Indie Music Reviews

Chellcy Reitsma Blends New and Old with 'Black Water' EP

published on July 9, 2019

Growing up with a multitude of genres flowing in and out of her house, it’s no surprise that Chellcy Reitsma evolves into the artist she is today. Her latest release, Black Water, is an EP that combines not only genres but eras as well.

The title track is the best example of just that. Her attention-demanding vocals play out in a modern world but we’re also taken back a bit with the way the harmonica notes weave in and out, blanketing the track with a subtle folk vibe. It’s that mix of styles that really elevated this song. Not to be outdone though, the rest of the EP is a stellar production that definitely excites the listeners in a multitude of ways. From the portrait painted in “She-Man” to the sultry ways of “Vixen,” Black Water is never a dull moment. That includes the poetic anchor at the end with “No Regrets.”

Dane Maxwell - “Where I’m Seen”

published on June 20, 2019

In Dane Maxwell’s “Where I’m Seen,” the up and coming pop singer/songwriter addresses the ills of abuse and bullying with a soft-spoken poetic drawl, but the lyrical content his smooth vocal emits is beyond cutting in tone. Maxwell comes in with a fragile style of attack that slowly grows more aggressive as he makes his way through the verses, and though he doesn’t show the slightest hint of reticence in his execution, there’s a shy sensibility to his serenade that adds to the narrative of the song substantially. “Where I’m Seen” is a beautiful ballad with a powerful message, and it’s giving critics more than one reason to take notice of its composer this season.

Resonator Blues (LP) by Derek Davis

published on June 6, 2019

URL: https://www.derekdavismusic.com/

Many will say that an out and out blues album in 2019 is destined to be little more than a curiosity and its appeal is limited to a narrow range of music fans that are far removed from the mainstream. Anyone who loves authentic blues that hears Derek Davis’ Resonator Blues, his third solo album, will fall in love from the first listen. The title song starts things off and Davis’ slide guitar work leaps out at listeners, full of fire and soul, and you can’t help but hear something signature in the way Davis attacks the strings. It isn’t without artistry however. He has a real touch on the instrument and his accompaniment is spot on with the way the other instrumentals dovetail into what he’s doing with his guitar. His vocals are equally satisfying and create a dialogue of sorts between his voice and the guitar.

“Waiting’s Never Easy” by Buenos Diaz

published on May 29, 2019

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/buenosdiazmusic?lang=en

Last month, Rolling Stone ran an article entitled “Unplugged: Is the Guitar Solo Finished?” and outlined its case that the biggest hits of the past 30 years seem to all have guitar solos and these guitar gods may be on the endangered species list. Call it what you want, but the truth is there are still lots of amazing hits that actually don’t use computers to create strong, guitar-driven tunes.

Alexis Keegan releases “What Am I Supposed to Do”

published on May 21, 2019

URL: https://www.alexiskeegan.com/instagram

With a single delicate touch, a piano comes to life, quietly at first, and slowly imparts to us a melancholic tone that will linger into the atmosphere as singer Alexis Keegan shapes it into a powerful, jazz-inspired anthem in “What Am I Supposed to Do,” her latest single. As we press on, a playful electric guitar peppers the melody in the keys with a striking confidence that will spread to the pendulous drum track and find its true commander in Keegan’s lush lyrical lashings from behind the microphone, which inarguably hold everything together in the song. “What Am I Supposed to Do” is in many respects a merger of old fashioned swing and new school tonality, mastered in high definition sound as to allow for every textured nuance in the music to receive the star-treatment in the grander scheme of things. It’s a fine addition to her growing discography of melodic gems, and a really intriguing song that I think would appeal to most anyone with a taste for highbrow R&B flavor.

Victor Pedro releases new Single

published on May 5, 2019

The synths get stronger just as the drums are backing down. The bass isn’t going anywhere, but then again, neither is Victor PEDRO. The beats are swelling by the second, but there doesn’t seem to be any urgency in our singer’s delivery of the delicate verses adorning every rhythmic wave that we encounter in the new single “Call Me, I Miss Ya!.” In this carefully constructed chorus, PEDRO demonstrates a level of self-control in his instrumentation as well as a degree of contrition in his lyricism that, when combined together, elevate his songwriting to a place that few of his peers are capable of reaching. There’s no hesitance in his words, no achingly recycled elements in this sonic cocktail; Victor PEDRO is going hard in “Call Me, I Miss Ya!,” and making a strong case for followers of the mainstream and the underground to turn their attention towards his brand in 2019.

Project Grand Slam release new music

published on May 2, 2019

URL: https://www.projectgrandslam.com/

Project Grand Slam’s latest album titled PGS 7 is a thrilling thirteen song studio release further cementing them as one of, regardless of genre, the best bands working today. It kicks off with the cut “Yeah Yeah”, a mainly instrumental track punctuated with a brief but very satisfying vocal from the outstanding Ziarra Washington. It has a great melody led by saxophone player Mario Castro, but other band members like guitarist Tristan Clark, percussionist Guillermo Barron Rios, drummer Joel E. Mateo, and bassist Robert Miller distinguish themselves as well. The album’s first single “Redemption Road” is much more of a traditional song than instrumental and Washington imbues the introspective lyrical content with a tremendous amount of soul, particularly hitting her stride during the chorus. It has a slightly more laid back feel compared to the opener, but this only illustrates how the band capably shifts gears while still retaining momentum.

The Respectables - The Power of Rock ‘n’ Roll

published on April 30, 2019

URL: https://www.respectables.ca/

The Respectables could rest on the laurels at this point. They’ve accomplished a lot. They’ve been a known commodity since the early 1990’s, receiving great praise and even opening for The Rolling Stones, as well as playing numerous stages throughout the world. It isn’t because they’re lucky. It’s because they are good, if not damn good. They make no secret of their love for rock and roll on the new album The Power of Rock ‘n’ Roll, but they also make their mark on listeners touching on both country and blues, and they pull off each form without ever straining to make you believe. The album’s title song is the first track and they hold your attention with an assortment of guitar flourishes courtesy of respected guest guitarist Waddy Watchel as well as swinging drums, solid vocals, and a chorus that brings everything to a higher level. The video for the song is worth seeking out as too – it accentuates everything they do with a visual charm that makes the song even more enjoyable.