Review: Ellis Paul "The Day After Everything Changed"

"The Day After Everything Changed" (Black Wolf Records) is the latest from singer/songwriter Ellis Paul, a man who has made a respectable mark in music already with 14 Boston Music Awards and performances with Patty Griffin, John Mayer, Arlo Guthrie, and more. Paul honed his talents in Boston and amassed an impressive fan base that helps fund his musical career and recordings. Paul straddles the ever-blurring line between pop country and soft rock, a very entertaining (and profitable) place to be. His songs tell stories in the style of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, and his lyrics touch upon subjects that all of us can relate to.

With 15 new songs, "The Day After Everything Changed" clocks in at over an hour - plenty of musical bang for your buck. The imagery Paul paints with his lyrics is as brilliant and crisp as the artwork on his CD. According to Paul, the songs on the album are "about people who are at a crossroads in their life. I want to hear about people's joys and woes and apply them to my own. You can't fake real life stories."

Instrumentally, the CD is gorgeous - a pleasing mix of acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and some prominent banjo now and then. Paul's voice has a seasoned rasp that gives these songs a sincere edge. The CD is also very consistent, providing a cohesive listen that is perfect for moods of relaxation or reflection. Five songs were co-written by Kristian Bush of renowned pop country act Sugarland, so fans of Sugarland take note. My favorites among the bunch include the jubilant opener, "Annalee", the tender "Rose Tattoo", and infectious title track. There are some other notable cuts, but overall the CD comes across as pleasant and innocuous background music. I really wanted to fall in love with more of these songs, but even a few spins more did not generate added enthusiasm. For fans of Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Will Hoge.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 12

Ellis Paul on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "The Day After Everything Changed":

Fulton Read "Synchronize" - free mp3

Fulton Read’s newest EP “Synchronize” is done and ready for you to download FOR FREE! That's right...FREE!

You can read some of our reviews of Fulton Read here.

Their latest, "Synchronize", can be downloaded FREE at their web site.

More: they just posted new videos of their acclaimed “Fulton Read in 3D” shows on their blog; their SXSW performances in March; their upcoming premiere of the webisode series “WebCamJams” featuring live jams, exclusive performances, guest appearances and interviews...go check it out.

Review: Jonah Matranga and Kevin Seconds

Jonah Matranga and Kevin Seconds released a split 7inch vinyl through Canada’s Blacktop Records on December 22, 2009. The vinyl features four brand new previously unreleased songs including "I’ve Always Wanted To Write A Song Commanding People To Dance!" and "Daylight" by Matranga and "Grip On Yr Own" and "Life Unknown" by Seconds. It is a limited pressing of only 1000 hand-numbered copies, available online at blacktoprecords.ca and interpunk.com.

In 2007 the Canadian-based record label released Jonah Matranga’s full-length debut titled "And" (reviewed here). Kevin Seconds is known for his role as the frontman of the hardcore punk band 7seconds. Their split record is quite a departure and will probably surprise fans.

The second of the Matranga tracks is the best of the bunch, and closest to what we've come to expect from him - "Daylight" is a gentle and sparse acoustic affair, highlighting Matranga's vocals and skill at creating a compelling piece with so little. However, "I’ve Always Wanted To Write A Song Commanding People To Dance!" is wretched, just like any other dance song using fake drums and autotune. While you can admire a guy who takes risks as an artist, I can honestly say that I never want to hear this song again. The two tracks by Seconds are acoustic folk, near bluegrass, and not all that memorable for me. I recommend this release only for the most dedicated fans or collectors.

Jonah Matranga on MySpace. Official site.

Kevin Seconds on MySpace. Official site.

Review: The Crawpuppies "World's Much Bigger"

Creeping out of Hobort, IN, The Crawpuppies have completed an invasion of Chicago and now would like to get their infectious melodies into your town.

The Crawpuppies have an authentic sound that leads you to believe they put on a tremendously entertaining live show. Fortunately, that spirit is nicely captured on their latest CD, "World's Much Bigger". The touch of rasp and bite in the vocals works well whether its singing to a bar band rocker like the title track, or a bluesy ballad like "We", or a gentle and delicate number like "My Wife". Chad Clifford (vocals, guitar) is backed by a fine line up of talented musicians: Aaron "Hacksaw" Hedges (bass, vocals), Chris Karp (drums, vocals), and Mike Curtis (lead guitar, vocals). Yes, you read right - everyone in the band sings, and they've got some splendid harmonies to show for it.

The Crawpuppies tell modern day folk stories through their songs, which are best described as straight-up pop rock and powerpop. There are several deviations thrown in that keeps all the songs from sounding too much alike (for example, the bossa nova feel of "Here We Go Again" and the folksy "Some Divine"). Overall, there are lots of sunny melodies and upbeat treats on this 14-track opus to satisfy readers of this blog. Standouts for me include "Owe It All To You", "Mental Demons", "The Way", and "I Wanna Know". Recommended for fans of Venice, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Del Amitri.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12

The Crawpuppies on MySpace. Official site. Get it.

Review: Heavy Glow "The Filth And The Fury" [EP]

I don't think I have heard any other band capture the classic sound of 60s/70s guitar rock as effectively as Heavy Glow. The band is: Jared Mullins (Vocals & Guitar), Joe Brooks (Bass), and Dan Kurtz (Drums). This trio rocks it like it's 1969.

Their new 7 track (counting the two unlisted bonus tracks) EP, "The Filth And The Fury", will transport you to a bygone era. Heavy Glow has mastered the tones and styles that dominated the crunchy and fuzzy psychedelic sounds that permeated freedom rock. Combined with the smokey soul of the vocals supplied by Jared Mullins, you have a win-win situation. The retro vibe is so remarkably good that someone who didn't know better would easily be fooled if I told them "The Filth And The Fury" was recorded in 1969.

My favorites from this EP include the sizzling opener, "I Almost Prayed", the seductive "Love Ghost", and catchy "Bourgeois Baby". The band already has a large following in San Diego, but this EP should help them expand that circle of love. Heavy Glow will light up the night for fans of Hendrix, Cream, The Doors, and early Rolling Stones.

Heavy Glow on MySpace. Official site.

Free mp3: Research Turtles

This news just in from Research Turtles (see our review of their record here).

"The Research Turtles new website was launched yesterday: click here

For the time being, we are giving away free downloads of our new CD."

Review: The Great Affairs "The Great Affairs"

Denny Smith (formerly of Former) is back with a new band and new sound called The Great Affairs. Joining him are Patrick Miller on the guitars, Matt Andersen on the bass, and Tim Good on the drums. This one marks a departure for Smith, who cut his teeth with the sadly underrated modern rock outfit Former, whose 2008 CD "...And Nothing But The Truth" was a thrilling ride down the melodic rock roller coaster.

The Great Affairs play more in the neighborhood of Tom Petty, Wilco, and The Jayhawks - perhaps influenced in part from Smith's relocation to Nashville. The sound is earnest and organic, pleasant and mellow - not unlike the new one from Black Crowes. Smith retains the wit in his lyrics, which remind me of the subtle lyrical genius of Paul Westerburg at times, and his vocals are just as nicely suited with alt-country as they were with his more commercialized big rock sound.

Highlights include the quietly infectious "Dodge", the Southern rock flavored "Dear John", and the sparkling "Isn't She Gold". "The Great Affairs" takes a few spins to settle in, but once you get into bed with it you won't regret it.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11

The Great Affairs on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Gills and Wings "Gills and Wings" [EP]

Gills and Wings - sounds like the title of a lecture in an Evolutionary Biology course. But this Gills and Wings is a "theatrical pop rock quintet" hoping to soar to great heights with their new self-titled, five track EP. You may have heard some of their stuff on MTV’s The Real World, but for most of you this will be your first taste of Gills and Wings.

It doesn't take too long into this EP before you realize that the guys in this band are loaded to the gills with talent. Everything from the musicianship to the vocals to the lyrics just screams "we got it and we know it". The band is: Danny Reyes (vocals), Santiago De La Fuente (vocals, piano), Alex McCallum (guitar), Matt Hulcher (bass), and Andrew Hackett (drums). These boys have an excellent chemistry, making it sound easy to whip up majestic melodies around their cogent lyrical themes. Reyes has one of those voices that gracefully glides into falsetto and back again, yet retains enough of a rock edge to earn broad appeal.

My favorite tracks in this set are the first two tunes, the brilliant "Rebirth Of A Nation" and "Catastrophe". Gills and Wings take the best of Keane and Mêlée, mix in a little Queen, and give us a fresh sound that is compelling and full of intrigue.

Gills and Wings on MySpace. Official site.

Free mp3 - Still Standing "Blister in the Sun"

Awesome news!

We got permission to post the new single from Still Standing (see review and interview). It is a rockin' cover of "Blister in the Song", first heard on the 1983 debut record by the Violent Femmes.

DOWNLOAD THE TRACK HERE

Review: Starfire Band "Livin' In The City"

You never know what you are going to get track to track from Detroit's Starfire Band. Singer and songwriter Gary Niemenski classifies the band's music as classic pop rock or power pop. Their latest, "Livin' In The City", certainly has that at its core, but a whole lot more too. You get a little Steve Winwood vibe from the groovy opening title track, some psychedelic swirl on "Blue Rain", and some retro rock a la The Byrds on "Heartaches Of Love" and Beach Boys on "Little One". To hear the straight up pop rock, check out tracks like "Love Is Real", "Feel The Sun", and "Ready".

Starfire Band produced the first CD in 2006 ("Blast Off"). They've been making some good strides ever since. In July 2007, Starfire Band was selected as a finalist for the Detroit News Sonic Summer Battle of the Bands. "Livin' In The City" should keep their positive momentum going.

Starfire Band offers a little something for everyone, but will largely appeal to those of you who are a bit more 'seasoned' and like a CD with some diverse musical turns. "Livin' In The City" boasts plenty of melodic grooves, tasteful harmonies, and a bright, sunny feel overall. My favorites off this one include "Heartaches Of Love", "Little One", and "Thank You".

iPOD-worthy: 3, 5, 6, 7, 10

Starfire Band on MySpace. Official site.