PaperSailor!

What I would want to do, generally, with any good rock album, would be to talk about the basics, ‘the drummer makes this album what it is, and the guitarist is so creative and spot-on, and the vocals are so refreshing and’ blah blah blah.  I can’t do that this time, because this wonderful rock band is one man.

You would have never guessed that PaperSailor’s new self-titled EP is, quite simply, Scotland’s Michael Wilson.  The five-song EP has gotten a lot of spins in my office.  I’m very impressed.  Rock music isn’t my thing.  I always have an open mind, have a listen, and if I find something interesting enough about it, I’ll review it, and then move on.  PaperSailor’s EP is a rarity in the fact that I did my job and gave it a chance, but now that I’m reviewing it, I’m still not done with it.

The only aspect of the record that made me believe or understand that this could be a one-man band, is that the song structures are a bit unusual and surprising.  Perhaps that’s what kept my interest in the first place.  In a band, you have several ideas floating around the room about the simplest things like ‘what do we do on the bridge for track 3’.  And then everyone decides on something and then they have to execute in a certain way which may or may not be agreed upon.  Michael Wilson only has to connect and stay in tune with Michael Wilson.  That’s why, I believe, this record is so unique, and quite enjoyable!

LoveSound Rating – 7/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Vaudeville’ & ‘Little Miss This’

PaperSailor – https://papersailor.bandcamp.com/

Bring Us Shelter, Bring Us Peace

I wish that I had all of the right words to put this album into perspective for you.  Dark, dreamy, ambient, poetic, romantic, melodic, peaceful………………………..  It’s a start anyhow.

Alex Shelter is a French singer/songwriter, but apparently got his start in music when he spent several years living in the U.S.  I honestly don’t see much ‘American Music’ influence.  The only comparison that comes to mind is that of the late, great Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse, Dark Night Of The Soul) who had a way, not only with words, but made you feel what he wanted you to feel, on any end of the spectrum.

This will go down as one of the best independent record releases of this year, and I believe that if Shelter continues to make music and take the proper steps of sharing it, he will one day be a very, very well-known artist.  I can’t wait to hear more.  Check out Alex Shelter’s new record In Peace.

*NOMINEE FOR LOVESOUND ALBUM OF THE YEAR

LoveSound Rating – 9/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Where The Ocean Meets The Sun’ & ‘Sorrow’

Alex Shelter – https://alexshelter.bandcamp.com/

I’m going to start this short review off with a bold statement:

I will be shocked if I come across an EP, in the year 2015, that is better than Escape EP by Bloodhounds On My Trail.

This record is legit!  And it’s their debut EP!

Bloodhounds On My Trail are Johnny Green (guitar, vocals), Chris Donaldson (guitar), Jonny O’Hara (bass) and Nik Donaldson (drums) and they hail from Melbourne, Australia.

Why is there so much good music coming out of Australia right now???  Australia’s shoegaze and indie rock scene, to me, is the equivalent of the Iceland ambient music explosion of the early 2000’s.  Bloodhounds On My Trail just continue proving my theory.

Everything from the lyrics to the mixing is spot-on on Escape EP.  Within a minute of pressing play, my eyes were closed, and I was far, far away.  I don’t know if I can as far as to say that the guitar work was ‘brilliant’, but obviously a major key component in the shoegaze genre is the guitar work.  Well, it is brilliant for what it is on this EP.

Well done guys.  Keep it coming!

*NOMINEE FOR LOVESOUND EP OF THE YEAR

LoveSound Rating – 9/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Jolly’ & ‘Silence, It’s Golden’

Bloodhounds On My Trail – https://bloodhoundsonmytrail.bandcamp.com/

Like A This!

I’ll get right to it.  Three Thousand Rivers’ new EP Like A What is hard to figure out.  It’s sort of hard to talk about or wrap your head around.  It’s very difficult to classify.  But it is an utter joy to listen to!

It’s rock, it’s funk, it’s folk, it’s americana, it’s got hints of jazz, among other things.  But it’s not really any of those things.  Is this making sense?

Bottom line, this is one that you’ll have to hear for yourself.  And I guarantee you will not be disappointed.  Tracks like ‘Schubert Hits Plympton Street’ and ‘A Still, Small Voice’ are better than 90% of what’s on the radio (I realize that’s not the most convincing comparison, just let me try to make my point).

I’ll be enjoying the record for a long time.  But, I’m also very anxious as to what the future holds for Three Thousand Rivers.  If I ever see evidence of a new record in the future, I will, as quickly as possible, with intense curiosity, track it down and investigate!

LoveSound Rating – 7/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘A Still, Small Voice’ & ‘Schubert Hits Plympton Street’

Three Thousand Rivers – https://3000rivers.bandcamp.com/

Oh Maia!

This EP showed up a couple of weeks ago.  The folks who sent this to me included all the necessary information, but on the front was attached a sticky note that read, “just listen..”.  I took their advice and did just that.  Now I’m a big fan of Maia & The Pilots, and their new EP, Taking Off!

This group is led and fronted by songwriter Maia Pillot, who has a soft, yet edgy, yet fantastic voice.  At first you wouldn’t think that Maia is a native of NYC.  You’d think more Texas or Tennessee.  But, keep focused on the lyrics and the music, then something about it changes your mind.  These tunes are very straightforward.  This isn’t ‘pop’, this is real.

Instead of going on any further..  Just Listen!

*NOMINEE OF LOVESOUND EP OF THE YEAR

LoveSound Rating – 8/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Come Back’ & ‘Can’t Hate You’

Maia & The Pilots – http://www.maiaandthepilots.com

Dirt, Grunge, and Smoke!

If that title is not appealing to you, you’re wrong.

Personally, I’ve never been a fan of ‘Blues Rock’ unless it’s in a live setting.  This is the first blues rock album that I’ve enjoyed in the comfort of my own home and office.

This is L.A.-based band Them Howling Bones, and this is their self-titled EP.
From the opening seconds of the opening track, ‘Let A Cold Man Die’, I felt like I was in some bad ass western film.  The vocalist (Pedro) has a haunting, chilling, and powerful voice that carries the rhythmic bluesy rock foundation to the next level of goodness.

Unfortunately, this genre is not my area of expertise, so I can’t throw out things like, ‘For Fans Of…’, and so on.  The fact that I am thoroughly enjoying it should be enough.

I know we have a lot of viewers in the Los Angeles area, so if you’d like to catch them in action, you can find them at La Cita Bar on February 24th.

LoveSound Rating – 7/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Let A Cold Man Die’ & ‘Follow You Home’

Them Howling Bones – http://www.ThemHowlingBones.com

A Must-Hear One-Woman Band!

This picture says it all.  This isn’t an artsy pose of someone pretending to be talented in the comfort of their own home.  This is Jessica Nay, multi-instrumentalist and the mind behind Noah’s Tape, during a live performance in Germany.

Noah’s Tape’s EP ‘The Green EP’ reminds me a bit of Portishead, but more ‘in your face’.  I won’t call it aggressive by any stretch, but I will say that she gets her point across, both musically and lyrically.

I often wonder where the creative mindset comes from to craft such unique styles and sounds that some artists end up creating.  I wonder that about this EP.  Smooth, rhythmic, melodic, and a stunning voice.  I realize it’s only February, but as of right now, this could be my favorite EP so far this year.

*NOMINEE FOR LOVESOUND EP OF THE YEAR

LoveSound Rating – 8/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Pin Me’ & ‘Waltz With Me’

Noah’s Tape – noahstape.com

Back To What I Love!

As you all may have noticed, my past several posts have dealt with music that I, regretfully, am not as familiar with as I would like to say that I am.  So, with that being the fact, I haven’t really known what to say, how to respond, or react.  I just liked the music.  Forgive me, but I’m trying to branch out!  Now, I have the opportunity to review an album that showed up a few weeks ago, and I must say, I love it.

The project is called Identical Homes and the album name is ‘A Hydrophelia’.  The mind behind it all is a man named Daniel McKenzie, who, strangely enough, was the front man of a band I have really enjoyed in the past, The Rum Diary.  He was also part of another band that I’m a fan of called Built For The Sea.

Within seconds of the opening track, ‘Old Game’, I was hooked and didn’t stop listening until the last seconds of the closer, ‘New Year’s Eve’.

There is a certain softness but a certain intensity to these tunes.  A certain beauty but a certain edge.  And it doesn’t hurt that McKenzie’s voice is spot on and beautiful.

‘A Hydrophelia’ is, by a long shot, one of the best albums I’ve heard in 2014.

It’s time to get your hands on it!

*NOMINEE FOR LOVESOUND ALBUM OF THE YEAR

LoveSound Rating – 8/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Old Game’ & ‘Miles And Miles’

Identical Homes – http://identicalhomes.bandcamp.com/

 

My New Favorite Country Artist!

As most of you know, I am NOT a fan of country music.  A little old school will do, such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, those folks.  But certainly not modern country.  As far as I can remember, I think that, ever since I started reviewing albums, years and years ago, I’ve only written a positive review on one country album, somewhere around 3 or 4 years ago.  This all changes now.

Please allow me to introduce Jodee Lewis!

Her new album is entitled ‘Whiskey Halo’.  Again, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not good at summarizing music that, quite frankly, I don’t know much about.  Country music is one of them.  I wish, in this particular situation, that I did know a bit more, so that I could make comparisons and tell you what’s so ‘extra special’ about this record.  But I can’t.  I just hope that it speaks for itself when I, of all people, actually continue to play this record.

I LOVE Jodee’s voice.  The songs are ‘catchy’, yes, but very uniquely so.  Don’t get me wrong, I would believe that one day she could be on commercial country stations, if that’s the avenue she so chooses to take (she may be doing pop country a favor in that aspect).  So, at the risk of making a fool of myself, and continue rambling, I’ll leave it at that.  If you actually like country, then it’s a must.  If not, this one’s worth a shot.

LoveSound Rating – 7/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘O, Mother’ & ‘From A Bottle’

Jodee Lewis – http://www.JodeeLewis.com

Harp And Soul

Welcome back to LoveSound Magazine.  I can assure you that we are back in business and that the reviews will start coming in again!!!  Thank you all for all of your e-mails, phone calls, and submissions.

We start this new era of LoveSound off with, none other than, a harpist…..???

YES!!!!  You don’t even know it, but you love her already.  This is Anne Vanschothorst and I received this album a few weeks ago, and immediately made the decision for her record, ‘EK IS EIK’, to be the first review of the new LoveSound Magazine.

Due to the fact that I don’t have a full understanding of this type of music, there’s really not a lot I can say.  Chill, relaxed, beautiful compositions.  That’s all that is necessary to say at this time.  You’ll love it.  Love it, love it, love it!

*NOMINEE FOR LOVESOUND ALBUM OF THE YEAR*

LoveSound Rating – 9/10

Favorite Tracks – ‘Where’s Mo ?’ & ‘When We Were Trees’

Anne Vanschothorst – http://www.HarpAndSoul.com