Adam Hill – Four Shades of Green Self-released Simple, thoughtful bluegrass. Let’s face it: one-man-bands can be really hard to pull off. There can occasionally be one or two instruments that just suffer because the musician just doesn’t have a grasp for it. Luckily, Adam Hill of Portland, Ore., shows stellar musicianship and songwriting...
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Andy Werth – Seeing Stars EP Self-released Smile-producing, honest-to-goodness pop romps that are fun for everyone. I don’t feel ashamed in admitting that I am truly a sucker when it comes to pop music (Sucker…pop…get it?). I tend to favor melodies that sweetly stay stuck in my head. And if said pop also has...
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Attica! Attica! – Dead Skin Dried Blood Red Leader Records Folksy pop with great instrumentation and powerful lyrics. Despite an early dislike for this album, I would have to give Dead Skin Dried Blood a pretty glowing review in the end. Originally, I had the feeling that Attica! Attica! would be a lot more...
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Sickroom Records, Ltd. Heavy double-bass punk/metal with serious chops. If the blindingly long and drawn out jam sesh that is the first track of this album doesn’t set you off, then congratulations! You have made it to the rest of the album, which is actually quite delightful. Ok, so delightful is probably not the...
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Culture Killers – Culture Killers EP Delvue Records ‘80s rock attitude and rockin’ grooves keep this band rolling. This foursome from Los Angeles, California, has their following and press convinced they know what rock is. I don’t disagree, but at the same rate, I wouldn’t compare them to Queen, Guns ‘N Roses and Van...
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Dartz! – This is My Ship Deep Elm Records Dartz! throws a doozy at America with an old fashioned punk/math rock combo. Fresh out of the UK, Dartz! lights things up with their debut full length album This Is My Ship. The best way to describe this album: Old fashioned punk done right by...
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Drag The Rivers – You Can’t Live This Way Suburban Home Records Country that almost anyone could love. Finding modern country that has a broad appeal to it is an excessively rare occurrence. However, Colorado’s Drag The River has hit gold with its unique brand of country. Blending rock, folk and even some indie...
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Jerusalem – Self-titled Self-released Impressive solo rock project full of many demonstrations of ability. Jerusalem’s self-titled album is one of the more refreshing albums to come out in a while. The band is one 20-year-old, Michael S. Judge, who has done everything to produce the album in a matter of nine days and $0....
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Keeping Up With….Jet Lag Gemini New Jersey pop-punk band Jet Lag Gemini wasn’t expecting to get signed to Doghouse Records two years ago, said lead singer Misha Safonov. Yet, here they are, releasing their new album Fire The Cannons nationally on the label that currently features acts like The All-American Rejects, Say Anything and...
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Mouse Fire — Wooden Teeth Lujo Records Multi-layered indie-rock propelled by dancey drumbeats and cascading guitar lines. The first reaction I had when I read the description of Mouse Fire’s music was, “I hope this isn’t another under-talented band trying to snatch their piece of the emergent dance-rock pie.” Popping in Wooden Teeth, I...
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