URL: https://www.themailmanschildren.com/

Following a short hiatus, they returned stronger than ever with their 3rd studio album “Supply & Demand” in 2013.  Their 4th studio release - an EP called “The Spiders We Eat” was recorded in May of 2014 and is slated for a 2015 release.

URL: https://www.bullyheart.com/home.html

Over the past two years, deep in the den alongside her fellow feral musical beasts, David Boucher and Kevin Harp and Holly Long birthed a home for the Bullyheart voice within the project, “ANTIGRAVITY” paying homage to her love and appreciation for early 80’s rock and roll. The result is a clean, raw-edged record which sounds urgent and alive on first listen. Bullyheart has arrived on this 10 track LP full of classic modern throwbacks.

Primary URL: https://www.reverbnation.com/eschersenigma

Escher’s Enigma is Brian Miller (Guitar, Vocals, Midi) and Russ Miller (Bass). This father/son duo writes, arranges, performs, and produces original rock and pop music. Brian and Russ have a combined 40+ years of performing and recording experience. I hear no influences listed, such as Deep Purple/Rainbow and Black Sabbath. They’re a lot more modern than that, but who better to draw from either way. The CD “For A Moment” provides introspective songwriting in an adult contemporary format, similar in feel to their debut EP “From Me To There.” On this new one they paint a great picture of originals along with a surprising Guns ‘N Roses cover, with a palpable sleeve artwork done by Alan Miller. Brian Miller has been writing, recording, and performing since the age of 13. In high school, Brian was the lead guitarist and songwriter for Semi Crazi, an arena rock originals band.

REVERBANTION: https://www.reverbnation.com/nickdestefano

They say pictures are worth a thousand words. Set them to a song both heartbreaking and reflective and you have yourself a full blown narrative. Nick DeStefano’s “We Seek Higher Ground” channels Fred Durst a la the “Behind Blue Eyes” cover, and you can’t get any more literal than the track title here.

The harrowing song details the tragic events of a flood – after a few frames we understand it could very well revolve heavily around the storm at Seaside Heights, NJ, a few years back – and the use of pictures throughout paint the tale of its effects. Notably, the chosen photographs showcase the physical aspect of the natural disaster balanced by DeStefano’s lyrics which depict the pathos of the victims.

Primary URL: https://www.420punk.com/

I really do like the DIY element to this album. It does get a bit redundant, though. Still, there are things like a great sense of humor and a real punk sensibility that saves this. It’s not a great album, but it’s pretty good.

A folk song, “Godzilla” has a bit of a grunge element to it. It’s funny and fun. I love “Mister D,” too. It’s weird enough to be interesting. “Pessimists Can’t Pretend” doesn’t work as well for me. It’s just a little too long and not interesting enough. Next comes “Lesbian Folk Song” and it is another great song. It is just so much fun. It’s very humorous.

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

Jason Masi is an American/DC based singer-songwriter. He stepped out as a solo artist in 2010, trading in the band’s roots-jam driven rock for a more acoustic soul/r&b songwriter approach.

He has since released three solo albums, “Balance & Pull”, 2010, “Life Is Wonderful”, 2012 and latest being “Power of a Woman”, 2014. His transition has led him to supporting slots for hit songwriters like Bleu and Darryl Worley, and has kept him busy on the road performing over 250 shows per year. Influences in Masi’s sound can be drawn between soul artists like Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, folk and blues icons like Van Morrison and James Taylor as well as modern songwriters in the vein of Mat Kearney, Damien Rice and James Morrison. His songs are often reflective and thought provoking, yet maintain a free spirited and light hearted tone. Masi’s songwriting explores the complexity of love and compromise from a unique, but relatable perspective. The CD is chock full of would be country rock hits, but make no mistake, Masi has a lot of soul and even r&b influences driving this release, and found less on his previous work. The opening tracks sets the tone up well, with the humorous How To Be Rich leading the way for the title track, Power Of A Woman which could easily contend for pop song of the year. Next up is the less desirable Never Alone, which is quickly made up for by one of the albums best tracks of all, I Will Make It Up To You, with its clear message delivered. It might just be me, but this is one thing the album could use more of, that being middle of the road perfection. It reminds me of Willie Nelson somehow, but with an almost crooner quality. While there are plenty of great tracks here, one that also easily contends for best is Come On Out Tonight, with its jazz and soul influence it is a superb cut that makes the album all it can be along with a few tracks that tend to sound the same. That being all I can place any negative points on. Being familiar with most of his work, it wasn’t hard to enjoy Power Of A Woman.