Eclectic Vibes - July 2008
by Andrew Frey
Burning Brides
Quite a propensity for women in the reviews this month. Totally by chance, but you can certainly construct your own conspiracy theories if you wish. Usually there are one or two, but this month…
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 Barf-O-La thru 10 Brilliant
Burning Brides - Anhedonia
Burning Brides
Album title: Anhedonia
Record Label: CobraSide Distribution
Rating: 7
A hard rockin’ trio pumping out a flavorful spin on heavy alternative rock with a heavy hand in the low end grooves and a droning swagger filled with post punk angst and profound awareness. “Anhedonia” means the inability to gain pleasure from enjoyable experiences.
(4473) Page Views
Burning Brides online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase Anhedonia on Amazon
Dengue Fever - Venus On Earth
Dengue Fever
Album title: Venus On Earth
Record Label: M80 Music
Rating: 8
Have you been searching for 60’s retro Cambodian pop rock with a psychedelic slur and female vocals? Then look no further than this flamboyant Los Angeles-based group to fulfill your need!
(3721) Page Views
Dengue Fever online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Venus On Earth from Amazon
• Purchase Venus On Earth on Amazon
Feelin Band - The Sacred Play Of Life
Feelin Band
Album title: The Sacred Play Of Life
Record Label: Wake The World
Rating: 9
Soulful crooning compliments the flowing piano and contemplative writing style with a folk, jazz and jam-infused bluesy backbone. This talented Twin Cities group rounds it out with some occasional Spanish influences.
(3535) Page Views
The Feelin Band online:
• Website
• Download The Sacred Play Of Life from Amazon
• Purchase The Sacred Play Of Life on Amazon
Gemini Sun Records Presents - Live!
Gemini Sun Records Presents
Album title: Live!
Record Label: Gemini Sun Records
Rating: 8
Taking 4 of their highest selling new age artists, David Arkenstone, Loren Gold, Nicholas Gunn and Johannes Linstead, and pairing them together in a CD and DVD combo package is formulated to be a sure bet for this label. I pretty much agree
(3848) Page Views
Gemini Sun Records Presents online:
• Website
Lauren Harris - Calm Before The Storm
Lauren Harris
Album title: Calm Before The Storm
Record Label: DR2 Records
Rating: 4
Surprisingly tame, straight forward and stereotypical “chick” rock from the daughter of legendary Iron Maiden bassist, Steve Harris. I was really hoping for a lot more.
(3658) Page Views
Lauren Harris online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Calm Before The Storm from Amazon
• Purchase Calm Before The Storm on Amazon
Hydrogyn - Deadly Passions
Hydrogyn
Album title: Deadly Passions
Record Label: DR2 Records
Rating: 8
Smart, sexy, determined and connected (they scored a Pepsi gig off their demo!), this well fueled metal outfit struts their stuff with a stunning female presence in front and a furious musical appeal in tow.
(3625) Page Views
Hydrogyn online:
• Website
• Download Deadly Passions from Amazon
• Purchase Deadly Passions on Amazon
Leatherwolf - New World Asylum
Leatherwolf
Album title: New World Asylum
Record Label: Self Released
Rating: 9
Megadeth meets Metal Church in this surprisingly good thrash attack throwback. With Mustain-like vocals and kick ass catchy riffs n chops this release will certainly stress my neck well into the future.
(4290) Page Views
Leatherwolf online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download New World Asylum from Amazon
• Purchase New World Asylum on Amazon
Legendary Shack Shakers - Swampblood
Legendary Shack Shakers
Album title: Swampblood
Record Label: Yep Rock Records
Rating: 9
Wailing hillbilly psycho swamp rock with a gothic snicker and a bluesy swagger showing off the strange and soulful American South. This is the third and final installment of the “Tentshow Trilogy.” Git sum!
(3948) Page Views
Legendary Shack Shakers online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Swampblood from Amazon
• Purchase Swampblood on Amazon
Neverdie - no ROCK uN ROLLed
Neverdie
Album title: no ROCK uN ROLLed
Record Label: Club NEVERDIE Records
Rating: 7
Generally cheeky and heavily sample-induced dance music from Club Neverdie, the most famous (and highest grossing) virtual nightclub in the world. Neverdie also happens to be the avatar of multi-talented singer/songwriter John Jacobs who is at the forefront of this new wave of nightlife entertainment.
(4229) Page Views
Neverdie online:
• Website
• Download no ROCK uN ROLLed from Amazon
• Purchase no ROCK uN ROLLed on Amazon
Eivind Opsvik - Overseas III
Eivind Opsvik
Album title: Overseas III
Record Label: Loyal Label
Rating: 6
Classic straight jazz turned into an ambient field and then nudged with noise, progressive elements and a few electronica glitches. This Norwegian born and NYC based composer records and plays live with a 4-piece ensemble called Overseas.
(3638) Page Views
Eivind Opsvik online:
• Website
• Download Overseas III from Amazon
• Purchase Overseas III on Amazon
Bill Purdy - Move My Way
Bill Purdy
Album title: Move My Way
Record Label: Bill Purdy Music
Rating: 7
This singer/songwriter and pianist bellows out smooth pop rock grooves in the vein of Jack Johnson but manages to find his own gritty pace and emotion on this EP
(3578) Page Views
Bill Purdy online:
• Website
• Download Move My Way from Amazon
• Purchase Move My Way on Amazon
Mike Zito - Today
Mike Zito
Album title: Today
Record Label: Eclecto Groove Records
Rating: 7
Soulful bluesy roots rock combined with pop singer/songwriter mischief. Zito got into music at an early age and has a veteran attitude to compliment. The vocal delivery strikes me as having a Dave Matthews-ish sashay layered in an adult-contemporary musical playground.
(3712) Page Views
Mike Zito online:
• Website
• Download Today from Amazon
• Purchase Today on Amazon