Category Archives: Music Reviews

Song Review – Niis “Connection” from the album Not Niis

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I bring you this review not because it is the most recent release by this terrific band (for that check out their single “Big Zoo”).   I include it here to urge you to go out and grab as much music by this group as you possibly can…anywhere you can find it.   Upon listening to that music you may well say to yourself…”there sure is a lot of energy here!”  You would be 100% correct but if you really want to experience this assault in full force, find out where they are playing and go see them live.  Travel long & far if you have to because they will blow your head off…yes, it really is that good…in your face, explosive, a bit provocative, angry…and awesome! 

“Connection” has the things that make this band what it is; loud guitar right off the go, driving rhythm section and the sometimes soothing and often angry vocals of Mimi SanDoe.  This track is direct and short (about 1:45 total time) but delivers some good hooks in that short window and it will stay with you after listening.  The only complaint I have is that the vocal mastering is a little bit muddy but it works here.  

This band is going to break out one day…soon I suspect…get in now:)

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://niisla.bandcamp.com/album/not-niis

Remember that your local businesses and artists need your support 🙂 Community is powerful! 

Song Review – Tightwire “Bad Things” from the album Head Full of Snakes

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Song Review – Tightwire “Bad Things” from the album Head Full of Snakes

I have long liked a band that can get to the point, deliver a power-punching song and then get out gracefully.  I suppose that harkens back to the early days of my music listening which included the early Clash records and a bunch of groups in a similar vein.  The Clash got through “White Riot” and “What’s My Name” in under two minutes apiece and that to me was spectacular songwriting.  Here we have Tightwire who I have liked for several years for the same reason…I do not think they have ever written a song that hits the three minute mark.   I also think that the addition of Noelle Stolp has really worked to fill out the sound of this epic band.  

“Bad Things” jumps right off with some pummeling drums and a nice guitar overlaying a twangy melody line.  It fills out nicely once the vocals start with their usual sing-along pop-punk style working well and supported with a heavy bass line that give this track a booming background feel.  There are a couple of nice breaks in the sound along the way that fit right in…and they are out in just under two minutes…awesome! 

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://tightwirempls.bandcamp.com/album/head-full-of-snakes

Please get out when you can and support your local musicians and venues – community is powerful:) 

Song Review – The Last Revel “Everywhere I Go” Single

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The first time I heard this band must have been back in the 2000’s, maybe around 2015.  I came across their EP Mason Jar and was struck by the song “I’ve Been Waiting.”  At the time I did not listen to much bluegrass-style music and the feel and tone of that song was something quite different for me.  I did lose track of them after that and then came across a set of singles they had released early this year…happy day 🙂 

This track seems a little more in the vein of alt-country than strict bluegrass but not in that “rock alt-country” style…more on the different, more intricate side of country music, trending toward folk.  It is a really good combination of genres and the musicians in The Last Revel play powerfully and with purpose.  From a simple guitar and vocal start the song grows with violin, drum and bass to a mournful melody with a simple back-beat.  Lyrically there is nothing complicated, just a simple story powerfully delivered. 

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://thelastrevel.bandcamp.com/

Remember to get out there and support your local people…community is powerful 🙂 

Song Review – The Armed “Sport of Form” from the album Perfect Saviors 

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You know, things can be a little different from what you have come to expect from a band and still be really good…I found myself saying this during my fourth time through this song.  I had admittedly spent parts of the first three times complaining internally that I did not like the change…and fighting with myself over the fact that I often hear myself say things like “I wish someone would do something different…something ….somebody…please!”  So I kept listening and came to my senses:) This is a solid track (an early release) and I will definitely be checking the full set once it is out in August.

There is a short lingering moment at the beginning here that drops into some buzzy electronic jams, beats and vocals that had me flashing back a bit to their prior release ULTRAPOP.  It cleans up a little bit later with some plucky guitar accompaniment.  Those tempo & style changes continue through the song giving this track some complex texture and a more accessible feel than some of their earlier songs.  Solid, clean production and the guitar clashes on the heavier parts are fantastic although a little too short & infrequent for me…but it works! 

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://thearmed.bandcamp.com/

As always…please remember to support your local musicians – community is powerful 🙂 

Song Review – The Offramps “Abrasive Personality” from the album Hate It When You’re Right 

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Sometimes you have to take a little journey back in time to catch up with musical memories and those good tunes that hang out back there in your deep consciousness.  I was kicking around listening to some High On Stress which for some reason reminded me of this band from the 00’s.  I tracked them down on Bandcamp to find this 2006 release on the page for Jeremy Porter and the Tucos (who you might also want to check out:).  The songs on this album really highlight the great music that can be delivered by three-piece alt-county bands. 

Good guitar entry on this track and somehow the opening line,  “I used to have some friends to ignore, ’til they went away…” recalls a piece of my own history.    Solid bass and drums set a foundation for that squealing guitar that you know you miss…just a little… even if you do not want to admit it.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://jeremyporter.bandcamp.com/

Please get out there and support all of your local businesses and people…community is powerful 🙂 

Song Review – SLOT “Sick Joke” from the album Limbo

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Just to start off…I want to thank Max Detrich from the band for reaching out to me about this album (and the band itself as I have to admit they were off my radar…mistake corrected:) 

There is a nice little peaceful section of about ten seconds at the beginning of this song, a calming prelude, before it kicks into a driving bass beat from Max that fuels the rest of the track.  Combine that with some brash drums sounds and the vox from Abby and you have a high-energy industrial punk arrangement that makes for a great listening experience.  

A couple of side notes…check out the video on YouTube for some vintage exercise footage (priceless nostalgia:).   They also have another release on Bandcamp that features an earlier version of Drusilla (last track on the Limbo release) that definitely warrants a listen.  

This album is on pre-order right now and you should definitely grab a copy…maybe even spring for the limited edition cassette:)

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://slotmp3.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.instagram.com/slot.mp3/

UPCOMING SHOWS

As always, please remember to get out and support your local artists, musicians and venues…community is powerful 🙂 

Song Review – Same Eyes “Silence” from the album Victory 

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Sometimes I just like to have my mid-80’s Psychedelic Furs moments and today happened to be on one of those days.  Hate me if you want to but seriously…

This track has that pleasant nostalgia of those days for me…it is not a rip-off of any particular song though as it is definitely an original.  It just calls back to so many of those elements that I was chasing around back then, bouncing between The Clash, PIL, The Suburbs, Black Flag…and hell yes, even those Psych Furs.  It was quite the collection.

Right away, the synth kicks in, announcing its twanging presence before the backfill drum beat kicks in to lead us into those airy vocals.  The pacing has that pleasant dance groove to it, not the rave beat, just that slow, weaving rhythm where you lose yourself in the song’s atmosphere.    You can get comfortable here and chill out for a good long time.  Well done! 

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://sameeyes.bandcamp.com/

It has indeed been a long winter…and all of your local artists and businesses still need your help – please support them.  Community is powerful 🙂

Song Review – Nick Cross “Azalea City” from the album The Multiverse Waltz

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I had picked up this song while looking through releases by Just Because Records out of Cleveland.  I was in a super-chill mood at the time and this track fit right into that groove.  Since then I have listened to other ones from this album and would definitely also recommend “Turn To Blue.”  If you listen to it…just wait out that hard stop in the middle…it turns out just fine in the end:) 

Anyway, back to Azalea City…so this kicks right into groovy from the first hard clicks of the minimalist drum beat and the vox’ed up guitar.  The melody line keeps you tapping your foot and Nick’s voice has a bit of a softened up raspiness to it, kind of lulling you into calmness.  This is a solid, mellow tune which is easy to listen along with but also has a few deeper intrigues if you take the time to find them.  

I believe I read on the Just Because FB site that Nick played all instruments on this record so many props for those talents! 

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://justbecauserecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-multiverse-waltz

As always please remember to support your local folks doing all the good things ….community is powerful 🙂 

Song Review – Jordan Carr & The Boys “Rail Vodka” from the album Rail Vodka

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I just felt the need to start out the year 2023 with a shout-out to one of my very favorite Minnesota musical groups.  I know that this one goes back a long ways but hey, you still really need to check it out.  Whether going solo or with his group The Boys, Jordan Carr can sing some very meaningful songs.  

This particular track has its very obvious meaning whether you know the whole story behind it or not.  You can check out the video on Youtube to get some context if you have the time.  The lyrics are stark enough and woven well into what starts out as a simple guitar moment.  It is well developed as time moves along into a much deeper song, cutting into a punchy rhythm section and several soaring guitar moments from Jordan Riggs.  

And a lyric like “I miss you in a way that makes me talk to the sky…” well, is just damn good.  

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://jordancarr.bandcamp.com

Hey, it is a New Year…and you still should support all of your local talent and businesses – community is powerful!  

Song Review – Julian Taylor  “Murder 13” from the album Beyond The Reservoir

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Somehow along the line…I have managed to miss out on Taylor’s music up to this point.  Beyond The Reservoir came across during one of my recent journeys through Bandcamp, mostly looking for tracks from artists north of the border.   Since then I have continued checking out his music…quite an enjoyable journey so far.  

Now some will say I am highlighting this one due to its baseball reference…and yes, great historical baseball flashbacks are cool…but it is actually the vocal quality and storytelling that make this a notable song.  The mastering on the vocals, at some points anyway,  seems to be right at the point of pegging out which works really well given the quality of Taylor’s voice.  It stays truly front-and-center with the bass inserting periodic exclamation points along the way.  The guitar is clean and simple, providing just enough accompaniment to give underlying substance to the music.  And the story itself…great details and what an unexpected turn at the end.  

Now I just have to figure out how to see this live…

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://juliantaylor.bandcamp.com/

As always, remember to support your local businesses & musicians – community it powerful!