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Jazz Funeral - self titled moody pop rock compilation

Valerie — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:01:52 +0000

Lifting their name from a term used in traditional New Orleans funerals where music is played, Jazz Funeral is a pop rock band that entertains as much as they mystify.

Well, to be exact, Jazz Funeral is simply singer-songwriter, self-proclaimed philosopher and avid drinker, Paul Adler.

Essentially rock with a sometimes gritty pop punk (even emo) sound, the album is a nice introduction to the singer's sound. This is a debut compilation for the singer and it seems like much of his philosophy and lifestyle is embedded in the tracks.

The songs in this album are a product of several years of the singer's life. Some of the songs were written as far back as 2008-2009 while the entire record was recorded after Paul graduated from college. It was then released last year on March 2011.

The artist is quoted in an interview with Absolutepunk, stating: "I wrote all the songs myself; I had somewhat of a grand vision for the record and I wanted to put everything I had into it. I wrote ten pages of production notes before I even got into the studio, so I knew exactly what I wanted and I really just wanted it to be me, to have who I am as a person come across in album-form."

Indeed, he seems to have achieved his vision for the record. The tracks in the album range from haunting, Hymn to the melodramatic and emotional single, Coping. It's not all doom and gloom though. Rosary Beads is an upbeat pop punk track that can be mistaken for something that belongs under emo punk group, Taking Back Sunday's roster, only a tad more whiny.

Regardless if you like pop rock or emo punk, you'll probably have fun with this. Once you get past the trippy, sometimes overly emotional singing, you'll easily discover well-written and recorded cuts. Go ahead and grab the download. You'll find this one for free over at BandCamp.

Republic of Lights: Go Rococo - energetic indie new wave

Valerie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:01:24 +0000

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After receiving a huge amount of praise and positive reviews for their album as well as live performances, Republic of Light seems to have had a good start on their musical journey.

These Chicago natives created quite a bit of noise in the indie music world with their album Go Rococo. The crew is composed of Alan on vocals, Brian on guitars, Greg on keyboards and Rosie on guitars.

Combining a flurry of indie pop, new wave, great lyrics and tons of catchy rhythm; the band is easily likable while the record is a great go-to album if you want something to keep your energy up and bouncing.

I'm not going to deny that I enjoyed the album on first listen. There's a fun and exciting energy that emanates from each track. Even though much of it sounds like a mix of new wave with the melodramatic indie pop of Spoon, it's pretty hard to resist them and keep yourself from enjoying the record.

Kicking things off is title track, Go Rococo. It's actually the shortest cut on the album at only 2 minutes. It combines keyboards, hipster style vocals and some catchy beat. The album then transitions into a full blown dance, hipster track, Lotus. With a mix of guitars and steady beat, you'll find yourself toe tapping to this one. Meanwhile, 22centstamp is a fun lovin' cut that extends with great lyrics and a jaunty rhythm. Alan's vocal work is quite something.

Go Rococo is a great record to grab. Although the band's sound quality isn't as polished yet, they're pretty close. They have all the right elements in place; given a bit more time to evolve, they're sure to blow listeners even more with their sound.

You can grab the download over at BandCamp. And if the band is playing near your area, go ahead and see them. I hear they're mindblowing live. Enjoy!

Literature: Arab Spring - edgy power pop tunes

Mona — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:01:36 +0000

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Slowly but surely, Literature blooms a garden full of good music in their new release entitled Arab Spring.

Kevin Adickes, Nathaniel Gardaci, Seth Whaland and Mike Yaklin, better known as Literature have crafted ten power pop tracks that appeals to the senses. It was recorded during the summer of 2011 and was released on new year's day of this year.

14 Seconds opens up with an uplifting vibe. It mixes the right amount of guitar strings and melodies making this the perfect companion for a long trip to work or school.
With a pure pop sensibility, Lily follows up with upbeat drum beats. This track sheds off a 90's vibe, the only difference is its faster rhythm.

The title track Arab Spring pops in the middle of the album. A personal favorite, I loved how the instrumentation transports you to earlier days of cassette tapes and headbangs.

With a similar vibe like that of the previous tracks, O.J. starts with thick bass guitars slowly building into a panoramic soundscape.

I Am Right Here closes the album with a healthy dose of happiness. This track seals the whole set, establishing the band's own brand of music. What I like about Literature is the tremendous amount of energy and free-spirit which are reflected into their songs.

Arab Spring is perfect for those seeking the right amount of fresh beat to start the day.

Austin Bucholtz: Fairytale Shadowland - tasteful pop and soft rock tracks

Mona — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:01:58 +0000

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Sincerity is clearly rooted in Fairytale Shadowland, the brain child of Austin Bucholtz and Michael Koch. The EP is composed of three heart-piercing tracks that wonders along pop and soft rock.

Raised in Saint Joseph, Michigan, Bucholtz is a truly talented artist inspired by musicians like Adele, P!nk, Natasha Bedingfield, KT Tunstall and more. He's currently settled in Charleston, South Carolina where he shares his own brand of amazing musical creations.

Jumping atop his piano, Fairytale Shadowland kicks off with playful keys and sparkles throughout. The title track's sing-along vibe is the perfect backdrop for a vibrant Sunday morning.

Room to Breathe, on the other hand, explores the moody territory of breaking up and letting go. Bucholtz's expresses himself through heart-felt verses and an earthly, stripped down delivery. What makes this track stand out from any other break-up song is the incorporation of electronic tunes after an almost-acapella beginning.

FiftyFirst completes the EP and finishes the emotional subject matter that has been spread throughout the album. It contains well-written lyrics and piano keys flawlessly played to perfection.

Fairytale Shadowland is an intricate collection backed-up with accessible soundscapes. There is something beautiful in its piano solos drawing you in with so much passion. It's only a matter of time until Austin Bucholtz finds his place in the music scene.

The Please & Thank Yous: Mind Yr P's & Q's - energetic power pop from four Chicago boys

Valerie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:01:27 +0000

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These Chicago natives describe their journey on their Facebook as "a bunch of wimps started practicing in a basement. Some left, others joined, and a couple managed to remain constant. They are playing shows, touring, and recording their sophomore slump."

Well, those basement practices sure did pay off. The Please & Thank Yous sound is jolly punk pop, reminiscent of Goldfinger from the 90s and the many punk bands that never took themselves too seriously. It's this carefree and honesty that makes them interesting to listen to.

Mind Yr P's & Q's is the band's full length debut. It's a mix of both old and new songs; narrating the bands personal take on the various happenings of life.

This energetic band definitely have a penchant for creating soaring pop rock songs accompanied by chanting vocals, rolling drums and fast paced guitars. The group is currently based on Chicago; they were originally from Mundelein, IL and occasionally (according to their site) teethers between being a trio and a quartet.

Opening their little power pop trip with, Be A Tree, Che?; the song cheerfully opens Mind Yr P's & Q's. With a rolling intro and chorus singing, it's hard not to get into a happy mood when you hear this blaring. It's jet like pace induces serious head bobbing or toe tapping without much prompt.

Other tracks like Dear Allie and Speaking of the Devil, are typical songs that feature a mainstream sound. It sounds like something you would hear on some alternative pop rock radio station. Meanwhile, title track Mind Yr P's & Q's is surprisingly a subdued cut that gives listeners a quieter version of the boys.

Overall, the album isn't as polished as I want it to be and there are songs which I'd rather skip. However, there are some really fun tracks on here that are worth the listen. Check it out for yourself and grab the download if you dig it.

Awake! Awake!: We've Been Strangers - infectious indie rock

Valerie — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:01:20 +0000

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Even though this debut record from the band is a few years old, it's fast paced indie pop rock goodness certainly makes We've Been Strangers a download not to be missed. Made up of David Johnson on lead vocals, Andrew Goodwin on guitar, Taylor Powell on drums, and Chad Turner on bass; Awake! Awake! hails from Murfreesboro, TN.

Inspired by bands like Jimmy Eat World, Switchfoot, MuteMath and classic artists like U2 and The Police, their sound is certainly a nice compilation of feel-good indie rock and melodic power pop.

We've Been Strangers was recorded independently "inside a bonus room from a college home." Despite this DIY process, the record comes out with a clean and polished feel.

Starting with the two minute opener, The Dawn, you get a warm and moody welcome to the album. The song flourishes with melodic guitars that ebb and swell like a morning tide. It's a nice opener although a bit misleading since you're in for an indie pop rock fest in the next few tracks.

Daylight and Ocean are both examples of infectious indie rock music from this band. They're the type of songs you can play and enjoy without much thought. By the fourth track, Quickly I Take My Time, Awake! Awake! exude a more Jars of Clay vibe. Although they don't point out that they are a Christian band; the song is nevertheless a beautiful and uplifting cut. They perfectly cap things off with a closet demo done in acoustic titled, All I Hold.

One of the best things about this album is that even though you can say their sound is "typical indie rock" they do add a certain touch. From pop rock to a slightly more electro-ambient sound, Awake! Awake! covers their bases well and create music that's thoroughly enjoyable without much coaxing. Take a listen and grab the download.

She Makes War: Disarm

Valerie — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:01:34 +0000

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One of the most interesting indie female pop rock compilations I've heard in a long time, Disarm from She Makes War both enchants and captivates upon first listen.

The lady behind this musical project is multi-instrumentalist Laura Kidd. Apart from music, she's dabbled in other interests like film making and photography among others. She also does session work for various musicians including Alex Parks, I Blame Coco and Tricky.

This is her debut compilation and it comes with 13 tracks that hover between indie rock, slight grunge and pop.

Initially recorded and released last 2010, the album released two singles, four DIY videos and a handful of personalized album covers. Currently, the record is available on a pay-what-you-want basis over at BandCamp.

Most of the tracks on Disarm are energetic; filled with upbeat tempos and heartfelt singing. Opening single, Scared to Capsize, is somewhere in between. It showcases a nice blend of instruments which add to the depth of the songs. Laura's vocals are beautiful and lends itself perfectly to the sonic landscape. Other tracks worth noting include Olympian, which places the artists vocals front and center as well as, I Am, with its catchy poppy beat and beautiful lyrics.

The nice thing with the record is that you occasionally get surprising songs like NIMN, which seems to be NIN inspired. There's a slight industrial sound accompanying the cut making it dark and moody. Laura's chameleon vocals also take the song a whole other level compared to the others.

Overall, the album grows on you. Even if you don't fall for all of them, there's bound to be a track on here that you'll appreciate. Plus, the quality of the songs is enough to really check this out. Grab the download. This'll be worth your time.

The Bonny Situation: Robot Says I Love You - infectious electro dance rock

Valerie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:01:27 +0000

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Taking their name from the iconic movie Pulp Fiction, The Bonny Situation has definitely got one of the coolest names any indie film geek will recognize.

The band itself is from Germany and have been around since 2007 with a slightly different lineup back then. Although the band admits that their sound is mostly consists of pop music, they do like to mix it up a bit; adding a little alternative and even new wave in there.

Robot Says I Love You is a 2010 release from the group. Most of the tracks on the record were inspired by the contents of a 1978 diary from someone with the initials R.B.T.

Creating music that is quite danceable, the band's sound is a fusion of electronica and pop. Kicking things off from the record is the track, You Build Me Up. It's a love song of sorts, pledging affection and devotion to a special someone. Meanwhile, The Way You Are, is a punchier track that calls to mind Aussie band, INXS.

Some of the other tracks like Human Says I Love You and Holding Back, are a bit more mellow. The latter track particularly seems perfect for that prom dance capper where all the couples slow dance and just be in love for the remainder of the song.

Apart from these last two songs, the rest of the album is one big pop dance rock affair. There are plenty of cuts on here that serves as the perfect party music; they're upbeat, with melodramatic lyrics as well as great mix of instruments.

The Bonny Situation is made up of Benjamin Francis Santiago (vocals), Andreas Hollywood Bacon (guitar), Hendry Halo Meautaux (Bass), Patrick Spencer White (Syntheziser/Samples) und B-Ray (drums.)

Yetis: Lightmares EP - sweet and uplifting folk indie pop

Valerie — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:01:50 +0000

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Armed with guitars, sweet vocals and melodic r-acoustic vibes, Lightmares EP by the Yetis makes for good company on a quiet afternoon.

The band is made up of Cameron Smith - guitars & vocals, Curtis Smith - bass & vocals, David Muratore - guitars & vocals, Jenna Smith - violin, glockenspiel & vocals andThomas Brett - drums, percussion & vocals.

This EP first came out in March 2011 and is available at a pay-what-you-want/free download option over at their BandCamp page.

Harnessing and channeling a folk pop sound, the band creates catchy melodic ensembles that cry out for some fun afternoon with friends or some quiet time by yourself. This set of tracks can easily put you in a good mood without much trouble even if it's only 5 songs short.

It begins with the sunshine-y single, Creating Sight. Equipped with narrative lyrics and a nice acoustic sound, the song is the longest one in the EP running at more than 5 minutes. It circles between slow and upbeat throughout the entire song. For the second track, Don't Fear, Old Friend, the band showcases their Christian faith as they sing about their personal convictions.

On the other hand, Johnny Sleep Well takes on a slower pace while final cut, Oak Tree, puts on a dancy vibe that seems perfect as a praise and worship track.

Simple and heartwarming, Lightmares EP is a great record to put on if you need some encouraging company. The band is currently writing up more material so for the meantime take a listen to this by downloading it.

Kopecky Family Band: Embraces EP - charming little EP from Nashville darlings

Valerie — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:01:57 +0000

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A "family" since 2007, the Kopecky Family Band is a beautiful gathering of 5 boys and 1 girl who sing melodic indie pop rock that will certainly put you in a good and relaxing mood.

The band hails from Nashville, TN and evolved after plenty of late nights sharing and talking about dreams. Since their formation, the group has performed for several big ticket events such as CMJ, SXSW and Bonnaroo.

This is the first out of three EPs the six-piece have released so far. This one is a couple of years old but it retains that same quiet beauty that most listeners will surely fall for.

Embraces was released back in 2008 and comes with 5 songs that resonate with an indie rock, pop vibe. Some of the tracks are slightly upbeat while most of the others are mellow with a slight hint of country & jazz.

Among the slower songs is opening track, Gun, which is a charming single that combines both female and male vocals along with a jazzy pop sound. The track serves as a nice introduction to the band's sound. This is perhaps one of the easiest cuts to love in the record and definitely deserves its spot as EP opener. The group doesn't just excel in their melodic cuts though, their more upbeat singles like It and Trainwreck, also feature a catchy beat.

The Kopecky Family have a knack for combining both sweet stringed instruments with an edgier rock style. The violins and harp add a classical sound underneath the louder drums and guitars. Plus, the vocal combination goes beautifully with each track. It's seldom to find a band that successfully creates a balance without sacrificing or muddling the final results. This Nashville crew definitely got it down to pat.

Embraces EP is one of those mini compilations you shouldn't miss out on. It might be short but it's filled with songs that are brimming with great talent, energy and a heartfelt sincerity. Grab the download from their BandCamp. This one is offered absolutely free.