Wednesday, April 29, 2009

JEFF JOLLY - Jeff Jolly's Pizza


JEFF JOLLY - Jeff Jolly's Pizza

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 29 April 2009

JEFF JOLLY " Jeff Jolly's Pizza "
( Boff Music ) 2008.

CD - USA

Roots music/rock/americana


Jeff Jolly is a singer/songwriter with a respectable and longest carrear behind. With actuelle one, he has released 4 albums, performed to crowds of 60 000, toured Europe, and played in every more or less important corner of the world. "Jeff Jolly's Pizza", his fourth efforth, he has released with the band in September , previous 2008 year. Jeff's musical offering mainly communicate with roots based music. His authors work is also influental by the 70's period, and present materials from album also posses a classic rock, country, americana pastiche and views. In each part of offering songs/tunes he has showed that as a author has a respectable knowledge, and all of his creations has also a colourful arrangments threathenings. Some comparabilities also leads to I suppose one of his favourable band - Little Feat, but mentioned detail only explains in better way Jef'f's musical system of valuabilities. "Jeff Jolly's Pizza" is a fine album rich of brilliant places.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.jeffjolly.net

www.myspace.com/jeffjollyband

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

HEAVEN' S BASEMENT - Heaven's Basement


HEAVEN' S BASEMENT - Heaven's Basement

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 28 April 2009

HEAVEN' S BASEMENT " Heaven's Basement "
( Self - released ) 2008.

EP CD - UK

Sleaze rock/hard rock/glam rock


Heaven's Basement are newer act on national rock circuit. They have introduced themselves performing on some summer festivals, and giggin' around clubs. They are young and restless and ready to deliver high energy portions of rock'n' roll.
Heaven's Basement are orientire to sleaze rock/hard rock tendencies. They sounds as a fresh and modern band ( judging by genre's offerings ) and also influental by the 70's and 80's period. Their EP are consists of 6 equalizing tracks, done in fast to faster-up tempo, and that element
remove them from other nowadays actuelle sleaze/glam mainly scandinavian acts. A present songs also posses enough melodic choruses, and there's no doubt, that its debut sastisfies in most places. "Fear Of Getting Off" is in my opinion most prominent song from band's EP.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.heavensbasement.com

www.myspace.com/heavensbasementofficial

SINAN BAKIR - On My Way


SINAN BAKIR - On My Way

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 28 April 2009

SINAN BAKIR " On My Way "
( Self - released ) 2009.

CD

Jazz - Turkey/USA

Sinan Bakir is young, but at the same time successful musician and guitarist. He was born and raised in Turkey, but relocate to USA.
Now, he is a active as a musician and part of Connecticut jazz scene, and oftenly he used to perform solo, as a duo, in trio and quartet formation.
"On My Way" is his solo offering, where we can find 11 instrumental themes. Sinan has recorded them with two assistents - bass player Thomson Kneeland, and drummer Mark Ferber. Sinan has introduced himself as a talented author, and his performing views accepts a modern tendencies. His themes were done in one interesting performing mood, where influences comes out from the 50's, and reachs actuelle period.
His guitar technique is in many aspects unique, but offering arrangments has something "taken" from Metheny/Scofield approaches.
His performing energy is also specific, and in interesting way he treats often rhythm changes in present album themes. "On My Way" is highly recomandable product, and realistically announce Sinan' s arrival on modern jazz scene.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.sinanbakir.com

www.myspace.com/sinanbakir

COLD RUSH - The Illness


COLD RUSH - The Illness

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 28 April 2009

COLD RUSH " The Illness "
( Music Buy Mail ) 2009.

CD - GERMANY

Electro goth metal/darkwave


A Munich, Germany based band Cold Rush started its carrear in 2006 with clear intentaion to became a well-known and successful act .
Its line-up are consists of some known musicians with respectable experience behind. Album "The Illness" introduced them as a band who tries to combine electro metal tendencies with goth and darkwave options. They are influenced by the groups as a Die Krupps and Sisters Of Mercy, even that hardly tries to find own way . They have sounded relatively modern, but on the other hand its authors offerings suffers from evidental manniristical problems. A songs are conceptually very similiar among them, and performing realizations were expectingly done. There are 11 tracks on " The Illness" album, duration of little more than 35 minutes.

Rating : 6/10
C /o : www.coldrush.com

www.myspace.com/coldrushmusic

www.musicbuymail.eu

www.artistworxx.de

Monday, April 27, 2009

JAZZ GUITAR DUO - Chronicle


JAZZ GUITAR DUO - Chronicle

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 27 April 2009

JAZZ GUITAR DUO " Chronicle "
( Self - released ) 2009.

CD

Jazz - JAPAN


Yuichi Tanaka & Yasuhisa Kogawa are Jazz Guitar Duo members. They are musicians, both well-educated, and with important previous experience. Their interests also has included "communications" with other genre's forms, so they were strictly prepared for forthcoming
profesional life. "Chronicle" is their album, where we can find 13 themes, many improvisations and constant dialogues between 2 guitars.
Basically, Jazz Guitar Duo are on therithory of so call classic or 50's jazz, but its performing offerings touches some non jazz elements, as a ambiental as a main detail. In some of its themes and improvizations, arrangments were done also in more so call psychedelic manner.
Generally, mentioned themes were done in slower mid to mid-up tempo, where specific atmosphere practically create its performing conception.
There's no doubt that Japanese fellows has offered an interesting perfoming and releasing works, and as a additional element, their materials are also acceptable for non-jazz listeners population.

Rating : 8.5/10
C / o : www.jazzguitarduo.client.jp

www.myspace.com/jazzguitarduoclient

MY SON THE BUM - Are We There Yet


MY SON THE BUM - Are We There Yet ?

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 27 April 2009

MY SON THE BUM " Are We There Yet ? "
( Self - released ) 2009.

CD - USA
Various rock genres/alter/pop


Out Of Long Beach, New York, comes band My Son The Bum, active some period on national underground/indie circuit. A key person in band is guitarist and author Brian Kroll, and I would say that with his band mates, he creates a pretty unique offerings. Musically, My Son The Bum draws influences from different areas/fields, and basically they communicate with one rock option, but with many crossing elements in between.
Their approach are influental by the European post 80's new wave period, but also a 90's USA indie variants are present in band's views.
A songs also posses a clear melodic lines, but untipical realizations characterize practically all of present songs. Some similiarities also leads to Frank Zappa legacies, but My Son The Bum has created sometning pretty unique. A 10 tracks with similiar performing psychology are present on album, and also is important to say, that band has offered other works/albums free to download.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.mysonthebum.com

www.myspace.com/mysonthebum

Saturday, April 25, 2009

CRAWLING QUIET - Between Shadows And Light


CRAWLING QUIET - Between Shadows And Light

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 25 April 2009

CRAWLING QUIET " Between Shadows And Light "
( Neverneel Music ) 2008.

CD - CANADA

Various metal genres


Crawling Quiet started as a Mark Trudeau studio project in 2004 year. He is a Toronto, Ontario based musician, and with his Crawling Quiet band he has released with newer one, a 3 albums. "Between Shadows And Light", actuelle offering comphrises a different metal genres/stylish
includings. With his collaborators, Mark has created one sort of dark/melodic metal album, but also with doomy/noise, and even folkie includings as well. In some places, a strange and unexpecting soundscapes punching through songs, where different arrangments traces are constant detail.A different atmosphere also varies through materials and generally songs are different among them. In my opinion, "Between Shadows And Light" sustain a more interesting, but also and less convinceble moments. Luckily, Mark has showed that his musical offerings posses elements of originality, and that's always an important quality.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.crawlingquiet.com

THE ANSWER - Everyday Demons


THE ANSWER - Everyday Demons

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 25 April 2009

THE ANSWER " Everyday Demons"
( The End Records ) 2009.

CD - NORTHERN IRELAND

Rock/hard rock/blues rock


A Northern Ireland pride and joy The Answer, is currently the opening act for AC/DC on tour, so Serbian audience will see them on Partizan's stadium in Belgrade, 20th of May this year . "Everyday Demons" is band's second effort, seriously released, and there's no doubt that they have clear intentions and ambitious with actuelle issue and entire carrear. The Answer are musically on therithory of 70's hard rock, rock and blues rock, and followers of Led Zeppelin, The Black Crows, Gun's N' Roses will find many interesting places in band's offerings and releasing songs. Technically, visionally and in other aspects mostly satisfies, and some of its songs posses a strong performing and authors approach. On the other hand, they aren't original enough, even of its attempts that all things in final has head and body. A live performance could be their strongest weapon and well see them on stage soonly.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.theanswer.ie

Friday, April 24, 2009

CAMOZ - The Fusion


CAMOZ - The Fusion

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 24 April 2009

CAMOZ " The Fusion "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD - GERMANY

Thrash/heavy/death metal


German act Camoz started its carrear in 2001. but under the monicker Camorristas. In previous part of carrear they have released a 2 issues, and suffered from some personal changes.In spring 2007, a band decided to change its name in actuelle, and during the October 2008, they released an actuelle album "The Fusion".
Musically, Camoz has offered one variant of thrash metal, but with classic heavy and even death metal additionals. They have showed evident performing experience, and present materials were done with similiar approach. A production is rather raw, maybe in some places too thin, but that was a band's choice.Camoz has offered also an unusual arrangments views, and in some places we can hear also non metal traces. Camoz has offered own option, and we'll see what the future brings in their case.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.camoz.net

www.myspace.com/camozmetal

ROBERT BERIAU - Selfishness - Source Of War and Violence


ROBERT BERIAU - Selfishness : Source Of War & Violence

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 24 April 2009

ROBERT BERIAU " Selfishness : Source Of War & Violence "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD

Progressive - CANADA


Robert Beriau is unusual person on Canadian independent music scene. He is a business consultant, and also owner of private company since 1996. He is also a well-known national racer hero, he did a 100 races and more than 400 marathons . He was Canadian Master 2
champion in 2007, and he is still active in racing. He is also musican and composer for last 25 years, and also had an experience as a part time FM radio station collaborator. "Selfishness:.... " is his second solo effort, and certainly very recomandable product on newer progressive circuit.This is a seriously released and recorded album, and sort of conceptual work, where basic idea "speaks" about disparities between rich and poor world. Musically, Robert with his collaborators and assistens has offered a sort of ambitious progressive approach nearer to performing conceptuality of Pink Floyd works, from its second part of carrear, and in some aspects comparabile with earliest Van Der Graaf Generator legacies. A many interesting and unususal soundscapes floating through unexpecting arrangments creations, and complete materials from album posses a similiar releasing atmosphere. All other technical aspects satisfies too, and Mr. Beriau surely has introduced himself as important composer and author on nowadays progressive world.

Rating : 9/10
C / o : www.robertberiau.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

NETHERVOID - Sirens Of The Blistering Light


NETHERVOID - Sirens Of The Blistering Light

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 22 April 2009

NETHERVOID " Sirens Of The Blistering Light "
( Beyond The Pyres Records ) 2008.

CD

Black metal - USA


Out of Iowa City, Iowa comes a band Nethervoid. They were formed back in 2004, and during the entire carrear a band has released a one Demo - "Templar Of The Judas Goat" and full-length from previous year - "Sirens Of The Blistering Light" Nethervoid are black metal act, influental equally by the first and the second wave of scandinavian black metal acts. A most influental traces comes out fom Darkthrone and Carpatian Forest kitchen . Nethervoid's sound is rather raw, but with evident atmospheric includings. A weird and temporary symphonic sound with often tempo changes characterize all of 8 present tracks. In some places arrangments posses an unexpecting threathenings.A production is also more orientire to 90's views than to nowadays standards. They delivered some interesting ideas, and I would mentions a closing track "1000 Hands Of The Assiduous Spectre" as a most valuable example.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.myspace.com/absolutefuckingevil

JAKE PASHKIN - Gain Over


JAKE PASHKIN - Gain Over

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 22 April 2009

JAKE PASHKIN " Gain Over "
( Self - released ) 2009.

CD - RUSSIA

Instrumental rock/fusion/progressive/metal


Out of city of Tyumen, Western Siberia, comes a guitarist and artist Jake ( Dimitriy ) Pashkin. A first musical steps he started as a child, firstly playing accordion, and later on ,he also received a piano lessons. At the age of 15 he started playing guitar, and practically in forthcoming period ( except one longest pause of four years ) he professionally worked with bands/artists, as a session musician, and in last and still actuelle part of carrear, as a solo performer. He also published his own poetry book in 2005, entitled "Acrobaty i Polgoda" ( Acrobats and Half Year ).
Till now Jake was released a 2 solo albums, firstly "Prequel" ( 2007 ), and still actuelle "Gain Over " ( 2009 ). Jake is skillful guitarist, and his interesting fields touches different areas as a rock/fusion/progressive/metal/art rock, and many things in - between. All of mentioned
elements are present in his performing and authors offering, and "Gain Over" as a album is full of mentioned stylish details. He has showed that as a person and performer posses "frantic" playing energy, and also is important to say, that psychologically his approach is nearer to one evident rock pastiche. I would add that maybe Satriani and his legacy could be a leading influental model for Jake, but in many album's places he has showed own authors and performing capabilities. "Gain Over" are consists of mostly equalizing materials/themes, and
productionally absolutely satisfies.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.jakepashkin.com

MATEUS STARLING - Kairos


MATEUS STARLING - Kairos

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 22 April 2009

MATEUS STARLING " Kairos "
( Self - released ) 2009.

CD

Fusion/jazz - BRAZIL


A Brazilian artist Mateus Starling could be a new important name on modern jazz scene. He is guitarist,still young, but with intensive carrear behind. He started as a guitarist, influental by the rock music, and his first professional steps, he did with many local artists and bands.
Later on, he played with band Karambah, and received a respectable national status as a musician. He was also active on national gospel scene, but a new begining started for him, getting scholarship to study at famous Barklee Collage in 2005. During the second part of the
2008, with his collaborators, he recorded a material for actuelle album. And in January 2009, "Kairos" looked the light of day.
Mateus is a convinceble performer and his technique touches many so call jazz fields. He has a special "ear" for timing and atmosphere, and "Kairos" as a album mostly communicate with one modern fusion/jazz-rock option. There are 8 instrumental themes on album, full of constant up-tempo challengies, and often dialogues between guitar and saxophone. Even that some of reviewers could find some comparabilities in Mateus approach with composing and performing methods of Scofield, Zorn or McLaughlin, brazilian guitarist has showed enough newer tendencies in his way of thinking and playing. Finally, "Kairos" is a very modern fusion/jazz album, worth listeners attention.

Rating : 9/10
C / o : www.mateusstarling.com.br

www.myspace.com/mateusstarling

THE SAM LAMONT BAND - Good Intentions


THE SAM LAMONT BAND - Good Intentions

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 22 April 2009

THE SAM LAMONT BAND " Good Intentions "
( Self -released ) 2009.

CD - USA

Roots music/folk rock/blues


Sam Lamont is Morgantown, West Virginia based artist. He is a singer/songwriter, and till now he has released one solo album, and another, still actuelle, entitled "Good Intentions" with the band. He was also received some nominations, and his carrear is constantly up.
"Good Intentions" looked the light of day in the first months of this 2009 year. As a author, Sam mostly communicate with roots based music, folk rock, blues, rock, and even americana elements. All of his songs posses a strong realizations, and it's clear that The Sam Lamont band
has sounded as a well-trained team. In many cases, Sam's musical offering knows to remind on legacy of legendary Neil Young, and especially 2 themes - opening "Free', and 9th "Feel It Workin' ", has something clearly comparabile, but a mentioned detail didn' t minimize other strong qualities of Sam's authors works. On the other hand, we can not find any weacker or less convinceble moments on "Good Intentions" album, and present materials generally deserves only positive reactions.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.samlamont.com

www.myspace.com/samlamontmusic

NICK HAGELIN - Nice To Be Here


NICK HAGELIN - Nice To Be Here

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 22 April 2009

NICK HAGELIN " Nice To Be Here"
( Self - released ) 2009.
CD

Pop/acoustic/soul - USA


Nick Hagelin is songwriter, professional dancer, film actor, and also a producer of hip-hop, r'n'b and pop music. "Nice To Be Here" is his first solo offering, where he has introduced himself as a singer and author, who prefers to speak about love, life and other emotional statements. His songs are mainly half-ballads, or rather posses a easiest or coolie atmosphere. He is a singer with pretty pleasent voice, and his materials mostly cover pop/soul elements, influental also by the 80's period. A similiar atmosphere characterize album in general, and practically all things are clear, after listenings of just few songs. Nevertheless, followers of white soul, r'n' b and pop, can find something tasteful in Nick's offering.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.myspace.com/nickhagelinmusic

Monday, April 20, 2009

CHRIS MERKLEY - Thirty Miles From Nashville


CHRIS MERKLEY - Thirty Miles From Nashville

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 20 April 2009

CHRIS MERKLEY " Thirty Miles From Nashville "
( Old Boy Records/ One Tooth Records ) 2009.

CD - USA

Rock/roots music/country/blues/americana


Chris Merkley is a songwriter, active as a musician from his earliest youth age. "Thirty Miles From Nashville" is his 5th discographical offering. Before mentioned actuelle one, he has released also a two solo issues, 1 album with THE CROONERS and one with his friend Steve Morgan. He has included himself on several other projects too, and beleive or not he toured USA six times, and Europe countries four times.
"Thirty Miles From Nashville" has introduced Chris as a original songwriter. Musically, he blends elements of rock, roots music, blues, country, and also hint of americana is present in his authors and performing views. Each of offering songs posses a different atmosphere and performing motorizations, and a different mood stages balancing between them. A production is rather raw and unpolished, bur Chris has succesfully showed a varies performing and authors skilness. He has offered a more than interesting materials, and "Thirty Miles From Nashville" simply deserves listeners attention.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.ChrisMerkley.com

www.myspace.com/chrismerkley

DARK ANGELS - Symphony Of Bridal Veil


DARK ANGELS - Symphony Of Bridal Veil

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 20 April 2009

DARK ANGELS " Symphony Of Bridal Veil "
( Self - released ) 2007.

CD - CZECH REPUBLIC

Heavy/symphonic metal


Out of Czech Republic comes a relatively newer outfit, named Dark Angels. They are continiously active on domestic underground metal scene, and firstly introduced themselves with 2 issues from 2005 year - " See You In Hell" and "Postrekov v plameneck " ( live ). They participated too on split CD with Jane Session, and in the final part of 2007 year, they have recorded a still actuelle album, entitled " Symphony Of Bridal Veil".
Dark Angels works as a quintet, and has in its line-up a pretty charming female fronted singer Lucie Avramova. Musically, they have offered a symphonic option of heavy metal with some other additionals as a classic heavy metal and hard rock too. Also some gothic influences are
present here and there. "Symphony Of Bridal Veil" comphrises some interesting authors views of band, even that complete materials didn't posses a same qualities. Also, a production isn' t quite convinceble , and it seems that band didn' t concetrate enough in realizations of each song in identical way.But, a better side of its approach belongs to arrangments offerings, where members from band has showed capabilities to create an interesting performing actions. "Symphony Of Bridal Veil" are consists of 8 tracks with different qualities, but it seems that band has more potentials to offer, than the case was with this album.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.darkangelsmetal.cz

ATOMISED - Dreamlands


ATOMISED - Dreamlands

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 20 April 2009

ATOMISED " Dreamlands "
( Half Life Music ) 2009.

CD

80's rock/pop - UK


Out of Cambridge, UK comes a band named Atomised. During the first days of January this year, they have announced its forcoming debut full-length, with a Single - "Let The Sun". A mentioned title is also a first/opening track of their actuelle album entitled "Dreamlands".
Atomised has offered a 11 songs, productionally done in refined manner. A songs were mostly played in mid to mid-up tempo, but also exists some half-ballads. A group speak about different emotional statements - despair, hope, love between parents and child, and even about mobile phone radiations. Musically, they have offered one pretty clear variant of 80's rock/pop, nearer to approaches of groups as a : Big Country, Simple Minds, U 2... They are evidentally infected by the mentioned 80's era, and each of offering songs from album has something close to the style of counted well-known acts. Some of present songs posses radio friendly acceptables, but unfortunatelly a group has lack of originality. I would mention and also recomand as a positive detail, a present atmosphere, which band has "reflected" through" songs, but missings of originality finally minimize other better sides of album in general.

Rating : 6,5/10
C / o : www.atomised.eu

e-mail : info@atomised.eu

THE BUFFALO CHIPS - Rockabilly Party


THE BUFFALO CHIPS - Rockabilly Party

Written by Branimir Lokner
Monday, 20 April 2009

THE BUFFALO CHIPS " Rockabilly Party "
( Cosmic Star Records ) 2008.

CD

Rockabilly - GERMANY


Out of southern part of Germany comes a band The Buffalo Chips, active on rockabilly/revival circuit practically from 2000 year. They work as a trio, and till now they have also received a some official nominations. A first discographical step was an EP " Cucumber Beat " ( Blue Lake Records ), but a band also participated in various compilations. Actuelle album "Rockabilly Party" a band had released both on CD and vinyl.
The Buffalo Chips are explosive trio, and at the same time a modern rockabilly act. Their approach also has accepted a various known stylish elements as a swing, dance, bop, stroll, classic rock and roll... They rather performs a faster-up songs than slower themes, but generally, all of offering album materials a band productionally did in modern way. There are a 17 tracks/tunes on album, with various influental arrivals, so band has taken something from 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's... revival traces as well. But, complete materials were done in one evident modern and fresh way.
A recomandable track for repeatable listening could be a pretty interesting version of song "Walk Like An Egyptian".

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.buffalochips.de

e-mail : info@buffalochips.de

Thursday, April 16, 2009

CAROL OF HARVEST - Ty I Ja


CAROL OF HARVEST - Ty I Ja

Written by Branimir Lokner
Thursday, 16 April 2009

CAROL OF HARVEST " Ty I Ja "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD - GERMANY

Folk/progressive


Carol Of Harvest was a German band ,discographically active on national progressive underground scene during the period of second part of the 70's. A band also has recorded a one album in 1978 year, and received a respectable attention in progressive circuit. After the years of silence, Axel Schmierer, guitarist, composer and key person from band, reunited forces with Ewa Grams, also vocalist and lyricist, and recorded an album, entitled "Ty I Ja". We haven't here a classic reunion of Carol Of Harvest band, even that as Axel explains, many similiarities in author's approach and musical realizations exists in both cases. Ewa comes from Poland, and duo decides, that new songs had to be sung in Polish language.
"Ty i Ja" is seriously recorded album, with quite convinceble technical realization. A duo has offered a 15 equalizing tracks/themes, "located" somewhere between 70's and 2000's. With her really pleasent voice, Ewa in specific but very natural way, create an unusual atmosphere, and all of present songs posses similiar ambient and realization. Musically, we can threat its offering as a sort of folk/progressive approach but with evident ambiental additionals. So, we can say that some influences comes out from legacies of groups as a : Camel or Barclay James Harvest, but also some "themes " from Clannad kitchen a duo has cited in its works. But, even of mentioned opinions, Carol Of Harvest were done a quite good job, and " Ty I Ja " album is recomandable both for progressive and folk followers.

Rating : 8/10
C /o : www.carol-of-harvest.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

KING'S TONIC - Fuck Your Neighbour


KING'S TONIC - Fuck Your Neighbour

Written by Branimir Lokner
Wednesday, 15 April 2009

KING' S TONIC " Fuck Your Neighbour "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD

Punk/rock - GERMANY


Out of Dortmund, Germany comes act King's Tonic. A band works in quartet formation, and during entire carrear they did a more than 200 shows and festival appearances around the globe. Among others, they had oportunity to perform on three continents, and as a band they visited USA, Russia, China, UK and Sounth East Asia. "Fuck Your Neighbour " actuelle full-length, has introduced them as a explosive, but at the same time pretty melodic band, with clear punk rock musical offering and same attitudes and messages. They are also influental by the USA 90's punk wave, and that's evident after listening a songs from the "Fuck Your Neighbour" album . A mentioned melodic lines makes comparabilities with power pop acts, but its approach also comphrises enough rock traces. Most of present songs posses hitish elements and aspects, and band has performed them with enough ( positive ) energy. Finally, "Fuck Your Neighbour" relevantelly introduced Germans as a promising act with clear vision and quite convinceble attitudes.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.kingstonic.de

www.myspace.com/kingstonic

Monday, April 13, 2009

THE MUGGS - On With The Show


THE MUGGS - On With The Show

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 11 April 2009

THE MUGGS " On With The Show "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD - USA

Rock/blues rock/70's rock


Out of Detroit, Michigan comes a classic rock trio named - The Muggs. They were formed in 2000, but during the years they have received a respectable attention, both from audience and journalists. A band is fronted by key person, guitarist/singer Danny Mathric, and "On With The Show" is their second effort. The Muggs pretty realistically with strongest performing and authors attitudes re-designes 70's period. They sounds as a coherent team, with convinceble performing capabilities. Basically, its approach mainly communicate with the 70's period, and present songs from album posses evident elements of 70's feel and touch. They know to reminds on well-known 70's rock and hard rock acts, mostly from USA theritories, as a Cactus, James Gang, West, Bruce & Laing, but its views also posses a mixing elements of classic blues-rock options, and something from garage psychology too. As a album "On With The Show" deliver pretty enough unexpecting details, also some psychedelic "tricks" balancing through songs. Even of clear retro dimension, which band has reflected through its materials, a Detroit trio also has showed that as a group communicate with nowadays aspects. They deliver a pretty unique energy, and also has introduced themselves as a serious act with promising
forthcoming future.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.themuggs.com

www.myspace.com/themuggs

JOHN SOTTER - Alone


JOHN SOTTER - Alone

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 11 April 2009

JOHN SOTTER - ACOUSTIC WARRIOR
" Alone "
( Wookie Wook Sound Records ) 2009.

CD

Acoustic/songwritings - USA


John Sotter is troubadour, world traveller, singer/songwriter, in three words modern acoustic warrior. Till now, he has recorded a 3 studio albums and 1 live CD. He has performed in 24 countries, and he has been also sharing the stage during the years with artists/groups as a : America, Jerry Garcia Band, Eddie Money, Melvin Seals... "Alone" is his actuelle offering, where we can find a little more than 40 minutes of music and 10 mostly equalizing tracks. John's authors views mostly covers insightful lyrical approach, where musical influences mainly comes out from the 70's period.
His threathenings of guitar and harmonica dialogues, knows to remind on Neil Young-uesques method of performings from his earliest stages. His songs also posses a specific mood and unusual emotional statement. "Alone" is a quite pleasent album, with many thrilling places, maybe to close to one general 70's approach, but certainly interesting for acoustic music lovers.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.johnsotter.com

e-mail : JohnSotter@JohnSotter.com

Sunday, April 12, 2009

TANKER - Sins


TANKER - Sins

Written by Branimir Lokner
Sunday, 12 April 2009

TANKER " Sins "
( Self - released ) 2008.

CD - CZECH REPUBLIC

Art metal/rock

Tanker is North Moravian, Czech band, active on homeland metal scene from 1996 year. During the years, their carrer had a two phases and some line-up changes. A band also has modificate/changed a style in its last part of carrear.
" Sins " is a still actuelle group's album, released during the January 2008. Musically, Tanker has offered very unique option of art metal/rock, where also exists elements of progressive rock, classic rock, and even gothic rock and other alter tendencies. Each of presents songs are done with different methods of realization and posses a different arrangments approach and mood. Its songs comphrises an interesting part-time male-female vocal dualities, and unique arrangments visions. I would also add that some of present tunes/themes a group didn' t record with same qualities, but generally a several representative ideas characterize its authors creations. A production is maybe too polished to my taste, but finally that was a band's choice. As a album "Sins " has covered a several interesting authors views, and mostly satisfies.

Rating : 7,5/10
C / o : www.tanker.cz

www.myspace.com/tankermetal

CIRKUS - Let The Madness Begin


CIRKUS - Let The Madness Begin

Written by Branimir Lokner
Saturday, 11 April 2009

CIRKUS " Let The Madness Begin "
( Cirkusmusic Records ) 2008.

CD - SWEDEN

Sleaze/glam rock/hard rock


Swedish act Circus is active a couple of years, and till now they have released a 3 EP's and actuelle full-length from previous year.
"Let The Madness Begin" has introduced them as a serious sleaze/glam/hard rock act with strong attitude, with well-performings capabilities, and as a band with a clear message. Their sound is not polished or refine, and a production were done in more rawness way, but at the same time its songs posses pretty melodic dimension. On the other hand, a band has sounded as as well-trained team, and its materials didn' t fail in so call wrong direction. Influences comes out from the 80's period, and I would add that specially a production knows to remind on Motley's Crue first album methods of sounds threathenings.There are 9 tracks on album, and closing one is a cover of Bolan/T. Rex classic "Get It On". "Let The Madness Begin" comphrises a listenable and well released portion of sleaze/glam tunes, recomandable not only for glam freaks.

Rating : 8/10
C / o : www.cirkusmusic.com

www.myspace.com/cirkusmusic

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

RUBIM DE TOLEDO - The River


RUBIM DE TOLEDO - The River

Written by Branimir Lokner
Tuesday, 07 April 2009

RUBIM de TOLEDO " The River "
( Self - released ) 2009.

CD - CANADA

Latin jazz/fusion/post-bop/modern jazz


Rubim de Toledo is Canadian born of Brazilian descent musician, with respectable carrear behind. He is bassist and composer, and his activities contained collaboartions with groups, studio works, and solo programs. He was a founding member of latin - jazz group BOMBA, and he is also a director of prestige dance company "Decidedly Jazz Danceworks". "The River " is his third solo effort to date. Musically, Rubim and his assistents has offered a fine portion of latin - jazz atmosphere, fullfield with fusion/post-bop, classical and modern jazz elements as well. Rubim is performer with elegant and refine style on acoustic bass, and same approach has followed his authors offerings. 10 tracks are present on "The River " album, where excellent arrangments and modern production characterize complete materials. "The River " is recomandable product, especially for the folowers of latin - jazz tendencies.

Rating : 8,5/10
C / o : www.rubim.com

e-mail : info@rubim.com

Friday, April 3, 2009

BURDEN OF LIFE - Ashes Of Existence


BURDEN OF LIFE - Ashes Of Existence

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 03 April 2009

BURDEN OF LIFE " Ashes Of Existence "
( Deaf End Records ) 2008.

CD - GERMANY

Melodic metal/various metal genres


Out of Regensburg, South Germany comes a young metal band Burden Of Life. They started as a group in 2002, but first discographical step happened in 2007 year, when band has recorded a debut offering. "Ashes Of Existence" is its second effort, and band has a highest expetations of forthcoming carrear.
Burden Of Life's approach could be described as a sort of melodic metal with harsh vocal threathenings. Also, a keybord includings dominates through its sound.A songs also were done with hint of thrash and death metal, but mentioned melodic metal variant covers its oriantations in general. A group has offered a few interesting ideas through its performing realizations, but even of solid lyrical views and quite convinceble technical realizations, a weacker element belongs to really unsatisfied productional work. A production is mostly weak, or simply wrongly threathed, and mentioned element in some aspects minimize positive opinion of "Ashes Of Existence" album qualities.
Burden Of Life showcases respectable talents, and that's a good basis for following recordings.

Rating : 6,5/10

C / o : www.burdenoflife.de

www.myspace.com/burdenoflifemetal

JOHN THOMSON - Through The Fire


JOHN THOMSON - Through The Fire

Written by Branimir Lokner
Friday, 03 April 2009

JOHN THOMSON " Through The Fire "
( Spirit Led Music ) 2008.
CD - USA

Rock/christian/country


John Thomson is Evansville, Indiana based musician/songwriter/ guitarist/singer, with longest carrear behind. His background included cooperation with many jazz/country/rock performers/groups. Also, his guitar technique touches classical music areas. Since 1999, he has been active playing guitar with church worship team.
"Through The Fire" is a debut full-length, where John in his own way has offered self-penned songs, with one so call mainstream approach.
His materials comphrises elements of classic rock, rock with blues roots, country, and rock with christian psychology. Also a 70's touch is evident on present songs, as same as pretty melodic tunnings. Complete materials were done in similiar motorization/manner, and one "coolie"
atmosphere dominates. Even of that, I couldn' t find any recognizable potential hittish songs, but on the other hand most of materials posses radio acceptables and usings . "Through The Fire" contains pretty listanable portion of songs, done with a strong performing background, and clear emotionals.

Rating : 7/10
C / o : www.johnthomsonmusic.com

www.myspace.com/JohnThomsonMusic