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| Melodic songwriting ´extra freekin vaganza´ That is what this CD is all about. I found this gentleman while surfin around at the great audiolunchbox.com (and NO I don?t get paid to write that) homepage a few weeks ago and downloaded the album after listened to a few soundbytes first. So I bought the whole album for 7.99 us-dollars and I´m happy I did, cuz it is sure a great moment in non complicated powerpop combined with a edge of modern singer songwriter and a taste of emo somewhere in the back. Anyway, its damn good performed and produced with Adam´s voice as the diamond. The opening "Mary-Anne" sets the tone with a Marvellous 3 sort of vibe, and in second out "From The Pain" my mind starts to think of a slightly tougher Toad The Wet Sprocket, and in third out "Broken Glass" the first band I start to think of it´s Guster for some weird reasons. There you have three bands that explain a bit of what we´re dealing with here. And he is playing in the same division as these bands I just mentioned in his best moments on the album. Cause if I should complain about something, that would be that there are a few tracks in the middle of the album that aren´t as strong as the rest, and the stuff he´s doin´ is not unique for a second. But I couldn´t care less when I here songs like the opening six tracks or for example track no 9 "Warzaw". Listen to the album at audiolunchbox and be thrilled. I can assure you that it will be the case. |
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There´s one thing about Al Rose´s album "My first posthumous release" that I like quite a lot and it´s the fact that it feels like Al and his band are playing in my living room.
I think it´s the production that makes them so close in the speaker system, you get a feeling of having the band at home "hear and now" so to speak.
I´m not a huge fan of bluesy folkrock but when the music bring thoughts to Neil Young, I raise my eyebrows and listen carefully.
The rocking "All the trains are gone" could´ve been featured on Young´s 1979 album "Rust never sleeps", great song.
The 3-4 last songs on the album pays a visit in Johnny Cash land and they don´t fit in on this Bob Dylan-soundalike album.
A decent record that won´t make it´s way back into my speaker system I´m afraid. |
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Into the morning is a warm contemporary piano driven pop album by Nashville artist Ben Rector. The music goes in the same footsteps of artists like Bruce Hornsby and Billy Joel but with a modern touch like Daniel Powter and Ben Folds, the songs on this album gives the listener a piece of both the 70´s and the 21st century. There´s nothing unique about Ben Rector´s songs but they feel honest and he´s a pro at delivering the music straight to the heart. I really do enjoy songs like "White dress" and "Moving backwards" a lot. The opening track "The beat" is another track which is rather irresistable, this is good stuff.
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| The loveliest voice in the music business is finally back with a new album. Bonnie who also is a fantastic guitarplayer has the good taste to use Froom and Blake as producer - so it cant go wrong, can it. Sure not. Even though I am a bit disappointed at the album. I miss some better songwriting and there are a few to many "Nonsense"-rockers on here. Her voice is still marvelous and the production is damn good, but still there is something missing, so it has to be the songs. Sure - there are some great tunes on here such as "Wherever You May Be" and the last one out - "Wounded Heart" which is a lovely ballad - with just a piano and Bonnies unique voice. All in all a little weaker than I expected but still a solid craftsmanship from the queen of voices. |
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JUST A QUICK NOTE
ARTIST: Bonnie Raitt
FOR FANS OF: Bonnie Raitt
P?R?S OPINION: The grand ol? lady Bonnie Raitt is back again with an album in her patented soul goes blues goes mainstream rock sort of genre. And once again she is solid as a rock. The album doesn?t contain one second of new thinking though, and when it is like that ? all is up to the songwriting. I mean if an album more or less sounds like the classic albums she did in the early 90?s where you found classic songs like ?I Can Make You Love Me? etc you have something to live up to? Don?t you? And that is the problem with the new album. There are a couple of really strong tracks on here but in 10 years time from now, I will put ?Nick Of Time? on the stereo instead of this album. That without saying that this album is bad. |
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Here’s an album that might just got lost among all great releases this year since it’s for now just out in Canada. But 21-year-old singer-songwriter Bret Ryan and his self titled debut is real gem if you’re into piano based power-pop on its way to “just” pop. This is actually in the same division as Something Corporate, New Radicals and a less punk-pop influenced SR-71 with great catchy tunes all over so it would be sad if it would “just” stay there. He’s got the right look and with this package including giants like David Campbell (My Chemical Romance, Avril Lavigne), Chris Lord-Alge (Sum 41, Green Day) and Justin Gray (Emma Bunton, Joss Stone) this youngster got all the chances break. But like always is the importance of promotion and belief from the label (this time Universal Canada) a major factor so let’s hope that they see what I see and that his new single “Future Psycho Ex-Girlfriend” will do the job. It’s a crystal clear hit to me and could be a new “Right Now” ala Sr-71 with its vitamin C smelling melody! Another tune that must be mentioned is “It Feels Right” that Greg Alexander would have really proud to have written.
The only thing that worries me is that I can’t see it on Amazon.ca even if says that it was out on August 26 on his website! There are hardcopies out since I got one, but you might have to search a bit for this pop pearl! |
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18 year old Celina Ree from Denmark rocks harder than most female artists within the modern rock genre, this album is one of my favorite albums right now and I can´t get tired of hearing the smashing new single "Kortslutning" over and over again.
What makes the album stand out is that Celina sings in Danish and I have no problem with that, I used to love Gasolin´ and still do - and they were better when Kim Larsen sang in his home language.
Celina´s got attitude and a freaking good voice, the songs have been carefully selected to make the best possible rock album and the production from Rune Braager plus mixing by Glaumann (Rammstein) sounds like a million bucks.
She´s one of the biggest rising stars I´ve heard lately, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy NOW! |
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| Chris Rice is a guy who has been around for quite a while and delivered some nice written acoustic pop-rock. And now he?s back with an album produced by Monroe Jones who surely is a producer with plenty of good albums on his list. So there was a few ingredients that spoke well for the album, but I must say it is a major disappointment. It is solidly written material, yes it is. It is also well performed. But all this perfectionism made the album boring. There is no nerve whatsoever and I can?t see a reason why I should put this album on the CD player. It?s not a bad album. It?s just boring muzak adult contemporary acoustic rock. And we don?t need that. Do we? |
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| The former Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson is back with his second soloalbum. The first soloalbum from 2002 "New Earth Mud" was a fine moment in melodic retrorock with a modern edge added to the sound, but I think that his new album is even better. He has developed his unique way of being a bit further. Free-spirited melodies combined with soft blues, soul, rock and psychadelia. Real damn cool. "Girl On The Mountain" is one fine example of that, and there are plenty more. The album sounds like it was recorded around 1970, but it also has a pleasant modern sound added somewhere in the mix... Well not on all tracks though.. Third out "Mother Of Stone" sounds like a Yardbird goes Pink Floyd track from -69 and "Eagles On The Highway" sounds like a perfect CSNY tune from 1971. Anything bad then? Hmm.. a few tracks just feels like fillers, but the main part are just cool flirts with the past. Its pure love. Its the 60s. |
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What we have here is the debut album of the former leadsinger/guitarist/songwriter of A.M Drive,the band made one self-released cd in 2002 that was a really fine effort. A.M Drive split up and some members continued as the band Autovaughn and Cliff went solo.
His debut is an acoustic album with both rock songs and songs that are more laid back.
I must say that he?s a good songwriter and has made some really thought-provoking lyrics about what is most important in people?s lives.
He?s also a good singer,personally I am missing the guitars though.
There are 14 songs on this album and that is a lot for an acoustic effort in my opinion.
All in all,it?s a good album and I am hoping that in the future he will return with a cd with a complete band as back up,for all you music lovers ? check out his website.
HIGHLIGHTS:Little more time,I wish I would,True emotion,Pleasant dreams |
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It was with songs like "Rainbow Child" and "Ritual" that Dan Reed Network had a breakthrough in the late 80s. He toured a lot in Sweden back then and more than one girl fell in love for his handsome appearance. And we guys fell for his cocky funky hard rock. Dan Reed Network was a really popular band in Sweden and their albums went up high on our saleschart. Then there was silence, but now Dan Reed is back. ANd that without "his" Network. And that without the heavy, cocky funk rock.
I had the privilege about six months ago to see Dan Reed live at a friend's home, who had invited Dan Reed for a "home" - gig, and it was a fantastic evening with lots of stories about what happened during the life of his. He talked about his dark period of drugs... He told of his term of monks in Tibet and much more.
So now it's a more reflection and eco-conscious Dan Reed we face here on the new disc. It is stylish, well arranged pop and the title track, "Closer", "On Your Side", "Brave New World" and "Reach for the Sun" - resting safely on an acoustic basis, but if there is something I could have wish for and that I miss is that Dan could have delivered some more uptempo-tunes with his old funk rock roots.
The strongest song is the final "love, peace and understanding-song" - "The Dictator", an evocative and captivating remake of the Charlie Chaplin film classic message to a world at war.
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It is funny how you discover artists sometimes. I actually found David Ramirez on fellow artist Matthew Mayfield's Instagram, where he recommended the followers to check out this album. I am sure glad I did, because this is, in my book, the best album of 2012!
Ramirez operates in the same area as Ryan Adams did on Heartbreaker. We are talking about songs in the folk/alt-country vein with lots of emotions. In fact, the opennig three songs are amazing. The third track "Stick Around" is the song that I played the most, by far, in 2012.
There are so many great songs on this album, but if I have to pick a few standout songs, I would go with; "Stick Around", "God Bless", "An Introduction", and "Goodbye". There is a mix of slow songs and songs with more pace, and Ramirez handles it all really well.
What lifts this album is that it is so filled with emotion. You can really "feel" the lyrics (as cheesy as it might sound). Like Ray LaMontagne, Ramirez grabs hold of you and you never lose attention to the stories he tells.
I would like to end with saying two thanks. First, thanks to Martthew Mayfield for helping me discover David Ramirez. Second, a big thanks fo David Ramirez for recording, and releasing, the best album of 2012!
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| Here we have a guy that´s been busy this year with a brand new Pink Cream 69 album, help out with some background vocals on the great Eden´s Curse album and now his debut solo album. David made a name already when he sang with Adagio and replaced Andi Deris in PC69 when he left for Helloween and rest is history. David is a fantastic singer with a powerful and emotional voice that I been weak for since I heard him for the first time on PC69 album Elctrified(1998). His debut solo album is really good and he delivers a variated album with songs that reminds of his band PC69 to more AORish songs and couple acoustic once. Players on the album is Paul Logue(Eden´s Curse), Alex Beyrodt(Silent Force), Tommy Denander(Radioactive), Uwe Reitenauer(PC69), Eric Ragno(Takara) and Günter Verno(Vandenplas). His bandmate Dennis Ward has produced the album with a excellent result as always when his involved. The album opens up with the PC69 sounding Without You, a strong opening track that shows what this is all about. Take These Tears is more AORish with a melodic and superb chorus. Don´t Let It Slip Away is a brilliant AOR-rocker with a stunning chorus. Wild In The City is the song of the album. This is a huge rocker with plenty of melodies and a chorus that will blow your head away with riffantastic guitars and catchy hooks. This sounds like PC69 at their peak. On Gentle Touch David sings outstanding and reminds a bit of Jorn Lande, great song. The songs that takes down the grade is New Messia and Over The Ocean that don´t do anything for me just average acoustic songs. The album ends in a fine way with Love In Vain a strong piano ballad with strings. This won´t disappoint the fans of David or PC69 because this is a safe buy and you also get a bonus multimedia video of the song Don´s Let It Slip Away. A quality release from Frontiers Records. |
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Who set the alarm clock for these almost forgotten heroes? One by one is waking up and making new music, first with Martin Page and now David Roberts who has done his first album since All dressed up in 1982 which is a westcoast AOR classic.
This rare vinyl was re-released on cd in 2006 by Japanese label Vivid Sound that now releases the brand new album "Better late than never" which is a suitable title.
David continues to deliver mighty fine westcoast rock but this time more towards AOR/pop and it would´ve been too good to be true if this new album would´ve been just as good as his classic 80´s album but it´s not, however it´s close.
Now don´t stop reading here because David hasn´t forgotten how to sing and the music is still a major injection of 80´s westcoast/AOR, there are some really good songs here like the catchy title track and the westcoast pearl "This is how I say goodbye".
It´s also quite nice to hear his version of "Before I go" that was originally released on Starship´s 1985 hit album "Knee deep in the hoopla", I love his version just as much Starship´s which is more rocking.
"Stay with me tonight" is a great ballad in the Chicago/ToTo vein, I can´t help but being a bit sentimental when listening to David Roberts again! It´s been 26 years for god´s sake. |
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After leaving westcoast fans longing for a follow-up to the fantastic 1982 album “All Dressed Up”, Canadian artist DAVID ROBERTS all of a sudden has released two CD’s in 2008! Previously there was the new studio album “Better Late Than Never” (you can find a review by Kaj Roth on this site) which included an excellent mix of AOR and pop. This time David has been turning back in time, putting together demo versions of songs over the years. The album is called “The Missing Years” (Vivid Sound, VSCD-3365). From the sounds of these songs, I guess these songs were recorded between the late 80’s and the mid-90’s or so.
When the album starts it’s more AOR, with “Run Back” sounding a lot like mid- to late 80’s STARSHIP. It’s followed by two westcoast dominated tracks; “Misunderstood” makes my mind wander into GRAHAM GOBLE’S ENCOUNTER with its nice beat, whereas “Gone but not forgotten” is similar to the great songs on the “Original demos” CD by ROBBIE BUCHANAN. The latter means westcoast/pop with a slightly soul filled beat and nice strings to back it up. Even though these are demos, you really get nice arrangements on this album. Same goes for the semi-ballad “Run Away With Me”, and this one would fit a singer like PEABO BRYSON perfectly. Track 6 is the highlight of the album, even though this one’s actually the most AOR dominated song. It’s entitled “Forbidden Fruit” and this song is just as good as the best BAD ENGLISH tune you have (n)ever heard! Absolutely fantastic.
OK, I can’t go on writing about every single song. I’ll just finish off by asking every westoast and light AOR fan to buy this one right away. Sure, since these are demos you’ll hear a few performances that could have been done better – but believe me, these moments are not many. All the positive sides about this album easily over-weigh this. I wish more artists would dig up old demos and unreleased stuff. There must be hundreds and hundreds of songs or even albums by all our hero artists from the 80’s out there! For starters; TOTO still owes us at least two CD’s of unreleased stuff. Their “XX” album from 1998 was originally meant to be a 3-CD box, which I was told by a Swedish colleague at Sony at the time. So, there’s a lot to be dug up. Start shovellin’.
Oh, one final note: it´s good thinking and rather humoresque that the album cover shows Mr. Roberts in a sofa - quite similar to the album cover from 1982... |
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Did you know that?
36 Crazyfists name was taken from the 1977 Jackie Chan film The 36 Crazy Fist.
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latest reviews
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