Down Like Hip Hop is rock-solid pop from Fiction 20 Down’s (2013) long-player Where’s The Levity?. Yes, there is hip-hop here, there’s also a very deep understanding for melody and music. Hip Hop is flavor, it’s rhythm, and it can be flipping awesome, which is exactly what Fiction 20 Down proves. Along with the pop sensibility and hip hop flavor, there’s just a touch of reggae and a bit of rock for good measure. This is music,…
Read MoreFollowers of this blog may recognize the innovative Cheyenne Marie Mize from past posts back in October and about a year ago. Here on the title track to her up-coming (due out in June 2013) long-player, Among The Grey, you get another look and if you compare all of those tracks together, you will see that Cheyenne is not about making music in one way and then just rehashing the same styles and methods of creating music. You can find more information on…
Read MoreCombining a blender full of what might seem like totally different musical styles together may appear like a formula made in hell, but not for Smooth Hound Smith (Zack Smith and Caitlin Doyle), who manage the task of combining seamless elements of folk, blues, rockabilly, country and rock together in a minimalist, accessible and wonderful way. There’s a bit of a growl in Zack’s vocal which is smoothed out here and there by the sweet blend of Caitlin’s. Here on California…
Read MoreThere’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…
Read MoreIf 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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