Some feel the songwriting craft is a dying art form in music as Power Pop and Rap dominate the airwaves with music that is for the most part - well not very real. But regardless of how you feel about Pop, or even Rap strong musicianship has remained strong and resultant over the years primarily in Jazz, Funk and R&B. However I must admit there is a resurgence of this type of music in bands like Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., Rusted Root and Passenger. The music of Kevin Durr reminds me of the aforementioned artists and bands.

Luke Jon Shearer is a compelling artist from Australia and his latest CD released in 2014 is entitled Close Your Eyes, Open Your Mind. Straight away I get the impression Shearer is no stranger to the Electronic Rock movement. This painful, dark and, at times, hauntingly beautiful compilation of tracks are the fruits of life itself. The dark inspirations that find their way into this album with trying too hard to do so and these latest tracks will no doubt turn heads in the scene.

https://the-sweetlips.com/

(AUS) 3 piece rock band “The Sweet Lips” just released their latest 10 song album entitled (From out of Nowhere) in 2014. From the first notes of (Little Child) trough to the final winding twists and turns of (Down) this release fires on all cylinders. In contrast a band like “The Sweet Lips” deliver an incredibly balanced blend of Heavy Blues, Rock and Hard Rock and just a dash of Alternative Rock. New band members Richard Caitlin & Kirt Mallie helped greatly on the music front and squeezed out 10 tracks for there new album “from out of nowhere” This album has a tasty build through catchy tracks & a little surprises in each song; following along the lines of stoner/grunge-rock adding a bit more grit to the music flavor. The sweet lips first track on the album is “Little Child” this song has punched through the barriers In the American movie market & is quickly gathering attention from other resources. The sweet lips music is released through i Tunes & other Internet base outlets check out the sweet lips on the link below & leave a comment on your thoughts of this great new album. Monaghan and company have much in the way of promise and marketability especially to cult fans like Oleander, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam and Dozer, Colour Haze, Nebula and Screaming trees. The Sweet Lips provide 10 intriguing musical stepping stones and boldly showcase world class musicianship with no illusions, or farces. This is real and genuine rock n’ roll musical expressionism folks! All tracks are powerful, melodic and highly entertaining. Which doesn’t even begin to describe the inducing guitar/vocal presence of front man Monaghan. This guy is a musical triple threat in my mind. He’s got the look, he can play a mean guitar, and he’s an impassioned singer/songwriter. Besides - his name is awesome as well. Like I had mentioned its impressive how well “The Sweet Lips” have combined heavy, blues rock with alt-rock dark balladry. What’s more I didn’t fail to notice deep, soulful vocals and emotive lyrics perhaps influenced by Nirvana, Yawning Man, Los Natas and The Atomic Bitchwax.

URL: https://www.markgothard.com/

Stocked full of hooks and a laid back playing style that never lets it’s guard down, to melodies which linger long after the playing has passed, “Fly the Coop” by LA based Mark Gothard provides 13 intense  and inventive tracks which play like new adventures, yet approaches them like old friends you feel you’ve known for a long time. This latest release pleasantly embraces the ears and is in a league all by itself with an elite spirit of eagerness and vibrancy. The unique melodies soak every accomplished note from the beginning of “What You Come Here For” through to resolved end of “Down Here”. It offers many musical familiarities, wearing those inspirations proudly on its sleeve showcasing eclectic musical influences hinged on impressive musicianship and a unique yet dark signature sound.  Case in point: This is one of the most fascinating artists I’ve heard in quite some time. Personally I can hear traces of Neil Young, Chris Isaak, Tom Petty, John Hiatt, R.E.M., Ryan Adams and The Boss. Call me crazy but at times he sounds like a modern day version of Johnny Cash. It’s fair to say that the CD does not come down from the high of Track 2 “Month of June” and keeps you in a relatively intellectually “realist”, heavy hearted mood throughout.

Primary URL: https://www.michael-tracy.com/

Michael Tracy could be the next southern star, as “Gonna Smile” hits Feb.10th and shows he has the potential to break new ground and could possibly emerge as such, while his first Spectra release highly suggests. It must also be noted that his EP, “Hopeful” has also been picked up along with it, and plans to record the next one are already in the works.

URL: https://www.privetearth.com/

Privet Earth are an interesting alternative band with a lot of comparing groups to their sound, including The Strokes and Radiohead. Coming from Russia, their front man Ivan Smirnov is the mastermind of it all and it shows in his performance. He’s been at it since the age of 8 and then picking up steam by age 19, and influenced by all the typical greats. He’s already produced an album of his own and created his own following which he calls “Blitz Rock.” This release hits in March and promises to make some global noise.

CD: Self-Titled

REVERBNATION - https://www.reverbnation.com/artist_994364

Over the years we’ve seen rock, pop, and even hard rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy’, predictable, popish and highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n’ Roll” into “Yoga, Vitamins and Nikelback” Of course millions of musical lemmings don’t know the difference and trust me when I say  not everyone is entertained. Talking to many music fans out there the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something fresh, and something real.