Sunday, May 31, 2009

"Echomythia" by Dimitris Kotronakis (Classical Artist from Greece)

Get ready to be awed and dazzled by the nimble fingers of Dimitris Kotronakis and his anthology of brilliant classical guitar works with flavors of Latin/Jazz on his disc, "Echomythia." Kotronakis is an exquisite guitarist who plays with emotive and intense precision. The trills, turns, and bends he so eloquently plays gives rise to the versatility of this artist as he plays with various tempos and powerful dynamics. "Plainte" and "Marta" shows off the softer side of this music as Kotronakis performs with emotional and heartfelt ability. "Tuhu (homage a Villa-lobos)" is razor sharp and is steeped with Brazilian flair. "The Flight of the Bumblebee," a song known for its vigorous spirit, is truly amazing as Kotronakis runs full throttle across the fret board. Fans of classical guitar embedded with the essence of Latin/Jazz will not be disappointed when hearing the entertaining and delightful songs of "Echomythia."

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Saturday, May 30, 2009

"The Lyre Speaketh" by PAS (Post Abortion Stress) (Electronic Artist from New York City, New York(NY))

"The Lyre Speaketh," is a new experimental album by PAS (Post Abortion Stress) that's doused with sounds both familiar and bizarre. The track, "Otherworldly Magic in County Kirkahan" is driven by a fast paced sub-bass and hand percussion while metallic sheets are scratched as an ambient layering. "Chorus of Cats" is another song where you can feel its pulse, but the emphasis is on the soundscape of distorted elements reflecting in a cave or dungeon (as one may imagine). The appeal to this CD is not a hook or killer beat, but rather exposing yourself to unique sounds that create a new musical palette. There are moments of dissonance but before long, a shimmering light seeps through, revealing a charm behind the shadows. Expand your horizons by hearing "The Lyre Speaketh," where there are endless possibilities to the depths of music.

-Max B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

"3 Nights in Vegas" by Stone Stedman (Country Artist from Los Angeles, California(CA))

Stone Stedman's "3 Nights in Vegas" CD is like that old Donny Osmond hit, a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n' roll. More than that, though, the 13 songs this venerable bandleader (known for decades of work on the Vegas strip,) plies his trade in songs that dabble in Cajun, Tex-Mex, mainstream country and rock, and even contemporary Top 40 pop. It is an eclectic mix but convincing in its various aspects. The multi-lingual Stedman smoothly sings in French on the John Denver-like ballad, "J'aimerai Toujour," Spanish on two songs (an Enrique Iglesias-styled Top 40 song) "Donde Vas" and the pure Mexicana of "Middle," but in English on the Freddy Fender-styled Tex -Mex-meets Cajun-concoction, "Come Home." The rest of the CD features varied textures, with the mainstream country swing of "3 Nights in Vegas" and "Ready to Try," a synth-drenched pop song called "Pride," and the country-rock of "Victims." While the range of material may at first glance seem a stretch, the versatile Stone Stedman proves his mettle by pulling it all together on the CD, "3 Nights in Vegas."

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Saturday, May 23, 2009

"The Shine (Lumi&Stars mix)" by Ari Inkiläinen (Electronica Artist from Finland)

Ari Inkiläinen and his latest release, "The Shine (Lumi&Stars mix)," will bring listeners of the electronica scene to their feet. As a composer, Inkilainen has a talent for finding the right sounds and rhythms tailored for the club scene. Using sounds that are driven from synths and drum machines is no easy task, as the composer must play each track with precise timing and control to create the final song. You can hear the multi-layering Inkiläinen has embedded within this song with different types of synth string effects, while the drums keep a steady and solid beat. There is also a dynamic balance between the sounds as each string effect stands out as it takes the solo. The melody is catchy as it loops around with sounds that are vibrant and lively. Fans of Moby or Vangelis will thoroughly enjoy Ari Inkiläinen's "The Shine (Lumi&Stars mix)" with its club scene sounds and grooving beats.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com reviewer team
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"Sonata Love Crime of Opera" by Sonata (Classical Artist from New York City, New York(NY))

Mix elements of opera with Broadway tunes and R&B and you will get the debut disc, "Sonata Love Crime of Opera" by the talented young classical singer, Sonata. As an opera vocalist, she displays spectacular control over her voice with richness and power. "Habanera" and "O mio babbino caro" are performed in their original language, allowing listeners to appreciate the details and subtleties of Sonata's sophisticated musical maturity. Sonata shows her vocal versatility when she switches genres to R&B style on songs such as "Love Crime" or "Notice Me." Even though this is quite a change from opera, her voice still carries a smooth and silky sound. Sonata has quite a selection of material on this innovative album and listeners will find her voice to be expressive and articulate, no matter what she sings. New fans as well as old will be smitten by the exquisite and refined performances of Sonata on her album "Sonata Love Crime of Opera."

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com reviewer team
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Thursday, May 14, 2009

"Another Way to Say Human Race" by Bold Monkey (Folk Artist from Alberta, Canada)

Bold Monkey's, "Another Way to Say Human Race," CD is a collection of contemporary folk songs from a singer-songwriter with a keen and well-honed sense of song craft and the voice to put them over. Employing only the sparest of guitar phrasing, Bold Monkey achieves a stripped-down, open mic coffeehouse intimacy to showcase compelling songs full of wry and incisive observations. Recalling the wordplay of an Elvis Costello or Joe Henry on songs such as "If You're Lucky" and "Enlightenment Is In Question," Bold Monkey's Dylan Joshua Edmiston successfully navigates the demands of the nowhere-to-hide song arrangements with a deft touch. On the Dylan-esquely titled, "Navigably Subsequent," comparisons to Costello is also deserved for the constricted and breathy vocal delivery that snakes in and out of light-as-air guitar fills and tastefully understated vibes accompaniment. While "Another Way to Say Human Race" is utterly contemporary in approach and sensibility, Bold Monkey's fine CD nevertheless resonates with the timelessness that true craftsmanship always renders.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"Open" by Northern Sound (Pop Artist from Denmark)

Northern Sound gives the listeners a delightful taste of what is yet to come on their newly released single, "Open." Breaking away from their tribute disc to Joni Mitchell, this duo has decided to collaborate on original compositions. The self-titled song "Open" is a wonderful sample of folk music with sweet, harmonious guitar. The melodic vocals are crisp and polished and balance well with the supporting instruments. The lyrics are thoughtful and capture the relaxed easy listening feeling. This fresh beginning of a new name and style will have all listeners of folk/pop wanting more. Fans of Joni Mitchell won't want to miss hearing "Open" and don't forget to keep a watch out for their full length album.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com reviewer team
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"Lock My Feelings In A Jar" by Jeff Alan Ross (Classic Rock Artist from Los Angeles, California(CA))

No stranger to the music scene, Jeff Alan Ross, provides an impressive collection of 60's rock and roll and adult contemporary tracks on his latest disc "Lock My Feelings In A Jar." This album features great, original songs that reach well beyond the roots of yesteryear. The infectious opening track, "Love Is Raining Down" is burning with a guitar riff that's not only energetic but is played with intense precision. Not only is Ross a talented vocalist and guitarist but he really captures the audience with his skills on the piano as heard on "Angels In Disguise." As a writer, Ross has captured the essence of memorable lyrics that speak of emotional sentiments and melodies that will take you away to another time and place. A flashback to the '60's rock is heard on the tune "Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Today" with bouncy beats and strong harmonies. Fans of 60's rock won't be disappointed when hearing the classic throwback of rock and roll on the album, "Lock My Feelings In A Jar."

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com reviewer team
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Sunday, May 10, 2009

"Ultimate I & B" by Zhonray (Easy Listening Artist from The United Kingdom)

The 70's ushered in a genre – soft rock, to take the place that easy listening once described: relaxed, polished and melodious music for adults who preferred their background music comfortably familiar. The soft rock moniker eventually gave way to adult contemporary but the aesthetic remained the same. "Ultimate I & B," a veritable "best of" CD (compiled from 3 previous albums) by Zhonray is a fine example of this genre, reminding listeners of adult contemporary finest practitioners (Air Supply, Seals & Crofts, America, etc) without losing its own identity. Lush synthesizer flourishes on "In the Shadow of Fallen Love," while Zonhray delivers spare and tasteful guitar fills such as the Spanish guitar runs on "Golden Sands." Take note of the subtle conga interpolations on "Blossom Hill," or relax to the sounds of nature on "Summer Rain," or even a hint of Chris Isaaks-like tremolo guitar "Shine Your Smile on Me." Zonhray swathes its sedate tunes of the trials and triumphs of love and romance on their "Ultimate I & B" CD in arrangements that go down like the proverbial taste of honey.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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Thursday, May 7, 2009

"Visions" by Ade Ishs (Jazz Artist from Victoria, Australia)

Ade Ishs's first solo disc, "Visions," is a compilation of relaxing contemporary piano pieces. It is one thing to just play the piano, but it is another to give it life and Ade Ishs has done just that. Ishs's ability to demonstrate the expressive and emotional melodies throughout this album is clearly heard. Dreamy and pure, "Morning Vision" possesses wonderful rolling runs as Ishs's fingers gracefully glide over the keys, never missing a single one. Listeners will be able to hear the great dynamic balance on "Soil" as bass tones boldly hold the harmony while upper tones are strong and contoured. This album is well-produced, as the acoustic piano is clean and crisp while every nuance is defined. Ade Ishs's "Visions" is a wonderful album featuring soothing acoustic piano selections, and is definitely well-worth listening to.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com reviewer team
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

"You'll Like It" by Cardona (Pop Artist from New York City, New York(NY))

Cardona's CD, "You'll Like It" employs synthesizer, echo, some propulsive drumming and, on the opening title track, a jazzy dollop of electric piano, to push the dance-centric and uptown-leaning musical agenda of Brooklyn performer, Joe Cardona. This three song disc verily smacks of unbuttoned satin shirts, garish medallions, and dance floors ablaze under flashing club lights as Cardona croons in an almost drone-like and atonal - but loosely melodic, voice about the everyday "give and take" that is modern urban life. Eschewing deeply meaningful or profound lyrics, "You'll Like It" boasts the kinds of street-tough brashness of a testosterone-fueled Brooklyn club-crawler. For instance, on the title track, Cardona warbles, "the more you lick, the more you'll taste…and the more you'll like it," while on the unsentimental "Shut Up Baby," he refuses to pull any punches, singing "shut up, shut up, baby." Made for the dance floor by an artist with the milieu that fires his muse, the CD "You'll Like It" is a well played, well produced, multi-sonic exploration of the urban experience that is sure to inspire more than just booty-shaking.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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"Different Frequency" by Alan Lauris (Pop Artist from The Netherlands)

Drawing on synth and techno-drenched pop of the 80's, Alan Lauris's second full-length CD, "Different Frequency," is a fun and joyous romp into dance music's glorious past. With a cool, restrained tenor voice not unlike Sparks' Russell Mael (sans Mael's outrageously wicked flights of falsetto), Lauris delivers proto-dance pop with an infectious nod-and-a-wink exuberance that's irresistible. Most effective are the straight-up dance floor gems like the CD opener, "Time Out" or "You Need a Shredder," although the frenetic, "The Ratrace" (which is a little reminiscent of the wonderful 70's Sparks knock-off band, Jet) is brilliant. But the Dutch composer & producer also demonstrates a keen flair for other pop styles too, particularly on the top-hat-and-tap-shoe "Puttin' On the Ritz"-like number, "Snowball", and the celluloid-infused melancholy of "Same Old Building." Well-executed from start to finish (with full-length and radio edits of three songs), the 13-track "Different Frequency" CD is not so much an updating of a sound once defined by performers such as Pet Shop Boys & Human League as it is a sincere & lively celebration of their sound and the era.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
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