If someone comes up with a sound that people seem to gravitate to, that is when you see many other bands and musicians trying to adopt that style as their own. One group of musicians that is succeeding in setting themselves apart from the crowd is a trio from the Washington, D.C. area.

Pianist/vocalist Ben Thornewill, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Siegel, and drummer Jesse Kristin have been performing together since 2004. However, it wasn’t until the three musicians regrouped after a nine-month hiatus from their first project that they refocused their energy to create a sound that helps set them apart from the countless other piano-based pop trios out there.

Thornewill, Siegel and Kristin have been performing under the moniker of Jukebox the Ghost since 2006. Although a Ben Folds Five reference is obvious, Jukebox the Ghost is far from being a carbon copy. One major difference between the bands is that while Ben Folds Five contains piano, drums and bass, Jukebox the Ghost features a guitarist and exists without anyone playing the bass, electric or otherwise.

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Food has the distinction of having a song played on back to back Rock and Roll Report Podcasts. Why? Quite simply the two songs I played rocked but almost sounded like they came from two different bands, something that I thought was very, very cool.

The first song played on Podcast #12 was Sensation Addict, an almost perfect blend of a hard rocking riff, more cowbell and snarling vocals. The second song played on Podcast #13 was Did I do Right This Time which sounds like early Glam-era David Bowie backed by Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys and yet that too worked. Hailing from London, these guys quite simply combine some of the best attributes of rock’s past glories with todays modern embellishments and lyrical prowess (have a listen to Whose God?) to make the whole package feel right, especially at high volume!

We all need Food to survive and I could certainly go for awhile on a diet of this band. Great stuff and highly recommended. Check out their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/foodrock

You can download their album from Echospin at http://echospin.com/food

Later.

Mark

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I am a huge fan of Canadian band Sloan. Have been since their first EP Pepermint and I am stoked to hear that they have a new CD coming out this June called Parallel Play and Yep Roc is streaming it on their website right now.

Head over to http://216.69.135.140/MP3Players/Sloan/ParallelPlay/wimpy.html for a listen. I am going there now!

Later.

Mark

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Jesse Siebenberg was almost destined to be part of the music scene: His father, Bob Siebenberg, is the drummer from the band Supertramp, and Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy is Jesse’s Uncle. With that type of situation, it was only a matter of time before the music bug bit him.
With experience as a 13 year old session drummer under his belt and the time he spent composing his own music, Jesse took the next logical step and enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he studied film scoring, music production/engineering and composition. Later, he went on to California to continue his studies at Westmore College.

Taking the education he received in college, Jesse started producing for other people. During this time, Jesse met singer/songwriter/producer Todd Hannigan at Brotheryn Studios. There, Jesse teamed up with Todd and the two currently run Brotheryn Studios together with Jason Mariani. Since the time that Jesse joined Brotheryn Studios, the company has won many awards and praises.

Jesse Siebenberg has finally put out an album of his own music in 2007. The album, “Undiscovery”, features Jesse doing what he does best: creating the music on his own and playing almost every instrument himself. Along with guitar, bass, drums and other instruments that Jesse performs on, other roles he plays on the album include producer, engineer and string arranger.

A good way to describe Jesse’s sound is to say he has much in common with Tal Bachman: The two musicians come from musical families, they have similar styles of writing, they would be played on the same alternative rock radio format, and they both play many instruments on their respective albums.

The difference is in the strengths of the songs: While Tal Bachman only had “She’s So High,” as a hit, the rest of the album is not very strong. In comparison, “Undiscovery” could get major airtime on radio. The two strongest tracks, in my opinion, are: Me Inside You and Stranger in a Stranger’s Arms. This first release by one of the most talented musicians in the country is one of the best independent rock releases of 2007.
Having spent many years playing for other people, Jesse Siebenberg’s “Undiscovery” will help him make a name for himself as a writer to add to his reputation as a strong musician. Keep your eyes and ears open for this performer.

Check out Jesse Siebenberg and his music by going to his MySpace account @ www.myspace.com/jessesiebenberg.

Buy it on

Matheson Kamin

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The very excellent Hellacopters are coming out with a new album called Head Off but they are debuting it in its entirety on their MySpace page right now. Head over to http://www.myspace.com/hellacopters and have a listen. You can also watch their brand new video In The Sign of the Octopus right here!

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There are several ways of dealing with your past: You can run from it, deny it, accept it and move on, or you can learn from it and let it help shape your future. That is just what Kent, OH band Winslow has done with the time the band spent as a cover band that played soul music. It was this time that helped shape the band’s ability to write original soul music.

The band consists of Maurice Martin on vocals, Matt Tieman on saxophone, Curtis Tate on keys, Neal Campbell on guitar, Brian Robertson on bass, and Justin Hofmann on drums. It is this band that has just released their first full-length album entitled “Crazy Kind of Love”. “Crazy Kind of Love” is one of the rare recordings that you don’t find anymore: new soul album.

While you can find many fine vintage albums from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, and many other artists that have already made their mark on the music industry, you rarely hear of new artists taking their shot at trying to create the next new sound in the soul genre. Winslow has not only decided to try to make the next generation soul album, they have succeeded.

To say that Winslow’s style is old school soul would be wrong: the band has not gone the way of the past, they have taken the soul genre and combined it with rock and funk to create a new and exciting twist on the old genre. The band’s new album, “Crazy Kind of Love,” features 10 songs of great writing and playing by a band that has taken its time to learn to create something new, something different that will have people talking once the band gets some well-deserved publicity for their album that does more than just help revitalize the soul genre, it kicks it to the next level.
While the album as a whole is a great listening experience, some of the stand out tracks include: Move On, Side Show, Tango Between the Lines, and the album’s title track, Crazy Kind of Love.

If you are a fan of soul music, this is one album you must check out. The time spent listening to the album will be well worth it.
To check out Winslow and their music, go to www.winslowsoul.com. Also visit their MySpace account at www.myspace.com/winslowsoul. Also, go to the website for the band’s label, FTF Records at www.ftfrecords.com.

Matheson Kamin

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Andrew - 33: The Best Of Andrew
Hanky Panky Records

Andrew, he of the first name performing sobriquet, is actually Andrew Sandoval - erstwhile chronicler of all things pop music and author extraordinaire. I had read his book on the Monkees and had actually become a fan of his writing work before I had heard a note of his music. I must say he outdoes his written projects quite handily, which is no mean feat, creating sublime chamber pop music and notching up a decent body of work that includes four albums, a few eps, and a single or two. This new CD happens to be a sort of “best-of” featuring songs off of each of Andrew’s albums as well as some tracks gathered from other projects.

When most people think of critics, it is pretty much surmised critics are critics because they can’t do what they are critiquing. In most cases, they are right. Take myself, for instance. Frustrated musician for many years (drums, guitar) who actually has some credits on some albums (were one to scour the Goodwills and used music stores in Buffalo, New York, one might eventually stumble across a few of these…ahem, gems) but generally a sub-par musician who decided to quit before he was asked…..violently. Writing about music was a way to remain somehow connected to playing music. While Andrew may or may not feel the same way, he is the rarity of a music writer also being a great musician. I can only think of Ray Davies as an example of doing both with any kind of quality. And, yes, I am daring to compare the two. I love Ray Davies and his Kinks. I also love this new CD by Andrew.

Okay, I said all that to say this: you may find fault with Andrew’s opinions and his writing (though I don’t know how ’cause his musical taste and knowledge is almost without peer), but I seriously doubt you’d find any fault at all with his music if you like classic pop on a par with The Left Banke, Raspberries and Beatles. In other words, I believe he should quit writing straightaway (more jobs for me…) and concentrate on finding ways to expose his music to more people. It may be facetious to say such a thing but I have been extremely surprised with the passion and quality of his music. The fact is his albums are on a par with the first two artists of the three I have mentioned (The Beatles being too much of an iconic band to use as a comparison as far as quality) and are just a pure-pop joy to listen to. He has obviously used his good musical taste to his benefit and has taken the best of each of his pop faves and made a melange of styles which sounds at once both familiar and original.

Anyone who is into the vintage pop sounds of the late ’60’s when the emphasis was on songcraft and innovative instrumentation and song structure will definitely find a lot to like with Andrew’s latest release and hopefully it will encourage people to check out his other releases as well. All of Andrew’s work features the same great qualities as this collection and all of his albums are worth picking up.

http://www.myspace.com/andrewsandoval

Scott Homewood

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The best thing about living in a city that has as many musicians as Cleveland is that, from time to time, you will come across people that get together with the concept of forming a band or group to make music in a style unlike anything that is currently being performed by anyone else. This is where Cleveland’s Unsparing Sea comes into the picture. Taking musical instruments such as glockenspiel, musical saw, and cello along with guitars, drums, organ and other instruments, the band went about recording some of the most unusual and intriguing music to come out of a recording studio for a long time; if not, ever.

J.R. Bennett and Robyn Bennett put the band together after they moved from Nashville, the city where both grew up. The move came as they were looking for a change. They found that change in the new location and the area’s musicians that came with it. With some of these musicians, Unsparing Sea was born.

Unsparing Sea is J.R. Bennett, who sings and plays guitar; Robyn Bennett, who plays keyboards; Tara Klein, who plays cello in the Akron Symphony Orchestra; bassist David Maison; drummer Ethan Wilt; and Sarah Wormsworth, who plays the musical saw and the glockenspiel. The style of the band’s music is a cross between folk, indie and western swing.

After releasing their first critically well-received EP, Unsparing Sea went back into the studio to record their first album, A Cloud in the Cathedral. Like the band’s EP release, A Cloud in the Cathedral features the band’s unusual musical blend. And it’s not just its sound that makes the band different, it’s also the topics of the songs that make Unsparing Sea unlike most of what’s out there right now. From sea faring to dealing with religion, themes from literature, nature and human nature as well, songs like God Will Protect the Naive, Where Serpents Held Esteem, and The 39 Steps make for an interesting album.

If you like discovering new and different groups, as well as new styles of music, take the time to check out Unsparing Sea. You can find the band at www.unsparingsea.com or at www.myspace.com/unsparingsea.

Matheson Kamin

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I was lucky enough to have The Fores contact me recently and send me four tracks to listen to. I can honestly say that this is one of those bands that I have listened to consistently ever since I heard the first song. Based out of Leicestershire, UK this four piece band have managed to embrace the essence of “classic rock” if you will and tie it to todays modern sounds and techniques to pump out rock and roll meant to be heard loud and live.

Unknown Destination was the first song that did it for me but lately Outta Town has been playing a lot on the iPod with Golden Gate starting to percolate up to the top of the playlist. Tight playing, excellent vocals and quality production (something I find to be increasingly important. No matter how good your band is, if the recording sounds like shit that is a big strike against you for those of us who want to play you on our podcasts and radio shows) make for an incredible rock and roll listening experience.

If you are looking for some classic rock and roll made now, check out The Fores and I am pretty sure you will be satisfied. You can listen to the same four tracks that I am on their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/thefores.

Later.

Mark

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Louis XIV - Slick Dogs and Ponies
Atlantic Records

There is one truism about rock and roll that cannot be denied: just as soon as rock and roll was invented, people have said rock and roll was dead. Think about it! Sure, you hear about it mostly as the overused cliche of a title of a bunch of songs from rockers like Lenny Kravitz and a few others who think they’re hipsters by singing about the demise of the very music they make their money. But consider these facts: after Elvis hit big people said it was a fad and rock and roll was dead, then when Elvis went to the Army people said rock and roll was dead, when the Beatles hit people said it was a fad and rock and roll was dead, when disco hit people said rock and roll was dead, when punk hit people said rock and roll was dead, when schlock corporate bands like Foreigner and Journey were selling millions of records people said rock and roll was dead and on and on and on. Sometimes, it was hard not to believe rock and roll was, in fact, dead. I think anyone who has been involved with music within the past fifteen or so years hasn’t wondered about it being a little passe, out of touch, past its’ prime - whatever you want to say. Rock and roll might not have been dead, but there’s been no doubt its’ felt way under the weather.

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In the music industry, trends come and go. 30 years ago or so, from about 1977 to about 1981, there was a trend in music where bands were putting out what I would call “orchestrated rock,” rock music that came complete with string arrangements. Groups as famous as Queen and bands lost in time such as New England released albums that contained “orchestrated rock.” During this time period, there was no shortage of this type of music.

Nowadays, however, you’d be hard-pressed to find violins, violas, or any other types of strings in the music being produced by today’s artists. That is what sets the band Walk The Moon apart from the crowd: Their new release entitled The Anthem EP features two songs that would easily be described as “orchestrated rock.”

The Cincinnati band, which consists of Nicholas Petricca on keys and vocals, Adam Reifsnyder on bass and vocals, Sam Cole on guitar and vocals, and Ricky Human on drums, writes music that can be placed in the alternative rock genre. But with the string arrangements in their music, the band can also be placed in the same category as bands like Jethro Tull, Wizzard, Electric light Orchestra, and the band that preceded ELO, The Move. With that combination, you could easily consider Walk The Moon both modern and retro at the same time. And that’s what makes the band’s sound so fresh.

Walk The Moon’s 2008 release, The Anthem EP, contains 4 tracks. All four tracks, Stone Cold Fox and Angeline (the two “orchestrated rock” tracks) and the other two songs (Anthem and Jenny’s Got A……) could easily be played on radio as singles.

The band is celebrating right now as their EP has been out for only a few weeks as of this article. Another reason for the band to celebrate is that in a few weeks, they will be going to be taking part in a Battle of the Bands sponsored by Canada-based Supernova.com. The band will also be opening for Sugarcult at Case Western University at the end of April.

Hopefully, in a little while, Walk The Moon will make it big. But right now, the band is making a name for itself. Check out Walk The Moon now by going to the band’s MySpace account @ http://www.myspace.com/walkthemoonband

Matheson Kamin

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Having been around for several years now, the modern, melodic rock band Honor By August has come a long way as they have had their share of fame. As a band, the members of Honor By August (which include Michael Pearsall on guitar, vocals; Evan Field on lead guitar, backing vocals; John Athayde on bass, keyboards, backing vocals; and Brian Shanley on drums, percussion) have shared the stage with bands like the Alternate Routes, Emmett Swimming, Michael Tolcher, as well as bigger names like Hootie and the Blowfish, Howie Day, Hanson, Bon Jovi and many more; and they have played to audiences as large as 20,000 at places like The Verizon Center and FedEx Field in D.C.

Honor By August is currently on tour in support of their 2007 release entitled Drowning Out The Television. The new album is the first for the band with the addition of their 2005 release, the Photographs EP. The 2007 version of Drowning is the second time the band has released the album, with the twelve original songs and new remixes of three of the songs.

Along with Only In Photographs, the song that helped the band win the grand prize in Billboard Magazine’s World Song Contest for the Pop category, the album is full of other songs that could find their way to the radio airwaves. Some of the best songs on the album include: Into The Light, Black and White, and the song that brings the album to a nice close, The Quiet Sky. There are also remixes to the albums’ songs Waking Up, Honesty, and Into The Light.

Other achievements the band has had include: winning the Bon Jovi “Have a Nice Gig” Contest (where they won the opportunity to open for Bon Jovi), winning the BMI/Pulse Audio Battle For The Boat to perform on the 2007 Rock Boat along with Sister Hazel and others, holding the #1 spot at Aware Store with its debut release, and many more accomplishments.

Whatever you do, give Honor By August a chance. And keep on eye out for this band as the future holds much in store for them. You can go to their website at www.honorbyaugust.com and check out their music. You can go to the band’s Myspace account at www.myspace.com/honorbyaugust and check out their profile.

Matheson Kamin

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When I first heard Raise It Up the Flagpole by Stockholm, Sweden’s Paperback Freud and that absolutely demonic laugh in the middle of the song, I immediately wanted to drive my car at high speed with music blaring on the car stereo while flipping the bird to anybody that crossed my path, such is the effect on me of these guys’ embrace of true rock and roll raunch.

There is just something about this band that makes you want to (a) play them at full volume and (b) make sure everybody knows that you are playing them at full volume! Whether it’s the loud, take no prisoners rock and roll of the aforementioned Flagpole or the full-bore, psychotic call to arms of Straight Out of Hell with the killer chorus containing the immortal line of “We give you hell so you can raise it” to the hard rocking melody backing up Call Me Kate, Paperback Freud have all the ingredients that made me fall in love with rock and roll in the first place.

Sweden is rapidly becoming one of my favourite rock and roll nations and Paperback Freud is just proving the point. A cool name, great songs, and a sound that makes you want to drink more than necessary means this band is a keeper. Have a listen to their stuff on their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/paperbackfreud and let me know if you are planning a trip to Sweden anytime soon. I’ll buy the first round.

Later.

Mark

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Take equal parts hard rock and prog-metal and you get a feel for what Italy’s Twinspirits sounds like. This five-piece outfit came together when Daniele Liverani was looking for the next phase of his career as a musician.

Throughout his years of playing music, Daniele has become a virtuoso on both the guitar and the piano. With Twinspirits, he has taken his experience as a keyboard player and has written some of the best melodic metal to be released in a long time.

Although Daniele is the songwriter of the band, he is not the only piece to the puzzle. To fill the part of guitarist, Daniele called upon 20 year old Tommy Ermolli to be the behind the six-string. Tommy has made the most of the 8 years he’s been playing and has more than mastered the instrument. For bassist, Alberto Rigoni fills the part. While being the perfect choice to provide the bass part for the band, Alberto is also a composer in his own right. He has just released an album of his own music. Finding a drummer was a no-brainer. Dario Ciccioni has been playing with Daniele for a decade. When the idea of the band was thought up, Dario was the only choice. The role of vocalist was the one piece to the band that took the most time to fill. But when all was said and done, Danish vocalist Soren Adamsen was the final piece to the puzzle.
It is this group of musicians that have recorded the band’s 2007 release entitled “The Music That Will Heal the World”. Though it is not one, “The Music That Will Heal The World” can be interpreted as being a “concept album” as the songs seem to tell a story.

Some of the songs follow a common thread of war and battle. One of the songs that really follow this theme is “Fire,” a song that has to do with an American soldier that died in battle. Other songs on the album seemed to be tied together with an almost similar theme.

Italy’s Twinspirits has created one of the best albums of hard rock/prog-metal. If you like that style of music, take the time to check out the band’s “The Music That Will Heal The World”.

To check out the band’s music, go to http://www.twinspirits.net/, or go to their MySpace page @ http://www.myspace.com/twinspiritsband .

Matheson Kamin

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Fresh Pair of Eyes is the debut release by Brooke Waggoner, who was born in Houston, Texas, but was raised in the coastal town of Morgan City, Louisiana. While living in Louisiana, Brooke began taking piano lessons at the early age of 4 and didn’t finish her training until she turned 21 during her senior year at Louisiana State University.

Although she made it into the Top 10 in MTVU’s Best Music on Campus Competition as part of a Christian rock group, Brooke has since changed her musical direction. Her current style has only a few religious overtones, giving way to a more contemporary pop sound.

It is that style that was shaped while Brooke was in college. Brooke has received her degree in composition and orchestration. With that education, she has started writing music that has a style that is a cross between Tori Amos, Electric Light Orchestra, Rodgers + Hammerstein, and Chopin, among others. To say that Brooke’s style of writing is complex would be an understatement; however, it is still very listener-friendly.

One of the most entertaining songs on the 6-song EP is “So-So,” a fictional look at a moving day. Each line in the song ends in a word that has a long O sound. Some of the rhymes are a little far-fetched, but that just adds to the lightheartedness of the song.

Having been trained to be a composer and arranger has really given Brooke a leg up on her contemporaries. While most of the musicians out there today would have to ask someone to write arrangements for them, Brooke can simply write out the arrangements to fill out her sound.

Currently, Brooke Waggoner calls Nashville, Tennessee home as she is focused on the task at hand of promoting her new CD, Fresh Pair of Eyes. Download the entire EP straight from Brooke’s website for absolutely NOTHING. This the time to check out one of America’s most talented up-and-coming artists and see what you could have missed.

To check out Brooke Waggoner and her free music, go to www.brookewaggonermusic.com or www.myspace.com/brookewaggoner.

Matheson Kamin

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Cleveland band BMZ came together as a group because the members of the band were all looking to do something musically and had nowhere to turn to fill that desire. With Jim Bacha on bass guitar and vocals, Michael Misiak on drums and vocals, and Jerry Zsigo on guitar and vocals, the musicians have created a solid rock band.

The band decided to take their best material and attack the songs in a live setting and record the resulting show for future release. That resulting show took place on March 10th, 2007 at the Cleveland, Ohio concert venue, The Winchester. The band has taken the recorded show and put it out on a double CD album, entitled BMZ Live at The Winchester.

Previous to the date of the concert recording, the band had recorded and released two albums as a four-piece outfit. The new CD features the band in its current three-piece power trio line-up. The difference is definitely noticeable; and it’s a change for the better. As a trio, the band is tighter and the songs rock harder. Having recorded the first two albums in the studio, BMZ Live at The Winchester shows that the real magic happens onstage.

The audience that showed up that night for the recording helps make the live experience come through for the audience listening at home. And the band answers back with a great instrumental entitled Let It Happen that seems to convey the message that the band is happy for the audience’s support.

Throughout the 2-hour concert of high-voltage power rock, BMZ shows that with time comes experience, and with experience comes talent. Jim Bacha, Mike Misiak, and Jerry Zsigo have the experience and the talent, as BMZ Live at The Winchester definitely shows.

If you like power rock, this album is a MUST for your music collection. This is not only a great live album, it’s a great album all the way around.
To hear the music, purchase the album, or for more information on the band, go to www.bmzmusic.com.

Matheson Kamin

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The thing I love about rock and roll is the wide sonic pallet that it encompasses. That is why I never get bogged down in genres, but sometimes I do feel myself listening a bit too much to one style or other so it’s nice to have a band come along and kind of smack me upside the head and change my sense of direction.

The Armed Forces are from Nashville, Tennessee and at first listen of their CD Modern Gospel For Modern Men & Modern Women I knew there was something there that I liked, I just wasn’t sure what it was. But as with all of my favourite CDs, multiple listening revealed to me a great band that had a definite, modern twist to their powerpop hook. The song that got to me first was The Runaways. The finger clicking and female back up vocals clinched it for me and made me hungry for more. In The Free World was next and everything else on this 5 song CD followed quickly thereafter. I won’t insult you by comparing them to somebody since you will probably email me to tell me that I am out of my tree because they sound more like THIS band but I will toss out moder, hooky, angry at times and volume knob worthy.

Check them out at their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/thearmedforce and listen to them on an upcoming edition of the Rock and Roll Report Podcast and Rock and Roll Report Radio. Good stuff!

Later.

Mark

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photo courtesy of Amanda Willman

When a popular band decides to call it a day, usually the followers of that band are left with an empty feeling of never being able to see that band again. And if it happens that two bands decide to call it a day at the same time, twice as many people have the same empty feeling.

This is what happened when Cleveland-based band hard rock band Another Path and heavy metal band Gatlin decided that it was time to move on. However, when members of both bands heard of the other’s demise, a new partnership began between the lead singer of Another Path and the remaining members of Gatlin.

The new project became known as A Passion Greater, now known simply as APG. The lead singer, Dave Hudec, picked up where he left off in Another Path by writing songs for his new band, and his new band mates helped turn the new songs into something real, something different than what either band was playing before they broke apart. Along with Dave Hudec on vocals, the rest of the band consists of Jon Drake on bass/vocals, Don DeBiase on guitar, John Marshall on guitar, and Tony Castillo on drums.

The members of APG merged their two styles together into a melodic hard rock band. Taking the best of both worlds and combining them into one makes APG a band with a sound that would fit on any modern day rock station.

Once the band was together, they went into the studio to record their debut album, This Brutal Addiction. Engineered by the band’s lead guitarist, Don DeBiase, the 2007 album gives the listener their money’s worth, as the album clocks in at just under an hour.

One of the best hard rock albums of 2007, This Brutal Addiction definitely is one of those albums that you should check out if you like rock music. And the public agrees as the band has been nominated for the 2008 Free Times Music Awards in Cleveland for Best Hard Rock Band. This is the perfect time to check out this Cleveland group and their music.

For more information, go to www.myspace.apg. Also check them out at www.purevolume.com/apg.

Matheson Kamin

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Just when you start thinking that no one is making good rock-n-roll music anymore, you find someone who amazes you with their style of straight-out rock music. One such musician that is currently making that style of straight-out rock that is sadly all-too-uncommon is Joal Rush.
In 2004, Joal Rush released his debut EP, Delightful Things. With that release, Joal started making a name for himself. The reason for that is the CD started receiving critical acclaim from those who reviewed the release. Along with praise from the critics, Joal started gaining a following from his fans.

Since releasing Delightful Things , Joal has enjoyed a bit of success as good things started happening. The Atlanta, GA musician has shared then stage with the likes of Edwin McCain, Will Hoge and Styx; Joal has had his music added to XM Radio’s Unsigned channel 52 where it has become a fixture of the station; and he has had his song Carry On put on the Awarestore.com Ear Snacks Vol. 6 compilation.

After having success with Delightful Things and receiving all of the accolades that have come with it, Joal Rush is back with his second release, Imagination. With this new EP, Joal has taken his writing style and improved upon it, giving the songs on Imagination more power than before.
The new EP contains 6 great songs. The best tracks on the release are, in my opinion, Imagination, Living a Lie, and Bleed. The CD even comes with a ballad, You Are, that helps to wrap up the release.

Joal has put out a great rock release. His style would belong with groups who were around before there were styles of rock called Alternative or Grunge. His music seems a little out of place with what is on the airwaves right now, but that is because the majority of the groups out there right now follow whatever trends are big at the time and refuse to veer away from the mainstream. It takes courageous musicians like Joal Rush to take a chance at releasing music that is not pigeon-holed by today’s radio formats.

If you like pre-Alternative rock music, Joal Rush is making music just for you. You can check out Joal Rush and his music at www.joalrush.com and at www.MySpace.com/joalrush.

Matheson Kamin

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Like a sugar-coated razor blade, Rochester, New York’s The Meddling Kids offer up a great mix of finely crafted hard pop songs that hide behind those sweet vocal harmonies some pretty biting lyrics.

I came across the band early last year when I was sent a copy of a pre-release version of their great lead off track Let Her Go which has since been honed to a biting sharpness which brings the guitar even more to the forefront. Their self-titled CD is resplendid with hooks galore, both of the guitar and vocal variety. Whether on Goodbye, 7 More Days or one of my favoutites Guilloteenager, these guys know how to draw you in and hold you from beginning to end.

I like all kinds of rock and roll but I have always especially enjoyed well-crafted rock songs laden with hooks. Some may call it commercial, I just call it rock and roll fun of the highest order. Great stuff.

You can listen to some tracks at their MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/themeddlingkidsrock

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Milwaukee, WI band Trance Halo is currently promoting their 2007 EP entitled Bender. Having only been together for about one year. the quartet is still young as a band goes. However, the new debut CD sounds like it was made by a band that has a lot more time under it’s belt. Part of the reason for the maturity in their sound comes from the songwriting of the band’s guitarist/vocalist London J.

The five well-crafted songs contained within the Bender EP hit hard and never let go. From the title track to the last song on the CD entitled Pool, this is a very solid effort. Take equal parts Foo Fighters, Radiohead, and Smashing Pumpkins while adding technology in the form of phase shifters, filters and fuzzes and you get some idea of what the band’s sound is like. The band promises to take modern rock music and launch it into another dimension. Take a listen and you can tell that they are serious about that.

Along with London J, the band is made of 3 talented musicians that help shape the sound of their music. The other members of the band are lead guitarist Johnny W, bassist Belle, and Jim B who played the drums on the CD though the band plays live with an ever-changing line-up of drummers.

Together as a unit, the four musicians create a sound with a noticeable difference. One of the main things that makes Trance Halo’s sound different from most of the acts there is London J’s large collection of effect pedals for his guitar. In fact, with London J, Belle AND Johnny W all using pedals, the band aspires to be known as “the band with the most pedals”.

If you are interested in finding something different from your everyday alternative rock band that you hear on the radio, then you need to check out the band Trance Halo and their CD, Bender.

Visit the band’s website at www.trancehalo.com for more information.

Matheson Kamin

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Susan Weber has been a part of the music scene here in the Cleveland area for several years. Susan got her start as a singer-songwriter after hearing material from people like John Prine and Joni Mitchell. And her start as a guitar player started with the help of Michele Temple of Cleveland noise-rock band, Pere Ubu. Susan took her influences and combined them in her style of songwriting that is present on Monet’s Orbit.
It’s been a decade since Susan released her last album. The time between the last album and this release was filled with several different projects, but no released material surfaced as a result of those projects.

Susan’s new album, Monet’s Orbit, features her band that is known by the same name. Along with Susan on Guitar and vocals, the band also includes Walt Campbell on bass and vocals, and Trees Mausser on drums. Along with the main members of the group, Susan is also joined on the album by lead guitarists John Grail and Jay Bentoff, Chris Solt on percussion and keyboards, and Spencer Kohan on saxophone.

The album features 11 tracks written by Susan. The sound of the album has been described as being influenced by the likes of Jefferson Airplane to Bob Dylan. Her vocal style is somewhere between Janis Joplin and Mick Jagger. The songs are Rock-N-Roll in its purist form. If you’ve been missing straight-out Rock-N-Roll, here is an album that should make you happy.

Susan has had her share of notoriety in the Cleveland area and beyond. She has been named Best Female Singer-Songwriter in the Free Times Music Awards. She has also received the honor of winning awards including the Great American Song Contest Honor Award.
After a decade of not releasing new material, Susan has made a very strong comeback with a rock album that is sure to please the hardest critics. If you like straight-out rock, add Susan Weber and Monet’s Orbit to your list of things that need to be heard.

You can learn more about Susan Weber and her music, plus find out about her bandmates, by going to www.susanweber.com. You can also check out Susan’s myspace account @ www.myspace.com/susanweber.

Matheson Kamin

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Named after possibly one of the coolest cats in rock and roll, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, Watts is a very cool four-piece from Boston who manage to let their classic rock and roll influences like The Stones and the Cars mutate with the sounds of the Strokes and the Clash for a wonderfully rough but harmonic blast of rock and roll.

With 14 tracks on their 2007 release One Below The All Time Low they cover a lot of musical ground which makes it very difficult for me to decide what I want to play which is a true compliment (at least in my books!). Excellent stuff, modern with a nuanced nod to rock’s past and definitely a keeper. Have a listen to the tracks posted to their MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/wattsrock

Later.

Mark

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Ok, once you get over the name and actually listen to the music of Big Cock you will be impressed. This is great hard rock (pun intended!) and sounds a bit like a combination of Van Halen and AC/DC playing at a Playboy Mansion party. Yes they sing almost exclusively about sex (and this is a bad thing?) but with songs like King of Cool, Get Me Up and the brand new M.I.L.F. and Built for Speed these guys are loaded for bare.

If you like your rock and roll high energy with a heavy dose of raunch then grab a hold of Big Cock and enjoy the ride. (OK that pun was again, intended).

Check out their MySpace page at http://www.bigcockrocks.com/ and look out for their new CD Motherload coming in February 2008.

Later.

Mark

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Jann Klose has seen more of the world before he was of voting age than most people will ever see in their entire lifetimes. From the time he was less than a year old, the songwriter/guitarist has lived in his native country of Germany, Kenya, South Africa, Cleveland, OH, and New York. Currently living in the Bronx, Jann has taken all of the musical influences of these lands and combined them all into his version of pop music. In his music, you’ll find large traces of jazz, blues, reggae, and of course, rock.

It’s these styles that are evident in Jann’s newest release, entitled Reverie. The new album stays fresh by changing direction throughout the CDs 12 tracks. From the opening track of “Beautiful Dream” to the final track of “The Beginning,” you’ll hear all sorts of combinations of styles that help make Jann’s music unique. The most interesting tracks on Jann’s Reverie are “Doing Time”; “Clouds”; “Mother Said, Father Said”; along with “Beautiful Dream” and “Hold Me Down”, the 2 tracks that were put on a single previous to the album being released.

Reverie is Jann Klose’s newest album in his long line of self releases and compilations that he has been featured on. This marks the fourth release by Jann, following up his Enough Said, The Strangest Thing and Black Box CDs. Jann’s music has also been featured in the DEAD BROKE movie from Warner Bros Home DVD, the PRAMBORS HITS 3 in Indonesia, and on car maker SAAB’s 60th Anniversay CD in France. He even had a song included on the SERENITY HOUSE CD, a compilation that was put together to benefit the building of the Serenity House Hospice in Doylestown, PA.

But it’s Jann Klose’s Reverie CD that is the focus of this review. Along with Klose and his bandmates (who play bass, keys, drums and violin on the CD), other musicians on the recording lend a hand on oboe, trumpet and flugelhorn, and percussion. With that blend of instumentation, Jann Klose has produced a solid pop effort that has a very worldy feel to it.

You can find Jann and his music at www.jannklose.com and www.myspace.com/jannklose.

Matheson Kamin

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