Your Backstage Pass To The Music Industry
Your Backstage Pass To The Music Industry
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ALEXIS BABINI Breaking It In Gentleman's Recording Company |
| The singer/songwriter genre tends to be filled with two different sides of styles. There are those writers that put out left of the dial labor of love’s that really have no mainstream appeal to them, and then there are those that put together great music with definite mainstream appeal. Boston’s Alexis Babini is one of the latter. His latest EP, “Breaking It In,” offers listeners a chance to hear great songs where the lyrics and music are both very well crafted while maintaining a pop/rock appeal making it an easy to listen EP. You will instantly be impressed as opener “Caroline” kicks in without hesitating to put Babini’s vocals on the spot just two drumbeats in. As the song comes together you’ll find that his vocals take you to all the right places while the music pounds it’s way into the chorus to drive them home. This simple pop, rock style continues making you sway and bounce along with him throughout the EP on tracks like “Take It From Me,” and “To Break Free.” As an added bonus you get the chance to hear some demo’s as well as Babini decides to put two very raw tracks, “Easy On The Eyes” and “Inside Out,” on here as bonuses allowing you the chance to come into his world a bit more and see the early stages of a song. By honing in on his songwriting craft and knowing and achieving the sound that he wanted to have, Babini has made a very solid EP that has done the trick that an EP is supposed to do and has peaked my interest in him and his music. I am eagerly anticipating what’s to come next from him after just one spin. Well worth checking out. | |
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MATTEAH BAIM Laughing Boy DiCristina |
| Ex Metallic Falcon, Matteah Baim, has recently released her sophomore solo effort, "Laughing Boy" and continues to explore a more obscure side of her diverse musical background with it. The drums provide a simple back beat that almost seems to be off in a distance somewhere as you listen to a more hushed, whispering style of layered vocals that for the most part Baim provides. This is not typical. This is not ordinary. This is not anything that more than a handful of music snobs, for lack of better term, are going to like as it is truly artistic and you will either love or hate it. There are some aspects I really did like about this album. I think the funky bass line and simple guitar riffs that appear from time to time as can be heard on tracks like "He Turned My Mind Around," early on in the album are worth the price of admission. The vocals are trying to say something lyrically, but unfortunately don't seem to be out front enough in the mix for my liking which makes them sometimes difficult to hear. She doesn't always choose to use typical instrumentation either. It isn't too surprising to hear fingers snapping, or strings used to provide percussions that don't make too much sense in their placement. For me, I couldn't wrap my arms around the concept of this album. It just simply isn't my thing. I prefer a style that tends to be more driving, more poppy, and more mainstream friendly. This album is a bit more mournful in its sound and is way too artsy for my tastes. | |
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BANGKOK FIVE We Love What Kills Us Long Live Crime Records |
| By writing "We Love What Kills Us" while out on tour, The Bangkok Five has made you a part of their day to day lives and make you feel the pains, hurts, and every day aspect of being a band on the road while away from home as they display on the title track from the album. With that being said, The Bangkok Five is a perfect band to emerge in the current rock scene that seems to be confused as to what true rock music actually is. This is the perfect combination of bands like the Misfits and Urge Overkill in that there is no question that this is pure adrenaline driven, rock music (see Party Machine), but also retains a pop edge on tracks like "Straight Fell Off." They have no qualms about putting their minds out on their sleeves as they display on "This One's For The Haters," and have no problem displaying their emotions on tracks like "Outlines of Us." As an added bonus, after the last note of track 5 is struck and track 6 begins, you quickly realize that you are hearing the EP over again, but this time sung in complete Spanish. | |
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BANKRUPT Rocket To Riot City EP PiaRRecords |
| Since I first found my way into the punk rock scene on the backs of bands like Screeching Weasel, The Queers, Vandals, etc… I have searched far and wide across the United States trying to find a band or two that tickled my fancy the way those bands did in my youth. Then that band came to me and wouldn't ya know it, that band wasn't from here in the states at all but rather Budapest, Hungary. First things first; THANK YOU!!!! Finding a good, solid, pop driven punk rock band that captures the original spunk and energy of the scene is hard to come by these days, but Bankrupt does just that on their latest effort "Rocket To Riot City." With the interesting, though very humours sound byte about fucking Elvis tossing you into the album, I was instantly hooked as the guitar riffs slung me into the album followed by drums that seemed to leap out of my speakers and pound right into my chest. Vocally, this is everything I have been wanting. The in your face vocals, spit out at a quick pace, tend to deliver the lyrics via a Joe Queer style circa "Move Back Home" era Queers. The best part about "Rocket To Riot City," is that the opening track, "Straight Outta Graceland," is just the beginning of things to come because this album never slows things down. This is straight up, punk rock for roughly 11 straight minutes that laves you wanting more. If you, just like me have been looking for a band to love that takes you back to the days of when punk rock was punk rock, then Bankrupt is your band and "Rocket To Riot City" is the album you need to have. | |
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BANNER PILOT Resignation Day Go Kart Records |
| In this day and age what is considered to be punk rock seems to have become a bit askew. There is your emo, your screamo, your pop-punk, blah blah blah. How bout this for once? Minneapolis based Banner Pilot is straight up punk rock and their latest effort "Resignation Day" seems to be on a mission to take back the mid 90's sound that defined the scene. Though they compare themselves to bands like Jawbreaker, Lawrence Arms, Alkaline Trio, etc… I think they are using these bands as a comparison because those are the ones a majority of fans will know. For me though, they sound a lot like Brendan Kelly's band after Slapstick, prior to Lawrence Arms, called the Broadways. Throughout the album, Banner Pilot displays rowdy guitars with a melodic tinge to them that never seem to slow down while vocally this is easily comparable to those of Brendan Kelly in that they are rough around the edges and tend to spit out fast lyrics with a unmatched passion behind them helping to drive home the lyric. The drums pound along with an early Fat Wreck Chords type style and the bass thumps right along throughout the album. It is pretty hard to find a band that just plays in your face punk rock music these days, but Banner Pilot is that band. From the first track to the last they are a true punk rock band. Rowdy, rough, and an "I don't give a damn attitude" add up to perfection for my tastes. A new band and album to love and not get enough of! | |
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BELLA MORTE Beautiful Death Metropolis Records |
| Bella Morte are certainly not strangers to alternative rock music fans as they have been at it since the mid-90's, however with their latest effort "Beautiful Death," they have taken a huge leap musically and seemed to have found the perfect sound to suit the band much due in part to working with producer Andy Waldeck, who perfectly capture what they were going for. From the opening notes of the album I really wasn't too sure if I was going to dig this or not as it had a industrial, Depeche Mode, style going on, but as soon as the first 30 or so seconds past, and the chunky, riff heavy, guitars kicked in I was hooked. The vocals proved to be incredible, and surprisingly with music that is on the heavier side in today's day and age, there was no screaming, but rather the vocals were real smooth and powerful as displayed early on in this album on "Can't Let This Die," a trend which continues throughout. Musically, Bella Morte took a wide range of ideas and influences to the studio with them. With an indie rock feel mixed together with goth and industrial flare they have managed to put together a sound that throughout the album finds the right moments to slow things down and just when you think you know what direction they are heading, you get hit with incredible rhythms that pound through you. "Beautiful Death" is great album to say the least as Bella Morte steps outside of the box and takes daring chances to create something that is unique, but at the same time not so out there that it isn't listen able like so many other bands these days. | |
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BENJY DAVIS PROJECT Dust Rock Ridge Music |
| Last year the Benjy Davis Project released their album "Dust" and quickly began to capture new fans with countless tour dates, but more importantly they captured the ear of Bobby Capps and Rock Ridge Music. They quickly signed a deal with Rock Ridge and got to work on re-releasing "Dust" with a whole new feel to it. Though the album is essentially the same as the original release, the tracks have all been remixed, and 3 new tracks, "Still Sweet," "Tell Myself," and "Same Damn Book," have been added to the album. For those of you that haven't heard the Benjy Davis Project yet, you are in for a real treat when you hit play. The Louisiana band perfectly walks that border between what is college rock ala artists like Dave Matthews and what can best be described as modern Americana in that they sing songs that have an everyday feel to them that makes these songs relatable for anyone that has experienced everyday life, as is best displayed on tracks like "Sweet Southern Moon." Throughout the album the vocals are delivered smoothly and honest while the music sits back a bit and accompanies the lyric and picks the perfect moments to add a harmony and pick things up into the chorus hammering home the hook perfectly. The production on the album, provided by David Z, allowed the band to explore their sound a bit and offer a more live approach to the recordings adding a raw element to the overall feel of the album. If you are anything like me then you love it when a band writes songs for the everyday person about easy to relate to everyday things and that is exactly what this album and the Benjy Davis Project is all about. | |
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BENS JAZZ KIT Dizzy Minds RrraahHH Records |
| It's safe to say that Seattle's Bens Jazz Kit's "Dizzy Minds" is honestly one of the most unique albums that I have ever heard. For my liking it was a little too out there to the left of the dial, but there is a market for this kind of album. From the beginning of the album you are introduced to groove heavy beats that combine elements of electronica and funk. However, as much as these elements filter throughout the album they walk a very eclectic line from song to song with no two really sounding too much alike. Perfect examples of this are "Mouth w/ a Liquid Eye," that assults you with pounding drums and thumping bass lines, while "Damn Right" focuses a little bit more on the guitar riff and has a walking bass line running behind it. Vocally, they reminded me a lot of bands like Jamiroquai in that they feature a lot of soulfulness in the voice, but at the same time show a backbone of rock influences. This hard to describe band brings a uniquness to the table like no other acts out there right now. It's experiemental, but they pull it together to create a solid sound. If this sounds like something that could be up your alley or if you are just looking for something a bit different than anything else out there then Bens Jazz Kit is the band for you. | |
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BIGELF Cheat The Gallows Custard |
| It is very easy to see Bigelf's influences the minute that you hit play on their latest offering, "Cheat The Gallows" as they more often then not wear them right on their sleeves. With a circus styled intro to opening track "Gravest Show On Earth," that tosses you right into a pounding drum beat combined with thumping bass lines, and crazy guitar riffs you are instantly thrown back into the 70's era of rock music. However it is when Damon Fox kicks in with his vocals that you will go, "wow" as the Black Sabbath influence becomes very very apparent and it seems as though he could be channeling Ozzy. The album takes on this feel for a majority of it. Songs like the riff heavy, "Superstar," "Hydra," and the 7-minute long "Blackball," all beg to be compared to Sabbath in their style and vocals. However, that isn't their only influence that they bring to the fore font of this album. Look no further than "The Evils of Rock-n-Roll" to see just how important Pink Floyd is to this band while on tracks like "Money, It's Pure Evil," you are quickly reminded of Magical Mystery Tour era Beatles. Needless to say, Bigelf is a modern band with an older feel to it and they make their influences proud. Unlike most bands these days that look to the past for a particular sound and then change it, try to make it their own, and go way off the dial with it, Bigelf chooses to just say, yep we sound like these bands, so what!!! | |
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BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Looking Glass EP Metropolis Records |
| The minute that I hit play on The Birthday Massacre's Looking Glass EP I was instantly transported back to the 80's industrial era. With a drumbeat rolling right into a key board laden intro on opening track "Looking Glass," I was pretty hooked on their brand of the 80's industrial sound pretty quickly. When the vocals kicked in I was hooked even more. Chibi, the female lead singer has the perfect voice for this style. It is sweet, innocent, and not rough around the edges at all, adding a bit of a pop element to the songs the way that Deborah Harry did for Blondie. Once you are pulled into this EP, you will love everything about it, as The Birthday Massacre sticks to a particular sound throughout the 8 tracks. Just as they have done throughout their careers, they don't really stray too far from what their fan base loves but rather just perfect their signature sound. However, the music is only half the fun of a band like The Birthday Massacre. Check out a video or two and you will see that fashion, visual art,and more all play a part in creating the overall artistry of The Birthday Massacre. | |
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BLACK BOX REVELATION Set Your Head On Fire Self-Released |
| It is always a very positive thing when a younger generation catches on to true rock-n-roll and goes out on a mission to create music that is heavily influenced by it. This is the case with Black Box Revelation. Made up of two teenagers, Jan (18) and Dires (16), they hit the studio to record their full-length debut and brought along with them their influences that range from the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to Iggy Pop and the Stooges. The end result is "Set Your Head On Fire." This is one of those bands where what you see is what you get. A no frills band, rough around the edges, that mixes rock with pop with the best of them, and offers a left of the dial style of music that can best be classified as a modern take on classic rock music. In this day and age where bands like the Hives, Jet, and countless others bring a raw rock sound to the table, Black Box Revelation is going to fit right into that mold. You will be tapping and singing along with their pop sensibilities and the rock aspects will be more than enough to give it the edge you want from a band like this. "Set Your Head On Fire" is a good, solid, effort that is well worth a spin if you like any of the bands playing the current garage rock style. | |
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BLACK HALOS We Are Not Alone Acetate Records/MVD Audio |
| After a few Sub Pop releases, a switch of labels to Century Media, countless tour dates with the likes of Social Distortion, Sum 41, and more, The Black Halos are primed to release their fourth full-length album "We Are Not Alone." If you aren't impressed with their history, then what the heck is wrong with you? That was enough to peak my interest in this band and as I hit play I was digging the sound I heard. The guitars that kick off the album provide a modern take on a rocking sound while the bass lines beg to be compared to those of Social Distortion. So you are probably wondering what I thought of the vocals. Well, unfortunately that is where this album lost a little bit of my excitement. I personally was not a big fan of the lead vocals throughout the album. They are just way too raw for this rockabilly/punk rock style of music. Think of early Social Distortion, and while some of those songs are great songs, today's Mike Ness sounds better singing them because he isn't as rough and raw; same thing here. The songs are indeed the stuff that great songs are made of. The catchy choruses will easily have you singing along, the rhythm section will make sure that you are bouncing, and the simple guitar licks provide the extra bounce that you want in music like this. For my liking the vocals are just too rough around the edges, but other than that this is a solid album. Buy Album Here | |
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BLACK LIGHT BURNS Cover Your Heart I Am Wolfpack |
| Anyone that knows me well enough knows that when I hear the name Limp Bizkit, I vomit just a little bit in my mouth, however there is no denying that Wes Borland is a great musician. Black Light Burns, Borland's latest project, is getting set to release "Cover Your Heart," an all cover album this summer. So what can you expect? Well, simply put this exactly what you'd expect from Borland. Driving guitars full of metal tinged riffs, distorted vocals, a couple dubs here and here, all layered over alternative hits from yesteryear. The track listing including their take familiar songs like "Search and Destroy" (Iggy Pop and The Stooges), "Hungry Like The Wolf" (Duran Duran), and more, however they have no issue with diving into some of the more obscure songs from the likes of Fiona Apple, Big Dumb Face, and PJ Harvey. All in all this is an interesting take, to say the least on these songs and will have you singing along. For my personal tastes, I really just don't like covers so I am kind of whatever on something like this, but that doesn't discount the fact that they did a good job incorporating their sound on the selections. For you diehard Wes Borland fans, the added bonus on this album is that the last 7 tracks on the album are instrumental out takes from the 2007 release "Cruel Melody." | |
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BLACK PRESIDENT Self-Titled Cobra Music |
| It has been a long time since a punk rock band with something to really say about the status of the world we live in has come along and shaken the foundations of the scene. With that being said, Black President is the band that is doing just that. Charlie Paulson, of Goldfinger fame, is the name that leaps off the page at anyone that is in their late 20's, but don't go into this thinking you will get Goldfinger type songs just because Paulson is the main writer in the band. Rather, Black President brings their brand of melodic punk rock to the table and isn't the least bit afraid to speak their minds. If you're just an average everyday member of the workforce and it's the corporate world and their ways that are getting to you then just spin "Not Enough." If it's the media and their 24/7 coverage of bullshit that in the grand scheme of things doesn't mean jack then just spin a track like "Not Amused." And of course, would an album like this be complete without taking a look at the youth of today who get everything they want if they whine loud enough? Just spin "Ask Your Daddy" and you will know how the members of Black President feel about that. Needless to say, it is refreshing to hear a band that creates some fist-pumping, guitar driven, punk rock music, wrapped around lyrics that actually have some substance behind them as Black President has on their debut effort. If you are anything like me then you have been waiting for an album like this to come along and it has finally arrived. | |
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BLACKBERRY SMOKE Little Piece of Dixie Big Karma/Adrenaline Records |
| Country music’s mainstream has seen its fair share of southern rock influenced acts lately, but there always seems to be something missing. While said bands are influenced by the 70’s era of southern rock they still all sound very much like today’s country music. Atlanta’s Blackberry Smoke may be the band to right the ship and bring back the true spirit of an era as they proudly display on their sophomore album Little Piece of Dixie. This is pure southern rock played the way it should be played as they quickly show you on the rockin’ “Good One Comin’ On,” followed by the gritty guitar riff heavy “Like I Am,” which will instantly have you drawing comparisons to the likes of .38 Special and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The guitars are used up front and prominently to hammer home the songs as they show throughout the album with cuts like “Sanctified Woman,” “I’d Be Lyin’,” “Restless,” and “Shake Your Magnolia, all which lean on the rockin’ in your face guitar riffs. They do take a moment to display their softer side as well with tracks like “Prayer For The Little Man,” which relies on acoustic instrumentation to subtly play along as the vocals and lyrics about being away from the ones you love take center stage.Where most bands today claim influence to the past Blackberry Smoke lives and breathes is. This is a band and an album you can put on that will have you thinking you just discovered a lost treasure from the 70’s. It’s gritty, it’s raw, it’s southern rock as you remember it being played! | |
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JAMES BLACKSHAW The Glass Bead Game Young God Records |
| Instrumental music on paper usually doesn’t do anything to get my juices flowing too much. I tend to think that instrumental albums act more as background music than anything, but occasionally something comes along that the captures your mind, body, and soul. For me that something was James Blackshaw and his newest album The Glass Bead Game. With his trusty 12-string guitar in hand he pulls you into the album with “Cross” and very quickly you can feel the music wrapping around you and relaxing you in a positive, new age type of way. As you press through the album you start to notice the instrumentation being provided that includes the blending in of the violin, clarinet, flute, cello, and of course James own piano playing as he displays throughout “Fix.” Though this album isn’t one that I would say is a must have, it is only that I say that because it really is for a fan of acoustic branded folk styled music that is of course instrumental, so the casual passerby that likes lyrics probably won’t appreciate this. However, I don’t know if the mood just struck me right when I listened to this, but I fell in love with this album and it engulfed me with its outstanding instrumentation. It gets a thumbs up from me, and if you are open minded and want to try something a bit different than this could be for you too. | |
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BLEEDING THROUGH Declaration Trustkill Records |
| The hardcore/metal genre of music is always an interesting category and you never really know what you are going to get other than some of the most hard hitting and aggressive music you can hear. Bleeding Through is one of those bands that has always led the way into the scene while still retaining an edge and walking along that line between being an underground kind of love affair for fans and getting too popular and having the mass majority of people hate you. I think that perfect balance is exactly what makes Bleeding Through tick and with their fifth album "Declaration," they seem to kick everything up a notch and lay it all out on the table. The full on assault from the guitar riffs and pounding bass and drums starts the minute you dive past the intro and are tossed into the album with it's title track grab a hold of you and don't let you escape. The trend that initially grabs you and tosses you around until your head spins are the same trends they display throughout the album. Though they have always been that band that leaned towards the heavier side of things, on this album they never once seem to let up or slow down. This album combines anger, with spite, piss, and vinegar the way a good metal based album should. This is death metal. This is black metal. This is Bleeding Through! | |
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KEN BLOCK Drift Rock Ridge Music |
| Ken Block may not be a name that jumps right off of the pages at you when you see it, but as I start to name songs like "All For You" and "Change Your Mind," that his band Sister Hazel has brought to mainstream radio you instantly will recognize his name as he is the front man for them. While they haven't broken up, Block took an opportunity to explore a solo route and for his debut solo album he headed to Nashville, hooked up with some of country music's finest session players, and manned the production boards for this effort. The voice is easily recognizable from the get go, but musically this does go a bit of a different route at times from Sister Hazel's catalog. On tracks like "Better This Way," Block sheds the upbeat sounds you may be accustom to and instead brings a more acoustic based feel to the song and let's the lyrics and voice shine a bit more as the verse drives into a chorus that will instantly have you singing along. This is a trend that you see on the deeper songs throughout the album like "Chance," as he sings about the angel in his life and the sacrifices made for him. But never fear as Block does what he does best a majority of the time on this album and is sure to satisfy Sister Hazel fans with the upbeat rockers like "It's Alright," "33,059 Days," and album closer "We Don't Talk Anymore." He maintains the familiarity that you've have come to know from him, mostly due to his unique singing style, however he does show a bit of growth on the tracks that separate this effort from the Sister Hazel catalog and offers a deeper, softer, side of him to fans. | |
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BLUE VAN Man Up Iceberg Records |
| It isn’t uncommon for rock bands from outside of the US to make their way over and try to make a name for themselves in the states. However, it seems to be uncommon lately for one to come over with the total package the way that The Blue Van has. As part of the TVT Records family, the band, which hails from Denmark, became acquainted with New York and the US as they played dates around the country. After their deal ended, they went to plan-b, and are set to release their brand new album “Man Up.” Lead single, “Silly Boy” has already began to make a huge impact on anyone in the US with a TV as it is the song that you hear about a million times a day on Samsung’s commercial for their T-Mobile phones. So now that you are going oh yeah, I love that song, let me tell ya this; then you will love this whole album as that is exactly what you’ll get when you play it. I love bands that know who they are and aren’t afraid to stay in that zone and just deliver solid, good music. The rawness, the edginess, and the simple ness of this album makes it very catchy and one of those albums that you just can’t help but fall in love with as it holds your attention with it’s choppy guitars, great vocals, and the spunk and energy that likely will find them compared to late 70’s era Iggy Pop. Though a longtime fan may hear a little bit of exploration musically on this album with tracks like the slower paced “Lay Me Down and Die,” this is for the most part The Blue Van doing what they do best by delivering a great record that never loses momentum throughout the album making you want to listen from the first note to last. This is fun, this is good, this is the next band you want to catch onto if you haven’t already, this is The Blue Van! | |
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BUDDAHEAD Ashes Self-Released |
| Buddahead's 2004 debut album, "Crossing The Invisible Line" gained them comparisons to the likes of Radiohead, Coldplay, etc… and with "Ashes," their sophomore effort, they seem to be on a mission to prove those critics right. Continuing with the trend set by the 2004 release, Iranian native Raman Kia lets his stories of heartbreak, drama, and the dark sides to every day life unfold before the listeners. Lyrically, while the subject matter tends to lean towards the darker sides of life, Kia makes it a point to craft the lyrics in such a way that they come across positive even when speaking of something negative that he has gone through. His voice, which is very reminiscent of Thom Yorke's, is the focal point that helps to bring the songs and the lyrics to life as the music is simply there to accompany his vocal throughout the album. However, the music does have its times where it seems to pick the perfect moments to hit you with a guitar driven assault as is evident in the chorus of "Brake" and the intro to "Burning Out." When everything comes together you get a very solid sophomore effort that is well worth a spin. | |
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BUMTECH Beware of D-G Self-Released |
| John Walterscheid and Sharon Schloss came together in 2005 with a mutual idea of bringing their brand of new wave, indie-pop to the many that would be willing to listen and set out to create what eventually would be Bumtech's album "Beware of D-G." With only two members in the band, creating the full sound they were looking for was going to be tough, but they found a way to do it via multiple programming and a heavy dose of keyboards as is evident the minute you hit play. Both John and Sharon take turns on the lead vocals throughout the album and each add a unique feel to the songs. John's vocal leans more towards that of bands like the Pixies and the indie sound while Sharon's beg to be compared to the mid-80's new wave sounds. Both vocals do the trick for the songs they cover the leads on and it's safe to say that they honed in on what sound they were looking for and mastered it. Though commercial success for Bumtech doesn't seem like an option due to their left of the dial sound, there is no denying that this album is perfect for those fans that dig the new wave sounds of the 80's. This reminds me of something I should be hearing on the High Fidelity soundtrack. Not totally something I would normally find myself spinning, but good nonetheless and well worth checking out if you dig any of the bands or styles mentioned above. | |
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BUSKIN & BATTEAU Red Shoes and Golden Hearts Nouveau Retro Media |
| Thirteen years is a long career for most bands, but for Buskin & Batteau that isn’t the length of their career, but rather the length of their hiatus from music altogether. But they have now returned with their latest effort Red Shoes & Golden Hearts which sees them delivering music right where they left off. This is an incredible return effort. As they have done in the past, the combination of their pop sensibilities and folk driven music takes focus of this album and instantly captures you. Look no further than “Rae Anne” and “Choose Joy” to see their pop abilities. However, for you late 60’s era rockers you need to not look any further than cuts like “Wild Infatuation,” “You Really Ought To Call That Girl,” or “Good Luck In The Promised Land.” They do slow things down from time to time and escape the mid-tempos and rockers to deliver the softer songs like “Just A Girl,” which allows the piano to be the prominent instrument as it acts subtly alongside the vocals as the lyric and harmony takes center stage. Their ability to maintain what they do best without any changes that have happened on the musical landscape changing them and their music along the way is what sets this band apart from a majority of the rest. They do what they do and they do it well, while all the while transporting you back in time to an era of music where the lyric was key and carried the songs even when guitars were part of driving it home. If you, like me, are a sucker for those late 60’s sounds of bands like The Grassroots, Turtles, etc… than look no further than Buskin & Batteau’s latest album Red Shoes & Golden Hearts. | |