Signature Ratings
0- What the hell
1- Borrow don't buy
2- Well...a couple of joints
3- Worth a listen
4- Off the hook
5- Buy it or die
Worthless Lessons – Route 44
By: T. Mathenia
Worthless Lessons is a ton of fun to listen to. Opening track ‘Pushed it too Far’ is bluesy and sexy, the sax work on this rock/americana album feels just like what you would expect a hot summer night to sound like. There’s alot going on within this 8 piece band but nothing is allowed to overshadow the other. The vocals and instrumentation hit just right. Ian "Lefty" Lacombe’s gritty growl is perfect for evoking the inner love hungry monster along with Jessica Power’s sultry tones. Something tells me this is one of those bands that will turn you life inside out if you catch them live. ‘All My Trials’ is a dark rock tune that gets into you mind, body and soul. Complete with crunching guitar and driving drums this 11 track CD is a solid solid well executed vision all the way through.
4 Signatures
Ah-Knee-Ball - Anibal Rojas
By: Skeeta Diggs
Some might classify this artist as Jazz. And it is to be sure, but an added bonus is the World music sound that Anibal fuses into this CD. There’s a wonderful story to go with this CD as well, but that will come later. For now, let’s discuss the saxophone mastery that Anibal displays on tracks like ‘Le Montrose’ and ‘Missing Brecker’. The sax is big, and screeches in all the right places, but most importantly it screeches in a very controlled manner that is fresh all at the same time. ‘Lay Down’ and ‘The Midnight Zone’ are a beautiful flute filled pieces that I could easily envision myself sitting alone on some beautiful mountain top watching the sun fade to. He lends an other-worldy feel to his music by including said flutes and various indigenous instruments. I’m sorry but I really must recommend this CD to serious music lovers everywhere.
4 Signatures
TOP
Streetwise – Paul Street
By: T. Mathenia
Pop/Country with a message and a nice voice to push it; the messages on “Streetwise” are thought provoking and soul lifting, but lets not forget you can also shake your groove thang to em. Street’s voice is soothing and familiar and has the ability to carry the less compelling songs on the EP like ‘Next to You’. Street writes in a way that is accessible accessible to everyone. A great story teller, his music is the perfect pep talk.
2½ Signatures
TOP
7 Year Hard Luck – Further Down
By: Corbyn Bricie
There’s no doubt that these guys are great musicians with impressive ablilities on their respective instruments and have the knack for writing great hooks. I see great potential for them. I say potential but they could already be “there”. This album is very organic and bluesy rock that has a young, fresh sound that I can’t exactly put my finger on. Classified as Southern Rock, they could use some more harmony on the vocals to lend a little more texture to their sound and possibly allow the drummer to get a tad more rambunctious on the drums. It seems as if they’re singing and playing with more restraint than necessary.
3 Signatures
TOP
Airstrips Attract Airplanes – AutomaticBoy
By: Carolina Jones
Hey fellas, is this thing mixed down? No matter (this time), this ish is superb. The quirky intelligent lyrics, the lead singer Kenny Fleetwood’s shaky yet passionate vocals, the chord progressions! Oh my! I bet if you sent in a totally mixed product I would lose my mind. This group has the perfect ingredients for becoming an absolute first underground...then overground success. Everyone shines on this CD...yes bass player (Alex Parker) even you. And Kenny, your vulnerable vocals on ‘Crashland Confession’ are magical. I can’t wait to see what happens with this group after just a little more experience and time together.
3 Signatures
TOP
Redemption – Property
By: Trace Mhe
The members of Property (Mike, Keith, Eddie and Justin), joined forces in 2003. Out of their joining we have their rock EP “Redemption”. This CD is very energetic and (hooray) well recorded. This CD is difficult to pick apart because every element works well together. Justin’s vocals are solid and intuitive. Clearly he knows his genre and doesn’t force his voice to go any place other than where it should be.
Drummer Keith goes so hard, I’d be surprised if there was any drum left over after this band exits the stage. So what’s left? The bass and guitar player. Plenty of shredding and damn well executed and excited riffs. That’s it...this damn CD excites me.
3 ½ Signatures
TOP
Boricuas On Fire – Psycho's Lab
By: Mut
Totally in Spanish. Latin flavored “Boricuas On Fire” is full of fire beats. This is some of the best hip-hop production we’ve heard in a while. Everything is paced and leveled nicely. If their goal is to put butts on the dance floor they’ve succeeded. Absolutely lovin the hooks on this album.
4 Signatures
TOP
Limelife – Limelife
By: Trace Mhe
Loud and fast punk music. Reminds me of Weezer with more kick-ass attitude in the vocals. Not much to say here except they’re fun lyrically and they’re here sonically. ‘Sucker’ is an addictive romp of a song about the life of an underappreciated fool who finds himself an unexpected sugar daddy. Did I mention this music is fast? I was so busy bobbin along to this disc that it didn’t dawn on me until the second or third listen that not everything was as happy-go-lucky as it appeared upon first listen.
3 Signatures
TOP
Wait for Words – Jefferson Fox
By: Carlolina Jones
Jefferson Fox and his guitar form a formidable duo. His voice ain’t half bad either. Okay let’s be honest...his voice rocks in a magical spellbinding way. His cd “Wait for Words” is a mature piece of work that provides the basic essential elements for good listening.
As far as acoustic music goes Jefferson is one to go for. His music is made for movie soundtracks. This is an album for gentle listening and is a nice back-drop when you feel like relaxing, cleaning, reading. It’s calm and stimulating at the same time. So what’s my favorite track by this artist? ‘The Urge’...hands down. Oh and ‘The Truth Is’ and ‘Laura’s Song’.
3 Signatures
TOP
MORE
REVIEWS
