Back in November (2017), Vodka posted the review for When The Sun Comes Up, from the all-woman pop-folk band, All Our Exes Live In Texas, and their long-player When We Fall (March 2017). I noted then the unfortunate name of the band but heralded the great music that these ladies make. Nothing has changed my opinion. Boundary Road is the fourth single release from that long-player and if anything, adds exclamation marks to that earlier review. What I always love is melodies with tight harmonies and careful…
Read MoreCrazy good melodies, great hooks, fabulous harmonies: Dropkick returns to Vodka with It’s Still Raining from their March 2018 long-player, Longwave. You may remember Vodka’s other reviews of Dropkick, but if not, here’s a look back: Slowdown – (March 2016) Style – (November 2013) Dropkick has a rock sensibility with alt-folk flavor and a pop-rock delivery. Fully capable of delving into retro 70′s style music along with modern influenced pop, they have an easy style that is pleasing and delightfully singable. What’s more, from their earliest days to today, they have consistently…
Read MoreSharp Vodka readers will remember Hugo Kant (a.k.a., Quentin Le Roux), musician and producer, from the hip-hop flavored alt-rocker Leave Me Alone, featuring California MC LostPoet, posted back in July 2014. About a year ago (May 2017) Hugo released the Out Of Time long-player, which features twelve cohesive tracks and a great number of musical styles and genres. Hip-hop, particularly trip-hop, plays defining roles in the underlying sounds. The long-player is decidedly thematic in nature; Perhaps not a true concept album, as lyrically there is little here aside…
Read MoreI have been a fan of Laura Veirs from the first time I heard her on CMJ New Music Monthly’s 2005 sampler CD with the tune Galaxies. She has a captivating compositional style that keeps you listening. That hasn’t changed after 20 years of making great alternative flavored pop music. Veirs has just released her 10th solo long-player, The Lookout (April 2018), from which Everybody Needs You (seen/heard here) comes. Laura Veirs has been uncompromising in being true to her musical visions, regardless of remaining unknown to many…
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