Month: May 2013

The Hooks – Everything Is Golden

 There’s a band of gypsies in the room! Well at least on Everything Is Golden you certainly think there is. Originally from Ireland, The Hooks make a strange amalgamation of Celtic influenced punk flavored rock and roll. Making music since 2004, the band, founded by brothers Ronan and Keith Mulligan, moved to San Francisco after being a part of two tours with Shane MacGowan in Ireland. There are points in some of their songs, notably So Many Questions, where there is almost a Bad Religion…

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Magnolia Sons – For Your Love

 It’s no accident that this cover of the Yardbirds For Your Love should be performed by Nashville, Tennessee’s Magnolia Sons. The band has been making 60’s and 70’s r&b and rock retro tunes in single form for the past couple of years. Their latest two-song single, Nobody But You and Hey Emmaline (April 2013) continues that pattern of single releases in that retro style.  Magnolia Sons has no posted bio on their web site but you can get a close approximation by clicking…

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Mirabillis – The City

 Beautiful, a bit eerie and compelling; Those are terms that come to mind when describing Mirabilis and the The City from the soon to be released long-player (as of this writing) Here and Hereafter. Mirabilis combines alternative stylings of gothical and classical music, concentrating on voices. Made up of Dru Allen and Summer Bowman, who take turns leading and harmonizing throughout The City, Mirabilis is defined in Latin as wonderful, miraculous and unusual-and that it is! In some ways this reminds me of…

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Miracles of Modern Science – Eating Me Alive

 If you are new to Miracles Of Modern Science as I am, then some of the imagery of the official video content may catch you off-guard. It’s not bad, but it is a bit odd and that is in total keeping with the band’s modus operandi. Miracles Of Modern Science make alternative pop-rock with the emphasis on alternative. Full of stringed instruments (violin, cello, mandolin, etc.) the orchestral flair is everywhere but the tunes are completely accessible. Here on Eating…

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Zellack – Autumn In Analog

 Zelliack (a.k.a. Elliot Coleman and Zack Ordway) channel r&b and soul vibes in the same way that Tears For Fears did at their best. These super high ultra-tenors scrape the sky with soaring vocals while the music slips between jazz, soul, r&b and pop. Here on this fan-made video (kudos to Jared Witbeck) for Autumn In Analog from the bands February 2012 EP, Noir Tone, you get a feel for them at their best. The EP has some uneven spots, largely in…

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