Tag Archives: Ohio

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 -The Gabbard Brothers  “Little Mama” from the album The Gabbard Brothers 

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Hmmm…that is what I thought as I listened through this song for the first time.  Having been a fan of Buffalo Killers and also Andrew Gabbard’s solo endeavors (recently reviewed here) I was waiting for this collaboration to come out.  This track, an early release from the upcoming album set to drop in July, had me intrigued for sure but uncertain on exactly how I felt about it.  

Ten repeats later, I can say that I like it more every time I hear it.  The mix on this is interesting with the instruments just a little but forward of the vocals and the atmosphere of the music has a bit of the Beach Boys to it.  There is a very cool guitar part around the 1:30 mark and the pacing changes at several places throughout provide nice space.  And that lead out on piano at the end…very nice 🙂 

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

If you are interested in diving a little bit deeper you can find Buffalo Killers here https://buffalokillers.bandcamp.com

As always, please support your local businesses, artists and friends – community is powerful.  

Song Review -Olathia “Believe” from the album Madness Reigns

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Strange things happen.  I know I have said it before and it still mostly holds true…the cover is never better than the original.  Then, just the other day I was kicking around online looking for music from Ohio-based bands and came across Olathia.  More specifically, I came across their album Madness Reigns which contains covers of two Savatage songs.  How long had it been since I had thought of that band?  Well, it had been awhile indeed, although I did remember the song Believe from their Streets: Rock Opera album.  Thinking about Savatage took me on a little rabbit hole adventure involving the death of Criss Oliva, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and that oddly unsettling cover to their Gutter Ballet album….I pulled the plug at that point and went back to to this cover of Believe by Olathia.

I have to say…I was pretty impressed and it might actually be…better than the original.  Chris E. has a great voice and is backed by solid musicians.  They give this song that soaring yet somber tone that makes these kind of anthem-style songs really work.  There is a better depth of sound and ambiance in this version that the original…in my opinion anyway 🙂   Definitely take a few minutes to listen to it  and let me know what you think.  

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

Keep getting out there and supporting your local people and businesses 🙂 – community is powerful.  

Song Review -Andrew Gabbard “Cloud of Smoke” from the album Live in Loveland

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Some songs are amazing in their relative simplicity and this is one of the classics.  A song like this you can just wrap around yourself while sitting on the porch passing the time on a cool evening.  The music that accompanies the strong vocal treatment really helps as the clean rhythm and airy pedal-steel relax your mind and add a very warm tone.   Feel free to put it on repeat and chill out for a long time.  

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

And remember to get out and support your local businesses – community is powerful.