2014/11 - month - Indie Music Reviews

Dee Hamilton: "Time Will Show"

Sun, 30 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Dee Hamilton stays classy with her latest single. “Time Will Show” doesn’t waste any time getting down to business. Dee’s voice comes in naturally at the start, sounding very angelic and soulful. As for the song, the vocals are sweet while the music has more of a kick to it. They don’t contrast too much but make for an interesting listen. If you had to compare Dee to someone, you’d have to look back in time to the ’70s when soul and R&B had a purity to it. Think of someone like Dionne Warwick, that’d be along the same lines as “Time Will Show.” If that’s something that sparks your interest, make sure to give Dee Hamilton and her single a listen before you do anything else today. (https://www.jango.com/music/Dee+Hamilton?l=0)

R&B The Classic Way with William Odell Hughes

Sun, 30 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

William Odell Hughes is a R&B artist who makes you move, think and feel. “Everytime It Rains” is a mid-tempo R&B jam. You can’t help but add a little bounce to your step as you’re moving and grooving to this one. Moving on to “Is This How You Like It” we step up the beat a bit, while the vocals remain to have that classic R&B soul to them with a punch of funk overall in the track, but low key. Then comes the booty…I’m not sure what I was expecting with titles like “Big Booty” and “Butt Rattle” but somehow my expectations were still met. When you listen it’s like booty anthems for the mature crowd out there, not so much the Nicki Minaj, and JLo listeners. In all seriousness though, after the booties come and go, you have a man who can write a real heartfelt and striking song. “Drive By Shooting” is a hard one to get through because of the compassion in the story and you feel every note. The same goes for “Statutory Rape” as well. It’s clear that Hughes is all over the board with his music, but all the while remains classy and cool. If you’re into the standards when it comes to R&B, check out William Odell Hughes. (https://soundcloud.com/leaffairemusic)

Mark A Williams' Christian Buffet

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Mark A Williams has a collection of artists under his guidance to deliver a cascade of well done Christian music. “Tomorrow” isn’t sung by Mark, but it’s got him behind it I’m sure. The belief is strong with this one and the artist behind it has a very delicate voice that is soft to the audible touch. The same can be said about “Jesus Stand By Me.” Only this time the woman behind it is a bit older. You can tell the difference between the two, she has a sense of maturity in her delivery. We get into the male portion of Mark A Williams’ artists with “Soul Train to Glory.” It blends the love of the Lord with the honesty of Country music and the end result is a wonderfully sung piece that touches the soul. That Country fusion continues with “Father How Long,” but again you can hear the generation gap in the vocals - or the artist behind this one just has one of those true Country voices; deep and very masculine like George Strait. If you’re a fan of Christian music and want a buffet of it, check out Mark A Williams’s page now for all the goods. (https://www.jango.com/music/Mark+A+Williams?l=0)

Matt MacKelcan – From Where I Stand

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Matt MacKelcan – From Where I Stand

Primary URL: https://www.mattmackelcan.com/

South Carolina based Matt MacKelcan seems to be making all the right moves. His latest CD entitled “From Where I Stand” has received critical acclaim from many music critics and his impressive hybrid sound of folk/Pop is turning people’s ears and heads. Their dramatic crescendos, minimalist intensity, through intricate harmonies have elicited comparisons to The Civil Wars, the Swell Season**,** Josh Rouse, The Hold Steady, Son Volt, Pete Yorn, Neal Casal and Ray LaMontagne just to name a few.

Steve Moon Seventy Times Seven: "Messiah"

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Steve Moon Seventy Times Seven is for the strict believers of the Lord out there. There is no mistaking this for a secular song, the message of “Messiah” is loud and clear. The song starts out more like a sermon with a choir in the background. This choir has a very heavy presence and comes across like an omnipresent force. Then the bulk of the song comes through and Steve Moon Seventy Times Seven really brings it home with his retelling of Jesus and his struggles. It’s a very striking song for followers and non-followers alike. If you’re into heavy Christian music, then you will definitely want to take time out of your day to worship and listen with Steve Moon Seventy Times Seven and “Messiah,” available now. (https://youtu.be/rExdXEQ8NmI?list=UU_4NOQnmdjVFB_hJMklKK1A)

Sonido - Camino de los Suenos

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Artist: Sonido CD: Camino de los Suenos

URL: https://www.sonidoband.com/

Sonido (The Sound) is a Los Angeles based band led by Arie Salma and Rob Math. Sonido play original compositions featuring Flamenco-Jazz-Pop-World styles. For Multi-Talented Composer / Pianist / Producer Arie Salma, Music starts with melody. “If you can’t appreciate the song by listening to it played merely on the guitar or the piano, something in the composition must be missing’. Along with American Guitar- Virtuoso Rob Math, they formed SONIDO on January 2012. The result of their bonding gave birth to this fantastic musical journey.

Laney Jones - Golden Road

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Artist: Laney Jones

CD: Golden Road

Primary URL: https://www.laney-jones.com/

Since releasing her first studio album “Golden Road” in 2013, the Florida native now turns heads in Boston, Massachusetts while attending Berklee College of Music on scholarships for songwriting and bluegrass studies. In addition to juggling the responsibilities of a college student, Laney has been touring up and down the East Coast, appearing as an emerging artist at music festivals such as Falcon Ridge Folk and Grey Fox Bluegrass. In autumn of 2013, Laney received the prestigious honor of representing Berklee at the Kennedy Center’s American Voices festival where she performed a moving rendition of her original song “Broken Hearts” at a masterclass with the legendary Alison Krauss.

Austin Belle “Just Drive” (EP)

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Austin Belle “Just Drive” (EP)

Official URL: https://austinbelle.com/

About the Artist: With a blend of Country and Pop/Rock backgrounds, Austin Belle is equipped with the perfect combination of well-written songs and talented artists. Lead guitarist and songwriter, Jesse Wainwright, hails from the hit-making, award-winning rock band State of Shock, lending his musical skills and incredible stage presence to the group. Wainwright is balanced by lead singer and songwriter, Stacey McKitrick, a JUNO award-winning artist already known to the Country world. Together, they create a new sound that can only be described as magical. Along with a talented backing band, their catchy songs and energetic stage show leave audiences wanting more. Combined, they have had the opportunity to perform with notable acts Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Great Big Sea, and more. They have won numerous awards, including a JUNO for ‘Single of the Year’; Canadian Radio Music Awards for ‘Rock Song of the Year’ and ‘Adult Contemporary Song of the Year’; an Indie Award for ‘Independent Single of the Year’; and a Western Canadian Music Award for ‘Rock Recording of the Year’. They are opening doors at every opportunity they are given, so keep your eyes on them – they are a talented force to be reckoned with, determined to rise to the top!

Heart – Home for the Holidays

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Heart – Home for the Holidays

URL: https://www.heart-music.com/

For 35+ years, Ann and Nancy Wilson have blazed a trail through popular music as the lynchpins of Heart, one of the most successful acts in modern music history. Their talents and presence have defined the band since their 1976 debut, Dreamboat Annie. The sisters have likewise demonstrated tremendous staying power. A fool would pin their longevity on luck; talent and grit has steered them through turns in commercial fortunes and momentous life decisions. The band’s music and Wilson sisters alike have influenced legions of imitators and, only in recent years, have received the critical recognition they have deserved for decades.

Rock & Roll with Johnny Lynn

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Johnny LynnJohnny Lynn is a singer songwriter who knows how to rock and who knows how to roll with matters of the heart. “All Said & Done” is an upbeat good time. It sounds a little like the rock and roll from back in the ’50s that would’ve been considered for the bad boys. As we move into “She Loves The Night” we get a little sincere in the music. The intro has a sweetness to it and that carries on into the vocals as they progress throughout. Right away I was interested to hear what “Crazy Richard” had to offer. The title alone is enticing. It doesn’t sound as crazed as one would assume though. I thought it would be a reckless delight. Instead it was well composed rock and roll, which you can’t really complain about, right? As the songs continue on and shape who Johnny Lynn is as an artist, we land on the end with “Good Life.” We kicked it off with a rocker and end with a lover. Here you can really hear all Lynn can do vocally when stripped down. If you’re a fan of artists like Ryan Adams, then you’ll just die for Johnny Lynn and all he has in his bag of tricks. So make sure to check him out today. (https://www.johnnylynn.com/)