So across my desk slides the new CD by New York based rock sensation Charlie Dane entitled “Dreamland” released in 2012. I have to say this is one of the hottest up and coming artists I’ve ever heard – period! First: she’s 13 years old. Second: she’s a very capable songwriter. Third: her looks and vocal abilities are to die for. Fourth: this latest release will simply put a smile on your face with it’s amazing blend of guitar driven pop and classic rock. It’s a nice easy flowing record that delivers world class songwriting with a fresh rocked out sound. Dane reminds me of a cross between Cheryl Crow and Jewel but her voice has more or a marketable attribute reminiscent of say a Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, and even Fergie. You will also hear a side of Power Pop, and Modern Dance within each piece of music. If you like the above bands you should definitely check out this CD. My favorite track is probably “Past the Point.” For the record there isn’t a weak song on this entire record. At the end of the day it an extremely danceable, marketable and likeable release – very much like the artist herself.

“Dreamland” by Charlie Dane is clearly a rock solid release with many feel grooves with an infectious singer/songwriter persona. It’s a record that gives us a fresh glimpse at a budding new artist from New York that brings to the table a plethora of talent. It also takes us back a few years – before everything started sounding like – well Nikelback and Brittany Spears.

Written byKevin Huber. Edited by Cyus Rhodes

Review: Smalltime has done an amazing  job carving out a unique niche for themselves within their amazing songwriting craft and a sincere approach. Equally as impressive is the many musical genera’s this band touches: from Hard Rock, to Heavy Metal, to Rock and even Melodic Pop Rock. Right from the start the emotional impact and world class musicianship of Danny Van and company cannot be called into question. The opening track: “You Never Know” is an amazing prelude of sorts that takes you by the hand down a rocked out yet timeless musical journey that I would describe as emotionally invigorating and powerful. The whole EP is wonderfully simple yet complex at the same time. It definitely has a rocked out jagged edge as well and reminds a bit of AC/DC, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses and even Kiss and Deep Purple. There are some fantastic moments on display here which gives this CD a very accessible feel emotionally.  What I like most – this EP does not attempt to hide the truth in any way, shape, or form, rather it tells it with bold honesty and a genuine conviction. Being Christians probably means these messages are sung from a deeply honest perspective. It also has much to offer in the way of musical depth and puts the musical virtuosso of Danny Van front and center.  Favorite song is a toss up between “Love came Down” and “Dead on Arrival.” The vocal timber and emotions are the ultimate report card for me when I evaluate music and this artist tells the truth – and in a word this EP says so many powerful things in is comparable to light in a dark tunnel. 

Conclusion: So let’s roll the Full Length CD out boys – what are you waiting for? Because it’s what the world’s waiting for.

Drew Blackwell – UK

Additional Media: URL – http://www.smalltimerock.com/

CD can be purchased @ CD BABY – http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/smalltime

4/16/2012

Review: “Haunting Me” (4:22) certainly doesn’t disappoint. This is one song that brings to the table effective songwriting with high-energy pop rock delivery. Marcus is also known for their powerful live performances around the New York area. Like the title suggests this song is striking in nature with a solid bass driven beat, impressive musical build and even a rap segment which I assume is RH3. “Overall it was a great ride which bounced along well in my head even after the song was over. All in all the piece is wonderfully simple but masterful in it’s arrangement. Music reminded me of a cross between The Wanted and Adam Lambert. There are some fantastic moments on both singles which gives this artist a modern Dance Pop vibe. Marcus’s vocal presence works track for track and the behind the scenes production virtuoso hits the spot.

Criticism: If you can survive the sonic overdosing this single can be a real treat.

More Media: Check out the Singles for yourself:

URL: http://www.reverbnation.com/mylesmarcus

Haunting Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e00xfvfdsBA

Conclusion: It’s hard to fins any flaws with this latest single from Myles Marcus. Marcus leaves a lasting impression even after the music is over. This usually indicates he is something special that’s deserving of praise, recognition and musical fame in 2012. Time will tell.

10 star rating average – This CD gets 8.5 stars

Drew Blackwell (New Zealand).

Review: The opening seconds of the song set the stage rather well for this single. It was a melodic prelude of sorts that gently took me by the hand and stuck in my head, having me eager for what was ahead. All in all the whole single is brilliantly delivered via gold standard sampling, top shelf mixing and a powerful vocal front (vocals and visuals). Musical overtones reminded me a bit of Flo-Rida, Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West and even Chris Brown. There are some fantastic moments on this single which gives this musical production a polished yet catchy feel. Lembo’s vocal presence works very well and looking at the video he definitely makes the connection. The beat and rhythmic segments are perfect for this genera. The actual meaning of the song is pretty straight forward – but full of invigoratiing passion. Lembo clearly has all the singer/songwriter qualities needed to attract fans in 2012.

Criticism: The piece is overly sonic and synthetic. Are these instruments real? So it goes without saying for this genera so grant thee a hallpass. But for the record this type of music can be a real wear on the senses and is comparable to a commercial.

Other Media: Check out the Music Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4I1NorvFfE

Conclusion: This single will simply make you want to dance. Lembo’s like a drug and like the title implies this song will suck you in and lift you to new hights. The strong suit of Lembo is clearly his sex appeal and his energetic vibe. At the end of the song you will find yourself inspired. That’s a critical selling point for any song or artist. Lembo is clealry headed in the right direction since 2011.

Rating: 10 star rating average – This CD gets 7.0 stars

Drew Blackwell – (Wellington, New Zealand)

Over the years we’ve seen rock and ever hard rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish and highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll” into “Yoga, Vitamins, and Power Pop” Of course millions of musical lemmings don’t know the difference, but not everyone is entertained. Talking to many music fans out there the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something raw, something that’s pushes the envelope with a fresh sound that doesn’t sound like Nikelback, Daughtry or Lifehouse.

So across my desk slides the new self titled EP from Long Island based Waling Sideways.  What I heard put a smile on my face. This latest EP has everything. Solid playing, impressive writing, top flight marketability and commercial viability. Above all it’s a rock solid release that delivers solid songwriting with a hard hitting rock edge that is marketable yet highly original. Walking Sideways reminds me of a cross between Incubus, Parabola, Chevelle and even Tool. But despite my poor attempt at pigeonholing this impressive band I will say they have a unique and Progressive sound that transcends stereotypical pigeonholing. They are also more passionate than any of the aforementioned acts as well. There’s also a raw-indie vibe here as well – yet refined and polished. If you like the above bands you should definitely check out this CD. CD is available on CD BABY and can be downloaded on I – Tunes.

Walking Sideways EP is a solid prelude of a release with many hard rocking grooves with a heavy guitar driven sound that hits you hard between the eyes. It’s a record that gives us a fresh glimpse at a hot new band fromLong Island. It definitely takes us back a few years – before everything started sounding like – well Nikelback.

More information on Reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/walkingsideways

Drew Blackwell

The opening track is the title track “Smokin’ Catnip” and it all starts off with the long-suffering wife nagging him about him hiding away for a cheeky drag on the good stuff! The song is a laid back blues number that belongs in a smoky bar somewhere late at night. The female backing vocals add a nice touch.

The music throughout the whole CD is effortlessly brilliant with some excellent vocal work from A.B backed up with well placed harmonies. Whilst the humour of the album is sometimes a little on the tame side, it is such a breath of fresh air to review something so light-hearted after so many albums from musicians trying to be oh so serious. My favourite song is “Everything Fake” which is a short, funky little number that really got my foot tapping “I look good in model tan, My toupee on a night stand.” It really shows off just how versatile the band is.

It’s hard to find anything to criticise about this album. It’s one of those albums that comes along every once in a while that you know you’re going to play over and over again. I just hope that this isn’t a one-off project as I’m sure that the next work from A.B. Clyde and The Kitty Litters will be even better!

Checkout  The Kitty Litters at their site http://www.abclyde.com/

10 out of 10 Stars

This review was written by Darren Moorehouse.

The opening track, Marblehead Morning, was written by Bill at the tender age of 19 and is a lovely catchy number with a great energy feel about it.  All the songs are well crafted and show Bill’s rich life experience in them – the CD has that feel that your favourite tunes will change each time you listen to it through.

My only criticism would be that some of the sampled sounds were poor imitations of the real thing – particularly the brass sounds on After 25 Years.  It was quite distracting and detracted from an otherwise great track.

The whole CD is really catchy and the additional instruments really add to the overall sound.  Bill is also a big fan of vocal harmonies and they work brilliantly throughout.  This is the sort of CD that will chill you out and energise you all at the same time!  A definite to throw into the CD player after a hard day at work or can be used as a brilliant backing track when chilling out with friends.

Sample this entire album at CDBaby…

This review was written by LOUISELY D’AMOUR.

The album begins with “Something Good” and it becomes immediately apparent that Katie has a very gentle, attractive and floral vocal style. Her guitar playing and arrangements complement her voice and the use of double tracking instead of harmonizing adds to the style. The second song “Bare Feet” begins with a gently picked guitar. The range of tones in the guitar has been expertly recorded and even when the percussion comes in the gentle balance of instruments is not compromised. The girl next-door quality in the voice is a real breath of fresh air in all the complex and over-produced music around today. It is the earthy and honest homegrown element to this song that has such an incredible appeal. The third song “These Nights” is Arienette stripped right back to just acoustic guitar and vocal. “Little Bird” brings the band back together with a very catchy and emotive number. The metaphor is used to great effect set against varying feelings that have a gentle ebb and flow throughout the song and with the sweet melody Katie has a chance to show off her vocal prowess and dexterity. By the time that we reach “Last Call” we’re starting to look at the loss of love and Arienette effectively captures those difficult feelings. There is passion here, tears and a melancholy that is exceptionally poignant. “Have we been lost” is beautiful in its simple textures and muted colours. This is a snowscape backdrop with a breathy and heartfelt lament and for anyone who has ever loved and lost – the connection is instantaneous. The final track (the title track) is for me the pinnacle of this work. Delicate piano and guitar lines interlock to weave this superbly atmospheric piece with Arienette laid bare and hurting. The pain she feels is expertly portrayed through both music and lyrics and with the addition of the other instruments, the song builds up to a crescendo with Arienette desperate for her heart to heal.

Whilst Katie’s voice has a distinctive sound, delicately textured and feminine, there is little change in her vocals. It would be nice to hear a touch of variety in her tone here and there and this would improve on an already well-crafted and experienced voice. I did notice one or two pitching problems, most noticeably in “Ready or Not” and there were points where the instruments were slightly out of time, this seems to be where sequenced sounds don’t quite fit with the more organic pianos and guitars.

Overall this is a very impressive second album from Arienette and amply demonstrates her superb songwriting abilities. Despite the minor flaws, we are treated to an excellent collection of earthy and accessible music, which instantly connects and communicates to the listener. If you’re looking for music that grows on you, if you’re looking for music that is multi-dimensional yet not over-crowded, if you enjoy songs that have a continual appeal, they are all here on this excellent CD. This is one artist I will be keeping a close eye on in the future – and you should too!!

Listen to the music and learn more about Arienette at her website: www.arienette.net

Overall 9 out of 10 Stars.

This review was written by Neil Thomas (UK)

“Down to Earth” from Slim Loris is one CD that goes deeper than a generic indie artist with respect to the powerful songs, lyrical content and messages within. The result though is far from a self-indulgent ego trip for it, instead, is a moving and elegiac artistic statement from start to finish. This is not dark-trippy Celtic folk rock, instead these Swedish lads could be viewed as a band delivering more than metal jewelry. This is clearly evident in songs like “Low” and “Into the Stillness.” These songs methodically up the ante to a very respectable level of artistic craftsmanship and brilliant creativity. Equally as imperative the music is commercially viable, but amazingly witty, and a bit eccentric nonetheless with a fresh earthy sound. In a nutshell this is Bob Dylan meets The Counting Crows meets Train. Not every square inch is filled with a vocal delivery under duress – but musical space that allows the music to breathe. This is music is comparable to a musical vacation of sorts for the mind, body and soul, with music that can be described as a thought a provoking, emotionally charged and very passionate.

I would imagine in time, we will hear more from this very talented band from Stockholm. Slim Loris is one artist that clearly gives you a musical snapshot that is highly original, unique, uplifting and dare I say folky-poppy-brilliant. Most American girls will die for them no doubt.

Rating: 4/5

This review written by Mindy McCall. Edits by blackdog.

Singer/songwriter/guitarist, R.J. McSweeney has been hitting the pavement for many a year now in the New York area. He recently surfaced to give us new material via this latest collection of songs. His band Planetary Nights is headed up by R.J. (Vocals, Guitar), Kelley Looney (bass), Rob Thomas (keys), and Phil Cimino (drums). It’s truly amazing what these guys have done. I’ve never had a CD suck me in quite like this one – refusing to let go and calling me back after it was complete. The music just flows like a river via an invigorating vocal front and an addictive guitar driven vibe that is comparable to a faded pair of Blue Jeans. There is also an undeniable New York Classic Rock quality to this CD that is painfully simple yet brilliantly crafted. The CD works its magic when you just let go and roll with the straight forward classic rock sound. The music not so commercially viable, but amazing nonetheless with music reminiscent of Van Morrison, Eddie Money, and Bob Segar.  What I like most about the CD is the musical space it provides. Not every square inch is filled with a mundane vocal delivery under duress – but space the allows the CD to just breathe on its own. What am I trying to say? This CD does not try in an overcompensating way to grab you attention.

“Today Ain’t Too Late” by R.J. McSweeney and his band Planetary Nights is a classic snapshot of rock music in it’s hey day – the 70’s. In this aspect this latest release is limited by nothing. It is painfully simple but technically brilliant in its delivery. I would imagine as time goes by we will hear more from R.J. The flower-children will love him, the Asbury Park culture will embrace him with open arms, and the Classic Rockers will worship him for all he is.

Rating: 3.5/5

URL – http://www.planetarynights.com/

CD can be purchased @ CD BABY http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/planetarynights4

This review written Mindy McCall. Edits provided by blackdog.