ThrowDown offered fine document of their live shows and songwriting with Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
ThrowDown Band have recently been selling copies of their three year old CD Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, and it’s loaded with the fire and brimstone personality that has made the band so popular and so successful. Aside from tackling two of their favorite covers songs from their live shows, ThrowDown also reveal a flair for original songwriting as well, having composed seven of the numbers on this debut album. Some of the picky poo blue purists may say this is more hard rock than blues, but that would be an over simplification. ThrowDown play hard blues, making blue come out of their amps the way a lot of blues musicians do nowadays, as so many have grown up post-Led Zeppelin.
My Silent Bravery scores another winner with Diamond From Coal album; takes sound to a higher level
My Silent Bravery’s fourth album Diamond From Coal finds the Matthew Wade project using less of the tight, snappy rhythmic twists of the previous album Can’t Quit. The new album’s rhythms are looser, wider, allowing for a rangier sweep of sounds. While this album might not be as danceable, it offers colorful, vibrant landscapes of sound while becoming hooky on a deeper, larger level. Produced by local studio uberman Anthony J. Resta, this album jumps out of the speakers with an unbeatable clarity of sound.
NH country and western singer-songwriter Nicole Knox Murphy flies high on Full Circle album
Nicole Knox Murphy has come Full Circle in her life and music career. Interrupted by family life and work, Knox Murphy was out of the music business for several years. Once her kids were grown and out on their own, she went back into the music life. Winning state, regional, and national awards for her music shows that this New Hampshire country and western singer-songwriter made the right choices. She has a lifetime of experience from which to draw her material from. Her debut album Full Circle is a fine document of her abilities and perspective.
Kala Farnham off to promising start with debut CD Anahata: Wake Up Your Heart
Kala Farnham’s first full length CD Anahata: Wake Up Your Heart marks the debut of an artist we will be hearing from for sometime to come. Farnham’s affective vocal lines delivers emotional punch within their sturdy chirp. Her songwriting is crisp, clear, direct, and immediate, forcing the listener to feel something each time he hears her songs. This Connecticut singer-songwriter is also a master of complex keyboard techniques, adding extra depth, texture, and emotional drama with a variety of touches in each tinkling.
Magic Man off to promising start with Before The Waves CD
Magic Man have just released their debut full length CD Before The Waves, and it’s loaded with energetic, synth-pop fun. Just when you thought this kind of music had died out after the 1980s, Boston’s Magic Man comes on strong with this force of nature album.
Daemon Chili off to solid start with Rise Up CD
Daemon Chili released the blues-roots drenched album Rise Up only a few months ago, and it’s already catching the ears of music fans all over New England. It is certainly a must have for any fan of this sort of music. Every note from the Dobro, lap steel, bluesy piano, mandolin, accordion, and every instrument played on this album sounds so real it’s not funny. Authenticity as well as pure joy come through loud and clear on every track. This is the kind of music that will take the listener back in time to a special place in Americana music, until it rocks out in a live setting to liven any concert.
Mike Verge brilliantly comes into his own with Love Is A Tattoo album
Mike Verge’s latest album Love Is A Tattoo comes during a time in the artist’s life when he had to vent, get things out of his system. An outpouring of emotion in every track, Verge not only projects a lot of feeling with his mighty strong voice, he has his backing band sounding effusively beautifully. His slightly rasped voice comes across loud, clear, rangy, sailing over his sprightly melodies and bouncy rhythms. There’s a timeless quality to each song here, making them impossible to attach to any particular era in music. Listeners hearing this album for the first time would likely have a difficult time saying it sounds like modern rock, classic rock, or oldies. The words and music were written with emotion, not trendy styles.
Alison Keslow struts her stuff on instrumental album Bass Dharma
Alison Keslow’s second solo instrumental album Bass Dharma is a collection of jazzy originals she has composed and arranged around the strength of her bass playing. While her guest musicians have exceptional skills, Keslow keeps everything smoothly anchored with her low end finesse. Among lively flights of melodic fancy from the other players, she keeps her persistent talent quite present in her music. An exquisite composer too, Keslow has written truly impressive and likable arrangements.
Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band offer a mixed bag on Proof Of Love CD
Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band recorded a fine party album for their debut Proof Of Love. This CD has plenty of energy, swinging horns, danceable beats, swirling organ chords, music that just makes one think of a good time. It is certainly cool that Curran has a vocal timbre that is reminiscent of the great early 20th century blues and jazz vocalists. She might remind one of anyone from Billie Holiday to Etta James. The only problem is that Curran, either by nature or lack of practice, doesn’t have the rangy power of any of those old times great. She doesn’t even come close.
Ali Manion documents her fine jazzy sound on Reflections CD
Ali Manion’s debut album Reflections offers six standards and six originals. Reflections is an apt title as she reflects back on her own songs and others that have become part of band’s set list when she plays out in greater-Boston/New England.
