In the world of indie and alternative music, it’s sometimes hard to find something new or at least interesting. Formulas tend to be repeated, and repeating formulas tend to be dull. That’s true of all music. Enter The Family Crest, which formulates a custom brew of indie-pop-rock that will both keep you moving and keep you interested. Pride (seen/heard here) is actually a single from October 2020, but the band is poised to release their latest LP in a…
Read MoreAJ Wander may just be getting started at releasing music, but he’s been at this since childhood when he was surrounded by his pianist father’s works and multiple instruments. These were the influences that got AJ interested in playing and eventually creating music. Take It All (seen/heard here) is from his forthcoming EP, due out in late 2022. The subjects of the EP explore the events and chaotic aftermath of an explosive breakup. As an example of this,…
Read MoreJust a little bit bluesy, Vodka newcomer Emily Henry’s wonderful The Sound suffers just a tiny bit from some instrumental over-production, particularly later on in the track (somewhere around 1:58). It wasn’t bad enough that it meant that I could forgo reviewing this little gem, however. I’m always a little put off when the music is pushed too far forward or too loud in the mix. That’s what volume controls are for, but luckily Emily Henry’s vocals are strong and shine through clearly, so she gets a pass-this…
Read MoreVodka has blown hot and cold Von Boyáge Laissez Faire (seen/heard here), which is why it has stayed in my to-do queue for several months without action. Yet there is something about the track that keeps me coming back. It’s not because the track breaks any new ground. No, in fact, it is pretty formulaic. What keeps me coming back is the sheer will of the song to insert itself. Every time I hear it, it is an ear-wig for at least a few hours after. That, in…
Read MoreVodka has never been a huge fan of live albums. Give me a good studio recording any day, and I tend to appreciate it more. That said, The Lunar Laugh’ soon-to-be-released Nighthawks! LP is thoughtfully curated, and carefully engineered, and mixed to get that live feel without an abundance of crowd noises. The production is bright and crisp, and the music is expertly played and sung, including wonderful three-part harmonies. What more could you want? Nighthawks! is mostly a collection of back-catalog tunes gathered from very good (see…
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