Category Archives: New Release

Music, Music Video, New Release, Review, Rock, The Awesome

Album Review: J. Roddy Walston & The Business – J. Roddy Walston & The Business

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Just when you think you have heard it all, along comes something new, something that I just have to talk about.  Every once in a while, a band drops an album good and so different that once it hits my ears, all I can do is play it over and over.  Recently, rather this past summer, I was introduced to a band that had me going crazy for more.  The band I speak of is J. Roddy Walston & The Business.  If you have not heard of this band already you are missing out (I may say that a lot, but in this one instance I mean it).

So who do they sound like?  Imagine the Beatles, the Kinks, Queen, Cheap Trick, Led Zeppelin, and throw in some Jerry Lee Lewis.  There are far more comparisons to be used, but the previously mentioned bands were first to come to my mind.  From beginning to end the band’s self-titled sophomore album on Vagrant Records, J. Roddy Walston & The Business does not let up.  It’s a bare-boned non-overproduced album that leaves any listener hungry for more.

J. Roddy Walston?  More like J. Roddy Awesome…

The moment the piano started on “Don’t Break The Needle”, I knew I was in for something good. The hoot-hollering track full of dark references of addiction carries on with laughter in the singing, pounding piano playing, and guitar playing that’ll easily peer pressure the listener into wanting more.

“Used To Did” simply rocks.  With lyrics like “I got this gun girl, it don’t miss, it makes babies,” how could you not agree?  From J. Roddy’s broken-record lyricism to the heavy shedding guitar playing, this track is all about not caring and Rock ‘n Roll.  Just watch out for that gun.

My favorite track on the album hands down was “Brave Man’s Death”.  Happy as it may seem while listening to, the song itself tells of a selfish dysfunctional life lesson no one should ever be subject to.  Still, I have found myself on more than one occasion screaming the chorus at the top of my lungs alone and with friends.  It is a refreshing song when the moral of the story catches up with you, but until you get there you will be lost.

Easily an instant classic, “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” has everything included in a track to be liked by anyone who fathoms themselves a music lover – a southern rock jam, group vocals, and a bad ass attitude.  Continuing with that feeling was the closing track “Use Your Language” a twangy track that made me want to clap my hands, stomp my foot, and sing along.

I really should have had this review done months and months ago, but all excuses aside, this Baltimore foursome (originally hailing from Cleveland, TN) has been in regular daily rotation since the day the album hit my hands over the summer.  J. Roddy Walston & The Business has become an instant Rock ‘n Roll album that I will spin for years to come.

Having only caught one live song by them this past Fall when they opened for Shooter Jennings (I literally arrived just as the band played their set-ending song) I can tell you this: The band rocks on so many levels.  The excitement that that foursome bled onto the crowd made me smile.  I am sure that hardly any of the crowd knew who J. Roddy Walston & The Business was when they entered the Beachland Ballroom that rainy October night, but I know they left with something that tasted ever so good to their ears. I was there, I know they liked it…

J Roddy Walston and The Business – Don’t Break The Needle from Vagrant Records on Vimeo.

Acoustic, Folk, Interview, Live Shows, Music, Music News, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Rock, The Awesome

You Know What Today Is… Right?

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Today is a lot of things really. History happened, history might be made, and people will be talking about things based upon events from today for years to come.

I know, deep…

I will be ignoring everything today except for the fact that Mr. Frank Turner released an EP today entitled Rock & Roll.  The 5 song EP dropped today on iTunes and is available in limited quantities on CD (here’s hoping for a 7″).  It’s a sample of what Frank Turner is working on for his 2011 release and I have to say that I love it.

What’s that you say?

Of course I love it you say?

What’s that?

I am Frank Turner obsessed?

Yes I am and I fully admit it.

Turner is a kick ass musician and there is no reason for a music lover like myself to not adore his music.  This EP is great start to finish, especially the highly likable anthem “I Still Believe”, a track I was introduced to in October when I got to see Turner open for Social Distortion.  Even if it was a new song, it was so infections that by song’s end, everyone was singing along.

See for yourself:

Fun note: The gang vocals on the track were actually taken from the crowds at various live shows.

With non-stop touring all year, Frank Turner may be one of the busiest musicians out there.  Somehow between playing cross-country tours as well as festivals the guy found some free time to record new material and I could not be happier with the results on the EP.

Here’s to the full length release in 2011.

Proof I like Frank Turner and all he does…

A review I did of Poetry Of The Deed
An interview I did with Frank Turner
A review I did of Frank Turner opening for Flogging Molly
Another review I did of Frank Turner when he opened for Social Distortion

Folk, Indie, Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Album Review: Bars Of Gold – Of Gold

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Bars Of Gold (BoG), a new project including former Bear vs. Shark (BvS) members Marc Paffi and Brandon Moss, recently released their debut album entitled Of Gold through Friction Records.  Moving from the post-hardcore sound the band carries a more punk rock / indie rock sound.  BoG may not necessary cater to many BvS fans out there on this release, but after just one listen, I am a fan.

A Nintendo-y opener, properly titled “Boss Level” started off the album with me scratching my head wondering what the rest of the album would entail.  Not that there is anything wrong with a little 8-bit-core, it was just unexpected.

“Heaven Has A Heater” focused more towards an indie sound with a punk singing style that really sounded amazing.  This is definitely a track that needs to be checked out.  While I am talking about tracks that needed to be checked out, listen to “Birds” as well.  The sound was like what might happen if Modest Mouse and Talking Heads decided to collaborate.  It was catchy and bizarre all at once.

“The Hustle” was unlike any other track on the album and by far the most entertaining to my ears.  The banjo almost hypnotized me throughout the wild folk-heavy track with Paffi’s vocals howling all over the place.  Dare I say Hot Water Music vocals meets Travis guitar playing?  Yes, I just said that.

The melodic “………….” was a nice, chill track to listen to at the start but soon had a little group vocals going on in the background leading up to Paffi taking over.  The song reminded me of Cursive track in a good way.

“Cannibals” was a great track to sit back to and just enjoy.  In the true spirit of indie rock, this song kicked ass and I loved how the beginning crept up around you and then just turned into a mad frenzy of insanity.

It’s nice to see musicians move on in differnet directions without sounding like they are trying too hard.  Bars Of Gold have a good sound going for them and I am loving what they have created.  I am sure there are BvS fanatics out there wondering what happened and it is expected, but I have the feeling that once a few of them make way through this album they will grow to appreciate all that it is.

2010 is coming to an end and I think I have found my favorite indie-ish rock album of the year.  Check it out for yourself:

Music, Music News, New Release, Punk

Thousand Watt Stare

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Christian Martucci formerly of the now defunct Black President, The Chelsea Smiles and The Dee Dee Ramone Band has got himself a new band called Thousand Watt Stare.  Along with Mr. Pat Kim and Dylan Howard of Unwritten Law, the trio is set to release their self titled EP on Hardline Entertainment on November 16th.

I can not say I dig the band’s name at all, it reminds me of Five Finger Death Punch….(worst band name ever), but I do dig all three musicians and am looking forward to hearing this release.  They promise “zero whining and no screaming” in their music that is aimed at the fans of real punk rock.

Want to hear it?  Head over to their Reverb Nation page and check out a few songs!

Acoustic, Folk, Music, Music Video, New Release, Punk, Review

Music Review: Jeff Rowe – Barstool Conversations

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Growing up in a tough town just north of Boston, Jeff Rowe (no, not the football player) did not not necessarily have it easy.  Without going into detail on his life, I can tell you he was in the punk band BoxingWater, a band that released a couple of albums with ideals that revolved around the hard times and then moved along once the band called it splits.

Rather than continuing moving along with a punk rock sound, Rowe took his guitar and headed out of his hometown and found himself spending time in Richmond, VA perfecting his music that turned more of a folk act.  Taking personal experiences he assembled songs over time and released Barstool Conversations an album he recorded in Richmond with Lance Koehler (Tim Barry) before returning home.

I know, I know…another punk rock guy playing folk music?  Yes, it has been happening a lot and if you are like me you not only like it, you appreciate it.  Recently Barstool Conversations arrived in my mailbox, Rowe’s debut solo attempt.  I listened to it upon receiving it and then set it aside until I could actually get a better listen.  This past weekend I finally popped it back in and really enjoyed the personal, heartfelt tunes Rowe plays on the album with help from a backing band.

The album started off a little slow with “Passenger”, a quite personal track about leaving and returning.  “Kate” sped up slightly and with help from Smoke Or Fire vocalist, Joe McMahon on backing vocals, turned in to a fun jam to listen to.  “Bastards Love” might be best heard in a hardly filled barroom in the middle of nowhere.  The gloomy track perfectly could compliment any bad day alongside a stiff drink.

Things picked up when “An Album’s Point Of View” played as it was more upbeat than previous tracks.  I loved this track because of the lyrics that seemed to have Rowe coming with terms on a tough life and making the best of life.  “I’ve got friends that are more than blood,” was one lyric that I can attest to.

One of my favorite tracks on the album, “Dead Authors”, was another personal track, almost too personal, with Rowe talking of family problems and foreclosure.  The gentle piano behind Rowe’s raspy singing was the perfect compliment to this bittersweet track.

“Service Of Hardship” was a toe-tapping folk jam that hinted heavy on Frank Turner.  “Thinnest Strands” was a very soulful track while “Stolen Songs” begged to be sung along with.

“Glenville” was another track I really enjoyed on the album.  This is the kind of song I wish I would write to swoon someone with.  “No Place” was another perfect barroom jam with captivating back-up vocals throughout.  “Pale Face” ended the album with another slower track that perked up midway with piano and accompanying vocals from a slew of friends including Lance Koehler.

Jeff Rowe does a great job writing songs and playing acoustic guitar.  I just wish the album was a little more upbeat throughout as many of the songs he wrote revolved around the tougher times of his life.  I would love to see him take a stab at another album with a more positive approach.  Rowe definitely has some talent and I can not wait to see where it takes him.