Indie Music Reviews

Mason - Midnight Road

published on March 7, 2017

Mason - Midnight Road

The simply and evocatively titled Midnight Road is a memorable debut from Arizona headquartered blues rock practitioners Mason. Jacob Acosta, vocalist/songwriter/guitarist, leads this trio through an inspiring guitar centered workout over the course of ten superbly written tunes that never feel slavishly fixated on invoking the bands of bygone eras. Instead, Mason’s music culls reference points from what has gone before, but spins these elements in a highly individual blend that emerges as something truly their own. Acosta seems to be a one man music factory by himself with numerous solo releases and thriving indie bands like his Roll Acosta project that have landed him a place on the map as one of the most creative musical forces emerging from the indie scene today. He’s joined by some formidable musical talents with bassist Johnny Zapp and drummer Andre Gressieux; these two collaborators bring their own unique tastes and talents to the musical stew and, taken together, Mason comes out of this album sounding like a genuine force to be reckoned with.

The Flashpot Moments - s/t

published on March 7, 2017

The Flashpot Moments - s/t

URL: https://www.flashpotmoments.com/

The melodic power and sleek, streamlined straight-ahead charge to The Flashpot Moments’ music is largely the result of Tim Cawley’s songwriting and performing skill. Cawley, however, has the good sense to draft a variety of top flight players to contribute to the eleven songs on this debut and their talents dovetail nicely with what he wants for these songs. There’s an anthemic quality strong over the course of The Flashpot Moments’ eleven tracks, but this self-titled debut never panders too much for the audience’s favor. Cawley, undoubtedly, wants to create a crowd-pleasing work, but there’s a passion bubbling from what he does that suggests he’s in this for himself first and foremost, but happy to share his love for playing music with the world at large. We are lucky. This is an album that, every step of the way, is worthy of your attention and it’s an entertaining ride.

Jeremy Poland & Lantz Dale - Timeless Soul

published on March 3, 2017

Jeremy Poland & Lantz Dale - Timeless Soul

URL: https://www.jeremypolandmusic.com

Jeremy Poland & Lantz Dale has depth and style alike to burn. Their debut release as duo, Timeless Soul, is Poland’s follow-up to his well received first album Southbound Heart. The pop rock leanings of that collection get a twist into acoustic sounds on this seven track release, but they are inhabited by the same fierce, life-affirming spirit enlivening his first release. Timeless Soul doesn’t strain for its effects; Poland and Dale’s talents weave seamlessly into each other without fail on this release and, in some respects, it fully fleshes out the promise heard on his first release while taking it in a distinctly different sonic direction. The music and lyrics combine for some great hooks and there’s melody a plenty on Timeless Soul, but there’s also plenty of substance in these words that Poland and Dale make the most of.

Brooke Moriber - Up All Night

published on March 1, 2017

Brooke Moriber - Up All Night

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/brooke.moriber

Brooke Moriber’s musical endeavors have been on a steady climb over the last few years, increasingly more and more successful, and her newest track “Up All Night” promises to accelerate that rise. She’s already drawn considerable attention for previous singles, but her Broadway, television, and film appearances in often prominent roles adds another angle to her story not shared by many of her contemporaries. She is, in the truest sense of the world, an all-around talent. The latest single has an emphatic, deeply passionate vocal edge perfectly complementing the relentless electronic dance music backing. EDM sometimes gets knocked as not being a particularly substantive musical form, but Moriber’s approach proves that’s a lie in subtle ways while never failing to be very entertaining. “Up All Night” never overstays its welcome and will certainly inspire people to get up, start moving, and dance. It has an equally large capacity for emotion, however, and no one should neglect it.

Kirbie – Human

published on February 28, 2017

Kirbie – Human

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kirbiemusic/

The first single from Melon Soup, “Human”, brings another creative high for its composer and performer Kirbie. Kirbie Rose Parker is based out of the Washington D.C. area and has been working at her art for the last nine years in an effort to build and expand on her audience. The discipline and hard work required have paid off with a fully integrated effort that works both musically and lyrically. The production highlights her highly individual blend of multiple genres and lays a thoughtful songwriting sensibility over it all that never panders to her target audience. One never gets the sense that Kirbie is confining herself to a narrow swath of the listening public. Instead, “Human” seems aimed for anyone who’s experienced their own frailty and consistently asks the big questions that each of us seeks answers for over the course of our lives. This immensely relatable subject matter and the fine musical accompaniment make this performance a winner from the outset.

The Spider Accomplice - Los Angeles: The Abduction

published on February 27, 2017

The Spider Accomplice - Los Angeles: The Abduction

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheSpiderAccomplice/

The second album from Los Angeles based alternative rock trio The Spider Accomplice, Los Angeles: The Abduction, is the second installment in their critically praised Los Angeles Trilogy. The conceptual trappings of the EP shouldn’t be mistaken for the outright concept albums leanings, i.e. The Who’s Tommy or Queensryche’s Operation: Mindcrime, but their attempts at crafting a coherent storyline for the EP is a deeply rewarding and entertaining effort throughout. They probably rely a little too much on set pieces, like the spoken word and ambient introductions to many of the songs, but their effect on the release isn’t averse enough to drag down the entire work. Some will like those moments, and some will wish they just got on with the song. Overall, however, this is a gripping rock EP that features a dynamite lead singer in VK Lynne, and she’s accompanied by two exceptional musicians who have noticeable chemistry with each other. These are songs that, undoubtedly, rock in a live setting.

James Patrick Morgan - Art + Work = Love

published on February 24, 2017

James Patrick Morgan - Art + Work = Love

URL: https://www.jamespatrickmorgan.com/

The provocatively titled Art + Work = Love marks a critical turning point in James Patrick Morgan’s music career. Morgan has earned a reputation as a popular live performer in the Atlanta, Georgia area and surrounding environs, but this release takes his artistic pursuits to the next level. The collection features five songs, four originals, and show Morgan as a outstandingly creative musical force who effortlessly blends a variety of genre influences into a distinctive sonic template. This is as much high quality singer/songwriter material as it is pop and it’s to Morgan’s credit as a composer and vocalist he can engage audience’s thinking and emotions every bit as much as he can entertain. It’s an underestimated skill. Most artists are too limited, for one reason for another, or confine themselves to one line of attack in order to maximize their attention in a given style. Morgan, thankfully, doesn’t go in for any of that. The EP’s stellar production seals the deal for what makes this an exceptional release – it has vivid, visceral clarity without ever overwhelming the listener.

Jimmy Shannon - Better Now than Ever

published on February 22, 2017

Jimmy Shannon - Better Now than Ever

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/jimm-shannon/hard-to-come-by-m2

Jimmy Shannon’s musical education has obviously been quite good. The latest release from this talented singer and songwriter, Better Now than Ever, follows up his 2014 release Better Late than Never and shows off wide ranging talents never restricting themselves to one musical direction alone. Instead, Shannon dabbles in a little bit of everything with a great deal of success – blues, folk influenced pieces, pop, Americana, all of these things fall into his wheelhouse and he shows equal confidence navigating through their demands. The eleven songs on Better Now than Ever are strongly focused, never wasting a word or note, and listeners will find their time well rewarded by pursuing this album from beginning to end. Jimmy Shannon is an unique and meaningful talent in a genre filled with paint by numbers technicians and derivative performers. Better Now than Ever is a breath of fresh musical air.