Category Archives: Uncategorized

Song Review- Two Harbors “What You’re On About” from the album Can’t Shake This Dream

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This album dropped on May 9th but it took me a little bit to get around to listening to the full set.  Two Harbors has been a force in the Twin Cities music scene going back quite a ways.  They worked with Ed Ackerson for multiple albums on Susstone and this album is dedicated to his memory and legacy.  

This one has a bit of a sonic vibe right from the start, with a swinging rhythm  and some atmosphere on the guitars.   It manages to be mellow and loud at the same time with nice guitar bridges and a quite prominent tight snare chopping along all the way through.  The abrupt ending is perfect.  

Overall, this album is very consistent and does not have a bad track on it.  Two Harbors also have a nice back catalog if you feel like checking it out – two recommendations would be their 2009 release All The Places We Would Rather Be and The Natural Order of Things from 2014.

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

Community is powerful – you know this 🙂 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Sledges – “Fading”

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You know, sometimes when I hear a band tagged as “shoe gaze” I wonder what I am going to get as that genre tends to span a rather wide range these days.  After reading through the press release from Earshot Media on this one I checked it out and was impressed.  

There is a dreamy start to this song which lasts about twenty seconds before punching up to nice guitars and drums with volume and attitude accompanied by strong vocals.  The arrangement on this one sets an interesting pace, alternating fast / loud with slow / subdued that gives it a unique tone.  You would be hard pressed to pigeonhole this track into a genre and that is a good thing.  

Sledges have an EP coming in June also (unnamed as far as I know) that will include this single.  I am  looking forward to listening to that and seeing if they maintain this creative mix across those other tracks.  

Video here to review if you wish 🙂 

As always – just a reminder to support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- Fan Club “Ain’t No Saint” from the album Ain’t No Saint

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So, I had never heard of this group (including in their former LYSOL incarnation) until this EP showed up in my Bandcamp feed.   I checked it out and was impressed with the energy and edge present in every track.  There is a raw and boisterous vibe running throughout that gets you kicking for sure.  

The title track also leads off the EP and crashes in drums first and then guitars which stays present throughout most of the song with a few low key drop-outs along the way.  The vocals are strong but a little under the music – it actually works well though.  A crisp 1:34 for this track is all it needs to get it done.  

I found this entire album to be one of those that you cue up in the “energy and mayhem” playlist…you know…the one you like to play really loud with the vehicle windows rolled down!   You can get their 2015 Demo release (as LYSOL) on Bandcamp also – there is plenty of chaos going on there to enjoy.  

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

Remember to support your local people – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Ben Basile – “Mountain Road” from the album Benergy

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From the good people at Sleep Walk Sounds (an imprint of Wiretap Records) we get this new release which just dropped in the last week and definitely lives up to the positive reviews that are already out there.   One quick side note as this album claims to (and achieves) a nice blend of ska, reggae and rocksteady:  If you ever want to get into a fascinating discussion with some of your music loving friends, start talking about the differences, similarities, foundations, etc of these three genres.  This also makes a great research and learning project for yourself, a journey I went on several years ago and am still chasing around.  Since I find myself more of a ska fan I started with Ska: An Oral History by Heather Augustyn but there is a lot of other info out there about all of these styles of music.  End of random learning suggestion….onto “Mountain Road” which ended up being the track I liked the best on Benergy.

This song has good vibes and happiness running through it and just gets you in a positive frame of mind…it is going to all be good.   The bass line here is definitely on the reggae side of things but there is a nice blending in of tempo on keys that takes it in other directions.  It swings and booms along nicely throughout and then fades off into the sunset. 

For a totally different experience (and I mean that in a good way) also check out “Hot Drop” off this album.  It may soon replace “Mountain Road” as my fav.  

You can pick up the vinyl here:

https://sleepwalksounds.limitedrun.com/

Also available on your streaming platforms…and please think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

Take time to be a good neighbor…community is powerful!

Song Review- Nick Leet “Edge of Town” from the album Detours

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Ok, so I know that I mentioned High on Stress in my last review (of the Gentlemen Rogues single “Half Empty, Half Fool) but I swear this follow-up on the HOS front man’s release is a coincidence.  

This song of course has a bit of the HOS vibe with Leet on the vocals but it has its own personality.  There is a slow, melodic pacing right from the start with a nice clear acoustic guitar guiding the way.  Andrew Hyda (of Billy Pilgrim and Smokin’ Novas among other projects) lends some nice ebow magic along the way.   Overall, a nice, straight-forward track that makes for good listening. 

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

As always, give some support to your locals as they need you and community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Gentlemen Rogues – “Half Empty, Half Fool”

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Let’s first go back in time in regard to these gentlemen.  They had an album back in 2013 with a big owl on the front…I went back and checked and this release is cleverly called “Gentlemen Rogues.”  On one of many late night listening sessions back then I somehow came across that album.  I do not quite remember how or where but it happened.  The first song from that eponymous offering is the one I still remember to this day.  “Run from the Light” has two things that made it memorable.  First, a part of the lyrics reference a voice being like an EVP.  I had no idea what that was when I heard it so…learning experience.  Secondly, there is this very long intro, I swear it goes on for a minute at least, way past the point where you start thinking, “Ok, an instrumental track to lead-off is odd and weird.”  Of course, weird things make me happy so that all turned out well (and it is not an entire instrumental track- it just has a long and wonderful intro).  I am going back to listen to that entire EP as soon as I can.  

Back to this new new single…Note that this song also appears on their 2024 album Surface Noises.

It starts with a great bass and drum front with a melody line playing in the background.  This cycles for about 30 seconds before the vocals kick in.  It stays pretty rhythm forward throughout but there are some nice guitar riffs along the way.  Great line of this one for me, “I can’t carry on borrowing trouble, I’m too deep in debt to be devil-may-care.”   A solid alt-rocker here played right in the usual groove of the GR’s.  

There is a nice B-side also – a cover of “Children of the Revolution” (T.Rex) – definitely worth a listen.

Random thought for anyone listening in the booking world…someone has to get these guys on a bill with High on Stress…because that would be an awesome show.   As it is, The Gentlemen Rogues are coming to one of the best places in Minneapolis (Cloudland) and I have got to try to get myself there.  

If you go out and give “Half Empty, Half Fool” a listen…think about purchasing it if you can as steaming music does not pay well even times a thousand. 

And support your locals – community is powerful! 

Song Review- Spark of Life – “Better Keep It To Yourself” from the album: Plagued By The Human Condition

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So, I have to admit that when I received the news from Earshot Media that this group was set to release a new album (Plagued By The Human Condition)…well, I had lost track of them a long time ago.  I think the last time anything by them had been played by me it must have been way back in my Michigan residency era.  As it turns out, they had in fact dropped out a bit and only truly reformed a few years ago.  That is great news for me!

This song is short and to the point clocking in at 2:33 for time and opens up with a nice fuzzy melody line before filling out with drums forward.  It can lull you a little bit into a “swaying with the beat groove”…and then comes an awesome vocal scream right after the one minute mark (and another right after two minutes).   Overall, this is a thumping, punk-edged song with a bit of attitude thrown in.  

This single should be out there for you to listen to now (and consider purchasing :).  The album is set to drop May 30th from New Age records.  You can get a pre-order in here along with some gear if you are so inclined:

Spark of Life

Quite the quirky video also available if you want to do a quick check:  

Take a bit of time to support your locals (& to be kind to your neighbors:) – community is powerful! 

Album Alert!

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I just read an exciting press release from Earshot Media and thought I should jump on here and help get the word out.

“Hermosa Beach, CA — On April 1, 1995, an unforgettable celebration of surf music history took place at the iconic Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach. Now, for the first time, this remarkable event will be available on vinyl, CD and digital, for fans around the world to experience. Legends of Surf Guitar captures a pivotal moment when original surf pioneers and revivalists joined forces to celebrate the music that defined a generation.”

What can I say – I was hooked on that initial bit of info alone and headed over to put in my pre-order. There is a lot of good surf rock out there of course and if you happen to not already be tracking on that genre this would be a good intro point for sure. Having listened to music from the bands and musicians involved in this project I know these songs are going to deliver that great surfin’ guitar sound and tone – can’t wait to listen to it all!

One more bit from that press release:

“John Blair (Legends of Surf Guitar co-producer, surf music historian, and author of The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music, 1961–1965) — says, “This recording captures a rare moment when the pioneers and the new generation of surf musicians came together under one roof — a celebration of the music’s past, present, and future, all at a legendary venue just steps from the ocean.”

Props to Oglio Records for getting this historic session set to release to the world 🙂

You can get a pre-order of your own put in via these links:

Pre-order the 2xLP vinyl (ships first week of July) here: https://shop.bandwear.com/collections/oglio-records-shop/products/ogl047

Pre-order the CD (ships first week of July) here: 

Legends of Surf Guitar CD (PRESALE 07/04/25)

Album Review- WYLDLIFE – sorted

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Finally after five years I get the great news that this band has a new album dropping on May 16th from Wicked Cool Records.  It has been a long time coming but given the results I would wait again!  I have been a fan of this crew going back many years and while I have liked some releases more than others you can put this one right near the top.  WYLDLIFE have long been a bit bratty and irreverent but they know how to sell it with catchy hooks and an in your face style that gets you up and jumping.  

The album leads off with “Bystander” and gets right down to business.  This track has an absolutely hammering kick drum driving it all the way through and is complemented nicely by fast and ripping guitar work.  

Another highlight for me is “Little Headcase” which is a song of a different tone and style and notable for a couple reasons.  The composition and arrangement really deliver a sense of space within the music; a touch of nostalgia and dreaminess while still being backed by powerful vocals and rhythm.  There is also a terrific guitar solo starting at about 1:55 that takes this track to the next level.  

Ten total slots on this album and they are all solid – a couple other favs are “Terminal Blue,” “Goes Without Saying” (great bass work on this one) and “Dizzy.”  I know this album took awhile to get together and it offers a variety of styles and sounds that is reflected in front man David Feldman’s quote; “It’s like dumping out a big box of puzzle pieces.  It’s all over the place – and so are we.  But now, it’s sorted.” I would suggest that this puzzle box is well worth a listen and a purchase.  WYLDLIFE (Feldman along with Sam Allen, Spencer Alexander and Russ Barrnett) have the rock n’ roll thing down pat.  You can pre-order it here:

https://orcd.co/wyldlifesorted

Please support all of your local businesses, artists, musicians and neighbors – community is powerful! 

And when it comes to music, listen to all kinds and think about purchasing whenever you can – steaming music does not pay much even times a thousand.  

Song Review- The Manic Standstill – “Bulletproof”

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Thanks to the good people at Earshot Media who sent a press release and introduced me to this band…always good to find new sounds out here in the listening-verse.  This group features the talents of Adam Bones, Eddy Hewitt and Brad Dickert, aided on this song by Aixa Vilar and Michelle Rangel (both from Go Betty Go) who really fit together nicely and this track is a testament to that fact.  

“Bulletproof” has driving rhythm right from the start and a nice in-the-front bass overlay that gives this track great depth.  Backed up by the guitar work of Bones and lyrics written by his wife Megan (with a backstory that bears reading about if you get a chance) you can put this one in regular rotation for sure.  

There is a colorful video you can check out here: 

As far as I know this track is just on steaming right now but watch for the upcoming album from this band as an item to purchase.    It is set for release later this year and features a quality list of guest musicians including Packy Lundholm (I Fight Dragons), Ian Fowles (The Aquabats), Kody Templeman (Teenage Bottle Rocket, The Lillingtons) and many more 🙂 

Please remember to support your locals – they need you and much as you need them – and community is powerful 🙂