by Veronica DeFeo | May 8, 2018 | albums, review
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Joel Levi has just dropped his self-titled album. Honest and down to earth, Joel Levi explores challenges and difficulties of life on an Americana/indie-folk soundscape.
Joel Levi:
1. “Middle of Everything” starts off the record on an upbeat note, setting the indie-folk tone of the album. Showcasing Levi’s great vocals, this first track sets the stage for the rest of the album.
2. “Will We Ever Change?” is up next, starting off with a smooth, angstier sound. As the title suggests, this track explores the fear of being stuck as you are.
3. “Honest Mistake” carries the listener into a more Americana sound, reminiscent of Springsteen. Featuring a great guitar solo towards the second half the song, the lyrics “I don’t wanna bring you down” echo throughout the track.
4. “Easy to Be Alone” is a more laid back folk song that moves along an emotional soundscape, encouraging the listener to hold onto their loved ones and fight for them.
5. “Harder Times” emphasizes perseverance, even through adversity. Well-placed guitar rounds out the track into a solid song.
6. “The Garden” brings the listener into a simple but touching melody, filled with well-constructed metaphors.
7. “All My Friends” changes it up, instantly upbeat and quickly moving into a feel-good chorus that will make any listener appreciative for the important friends in their life.
8. “Sweet Melinda” comes next, a beautiful love song that starts off with some acoustic guitar. An instant classic, “Sweet Melinda” encompasses what a romantic folk song should sound like.
9. “Blind Men Still Dream” is a painfully honest track that explores the challenges we face, and the support that we always can depend on.
10. “Hold On Me” closes out Joel Levi on a simple but touching note with a love song. “Hold On Me” shows just one of Levi’s many musical aspects and gently brings the record to an end.
Stay connected with Joel Levi:
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by Veronica DeFeo | May 5, 2018 | albums, review
Seattle-based artist Damien Jurado drops his 13th album, The Horizon Just Laughed, today. In his 20+ year career, Jurado has never self-produced a record – until now. The Horizon Just Laughed is being released via Secretly Canadian.
Jurado says of his record:
From the beginning I have approached this album differently than those in the past. I snuck away to record it without anyone knowing. I sat in the producers seat for the first time in years, where I followed creativity’s every turn. It was fulfilling to watch the things come to life before me with the help of some talented friends. I am so very proud of this album and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.
The Horizon Just Laughed track listing:
1. “Allocate” starts off the record on a mellow but strong note. Highlighting Jurado’s musky vocals, “Allocate” provides a glimpse into what is to come.
2. “Dear Thomas Wolfe” begins with a rhythmic guitar intro reminiscent of Jack Johnson. Featuring great lyrics like, “Was I faking trusting you?”, this song gets the ball rolling into the record.
3. “Percy Faith” takes a different approach instrumentally, and utilizes a storytelling manner to bring the lyricism a nostalgic feel.
4. “Over Rainbows and Rainier” is the leading single off The Horizon Just Laughed. A soft, moving track, this reflective song brings the listener gently along. Jurado has also put out a music video for this track. Check out the video for “Over Rainbows and Rainier” HERE.
5. “The Last Great Washington State” features some nice drum moments and steady vocals.
6. “Cindy Lee” is a beautiful interm track that has some well-placed harmonies, and moves the listener into the second half of the album.
7. “1973” perks up with a gentle but pointedly moving track.
8. “Marvin Kaplan” gets an almost samba sound going, as Jurado is accompanied by soft female harmonies.
9. “Lou-Jean” is closer to tracks like “Percy Faith”, telling a meaningful story through song.
10. “Florence-Jean”, the penultimate track on this record, takes an upbeat take on the tales that Jurado tells in The Horizon Just Laughed.
11. “Random Fearless” closes out the album on a fun note, unafraid of the future.
Jurado will be on his “Over Rainbows” tour from May-June. More info HERE
Read more from Damien Jurado here. Stay connected with Damien Jurado:
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by Madison Blom | May 4, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Together, Laura Larson, Corrie Harrigan, and Liz Elton have come together to form the shape shifting and ever evolving minimalistic punk trio Kitten Forever and have just released their fourth and latest album, Semi-Permanent. One of the greatest attractions that this trio can offer is their seamless ability to switch instruments as well as roles mid-performance and deliver a stunningly complex and dynamic show. United by their equal abilities in each area of their performance, it is no wonder that this band has come produce four successful full length albums together. As these three friends continue to develop both their skills and talents, not only will they develop a stronger presence in the punk/pop world, but they will also gain priceless credibility among their peers.
Throughout their track, it is clear that they have clung to their roots as each song is infused with anthemic rhythms, fast and furious beats and melodic tendencies all within two minutes. Each song is laced with powerful drums and exciting bass loops that keep the toes tapping and bodies moving. If nothing else, one thing is clear-it is hard to stay still while listening to such enthusiastic and exciting music. Overall, Kitten Forever has found their niche within the realm of punk that is cleverly mixed with pop sensibilities which enhances and creates a unique sound that is specific to this Minneapolis-based band. Another notable aspect is their incredible ability to mimic the beautiful growl of the base and drums with their voice, truly becoming the third instrument in this tricky trio. This album as a whole explores the juxtaposition of all things with its lyrically dynamic tracks that discuss self-trust in a world of dishonest decay. As this budding group continues to garner success from the general public they prove over and over again that the punk genre is alive and thriving with each beat of the drum and strum of the bass. In a recent review of Semi-Permanent, an author wrote, “Kitten Forever is proof, once again, that punk is in fact not dead.”
Keep up with Kitten Forever here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 3, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Rock group Rad Horror is on the brink of success with the recent release of their four track EP Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1. The collection of quirkily beautiful pop/rock tracks takes you back to that casual, laid back, feeling that we all crave from the 90s. The first track is called “Dark Times”, and is a song that takes you on a journey addressing people who act fake while making you feel like an outcast. Endearing as all hell, it paves the way perfectly for second track “Teenage Love”, which looks at the thin line between love and lust.
The album comes around full circle, touching on a variety of topics with “Stay Out” – which talks about all-too-relatable mind games – and “Only When You’re Lonely”, which seems to bring each topic element of the album together. Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1 is a future classic at its finest, preparing us all for the ups and downs of summertime love.
Keep up with Rad Horror here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 3, 2018 | albums, review
Virginia-based pop/punk rock artist Corey Pavlosky is ready to claim his time to shine with his debut EP Atlas. The release features six songs that help set the tone of Corey’s artistry. One of the songs on the album is titled “Weathered”, which is a song that is totally put together, with haunting harmonies led by Pavlosky’s voice. The beat of the track, by the way, that is unforgettable. The song is liable to keep the listener interested and holds its own as the last song on the album.
“Better Days”, a personal favorite on the album, shows that even though something bad is going on in your life, better days are soon to come. Each song is completely different from the next, but the differences are what make it even more thrilling. Atlas has the power to pull at your heartstrings as a listener. The album takes you on a journey that you simply do not want to end.
Keep up with Corey here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Madison Blom | May 3, 2018 | albums, review
Coming from a background that includes a mixed bag of past careers–including children’s book author and fine artist–Scott Mickelson has finally found root in a career in music that suits him perfectly. Since moving from Massachusetts to the Bay area in the 80’s, Mickelson has been known to be seen performing on big name stages such as the Filmore and Great American Music Hall. No small feat for an artist that took a break from the music world after producing five full length releases with his band Fat Opie. Since his return to stage, Mickelson has released one full length album and in now preparing to drop his second on May 4th. This album, A Wondrous Life is a compilation of songs that overall tell the story of everyday life in stark and, at times, uncomfortable detail. “No Such Luck,” a track found on this album is a perfect example of this lifestyle clarity. “We tend to keep ourselves in a state of stress, many times by choice. We seem to take on more than we can comfortably handle, then blame ourselves for not doing it well enough.”
Not only does Mickelson perform some of his finest vocals in this album, but unlike his last album, A Wondrous Life was a solo effort meaning that Mickelson performed all of the instrumental components ranging from drums to horns. With all of the effort that went into producing such a meticulous and intricate album, it is clear that this set of tracks fall among some of the greatest work that Mickelson has every has his hand in. Throughout each individual song, the listener is walked through the reality of several aspects of daily life experiences. Not only does this add the Mickelson’s credibility, but it will also allow his music to maintain relevance over the coming years. Unlike some of the one-hot-wonders of the 00’s, Scott Mickelson has the staying power to be known throughout the ages.
A Wondrous Life is out May 4th.
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