Victor Ferrantella evokes many moods, feelings with brilliantly played, produced This Place album
Victor Ferrantella’s This Place is a sonic treat for the ears as well as a collection of finely crafted songs. Ferrantella is a producer so you already know that he and his co-producer, his father Nick Ferrantella, got a high quality shine out of each instrument on each track. Add in Victor Ferrantella’s vast array of influences and techniques and you have an album that offers a lot to all kinds of music
Island Vibes is a fun, quirky collection of song by artists from and inspired by Nantucket
A compilation growing in popularity lately is Island Vibes–The Nantucket Music Collection. Island Vibes features music recorded by artists from Nantucket and or inspired by Nantucket or chosen because of a connection to the island. Half of these tracks were recorded and produced by Nantucket natives Victor Ferrantella and his father Nick Ferrantella with Victor’s brother Ben playing on some songs. The rest of the collection comes from other native producers, engineers, musicians, singers and, of course, those with a connection to Nantucket.
Sarah Blacker scores big with In Waves album
Sarah Blacker’s latest album In Waves combines winsome rock band approaches with Blacker’s naturally beautiful voice and lyrical aplomb. As a singer-songwriter, Blacker has created something that could raise her profile among those who work in the national music scene. Big things will surely happen for Blacker once she circulates this In Waves CD at her many CD Release parties.
Black And Blue Morning show true potential with debut album Rise
Black And Blue Morning’s debut CD Rise is a flinty collection of hard rocking originals. Black And Blue Morning is a band that packs a punch in every song they write, record, and play. The band has a freshness to their sound in that its hard to trace their influences to previous hard rocking outfits.
Gretchen And the Pickpockets burn with true passion on debut album
It doesn’t take a brilliant music journalist like Lester Bands to know when a band is capable of becoming the next big thing. Out of the New Hampshire’s vibrant seacoast music scene, Gretchen And The Pickpockets create more urgency than a 2o alarm fire on their debut album. The most notable thing about this band is well constructed their songs are and how each part fits in with the whole to create vital music. If you’re not digging this band but the end of this album, check your pulse. You’re dead.
Freevolt offer fun, spirited ride on Take The Product album
The seacoast-based funky, ska, jam band Freevolt’s latest full length CD Take The Product is loaded with danceable, fun numbers that make one feel their tremendous ability for expression. Each song says a lot, their music being full of twists and turns, peaks and valleys, and just some good old fashioned clever hooks. There is a lot going on inside of Freevolt’s music and their enthusiasm can be felt as they make their listener appreciate their love of life, joy, and freedom.
The Lied To’s show huge potential on their debut album
The Lied To’s are a folk duo capable of becoming hugely familiar to listeners throughout New England. Susan Levine and Doug Kwartler formed this act after a significant period of transition for both singers. Their hard won experiences form the basis for their gritty, realistic lyrical material. Their unique blend of vocals and acoustic instruments create a lot of brittle, tender melodies and sweetly appealing harmonies. The due have a compact acoustic sound in each of their songs that pave the way for their unimposing but very likable voices to travel across.
Cold Engines are a fun ride on sophomore effort Take Me With You
Cold Engines’ sophomore release Take Me With You is even stronger than their recent debut Day Drinker. This band has certainly figured out how to make good hard rocking music that is catchy, infections, and fun while crafting respectably solid songs. Cold Engines can also mellow things out and create meaningful music that speaks to a listener loud and clear while the song maintains a quieter mood.
Nick Zaino reaches into folk territory with great success on Blue Skies And Broken Arrows album
Nick Zaino’s new album Blue Skies And Broken Arrows is a fine collection of witty, original folk songs. Zaino is definitely more of a folk artist than singer-songwriter, as he taps into deeply held American beliefs and cultural images, icons and ideas that assemble and resemble a national consciousness. His take on everything from bad relationships to alien invasion reveals a wit that can tie personal experiences into a journey into all of modern American life.
Fil Pacino proves a force to be reckoned with on Death By Lions album
Fil Pacino’s debut album Death By Lions is a good mix of full band rock and roll and singer-songwriter sensibility. A listener can rock out to the hefty band material on this album before mellowing out to Pacino’s gentler acoustic guitar driven folk stuff. In either approach, Pacino is at the top of his game. He has a lot to offer fans of different forms of music.
