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Now here we have something really sensational and of a very high level musically speaking. KNIGHT FURY is a band from Phoenix, Arizona, USA formed by guitarist/songwriter CHRIS SANDERS, who played with LIZZY BORDEN for a while. With this new band he should be able to make it really huge on his own as well. That said however and keeping in mind that Chris is a fabulous guitarist and songwriter, KNIGHT FURY also features a superb lead vocalist named WILLIAM KING and the well-established musicians DAVID ELLEFSON (MEGADETH) on bass and KEN MARY (ALICE COOPER, FIFTH ANGEL…) on drums. Chris’ guitarplaying is reminiscent of the Classic 80s Neo-Classical Shredding Metal that reminds me a lot of JASON BECKER, TONY MACALPINE and JOSHUA PERAIAH, which is really lovely to listen to. The production is very impressive for an independent release and the music is pure 1980s US Melodic Metal that sounds dangerously close to the early CRIMSON GLORY records, so you get a lot of high pitched vocals and soaring choruses here, with hooks and picture-perfect melodies all over the place. If this record was released in 1985, it would have been hailed as a pure Classic in Europe. However, it is 2012 and times have changed a little musically speaking, but nevertheless this KNIGHT FURY is absolutely an album that you don’t want to miss out. This is Melodic Metal the 80s US way at it’s very best and there is not a single weak track to be found among the 10 tracks included. In fact, this album sounds so perfect it amazes me even more that so less press coverage has been done so far and also the fact that it is just an independent release makes it really interesting. Every song is a highlight here, but “Endless night”, “Forbidden” and “Nothing left” are the kind of songs that deliver big-time Melodic Metal in it’s most purest form and like already mentioned, this album sounds like the record CRIMSON GLORY never recorded after their classic ‘Transcendence’ release and also (early) QUEENSRYCHE will be jealous upon hearing this kind of material. Go check the Best Metal Album of 2011 a.s.a.p. at: http://www.knightfury.com (Points: 9.1 out of 10)
JUDY COLLINS ‘BOHEMIAN’ (WILDFLOWER RECORDS/HEMIFRAN) When reviewing this new album of the legendary female singer/songwriter JUDY COLLINS we just have to take a moment of silence and consider the fact that Judy will turn 73 years old in 2012! Respect for still releasing new material at that age and I have to admit that her voice still sounds really good. She obviously has no problems at all singing the high notes. One of the highlights is the beautiful cover of JONI MITCHELL’s “Cactus tree”, which is a duet with another legend, SHAWN COLVIN. Although most of the songs are piano-led, with a mix of originals and covers, there is not a single weak or boring moment, because Judy shows she is still a very strong lead singer. Her major successes were back in the 1960s and 1970s, when so many other female singer/songwriters had their fifteen minutes of fame and fortune, but in recent years Judy has been quite active in recording new music, because for many years she concentrated on other things in life, including Activism, which even made her a representative for UNICEF. Anyway, check out all info on Judy at: http://www.wildflowerrecords.com and www.judycollins.com and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_j.html#collins (Points: 8.0 out of 10)
American Singer/songwriter JACK SUNDRUD has been in the music business ever since the late 1960s, playing with a lot of established musicians and bands, including being a member of the legendary Westcoast Countryrockband POCO for 25 years now. In the meantime, he also has a solo career going on and ‘Cage’ is the latest album release. This record contains some great rather catchy Westcoast-AOR/Poprock, not too far removed from POCO and ALABAMA, although also reaching singer-songwriter-AOR of the likes of MARK SPIRO, VAN STEPHENSON and BRYAN ADAMS during a semi AOR ballad like ”Cage” and the midtempo rocking “Tired of this”. Jack is a strong lead singer and the 6 songs on this mini-CD are sounding very strong and are highly recommended to fans of Westcoast-AOR driving New Country-Rock. More info at: http://www.jacksundrud.com/bio.html and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com (Points: 8.4 out of 10)
IN LOVE ‘SISTER BLUE’ (GAZELL RECORDS/HEMIFRAN) IN BLUE is a Stockholm based band formed around female singer LO KIVIKAS, who sounds a bit like a less screaming version of JANIS JOPLIN mixed with a calmer sounding JEFFERSON AIRPLANE singer GRACE SLICK and also musically they offer a similar mix of Folk, Blues and Rock here, just like Janis did more than 40 years ago. After a couple of spins the click isn’t there yet and I do miss some songs that stick in your head, as now it seems like the band is searching for a certain style and change rather quickly from Folk to Blues. Perhaps a future record will tell us more, because the potential is there, but not yet on this album. Available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_i.html#inlove and more info at: www.facebook.com/inLOve (Points: 7.1 out of 10)
Settled in California nowadays, where she was also born and raised, singer/songwriter JANNI LITTLEPAGE already has had a long music history behind her that took her to other places as well through the years. She provided backing vocals for such established artists like KENNY LOGGINS and JIM MESSINA and all those influences from her past come together on this beautiful new CD of her titled ‘Strange angels’, on which she works closely with singer/songwriter KENNY EDWARDS, who sadly passed away a few years ago. Kenny worked with LINDA RONDSTADT and KARLA BONOFF in the past and this new CD of JANNI LITTLEPAGE might perhaps be his last recording. The included music is very melodic and quite memorable, with a focus on the singer/songwriter side of life, yet there are also Americana, Folk, Country and even some Rock influences to be heard. JONI MITCHELL, SHAWN COLVIN and EMMYLOU HARRIS are clear similarities one can pick up here, meaning this is mostly situated around crystal clear vocals of Janni that go up pretty high here and there, but always picture-perfect. Highlights are “When the snow falls on Baghdad”, “A train in the distance” and “Until the rains come” (lovely ballad that even makes her sound like SUSANNA HOFFS, while the song has a lot of similarities to THE WEBB SISTERS). Concluded, this is a very nice album that is so to speak a must-have for any fan of singer-songwriter music. Melodic, perfectly crafted music that really gives you a good feeling afterwards. Check it out at: http://jannilittlepage.com/ and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_j.html#littlepage (Points: 8.6 out of 10)
In-between all the singer-songwriter albums released nowadays, it is a nice welcome if one of them rocks things up a little more. In this case it concerns EMILY YANEK, a 19 year-old singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania, USA who releases her debut CD with ‘Wetching the highway’, an album that owes a lot to the 1970s singer-songwriter style, yet clearly rocked up as a full band is backing Emily up on most of the tracks on the CD. Songs like “Please, please” and “Miles to go” are great strong rockers that show Emily at her very best. She has a strong admiration for JACKSON BROWNE ever since meeting him after a concert a few years ago. You can hear his influences indeed a bit here and there, although Emily does have an own sound somehow that is a little more radio-ready than the average singer-songwriter and like already mentioned rocks out much more. Some bluesy influences are also notable and the melodies of her songs are just a little catchier and more accessible, such as can be heard at best during the beautiful ballads “You don’t love me yet” and “Spaceman” (a pure midtempo AOR song actually), both even revealing some AOR melodies in the 1970s HEART style. Emily is another female singer-songwriter to look out for in the future. Vocally she needs to grow a little perhaps, because she is not always sounding convinced in the high pitched vocal level range, but songwise she brings us some great melodies. Even the AOR fans may need to check out this CD! More at: http://emilyyanek.com/ and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_e.html#yanek (Points: 8.3 out of 10)
FIERY BLUE was formed by San Diego, California based songwriter PAUL MARSTELLER and producer and multi-instrumentalist, GABE RHODES from Austin, Texas. The two of them looked on the internet for a right female singer and somehow they stumbled on NYC-based singer-songwriter SIMONE STEVENS. The past few years the three have been writing and recording about 50 songs and in 2010 they already had a debut CD released, which is now followed up by ‘Our secret’. Gabe is the son, producer and primary band member of Texas country-folk artist KIMMIE RHODES, and a successful musician himself too, because he recorded with WILLIE NELSON, EMMYLOU HARRIS, GILLIAN WELCH, JOE ELY, WAYLON JENNINGS and many more. Drummer HUNT SALES (TODD RUNDGREN, IGGY POP, DAVID BOWIE) completes the line-up on this new CD of FIERY BLUE. Musically speaking we are heading into very relaxing laid-back almost Country ish romantic Singer-Songwriter meets Westcoast type of Pop/Rock, with a real prominent and important part for the vocal department, which is gladly close to perfection, because Simone has a beautiful natural voice that perfectly fits this kind of music. The ballads show Simone at her very best, because in those tunes she can sing with so much passion that when you close your eyes you almost feel like you’re in a paradise, although the country tingled uptempo pieces also have it’s charm (especially “Sapphire night”). Let’s hope more material will be recorded in the future by these talented musicians. More info at: http://www.fieryblue.com and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_f.html#fiery (Points: 8.4 out of 10)
LEE GARLAND ‘HUMMINGBIRD’ (INDEPENDENT/HEMIFRAN) 56 years old and now releasing his debut CD! It sometimes takes a while, but better late than never and in the case of the American singer/songwriter LEE GARLAND, he releases his first record with ‘Hummingbird’. The album is filled with 10 original tunes Lee wrote himself. Musically it is really all about the lyrics and not the beautiful melodies, because Lee isn’t the greatest singer, but in this case it isn’t a problem, as Lee is a really great storyteller and perhaps more something you may want to check out if you’re a fan of BOB DYLAN and JOHNNY CASH, because that is where this mainly acoustic singer-songwriter type of music is reminding one of most of the time. Highlight is the Irish Folk sing-a-long tune “Took best and left the rest”, a song you will be singing day after day after you heard it the first time. If you’re starting to become interested, then go to: http://www.leegarland.net/ and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_l.html#garland (Points: 7.6 out of 10)
Although CROSSING KEYS is a band from Sweden, they sound as American as possible, because their New Country-AOR is basically sounding dangerously close to such American giants as RESTLESS HEART, VINCE GILL, KENNY CHESNEY, KEITH URBAN, RASCAL FLATTS, VENICE, POCO, LITTLE TEXAS, BLACK HAWK, ALABAMA and LONESTAR. The production of their debut CD ‘About time’ is crystal clear, the lead- and harmonyvocals are picture-perfect and the 10 songs that are included are all beautiful catchy hookladen tunes that are sometimes almost reminding me of classic 38 SPECIAL in their most Country-AOR days. This CD really sounds like it is or was a major US label release and if only the Americans would hear this on their radio or see it on TV, then I personally think CROSSING KEYS could become massive! Opener “Whatever comes first” is a sensational song, showing how well Country and AOR can go hand in hand, sounding like a mix between VAN STEPHENSON, JIMMY DAVIS and LONESTAR, with a deadly catchy radio-ready chorus and a pure midtempo AOR beat backing it up. What follows is a lot more high quality New Country and Country-AOR stuff that is just meant to become big! It took the band 18 years before they would release this album, but now it is released, they should get a lot attention, as the album is a real sensational piece and perhaps one of the greatest European Country albums ever released, although it is sometimes also close to pure Westcoast-AOR (“That just about says it all” for example, although LONESTAR also had these kind of songs back in the 1990s). Check out CROSSING KEYS asap at: http://www.crossingkeys.com/ and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_c.html#crossing (Points: 8.8 out of 10)
HUNGRY TOWN is not only a musical duo, but also a married couple. The band consists of REBECCA HALL (guitars, vocals) and multi-instrumentalist KEN ANDERSON, who both wrote and recorded everything together on their 2nd CD ‘Any forgotten thing’. Musically we get to hear a folksy singer-songwriter affair that somehow combines elements of THE CARPENTERS with traditional American Folk Music. “Never realized” could even have been a THE CARPENTERS tune and so are some of the other songs that are here and there bordering Middle Of The Road orientated, but HUNGRYTOWN gets less commercial due to the use of traditional instruments like an Accordion, a Banjo, a Mandolin, a Harmonica and a Glockenspiel, all played by Ken. In contrary there are also some experimental songs to be found, such as the almost Balkan sounding “Calliope”. Therefore HUNGRYTOWN is more aiming for the real folk fanatics with some nice instrumental arrangements and a mix of clean warm harmonyvocals and semi-high pitched vocals. Concluded, a nice rather original album that tries to cut both ways, being catchy and smooth and also dares to be different. More info at: http://hungrytown.net/ and available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_h.html#hungrytown (Points: 8.2 out of 10)
NICO WAYNE TOUSSAINT ‘LONELY NUMBER’ (IGUANE RECORDS/DIXIEFROG RECORDS/HEMIFRAN) 20 years ago in Minneapolis, NICO WAYNE TOUSSAINT started his journey and now 20 years later he releases a new CD in the shape of ‘Lonely number’. Nico is a singer and plays harmonica, but his music is pure Blues, so he gets a little help for the guitar parts from FLORIAN ROYO and several guest players. The man is blessed with a strong soulful voice that suits the music quite well. Although the opening cut “Lonely number” is not too far removed from current heroes THE BLACK KEYS and JOE BONAMASSA, the next few songs show that Nico is definitely moving into a completely different direction, because “One fine day” is bar-room boogie in the old school style of a LITTLE RICHARD or CHUCK BERRY, while “Time to party” sounds like it was recorded back in 1956, so Nico is more sounding like the 1950s early Rock and Roll style and that does not happen much nowadays. What sets him also apart from everyone else is the exceptionally great soulful vocalwork that almost makes you think you’re listening to a black soulman a la OTIS REDDING, but when looking at the frontcover of the CD it is clear that Nico looks quite the opposite! If you’re interested in hearing something different, then go for this album. More at: http://www.wix.com/nicowaynetoussaint/lonelynumber and available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_n.html#nicowayne (Points: 8.0 out of 10)
HIGHWAY BOUND LLOYD JONES ‘TRADITIONAL FOLK BLUES’ (UNDERWORLD RECORDS/HEMIFRAN) As the title predicts, this CD is made up of traditional folk blues numbers, done by LLOYD JONES with an acoustic guitar only. It is kinda like how it went back in the 1930s probably with artists like ROBERT JOHNSON and MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT. Blues on an acoustic guitar… it’s something you really have to like, but there’s a market for each music facet and so go check out Lloyd at: http://lloydjonesmusic.com/ and the CD is available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_l.html#lloyd (Points: -)
JENAI HUFF ‘TRANSITIONS’ (INDEPENDENT/HEMIFRAN) ‘Transitions’ is the debut CD of the female singer JENAI HUFF, who is helped on the album by two-time Grammy Winner BEN WISCH ('Album of the Year' with Marc Cohn and Mexican superstar, Ricardo Arjona), who produced the album and also plays piano and keyboards. The included music is a nice mix of Americana, Folk and a little Country, with good clean melodic vocals of Jenai. 11 songs are included and the material is mostly acoustic tingled and played safe, although “Somebody like you” clearly stands out above the rest as this is a sorta traditional almost Irish folksy uptempo piece and on the other hand a song like “Brother warrior” has got a really beautiful melody. A lot of songs are quite calm actually, yet with some beautiful harmonyvocals that give it a nice finishing touch. It sounds a bit like a combination of JONI MITCHELL and CSN&Y. Check it out for yourself at: http://www.jenaihuffmusic.com/ and available through: http://www.hemifran.com/artists_j.html#huff (Points: 8.2 out of 10)
And here we have something that sounds basically as good as it gets in the world of Progressive/Symphonic Rock today. Every now and then a new album in this genre has got that certain ‘click’, which reminds you how sensational this type of music can sound when it is done as well as on the 2nd album of the British band DEEEXPUS. Basically, this album has got all the ingredients needed to make it a Classic in the Prog genre. Although no new paths are being taken here, it is definitely a superb album that brings out the best in Progressive Rock available nowadays. The sound is rather massive, including rich keyboards, tight precise guitarwork, a pumping bass and explosive drums, while the lead vocals of singer TONY WRIGHT are quite stunning. Tony has a clean melodic voice that gives the band a warm and accessible approach, in contrary to a lot of other prog bands, where the vocals usually leave something to be desired. Not in this case, because overall this band sounds proggy and very melodic all of the time on the CD, with besides beautiful melodies in the vocal department, some amazing keyboard- and guitarwork by bandleader ANDY DITCHFIELD and MARK KELLY. Mark is known for being the keyboardplayer of MARILLION since the early 1980s, but as that band left the real Prog/Sympho field somewhere in the late 1980s when FISH left them, he decided to also work with multi-talented musician ANDY DITCHFIELD on this new album of his band/project DEEEXPUS. The 5 included songs show an incredible high level of musicianship that belongs to some of the best prog recorded since the last TRANSATLANTIC release ‘The whirlwind’. In fact, the 26 minutes counting epic titletrack “King of number 33” could well be the finest long epic track recorded since the classic lengthy tracks from both DREAM THEATER and TRANSATLANTIC. Especially the beautiful vocal melodies, big keyboardsounds and melodic guitarwork are making each second of this epic song a pleasure to listen to over and over again and basically these are the best 30 minutes you may experience on the day you hear it! Closing track “Memo” is a slightly more radiofriendly uptempo melodic rocker that has got a lot of similarities to IT BITES/FROST, while the most surprising fact about this song is that guest vocalist NIK KERSHAW (“Wouldn’t it be good”) is singing it! Concluded, 2012 has just started and we are already looking at what might become the finest progalbum of the year! Make sure to not miss this fabulous album by DEEXPUS! More info at: http://www.deeexpus.com (Points: 9.0 out of 10)
ALHENA ‘PROMO CDR’ (INDEPENDENT/POLAND IMPORT) ALHENA is a band from Poland and despite they only have a small independent promo CDR available for now, they show they are definitely a high quality band to reckon with in the future. Musically speaking this is prime-time female fronted Euro-Gothic Melodic Metal (with prog influences as well), so maybe not very original, however it is done at an incredible high level. The production sounds massive and vocally the band’s lead singer KATARZYNA DZIEMIANOWICZ has a really great voice. It’s a pity only 5 tracks are included, because during 25 minutes of playing time they are bringing more excitement than the semi-major label releases of for example XANDRIA. In fact, they seem to combine the better side of LACUNA COIL with a sorta Prog twist and end up sounding quite sensational. I can’t wait for a full-length CD and if I had a label I would definitely like this band to be on it! Be sure not to miss this great Polish band at: www.myspace.com/alhena.pl (Points: 8.3 out of 10)
Out of Portland, Oregon, USA comes the band AGE SEX OCCUPATION, whom are sounding like an early 1980s feel-good funky Poprockband. Quite a few songs on their debut-CD ‘This side of the fence’ sound dangerously close to HALL AND OATES and also GO WEST comes to mind sometimes, but the band’s singer (DANIEL WEISKOPF, who also plays keys and guitar) also has a pure British way of singing (a little New Wave ish). It is all done very well, including soulful vocals, a funky bass and a lot of great soaring melodies. 10 tracks are included and the highlights can be find during “The day I ignored street signs”, “Volcano”, “This side of the fence” and “Another world”, although pick any of the songs, because they are mostly following a same path, which is a semi-uptempo type of funky Pop/Rock with memorable hooks and really catchy choruses. So many bands out there and it is a pity some might be overlooked and that is a pity, because a band like AGE SEX OCCUPATION deserves to be heard worldwide! More info at: http://www.agesexoccupation.com (Points: 8.3 out of 10)
The American band HOWLIN RAIN releases their 3rd album ‘The Russian wilds’ on BIRDMAN RECORDS, which is part of the legendary AMERICAN RECORDINGS label. This label was founded back in the late 1980s as DEF JAM RECORDINGS by RICK RUBIN (who also produced this CD of HOWLIN RAIN) and saw in their early years acts like SLAYER, DANZIG, THE BLACK CROWES and later on JOHNNY CASH and TOM PETTY releasing albums. It is almost unbelievable that this rather new (formed in 2004) San Francisco/Bay Area based band HOWLIN RAIN has not yet had their big breakthrough, because their 1970s influenced type of Retro Hard Rock is very popular at the moment with acts like WOLFMOTHER, THE ANSWER and THE BLACK KEYS finding fame and fortune all over the world. Somehow, this new album of HOWLIN RAIN easily blows away the records of those similar sounding bands. This is thanks to the fact that HOWLIN RAIN has really put every effort in making their new album ‘The Russian wilds’ sound like it is true Classic Rockalbum, in which they definitely succeeded after several spins of the record! Also the fact their album is quite diverse and they are blessed with a truly amazing lead vocalist (who also happens to be the founder and guitarist of the band, ETHAN MILLER) makes them a winner for any fan of 70s type of Hardrock in a modern jacket. 11 songs are included, starting off with “Self made man”, a pure MONTROSE orientated early 1970s groovy Hardrocker, with big fat guitar riffs and truly superb Classic Rock style vocals by Ethan, who is showing here that he is not just a tremendous singer, but perhaps one of Classic Rock’s finest singers since the 1970s ended! Imagine DAVID COVERDALE, ROBERT PLANT, SAMMY HAGAR, IAN GILLAN, ROGER DALTREY, “LORD” DAVID BYRON all mixed up and you’re pretty close to this guy’s voice! Next track “Phantom in the valley” might well become one of Classic Rock’s finest songs in decades, because this is such a perfect tune that truly resembles all that was good about 1970s Hardrock. Actually it goes even further than that, as it combines the groovy guitar riffs of JIMI HENDRIX and CREAM with the Hammond and clean melodies of URIAH HEEP during the excellent chorus and finish it off as a real epic tune with even a little SANTANA Samba rhythm at the end of the song! Following track “Can’t satisfy me now” is a slower bluesy rocker, while “Cherokee Werewolf” has STYX harmonyvocals during the chorus and the song itself even sounds a bit like the early 1970s records of STYX, so basically another super sensational song. “Strange thunder” slows things down for a while, beginning as a very calm almost folksy acoustic piece that resembles a bit of FLEET FOXES, yet towards the end it becomes a true classic 1970s rocker that mixes the best of URIAH HEEP and THE WHO. After a short instrumental piece (“Plex reception”), the band goes a little experimental during “Dark side” that even has a bit of 1970s QUEEN to offer and once again is featuring some fantastic vocalwork. We are then entering a complete different world, because the song “Beneath wild wings” is a calmer pure 1970s US Westcoast/AOR type of light rocker that recalls memories of bands like ORLEANS, FIREFALL, POCO, BOULDER, PLAYER, THE BUOYS, with a lovely catchy melodic harmonyvocals driven chorus and some breezy smooth guitars backing it up. More Westcoast influences during the beautiful “Collage”, which reminds a bit of CROSBY, STILLS, NASH and YOUNG. This is not a coincidence, because it is actually a cover of a song by the American band THE JAMES GANG from their 1969 debut album ‘Yer album’, a band that featured legendary guitarist JOE WALSH (THE EAGLES). Anyway, a rather surprising cover and nice to hear something less familiar being covered. The final song (not counting the semi-instrumental jazzy outro “…still walking, still stone”) is “Walking through stone”, a slower heavy bluesrocker that has some THE BLACK KEYS similarities, with once again also some very nice harmonyvocals. Concluded, this is definitely a contender for Classic Rock album of the year 2012, so make sure not to miss it! More info at: www.howlinrain.com (Points: 9.0 out of 10)
‘My friend Marx’ is the debut CD of the Irish singer/songwriter MARC O’REILLY, who did not only write and sang all 12 songs on the album, but also produced it and played guitars, bass and piano as well, so we have a very talented multi-instrumentalist here. Nevertheless, he got help from several other musicians and if we have to believe the press, Marc is going to be the next big thing to emerge from Ireland. Actually, after repeated spins of Marc’s first CD, I have to admit that this is very impressive high quality stuff. Marc is blessed with a great slightly raw voice and his songs are a pleasure to listen to. They combine elements of Classic British/Irish Traditional Folk and American/Nashville Folk/Blues, sounding very clean and melodic, yet with a raw edge here and there. Most of the 12 included songs are based around a rather virtuoso sounding acoustic guitar and Marc’s passionate crystal clear vocals, with as absolute highlight the beautiful and rather catchy “Narrow street”, although each and every song has it’s charm of course, because for instance a song like “Get back” is also quite remarkable, due to the rather interesting ‘dark sounding’ guitar riffs that are accompanied by a Trumpet. If you are a fan of let’s say JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW, BON IVER, RAY LAMONTAGNE, DAMIEN RICE, RYAN ADAMS and even FLEET FOXES, this musician is highly recommended to check out and let’s hope he will indeed breaks through in 2012! More info at: www.marcoreillymusic.com (Points: 8.2 out of 10)
The band FALL FROM GRACE was formed in 2004 in Seattle and after winning a contest, in which they beat out over 7,000 (!) bands, they secured a million dollar contract with the label BODOG MUSIC. The result was a full-length major label debut CD titled ‘Sifting Through the Wreckage’, which was released back in 2008, but now 4 years later they have gone independent. Happily it has no influence on the band’s sound at all, because the new album ‘The romance years’ sounds quite sensational actually. They have a pure American Rocksound and after a few tunes I was actually thinking they are not too far removed from the current NIGHT RANGER sound, which is modern Rock orientated, yet with the catchy melodies from the 1980s US Melodic Hardrocksound. The perfect example of that mixture can be heard during the uptempo Melodic Rocker “18 & out”, which sounds already like a Classic American Rock Anthem! However, most of the songs do follow this style, so combining catchy melodies with the modern Rocksound, imagine a mix between SIMPLE PLAN, THREE DOORS DOWN and NIGHT RANGER, then you’re quite close. The band is at their best during the uptempo pieces that are all over the place on the album. Besides the already mentioned “18 & out”, other highlights are the catchy uptempo Melodic Rockers “Your majesty”, “A train leaves London” and the titletrack “The romance years”. Modern Melodic Rock at it’s best is the clear conclusion when listening to this rather cheerful radiofriendly album of FALL FROM GRACE, which could well have been a major label release, but is currently only available through: www.fallfromgrace.us (Points: 8.4 out of 10)
I don’t know what it is, but Swiss bands always sound good and in the case of FROZEN ROOM from the city of Basel, there is no exception to that rule, because their independent full-length debut-CD ‘Arise’ is a very impressive album. The production is very good for an independent release, the musicianship of the 3 bandmembers is very tight and the included material is quite strong and memorable. The band has a great vocalist, namely bassist ALAIN SCHWALLER and the music is sounding modern, but very melodic and catchy. Clearly influenced by the American way of modern Rock/Metal, the band reminds a lot of DISTURBED, SHINEDOWN and CREED, yet with a touch of European Metal (such as the PRIMAL FEAR/SINNER/DREAM EVIL type of chorus during “Arise”). A song like “You don’t see” is a very catchy uptempo piece that leans close towards the SHINEDOWN classic “Devour”, but there’s also material that recalls memories of bands like NOCTURNAL RITES and MYSTIC PROPHECY, yet always with a slight DISTURBED meets ALTER BRIDGE influence as well. The band really owes a lot to their great vocalist, because he lifts up the overall sound of the band to a very high level and I am quite sure that if a song like the midtempo “What if” would be played on American radio, people would think that FROZEN ROOM is a major label signed band, because at times they sound as good as CREED, ALTER BRIDGE, STONE SOUR, SALIVA, THREE DOORS DOWN, etc. etc. Besides the already mentioned songs, other highlights are “Get away” (pure uptempo European Melodic Metal, excellent song a la MYSTIC PROPHECY, also with great hidden guitarsolo) , “Don’t let me down” and closing track “Out of control”. Make sure not to miss this excellent Swiss band at: www.frozenroom.org (Points: 8.6 out of 10)
The English band REASON was formed a few years ago by Guitarist/Songwriter Chris Gyngell and Vocalist Paul Mace. Chris used to be a member of the band VANDAMNE, a 90s Melodic Hardrockband we reviewed all the way back in one of our first printed issues of Strutter’zine. We even did an interview with them circa their LONG ISLAND RECORDS released debut album. After a rare 2nd album, it became quiet around that band, although the members went on doing other projects and so now we end up in a band called REASON and their debut CD ‘The darkest star’ on the Swedish label ALIENATION RECORDS. Keyboard player Gil Hird, bassist Graham Corbett, and drummer Sean Feeley complete the line-up of the band. Musically speaking they are not far removed from VANDAMNE, so we are drifting into classic 80s Melodic Hardrock, yet with a slight proggy twist. Although the production could be better, the music is quite nice to listen to, reminding a lot of 80s DOKKEN, PRAYING MANTIS, MASS and PHIL VINCENT, with a typical British Melodic HR approach. It actually sounds pretty good during songs like “Another world”, “Before the dawn” (great chorus), “Evil angel” and “Cool starry night” (ballad). Although nothing new is brought here, overall this does sound pretty good and is interesting for the fans of classic 80s guitar orientated Melodic Hardrock. Check them out at: www.reason-music.com , www.revernation.com/reasonuk and www.alienationrecords.com (Points: 8.1 out of 10)
Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist MICHAEL OLIVIERI was once a member of the legendary Melodic Metalband LEATHERWOLF, but started a new adventure under his own name, with a six-member band backing him up. In that band we can find the legendary TOM CROUCIER on bass. Tom was involved with bands like SCORPIONS, RATT, LIFE BY NIGHT and THE TURTLES (!) and currently part of the MICHAEL OLIVIERI BAND. Musically speaking this is something completely different, because the included music is a mix of Americana, Blues, Westcoast and Singer/Songwriter. Mostly acoustic tingled, it nevertheless still rocks a bit, like a stripped down Southern fried Hardrockband of the TESLA kind, with yet a Country twist and some deep down the south raw bluesy vocals of Michael. The semi-ballad type of songs like “Halo”, “Broken glass” and “For worse or better” are the highlights here. Don’t expect Metal here, but still the Rockfans will appreciate it and I have to say that Michael delivers quite a high quality record here with ‘M.O.B.’. Hear for yourself at: www.michaelolivieriband.com (Points: 8.1 out of 10)
Out of the Atlanta, Georgia, USA area comes the talented singer/songwriter CARLY GIBSON, who released a 3-song EP titled ‘Heavy water’ back in 2010. The album was recorded and produced by Greg Robert (formerly of KANSAS) and especially the first 2 songs show that Carly is a very talented singer, because both “Rebirth” and “Heavy water” are beautiful well-crafted acoustic singer/songwriter type of tunes. The third song “Wasting away” is a rockier, almost AOR type of uptempo piece that reminds me quite a lot of classic JAIME KYLE, with even a nice electric guitar solo by Carly herself. I do feel that this must just be the start of something much bigger, because this material is already a few years old and I really think that the upcoming first full-length CD of Carly might really be something to look forward to. It would be nice to see her do a mix of acoustic tingled singer/songwriter pieces and AOR type of rockers, just like on this mini-CD. In the meantime, this 3-song CD is available through the website of this talented and beautiful girl from the US state of Georgia, at: http://www.carlygibson.net (Points: 8.3 out of 10)
The duo LA BLANCHE ALCHIMIE from Milan, Italy consists of multi-instrumentalist Federico Albanese (Piano, Electric Bass, Clarinet and Guitar) and the classically trained singer/songwriter Jessica Einaudi. ‘Galactic boredom’ is their 2nd CD and without a doubt, this album sounds quite original and a lot of the material is of a very high level. Especially the title track “Galactic boredom’ is a superb tune that sounds like the perfect cross between KATE BUSH, TORI AMOS, FLORENCE AND THE MACGINE, ELIZA RICKMAN, FIRST AID KIT, WEBB SISTERS and FLEET FOXES. Most of the songs are moving into a somewhat similar path, combining an atmospheric Cinema like approach with very dark melancholic melodies and clear Baroque meets Folk influences can also be heard. Actually it is also sounding like a Rockalbum, yet without the Rock approach (!), if you understand what I mean! It’s all done with the use of just a few instruments and Jessica’s fantastic voice which easily goes into the direction of TORI AMOS and KATE BUSH. Besides the already mentioned title track, also “The sound of marbles” and the only rockier tune “Cellar Disco Club” belong to the absolute highlights on this album. Definitely an album you need to listen to a few times before making up a good judgment, as it captures a real original sound that all together creates a sort of soundtrack to lengthy melancholic dark movies, such as last year’s ‘Melancholia’, ‘Black Swan’ and ‘The Tree of life’. Make sure not to miss this gem! More info at: http://www.lablanchealchimie.com (Points: 8.5 out of 10)
Out of Johor, Malaysia and Singapore comes the band DULCINEA and their 2nd CD is titled ‘In the shadow of the sun’. It is clear that we have a quality band here, because they sound rather professional on this new album, which musically is sounding like a pure Progressive Metalalbum, very melodic and catchy at times, but also with some Alternative Rock influences. However, songs like “Sacred star” and “Ice on the sun” show the band’s love and hunger for strong midtempo almost melodic rocksounding prog music that feature catchy choruses. The band also has some experimental moves, such as during the very Alternative sounding “Ghosts” and the closing track “Closure” which has some similarities to PORCUPINE TREE. Of course the production is not up there with major label releases, but for a band from Malaysia the music sounds very impressive and you can check them out here: http://www.facebook.com/Dulcineaband (Points: 8.1 out of 10) (All reviews by Gabor Kleinbloesem except where noted) |
KNIGHT
FURY ‘TIME TO ROCK’ (INDEPENDENT/USA IMPORT)
JACK
SUNDRUD ‘CAGE’ (DOGPILE RECORDS/HEMIFRAN)
JANNI
LITTLEPAGE ‘STRANGE ANGELS‘ (INDEPENDENT/HEMIFRAN)
EMILY
YANEK ‘WETCHING THE HIGHWAY’ (PRIMITIVE RECORDS/HEMIFRAN)
FIERY
BLUE ‘OUR SECRET’ (DOUBLOON RECORDS/HEMIFRAN)
CROSSING
KEYS ‘ABOUT TIME…’ (INDEPENDENT/HEMIFRAN)
HUNGRYTOWN
‘ANY FORGOTTEN THING’ (LISTEN HERE! RECORDS/HEMIFRAN)
DEEEXPUS
‘KING OF NUMBER 33’ (V2 RECORDS/EDELMUSIC/EARMUSIC)
AGE
SEX OCCUPATION ‘THIS SIDE OF THE FENCE’ (INDEPENDENT/XO PUBLICITY/USA
IMPORT)
HOWLIN
RAIN ‘THE RUSSIAN WILDS’ (BIRDMAN RECORDS/AMERICAN RECORDINGS/USA IMPORT)
MARC
O’REILLY ‘MY FRIEND MARX’ (SALT AND SHAKE RECORDS/IRELAND IMPORT)
FALL
FROM GRACE ‘THE ROMANCE YEARS’ (ROAD 2 HELL REKKIDS/INDEPENDENT/USA IMPORT)
FROZEN
ROOM ‘ARISE’ (INDEPENDENT/SWISS IMPORT)
REASON
‘THE DARKEST STAR’ (ALIENATION RECORDS/UK IMPORT)
MICHAEL
OLIVIERI BAND ‘M.O.B.’ (OLIVEJAR PUBLISHING/USA IMPORT)
CARLY
GIBSON ‘HEAVY WATER’ (SOUNDBRIDGE RECORDS/USA IMPORT)
LA
BLANCHE ALCHIMIE ‘GALACTIC BOREDOM’ (PONDEROSA MUSIC AND ART/ITALY IMPORT)
DULCINEA
‘IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN’ (SPIRAL RECORDS/MALAYSIA IMPORT)