Videos

Wild Belle – Keep You

 Haunting and odd, the reggae influenced pop trip of Keep You, from Chicago based brother/sister duo, Wild Belle, is at once captivating. The music will have your head bobbing and weaving, while the vocals induce an almost trance like quality. The subject matter of the video is a bit disquieting but the music is anything but. There’s a lot going on in the music just beneath the surface. Aside from the obvious pop and reggae, there are elements of electronica and understated jazz. The…

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Midwest Death Rattle – Food Chain

 There’s no shortage of energy in the up front rock and roll of Milwaukee Wisconsin’s Midwest Death Rattle and Food Chain, from the band’s self-titled debut long-player (August, 2012). Many indie-rock bands latch onto a formula and then that’s it, no variance. But Midwest Death Rattle does a good job of mixing things up, making this debut a melting pot of sounds and styles. There’s still a decided edginess to these tracks which makes the sum total of the offerings sound cohesive…

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Ballyhoo! – Walk Away

 Ballyhoo’s Walk Away is one of the funniest ‘almost got married’ videos that I’ve seen. When the vows are not said, the post ‘wedding’ party goes on anyway, borrowing most of the fodder I’ve seen before at other wedding parties. Walk Away is from Ballyhoo’s 2011 long-player Daydreams, which you can pick up for a lousy $10 on bandcamp.com or from the band’s own store (see web site link). Ballyhoo is one of those bands on bandcamp.com where there is more than one location…

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Maylee Todd – Baby’s Got It

 Baby’s Got It rewinds you back to the mid 70’s era and the melding of R&B and disco. That said, there is something fresh sounding about Maylee Todd’s bouncy delivery. This is fun music to listen to and probably more fun to dance to. Baby’s Got It is available as a single from bandcamp.com and worth the buck (depending on exchange rates) that you’ll pay for it. Check out Maylee Todd on her web site, complete with social links, and consider a…

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Scott Mellis – Lioness

    Lioness is one of several singles released by popster Scott Mellis in 2011. It’s a simple love song but has some nice textures. Scott has a beautiful voice that lends itself to such moderate tempo numbers. Lyrically this is a strong song too, with some nice wordplay. “I will abide, and caress. I’ll be your hunter, you my lioness,” sings Scott at the beginning of the song. Scott Mellis recently released a six-song EP, Live and Acoustic, in December 2012.  You can find more information on Scott Mellis by visiting his all-inclusive (except for the bandcamp.com link) website. Check out Scott…

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