Indie Music Reviews

Reverist - Dreaming Onward

published on May 31, 2016

Reverist - Dreaming Onward

Doctor Omar Qazi’s moonlighting side gig as primary songwriter and lead vocalist for the Orlando based four piece Reverist makes a certain amount of deeper sense. The five songs on their debut EP, Dreaming Onward, have a well-worded positive outlook on life that remains fully cognizant of our struggles. This is the sort of big picture outlook that we ideally associate with physicians. Qazi and his band mates have married that particular point of view to a lush electronica sound, sometimes dense and chaotic, anchored by drums lifted straight out of rock music. The assertive percussion gives each song a surprising energy that one doesn’t typically associate with pop songs. The production accentuates the music by bringing it close to the listener and keeping things physical, if not raw.

Ashley J – Dare Ya’

published on May 27, 2016

Ashley J – Dare Ya’

Primary URL: https://ashleyj.net/

Ashley J has already caused quite a stir in the pop scene in her short career. The up and coming singer-songwriter from Orlando has released two singles, both of which reached the top 20 in the Billboard Dance charts. Her latest release “Dare Ya” is set to take her fame to the next level- it’s the strongest song she’s released to date and a deliciously well crafted slice of classic pop goodness.

Jeri Silverman – Leaflike

published on May 26, 2016

Jeri Silverman – Leaflike

BANDCAMP: https://jerisilverman.bandcamp.com/releases

We live in increasingly cynical times and should do what we can to combat the tendency in ourselves. Familiarity does often breed contempt and the music world soon takes anything genuine and milks it into formula. Case in point – the female singer/songwriter. At this late date in 2016, we have a few archetypes, dumbed down with the hopes of scoring every last dollar. The sexualized pop star supported by a bevy of lawyers, producers, and songwriters while panting just enough for the camera to suspend the disbelief of viewers somehow convinced she might, under the right circumstances, be available. There’s the rocker chick songwriter, tattooed, invariably photographed in some variation of a “rawr!” pose intended to somehow demonstrate her rock and roll authenticity. The final example this review will offer up is the shy, sensitive songwriter with long hair and an acoustic guitar with achingly personal lyrics and a tortured yowl aimed for the hearts of twenty two year old women across the world. The success of these archetypes speaks more to the public’s need for them rather than the music world’s craven manipulation – the former shifts, morphs, and transforms while the latter stays the same.

Jon Cavier - January

published on May 17, 2016

Jon Cavier - January

URL: https://caviermusic.com/

Originally from Northern California, Cavier (pronounced “cav-AIR”) has been based in Phoenix, AZ for several years and up until recently was performing as Alan Clark in atmospheric pop duo EyeTalk. Over the course of ten years and five albums, this venture saw Cavier’s music reach audiences as far-flung as Italy, the UK, and Australia. After five albums and hundreds of shows played throughout the US, Jonathan Cavier has reimagined himself and has formed a new musical identity on his debut solo album entitled Premier.

Secret Season - Love is the Only Game in Town

published on May 17, 2016

Secret Season - Love is the Only Game in Town

URL: https://www.secret-season.com/boutique/

The Franco/American based duo Secret Season is helmed by vocalist/guitarist Mark Moogalian and vocalist/keyboardist Isabelle Risacher. The duo have worked together since 2005 honing their shared creative experience and debuted with their first full length album, On Our Own, in 2011. While Moogalian handles the bulk of instrumental tasks for their album recordings, no one should think this is a studio-only duo and that they don’t write songs clearly built for stage success. Their latest album Love is the Only Game in Town has a number of more ambitious, challenging pieces, but these are malleable compositions capable of restructuring for live shows and surrounded by far simpler pieces clearly written with an eye towards gigs. It is a twelve track effort that shows a satisfying across the board consistency. Few, if anyone, who listens to Love is the Only Game in Town will label any of the tracks filler.

Jackpot Luck featuring Gary Bonanni

published on May 16, 2016

Jackpot Luck featuring Gary Bonanni

URL: https://jackpotluck.bandcamp.com/

On initial listens of JackPotLuck, one is bound to visualize a classic full-blown rock band, replete with long hair, bandanas and leather jackets. One would be genuinely surprised to find out there is just one person behind the whole thing – just as I was. JackPotLuck is multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Gary Bonnani’s first EP. It has been recorded entirely in his home studio, with Gary singing and playing guitars, drums, bass, piano, organs, percussion and synth.

Barton – Simple Songs

published on May 10, 2016

Barton – Simple Songs

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.barton.52?fref=nf

Barton is one of those bands that makes you pine for a different era of music, when the instrumentation was crisp and unfettered, the harmonies were pure, and the lyrics were, quite frankly, simple and not in need of decoding. In their aptly named, expansive 16-track new album, “Simple Songs,” this is exactly what the band has accomplished. They’ve combined the traditional techniques that made the music of the best bands of the 1970s so timeless. It’s no wonder that Barton cites the likes of Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Rush as some of their top influences—those groups would be proud to listen to the way Barton has carried on the traditions instilled in them by that classic era.

Jeff White - Right Beside You

published on May 9, 2016

Jeff White - Right Beside You

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Jeff-White-Bluegrass-170100143359768/

Veteran Nashville guitarist Jeff White has carved out a lasting reputation as one of country music’s best all-around talents, a first class guitarist, songwriter, and capable singer. The extent of his passions and personal skills found their fullest expression on his first two solo albums, 1996’s The White Album and its 1999 follow-up The Broken Road, but his third solo release Right Beside You is the fullest realization yet of his considerable talents. White is a virtuoso within the country and bluegrass realm, but there are inklings of greater talents peering from behind the curtain. His versatility is one of the album’s most remarkable features and often manifests itself in subtle ways. The album makes substantive use of many guest stars. Bekka Bramlett, Del McCoury, Alison Krauss, and Vince Gill are among the luminaries gracing the album with their presence. It’s an all-around stellar effort.