in certain spots, however the song as a whole doesn't sound like any other band.What I'm saying is I see clear influences, but no lack of originality. This is another good song to find escape in... maybe not at the same level as "Reflection," but in a similar way.

This band is semi-heavy, but still manages to be melodically well structured and the lyrics are good. For the most part, the vocal delivery is good. The drummer and guitarist play well together. All in all I think this is a good band. I would advise a few changes, but what works for me does not work for everyone. And if they sit back and assess their sound and it sounds like what they want it to, then it's perfect. As for you, you should go listen to them. You can find them virtually anywhere, and you know you'll find their links below, as always. Don't forget to let me know what you think and tell Five Hundredth Year that I sent you. I'm coming back to YouTube, I have not abandoned you guys, I PROMISE.

Five Hundredth Year Links:
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Click the thumbnail below to watch the video review:


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

BREAKFAST IN NEW YORK: AWESOME UNDERGROUND ★ MUSIC REVIEW #27

Everyone knows how much I love 37 Reasons. (If you don't, you could always read this to find out.)
I'll never forget the day. You know you have really fallen for someone's music when you always remember the first day you listened to it. So, I knew that whenever Mr. Brown released something new, I would feel that joy all over again. It's a special kind of excitement when you hear that news. "New music is on it's way." Well, for me it is.

Today, Sam Brown releases his new EP "Breakfast in N2ew York."
And let me tell you, it doesn't disappoint. There are obvious differences between this new EP and the last one. As a music lover, I must discuss these. 37 Reasons is beautiful and wonderful and it reminds one of being a teenager and really being in love. But with Breakfast in New York comes a whole different phase of life and of musicianship. With age comes growth: in maturity, in world views, in personality... and if a musician is truly talented and dedicated, in music. I'd like to compare Mr. Brown to a sponge. Because he has obviously soaked up as much as one can in the span between releasing these two bodies of music. I hear clear growth in Breakfast in New York... in all of the areas I listed before. With this new EP comes a much fuller sound and I am so proud of that.

Sam's wide array of instruments and layered vocals surround you and refuse to share your attention with anything outside of the song you are listening to. He ventures over the lines of standard pop into the edges of other genres, such as Jazz, in this EP. He never ceases to amaze me with his ability to perfectly piece together all of the right elements of a song to make it whole and he just keeps getting better at it! One thing I really love about this EP is that it does not fit in a box. It is not one genre. It is art.

I love that Sam just went with his instincts to create each song. I don't see a template here... each song is its own. And they are all different. But they do go nicely together. That is a talent that not every musician has. To have songs that are different from one another, yet can still pass as an arm or leg on the same body. You have to buy that the songs on a body of work are getting their life force from the same beating heart, otherwise, it's not a body, it's just a bunch of songs thrown together.

One last thing and I'll stop gushing. My favorite track is "The Motion." I guess that's rather typical of me, but I think it's perfect. There are things I love about each song on this EP, but that one, in my opinion, is the best track.

Click Thumbnail for Video Review:


37 Reasons Video Review:







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Actual Mail: P.O. Box 424 Gruetli-Laager, TN 37339

Saturday, April 26, 2014

FRONT PORCH SOCIETY: AWESOME UNDERGROUND ★ MUSIC REVIEW

Front Porch Society

"Finding Forward"
First impressions are important!
They couldn't have picked a better track to use as the opening to their album. "Finding Forward" gives the perfect motivational push to get you to feel that need to listen to the entirety of the album that mirrors that name. Trust me, you're not going to put the album down after hearing that for an introduction.

"Hold On (Let Go)"
Honestly, for me the song doesn't start until 1:19. I found myself uninterested until that point. To be fair, I am particular about female vocals and lightweight songs. But don't let the beginning of this song fool you. The song as a whole is no lightweight entity. And the slow start is necessary to create the fantastic buildup to heavier things. I feel like the progression of the song allows aid for one to do exactly what the song title suggests: Hold on... Let go. This is absolutely a therapeutic track.  

"Dry Ground"
The first time I listened to this album, I really thought the title track was my favorite. And I still love it just as dearly as the first time I heard it. But, "Dry Ground" is the one I find myself singing around the house, before I ever click play on anything. So I guess it wins, doesn't it? It has held hostage a portion of my musical storage bin (AKA brain), and I'm completely fine with that. "Because I'm way too young to be this desert I've become" and "I'm afraid that my roots have turned to chains. Would you catch my fallin' heart?" Do those type of lyrics really need any further glorification? Nope. Put your heart back in your chest. I know it jumped out after that.

"Porchlight"
Something about a piano and an acoustic guitar just hold the potential to emit the feeling of safety, comfort, and home... well for me they do. This song starts out sounding like a peaceful night of pondering, and I guess it ends up that way. But I got a little more out of it than that. To get personal about it, it honestly brought me back to coming home after two weeks of constant travel and participation in charity during that travel. Something about seeing new places, new people, and working towards the common well-being of the human race will really put your mind in a different state. Coincidentally, when I arrived home from this particular trip, it was very late at night and I did experience exactly what I feel this song is about. I don't know, maybe I'm just attaching it to my personal experience, as I often will do with music, but it makes it all that more special. However, with those things put together: coming home late after travel and having my mind still on those I had been putting my efforts towards really put me in that place: "But I can't stop wondering if my world deserves to change." Significant life experiences can sometimes make you feel insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Personal past experience aside, "Everything is fine," can be a grand thing, but sometimes it can be discouraging. Nobody really wants "fine" out of life, and I feel that was part of the point.
On top of that, once you move out of your family home, life is different. And this could be about that. Because going "home" for me, you know the home that isn't really my home anymore, but will always be home, can be a comfort sometimes and sometimes it can make me disappointed in myself for not being who I once thought I'd be by now.

"Beautiful Mess"
I don't have a ton to say about this song, other than everyone has one of those. And you will relate to this song. Maybe not yet, but at some point in your life, this will be your anthem. It's pretty much about a failed relationship and it sounds a lot like a first love-type thing to me. As every in track on this album, the lyrics are flawless and gorgeous.

"Hallelujah"
Is a double cover, and of course, they did it very well.

"Carolina"
Is most definitely a love song to a state, unless you know of a girl with trees and sunsets sprouting from her somewhere. I feel like it was an important track for this band because loving where you live is half of the battle in enjoying life.


I have to express that my favorite part of Finding Forward is the intelligence and beauty that are both constants in the lyrics of every song. Musicians can fake their way through tons of things, but genius writing is not one of them.

Front Porch Society has started on a new project, which you will get updated of on their Facebook and Bandcamp. I highly suggest following this group of talented musicians to keep up with their progress and growth.


Front Porch Society's Links:
Twitter
Youtube
iTunes
Facebook
Bandcamp
Blogspot

Click the thumbnail below to watch the video review:


Here's where you'll find me:
Email: hpfansnghost@gmail.com
Physical Mail: P.O. Box 424 Gruetli Laager, TN 37339

Saturday, March 15, 2014

REBEL REVIVE: AWESOME UNDERGROUND ★ MUSIC REVIEW #8

Rebel Revive

I'm  a sucker for a lot of things when it comes to music. There so many little things musicians can do to make me turn into butter. Acoustic tracks are, hands down, at the very top of that list. It just happened by accident that the first track I heard of Rebel Revive's was an acoustic version of "Skeletons" but it sure did leave me entranced. Of course, I had to follow that up with the album version of the very same song. I was expecting it to be good, but it's hard for anything to compete with an acoustic sound for me. I was very happily surprised to find that I love the album version of the song just as much as the acoustic version. And even better, the entire album, XI (Eleven), is a wonderful experience that picked me up and set me in a new place outside of my own world throughout the duration. That's right, this album is one of those living, breathing, experiences. It's a universe all it's own, and a great place to escape to. They have a beautiful and powerful rock sound. Trust me, this is one that you don't want to miss out on!

Rebel Revive Links:



Here's episode 7.1 of  "The Best Music You Didn't Know You Were Missing"

And even though the ways in which you can contact me rarely shift or alter, here they are again:

virtual mail: hpfansonghost@gmail.com
physical mail: P.O. Box 461 Gruetli-Laager, TN 37339