Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Stealin Strings - Waves
Stealin StringsWaves
Label: Hot Dog Records
With a new bassist under their belt, these rising rockin’ bluegrass pompadours are once again making their way through the festival circuit this summer. They were the only band I noticed at Bella Sol that was given the opportunity due to their versatility, depth of sound and song content to play a set on the main stage plus an acoustic set on the tent stage.
• Stealin Strings WebsiteScifi - Scifi
ScifiScifi
Label: Coma Gun Music
Spaced out, mostly non-vocal jam rock that finds footholds in the jazz, funk, soul and techno world. At times the floaty jazzy grooves have whisked me off to a distant planet of fuzz, love and murmur. Delightful!
• Scifi WebsiteStraight Line Stitch - When Skies Wash Ashore
Straight Line StitchWhen Skies Wash Ashore
Label: Koch Entertainment
Taking the sound of today’s popular aggressive metal-core, attaching a bit of their own style, then adding the intense and dynamic female vocals of Alexis Brown has propelled this band to lofty new heights.
• Straight Line Stitch WebsiteShowdown - Back Breaker
ShowdownBack Breaker
Label: Solid State Records
The 3rd time is the charm for this thrash/power/death metal group; their best yet! Utilizing powerful Greek myths as the lyrical basis for the songs provides an interesting and powerful tapestry of material to tap into. Good grooves and aural diversity.
• The Showdown WikiSiebenburgen - Revelation VI
SiebenburgenRevelation VI
Label: Blistering Records
Impending gothic doom gives way as a firestorm of melodic black metal is unleashed upon the listener. The vocals are more growled and gritty than screamed and there are nice female vocal flourishes. Even though it is well done, evokes sinister ambience, etc. black metal has become kinda stale at this point.
• Siebenburgen Website • Siebenburgen WikiSugar Red Drive - Sugar Red Drive
Sugar Red DriveSugar Red Drive
Label: Self Released
As this young band heartily strives to dip into the commercial hard rock pop mélange, they have fashioning a non descript sound featuring post Seattle style vocal crooning and an unimpressive set of sappy rhythms and grooves that get gummed up with overproduction and lack of originality. Sugar overdose?
• Sugar Red Drive WebsiteSlumdog Millionaire - Slumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack
Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack
Label: Interscope Records
Bringing Bollywood rhythms fused with hip hop beats to the minds of millions, this Oscar winning soundtrack weaves an intricate intertwining tale of suspense and drama. Spanning a splendid musical spectrum these tracks take the listener on an exotic experience as varied and exciting as the movie itself.
• Slumdog Millionaire Website • Slumdog Millionaire WikiBilly Sheehan - Holy Cow
Billy SheehanHoly Cow
Label: Mascot Records
Legendary bass player Sheehan shoots this solo load in a predictable direction. Featuring several prominent guest musicians, this release is competent, catchy and progressive within the bass-centric structure.
• Billy Sheehan Website • Billy Sheehan Wiki
Stratovarius - Polaris
StratovariusPolaris
Label: Armoury Records
This first outing after the departure of former bandmaster Timo Tolkki finds this Finnish melodic power metal group revisioned and situated to continue their formidable musical legacy for many more years to come.
• Stratovarius Website • Stratovarius WikiStreet Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club
Street Sweeper Social ClubStreet Sweeper Social Club
Label: Self Released
Visionary guitarist Tom Morello has successfully joined forces with Boots Riley in an effort quite reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine, but not quite as whiney. Heavy grooves with even heavier breakdowns propel the anthems and agendas announced by the witty hip hoppin’ lyrics.
• Street Sweeper Social Club Website • Street Sweeper Social Club WikiShadows Fall - Retribution
Shadows FallRetribution
Label: Ferret Music
Throwing together aggressive vocals and neck wrecking riffs and rhythms while whipping up a wild and entertaining stage show has been a quite effective formula for this twice Grammy nominated outfit. Now to up the ante, they are introducing their own record label!
• Shadows Fall Website • Shadows Fall WikiSomething To Burn - Transitions
Something To BurnTransitions
Label: Softdrive Records
Powerful and dynamic hard rock with strong choruses and inescapable commercial appeal. Dynamically designed but mostly over polished to the point of sterility. Softdrive Records was founded by Scott Weiland so unsurprisingly they’re touring with Stone Temple Pilots this fall.
• Something To Burn WebsiteView More
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