Unknown Component - Seperately Connected Album Review

Seperately Connected is an album by Unknown Component is an easy to listen to affair that allows you to enjoy smoothly and be entertained by. 

Unknown Component is a American artist so for the masses who like indie music you will not be disappointed, and the songs are very reflective of emotions, I am sure the listener can relate to. 

Facebook

Twitter

Ali Ingle - Hey Kid - Music Video

Ali Ingle - Hey Kid is a modern hymn of life!

IIZ - IIZ - Album Review

IIZ [pronounced 'eyes'] self-titled debut album is rather experimental electronic dance music and punk-rock but is accessible to the masses.

The band members are young and what an album to debut their talent. Ison Van Winkle main vocalist has a distinctive vocals that seems and sounds very much from the punk scene of the '70's and through the early to mid-80's. Mari is the second vocalist and her voice adds the mid to high notes that has some good attitude in her delivery. Jacob plays the grooves on Bass and Ross adds the drums, which both of them change and sound different when the music changes from EDM to more punky and choppy vibes.

The songs are alternative and being that the band members are young they are touching on issues and themes beyond their youth, but this will be refreshing to the older listener.

Breaking the album up as the EDM songs are quite anthem let's-cement-ourselves-to-music-history-now-sounds in the hip-hop beat of the first track  Get Away ft. Sen Dog [Cypress Hill], next up is the 4 to the floor beat with head-nodding squeaks in Manic Pixie  maybe some crazy thoughts, person or substance? The Light is the best EDM track that'll goosebump you'all for sure unless you're a cold stone, the song is nicely sung by Mari which describes either a romantic meeting or a spiritual vision. If this what the song title says then going to sleep is probably hard-work as the sound of Epic Dreams MIX1 has a real punch! 

There are songs that fuse the EDM and punk-alternative-indie-rock which is the let's raise our hands up in Sugar, and this theme is twinned well in Cure.

The more punky groovy songs are the congo and big beat getting back to a vintage them sounding Retrospective. In this ranting of Color On The Run makes digs at parents or mothers in particular that are not happy with the choices of their offspring, or acceptance of them as people. A more stronger rock sound occupies Want and all of the give me everything now culture that is captured in this song. Analyst a psychological ride probably too many psychologists at school? Though in Man In The Background refers to blending in, or if in a strange place wanting to fit in. Probably the best punk-rock track is Strawdogs on the album. Finishing with I Never Knew MIX1 Voxup has all of the ingredients to end the party with a mixture of keyboards and alternative indie scores to leave you feeling buzz-up'ed!

IIZ is available @ Soundcloud [free for now]

Nenad Bach Band - All I Want Is Freedom - Album Review

Nenad Bach Band is a veteran seasoned artist that uses his art to promote peace worldwide.

His album All I Want Is Freedom is a reflection of his work in helping to achieve peace where it is lacking.

The style of music on All I Want Is Freedom has an array of different styles ranging from dreamy soft rock to 60's influenced pop music.

All I Want Is Freedom is a powerful song of wanting the freedom to experience the good things in life unhindered, like enjoying our time with family and friends.

The next song is a nice soft ballad I Will Follow You, that builds-up into a solid rhythm while the song's core message is too much money is influencing modern life in an unhealthy way.

The title Love Is The Sound is another influence in the '60's when love and peace were very much intertwined in popular and alternative culture back then, and this song captures these basic good human feelings into the modern world, not to be forgotten otherwise we're all doomed!

Thinking about all the different topics of life we all often ponder on is what Yes I Do is mainly focussing on.

Golden Slumbers is a total reworking of The Beatles song, which shows the high calibre that Nenad Bach has as an artist, with his band who are just as talented.

All I Want Is Freedom is available @ CD Baby

Caviare Days - Like Me - EP Review

Caviare Days are an alternative psychedelic rock group from Sweden, have a new release - Like Me EP.

Originally formed in Brooklyn, America by sisters Lina and Maja Westin, that have not only relocated to their native Sweden but are currently a five piece band with Timmy Grim - drums, Boris Grubesic - guitar, and Marcus Arborelius - keyboards and synthesizer bass.

The songs are very '60's alternative psychedelic rock and ironically they're all British influence have had the Abbey Road Studios treatment to get a raw echoey edge to the sound.

From the opening track Like Me, Great Minds - has some nice double vocals to get that stereo sound through the speakers, the epic revenge song Trigger, and the grungy Green, each have a good solid rhythm with parts of experimentation supplied by the guitars, and synthesizers to cut their unique sound above the rest.  

Caviare Days are a group worth checking-out as they'll sure produce some more musical surprises along their creative path.

Like Me EP is available @ Google Play

Little Shells - 5 Deep Under - Album Review

Little Shells have released an eight track album called 5 Deep Under.

Little Shells is the latest project fronted by vocalist/pianist Conchita Campos. She departs from her two earlier solo albums to a more soulful softer orchestra/pop feel on 5 Deep Under.

There is a heavy leaning to using an orchestra on the album, and in the opening track Another Night, it is used to etch a powerful and sudden burst in the choruses of this song.

Getting pretty urban in the next song Haik (God of the Sea), has a slow double kick drum beat accompanied by sampled piano, trumpet and later trombone that sounds as if they are playing on top of the roof in a ghostly town, but going by the title like a lost ship in the middle of the ocean.

Quite a spiritual song Feet On The Ground is set to another urban beat, but with a different tone added, that deals with the changes in our lives whether we like it or not because nothing stays the same.

5 Deep Under featuring Live Footage is best described as a modern classical influenced track, and has some nice easily accessible experimentation added on the layers of synthesizer and other electronic sounds incorporated into a song that is one feet higher than being buried.  

Not departing in I'll Remain, is a splendid folktronica/orchestral themed song. The following song breaks the album for a moment in Lola's Song that has just piano with some atmospheric ambient sound effects set in the background as Conchita Campos sings this nice little tune.

When They're Gone is full of sparks and energy with the full array of the orchestra, as the song touches on the erosion of freedoms that have been afforded us from much blood spilt.  

Getting into a very mellow loose jazz song Goodnight, this song will at least make the farewell memorable.

5 Deep Under is available @ Bandcamp

Gus Garcia - Medieval - EP Review

Gus Garcia - Medieval EP release is a mixture of soft acoustic driven and lively songs that will last in your memory long after hearing these four tracks.

Clocks & Crocodiles is the first track, which is a lively and uptempo song dealing with not wasting time with tales of dreams.

Getting the more lively aspect to Gus Garcia's music begins in the second track Rhythm.

Showing the vocal talents of Gus Garcia is prevalent in this subtle track, Two for One.

Probably the best song on this EP is Medieval, a mixture of acoustic and soft rock elements that builds around the song.

The Sailor is a rather melancholy song that starts with a slow piano that goes through until it gets quite experimental with sounds reminiscent of the waves of the sea, and adds to the story and tales of the high seas.

Medieval is available @ CD Baby 

Frogbelly & Symphony - Blue Bright Ow Sleep - Album Review

Frogbelly & Symphony has released their debut album, Blue Bright Ow Sleep.

Just looking at the albums artwork you get a surreal image of the band, and some of the song titles are cleverly worded, while the music is both intriguing and fascinating.

This song relates to a character in the book and later term Catch 22, (Milo) Minderbinder. There are many different tempos, styles and colours to this opening song of espionage and conspiracy.

A pleasant request that one day you'll have difficulty in not accepting in this more rocky track, Invite to Eternity.

Getting evermore into psychedelic territory in Ride Off into the Sunset and Disappear, that even has some Middle Eastern musical scales being played amongst some ethereal wailing, while some spacey sounds swirl around.

When you hear what people want to do before the end of life, you get all of these crazy death defying bucket lists, however in Before I Die, you get a very down to earth request of having at least one child, and a wife, and the acceptance of failing and never achieving one's dream. This song will relate the most to people, than those about unrealistic wants and desired bucket lists!

This song Patch of Blue, is the build-up in the album of fusing the rhythmic guitar driven rock, and some of the folk, punky, and experimental leanings of Frogbelly & Symphony.

The music begins in the background and quite distant, which gives the impression of a far fetched place in this funny lyrical song, Cola in Mongolia.

The build-up to Leyla's Find is very tantalising to the senses, and you can't wait for that eclipse of sound, to spark to that climax, which does come very loudly!

Getting folky with the violin and the bass guitar pushing this seafaring track Shingle, all aboard and forward as the song is sung in a very sailor of the seas style.

Beginning with poetry starts Organism, where the music waves like the pleasurably senses this song deals with.

Hazyland is a blast of power rock, punk and what is their trademark sound from Frogbelly & Symphony. This song doesn't have wastelands, but plenty of sun and smoke!

Blue Bright Ow Sleep is available @ iTunes

The Birdman Rallies - Real River - Album Review

The Birdman Rallies have released their fifth album, Real River.

This album is a creative festival of different styles, starting with Dissolve Into The Black, a vibrating electronic kick drum thumping, with layers of other electronic gadgetry to impose the lyrical content neatly.

A Little Of Your Glitter swings into indie guitar mode in great portions, while the song deals with wanting that sparkle we have surrounding us.

Getting nice and mellow in Vampire, just don't venture out in the sunlight otherwise you'll melt. Though it deals with more of the leeches that inhabit our world.

Falling into the mood of the first track, though more harder in the political themed Great Storm Of Now.

A clever worded love song in the track Taj Mahal, which features an array of music styles that start with a jazz progression structure, and gets into a sort of pop reggae boogie.

It's fascinating that your school sweetheart never seems to leave you throughout life, which is passionately sung in Julia.

The next track turns in a one-eighty-degree look at the woman who puts her makeup on, especially the red lipstick in a warrior mode of hunting and fighting with her male counterpart, in the lushful sounding Heartless.

Having the same irritation in life as driving on the Ring Road is uniquely put, and the following song On A Corner Overtaking paints a picture of driving through the valley roads, in the sweaty summer months.

The tribal sounding track Patrick, deals with not only a good deed by a dear friend but has a romantic angle which isn't reciprocated.

The cello plays a crucial part in the introduction to Kitty In Detroit, of not only shacking-up with a girl, but in the once great motorcity capital in the world, however it is now a decaying and crumbling American state, Detroit.

Coming to a close is the dub heavy beat of Wild Sisters, which is counterbalanced with strings and keyboard sounds. The song looks at sisters and how they are similar in some ways, and in other ways they are opposite.

Real River is available @ iTunes and @ Amazon

The Slang - Slang - EP Review

The Slang have released their debut self-titled EP, of power rock or an epic sound, with interestingly cool songs.

There is a certain '60's picking guitar style that introduces you to Far From Over, though it soon enters that anthem energy.

Whether you enjoy your job or not, it all Feels Like Work, yes listen and you'll understand what work is really about.

If you didn't know, you'll be enlightened in the effortless One Step At A Time.

Rule The World is quite an ambiguous song that will mean different things, which is pretty cool as it lets you see things the way you see them.

Those thoughts and feelings that need to be figured out in Find A Way, which has a great synth sounding lead guitar that puts the icing on the cake, on the finishing song.

The Slang EP is available @ iTunes

The Great Escape - The Great Escape - Album Release

The Great Escape have released their debut album The Great Escape.

This Los Angeles trio look pretty surf, but their music is far from that.

Expect to be blasted-off quite literally from the start of the first song All I Think About, however the next song Rebel just continues the bursts and hooks from the guitars, through to the horn section.

The Secret Song is a fairly folkish track, which throws you off at first but then you realise they're talented enough to pull this change of direction.

I Want It All is another twist to The Great Escape as it's all Big Swing and boogie woogie blues piano that drives this song of acquiring as much as possible.

The band make a point of melting '60's & 70's music into a modern format and It's Getting Better just fits their vision very well.

For some reason Let's Go seems a perfect song for driving one of those big American convertible cars down the highway with this song cranked-up to max twenty!

Another surprise track Put It On Ice is full of soul and funky hooks, and even has the deep male voice to add to the boogie groove in this song.

Returning to the folk and acoustic dimension of the band is a very reflective song, I Just Can't Help Myself.

The Great Escape is available @ iTunes

DRLNG - Icarus - EP Release

DRLNG have released their debut EP Icarus.

The group have melted together from different bands in Boston, New York - America.

The songs touch the shoegazing genre, which to the rest of us feature nice and subtle guitar playing, soft drums and features keyboards and bass to feel the dreamy music.

The songs - Icarus, My Gypsy, Playground Punk & Seattle are sung in a way that touches you to the point you feel some tingling feeling just underneath your skin. Enough of the physical attributes, the emotional impact just hits the spot beautifully.

Icarus EP is available @ Silber Records

Exclusive Interview - The Attic Ends

www.theatticeends.com

Are you a bumblebee, or do you see yourselves as stargazers?

Half of us are are stargazers, and half of us are bumblebees, which keeps us balanced. You put a task in front of a bumblebee, they go from flower to flower getting it done. They can’t help it! That’s how they are programmed. But none of us are that short sighted. Stargazers live and breathe to make their dreams come true. When we are not flower hopping we are always looking-up.

Has the struggle to maintain and grow as individual and collective creative souls within the music scene any easier as time goes on?

It has definitely gotten easier. Once you are completely dedicated, which we all are, you can find your voice. As a group, we feel like we are just now finding our sound. We feed each others’ creative souls and foster each others growth by challenging each other and holding each other to task. We expect a lot from ourselves and having that support is what any creative soul needs to even be able to breathe in this crazy industry full of incredibly talented people and also so many charlatans. We need to trust each other to make sure we stay in the former category. 

What project are you currently working on?

We are about to shoot our next video for the title track of our first cd Home, which was released on iTunes in December ‘10. We have been rehearsing, gigging, and supporting Home. We are really excited about writing songs for our next record. All kinds of ideas are flowing and sneaking themselves into the rehearsal studio. We are blessed to be in a position where we have discovered our sound and new riffs, beats, and melodies are just flowing naturally. For all of us, that’s our favourite part of playing in a band and we are having a lot of fun with that right now.

How has this project been that you’re you are working on? Adventurous, heart-wrenching, soul-searching, glorifying, triumphant, nauseating, confirming, validating, terrifying, exciting... It runs the gamut of human emotions, there are sometimes tears and a lot of high-fives!

Is your world opening-up to more exciting things?

Hells Yeah!

Are you leaving your nest, to fly around the world with your band and music?

Yes. That’s all we ever wanted to do. We love New York. We love Brooklyn. But we want to go to places like London, where so much great music that we all love has come from! We hear so many great things about the scene in Europe and we are definitely up for the adventure.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve done as individuals and as a band?

We wrote and released a cd onto iTunes in less than a year. That cd has been accepted by Pandora, and we are very proud of that. We are about to shoot our third video as well. We feel our biggest accomplishment has been that we have done so much ourselves, as an indie band.

Anything else you would like to say to our readership?

Music is one of the most important things in human life. Music is emotion, and we hope our music can touch some people out there. We look at it as a privilege to be able to contribute music to people’s lives, and we take it very seriously. We hope we can inspire people and help them get through experience they are going through. We have always turned to music, listening and eventually creating it as an outlet for emotion in times of pain and joy. Sharing it is what connects us all. That may sound a little cheesy but nothing is truer!