Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Psychostick - Sandwich
PsychostickSandwich
Label: Rock Ridge Music
Arriving at the tongue, only to find it firmly in cheek. Metal + Comedy = Humorcore. This Phoenix, AZ group knows how to throw it down and still clown around. Of note, in Dec of 08 they celebrated their 4,000,000th song play on Myspace and their street team is called “The Dumb.” Pretty awesome!
• Psychostick Website • Psychostick WikiBhagavan Das - Loves Songs to The Dark Lord
Bhagavan DasLoves Songs to The Dark Lord
Label: NuTone Music
I breathed a sigh of relief when I confirmed the Dark Lord mentioned had nothing to do with Dick Cheney. This enlightening master brings us simple rhythms imbibed with potent and powerful traditional chants and mantras. Contemporary Kirtan to tickle the mystic and satisfy the seeker.
• Bhagavan Das WebsiteBirthday Massacre - Show and Tell
Birthday MassacreShow and Tell
Label: Metropolis Records
A Canadian group recorded live in Hamburg Germany. We find a haunting harsh delirium of carnavalesque electronic dreamscapes blurred and whirled by gothic metal preponderances. DVD version to be released soon.
• The Birthday Massacre WebsiteBilly Sheehan - Holy Cow
Billy SheehanHoly Cow
Label: Mascot Records
Legendary bass player Sheehan shoots this solo load in a predictable direction. Featuring several prominent guest musicians, this release is competent, catchy and progressive within the bass-centric structure.
• Billy Sheehan Website • Billy Sheehan Wiki
Black Water Rising - Black Water Rising
Black Water RisingBlack Water Rising
Label: Capital T Productions
These former members of Dust to Dust, Boiler Room, and Stereomud have banded together and produced an appealing determined and cohesive hard rock entry filled with mega fuzz and compelling angst anthems of difficult situations.
• Black Water Rising WebsiteDan Hicks and the Hot Licks - Tangled Tales
Dan Hicks and the Hot LicksTangled Tales
Label: Surfdog Records
This influential and enduring song writer hosts guests a plenty on these12 tracks of clever toe tapping and insightful lazy Americana with a jazzy, country western tilt and swingin’ swagger.
SEE LIVE 5/14 at Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee; 5/15 at Majestic Theater in Madison, WI; 5/16 Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis
• Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks Website • Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks WikiDeuter - Atmospheres
DeuterAtmospheres
Label: New Earth Records
Taming the wilds of your mind so that inner healing can occur, on this release Deuter harnesses impressionistic piano to fill but not overfill the musical space. Another in his line of excellent massage, Reiki or meditation CDs, the songs here contain a carefully measured harmonic blanket of sound and result in a cosmic blissful state.
Lion's Share - Dark Hours
Lion's ShareDark Hours
Label: Blistering Records
Excellent fist pumping, head banging melodic thrash metal from Sweden that ironically spends their well crafted lyrics on topics from America in the 1960s. Vocalist Patrik Johansson (also of Astral Doors) is in top form together the band blasts some kick ass anthems to wreck your neck with!
• Lion's Share Website • Lion's Share WikiMastodon - Crack The Skye
MastodonCrack The Skye
Label: Reprise Records
Storming the progressive rock and metal scene with a fervor, diversity and originality heralded by few others. Their groundbreaking musical vision continues here by adapting a slight whirling psychedelic tinge to their entrancing metal megalith.
• Mastodon Website • Mastodon WikiNew Mountain Kickers - Two Days in August
New Mountain KickersTwo Days in August
Label: NMK Records
Clever kickin’ bluegrass from the mad city! Catchy auburn tales of an impassioned life are picked and strummed from a vintage view while the female vocals issue forth the call of fun and frolic. The simple melodies touched by twang and an effortless glint appeal to my brain and perhaps yours as well.
• New Mountain Kickers WebsiteQueensryche - American Soldier
QueensrycheAmerican Soldier
Label: Rhino Records
Harsh and haunting perspectives of war are discussed, reviewed and examined in the somber gothic progressive metal style that they are known for. As thoughtful and powerful as this release is, I find the most memorable moments also being the most chilling and depressing.
• Queensryche Website • Queensryche WikiTosca - No Hassle
ToscaNo Hassle
Label: K7 Records
Warm and inviting downbeat and chilled electronica written and produced by Richard Dorfmeister & Rupert Huber. These soundscapes of serenity, if fondled gently, can produce an effortless musical epiphany.
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