September 2015 Poetry and Reviews by

aka

Stream "Vinyl"

Nicholas Altobelli
Ruby Amanfu*
Auburn

Beefer Deem
Dan Bern
Elmer Bernstein

David Courtney
Marshall Crenshaw

Dave Davies
Larry O. Dean
Dismal Swamp Lords
Patrick Doyle*
Fantastic Four

Five Fingertips*
Four Words That Should Never Be Used Ever
Holly Golightly*
HUGElarge
I Am Big Bird*
Kinsey
Glenn Mercer

Dan Miraldi
*
Mound On Rugs
Mr. Holmes*
Philip Polk Palmer*
Paper Beat Scissors

Permanent Makeup
Pixels

Pop4*
Leroy Powell and the Messengers
Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends
Presents For Sally*
Pugwash
*
Raging Fire

Whitney Rose
Skittish

Stone The Crows
The Strange Flowers*
12 Monkeys

Tarmac Adam*
Toadies

Typical
Wimps
Yompy and the Tip Nippers
*Top Picks =

Additional Items Received

 

Nicholas Altobelli - Searching Through That Minor Key (CD, Dalton, Pop)
Highly melodic well-written mid-tempo pop from Nicholas Altobelli. This guy has an incredible knack for coming up with superb songs that remind us of a variety of classic pop artists including (but not limited to) Paul Simon, Jeff Lynne, and Sufjan Stevens. When we noticed this album was produced by Salim Nourallah well...we knew it had to be good (everything that Salim puts his fingers on turns to gold). This album has a stop-and-start story. Altobelli had almost completed the album when his marriage began crumbling to pieces. So instead of finishing the album he recorded his Mesocyclone EP and released it, putting the album to the side for the time being. He considered leaving the uncompleted Searching Through That Minor Key permanently on the table...but was eventually inspired to finish the album. Nicholas writes songs that have a smooth familiar sound. He isn't trying to challenge listeners or break any new ground. Rather and instead, this talented and inspired fellow seems driven to simply make music that can easily be listened to and enjoyed. Groovy cuts include "Searching Through That Minor Key," "In The Morning," "Lonely Heart," and "Pile of Leaves."

Ruby Amanfu - Album release concert at The High Watt, Nashville, TN, August 29, 2015 (Soul/blues/pop)
As of early last week we had never even heard of Ruby Amanfu. But by the end of the week we were...diehard fans. Ms. Amanfu celebrated the release of her new album Standing Still recently to a soldout crowd at The High Watt in Nashville, Tennessee. We listened to a stream of the album prior to the show and we were quite impressed. We had briefly visited The High Watt recently while attending another show (the cool folks at the club were kind enough to let us in to check out the place). The club is perfectly laid out, has a great sound system, and the folks running it are warm and friendly. We were having a great time this particular Saturday evening as folks began to stream into the club. As listeners began to gather, opening act Alyssa Bonagura came out to warm up the crowd. And warm them up she most certainly did. Playing solo with only an acoustic guitar, Ms. Bonagura had everyone in the palm of her hand from start to finish. Alyssa's music sounds something like a cross between Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris (more the former than the latter). It's no small feat entertaining a packed crowd at a popular club on a Saturday night in Nashville. But Bonagura managed to captivate just about everyone with her gentle folk songs and her beautifully precise vocals. This lady has an amazing voice and cool presence that could easily catapult her to legendary status. Not long after Alyssa's set ended Ruby's band took to the stage and began to play as the guest of honor made a very subtle entrance. Dressed in an elegant brown dress, Ms. Amanfu looked and sounded every bit like the classic star. There were so many things about Ruby and her band that impressed us at this show. Possibly the single thing that really stood out in our minds was how she and her band seemed to really understand the value of restraint. Instead of belting out every song at full force, the musicians took the exact opposite approach. While there were some loud and very intense moments during this concert, most of the songs were extremely soft and subtle. This made the louder segments really stand out and it also made it a lot easier to realize what an incredibly fantastic voice Amanfu has. This show consisted of Ruby and her band playing cuts from Standing Still. The high point of the show for us was "Cathedrals," during which Ruby silenced the entire room with her captivating personality and velvetty smooth voice. Other highlights included "Shadow On The Wall" (the first single and video), "As The Dawn Breaks," "and "One By One." Instead of relying on gimmicks, Ruby and her band mesmerized the crowd with their pure and real talent. Her backing band was superb in every way (the guy playing steel guitar was unbelievable). We left this show feeling as if we had seen one of the next up-and-coming huge vocal talents of the twenty-first century. And yes, Ruby really is that. If you ever loved classic vocalists like Diana Ross in the early days you're almost certain to get a major charge out of this charismatic performer. Ruby Amanfu is destined for big things. We felt lucky indeed to be present on this most magical evening. It was a night that everyone at The High Watt will never forget. A totally hypnotic show. TOP PICK.

Auburn - Mixed Feelings (CD, Rat Country, Progressive pop)
The first thing that most folks will notice about the British band Auburn are those unmistakable vocals. Chief songwriter/vocalist Liz Lenton has a voice that can't be confused with anyone else. Her strange quivering vocals aren't like anyone else. She's been compared to a variety of other artists including Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holiday, Ricki Lee Jones, Amy Winehouse, Kate Bush, and Janis Joplin. After the band's initial splash, in the early twenty-first century they split...and spent almost a decade without performing or recording. During that time Lenton was concentrating on her new role being a mother. But eventually the urge to create and make music prompted the group to reform in 2011. Since then they've received a great deal of positive support. The band received a huge break when they were chosen to open for Jefferson Starship on their 40th anniversary tour. Just as was the case with their last album (Nashville), the folks in Auburn returned to Nashville to record Mixed Feelings with producer/guitarist Thomm Jutz. These twelve bluesy tracks are nice and solid and have a decidedly American sound...so it's probably appropriate that the band is choosing to record in the U.S. Nice captivating tracks include "Mixed Feelings," "Hell Hath No Fury," "Out There," "Crystal Stairs," and "Feel the Sun."

 

BEEFER DEEM

Beefer for the
Meef and
Pander for the
Deem.

 

Dan Bern - Hoody (Independently released CD, Pop)
Dan Bern is an extremely prolific singer/songwriter whose music you have almost certainly heard before...even though you might not be familiar with his name. At this point in time, Bern has released approximately two dozen full-length studio albums...and those are in addition to EPs and live albums. His career began way back in 1997 when he released his debut album. Since then, he's made some amazing connections and his songs continue to seep into the public consciousness through varied channels. Bern really impressed us a few years with several tracks that he contributed to the wonderfully inventive soundtrack to the film Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. "Beautiful Ride" (co-written with Mike Viola) provides one of the most emotionally charged musical endings ever written for film. Hoody presents eleven new recordings. It's easy to see why Dan is often compared to classic artists like Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, and Elvis Costello. These songs are smart and hummable and they features lyrics that display a depth of perception and intelligence that is refreshing and real. Much of this album was recorded with the entire band playing together in the same room, so that may explain the nice warm overall vibe. Nice friendly tracks include "Hoody," "Turn On A Dime," "Late Show," and "One Piece At A Time."

Elmer Bernstein - The Wild Side (CD, Varese Sarabande, Jazz scores)
We regularly cover film and television soundtracks recorded in the twenty-first century. But rarely do we receive albums that present music by the past masters. As such, when we received The Wild Side in our trust ol' mailbox it was a welcome surprise. Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004) was one of the most prolific film composers of the twentieth century. During his fifty-four year career he worked on music for over two hundred films...many of which are well-known classics. This album focuses on his jazz and big band scores. The seeds for this album began in 2013 when producer Robert Townson produced a live concert in Tenerife, Spain in which the Big Band de Canarias performed some of Bernstein's best known jazz and big band scores. The concert was so well received that he later brought the musicians into the studio to record this album. This exceedingly well-recorded disc features compositions from the films The Man With The Golden Arm, The Rat Race, The Age of Innocence, Ghostbusters, Johnny Staccato, Devil In A Blue Dress, Walk On The Wild Side, and more. Bernstein was a truly amazing composer and the folks in the Big Band de Canarias do his music justice. A fitting and well-timed tribute to one of the most important film and television composers of all time.

David Courtney - Anthology (Double CD, Angel Air, Blues/rock)
If you think you've never heard David Courtney's music...think again. Those unfamiliar with this man's name will be very surprised at how many of these songs they are familiar with. Harry Nilsson described Courtney as being the English Phil Spector. Spin this anthology a time or two and you'll see why. Rather than being a solo album, Anthology is a collection of tracks by other artists (except for one by David himself) that were either written, co-written, or produced by David Courtney. Quite a collection indeed. The list of artists includes Leo Sayer, Adam Faith, Roger Daltry, Roger Chapman, Maggie Bell, Smokie, Steve Ellis, Dollar, Odyssey, Marina Kapura, Joe Egan, and Geisha. Talk about a varied and impressive list of connections (!). This hefty double disc collection features thirty-seven tracks and, as previously mentioned, you'll be surprised at how many of these songs you know. Courtney has in excess of 30 million global record sales to his name. Whew. If you're looking for the single best source to find David's biggest hits all in one convenient package, this is it.

Marshall Crenshaw - #392: The EP Collection (CD, Red River Entertainment, Pop)
After releasing multiple albums over the past few decades, pop icon Marshall Crenshaw decided he wanted to take a different approach and recorded a handful of EPs. Now that those EPs have been released it seemed like a good idea to collect them onto one easily obtainable album...and thus, #392: The EP Collection came into being. So if you're not fond of EPs you now have a full-length album that makes for ultimate ease and convenience. Crenshaw blew lots of folks away long ago when he released his debut self-titled album...and since that time he's never let his fans down. His career has been built upon the fact that he continues to deliver smart well-crafted classic pop that is both timeless and ultimately very familiar sounding. Because we seem to be constantly overloaded with music, when they were originally released all of these EPs somehow escaped us. So this collection proves to be particularly appealing because we (unfortunately) never heard any of these super cool pop tunes. Not only do you get all twelve tracks from the EPs...but this disc also includes the bonus tracks "Man With Money" and "Front Page News (demo)." We've always been fans of this talented man. Spin this one a time or two and you will be...too.

Dave Davies - Rippin Up New York City: Live at City Winery (CD, Red River Entertainment, Rock/pop)
Following up on the popularity and critical acclaim of his most recent studio album (Rippin' Up Time), Dave Davies presents a brand new live album recorded in New York City. This must have been a great event. Davies and his band played sixteen great tunes for a very appreciative audience. The set list includes old Kinks tunes as well as some well-chosen Davies solo tracks. Joining Dave for this show were Jonathan Lea (guitar), Tom Currier (bass, keyboards), and Dennis Diken (drums). Even though the long-rumored Kinks reunion may never actually materialize, fans can rest at night knowing that Dave will probably never stop playing music. Few musicians who have been around for so long have been able to retain their credibility with such style and grace. Dave is a true original in the world of music--this man always manages to please fans and critics alike. This album presents nice solid renditions of modern standards like "Rippin' Up Time," "I'm Not Like Everybody Else," "Strangers," "King of Karaoke," "Livin' On A Thin Line," and "All Day and All of The Night."

Larry O. Dean - Good Grief (CD, Zenith Beast, Pop)
More nice, smooth, intelligent, well-crafted mid-tempo pop from Larry O. Dean. If you find the perfection of the digital age sometimes makes music less interesting, you will likely find the overall sound of the tracks on Good Grief a refreshing change of pace. Thanks to legendary producer Chris Stamey, these songs have the nice warm sound of a real band playing real music. You won't hear hundreds of layered sounds here...nor will you hear vocals that have been tweaked to perfection. Larry has a nice warm presence and he delivers these tracks with impressive confidence. We particularly love the lyrics here. Dean's words are simultaneously reflective and sometimes amusing. But the melodies are the real draw here. These cuts feature cool winding melodies that are slightly familiar and ultimately very friendly. Eleven solid cuts including "Didn't See It Coming," "Botox Party," "Heather's Diary," and "(Driving) Under the Influence (of Love)."

Dismal Swamp Lords - Dismal Swamp Lords (Independently released CD EP, Pop)
Whoa...these three guys have a totally groovy rockin' sound that we're absolutely certain is making folks at their shows go wild. Dismal Swamp Lords is the Richmond, Virginia-based trio comprised of Blee Child on drums, E. T. Snider on bass, and Bruce Smith on guitars and vocals. The name sure fits. These guys have a swampy, bluesy sound that is fueled by driving rhythms, cool slide guitar, and vocals that fit the songs perfectly. This EP presents five hard-hitting tracks that display these guys impressive command of their respective instruments. Or, in other words, these tracks totally ROCK. Our favorite cuts are "Black Crow Blues," "The Devil Does The Driving," and "Mystery Boots." It's a sure bet these guys are totally on fire in concert. Truly hot smokin' stuff.

Patrick Doyle - The Music of Patrick Doyle: Solo Piano (CD, Varese Sarabande, Piano/instrumental)
If you're a fan of solo piano recordings this one is a must have. You may not immediately recognize the name Patrick Doyle but you most certainly have heard this man's music over the past couple of decades. Doyle is a prolific longtime composer of film music. As such, he has written songs for many hugely famous movies including (but not limited to) Cinderella, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sense and Sensibility, Nanny McPhee, Much Ado About Nothing, and Gosford Park. Recorded during the past three years between other projects, The Music of Patrick Doyle presents a retrospective of Patrick's film composing career. The album features Doyle alone at his piano. The sound is stripped down yet completely effective and real. This man's fingers are pure magic on the keys, as is evidenced by all eighteen cuts on this album. Dedicated to Doyle's wife Lesley, these recordings were obviously a labor of love. The great news is that this is just the first of two planned volumes....so there will be a second one to follow this. This album contains some of the most beautiful solo piano recordings we have ever heard...period. Exceptional from start to finish. Recommended. TOP PICK.

Fantastic Four - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Music by Marco Beltrami & Philip Glass (CD, Sony Classical, Soundtrack)
Movies featuring comic book super heroes continue to be all the rage in 2015. Fantastic Four is a reinvention of Marvel's first and longest-running super hero team. To quote directly from the press release, the film "...follows four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe that alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy." The main stars in the film are Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, and Toby Kebbell. The music for the movie was created by two of the best: Marco Beltrami and Philip Glass. Neither need any introduction. It's truly amazing how well both of these artists' music fits together here. This album presents twenty-five meticulously orchestrated tracks. Some are moody, some mysterious, some suspenseful, and some slightly abstract and peculiar. This is the kind stuff that'll sound great in the theater...or in your home turned up really, really loud. The attention to detail here is amazing. Spellbinding cuts include "The Garage," "It Begins," "Ben's Drop," "Father and Son," and "Strength In Numbers."

Five Fingertips - Five Fingertips (CD, Guildwater Group, Independent pop rock with a dash of syncopation, a hint of prosody, a touch of dissonance, and a spoonful [100 milligrams to be imprecise] of humility)
Exceptionally creative and unusual underground pop from the mysterious man who calls himself Five Fingertips. This album is a good example of what motivates us to write about music. Because, after all, if we weren't writers we probably would never have discovered this ultra cool obscure gem. Fortunately for you, you don't have to be a writer. All you have to do is read what we write and listen to everything we tell you to (hahaha). This music easily fits in the category of independent pop rock with a dash of syncopation, a hint of prosody, a touch of dissonance, and a spoonful (100 milligrams to be imprecise) of humility. At first we thought this just sounded like pop / rock but upon closer inspection we changed our minds. Mr. Fingertips resides in Athens, Georgia but his music doesn't sound like anything we're heard from the state of Georgia. The instruments and overall sound here are very familiar. But it's the way the pieces are put together that is extremely unusual...as well as the mega-cerebral super smart lyrics...that make this self-titled album such a wonderful spin. If you want to absorb some really creative wild writing, check out this guy's web site (link above). He's way, way, WAY smarter than the average musician in every way. The album ends with the last track eventually dissolving into a long wash of pure noise...love it. Five Fingertips is easily one of the best new artists we have heard in 2015. Cool, gripping, creative cuts include "The Lines," "Time is Tasteless," "Nod," "The Poster Children," and "Plainsong." We just can't get enough of this one. TOP PICK.

 

FOUR WORDS THAT SHOULD NEVER BE USED EVER

Viral.
Smartphone.
Selfie.
App.


Holly Golightly - Slowtown Now! (Import CD, Damaged Goods, Pop)
Holly Golightly first came to the attention of many as a co-founder of the all-girl garage band Thee Headcoatees which was later re-named Thee Headcoates. She released her debut album (The Good Things) in 1995. Since that time she has recorded and released an amazing amount of material...no less than fourteen solo albums plus numerous singles. Slowtown Now! presents more of the moody, bluesy, country-tinged underground pop that Holly is known for. Or, to be more precise, this is another totally groovy album from this super talented lady. Released on Great Britain's Damaged Goods label, this album has a really nifty overall sound and vibe. Joining Holly on these tracks are Matt Radford on double bass, Ed Deegan on rhythm and lead guitars, Bruce Brand on drums, and Bradley Burgess on lead and rhythm guitars. The central focus of these tunes are Golightly's relaxed, breezy vocals. This lady has a voice that absolutely pulls listeners in. What we admire most is how effortless she sounds. It's no wonder she has so many devoted fans. Ms. Golightly always pleases with each and every release. Captivating tracks include "Seven Wonders," "Stopped My Heart," "Catch Your Fall," and "When I Wake." Recommended. Top pick.

HUGElarge - HUGElarge (CD, Hwy 61, Rock/pop)
Albums full of cover tunes can be dull, annoying, and/or tedious. Fortunately, this self-titled album is none of the above. The two guys who call themselves HUGElarge have come up with a dazzling collection of cover tracks that doesn't sound like the rest. The band is the duo of Robert Malta and Matt Norelli, two guys who are no strangers to the world of music (both played in numerous underground bands before recording this album). What makes these cuts sound so appealing is the fact that they are presented so simply with no filler added. So instead of sounding like rehashed trash, these cuts end up sounding inspired. And the overall feeling you get hearing them is that these guys had a great deal of fun during the recording process. There's a lot to sink your teeth into...sixteen tracks in all. Our favorite groovy cuts include "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)," "Born To Lose," "Motivator," "The Slider," and "96 Tears." These guys do two of the best T. Rex covers we've ever heard...

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Music by Joshua Johnson (CD, Varese Sarabande, Soundtrack)
We love peculiar documentaries so this one immediately caught our attention. I Am Big Bird tells the story of Caroll Spinney...the man who, for decades, has been and continues to be the well-known Sesame Street character Big Bird. That may seem absurd and silly to some, but being inside the huge costume of a character that means so much to so many is a very serious and real responsibility. Spinney is now 80 years old but has no plans to give up "the bird." Even though Sesame Street has outlived it's usefulness decades ago (just an opinion, mind you...), when the show began long ago it was groundbreaking and very entertaining. And it inspired and influenced thousands upon thousands of other artists and television shows. This documentary begins with Big Bird in the early days working with Jim Henson right on through to the present. From what we've read, apparently Spinney is an extremely likable man...which is probably why this documentary is receiving such high praise. The pensive, beautiful soundtrack was composed by Joshua Johnson. Even without seeing the movie we are more than moved by this music. These tracks are extremely well-crafted, displaying emotions and feelings through the pure use of sound. We love the sound of these tracks. And we have a feeling that we're going to fall in love with this documentary. Sixteen tracks here including "Mother and Father," "China," "Family Matters," and "Why He Still Does It." Top pick.

Kinsey - My Loneliest Debut (Independently released CD, Pop)
Recorded in a chicken shack in upstate New York, My Loneliest Debut is a nice cool slice of modern underground pop. Up to this point in time, Nick Kinsey is probably best known as the drummer for Elvis Perkins in Dearland, AA Bondy, and A.C. Newman. Here he steps from behind the drum kit, displaying his skills on a variety of instruments as well as his knack for writing nice flowing pop tunes. Folks into underground pop will find a lot to appreciate here. Nick's lyrics are smart and insightful and he's quite the master at coming up with cool arrangements. Eleven nifty reflective cuts here including "Wide Awake," "Whipping Boy," "We Are Pipes," and "Eat Your Heart Out."

Glenn Mercer - Incidental Hum (CD, Bar/None, Instrumental)
Glenn Mercer forever cemented his place in the world of music as one of the original members of The Feelies. Despite the fact that they released only a small handful of albums, the band remained vital from the 1970s right on through to the 1990s...no doubt due to their riveting and completely unforgettable live performances. It's been a long time since the days when The Feelies were the coolest of the cool in the underground rock scene. But, thankfully, Glenn Mercer continues to please his fans with ultimately nifty releases like Incidental Hum. This is his second full-length solo release and the first that is all instrumental. Many of these tracks have an Eno-esque sound, around the time of Another Green World. We love the sound quality of these recordings. They have that simple stripped down sound that we normally associate with home recordings from the mid- to late-1980s...before digital technology made everything so extremely complex. We've always loved the sound of Glenn's guitar...and on this album he's still sounding remarkably inspired and resilient. Housed in an ultra-snappy cardboard foldout sleeve. Thanks for continuing to entertain us, Mr. Mercer.

Dan Miraldi - Chaos, Destruction & Dancing (Independently released CD, Pop/rock)
Ahhhh...now this is one we've been waiting for. This is what commercial pop/rock ought to sound like in 2015. Dan Miraldi is one of those underground folks out there who has true star quality. We fell totally in love with this guy's music after hearing his Sugar & Adrenaline album that came out in 2012. The album quickly became one of our favorite and most played discs of the year. Since that album came out, Dan has released a couple of EPs. But now we finally get the full-length follow up, Chaos, Destruction & Dancing. Fortunately for everyone, this album was cut from the same fabric as Sugar & Adrenaline. This one spins like a collection of oughta-be hits. Miraldi's songs have that cool classic pop/rock sound that could easily appeal to millions of listeners. With the right luck and timing, this guy could find himself played to huge crowds. He has a personality and presence that come through loud and clear in these tunes. This album features killer tracks like "Demon Baby," "Junkie Friend," "I Gotta Figure Out How," and "Put Your Pistols Away." Once again, this guy's music totally blows us away. Highly recommended. TOP PICK.

 

MOUND ON RUGS

This is your mound.
This is rugs.
This is your mound on
Rugs.

 

Mr. Holmes - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Music by Carter Burwell (CD, Lakeshore, Soundtrack)
The idea for this film is interesting and it's getting very positive reviews. Mr. Holmes tells the story of an older Sherlock Holmes who, upon looking back on life, becomes involved in an unsolved case about a beautiful woman. The film stars Ian McKellen and is definitely a different kind of Sherlock Holmes movie and, rather appropriately, it also features a very different kind of soundtrack. Carter Burwell composed some impeccable, beautiful tracks for this film that are subtle, thoughtful, and probably provide the perfect backdrop for this introspective film. Whereas most modern soundtracks are full of loud overpowering tracks, the soundtrack to Mr. Holmes presents very subtle, reflective, beautiful instrumentals that will appeal to a wide range of music fans. We love the super sparse sound of many of these compositions. Burwell is a man who obviously realizes the value of restraint. Impeccable tracks here include "Mr. Holmes," "Hiroshima Station," "Two Such Souls," and "The Consolation of Fiction." Highly recommended. TOP PICK.

Philip Polk Palmer - Here In The Deadlights (CD, Silber, Progressive pop/rock)
Cool moody modern pop that creates atmospheres. This album is connected with two of our favorite things: the Silber label and the city of Savannah, Georgia. Not surprisingly...we love the hilariously-titled Here In The Deadlights. According to the press release that accompanied this album, Palmer is influenced by artists like Joy Division, The Church, Echo The Bunnymen, Bauhaus, and others. This album lives up to expectations. On these nine tracks Philip Polk Palmer effectively combines the trademark sound of the Silber label with the totally groovy vibes of the city of Savannah. If you've never been to Savannah you owe it to yourself to visit this most remarkable city. But if you can't make the physical trip, Here In The Deadlights will provide the perfect mental trip. These songs manage to convey the sights and sounds we associate with all those great old buildings, swaying live oak trees, fantastic old cemeteries, and drooping Spanish moss that sways in the breeze. Recorded by Brian John Mitchell (except for the track "Apparition" which was recorded by Andy Baker), this is easily one of the best releases we've heard on the Silber label. Killer tracks include "Down The River," "Frog Strangler," "Joyride," and "Goodbye." Recommended. Top pick.

Paper Beat Scissors - Go On (CD, Forward Music Group, Progressive pop)
This guy impressed lots of folks with his self-titled debut album. Now he's back with an album that's just as good or better. This band is the project created by Canada's Tim Crabtree. Tim writes intelligent pop songs that don't sound like other artists currently on the horizon. The songs merge sounds and ideas from progressive rock with the overall vibe of modern pop...creating a strangely intoxicating world that is easy on the ears and sometimes perplexing to the mind. Imagine combing the sound of Sufjan Stevens with early Peter Gabriel...and you may have some idea of what the songs on Go On sound like. Although at times Crabtree's music gets a lot louder than these comparisons might suggest. It's hard to guess what kind of commercial appeal this album will have. But our guess is that it will be an instant success among critics and fans of underground music. Ten well-crafted tracks including "Enough," "Wouldn't," "Onwards," "Bundled," and "Go On.

Permanent Makeup - Taker (CD, New Granada, Rock)
More and more bands seem to be taking their cue from the 1990s...one of the most creative and fertile decades ever for music in the United States. Recorded by the band in their home studios, Taker is one aggressive rip-roaring slice of modern guitar rock fueled by fierce intensity and true mental focus. So many bands play it safe in the twenty-first century. Guess that's why the ones that don't are such obvious standouts. Permanent Makeup is the trio comprised of Christopher Nadeau (bass, vocals), James Bess (guitar, vocals), and Susan Dickson-Nadeau (drums, art). Band names/references tossed throughout the accompanying press release give a good indication of where these folks are coming from. We sure as Hell can hear traces of underground artists from the past like The Minutemen, Mission of Burma, and The Fall. If you despise the world of twenty-first century commercial music, give Taker a spin. It just might make a believer out of you all over again. Thirteen gripping tracks including "Hey Taker," "Space Race Is Dead," "Not Binary," and "Structure."

Pixels - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Music by Henry Jackman (CD, Varese Sarabande, Soundtrack)
We haven't seen this movie yet...but the idea sure sounds interesting. The basic idea is that aliens pick up video feeds of classic video games from Earth and take them to be declarations of war. They then attack the planet in the form of video game characters. The film is getting mixed reviews, which is what we would expect with a theme this peculiar. The music for the movie was composed by the United Kingdom's Henry Jackman who has previously composed music for some huge blockbusters like The Dark Knight, The Da Vinci Code, and the Pirates of the Caribbean films. One might expect the music here to be driven by the zany canned sound of classic video games. Instead of taking the obvious approach, Jackman chooses instead to use a huge state-of-the-art orchestral sound that will no doubt add extra suspense and excitement when watching this film. Plenty of cool creative sounds here as Jackman presents twenty-one immediately gripping cuts. If you want to blow your mind, check out the list of vocalists and musicians on the last page of the booklet. Although we didn't count them, it looks like there were well over one hundred (!) musicians involved in this project. After hearing this, we're totally psyched about seeing this movie. Sounds like a true blast from the past.

Pop4 - Summer (CD, Satellites Group, Pop)
Think great pop music is dead? The four folks in Pop4 will make a believer out of you all over again. This band is an underground supergroup made up of four musicians with enough talent and charm to change the universe. Pop4 is comprised of Scott McPherson (The Protagonist), KC Bowman (The Logician), Kirk Adams (The Champion), and Andrea Perry (The Mediator). Summer is about as good as pop gets. These four individuals have recorded an album that is warm, friendly, charming, smart, memorable, and completely grooooovy. These songs remind us of a whole slew of our favorites...including (but not limited to) XTC, The Beatles, Stackridge, Teenage Fanclub, Azure Ray, The New Pornographers and...and...and...well, we could just go on and on and on here. We've been in love with Andrea Perry's music for a very long time (search for our previous reviews...she's always a Top Pick). This lady is absolutely one of the best kept secrets in the world of music. We have to admit that when this package arrived we were drooling all over ourselves thinking it was a new solo album. But even though it wasn't, we're as pleased as peaches with this album. Summer is a precise and pure slice of perfect modern pop. The harmonies are mind boggling...and the songs themselves are resilient and ultra catchy. Not much more to say here except...this one is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Sixteen marvelous tracks including "I Will Become Love," "Beautiful," "Blow Wind Blow," "Einstein and Sunshine," "What's It Gonna Be Like Now," "Don't You Be Like That"... Aw, heck...we're gonna stop listing individual cuts now because they're ALL wonderful. You've got to hear this album. It is truly GREAT. TOP PICK.

Leroy Powell and the Messengers - The Overlords of the Cosmic Revolution (CD, Cleopatra, Pop/rock)
We have to begin here by quoting Leroy Powell's own observations about this album: "The Overlords of the Cosmic Revolution is the greatest record ever recorded by anyone and of all time. It cures AIDS, cancer, out, erectile dysfunction, and bad breath. If you buy enough copies of it, you will get into heaven no matter what you've done. If a cop pulls you over while you're listening to this music, they will have to legally let you go (no questions asked." He has also made an offer to give the person who buys the one millionth copy of the album a personal check for $5,000 (haw haw!!!). Not only an extremely funny man...but a very generous one as well. But the truth is that he's not just funny and generous...he's also very talented and entertaining. This is a concept album of sorts that tells the story of a band of rock gods lost in the future. The album presents twelve cool rockin' tracks and as an added bonus, the package includes a really cool comic book that tells the story of The Overlords. Rarely have we heard anyone merge Southern rock with psychedelia and make it work. This super clever rockin' album features truly knockout cuts like "Weightlessness," "King Kong," "Rising," "Brainscan," and "Checking Out." Masculine loud pop/rock stuff with major balls.

Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends - The Enemy of Everyone (CD & Vinyl LP, Seismic Wave Entertainment, Pop/rock)
Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends is the trio comprised of Conan Neutron, Dale Crover, and Tony Ash. If you liked the hard rockin' sounds of the 1990s when there were tons of cool loud underground guitar bands roaming around the United States, you're likely to get a charge out of The Enemy of Everyone. From the sound of these tracks, we'd guess these three guys had a helluva time during these recording sessions. The tracks on this album have a solid ballsy sound that is sadly missing in many twenty-first century rock bands. Plenty of cool songs with a definite groove and plenty of spontaneous noise/sound. And the artwork is great. This album is being simultaneously released on CD and vinyl LP. Gripping cuts include "Casually Intense," "Fight Math," "All Your Nostalgia Is Killing Me," and "R.I.P. Anger." Smart loud stuff that rocks.

Presents For Sally - Colours & Changes (CD, Saint Marie, Pop/rock)
The second full-length release from the United Kingdom's Presents For Sally. These folks are quick to admit that their music is inspired by guitar bands from the late 1980s and early 1990s. So if you're like us and loved that period...it's very likely that you will totally dig these folks' cool tripped out underground pop/rock. Totally unlike all the processed-to-death muck that infects our planet in the twenty first century, these tracks have that cool thick sound of a real band playing real instruments. These are not throwaway pop songs. These three musicians create grooves and atmospheres with their music that are very warm, inviting, and genuine. This is one of those rare cases where the band is doing virtually everything right. Housed in a simply beautiful tri-fold cardboard sleeve, Colours & Changes is a refreshing reminder that cool underground guitar bands still exist. Captivating cuts include "We Fought Lucifer (And Won)," "Wishawaytoday," "Everything I Said," and "Softly Spoken Outside Honey." Top pick.

Pugwash - Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends) (CD, Omnivore Recordings, Pop/rock)
We've always enjoyed the positive uplifting sound of Pugwash. We're pleased as punch to report that the band's newest album just might be their best ever. These four Irish guys have a sound that is remarkably similar to some of the great British and American guitar bands from the 1980s and 1990s. Although these fellows don't need name dropping to get folks' attention (these tracks will certainly do that), it's interesting to note that that folks contributing to these tracks include Ray Davies, Andy Partridge, Neil Hannon, and Jeff Lynne (!!!). If you like any of those artists, chances are you will totally dig the tracks on Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends). These songs have a nice smooth classic sound that should appeal to just about anyone who loves great guitar-driven pop/rock. The band is comprised of Thomas Walsh (vocals, guitar), Tosh Flood (guitar), Shaun McGee (bass), and Joe Fitzgerald (drums). These guys create a warm friendly vibe with their songs that is impossible to dislike. And the best part is that...the more you spin this album the better it sounds. Looking into the future, you can be certain that these tracks will still sound great decades from now. Twelve impeccable pop tracks including "Kicking and Screaming," "Lucky In Every Way," "The Fool I Had Become," "Silly Love," and "We Are Everywhere." This will hopefully be the album that will put these guys over the top. Hats off to the fine folks at Omnivore Recordings for releasing this one on their ultra cool label. Highly recommended. TOP PICK.

Raging Fire - Everything Is Roses 1985-1989 (CD, Pristine, Rock/pop)
If there's one thing that's true about the world of music, it's that--no matter how hard you try--you can never, never, never, EVER take it all in...simply because there is so much music that is being made every minute of every day. Perhaps that's why, at least up until now, we were never introduced to the music created by the Nashville, Tennessee-based band Raging Fire. In the mid- to late-1980s this band captured the attention of lots of folks with their loud energized sound. The band was comprised of Michael Godsey (guitar), Mark Medley (drums), Les Shields (bass), and Melora Zaner (vocals). These folks were influenced by classic groups like The Who, Led Zeppelin, X, and The Cramps. Although they seemed as if they were on the verge of huge success, the group unfortunately disbanded before they hit it big. So perhaps this career-spanning compilation will reignite the flame that was originally set decades ago. These recordings have held up really well over time. Twenty-two rockin' cuts including "A Family Thing," "The One You Hate," "The Marrying Kind," "Under the Awning," and "More Than This."

Whitney Rose - Heartbreaker of the Year (CD, Cameron House, Pop)
Super slick, super melodic warm and inviting pop from Whitney Rose. Produced by Raul Malo (lead vocalist for The Mavericks), Heartbreaker of the Year spins like a collection of hits that you've never heard before. Ms. Rose has a voice that could easily appeal to millions of music fans. And you can tell by the tone of her voice that she truly loves singing. Producer Malo isn't the only Mavericks connection...other members of the band also play on eight of these tracks. Music fans will no doubt go wild over the cover of Andy Kim's "Be My Baby" which features Raul as a co-vocalist. Superb sound quality here and excellent arrangements from start to finish. This is what commercial music should sound like...but usually doesn't. Ten warm hummable cuts including "Little Piece of You," "Only Just A Dream," "Ain't It Wise," and "There's A Tear In My Beer."

Skittish - Two Legs Bad (Independently released CD, Rock)
The press release that accompanied this album classified the music as "neo-folk/indie rock"...which gives a good indication of what this band's music sounds like. The band members may find this puzzling, but some of the tracks on Two Legs Bad remind us of some of the groovier cuts recorded by Marilyn Manson. The songs have the same kinda loud bluesy rock feel that Manson is known for. But in terms of overall sound and image, this is far, far more positive and uplifting than the comparison might suggest. The band Skittish is comprised of Jeff Noller (vocals, guitar), Brianna Tagg (vocals, keyboards), Lazarus Ulysses Clearwater (bass), and Jeremy Krueth (drums). Named after a line from George Orwell's Animal Farm, Two Legs Bad features nine smart tracks with a progressive sound and feel. Appealing cuts include "Regarding the Wolf," "Roots," "Come Find Me," and "Meet Your Maker."

Stone The Crows - Stone The Crows / Ode To John Law (Double CD, Angel Air, Blues/rock)
Twofer featuring the first two albums from Great Britain's legendary blues/rock band Stone The Crows. The band got their start when vocalist Maggie Bell met guitarist Les Harvey (brother to Alex Harvey). After playing in two bands together (Kinning Park Ramblers & Power), Bell and Harvey formed Stone The Crows. The band experienced a great deal of success in Great Britain but, unfortunately, that success did not translate to the United States. Maggie's voice has often been compared to Janis Joplin so that may have presented somewhat of an identity problem for her at the time. After recording and playing together for some time, the band experienced a devastating blow. Harvey died from an accidental on-stage electrocution in May 1972. Because he was the main songwriter for the band (as well as Bell's partner), the event almost knocked the band out of existence. They did continue on for a while, however, before breaking up in 1973. Maggie experienced more success with two solo albums she released shortly afterward, and received a great deal of notoriety as the co-vocalist on Rod Stewart's song "Every Picture Tells A Story." So here we have the first two albums remastered and reissued with four bonus tracks added. We never heard these albums when they were originally released so hearing them now is a particularly eye and ear-opening experience. The band played interesting blues/rock with a progressive twist. And those trademark vocals were definitely the focal point of the music. If you wanna see/hear some interesting stuff, type in "Stone The Crows live" into YouTube and you'll find a wealth of cool videos that show how cool this band looked and sounded in the early 1970s. Once again, the fine folks at Angel Air breath fresh new air into recordings that will entertain an entire new generation of listeners...

The Strange Flowers - Pearls At Swine (CD, Area Pirata, Pop)
If you like ultra-catchy guitar-driven pop rock...come and get it. The guys in Italy's Strange Flowers are back with another groovy collection of pop tunes that are smooth, cool, and instantly hummable. This band writes and records music that recalls other classic artists like Redd Kross and The Grip Weeds. Pearls At Swine is a direct hit. Until we read the press release that accompanied this album we had no idea that this band has been around for two decades (?!!). Sheesh, you'd never know it from listening to these fresh vibrant cuts. The band is comprised of Michele Marino (vocals, guitars), Nicola Cionini (guitars, backing vocals), Giacomo Ferrari (keyboards, backing vocals), and Matteo D'Ignazi (drums, percussion). The playing is tight and the arrangements are kept to a bare minimum...which is exactly appropriate since these super strong tunes don't need any additional padding. We dig every single cut on this album but particular standouts include "Throwing Pearls At Swine," "Eugene," "Steven Bought A White Rope," and "Twins." Highly recommended. Top pick.

12 Monkeys - Music from the Syfy Original Television Series: Music by Trevor Rabin and Paul Linford (CD, Varese Sarabande, Soundtrack)
Created by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett, 12 Monkeys is a television series based on the 1995 movie of the same name that was directed by iconic director Terry Gilliam (which was, in turn, based on Chris Marker's 1962 film La Jetee). The story revolves around a man who travels forward in time to prevent the release of a deadly virus that was created by an organization called The Army of the Twelve Monkeys. Folks love stories that revolve around the possible extinction of the human race, which may explain why this story has such staying power. We loved the 1995 film but we haven't yet seen the television series. Most critics and fans give the show a very favorable rating. This album presents music for the series created by Trevor Rabin and Paul Linford. The overall sound and feel of these tracks is exotic, hypnotic, and strangely puzzling. Rabin and Linford are both multi-instrumentalists so these tracks are quite varied and complex. This lengthy soundtrack features over an hour's worth of music. Strangely compelling cuts include "I Am the Clock (12 Monkeys Suite)," "The Monkeys On the Wall," "The Night Room," and "The Cycle is Complete."

Tarmac Adam - In Place (CD, Onesize, Pop)
We felt adrenaline oozing through us when this album arrived. We absolutely adore the music created by Australia's Tarmac Adam. We played the band's last album (The History Effect) totally into the ground...and it still sounds great. In Place is cut from the exact same fabric...and we are, once again, hypnotized, mesmerized, and totally in awe of this band. What will probably surprise most folks about these guys is that they're really not all that different from a lot of other bands in terms of their overall sound...but they're way, way, way, way, WAY better. When we reviewed The History Effect we compared the lead vocalist to Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs)...and that comparison definitely still applies. Tarmac Adam songs feature cool smooth melodies, intelligent lyrics, and wonderfully imaginative arrangements that are a perfect fit. At a point in time when there are so many throwaway pop bands, these compositions come across sounding strikingly resilient and inspired. We can say without a doubt that this will easily end up being one of THE top pop albums of 2015. If you love magical pop music, In Place will blow you away. Yes, it's THAT good. Ten fantastic cuts here including "A Town Called Mercy," "Blindside," "Nine Lives," "Holding," and "The Loneliest Journey." Highly recommended... TOP PICK.

Toadies - Heretics (CD, Kirtland, Pop)
A different sort of release from The Toadies, Heretics features "deconstructed and acoustically re-arranged fan favorites, two brand new songs, a surprising cover, and a previously unreleased track." The surprisingly accessible sound of these tracks may surprise some folks. But our guess is that the fans will readily accept the different approach from a band that refuses to cave in or give up. Twelve groovy tracks including "In The Belly of a Whale," "Queen of Scars," "Possum Kingdom," and "Send You To Heaven." As a side note, fans of the band and others will note that the Toadies are once again putting on their annual music festival Dia De Los Toadies on September 11 and 12, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas (this is the third year in a row for the festival).

 

TYPICAL

Everyone is
Typical.

 

WIMPS

Wimps can't
Think.
Wimps can't
Cope.
Wimps can't
Face the world,
Nope.

 

Yompy and the Tip Nippers - Bird Headache (CD, Krunderwisp, Pop)
Recorded in a package of chewing gum, Bird Headache has all the mrowl of a whisper thing. The folks in the Austin, Texas-based band Yompy and the Tip Nippers obviously have a puny growl to pick with the community. This fifty track album sounds like it was recorded inside a package of chewing gum. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that 49 of these tracks are about being locked inside chewing gum packages. The idea sounds novel and funny but when you get to song #43 or #44 the idea starts to wear thin. But that's actually the best thing about this album. It's annoying and horrible and that's what makes it so interesting. You can listen to one song and then listen to another song. And then you can listen to the next song and then the next song. It doesn't matter what you listen to really, because all music sounds the same. The tenth track ("Got To Get Out Of This Particular Package Of Chewing Gum") is the real treat here. The band lets loose and shows what they're made of. The fabric of necessity is bonded with lumps and bitties. And the lamp of all knowledge goes out with the wand. The only other track worth hearing is the continually tedious "Why Can't I Get Inside Some Other Kind Of Package?" On this cut, the band ponders the question of what it would be like to be inside a package of cake mix rather than a package of chewing gum. If you don't like things, you probably won't like this. If, on the other hand, you like things...then you might like this. We can't recommend this until some future point in time when we can recommend this. Until then, you'll just have to warm up your duster and cram on the cash to get the limited amount of rooftop puppets for maximum revolvement.

 

Additional Items Received:

A
Aa's OK - OK's Aa
Concettta Abbate - Falling in time
Lee Actor - Piano concerto
James Adler - Introspections
Alarm Clock Conspiracy
Alchemilla - Hearts
All Walls - All Walls
AmaamA - Prirbanolly
Amarachi - All or nothing
Amplifires - Llife's a gamble
An American In Paris - Original Broadway cast recording
A Projection / Exit - Proj 1 rec Stockholm
Arjun - Core
Autopilot - Desert dreams
Aylin - Cloud
Azumpy - Plaza rowl

B
Bruce Babcock - Time, still
Bekah Barnett - Rise
Jeremy Bass - New York in spring
David Berkeley - Cardboard coat
Brent Best - Your dog, champ
BeThisBell - Work it out
Blindness - Wrapped in plastic
Blind Willies - Every day is judgment day
Crystal Bright & The Silver Hands - Crystal Bright & The Silver Hands
Emilyn Brodsky - Eats her feelings
Dewa Budjana - Hasta karma
Mary Bue - Holy bones
Bum For Bum - Loudy wow
Doug Burr - Pale white dove
By The Red - Folk songs from the Red River Valley

C
The Canal - Original score by Ceiri Torjussen
Leah Capelle - Leah Capelle
Carry Illinois - Alabaster
Benjamin Cartel - Gothenburg
Sergio Cervetti - Transits: Minimal to mayhem-
Tom Chapin - 70
Jon Chi - Another rising sun
Child 44 - Original motion picture soundtrack
Chuck - Original television soundtrack
City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra - Music fro the Star Wars saga
Climax Blues - Broke heart blues
Coastal - Beneath the snow and streetlights
Cobbler - Original motion picture soundtrack
Phil Cody - Cody sings Zevon
Colorway - THe black sky sequined
John Conlee - Classics 2
Cracker Factory - Chasing ghosts
Cody Crump - Death
Crzie - Blaffter
CSDT - Mobo tumbie
Cusses - Here comes the rat
CZZD - Kuddly zoop

D
D Train - Original motion picture soundtrack
Nicholas David - Make hope
Dandelion War - Opposite shores
Karl W. Davis & The Sweetpeas - It's high time
Dawa - Psithurlsma
Dawn Patrol - Original motion picture soundtrack
Death - Death
Debug - Original motion picture soundtrack
Deckchair Poets - Searchin' for a lemon squeezer
Reina del Cid - The cooling
Desert Dancer - Original motion picture soundtrack
Doctor Who - The day of the doctor
Donna Deussen & The Paul Weitz Trio - On the street where you live
Andrew Diruzza Quintet - Shapes and analogies
Double Naught Spy Car Stew - Panorama city
Gary Douglas - Keepin' faithß
Dovekeepers - Original television soundtrack
Dust on the Radio - Halfway to the stars
Dying to be Dingy - Buffs and nuffies

E
EAEAI - Lambs and shrimps
East Cameron Folkcore - Kingdom of fear
Elasticity - Elasticity
Elements Rising - Modern works for chamber ensemble
Tawny Ellis - Ghosts of the low country: The muscle shoals sessions
Exovex - Radio silence
Ezziersetthendumm - Mouse prize

F
Far From the Madding Crowd - Original motion picture soundtrack
Farmer Jason - Christmas on the farm with Farmer Jason
Feenie Meener - Daffter
Fernando - The dogs
Jamila Ford - The deep end
Guy Forsythe Blues Band - The pleaser
Red Ray Frazier - Blood in the water
Friend Roulette - I see you, your eyes are red
Fumes From Fuma - Daddy's squirrel
Furious Seasons - My love is strong

G
Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah - Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah
Rachel Garlin - Wink at july
Get Ahead - Volcano
Susie Glaze - Not that kind of girl
Emily Gold - Recluse
Golden Eels - Periscopes in the air
Good Field - Future me
Good + Kill - Original motion picture soundtrack
Joe Goodkin - Record of life
Go Time! - Ratsel
Grahams - Glory bound/rattle the rocks
Great Human Odyssey - Original television soundtrack
Great Spirit - Front porch to frontier
Maxwell Gualtieri - For Los Angeles
Gypsy Lumberjacks - Giants of America

H
Hildegard - Hildegard
Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank - American shuffle
Cody Joe Hodges - The good stuff
Honey Barbara - Wave grass
Tim Houlihan - Anthems
Andrew D. Huber - Mercury gets a moon
Tod Hughes Project - Changing gears
Stephen Hunley - The other side of never
Jordan Hurwitz - Here I'll stand
Bobby Hustle - It's the hustle

I
Indian Summers - Original television soundtrack
Infinitely Polar Bear - Original motion picture soundtrack
In Sonitus Lux - The equinox session
Interview - Original motion picture score

J
Lucas Jack - Before i forget
Jack Kerowax - Jack Kerowax
Jacob and the Good People - Rotten
PI Jacobs - Hi-rise ranch
Heidi Jacob - Beneath winter light
Ethan Jano - I'll be fine
Suzanne Jarvie - Spiral road
Mary Ann Joyce-Walter - Immortal diamond

K
Matthew K. - Matthew K.
Mikaela Kahn - Milk & honey
Stephen Kalinch / Jon Tiven - Each soul has a voice
Kelly's Lot - Don't give my blues away
Robert Kennedy Trio - Big shoes
Knack - Zoom
Kuu Kuu - Lawsy messy and messier lassies

L
Landmarq - Roadskill: Live in the Netherlands
Matt Lax and Nearly Beloved - This house of mine
Lazzie and Dammithy - Rarnine
LB and the LB BLs - Backs and the slacks
Left Ready - Ghosts
Librarians - Original soundtrack from the television series
Ligro - Dictionary 3
Linty Tinty - Bobo and the lobster squirrel
Brian Lisk and the Unfortunates - Curtisinterruptedus
Peter Liu - Bamboo groove
London Music Works - Epic themes
Mike Love - Gypsy man
Lucifer's Friend - Awakening
Lunden Reign - American stranger
Luv - Original motion picture soundtrack
Luxury - Bones & beaten heart

M
Tim Mahoney - Peace of winter
Maia & The Pilots - Taking off
La Mandragore - Midgard
Mantoes - Mangoes
Many Arms & Toshimaru Nakamura - Many Arms & Toshimaru Nakamura
Graig Markel and the 88th St. Band - Graig Markel and the 88th St. Band
Craig Marshall - After all
Frince Marshall - Another Marshall
Pamela J. Marshall - Through the mist
Max - Original motion picture soundtrack
Jimmy McIntosh and... - Jimmy McIntosh and...
Medici - Red eye
Mono Pony - Idle beauty
Moon & Polution - The box borealis
Moop Poom - Moooooo porium la tordent
Moors & McCumber - Pandemonium
Jeremy Morris - Bright morning star
Ken Will Morton - All's fair in love and war
Moto Continuo - New works for pinao trio and solo cello
Zae Munn - They were mysterious guests
Michael Murray - Percipience
Jordan Myers - Ruin me with love

N
Nacona - Long gone song
Naazer - Blushy mush mush
Neighborhood Bullys - Callin' all rockers!
Neu Human - How to stop time
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb - Original motion picture soundtrack
Noah's Tape - Vol. 2
Nuster Plus - Taxi mission dumb

O
Dawn Oberg - Bring
One The Huggler - Nearly a sin
Orange is the New Black - Music from the original series
Orphan Black - Original television score
Orphan Black - Original television soundtrack
Pete Oxley / Nicolas Meier - Chasing tales

P
Chris Page - Volume vs. voice
Gabrielle Papillon - The tempest of old
Daniel Pearson - Alone, together
Penny Dreadful - Music for the Showtime original series
Kat Perkins - Fearless
Pinder Brothers - Melancholy sea
Playing It Cool - Original motion picture soundtrack
Jeremy Porter and the Tucos - Above the sweet tea line
Jon Pousette-Dart - Talk

Q
Quill - Brush with the moon

R
Mason Razavi / Bennett Roth-Newell - After you
RBBAKKA - Now the phlop
Brad Reiman - Walking in the unknown
Rewrite - Original motion picture soundtrack
Sarah Lou Richards - The woman behind the curtain
Kimm Rogers - Where the pavement grows
Lila Rose - We animals
Roxy Roca - Ain't nothin' fancy

S
Lionel Sainsbury - Andalusian fantasy
Sasha's Bloc - Heart on fire
Elliot Schneider - Better a fool than aloof
Pierre Schroeder - Voyage
Sciflyer - Energizer
Seahorse - The fire's heart
Shack Band - America
Shae - Can you feel the music
Sahkespeare Concerts Series - Full fathom five
Shakespeare Concerts Series - Orpheus with his lute made trees
Shams - One and all
Shoe Birds - Southern gothic
Sick of Sarah - Anthem
Cameron Siegel & Friends - World junk
Siena Root - Pioneers
Ian Sims and Divergent Paths - Conundrum
Vytautas Smetona - All the way back
Snow In Mexico - Juno beach
Soda Pop Sun - Soda Pop Sun
Alan Sondheim, Azure Carter, Luke Damrosch - Threnody: Shorter discourses of hte Buddha
Jillian Speer - Daggers & suede
Bert Sperling - Renaissance
Spuyten Duyvil - The social music hour Vol. 1
Southpaw - Original motion picture soundtrack
Stairway - Pearls of the deep (best of)
James M. Stephenson - The devil's tale
Stubborn Son - Birthright
McClain Sullivan - Rachel
Summer Children - On the go with Summer Children
Sun Soul Orchestra - What matters most
Super Nova - Luna aura
Sweet - New York groove plus

T
32 Below - Every little thing about you
10,000 Maniacs - Twice told tales
Joe Jack Talcum - Home recordings 1993-99
Rachel Taylor - Magnetic
TBelly - Dead men don't pray
Them Howling Bones - Them Howling Bones
theSHIFT - 7th direction
Thirty Steps To Forward - Hinterland
Tidelands - Old mill park
Tornado Project - Trios for flute, clarinet, and computer
Tree Machines - Tree Machines
Tripping Souls - Don't waste your life
Trust Fund / Joanna Gruesome - Split vinyl EP

U
Ugly Guys - Still twenty-five in your head
Unfinished Business - Original motion picture soundtrack
George Usher / Lisa Burns - The last day of winter

V
Toomas Vanem - Toomas Vanem
Various Artists - Sweet Relief: Love is Everywhere
Javier Vercher - Wish you were here
Eyal Vilner Big Band - Almost Sunrise
Vixerupper - Nowdy doo
Michael Vlatkovich Septet - Ask 7
Vogue Dots - Mauka

W
Skoota Warner - Vignettes
Wasted Wine vs. The Hypnosis Center - Wasted Wine vs. The Hypnosis Center
Wendy Webb - This is the moment
Geoff Westen - I'm not crazy
John Wetton - Anthology
John Wetton - New York minute
Megan Wilde - Wildfire EP
Words and Pictures - Original motion picture soundtrack
Wyatt - Here comes everybody

X
Xraw - Rawx

Y
Yillie Momo - Puckie the minchster

Z
Daniel Z - Some romantic night - the solo years

 

©2015 LMNOP aka dONW7