Category: Rock (Page 119 of 241)

Carlon: Johari Window

October 3, 2008 / David Medsker

“Canteloupe,” from New Jersey quartet Carlon’s debut album Johari Window, is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle moments, a slice of Hollies-style genius that seems to stop time. Indeed, singers Michael McWilliams and Ryan McGlynn do such an uncanny impression of Hollies singer Allan Clarke that they should be forced to take a blood test. “Rosie” does not fall far behind with its delightful climbing falsetto vocal. When the band tries to rock out, the results are fine, but do not measure up to the album’s quieter moments. “Have a Window” falls somewhere in between, with the somber verse and fuzzed-out chorus. All young bands naturally want to rock, but Carlon’s talents clearly lie in the hushed moments. Either way, it will be very interesting to see what they do next. (Ropeadope Records 2008)

Download Carlon’s “Canteloupe” here

Carlon MySpace page

Americana, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

Jody Raffoul: Big Sky

October 3, 2008 / Mike Farley

Sometimes an artist delivers music that is just comfortable – and by comfortable, think Middle America along the lines of Mellencamp, Springsteen, and Petty. Jody Raffoul is one of those artists (but shhhh! He’s Canadian), though he has managed to stay under everyone’s radar. This, despite the fact that if he came around 20 or 30 years ago, we might be mentioning him in the same breath as those other guys. The latest evidence is Big Sky, another album from Mr. Raffoul with anthems, big hooks, signature rock vocal, and soaring guitars. Right from the start, “Chasing Paper” is like an AC/DC song with vocals an octave lower, and “Stay” as well as “It’s Grand” also have some really nice guitar work and sugary melodies. Raffoul also does nice work when he turns the volume down, as he does on “Little Black Car” and, to a lesser extent, “My My,” which features lush, Beatle-esque harmonies in the chorus. There are a few disappointments, such as “Home,” which is heartfelt but a bit bland. But as a whole, Raffoul the Canadian delivers another sweet slice of American pie on this effort. (Fontana 2008)

Jody Raffoul MySpace Page

CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Pop, Rock

Knugu: Quadrilogy

September 30, 2008 / Captain Capm

If one thing’s for sure, the production of this four-song EP by Knugu is damned impressive. Not one note or beat is out of place, and the vocals are well balanced with the instrumentation. However, if feels like there’s something missing here. The opening song “Getting Over You” has a nice melody and memorable chorus, but it seems to end far too soon. “Dark Angels” is delicate and crystalline in its guitar work, but lyrically it feels as if it’s running in place (beautiful background vocals, though). The vocals by Knugu on “Ad in Personals” sound a little too dramatic at times, and when he twists some of the notes at the ends of the words at times, it’s a little cringe-inducing. And “Running Back to You” sounds like a nice little flashback to the mid-‘80s. It’s pleasant enough, and the whole thing is supposed to depict “the life of a young American couple in the first decade of the 21st century,” but overall there’s not a lot to hang your hat on here. Perhaps a full-length release could fix this problem next time around. (Self-released)

Knugu MySpace page

CD Reviews, External Music, Pop, Rock

John Paul: Belmont Boulevard

September 29, 2008 / Captain Capm

John Paul has the sort of musical dynamic that runs through a lot of Paul Westerberg’s best solo stuff. The guitars have a nice twang to their tone, and the rhythms and attitude are very much like the former ‘Mats frontman. Vocally, Paul sounds like a really young Don McLean mixed with Ryan Adams’ rough edges. Very impressive, no matter how you cut it. “21” is a killer song, showcasing all of these elements. “Set Me Up” certainly swings more to the twangy side of the Ryan Adams pasture, and “Chameleon” sounds like a great, long lost song from early ‘90s college radio. Sometimes things get a little CMTV sounding, as on “.45,” which has great potential but almost becomes undone by its arrangement and lyrics. But a song like “Sleepless” quickly remedies that, where Paul’s formula works perfectly. It’s also on this song that he sounds like his own man, and it’s definitely a standout tune. The production is lush and with any luck, John Paul will soon be a recognized name with this nice collection of songs. (Self-released)

John Paul MySpace page

CD Reviews, Country, External Music, Pop, Rock

The Silent Years: The Globe

September 26, 2008 / James B. Eldred

Detroit’s biggest indie-rock act in terms of popularity is the White Stripes, but the city’s biggest-sounding group has to be the Silent Years. The group is technically a five-piece, but they certainly aren’t shy in asking others to join in, with over a dozen people being credited as “performers” in the liner notes of their sophomore album The Globe (and that doesn’t include the horn section, who are billed as an ensemble). Not surprisingly, The Globe is a epic-sounding record, with arching guitar riffs accompanying omnipresent keyboard melodies and driving beats while backing singers and the previously mentioned horn section wait in the wings ready to flood your speakers at a moment’s notice. Amazingly, no matter what the Silent Years try to do, they pull it off. When they’re trying guitar-driven rock (“Climb on My Back”) it works, when they get crazy with percussion and keyboards (“Goddamn You!”) it works, and even when they kick it down-home country-style (“Black Hole”), it works. Some might say that they need to tighten up a bit and pick a sound, but why? Sure, there may be a lot going on with The Globe – but it’s all good. (First Date Records 2008)

The Silent Years MySpace Page

Alternative, CD QuickTakes, CD Reviews, Rock