Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Freighter - s/t
Freighters/t
Label: Self Released
A Madison trio that knows how to play with metal structures of the past while injecting a contemporary intensity to them. Progressive a-tonal riffs conjoined with plodding, pummeling or explosive beats while hoisting a flair for noisy experimental fringe offerings treated with harsh angst ridden vocals.
• Freighter Website- French Horn Rebellion
French Horn Rebellion
Label: Self Released
A quirky pop-tronica trio from NYC, but with roots in Milwaukee, WI. The infectious retro bent they shade their compositions with is their trademark and has an immediate off-beat commercial value that serves them well.
• WebsiteLost Dream - The Lost Dream
Lost DreamThe Lost Dream
Label: Craig Sound Productions
This ambitious self-taught multi-instrumentalist composed, arranged, recorded, mixed and produced this release. She also played the entire range of instruments. Attempting to reconcile rock’n’roll with ambient atmospheres around a concept of lost hope sounds good in theory, but unfortunately comes off a bit flaccid and overly subdued.
Putumayo Presents - African Party
Putumayo PresentsAfrican Party
Label: Putumayo World Music
Celebrating Putumayo’s 15th Anniversary with a great compilation that pays tribute to the spirit of the music that inspired the label’s inception. With 20 million CDs sold, Putumayo’s world music party has been a global hit and “African Party” is another to add their list of success.
• Putumayo Presents Website • Putumayo Presents WikiJamshied Sharifi - One
Jamshied SharifiOne
Label: Ceres Records
Ambient world atmospheres blend into trance imaginations as this release conscientiously crosses paradoxical global musical boundaries. This prolific and award winning multi instrumentalist and composer utilizes a smorgasbord of high profile guest musicians to become “One.’
• Jamshied Sharifi Website • Jamshied Sharifi WikiJann Klose - Reverie
Jann KloseReverie
Label: 3 Frames Music
Framed by his multi-continental global up-bringing (Born in Germany, relocated to Kenya, then South Africa, Ohio and New York), this impressive singer and songwriter displays a wide variety of soulful ballads and emotive light rock ditties culled from a number of recording sessions with a variety of musicians.
• Jann Klose Website • Jann Klose WikiMustasch - The Latest Version of the Truth
MustaschThe Latest Version of the Truth
Label: Regain Records
Rip snortin’ hard n’ heavy rock ‘n roll that, at times, reminds me of newer Metallica, but with much more diversity and integrity. These refined rockers have even been nominated for a Swedish Grammy!
• Mustasch Website • Mustasch WikiTantric - The End Begins
TantricThe End Begins
Label: Silent Majority Group
Throaty vocalist Hugo Ferreira may be the only original member remaining, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking a stab at reinvigorating the band with “a new perspective.” The result? Poppy commercial hard rock gussied up with violin and a post-grunge compassion. Some of it works well, some falls flat.
• Tantric WikiTurbine - Reward
TurbineReward
Label: Roofland Records
Melting catchy inflections of bluegrass, Americana and jam rock into a fun and furious spectacular of momentous proportions. The harmonious harmonica packs their sultry rhythms with an air of delicacy and intricacy as do the harmonic vocals.
• Turbine WebsiteTwisterbait - I Spy
TwisterbaitI Spy
Label: Xacca Sounds
A tasty tornadic EP of hybrid techno metal. The trio of members has the added technocratic blessing of being produced by Simon Hanson (Death In Vegas) who undoubtedly morphed this into the vision of rhythmic pulchritude that it is.
• Twisterbait WebsiteAmerican Plague - Heart Attack
American PlagueHeart Attack
Label: Feedback Symphony Records
Hard driving, hard rocking trio serving up classic catchy heavy rock. Elements of angst and foreboding give way to campy rock.
• The American Plague WebsiteAnew Revolution - Rise
Anew RevolutionRise
Label: Koch Entertainment
Watered-down, radio-ready bubblegum metal. Oh, it’s so filled with emotions, intensity, blah, blah, blaze. For fans of such mass consumable and radio friendly bands as Staind, Dope, etc.
• Anew Revolution Website • Anew Revolution WikiView More
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