February 2014 Comics and Reviews from 
aka 
Alcest - Shelter (CD, Prophecy, Dream pop)
Thick dense dream pop from France's Alcest. The band is the duo comprised
of multi-instrumentalist Neige and drummer Winterhalter. The
two began making music together in 2000. The sound was originally much harsher
(they are credited with creating the "blackgaze" sound). Over
the years the overall vibe has changed and evolved and now these two fellows
are creating intense dreamy music that is hypnotic and surreal. Recorded
in Iceland with Sigur Ros producer Birgir Jon Birgisson, you
can certainly hear this man's influence and presence on these tracks. Although
you've probably heard a great many shoegaze/dream pop bands in the past,
there are very few whose music has the intensity of the guys in Alcest.
We are particularly impressed by the fact that almost all of the songs here
are sung in French. Housed in a beautiful tri-fold cardboard sleeve complete
with lyric booklet and featuring some lovely photography by Andy Julia,
Shelter features a finely crafted batch of tunes that listeners won't
soon forget. Eight hypnotic cuts including "Wings," "Voix
Sereine," "Shelter," and "Deliverance."
Bend
Sinister - Animals (CD, FU:M (File Under Music), Pop)
Is Bend Sinister the band most likely to succeed in 2014...? If there's
any one group that we're guessing will hit the big time in the very near
future, we're placing our bets on this Vancouver-based quartet. Combining
sounds from classic bands from the past like Queen, Rush,
and Supertramp, these guys have an upbeat keyboard-based sound that
is melodic, intense, frenetic, and ultimately very, very appealing.
And these guys are anything but a retro band. They use the basic
idea of the aforementioned bands as a starting point...and then push the
sound squarely into the twenty-first century by infusing their songs with
plenty of extra punch. Bend Sinister is comprised of Dan Moxon (vocals,
keyboards), Jason Dana (drums), Matt Rhode (bass, vocals),
and Joseph Blood (guitars, vocals). These guys are going to be touring
heavily this year to promote this album. Even though we haven't seen them
live (yet), we have absolutely no doubt that these guys blow folks
away at their concerts. Animals is a perfect loud jolt of loud modern
pop/rock featuring smart lyrics, unforgettable melodies, and those soaring
vocals that have quickly become the band's trademark. Ten kickass cuts here
including "Best Of You," "Better Things To Do," "You
Remind Me," and "It Will Never End." Top pick.
Blank Realm - Grassed Inn (CD, Fire,
Rock/pop)
More cool loud hazy underground rock from the nifty folks in Great Britain's
Blank Realm. This band is comprised of siblings Daniel Spencer
(vocals, drums), Sarah Spencer (synthesizers, vocals), and Luke
Spencer (bass) along with guitarist Luke Walsh. Like the band's
previous album, Grassed Inn has a decidedly rough sound that seems
very much like the band recorded the material on the spot with very little
preparation. As such, there are plenty of cool spontaneous threads running
through these tunes that make them particularly appealing. The press release
that accompanied this album compared the music to Big Star, The
Zombies, and Echo and the Bunnymen (all of which hold true to
some degree)...but to our ears there are even more similarities to early
Velvet Underground. If you want your songs all glossy and perfect,
this band will be far too real for your tastes. These tracks sound like
a real band playing real music. Eight kickin' tracks here
including "Back to the Flood," "Falling Down The Stairs,"
"Baby Closes The Door," and "Reach You On The Phone."
The more we hear this band...the better they sound. Neat stuff...!
The
Book Thief - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack:
Music Composed and Conducted by John Williams (CD, Sony Classical, Soundtrack)
The Book Thief is a new film that offers a different sort of plot.
Based on Markus Zusak's novel of the same name, the film "...tells
the inspiration story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms
the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live with a foster
family in World War II Germany." Well-known composer John Williams
composed and conducted the music for the film. Williams fans may be surprised
at this soundtrack. Whereas most of his soundtracks employ large orchestras
and complex arrangements, this soundtrack has a more simple sparse sound...probably
because the film involves more intimate and personal issues that required
this. An interesting side note. Williams is the Academy Awards' most-nominated
living person. The only other person who was nominated more was Walt
Disney (!). After reading about this one and hearing the music, our
appetites are focused on seeing this film. If the plot and music are any
indication of what's in store, this is a very special film. Twenty-two tracks
here that clock in at just under fifty-three minutes. Cool reflective compositions
include "One Small Fact," "Learning To Read," "The
Visitor at Himmel Street," and "Rudy Is Taken."
Eric
Brace & Karl Straub
- Hangtown Dancehall (CD, Red
Beet, Americana/pop)
Eric Brace is one helluva busy guy. This Nashville, Tennessee-based
singer/songwriter isn't a household name...yet...but that's bound
to change over the course of the next few years. Brace was originally a
journalist at the Washington Post before moving to Nashville in 2003.
Since that time he has started his own record label (Red Beet), recorded
several albums, played lots of shows, and made a great many connections.
Eric often works with his pal Peter Cooper But on this album he paired
up with Karl Straub and together the two wrote a song-cycle that
deals with the California Gold Rush. The story involves two lovers (Betsy
and Ike) who leave their home in Missouri for the possible great fortunes
to be found in California. The album has been in the works for many years
but is only now a reality. The songs are great Americana-style pop with
a heavy emphasis on lyrics. Joining Brace and Straub are some real heavyweights
including Kelly Willis, Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Jason Ringenberg,
Andrea Zonn, and John Wesley Harding (whew!). The CD is
housed in an oversized digipak sleeve which contains not only the disc but
also a beautifully designed lyric/story booklet to assist the listener in
following along. The cool packaging was created by Julie Sola with
graphic design provided by Bill Thompson. This exceptional album
features twenty-two tracks that clock in at just over fifty-three minutes.
This project was obviously a labor of love and these two guys have succeeded
here on a variety of levels. Well-crafted tracks include "Sweet Betsy
From Pike," "Gone To California," "Marshall's Reel,"
"King Midas," "Pike County Rose," "Hanging Tree,"
and "El Dorado Farewell." Killer stuff from start to finish. TOP
PICK.
Cars
Can Be Blue - Trace The Tension (CD,
Happy Happy Birthday To Me, Rock/pop)
We've been big fans of music on the Athens, Georgia-based label Happy Happy
Birthday To Me for years--not only because the label releases some great
music, but also because you can always depend on them unearth great
artists. We're huge fans of underground pop/rock bands from the 1990s (easily
one of the most fertile periods ever for pop/rock in the United States).
And we miss the direct energy jolt that so many of those great guitar-driven
bands provided. Simple rhythms, loud guitars, great vocal melodies...these
were all trademarks of the cool power pop bands treading around our country
as the last century came to a close. Well dear readers, those days don't
have to be over...because Cars Can Be Blue are delivering
all the ingredients we know and love so well. This groovy three piece band
is comprised of Nate Mitchell (drums, vocals), Becky Brooks
(guitar, vocals), and Jeremy Dyson (bass/yelling). These folks have
a sound that reminds us of a cross between Lazy and The Fastbacks.
And if that's not a recipe for success we don't know what is. Totally
groovy infectious tunes here that really pack a punch. Our favorite cuts
include "You Gave Me," "Battleship," "You Should
Be Begging," "Banging My Head," and "Don't Tell Me."
We love this stuff... TOP PICK.
Gheorghe Costinescu - An Evolving Cycle (CD, Ravello,
Classical/piano)
The second Ravello release featuring the music of Gheorghe Costinescu.
An Evolving Cycle presents four works for solo piano that explore
"...the transition of these idioms from Baroque to 21st-century
contemporary, charting the evolution of form and technique with a deft control
of style" (quoted from the press release). New York's Stephen
Gosling plays the piano...and the man is pure magic on the keys. Over
forty-five minutes of music here spread out over four pieces: "Theme
and Variations for the Piano," "Sonata For the Piano," "Evolving
Cycle of Two-Part Model Inventions for Piano," and "Essay in Sound."
This album should appeal equally to fans of traditional as well as modern
classical music.
Doctor
Who - Series 7: Original Television Soundtrack,
Music by Murray Gold (Double CD, Silva
Screen, Soundtrack)
The fine folks at Silva Screen continue their mission of releasing soundtrack
music composed for the popular Doctor Who television series. Series
7 featured thirteen "self-contained stories" and these tracks
are culled from those shows. Once again, Murray Gold created the
music for the show (for which he has received two BAFTA nominations). Spread
out over the space of two CDs, this set features a whopping 74 (!!??) tracks.
The discs are divided up into thirteen chronological sections with each
section offering music from that particular show. Gold's music fits somewhere
in the terrain where classical meets pop...probably more the former than
the latter. These compositions are slick, exciting, moving, and executed
to perfection. This is a must for Doctor Who fans...as well as anyone who
appreciates richly rewarding soundtrack music. There's so much to take in
here...this double disc set is one WHIRLWIND of a roller coaster ride...
Dog
Day - Fade Out (CD, Fundog,
Rock/pop)
Hot damn. This is the real deal. If you're sick to death of
all the processed cheese food glopping around the planet these days this
is album is a MUST HAVE. Although we love most styles of music overall,
underground guitar pop still remains our particular favorite. Accordingly,
we realized on the very first spin that this one was a top pick. Fade
Out is the fourth full-length release from the folks in Canada's Dog
Day. And it is one HELLUVA killer spin. The band is the project created
by Seth Smith and his wife Nancy Urich. These songs harken
back to the 1970s and 1980s when underground guitar pop was really beginning
to take hold. The songs are melodic, inspired, gutsy, and totally refreshing.
These songs are so good that they remind us of why we fell in love with
so many obscure pop bands in the first place. The guitars are wonderfully
subdued but gripping...the vocals heavenly and never overdone...the rhythms
propulsive and danceable. But songs take center stage here...and that's
what makes Fade Out such a fantastic experience. Thirteen kickass
tunes that we'll be playing over and over and over for years to come.
All of these tracks are dynamite but our initial favorites include "Blackened,"
"In Another Life," "Sunset," "Leave Your Body,"
and "Before Us." Smart. Ultra intelligent. Focused. And completely
irresistible. Highly recommended. TOP PICK.
Sarah Dooley - Stupid Things (Independently released CD, Pop)
The first thing that caught our attention about the debut full-length release
from Sarah Dooley were the photos. The front cover features a photo
of a very young Sarah with a perplexing look on her face. Open up the cardboard
sleeve...and you see an all-grown-up present day Sarah with a similar odd
look...and even wearing clothes that look identical. So...we could tell
right off the bat that this lady has a sense of humor about herself. Originally
from Valparaiso, Indiana, Dooley now lives in New York City. But back to
the album...the songs on Stupid Things are more direct and straightforward
than the cover might suggest. Sarah writes smart piano-based pop songs that
come across sounding fresh and inspired...and they could easily appeal to
a wide range of listeners. Ten clever melodic cuts here including "Stupid
Things," "Teenage Elegance," "Shadows," and "Watching
Goodies At My House."
Dovetail - Mount Karma (CD, OK!
Good, Rock/pop)
The debut full-length release from the Dallas, Texas-based band Dovetail.
In 2012 these guys won the John Lennon Songwriting Award for their song
"Julie," which is the lead track on this album. Afterward they
began recording a full-length album...and the result is Mount Karma.
These fellows have a sound that is immediately catchy and familiar, combining
sounds of radio pop from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The band is driven
by the songwriting skills of brothers Philip Creamer and Daniel
Creamer. This is the most accessible sounding album we've yet to hear
on the OK! Good label, so this just may be the one that pushes the label
into the big spotlight. The promotional materials that accompanied this
album compared the band's sound to The Byrds, The Beach Boys,
and The Beatles all of which hold true to some degree. We would also
add the band School of Fish to the list, as some of these tracks
have a similar sound. This fourteen track album is sure to catch on with
music fans worldwide. The songs are well written, the vocals exceptional,
and the overall vibe is crisp and inviting. Our favorite tracks include
"Julie," "Heavy," "Listen Children," and "Mount
Karma."
Ferris
& The Wheels - Hollow (Independently
released CD EP, Pop)
The guys in Nashville, Tennessee's Ferris & The Wheels have had
a good bit of success with their recent anti-bullying music video "Can't
By Yourself" which tells the story of three boys who get revenge on
the school bully. That song is included on this EP along with four other
brand new tracks. The band is the project created by singer/songwriter Geoff
Ferris and drummer Patrick Gullett. When most folks think of
Nashville they think country, bluegrass, or country/pop. Representing the
new sound of Nashville are Ferris and Gullett, two guys who play powerful
upbeat music with a pure classic pop sound. The emphasis here is on melodies
and lyrics...and they're backed up by cool inviting rhythms and cool electric
guitars. Our favorite cuts on this nifty independently released disc include
"Hold Your Tongue," "Can't By Yourself," and "Let's
Get Into Something." This EP should appeal to fans of Fountains
of Wayne.
Holly
Golightly & The Brokeoffs - It's Her
Fault (CD, Transdreamer, Bluesy swamp
pop/rock)
More homegrown foot stompin' bluesy pop from Holly Golightly & The
Brokeoffs. Holly is a woman who is driven to create. Along with her
partner Lawyer Dave she has released about 20 albums thus far in
her career. And there are no signs that she's going to be letting up anytime
soon. Originally from England, Golightly now lives on a farm just outside
of Athens, Georgia. If you've loved the sound of this band in the past (as
have we), then you're bound to dig the groovy swampy sounds on It's Her
Fault. If you haven't yet been exposed...then this is as good a disc
to start with as any. Dave and Holly will be touring the country this year
to support the album so catch 'em if you can. Our guess is that the duo
puts on one helluva show. Kickass cuts include "For All That
Ails You," "Bless Your Heart," "1 2 3 4," and "No
Business." Recommended for fans of Southern Culture on the Skids.
Hammock - Oblivion Hymns (Independently released CD, Progressive/dream/ambient)
Hammock returns with another slick, hypnotic, cerebral album. The
band is the Nashville, Tennessee-based duo consisting of Marc Byrd
and Andrew Thompson...two fellows who have made some amazing connections
all around the world over the past few years. While most folks in the Southeast
might not be familiar with Hammock, there are many other folks around the
world who are. One reason why this band remains an underground art
band is the fact that Byrd and Thompson don't write and record hits, opting
instead to compose and release dreamy hypnotic modern mood music with a
difference. Oblivion Hymns takes the Hammock sound to another level
as this time around the duo incorporates a string quartet and a children's
choir into their music (along with some other well-chosen surprises). Ten
lovely tracks here crafted with ultimate skill and precision, and bound
to please Hammock fans. The disc is housed in an absolutely remarkable
quadruple-fold cardboard sleeve featuring subtle cool artwork by Amy
Pleasant. Beautiful dreamy cuts include "My Mind Was A Fog...My
Heart Became A Bomb," "Turning Into Tiny Particles," and
"In The Middle of This Nowhere."
Chester
Hawkins - Semisolids (Limited Edition
CD, Intangible Arts,
Experimental)
We kinda knew this one was gonna be something special before we even
heard it. We were big fans of the uniquely unusual underground band Blue
Sausage Infant. After 28 years being in operation, the band and name
are no more...but Chester Hawkins continues experimenting with sound
and music using his own name. The press release sums up the sound well,
stating that Hawkins' music ranges "...from amniotic soundscapes
(Iodine) to 1970s Italian horror cinema vibes (Malattia del Sonno),
heady kosmische excursions (Isle of Dogs), and massive glacial drone
(The Brood)." As you might guess from this quote, this stuff
is not for everyone...nor does it try to be. Nine puzzling experiments in
sound here and each one has something unique to offer. This disc sounds
something like the soundtrack to a bizarre art film. We're sad that Blue
Sausage Infant is no more (we always loved the name as well as the music),
but we're mighty pleased that Mr. Hawkins has chosen to continue throwing
cool curve balls into the world of music. Top pick.
Hides
A Well - From A Safe Distance (CD-R,
Not Rock, Progressive
pop)
The new album from Hides A Well features Adam Kaniper, Bryan
Kwasnik, and John Fisher who were previously in the underground
band Insouciant. These guys seem to be taking a more accessible approach
this time around but this is by no means commercial sellout music. From
A Safe Distance features cool melodic progressive pop/rock tracks with
a different sort of sound and feel. Just as was the case with Insouciant,
it is difficult to come up with specific comparisons and/or influences here.
According to the short letter/press release that accompanied this disc,
the songs are "mostly about looking at things from a distance of
space or time and over-analyzing them." Well now, that's
an idea we can definitely identify with (!). Although these songs fit comfortably
within the confines of the pop/rock genre, they are actually more hypnotic
and dreamy than such a categorization might suggest. Ten groovy intelligent
cuts here and every one pushes the right buttons. Our favorites include
"Secret Sitcoms," "Sleepyhead," "One Step At A
Time," and "Things That Don't Exist."
I,
Frankenstein - Original Motion Picture Score:
Johnny Klimek and Reinhold Heil (CD, Lakeshore,
Motion picture score)
If there's one thing that's certain, folks out there in the real world love
Frankenstein. As such, this new film has an instant built-in audience
ready to welcome it with open arms. Created by the producers of Underworld
and being offered in 2D, real 3D, and Imax 3D, this one's bound to
be a box office smash. Here's a direct quote from the official film web
site: "200 years after his shocking creation, Dr. Frankenstein's
creature, Adam, still walks the earth. But when he finds himself in the
middle of a war over the fat of humanity, Adam discovers he holds the key
that could destroy humankind." So...you can probably tell that
this one isn't offering any light fluffy entertainment, eh? Heh heh heh...
The score for the film was composed by Johnny Klimek and Reinhold
Heil. These tracks have a huge moody slightly puzzling sound that will
no doubt enhance the viewing experience greatly. Twenty-six perfectly executed
tracks here that were recorded with precise attention to detail. Readers
should note that there is also a separate soundtrack CD that features music
from the band By Maker, which is the duo comprised of Geno Lenardo
and Daniel Davies.
Jackson
& The Wargonauts - The Summer's Eye
(CD, Doughnut, Pop)
The debut release from Cypress, California's Jackson & The Wargonauts.
The band is driven by the songwriting skills of Jackson Wargo, a
fellow who has a remarkable way of crafting melodies and lyrics. When we
read in the cover letter that the band features ten members we were concerned
that this album might be one of those where too many cooks spoil the broth.
But upon spinning the disc we found that the exact opposite is true. Instead
of sounding overproduced or cluttered, these tunes are presented simply
with each musician adding only what is necessary or essential for each composition.
The Summer's Eye offers a pure shot of pure pop, with no artsy noise
getting in the way of the feelgood melodies. Wargo's songs have a surprising
amount of commercial appeal...and yet they are a far cry from generic twenty-first
century pop. Ten well-crafted cuts here including "Fine Tooth Comb,"
"Pelican Hill," and "The Summer's Salt." Excellent vocals
from start to finish. Great pop stuff delivered with heart and soul.
The
Jigsaw Seen - The Jigsaw Seen For The Discriminating
Completist (Download, Vibro-phonic,
Pop)
When we heard there was a download of an album of rarities from the guys
in The Jigsaw Seen we were excited and just a wee bit disappointed.
Because we technically don't review downloads, we figured we'd miss out
on letting folks know about this one. But then the fine folks at Vibro-phonic
made the extra effort to send us a CD-R of the tracks...which leads us to
the present. The Jigsaw Seen For The Discriminating Completist is
a collection that presents ten rare single, EP, and compilation versions
of some of the band's songs plus covers of tunes by The Bee Gees,
Henry Mancini (?), and Arthur Lee (?!). We love everything
this band records...so you can draw your own conclusions here. This cool
album can be downloaded on iTunes and/or Amazon.
Jupe
Jupe - Crooked Kisses (Independently
released CD, Pop)
The third full-length release from the Seattle, Washington-based band Jupe
Jupe. These folks have developed a good solid fan base by providing
synthesizer-based modern pop reminiscent of 1980s bands like New Order.
The band is comprised of My Young (vocals, synthesizers), Bryan
Manzo (guitar), Patrick Partington (guitar), and Jarrod Arbini
(drums, percussion). This band's sound is becoming more focused with the
release of each album. Recorded by Martin Feveryear at Jupiter Studios,
Crooked Kisses will probably be the album that pushes these folks'
career to the next level. These ten tracks are memorable, melodic, danceable,
and ultimately quite infectious overall. Our favorite cuts here are "Pieces
Of You," "Never Ask Why," "Autumn October," "Darkness,"
and "New Stars In The Sky."
Sonja
Kristina - Sonja Kristina (CD, Angel Air, Pop)
Sonja Kristina has always held a special place in our hearts. As
the lead vocalist of the wildly creative 1970s British progressive rock
band Curved Air, Ms. Kristina hypnotized and captivated a great many
people with her beautiful eerie voice and cool presence. This album was
recorded after Curved Air dissolved. It was originally released on vinyl
in the late 1970s under the name Sonja Kristina Escape. We never
heard the album until it was reissued by the Market Square label on CD.
The fine folks at Britain's Angel Air have reissued the album again with
a slightly different track listing. Joining Sonja on these tracks are Liam
Genockey, Alfie Agus, Steve Byrd, Colin Towns, Gaspar Lawal, Nigel Gray,
and Darryl Way. This album is in the same general vein as the last
two or three Curved Air albums. The songs feature nice thick arrangements
and, of course, those trademark dreamy vocals. We're glad that this album
is once again being made available to the public. We've loved anything/everything
that Sonja has been involved in. Ten groovy cuts here including "Street
Run," "Breaking Out of Silence," "Full Time Woman,"
and "Fade Away."
Sammy
Kershaw - Big Hits Volume One (CD, Big
Hit, Country/pop)
This is a bit different from your average best of collection. On Big
Hits Volume One Sammy Kershaw went into the studio and re-recorded
ten of his biggest hits in order to present the material with the latest
slick recording technology. As such, the album breathes fresh new life into
songs that Kershaw's fans already know and love. All the biggies are here
including "Don't Go Near The Water," "She Don't Know She's
Beautiful," "Cadillac Style," and "Queen Of My Doublewide
Trailer." Sammy's still got that slick voice that the fans love and
he's sounding mighty solid these days. What impresses us most about this
album is the fact that restraint was used in creating these new recordings.
Instead of layering everything to death, there's plenty of wide open space
in the tracks that gives the music room to breathe. In addition to the old
hits, Big Hits also features two new tracks: "The Middle"
and "Can't Put My Finger On It." Kershaw is sometimes referred
to as the "heir apparent to the legendary George Jones."
Spin this album a time or two and you'll hear why. Another nice solid
release from one of country music's most reliable performers.
Katey
Laurel - Periscope (CD, Roaring Twenties,
Pop)
The third full-length studio album from Katey Laurel. Ms. Laurel
is one talented lady driven to succeed. We've been impressed by her music
in the past. And we have a strange feeling that Periscope is going
to be the album that pushes her career to the next level. Katey writes songs
that could be appreciated by just about anyone who loves smart melodic modern
pop. She isn't taking the artsy or noisy approach with her music. These
tracks are slick, polished, and accessible. But don't let that scare you
away. Even though we detest the majority of twenty-first century commercial
pop, we always appreciate the slick stuff when it's created for the right
reasons. And you can bet your best Easter bonnet that Laurel's songs were
created first and foremost because she loves making music. Her passion for
what she does clearly shines through on these tracks. Produced by Warren
Huart, Periscope "...explores the dichotomy and tension
in which most humans live." And that makes for some interesting
lyrics and observations. Ten well-crafted cuts here including "The
Optimist," "All The Way Home," "Battlesong," and
"Beautiful World."
Julie
Lee - Till and Mule (Independently released
CD, Pop)
It seems ironic that only a couple of days ago we were spinning Mary
Hopkins' incredible Postcard (the fifth album released on The
Beatles' Apple label)...because Julie Lee's voice immediately
reminded us of Ms. Hopkins. Although the voices are similar, the style of
music is quite different. Rather than pure pop, Lee presents moody dreamy
modern pop that has a nice organic feel. This is Julie's eighth full-length
release. It was originally intended to be a double disc but was finally
pared down to a single CD. Lee has worked with a variety of well-known artists
over the years including Jars of Clay, Peter Cooper & Eric Brace,
Alison Krauss, Pam Tillis, and many more. Nashville is producing much
more than processed cheese country artists these days. Lee is yet another
example of the extreme variety of cool talent found in Music City. Till
and Mule is smart, resilient, provocative, and rewarding. Ten groovy
cuts here and they all hit the target. Our initial favorites include "Bravely,"
"Till and Mule," "You Found Me," and "Never Mine."
Jodee
Lewis - Whiskey Halo (Independently
released CD, Country/pop)
There's so much country pop in the world that sounds like plasticized slices
of processed cheese. It's always refreshing to come across an artist whose
music doesn't fall prey to the makings of that big money machine in the
sky. To quote directly from her web site, Ms. Lewis is "a native
of the Missouri Ozarks, Jodee was raised on folk songs and honky-tonk, and
her music reflects the best of both worlds." That pretty much sums
things up rather succinctly. Whiskey Halo presents thirteen well-crafted
tracks that incorporate elements from country, pop, and bluegrass. Jodee's
got a voice that really pushes her songs to the next level. She's got a
very resonant sound and the way she delivers her tunes is both genuine and
personal. Some of these songs are reminiscent of Alison Krauss but
Jodee is by no means a copycat artist. If you've grown tired of all the
country music artists whose music sounds virtually the same...Whiskey
Halo will come across like a welcome breath of fresh air. Our favorite
tracks include "O, Mother," "In The End," "All
Alone," and "There Is A Fountain."
Joey Molland - Return To Memphis (Independently released CD, Pop)
Joey Molland's name will forever be associated with the legendary
British band Badfinger. Molland was a member of the band during its
peak and, fortunately, did follow the path chosen by the other members.
Molland was third-in-line in terms of songwriting, following the lead provided
by Pete Ham and Tom Evans. So it somehow seems interesting
that he would be the one to survive and continue playing music for so long.
Return To Memphis is the fourth solo release from Molland. Named
after the city where it was recorded, the album was produced by Carl
'Blue' Wise and features backing musicians Dave Smith (bass),
Lester Snell (piano, keys), and Steve Potts (drums). Joey
plays all the guitars on the album. Molland's voice still sounds remarkably
similar to his Badfinger days...but the songs on this album are a departure
in many ways. More subdued and soulful, these cuts reflect where Joey probably
feels most comfortable in 2014. With the release of this album, Molland
once again proves that his musical spirit is still alive and relevant in
the twenty-first century. Cool upbeat pop cuts include "Walk Out In
The Rain," "Frank and Me," "All I Need Is Love,"
and "Still I Love You."
The
Muggies - 1st Album (CD, Popular,
Pop/rock)
Friendly upbeat underground guitar pop/rock. The Muggies is the one
man band driven by the talents of Josh Paladini...although it wasn't
always that way. The group's origins go all the way back to 1999 (see the
band web site for details of how the band evolved...link above). 1st
Album features cool and refreshing pop tunes that are instantly appealing.
Paladini's got a great voice that's exactly suited for underground pop...and
the guy's an absolute top notch one man band. We like the fact that these
tunes are, for the most part, delivered in a very straightforward manner.
The emphasis is on lyrics, vocal melodies, kickass guitars, and inviting
grooves. Many of these tracks harken back to the late 1980s and early 1990s
when underground guitar pop was all the rage. Twelve clever cuts here including
"Kiss Me Jane," "Julie In A Bottle," "Funky Lurch,"
and "Big In Britain."
The
New Sound of Numbers - Invisible Magnetic
(Vinyl LP, Cloud Recordings,
Pop/rock)
The New Sound of Numbers is a new Athens, Georgia-based band that
is fronted by Hannah Jones and also includes former members of Pylon,
Olivia Tremor Control, and Bubbly Mommy Gun. This is the band's
second full-length release and it's bound to please music fans all over
the globe. The tunes on Invisible Magnetic are reminiscent of new
wave artists from the late 1970s and early 1980s when there were nifty new
threads of excitement entering the world of pop music. If you like upbeat
stuff that puts you in a great mood, there's a good chance you're gonna
go apeshit over this album. Jones has a great voice and you can just feel
her positive presence here. Fourteen way groovy cuts including "Invisible
Magnetic," "Complete," "Green Wind," "Feel,"
and "Galaxies." Pressed on beautiful clear blue vinyl. Top pick.
Nox Boys - Nox Boys (CD, Get
Hip, Garage rock/psychedelic)
If you're into garage rock, you probably already know the best place to
find the cream of the crop is on Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's Get Hip Recordings
label. Based in the same city as the label are Nox Boys...four guys
who know how to turn up and play some totally cool and refreshing garage
rock infused with threads of neat psychedelia. Recorded in Detroit, Michigan
with Jim Diamond at the helm, this self-titled album has an infectious
feel and sound that will appeal to a wide range of music fans. The guitars
are loud and fuzzy, the rhythms tight and danceable, and the vocals are
always spot on. In a world where so many artists are overusing technology
to make up for a lack of talent and songs, this band stands out like a sore
thumb. You won't hear tons of digital effects here. No unnecessary overdubs.
No wall of sound. Just four guys playing like their lives depend on it.
Eleven well-crafted rockers. Our favorites include "Desperate Girl,"
"Mrs. Jackson," and "Mr. No One." Great loud gutsy stuff
delivered with style.
Nudie - Remember This (Independently released CD, Pop)
With a name like Nudie there's no telling what kind of initial images
might appear in the mind of the listener. But names can be misleading, of
course...and folks will probably be surprised at how normal and instantly
accessible the music on Remember This is. Nudie originally fronted
the band Nudie and the Turks who were out and about from 2005 to
2012. The band experienced a good bit of success before he decided to go
solo. This is an extremely strong solo debut. The songs are basic Americana
pop with a heavy emphasis on lyrics and vocal melodies. Instead of relying
on gimmicks or technology, Nudie lets his songs speak for themselves...using
only the essentials necessary in order to get the point across. This guy
has the voice and the presence to go all the way. His overall sound could
appeal to millions and millions of music fans. Smart classic cuts include
"If A Heart Could Tell," "Sex Kisses," "Walking
The Streets," and "I Miss The Love (But I Never Miss You)."
Top pick.
Kirk
O'Riordan - Strange Flowers: Chamber Music
by Kirk O'Riordan (CD, Ravello,
Classical)
Kirk O'Riordan is a composer, conductor, and saxophonist who currently
works at Lafayette College where he teaches composition and music theory.
Before this, he was a faculty member at Bucknell University and Susquehanna
University. Kirk has received numerous awards for his compositions and his
works have been performed all over the world. Strange Flowers is
his first album to be released on the Ravello label. It features six of
O'Riordan's chamber works as performed by Marianne Gythfeldt, Holly Roadfeldt,
Reuben Council, and Lawrence Stomberg. The compositions on this
album are sparse, reflective, and emotional...and they are presented simply
without unnecessary instruments or effects clouding the music. Divided into
six sections, Strange Flowers serves as an excellent introduction
to this man's subtle captivating sound. Our favorites include "Sonata
Rapsodica," "Pressing Forward, Pushing Back," and "A
Strange Flower for Bids and Butterflies." The album is meant to be
played as a whole as together the compositions tell a story. Intriguing.
Saving Mr. Banks - 2-Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack: Original Music by Thomas
Newman (Double CD, Disney,
Soundtrack)
There are few films in the world that are as universally loved and appreciated
as Walt Disney's Mary Poppins. At the time of its release the movie
seemed to serve as a perfect example of America's fascination with great
storytelling and everything British. Not only was the film a smashing success,
but the accompanying soundtrack album was also tremendously popular. And
all those familiar songs written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert
B. Sherman remain all-time favorites even to this day. Most folks probably
aren't aware of what a long and difficult affair it was for the film to
actually be made...and that is the subject of Saving Mr. Banks. The
seeds for the project were sewn when Walt's daughters begged him to make
a movie of their favorite book written by P.L. Travers. But things
didn't go as quickly and as smoothly as planned. Instead of welcoming the
idea, Travers was initially totally against it. And it took Disney about
20 years (!) to finally convince her that the movie would be a good idea.
And that was only after sales of the book were declining which caused Travers
to reconsider. Saving Mr. Banks features Tom Hanks as Walt
Disney and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers. Film composer extraordinaire
Thomas Newman created the original music for the film. Thomas is
one of our all-time favorite composers, creating music for such unforgettable
classics as The Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty, Lemony Snicket's
A Series of Unfortunate Events, Wall-E, and more. In addition to the
music from the new film, this deluxe double disc set includes a second CD
which includes the Mary Poppins pre-demo recordings of the songs "The
Pearly Song," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Tuppence A Bag,"
and "Let's Go Fly A Kite" (some song titles were obviously
changed later on). Mary Poppins fans and filmgoers everywhere are bound
to go ape over this one. We just saw the film and we can sum it up by saying...this
is one of the best films we have ever seen. Yet another resounding
hit for Disney.
Setting
Sun - Be Here When You Get There (CD,
Young Love, Pop)
Setting Sun is a way cool underground pop band currently based in
Brooklyn, New York. Be Here When You Get There will hopefully be
the album that makes more music fans aware of this cool band. If smart songs
and integrity have anything to do it, that's exactly what will happen. This
band is the project spearheaded by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist
Gary Levitt and a continually revolving cast of supporting musicians.
The album opens with the immediately inviting sound of "Got It Made,"
a song that--in a perfect world--would be an instant hit. There's already
a video the band created that can be seen on the web site (click link
above). Some of the songs on this album remind us of Donovan's
albums from the late 1970s, a period during which he wrote some of his best
material even though very few folks seemed to notice it at the time. Like
Donovan, Levitt has a great subdued breathy voice that is the centerpiece
of his compositions. Ten well-written tracks here including "Got It
Made," "Selfish Love," "Seasons," and "Singularity."
Truly nifty stuff.
The
Sexbots - Junk Sick (Independently released
CD, Electronic/dance/pop)
We totally dig The Sexbots. Driven by the creative energies of a
cool lady named Ilma Considine, the band's music is a blast back
to the 1980s and 1990s when techno/dance artists were all the rage. Recorded
in her own living room and bedroom, Junk Sick is yet another rewarding
collection of modern dance tracks. While the steady 4/4 beats pulse, dreamy
keyboards pump in and out of the mix, with everything supporting those neat
breathy vocals that Sexbots fans have come to know and love. What we love
most about Considine's music is how direct and uncomplicated it is. Instead
of being overproduced to death (which is the case with 99.9% of most modern
dance music), her songs feature only the essentials. If you love intoxicating
dance music, you owe it to yourself to check out this album. Eleven well-crafted
tunes including "The Only Thing," "My Job Is To Make Love
To Strangers," "Petting A Cat," and "You Get A Taste."
Recommended. Top pick.
Snowflake - We All Grow Toward The Sea (CD, The
Satellite Union, Progressive pop)
Intriguingly produced modern progressive pop from well-known producer/mixer
D. James Goodwin. Goodwin has worked with a remarkable array of artists
over the years including (but not limited to) Norah Jones, The
Bravery, and Devo. We All Grow Toward The Sea was recorded
entirely by Goodwin in 2012 and it's quite a remarkable debut. Although
we don't get the impression there's any aping of other artists happening
here, the overall sound of these tunes reminds us of some of the great progressive
artists from the past like Pink Floyd, early Peter Gabriel-era
Genesis, and Jethro Tull. This album is a great showcase not
only for Goodwin's producing talents, but also for his skills as a unique
songwriter. Nine perfectly executed tracks here...dreamy and eclectic...focused
and ultimately satisfying. Our favorite tracks include "Bombs,"
"Fifteen Degrees and the Sea Is Quiet," and "Snakes and Spiders."
Absolutely killer vocals throughout.
Spelling
Bee - Caterwaul (CD, Pancake
Productions, Harsh underground experimental rock)
If you've been feeling kinda sleepy and lethargic lately and need a good
kick in the nuts...Caterwaul will most likely deliver the jolt you
need. This band plays a harsh and intense style of underground rock that
employs elements from thrash, punk, metal, and modern jazz. The overall
sound is directed to a very specific audience, that being folks who really
like it loud, intense, and over-the-top. We love the cool unexpected energy
blasts here. These folks play with unbridled fire in their souls and they
aren't afraid to frighten folks with their strange sound. Nine perplexing
tracks that clock in at just under eighteen minutes. Cool stuff. The fine
folks at Pancake Productions also sent us some brand new vinyl 45s from
Googolplexia and Bunnygrunt. Hot damn!
Sweet - Hits (CD, Angel
Air, Pop)
The story of the British band The Sweet is an odd one. More calculated
than their peers at the time (T. Rex, Queen), the band seems
to have been created mainly as a hit making machine for the songwriting
duo of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, two fellows who could
certainly write some ultra catchy tracks. Eventually the band members took
on more and more of the writing chores but in the early days Chinn and Chapman
wrote most of the successful tracks. After the band's initial splash Brian
Connolly left the band due to well-documented substance abuse and personal
problems. Thus, Andy Scott is the only surviving member from the
early days continuing to carry the torch for the band's fans around the
world. This time he's come up with what most of the fans probably want most...reworkings
of the early hits with all the advantages that twenty-first century technology
allows. This thirteen track album features the band's best known tunes:
"Blockbuster," "Ballroom Blitz," "Fox On The Run,"
"Little Willy," and more. The songs have held up surprisingly
well over time and with the extra jolt added to these recordings, new Sweet
fans are bound to pop up all around the globe. Scott managed to capture
the original essence of these songs while injecting them with new threads
of electricity.
Tower
of Power - Hipper Than Hip (Double CD,
Warner Bros., Pop/rock/funk)
It's 1974 and the guys in the power funk band Tower of Power are
on top of their game. During touring the guys stopped off at the Ultrasonic
Recording Studio in Hempstead, Long Island and recorded a live-in-the-studio
concert that was broadcast over WLIR-FM on May 14. Switch to 2012. A tape
collector sends the band his recording of the show. They flip out and plans
were immediately underway to release this long lost concert recording to
the public. The result...is the mind-boggling intensity of the tracks on
Hipper Than Hip...a double CD set featuring some of the most intense
and gripping pop/rock/funk ever recorded. The band rips through fourteen
of their best tracks including our all-time favorite, "Down To The
Nightclub" (we were turned onto the track via one of Warner Bros.
Loss Leaders albums way back when). Even though these cuts were captured
about about four decades ago, they still sound completely fresh and vital.
Hats off to the band and the fine folks at Warner Bros. for making these
recordings available to the public. Frenetic, intense, and irresistible...
Top pick.
Kate
Tucker and the Sons of Sweden - The Shape
The Color The Feel (CD, Red Valise Recordings, Pop)
Kate Tucker is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter with a passion
to create, share, and entertain. Originally from Akron, Ohio, Tucker eventually
moved to Paris, France...then to Seattle, Washington...and Brooklyn, New
York...before eventually settling in the ultimately hip city of Nashville,
Tennessee. The Shape The Color The Feel is a collaborative project
in which several different artists/film makers were enlisted to create videos
for each song on the album. In addition, Australia's Jessie English
has created a photo installation based on the songs that will be showing
in different galleries around the world to bring attention to the release
of the album. The ten tracks on this album feature dreamy melodic modern
pop with a heavy emphasis on arrangements. Housed in a beautifully designed
cardboard foldout sleeve (complete with thick glossy lyric booklet), this
album will appeal to a wide range of listeners. The songs are smart and
solid and they are delivered with style and integrity. All of these tracks
hit the target, but out own particular favorites include "Hangover,"
"Looking Around," "Best Friends' Love," and "Island
of the Misfit." Top pick.
Twink - Happy Houses (Independently released CD, Toy pop instrumentals)
Toy instruments have managed to occasionally snuggle their way into pop
and rock music over the past few decades. But in most cases the instruments
are used for one song or one album...and they are usually just novelties
an artist uses to create a new or temporary sound. Mike Langlie (the
man who is Twink) has turned his fascination with toy instruments
into a lifelong career. And, as such, he is now the reigning king of the
genre. With multiple albums under his belt (almost all of which have received
unanimous praise), Langlie has created a unique presence in the world of
music by sticking to what he enjoys. Instead of changing his sound to meet
the expectations or demands of others, Langlie has remained surprisingly
constant over the years. But he always manages to capture and captivate
his legion of fans with every release. Happy Houses was recorded
to celebrate Mike's recent move to a nineteenth century gingerbread house.
For this album, Langlie enlisted support from some friends playing real
(!) instruments. Backing the toys this time around are Burt Mueller
(guitar, banjo), Matt Renzi (horns, flutes), Guy Turner (melodic
bass), and Jair-Rohm (melodic bass). The basic Twink sound remains
intact...but this time the sound is fuller and more produced sounding. Will
this be the one to introduce Twink music to the masses? There's no way of
knowing. But more importantly, Langlie's musical experiments are once again
a resounding artistic success. This is a short album clocking in at just
under thirty minutes. Eight killer cuts here including "Close To Home,"
"Chickaboo," "Turtle Trap," and "Frankentoy."
We could never ever get enough of this stuff. Wonderfully different
instrumentals overflowing with pure imagination. Highly recommended music
for anyone who still knows how to have some real fun out there in the world...
TOP PICK.
Michael
Vlatkovich Quartet - You're Too Dimensional
(CD, pfMENTUM, Modern jazz)
This album arrived in our trusty mailbox without any accompanying information.
But because we've reviewed Michael Vlatkovich's music before...and
because the CD was released by the fine folks at pfMENTUM
label we knew it would be great. And...it is. Vlatkovich is
one of the best improvisational trombone players around and his music never
fails to please. Clocking in at just under an hour, the humorously titled
You're Too Dimensional offers a mighty nice and satisfying slice
of modern jazz music. Spontaneity is the key word here as Vlatkovich and
his comrades feed off one another's energies...creating some strangely moody
and intoxicating music. Joining Michael on these tracks are Jim Knodle
on trumpet, Phil Sparks on bass, and Greg Campbell on drums
and french horn. The players are focused and proficient from start to finish.
Ten curious tracks here with titles that are even more curious. Our favorite
cuts include "No Candy For the Wagon Full of Devils," "Blue
Peepers," "The Curious Intensity of a Refrigerator Defrosting,"
and "Fools, Drunks & Angels." Way cool stuff with cool exotic
vibes.
PT
Walkley - Shoulders (CD, Bathing
Suit Music, Pop)
Highly produced soulful modern pop from PT Walkley. This young musician
has made quite a name for himself in the world of television and film composition.
He is probably best known up to this point in time for the music he has
created for the Nickelodeon show Team Umizoomi, the perpetually popular
children's show Sesame Street, and even Super Bowl commercials for
Bud Light and Ritz. But our guess is that Walkley's real passion is directly
related to creating his own pop music. Although he hasn't achieved mass
fame in his solo career...yet...Walkley has managed to impress a
large number of music fans, DJs, and reviewers along the way. Shoulders
presents a pure blast of modern day soul-influenced pop that is heavily
produced with multiple layers of sound. Thirteen interesting tracks here
including "Leeches," "Don't Forget About Me," "Children,"
and "A Toast."
Ron
White - Live Performance at Andrew
Jackson Hall (January 11, 2014, Nashville, TN)
We're not particularly keen on Blue Collar Comedy's Ron White.
But when we were offered free tickets, we knew we had to go...just
for the experience, whatever it might be. Heading into the auditorium was
weird. A bored female voice kept warning repeatedly that "NO RECORDING
DEVICES ARE ALLOWED" and crap like that. But meanwhile no one was frisking
anyone...so of course it was impossible to enforce this ridiculous
rule. It certainly didn't make folks feel relaxed and welcome. And once
you get an idea of what the show consisted of (keep on a' readin')
it seemed even more peculiar that anyone would even want to record
it (!). Andrew Jackson Hall is beautiful and the seats were comfortable
although a bit claustrophobic. Even with the great seats I was forced to
sit next to an obese pig that couldn't keep its blubber from flopping over
into the adjoining seats...sheesh! But anyway, ladies and gentlemen, on
to the show... There was an opening act, some comedian whose name escapes
us. He was NOT FUNNY AT ALL. Just about every joke centered around sex.
B-O-R-I-N-G. Sex isn't a very creative topic anyway, much less when it's
used for cheap jokes. We couldn't wait for the guy to leave the stage.
We didn't laugh once. Whoever he was, he was...AWFUL. Bad choice
of an opening act. Then came the man who everyone had paid $55 (?!!!!?)
to see...Mr. Ron White. He was immediately welcomed by the crowd. The folks
attending the show obviously love him. From what we'd seen and heard from
White in the past we didn't really like or dislike him. He was just some
miscellaneous comedian we'd seen once or twice who didn't make much of an
impression. On this particular night, we were surprised that Ron actually
made us laugh several times. That's the good part, and somewhat of a surprise.
He can be very, very funny. Ron does indeed have some good material and
he has the personality and presence to really work a crowd. The bad part...is
that he proudly chain-smoked and drank Tequila throughout the entire show.
Not impressive...at all. Rather sadly, as he got near the end of
his act, the alcohol was affecting his speech and his timing. Thus unfortunately
the show went on for about fifteen grueling minutes too long. We enjoyed
some segments to be certain. But near the end Ron started going off about
some stupid yacht party he attended that was given by Dr. Phil (yeeeeecccccchhhhhh...)
and his shitty wife Robin (double yeeeeecccccchhhhhh...).
At this point not only we were NOT impressed...we were also completely sickened
by the fact that he was bragging about hanging out with two MAJOR LEAGUE
SHITHEADS. What we found surprising was that quite a few people had actually
shelled out even more money to hang around after the show (y'know...those
dreaded VIP crapola tickets that appeal to retards...). Leaving the
show we felt kinda sad. After all, Ron is a likable guy who comes up with
some funny material. It seems unfortunate that he's choosing to destroy
himself (physically and mentally) with alcohol. He may think it's funny.
But if you've ever dealt with an alcoholic in the real world you know it's
not funny...AT ALL. Would we do this all over again? Well absolutely.
If it's FREE...then whee whee WHEE. But if we HAD paid to
see this "show"...we would have left feeling completely RIPPED
OFF.
Chris
Wild / Ensemble
Dal Niente - Abhanden (CD, Navona, Classical)
Strange moody classical music featuring Chris Wild on cello and his
musical associates in Chicago's Ensemble Dal Niente. Wild is Director
of Orchestras at DeKalb High School and is also the co-founder of The
Music Room, a group of musicians who play contemporary music in and
around Chicago. To quote directly from the web site, the Ensemble Dal Niente
"...is a Chicago-based contemporary music collective that presents
and performs new music in ways that redefine the listening experience and
advance the art form." You may be able to guess that Abhanden
is not your average collection of works featuring the music of Beethoven
and Bach. This album presents work by lesser-known composers whose music
is more unusual and provocative. This album presents six pieces by composers
Chinary Ung, Claude Vivier, Daniel Dehaan, Andrew Greenwald, Marcos Balter,
and Eliza Brown. These pieces tend to have a nice wide open sound,
never cluttered or over-arranged. This may be too peculiar for the casual
classical fan. But for those who are more adventurous, there's a lot to
love here. Our favorite tracks are "Spiral," "If It Encounters
the Animal, If It Becomes Animalized," and "Memoria."
Winter
By Lake - Wooden Spirits (CD, Traveling Music, Folktronica)
Totally cool and moody French groove pop. This is the second full-length
release from Winter By Lake...and it's a keeper. The album features
nine subtle voyages into the world of modern electronic pop. These songs
are dreamy and direct, slightly commercial, but much more artistic in nature
overall. We can't speak or read French, so we couldn't make out much from
the press release that accompanied this album. But we were able to determine
that the band is the solo project created by Nicolas Cancel. One
of the reasons why Cancel's songs work so well...is the fact that they are
presented so simply without a lot of unnecessary ingredients muddying the
mix. The arrangements here are specific to each song...and the vocals are
wonderfully breathy and hushed. If you're a fan of folktronica, dream pop,
or electronica...there's a good chance you'll totally dig the nifty heady
sound of these tracks. Our favorite cuts include "Night Birds,"
"The Fall," and "The War Is Over." Top pick.
A
Activator - Activator
Amen Ittys - Pliers
Alana Amram & The Rogh Gems - Spring river
Annette - Dream with me
Apollo Chamber Players - European folkscapes
Arrested Development - At long last...music ans songs from Arrested Development
Auris + Gino - Rub
B
Sherman Baker - Sherman Baker
Bee Bee Bee Bee - Eee Eee Eee Eee
Erica Blinn - Lovers in the dust
Roger Bourland - Four quartets of songs and arias
Bowed Piano Ensemble - Ice and fire
Ellen Burr / Michael Unruh - Where am i from, where am i going
Rosemary Butler - You just watch me
C
Che Prasad - Christmastime in the apocalypse
Che Prasad - Shiva me timbers
David G. Cortes - Time away but home again
D
Bob Dorough - Bob Dorough
Drockulette - Smock
E
Jace Everett - Terra rosa
Jace Everett Bad things
Ezzeethere - Not so...
F
Fair Ophelia - 2
Far West - Any day now
Foundations - Modern works in the clasical tradition
Morgan Frazier - Morgan Frazier
Frozen - Original soundtrack
G
Nick Gallant - Wanderlust
Glass House - Long way down
Global Unified - Global Unified
Good Grief / Eureka California - Rusty nail & another round b/w Turn
on autopilot, DC sniper
H
Hard Soul - Seize the year
Kandia Crazy Horse - Stampede
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - The musical
I
Il Rumore Bianco - Mediocrazia
Intimate Dream - Wonderful thing
J
Jokeless - Smoke free
Carolyn Lee Jones - The performer
Just A Machine - Piqured jacks
K
Kaak - Licked and licker
Adrian Krygowski - Roam
L
Jackie Lomax - Against all odds
M
Machine Don't Lie - Nobody panic
Magnolia - Magnolia
Ray Majors - The 7% solution
Josh Matthews - A sides
McCormick Percussion Group - Soli for soprano with percussion orchestra
Moistboyz - 5
Mud - Original motion picture soundtrack: Score by David Wingo
My Education - 5 popes
N
O
Old Cabin - Old Cabin
Oooooo - Noooooo
Orchestra of Spheres - Vibration animal sex brain music
P
Troy Petty - Fairy tale pen
Q
R
Reacta - Refraction
James Tristan Redding - Walking into Brooklyn
Royal Oui - Royal Oui
S
Sarah - Featuring Bruce Barth
Scan Hopper - Mariana bridges
David Serby and the Latest Scam - David Serby and the Latest Scam
Sine Qua Non - Simple pleasures
Spell Kasters - Kastin' the spell
Spycker - Voted away
T
Dinah Thorpe - Lullabies & walke up calls
Tippy - Getting Tippy
Alex Tjoland Band - Silent revelry
U
Ugly Quartet - Mars needs Maurice
V
Vinny Vegas - The big white whale
W
Week of Wonders - Piggybacks b/w The end of the day
Stan Wells - High tide
Woodshedders - Wildfire
X
Y
Yippee - A, D, and U
Z
Frank Zappa - Everyone hates my wife now
