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Mohd Isa 0 , 6:44 AM
Tara Ellis Tara Ellis

“High voltage” and “first lady of club rock” are rather strong words for any singer, but fans of club music are finding that Tara Ellis live...

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Mohd Isa 0 , , 9:52 PM
The Very Sexuals The Very Sexuals

It is a bit disconcerting to find that The Very Sexuals are from Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands and then read that their music ...

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Mohd Isa 0 , , 9:47 PM
Benji Hughes Benji Hughes

This North Carolina singer/songwriter has been called both “earnest” and “whimsical,” a combination that is quite welcome in an industry of ...

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Mohd Isa 0 , , 9:17 PM
Paulina Logan Paulina Logan

This California performer produces a sound that puts her squarely in the folk/acoustic genre. That should satisfy people in the industry who...

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Mohd Isa 0 , , , 9:06 PM
Colorblind Colorblind

Ladies and gentlemen, from Virginia Beach, Virginia – Colorblind. First impressions are important in sales, in dating, in music, in just abo...

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Tara Ellis

“High voltage” and “first lady of club rock” are rather strong words for any singer, but fans of club music are finding that Tara Ellis lives up to the billing. She is particularly interested in lyrics as art, a lost talent in recent years. In addition she puts influences such as Gwen Stefani and Pink to work with her music.

“Rockin in LA” is a cute song, but Ellis is trying to give this type of tune more of a message. Time will tell if it works. It isn’t Joan Jett, except for the voice perhaps. The CD came out in December and has attracted some interest on such sites as MySpace. “Made New” is much the same in terms of rhythm and pace, with a bit more of the Jett anger.
As her marketing information asks, however, “Are we empowering people to be the best that they can be?” Somewhere in this girl/club performer is a person who at least asks some of the right questions. In addition, she tries to bring back some of the “Big Poppa” sound, using snapping snare and straight beats that support a story. “Proper Lady” is gathering fans. It is a good song, maybe her best for atmosphere. You can also check her out at http://music.taraellismusic.me.

Tara Ellis on MySpace

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Posted by : Mohd Isa on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 | Labels: , | 0 Comments  

The Very Sexuals

It is a bit disconcerting to find that The Very Sexuals are from Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands and then read that their music is defined as regional Mexican, grindcore and two-step. The sound of this talented group doesn’t seem to fit any category, at least up front. Of course, the easy way out is to call them indie pop and then sit back to enjoy.

Maybe “interesting rock” would fit best. (I made up that one.)

I do like the catch-phrase “suntanning in the nuclear fallout.” That works in so many ways, as does the song “Wreck This Century” and the CD title Post Apocalyptic Love. To get a real handle on this band however, it might be best to start by listening to “Can You Promise Me the Sky.” If there is a song that pushes The Very Sexuals into the “interesting rock” category, this is it.

Contributing to the group sound are Joep van Son, Pien Feith, Niels Philipsen, Cox Dieben, Jelle van Veenen and Rob Bours. (Don’t forget to include Iskaa and Oscar Kocken as contributors.) I hear a bit of The Beatles in “World War III Rocketeer,” which is a great thing. But The Very Sexuals don’t go back to that 1960s place as much as they take the youth-emotions of the time and put them in the 21st century.

The Very Sexuals on MySpace

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Posted by : Mohd Isa on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | Labels: , , | 0 Comments  

Benji Hughes

This North Carolina singer/songwriter has been called both “earnest” and “whimsical,” a combination that is quite welcome in an industry of extremes. A two-disc CD, A Love Extreme contains 25 songs that have caught the ear of the reviewers at venerable Rolling Stone magazine.

I wish I knew the answer to “Why Do These Parties Always End the Same Way?” I’ve been to more parties than I can count and I don’t have a solution. This is the whimsical/beer-drinking side of Hughes. But this listener thinks “You Stood Me Up” will grab as many listeners, if not more. This is singing-but-hip-hop music and is proving to be quite popular, with thousands of plays online. (It doesn’t hurt to have national media reviewing your stuff.)
Those who don’t enjoy the site of beer bellies might want to look away from some of Hughes’ photos. He’s a beer drinker and free spirit in the Southern style. By the way, “All You’ve Got to do is Fall in Love” shows the earnest side. It is a pretty song. In addition you may have heard some of his work on popular TV shows, without realizing that was Hughes songwriting. He’s made some good contacts in the business. This, along with great production and studio musicians, makes for a professional-sounding work.

Benji Hughes on MySpace

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Posted by : Mohd Isa on | Labels: , , | 0 Comments  

Paulina Logan

This California performer produces a sound that puts her squarely in the folk/acoustic genre. That should satisfy people in the industry who have to categorize each and every artist as part of the marketing scheme. Logan puts a slight twist on the classic folk sound in such songs “Write You as a Song.” The production is solid, with a sharp drum track and a second line of instruments that doesn’t detract from her strong voice.

There have been comparisons to Jewel, which is fine with Logan, apparently. There is something softer about Logan, based on “Write You as a Song” and “Lovely.” In addition to being on a couple of nice compilation CDs, Logan sent her own collection, Wallflower, out into the world. She is reportedly working on a second CD, which is much anticipated by those who enjoy her strong and melodic voice. For the listeners who haven’t experienced Paulina Logan, expect some Norah Jones and Sarah McLachlan (good company indeed). Logan is unsigned and should hook up with a good mid-sized label soon (opinion only).

Check out this lady in a couple of California gigs in May, including one in Ukiah. She’ll calm the nerves with the above-mentioned songs and then probably pick things up considerably with the rocker “Shut the Door.” Good stuff, Paulina.

Paulina Logan on MySpace

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Posted by : Mohd Isa on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | Labels: , , | 0 Comments  

Colorblind

Ladies and gentlemen, from Virginia Beach, Virginia – Colorblind.

First impressions are important in sales, in dating, in music, in just about everything. A newcomer to Colorblind will have the impression that this band is southern rock, Pearl Jam, Nickleback and a few other influences blended smoothly for listening pleasure.

The guitar work by Blake Wingfield is very strong in “On My Way Down,” a ballad sung with feeling by lead vocalist Derek Smith. This listener is particularly drawn to any tune that has a theme of being in hell or feeling like hell or something similar. “Must Be In Hell” by Colorblind not only attracts the listener with its title, but also offers a nice surprise in the lyrics, “Must be in hell ‘cause you’re standing beside me again.” Nice in a dark sort of way.

These fellows are veterans of political rallies, music festivals and the night club scene. They just released Different Life (autumn 2008). The band’s core has been together for 15 years, with some significant changes in personnel on occasion.

The band includes Wingfield, Smith, Dan Reed on drums, Pete Johnson on bass and Tim Lang on acoustic guitar and bass. Check ‘em out now in the Viriginia venues.

Colorblind on MySpace

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Posted by : Mohd Isa on | Labels: , , , | 0 Comments  

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