|
|
|
   |
|
|
|
| If you haven't heard about Kimmie Rhodes and like music in the vein of Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams it's about time you discover her. Her new album "Dreams of Flying" is a sweet little piece of plastic with Kimmies "fragile" voice telling stories with a backup band containing Charlie Sexton (Bob Dylan), John Gardner (The Dixie Chicks, Jesse Winchester, James Taylor). The duet with Joe Ely - "Catch The Wind" is a lovely cover of Donovans evergreen. Good album indeed. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Los Angeles, comes the trio Kyng. The band was formed in 2008 and released last year, this heavy and riffbased debut. Musically speaking, they are in the same area as Soundgarden with clear grunge influences and a dirty Seattle sound. However, there is a nice portion of Stonerrock like Queens Of The Stone Age involved which make them both exciting and alternative. However, I find their style cooler than the song material, which is a shame. There are no songs that stand out and most of the songs go in the same tempo, which makes it monotonous in the long run.
Tracks like "Falling Down" and "I Do not Believe" are perfectly acceptable, but there are few songs that stands out on "Trampled Sun" and think it is a record you can do without.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toronto based singer/songwriter Laura Aidenblaise released her self titled debut EP in 2004 and now 3 years later, she returns with the new 7 track EP "Get thee to the world".
She is a talented vocalist with a voice and songs somewhere between Janis Joplin and Joan Osbourne, the music is acoustic based but can still be considered as bluesrock with elements of folkrock.
I wasn´t so sure that this was a good combination but the second time I listened to this EP, I really do must say that Laura Aidenblaise knows exactly what she´s doing.
She´s the real thing with heartfelt melodies and thoughtful lyrics, Laura describes her music as Lo-Fi Earth Rock which is perfect if you ask me.
Highlights:Bloodlove, Debauched |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Here is a CD for you who like new modern singer songwriter pop with clever lyrics. Mark Aston delivers a nice and well-performed journey containing 10 tracks. There is a cool unique touch over the album that pleases me, but I can?t point on what it is. The production is quite low-keyed with a few flirts of both world music such as the beautiful ?Egyptian Time? (without saying it?s world music though) and a more Tom Petty-esque ? soundscapes in songs like ?Over The Hill?. But the best tunes on here are the very beautiful ?You?re Not Alone? and the suggestive ?Same Song?. Marks voice is nice and is quite close to ? hold your horses now ? Chris De Burgh. I?m saying that as a compliment cause the man with the lady in red sings really good believe it or not. So all in all, a pleasant discovery and take a listen yourself at the link attached to this review. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Midwestern skies (from 96) is the name of one of the best songs ever written and also the name of this site?s origin before we changed to melodic.net,so it?s no wonder we
keep a close look at the author of that song by the name of Mark Spiro,with every step that he takes,everymove that he makes,every breath that he takes-we?ll be watching him.
Some songwriters are rockers and some are poets but Spiro is both a rocker and a poet,Mark is the greatest infamous songwriter on earth because whenever you think of artists like John Waite,Mr.Big,Giant,Heart,Bad English and Cheap Trick etc. most people doesn?t realize it?s Spiro?s songs they?re listening to.
Take Julian Lennon?s great song and big hit "Saltwater" for example,how many of you out there
knows that Mark Spiro has cowritten it with Lennon?
If all those millions of people should go directly to the source,Spiro would be selling millions of copies of his own solo albums.He is not only a singer/
songwriter-he is THE singer/songwriter!
Mark is around to give us the wonderful gift of his music and will be around 4-ever too because he?s a legend in his own time and a legend never dies,"King of the crows" is his first album in 4 years and it?s like hearing the masterpiece "Now is then,then is now" but in a "Care of my soul" suit.
The songs on the new album are more like that classic record from 96(with Midwestern skies on it) but more acoustic driven,"Care of my soul"(94) may feel a little difficult for many to understand with it?s deep acoustic pop/rock but after hearing this new album I believe it?s easier to get through "C.O.M.S"
?coz they are like cousins.
"Now is then...." is a perfect AOR album and one of the best albums ever made so when Mark takes his music out to the public again,he does it with his 2nd best
album up to date and it was meant to be called "24 Hours" first but was changed to "King of the crows",a much better title ofcourse.
"Devotion"(97) had a lot of great unforgettable tracks but had too much of a low budget production so many of his fans liked the following "The stuff that
dreams are made of" (99) better ?coz it was better produced even though the songs weren?t as good as the ones on the 2 previous ones,none of these albums
can match "Now is then..." but a combination of great songs and a great production can be found on "King of
the crows" which is his 6th solo album(if you count In Stereo from 86).
With him on guitar is the outstanding axeman Tim Pierce which has the worlds most gorgeous hat,so it?s not only the Mark?s melodies you can enjoy to max-it?s
also Tim?s stunning guitarplaying.
We?ve got 12 new songs here,12 new apples in the fruit basket,12 cold beers waiting at home after a hot sunny day to share with your friends,"Julia" is a top
10 song with this guy if I should pick out his best stuff,the song has fantastic lyrics and I know it?s the no:1 choice in the kareoke machine at heaven?s gate,they?re all dancing and singing to that tune up
there....I?m sure!
"Saving grace" is the most electric uptempo song on the record and feels like the lost sister of the songs on "Now is then",AOR at it?s best ladies and gents.
Talking about Julian?s "Saltwater",there is one track that reminds a bit of that one and it?s "Everybody needs",a new side to Spiro which we haven?t heard so much of before...something fresh.
Another one that is real special is the Mr.Mister/Toy Matinee? smelling "When winter comes",supermoody song of highest quality and "Cracked" will satisfy every
midwest lover out there and even if you?re an anti-midwest person I know this song will surprise you too.
If Mark should play "Now is then" unplugged on a concert,the songs "One horse town","Always" and "It?s all about you" on the new CD will fit in perfectly in that set.
Do you care about music?!,well Mark takes care of you!
June 16th is the release date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I almost wrote a book as a review of Spiro?s previous album "King of the crows" (2003) so I will shorten it a lot this time when I?m writing about his 7th and new studio album "Mighty blue ocean" that is out in stores now.
The modern touch of his unique singer/songwriter style really works out for the best on this new album,I also think that it must be his most poppy album so far coz most of the tracks are uptempo and written in the major key.
It?s a shame though that Mark insists on recording with a drum machine coz the sound is a bit too programmed,however there?s only one Spiro in this world and he?s hard to beat when it comes to storytelling songs and timeless melodies.
Thanks to Atenzia records,we get to hear these wonderful new Spiro compositions that will make you dance the ballet of life! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Spiro is a big hero and has with his now eight albums spoiled us with world-class pop. My favorites are "Care Of My Soul" with its quirky undertone and "Now Is Then, Then Is Now" with its clean sound and great songs. But the other albums hold a very high standard of course since he is an outstanding songwriter and melody makers.
That this album would come out was for me a big event on several levels. First, it means that he was feeling much better after a long serious illness struggle that has been a very tough fight. Can’t really imagine what he went through! The fact that we have a new album full of feel good pop is secondary in this case, but still a great moment musically of course.
"It's A Beautiful Life" follows the same track as the later records with a modern singer / songwriter style with clear pop influences. And as always, we get a lot of very fine songs, written with a personal warmth and feeling that few can handle. The catchy "I Know Who I Love" and "Dream Big, Pray Hard" stands out here, but really cannot find a single tracks that isn’t really good.
However, if I can be picky on something is it on his production, which feels very digital, again. It takes a little edge from his warm and beautiful melodies, but on the other hand, it ‘s the sound he has used on the last albums and it feels very Mark Spiro over it.
So if you like what he did in the past, this is an album you should check out. The melodies are here as usual and Marks singing is of course fantastic as always! Welcome back Mark!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mark Spiros album 'Care Of My Soul" which was released in 1994, is one of the best albums ever released. The genious pop that Mark presented on the album is all that is needed to satisfy me. Great songs, great lyrics, a wonderful production and on top of that Mark Spiro unique and personal voice. Now - 18 years after the disc was released for the first time, it comes in a version with two extra songs that are also world-class - Hey Daisy and the track Encinitas which have a little more modern production in the programmed drum beat as an extra spice. The disc is released in a beautiful digipack with a thick booklet with of course all texts included. Have you not heard this brilliant man before it's not too late to discover him. Do it today. For those of you who already have "Care Of My Soul " in you collection. Buy it again. First, for the nice package and partly for the two extra tracks. Music does not get better than this. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It?s always funny when you hear albums in the genre ?girls and acoustic guitars? that are fresh and that deliver something new to the genre. It is also very fun when it is a girl you never have heard of before. Thanks to the mighty myspace.com I came across this girl a month a go and this CD have been in my CDplayer a lot since that day. She got a really really good voice this girl. And the production signed by Chris Keup (Jason Mraz, Josh Kelly, Jonathan Rice) and producer/engineer Stewart Myers (Lifehouse, Rachel Yamagata, Liz Phair) doesn?t have much more to wish for. It?s lovely.
And the songwriting doesn?t have much more to wish for that one either? Musically we?re somewhere between Jann Arden, Lisa Loeb, Shawn Colvin and Sarah McLachlan in style. Add a tiny little spice of the southern part of the US and we?re at the garden of Meg.
The album opens with ?Chicago? which is a very nice opener and continues with ?Please Let Me Go? which is the type of song you want Lisa Loeb to write the year 2006. Then there is another 10 songs in a row which all more or less are in this high quality and all delivered with self-confidence worthy a star in this genre. If you like the girls I just mentioned in the review you don?t need to hesitate a single second before you buy this album. Do it today. www.myspace.com/megallisonmusic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Every once in a while comes a record that is really hard to describe the sound of, Los Angeles based Michael Addison´s debut "Always you" is such an album. I lifted my eyebrows when I noticed his cd features contributions from Christine Wu (Usher, Beyonce) and Ryan Hoyle (formerly of Collective Soul), but what about that dreadful album cover? It looks like it´s made in photoshop by an amateur, Addison should work a bit harder on the artwork next time. The music has a little bit of everything I think, take a piece of early Goo Goo Dolls with a spoon of Crash Test Dummies and add a touch of Dashboard Confessional but don´t forget to spice it up with R.E.M and you´ll get "Always you". The songs are well performed where my favorites are "Blue sunshine" and the title track, Addison has a fragile low ranged voice which feels a bit limited at times but I kinda like his Leonard Cohen take on "Come back to me". Cool. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
|
The most unjust with the music industry is that success and talent doesn’t have as much in common as they should have. Ok, many good bands have had great success, but in a perfect world for me, Mike Roucco would be on the big arenas with Cinder Road like a young and hungry Bon Jovi.
Even with his first band Plunge he showed great qualities and got signed to the European label Atenzia that released the very find debut, "Hometown Hero". This draw the attention to Columbia Records that signed the band and released the album "Superhuman", produced by none other than Marti Fredricksen. A truly awesome album, where the 80's met the 2000's, filled with classic rock at its best. However, this was only one album there to my great disappointment and really thought that they would get at least two chances. But the band did not give up returned in 2010 with the Scott Stevens (The Exies) produced album “Damage Control”. Once again a great piece of work and basically as good as the debut, but without any promotion you don’t have that much of chance even if you got a bunch of hits recorded.
The band disbanded, but frontman Mike Roucco continued to record and is now back with his debut solo alum debut. A handful of tracks are taken from "Damage Control" which I totally can understand as they have great potential and deserves a second chance. The new tracks are also of highest standard as before in a stylish arena format with huge melodies all over. However, it is slightly more pop-oriented this time and feels more like a solo album, which of course is really suitable.
Tracks that stand out are the new "Too Late" and "I'm Never Giving Up On You," but even the older "Losing Ground" and "It Hurts" are really magically good Modern Rock.
So if you like he did in the past or even the Bon Jovi newer records this big talent and his new album is a given check up. Awesome stuff!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You may not be aware, but the tenure of Minus the Bear has been a long one. The band was formed in 2001 and is readying their 5th full length release “Infinity Overhead” on August 28th through Dangerbird Records. If you are familiar with the band, you will get everything you want on this album and more. The band is known for their jam sound and very smooth vocal lines. This one is a little more radio friendly and upbeat, but its for the best.
With each album, it took me a while to really get into the music. Their albums didn’t hit me right away but I found myself coming back to each one and over time, really digging them. “Infinity Overhead” is an exception to that rule. From the very beginning, this album caught me and held me in.
Vocal hooks are more present on the new album than its predecessors. “Lies and Eyes” is a nice standout upbeat track to the album. The urgent riffs in the verses turn into a nice catchy chorus. We get to the real good stuff on “Diamond Lightning.” This song features a slower version of the band and a big chorus that is memorable. This 5 minute track is a sure standout. When the chorus hits with the vocal line “Liquid concrete under out feet” the song really opens up. “Heaven Is A Ghost Town” could be considered a duller track at first, but give a few listens and you will have this one on repeat.
“Lonely Gun” is the second official single released after "Steel and Blood." This is definitely one of my favorite songs from the group so far. The very upbeat wah guitar riffs transition smooth into a shred heavy chorus. You will even hear a saxophone present in this song. My Only complaint is that I wish the sax came in earlier and more prominent. This shows the true talent of this band. Not many Rock bands these days can get away with a sax.
“Cold Company” ends the record perfectly. This longer tune is more of the jam feel I as talking about that MTB has stapled in their sound. The riffs in the songs are reminiscent of those in “Secret Country.” It just pounds and rock hard throughout. I think this will become their best record to date mixing the jam rock and the radio friendliness to create this new type of sound. Minus the Bear proves that even after 4 albums and a long tenure, rock and roll is style, very much, alive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Atlanta singer/songwriter Nathan Angelo is a natural talent that started playing piano at the age of 6 and has the same soul as a coloured singer.
He?s influenced by Motown artists such as Jackson 5 and Ray Charles with a touch of modern piano driven pop a la Ben Folds, Michael Tolcher and Gavin DeGraw.
"Love sucks" is a splendid R&B influenced pop song that sounds like a major hit in my ears, "Dreams" is a beautiful song you can?t resist to love with it?s tender harmonies and "Twilight" features great harmony changes from minor key in the verse to major key in the chorus that lifts the song to new heights.
The soulful "The road home" could in fact have been featured on Steve Perry?s "Street talk" coz this song has the same feel to it as the legendary Journey singer?s compositions.
Nathan is also a great lyricist, just listen to his stories in songs like "September 22nd" or "Leigh".
This is an album you can?t be without! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Nelson brothers Matthew and Gunnar are back with a brand new studio album called Lightning Strikes Twice. It was 1991 when the twin brothers took the world by surprise with their debut album After The Rain that included the big hit (Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection, that took Nelson to the first place on Billboard. After The Rain has sold over 6,5 million copies worldwide.
They have released albums after that, but never got any major success and their latest studio album was released in 1999 called Life. That was a fantastic album filled with classic Nelson songs. Now 20 years after the classic release of their debut After The Rain, they are back and they might hope that lightning strikes twice and they get a new hit from this new album. This new album is a nice mixture of the debut and Life and they know how to bring good melodic songs with fantastic harmonies. But on the downside I feel that the songs where they flirt with country don’t make them right even if they know how to sing impressive harmony vocals.
They open the album very promising with Call Me that sounds very much like the classic Nelson that we like. But a song like the rocking Ready, Willing And Able is average and boring. But when they deliver songs such as How Can I Miss You with a Latin feel over it, I surrender.
This is absolutely fantastic mid-tempo rocker with a stunning chorus with a touch of Bon Jovi. Get this song on radio and there you have the next chart hit. You’re All I Need Tonight reminds of the debut with great guitars and the chorus is strong. When You’re Gone has a fantastic chorus with classy background vocals. But song like Come and In It For The Money could have been left out because they don’t have anything to do on this album, weak is the word.
They have left the best song for last and that is the awesome Kickin My Heart Around. This is pure Nelson magic and is the After The Rain song of the album with a sing-a-long chorus with fantastic hooklines. This is AOR-heaven. The Nelson brother has done a damn fine album that part wise has the same quality as the classic debut album, but there’s couple of average songs that takes down the grade.
But if your into Nelson, then this is a safe buy and the songs that are good are damn good. Welcome back guys and don’t wait another 11 years to record a new album. The production is top-notch and the whole album sounds tight. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Perfect Storm is a live album recorded in 1991 when the Nelson brothers toured after their successful debut album After The Rain. But I have to give you readers a warning sign here because the sound of this live album is just terrible. It sounds like a weak bootleg version and it never gets exciting because of the sound and I’m just upset of the lousy quality. This live album don’t give a fare picture of Nelson in my opinion and I’m sure it sounded much better back in the 1991 than this live album does. There’s a bonus track that might interest some Nelson fans called Keep One Heart that is a mediocre Nelson song. This song was included on the single Cross My Broken Heart from their 2nd album Because They Can (1995). No, this is a live album you can avoid if your not a die-hard collector of Nelson things. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did you know that?
U2’s 1997 music video for “Last Night on Earth” was counterculture icon William S. Burroughs’ final on-camera appearance.
|
|
latest reviews
|
|
|
|
|
|
