Wednesday, October 13, 2010

MOM'S GREAT WEED (MGW) (a.k.a. THE COYOTE BROTHERS) Review


Boys and girls, it seems I cannot lose… I have been randomly picking bands to write reviews for, and had a few people approach me and I have yet to find one band that just plain old…sucks. Thank you music gods for this string of great music…
This band reminds me of Pink Floyd vocal styling mashed together with incredible melodies. Their music takes you back to the late 70’s early 80’s when music was rough and true. The lyrics are haunting and catchy, leaving you wanting just a little more when the song ends. Sometimes they surprise you with a totally different sound from the last, and instead of Pink Floyd you get The Beatles.
Their song “Johnny’s Coming Home” is one of the best songs they have out. It’s poignant and remorseful. The girl in the song reminds you of that top notch “you know what.” The one that left you behind and then comes crawling back realizing she’s made a mistake and finds it’s too late. It’s a sad tune, but it begs another listen…and another.
“Where are you Now?” this song is about stepping up, and perseverance, and winning, and going crazy but coming out on top. This song is about everything.  It’s this little gem that you would hear while the credits were rolling in a movie about trying and failing but winning in the end. This song makes you smile and bob your head a little. The music itself is great, but the vocals send it over the top. I’m an 80’s girl myself and this band appeals to the Skid Row lover without going all plaintive and brooding.
MGW’s a band of friends, often including whomever they can grab to play whatever they need. Saxophone, piano, vocals, you name it they have a friend who’s willing to help this really great band. Not to mention the fact that they style is consistent, and it’s beautiful in that. This is another band who has yet to have a song that makes you go “eh…whatever.” Wonder what they will have in store for listeners next.

LOVEBITES Review


Haunting almost eerie synth rhythms are paired with electric drums this band is everything you need for a RAVE.   Vocals are impeccable. Truly a great No Wave band. They remind the listener of Depeche Mode, and the music gets you up and dancing.

What amazes me the most about Lovebites is that they’re a two piece band!! Amazing!! True lovers of music will truly appreciate that after listing to the complicated tunes. They melody is intertwined and flawlessly put together. It’s not easy to create this level of music with six people let alone two. They definitely don’t need to add anything to their sound!

I typically will review a couple songs off of an album and tell you how great they are. Lovebites only has two songs and they’re amazing, but instead of going on and on about the songs, I think that words can’t justify their awesomeness. So, check them out on Facebook or Myspace and give a listen for yourself, you’ll give the band more justice by listening. 

I can’t wait to hear more tracks from Lovebites, they ones they have out now are just teasers. Keep an ear open at your next dance party for their unique sound. Don’t forget to tell your friends about this amazing two piece sound machine!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

GIDGETS GA GA Review


With perfect smooth rhythms that get your feet moving your hips shaking in time to the beat, I have found a band that I can listen to while cleaning the house and actually smile while doing so.  I like music that has a funky dirty groove to it and Gidgets delivers. You hear tones of Kurt Cobain in the vocals (a little dirty, little rough around the edges, perhaps a little too much whiskey the night before). The music itself is music you want to get up and move around to. 

This is definitely not sit down and chill music!

Good Enough” starts out with a great power riff and then you get into these vocals that remind you of the Clash with a touch of the Ramones. The best lyrics in the song are “I’m not mad, I’ve just had enough” there’s real anger and frustration and we’ve all been there. It’s one of those lyrics you’d scream out when singing it at a concert, or even in the shower. 
 
If you ever have one of those days where you just don’t give a YOU KNOW WHAT this band delivers with a song that you’ll crank up with the windows down. Simply called “Damn”, this song delivers the words we’d all like to say on occasion “I don’t give a damn about anything…..understand” This song, like all their others is one that the listener can relate to. They don’t sing what others tell them to sing, they sing what they’re feeling, what they think. 

They sing what they want.

In the music world today that’s a rare thing. I think that’s one of the many appeals that this band has. They’re going against the grain while going with it at the same time.  Mainstream and underground all at once, and that’s what keeps the listener engaged. Because they could definitely be on the top charts in the music industry today, but they’re not (yet!). I would say that this band could give some of the extremely popular bands here in the states a run for their money.

I AM:YOUR HERO Review


This band could be summed up in just one word: AWESOME. They are going to go FAR and they have the advantage of youth on their side. Not only will they go very far in this business, but they’ll be able to do it for a LONG time.  I sense an invasion of great music on the air waves and I think IA:YH will be the band leading the way. 

It’s not often that I can listen to everything an artist has and like EVERY SINGLE SONG. Seriously, they are bad ass. 

I could talk about a couple of their songs and call it good, but I can’t pick favorites. All of the songs I’ve listened to are amazing. They just have this sound that blows you away. They’re a three piece band, which is something I greatly appreciate; it takes a lot of guts to get up on stage with just the bare minimum. They let their music do all the talking. And this is definitely something you worth listening to.

There is something about their sound; I can’t put my finger on it. I think that they would appeal greatly to the younger generation, as well as us “older” music lovers. The lyrics are catchy and the music gets your toes tapping. You find yourself singing along hours after you last listened and then you have to go and listen some more! 

This band is going to fly through the roof. Once they get off the ground and start running again they’re going to EXPLODE. With the continued support of their fans and the recruitment of new fans this band isn’t going to know what hit them in a couple years. Soon they’ll have all of us who truly love music saying, yes, you are my hero.

Monday, October 11, 2010

These Black and White Flames Review


I feel like a kid in a candy store! Music holds a special place in my heart and this is another one of those bands that just grab you by the ears and say LISTEN!! When you listen you keep thinking “Wow, this is GREAT, who are these guys?” The more you listen the more you want. They could be from anywhere and that really adds to the appeal.  Their music is catchy without being overly “pop-ish”. This is one band I wouldn’t mind listening to on the Top 40. 

Drunken Thoughts from New York” is one of those songs that you just know has a back story. You listen to it and you think instantly of the one that got away. That special girl who doesn’t know she’s beautiful and you never got the chance to tell her.  It’s a subtle reminder to step up and say what you’re thinking. (Also to not get so drunk that you write a song and can’t remember why)

Their latest, “Inside of Outside” is about regret. It’s about having something good and throwing it all away. This song has the makings of one that will become iconic. It gets you thinking about all the screw ups you’ve had and the dreams you’ve let slip away. It’s about taking that leap and falling flat on your ass, but being too scared to get back up and try it another way. 

These Black and White Flames are going places. I just hope that more people will get on board and support this great group of guys. They hit a snag a while back but they used that snag to propel themselves forward again. I hope to hear more from this group and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Spaceship Days Black Holes & Butterflies Review

The boys of Spaceship Days have done it again. Their music offers a sound unlike anything I have heard in quite some time. It’s haunting, uplifting, and it makes you think. Most of all, it gives you a respite from the utter monotony of the music world today. 

They’re refreshing.

And their new album, Black Holes and Butterflies is no exception! From start to finish this album will make you smile, make you cry, and make you remember all the great things in life.

In “Hanging from the Satellites” you can feel the emotion of getting on stage in front of a crowd of people for the first time. You can taste and smell the smoke, feel the sweaty palms, and the nervous stomach. Even now, as I’m listening to it I’m typing faster because I feel nervous and excited. This song is totally about that first time, and the lines “never wanna stop, whatever it is that we got” you almost want to stand up and cheer them on to the finish line.

“Ghost of California” is catchy and upbeat. Something that is great, the intro gets your head moving to the beat. The song is about being in love, the kind of love where everything makes sense, as long as you’re with that one special person. You smile, remembering love you have and love lost. You know how he feels, and that makes you sit up a little straighter, and listen a little closer. The line “when the world comes to an end, was I the man I could have been? Or was I just irrelevant, like a day without you?” makes you want to feel that love if you don’t have it in your life. If you do it makes you want to run to that person and hold them and never let them go. Amazing… This is one of the most perfect upbeat love and devotion songs. 

Personally, I think I have found that special gem. Bands like this don’t come around very often, so strap on your safety harness and hold on tight. It’s going to be one heck of a rocket ship ride!