Category: Music Reviews
Seattle-based musicians Sundogs have released a new album, both visually and audibly with ‘Legends In Their Own Minds,’ and create a relaxing, enjoyable, and easy listening world in the process.
Their press release says the following:
“Sundogs music is inspired by the days of Classic Rock and Jazz Fusion. It is written to satisfy the music fan within. If it sounds good to us, and we like listening to it over and over again, then that is the driving force behind whatever we decide to release. We are doing it for the pure joy of it, and because of that, the music and the videos are authentic.”
For fans of Steely Dan and Tom Petty, the band attributes its roots to grow up in the backwater neighborhoods of Freemont, California.
Stan Snow and Jed Moffitt, the founders of the band, feel that their primary goal in music is to satisfy the music fan within. “If it sounds good to us and it’s something that we like listening to over and over, that is the driving force in how we write, arrange, produce and record. We are doing it for the pure joy of it”.
Listen to the track “Johnny” below:
To keep up with the band, visit the following sites:
Fort Wayne Classic Pop Musician, Damon Mitchell, gathered his army of multi-talented musical gurus to cultivate a tale of the world in the eyes of the apple of Damon eye’s throughout his latest EP release, ‘Elise’. Here’s our track-by-track thoughts.
Kicking off with the first track, “Heist”, Damon bounces in with a playful instrumental akin to a track by Michael Buble as his vocals are rich in depth and soul over a vulnerable lyrical spill about feelings being developed for another over time. The second track, “Just A Face”, takes it back to instrumentals akin to The Marshall Tucker Band as Damon lyrically spills the beans on how someone who he once held near and dear has now morphed into another face in the crowd through expansive life experience and curiosity. “License Plate” is the third track that is a genre-bending album highlight in which lyrics metaphorically tackle Damon’s simple yearning to be with someone he loves as the track universally mimics Death Cab For Cutie. The fourth track, “Salo”, showcases a level of maturity in instrumentals as haunting lyrics speaking of wolves crawling into the bed of a lover leave a deep mind pondering as Damon’s mesmerizing vocals carry listeners into a state of euphoria. “World In Her Eyes” is the sixth track that brings forward elements of Jazz as the songwriting style leads listeners to jump into pools of mystery when it comes to the elevating feelings for a soul that is a walking bundle of smoke and mirrors and Damon knows it. Closing out with “Elise”, seasoned instrumentals that sound akin to Santana light up the track and close out the EP with a bang as Damon lyrically explains the ever-changing feelings for another that he continues to encounter within.
Young and bright-eyed, Damon is stepping into his creative zone and proves that he is aligning with his ability to bring forward his sensitive inner world throughout ‘Elise’. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Dave Matthews Band, Death Cab For Cutie and John Mayer, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Damon Mitchell on Soundcloud.
Damon Mitchell Social Links:
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
LA Duo, LUC, are living on a planet entirely their own and have made their futuristic musical home throughout their latest EP release, ‘Glow’. Here’s our track-by-track thoughts.
Kicking off with the first and title track, “Glow”, the duo crawls their way into the hearts of listeners with a glitchy industrial beat akin to How To Destroy Angels as lyrics that confront the slow descent of what once was a life of glory for another is sinfully pleasing to observe. The second track, “Over It”, brings us back to the days of Garbage as brash lyrics that showcase the end of an expired love uplift the moody and heartbroken listener. “Extraverdant” is the third track that slows it down into an experimental and vibrant array of technical elements that come together to make a haunting track that reeks of a hypnotic potion of discontent and yearning blended together into a glass of relational hell. The fourth track, “Ghost”, takes listeners into the future with experimental bliss over bold lyricism that is full of ego and pride that is attempting to be transformed into empowerment. “Running Down The Halls” is the fifth track that adds a little cheer into the mix as Lead Vocalist, Kari, sounds angelic, raw and in tune with her sensitivity. Closing out with “Lost In Love”, the duo lyrically confronts the living hell that tends to sprout when one loses themselves in another.
Let’s help LUC round to 3 million views on “Glow” as their global influence continues to spread far and wide with over 90 million streams total and TV placements that are serving to shed light on what’s to come for LUC. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as St. Vincent, PJ Harvey and Blondie, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for LUC on YouTube.
LUC Social Links:
Facebook • Website
Boston Musicians, Miss Cactus & the Desert, instantly move listeners and viewers with a fun and spirited track, “Dating School”, which is accompanied by a music video that explores the roles of gender which is commonly portrayed in boxes amongst modern-day society. Showcasing to the world that she and her team are the embodiment of a multicultural world that travels deep beneath the skin, Lead Vocalist, Alondra Ramirez Ladd, travels through the depths of her spirit to portray stifling projections of pain and how the lack of equal opportunity due to race, color, religion, gender, sexuality, etc can serve to only destroy a human life. Making the conscious choice of leading out a life of equality is what deems Indie acts such as Miss Cactus & the Desert as independent thinkers that have come together to create works of musical art that are stirred from the heart.
Finding remnants of herself that once were previously undiscovered within, Alondra Ramirez Ladd is a soulful blast of Psychedelic Funk and vibrant awareness that is compelling to observe throughout a light visual narrative and massive inner story coming forward through the lyrical backstory behind “Dating School”. If you’re a fan of a mixture of fellow musicians such as Santigold, Betty Who and Janelle Monae, then keep an eye on the promising ride ahead for Miss Cactus & the Desert on Soundcloud.
Miss Cactus & the Desert Social Links:
Facebook • Website • Spotify
Canadian Modern Pop Artist, David Browning, has traveled around the world and back into himself which is evident to hear throughout the delivery of his latest EP, ‘Now You See Me’. Confronting a once empty space from a place of hope for a brighter future with love, David sets himself free as he comes into a place of clarity throughout each track. Here’s our thoughts.
Kicking off with the first track, “Stay Over”, David Browning knits together a string of yearning throughout the lyrical trajectory that speaks of surrender and joy stemming from simply being amongst an individual who has set his heart in bloom. “Call Me When You’re Single” is the second track that takes the EP for a spin into a more somber space as David begins with a reflective lyrical narrative highlighting the days of innocence that he once shared with a lover that is now sharing their life with another. Closing out with “Always Inside”, David ends from an emotive space as he reminds listeners that the true rubies of life are cultivated within.
David Browning teamed up with Grammy Award Winning Producer, Ian Prince, for ‘Now You See Me’. David is actively working toward living out his highest dreams by utilizing his life experiences in a highly stimulated space as means of a source of inspiration that is igniting the emotional delivery of his music. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Rob Thomas, Sam Smith and Shawn Mendes, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for David Browning on Spotify.
David Browning Social Links:
Facebook• Website• Spotify
Finland Rockers, Daggerplay, have set out on an exploration of gore, love, pain and more throughout their latest full-length album release, ‘Subterranean Reality’; here’s our track-by-track thoughts.
Kicking off with the first track, “Red Sky”, Daggerplay begins with a Rockabilly instrumental that is both unexpected and welcoming as the track bends through genres to create a rich delivery of spite. “Cruel Wind Blowing” is the second track that begins with the instrumental feel of The Eagles which swiftly runs back into a dose of Punk as Lead Vocalist, Pekko Mantzin, unleashes the fury that he has been building within. The third track, “Don’t Give Up”, is a lyrical blast of acceptance that reminds listeners to no longer tolerate energizing feelings that have expired. “Black River” is the fourth track that instrumentally aligns with Billy Talent as Daggerplay lyrically floats down a blackened river of blood flowing through the veins of a poisoned soul. The fifth track, “Girl, it’s Gonna Get Better Or Just Worse”, slows it down into an intro acoustic which swiftly shifts into a lyrical reminds the apple of their eye that they must take mindful action or simply move on. “Days Like These” is the sixth track that throws listeners right into the pit as a high-strung blast of instrumentals keeps rebellious souls on their toes.
The seventh track, “Four Walls”, sets all wicked feelings free over a track in which Pekko shares that he has dove into substance for a temporary escape from a living hell that he knows he created. The ninth track, “Same Old, Same Old”, is a vent of lyrical frustration as the humans of Daggerplay attempt to overcome pieces of their current life experience that are hindering them from moving forward. The eleventh track, “One Mile Town”, is the musical culmination of a group of people that are on the edge of packing up their car and making it to the next place that they can to awaken a new creative inner land. The thirteenth track, “Ghosts”, begins with the instrumental feel of a 90’s Rock track by Third Eye Blind as the lyrics welcome ghosts that are creeping out from closets that the closet that all were under the impression they had closed. Closing out with “Sinister Blues”, Daggerplay attempts to take on a brighter hue as they find a place of closure with knowing that they are ready to move on to a new city and new life.
Daggerplay is the perfect band of punks that could light up your upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with ‘Subterranean Reality’. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys and Billy Talent, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Daggerplay on Soundcloud.
Daggerplay Social Links:
Facebook• Website• Twitter
PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Strandberg
Chicago Musician, Ivor Lane, has fluidly laced their empathetic nature into an emotive release in the form of music throughout their upcoming EP release, ‘Postplay’. Through candidly navigating and scavenging through a stripped down inner territory that challenged Ivor Lane to transform pieces of their life experience, ‘Postplay’ exhibits hope in the midst of a soulful catharsis. Given that we were able to explore an early release of ‘Postplay’ prior to its upcoming March 29th, 2019 release, here’s our track-by-track thoughts.
Kicking off with the first track, “Loved Me”, Ivor slowly creeps into a mellow echo of their haunting and beautiful vocals which align with the delivery of Tracy Chapman as Ivor lyrically finds clarity in accepting unrequited love. The second track, “Miss Me”, begins with a haunting dense piano instrumental akin to Death Cab For Cutie as Ivor lyrically traces the scars on their battered spirit with a thread of vulnerability that is abounding with raw and unguarded truth. “Reminder” is the third track that switches it up toward a dose of cryptic dark laced with anger and vengeance as Ivor lyrically sleeps with the remnants of the past that linger through their mind and room as they traps oneself in a state of gloom. The fourth track, “I Wait Too Long”, tricks listeners with an opening instrumental that matches the likes of both Kanye West and Moby as Ivor reaches in their reservoirs of femininity to lyrically bring out a divine trace of pain that has been a serpent that they have been dying to heal. Closing out with “You’ve Got Me”, Ivor elevates his perspective into a realm of hope while lyrically immersing listeners with their experience of gifting themself with another chance to live and love.
Ivor’s voice is rich in empathy with a delivery that showcases that it took serious life experience and hurt to come to a place of peace. Set a reminder for the March 29th, 2019 release of ‘Postplay’ by Ivor Lane. If you’re a fan of a mixture of fellow musicians such as Bon Iver, Poe and Portishead then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Ivor Lane on YouTube.
Ivor Lane Social Links:
Facebook • Website
Nashville Rockers, Best Intentions, have lyrically and instrumentally put their best and most firm foot forward when it comes to spreading the important message that no one has to accept toxicity in their life in any form throughout their latest single, “Twisted”. It is evident that it took years of experience, pain and a toxic interpersonal connection to sprout the downright hurt throughout “Twisted” which tends to come when the rose-colored glasses eventually fall off. Lead Vocalist, Tony Pietrafesa, makes it felt through his scratchy vocal style that he is tired of enduring something that no longer fits with the self-respect that he has chosen to embody.
Best Intentions are gearing up for an exciting year as they have their upcoming debut album set to be released this Summer of 2019. Showcasing instrumental synergy and the ability to take listeners to a nostalgic place that is abounding with spite, Best Intentions have taken a turn down a road that not many active bands are going through with lacing in a touch of Emo similar to bands of The Used, Hawthorne Heights and He Is Legend when they were in their prime. The guys of Best Intention have the best intentions heading into a promising career of music ahead. Travel back in time to the days of our mosh-pit, Rock ‘N’ Roll glory with Best Intentions over “Twisted”. If you’re a fan of fellow musicians such as Something Corporate, Taking Back Sunday and Armor For Sleep, then keep an eye on the ride ahead for Best Intentions on YouTube.
Best Intentions Social Links:
Toronto Native, Erich Mrak, has stepped into his world of music with a firm intention and acknowledgement of what he can create if he stays on track with his artistry, which he has. Being cognitively and consciously aware of the reasons behind the mental mechanisms and behaviors that lead another to behave in a way that can be challenging to “Navigate” from time to time, Erich Mrak is lyrically aligned and in tune with his acknowledgement of the inner and biological workings of a human and how that can affect connection. Over a hypnotic beat that matches with the revealing of the thoughts that are spinning through Erich Mrak’s rapid creative mind, “Navigate” is a track that patiently yearns for clarity yet finds that clarity that one is seeking in the midst of creation.
