Tag Archives: Earshot Media

Song Review- TRUSS – “Concession Stand” from the album Fluorescence

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Before I get to my favorite track on this album I definitely want to shout out this DIY effort from these Cleveland rockers.   As mentioned by Eric Kennedy (guitar & bass) in their release info, “The entire project was DIY – written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered in our own homes.”  All efforts at self-sufficiency deserve to be applauded in my opinion and this one is a solid example of what can be done by dedicated musicians.  The production quality here is very good and the sonic atmosphere they deliver on these tracks really sets a great vibe for the entire album.  

In several places in the press release there is mention of nostalgia and I have to agree that the songs definitely brought me back a few decades.  TRUSS certainly have a handle on that tone and groove some bands of the mid-90’s / early 00’s were bringing to the table.  For me “Concession Stand” really hit that the best and I found myself clicking “repeat”…well, repeatedly.  

A soft guitar melody starts this off with just a little bass overlay giving way to a tight, rising drum and then dipping back down to mellow vibes with great sonic atmosphere.  The vocal parts on this that dart in and out of the drum line have a nice dreamy effect that kind of sticks with you.  

Available via your usual streaming places of course.  You can also check out the first single from the album (“Numb”) here:

If you go out and give “Concession Stand” 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- Midnight Peg – “Thirstland” from the album Skinning

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This single is an early release from the upcoming album.  

So, before you push play on this just be aware – you are about to be blown away!  This experience kind of reminded me of the time I was chilling out at the bar, awaiting GBH to take the stage later, when Niice walked out and slammed into my mentality.  That was a damn good moment and this track has that same vibe and energy.  

A hot opening guitar riff here, a nice little 10 seconds of space and then the vocals from Mann (nicely supported at some points by call backs from Neilson) drop in to set a fiery tone for the remainder.   The fast pace set down by a deep bass line and thundering drums is nicely played against by guitars on high distortion.  Yes it is loud and in your face…and awesome!

This should be out there to check out on all of your usual streaming places.   

Remember to support your local bands – community is powerful! 

Release Alert! The Dreadnoughts – “Polka Pit”

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It was great to hear about this single release and to get the news at the same time that there will be  a new album out in September this year (on Punkerton Records).  The Dreadnoughts always bring the energy and usually makes me want to jump right back into the pit.  This song brings a bouncy beat and kicks along for 4 fun minutes…polka and punk always!

Once you check it on your usual places you can get a vinyl pre-order in here…grow the collection 🙂 

https://punkertonrecords.com/products/the-dreadnoughts-polka-pit-vinyl

Song Review- Burnt Tapes – “You Only YOLO Once” from the album New Lungs

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I just read a press release about this second single coming out from the Burnt Tapes upcoming album and knew I had to jump on and take a listen.  The first time I ever heard this band was back around 2020 on the song “Drift Champ ’16” off Never Better.   That track has made its rounds through several of my playlists over the years not just for the music but for some poignant lyrics…”Load a car with cardboard boxes, They’re all empty anyway,” being one among many.  

This new single has a nice drum & bass boomer start with a few bars of simple guitar melody before it gets a little rowdy.  A strong and angry vocal performance drives this one all the way through (and with a bit of an unusual throwback reference to “Drift Champ ’16” as both lyrics reference broken teeth…random I know).  There is a nice down-stepped bridge in there also – it provides a nice transition to the last part of this track.  

This is a powerful release from a seasoned and vibrant band – worth a listen for sure!   Steaming in all your usual places and you can also check it out here:

Keep an eye out for this full album to be released on Wiretap Records / Lockjaw Records and Nasty Cut Records.  

Keep your locals in mind for some support also – community is powerful!  

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- 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- 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.