Indie Music Reviews

Dave Diamond - Trois

published on August 5, 2016

Dave Diamond - Trois

Dave Diamond’s successful career in music spans more than twenty years. A prolific singer/songwriter and session musician, Dave has recorded and performed as a solo artist and with his own band as well as with an array of other talented and acclaimed musicians such as Bob Weir, Donna Jean Godchaux, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks, and Oteil Burbridge. Diamond has been featured in Modern Drummer and Drum Magazine, and is equally comfortable in abstract and complex musical terrain as evidenced by his contributions to Blow Up Hollywood, the art rock collective led by Steve Messina, and the musical catalogue of poet NYC poet/ songwriter Alan Semerdjian.

Skyward - Skyward self titled

published on August 4, 2016

Skyward - Skyward self titled

URL: https://www.skywardband.com/

The jaded can be forgiven their smirks. It isn’t hard to be a little skeptical when reading press materials about a band who has stumbled upon a hitherto unknown way to combine chest beating guitar rock with significant synth and pop influence. Young collectives of musicians and artists are always looking to distinguish themselves from what has came before them in a grasp for some sort of new identity not tethered to tired formulas of the past. There is usually little need for such posturing. If a collection of like-minded musicians can take up the mantle of existing forms and imbue them with some sense of the individual, rather than just regurgitating weary poses borrowed from brighter talents, all the press in the world doesn’t matter. They stand out on their own merits. Skyward stands out.

Danielle French - Dark Love Songs

published on August 2, 2016

Danielle French - Dark Love Songs

URL: https://www.daniellefrench.com/

The product of a rare communal songwriting experience, Danielle French’s Dark Love Songs is a nine song collection emanating from the wilds of northern Wisconsin. French has traveled to the city of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin to visit the Holiday Music Motel and participate in the intensive songwriting clinics founded by Timbuk3 member Pat MacDonald. The clinics use a “spin the bottle” approach to pair various artists together randomly for writing, performance, and recording with the hopes that magic emerges from these collaborations. French developed Dark Love Songs over the course of four years and the finished work ranks certainly as one of the more imaginative efforts anyone will hear in 2016, but one of the more original works from an American songwriter in recent memory. Make no mistake, despite the deeply collaborative process that produced this album, French stands out as its undisputed star and commands the sonic stage with confidence and ample technique.

Brent Daniels – Every Road has a Turn

published on August 1, 2016

Brent Daniels – Every Road has a Turn

URL: https://www.brentdanielsofficial.com/

Brent Daniels is middle age cool behind a pair of black shades and guitar singing about the size of his, um, “truck.” Yeah, not so discreet but still fun and, well, funny even if not intended to be. Discovered by Robin Robyns, a founding member of Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Daniels fits the Nashville fold. He is comfortable in the bunch whose sounds does not do much to separate himself from the next guy. But, that is simply nit-picking on my end. The dude knows his audience and he fits the genre like a glove.

Nick Dakota - Vision

published on August 1, 2016

Nick Dakota - Vision

URL: https://www.nickdakotaofficial.com/#!blog/e4hv4

Handsome, charismatic, and talented; Nick Dakota is not your average guitar player who can sing. Playing in bands since he was 16, Nick Dakota was born to do just this. Discovered by the famous producer, Robyn Robins (of Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band) Robins believes highly in the talents of Nick and the future of his music career. So much so that he has produced this debut album with top notch heavy hitters out of Nashville. “We feel Nick has great potential. The songs, vocal delivery, and overall production are great,” quotes Robins. “Vision” embodies the best of Country music and top quality production. Each track flows into the next creating a mood and experience honoring its title. Lee Hendricks (Eric Church’s bass player), Steve Hinson (steel guitar for Randy Travis) and Troy Lancaster (Tim McGraw’s guitar player) are just a few of the talent tsunami that bring “Vision” to life.

Project Grand Slam - The Rescue

published on July 28, 2016

Project Grand Slam - The Rescue

URL: https://projectgrandslam.com/

The melodic and musical sophistication of Project Grand Slam helps them standout even in a relatively small field of similarly geared bands. These are musicians with daring and the good sense to use their daring in imaginative ways. The band’s output has been distinguished from its formation by an obvious commitment to crafting entertaining, yet musically rich, material that honors the past and presents an uniquely personal face. While Robert Miller can certainly lay claim to ranking among the world’s best bass players, he clearly works hard and surrounds himself with like-minded musicians concerned, first and foremost, with structuring the material in a compelling fashion and never risking self-indulgence. His supporting cast is every bit as skilled and help him create a fantastic song with “The Rescue”.

The Invisible World - Color / Echo

published on July 27, 2016

The Invisible World - Color / Echo

URL: https://welcometotheinvisibleworld.com/

Formed in 2012 from the ashes of an older band named A Dead Giveaway, The Invisible World’s debut EP and latest EP release Color / Echo reach the heights they do thanks in no small part to their clear-eyed artistic vision for the sort of music they want to create. There are no shortcuts here. These are fully formed songs set inside emotionally resonant landscapes and the band imbues their explorations with a remarkably confident sense of risk-taking that never attempts biting off any more than it can chew. The six songs compromising this release range from high octane rockers to bruising, yet memorably delicate, guitar showcases that focus on the players without ever succumbing to self indulgence.

Charles Wright - Something to Make You Feel Good

published on July 22, 2016

Charles Wright - Something to Make You Feel Good

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

Author, composer of seminal R&B classics like “Express Yourself”, and leading voice in the African-American community, Charles Wright’s artistry and mind have helped shape the course of a significant American art form. His latest full length album release, Something To Make You Feel Good, is another remarkably solid entry in an extended discography seldom equaled in popular music history. Wright’s musical efforts are always well-constructed, musical entertaining affairs immaculately produced and tailored for a wide audience. Something to Make You Feel Good is no exception. The album’s songs touch on reliable themes filtered through Wright’s songwriting and distinctive presence as a performer while exploring the customary array of genres. Wright’s audacious side comes through strongly, as well, in his steadfast habit for synthesizing elements of those various genres into compelling hybrids.