Reviews

Bigelf “Cheat the Gallows” Review

Bigelf “Cheat the Gallows” Review

Posted January 12, 2010 at 5:56 pm | No comments

Cheat the Gallows is the fourth release by rock band Bigelf since their debut in 1991, though it’s their first on Linda Perry’s Custard Records. Cheat the Gallows is the answer to those music lover’s that are looking for something fresh and original, trying to escape much of modern music’s mundane monotony. How’s that for literal alliteration?

Posted in: Prog Rock, Reviews

OHMphrey Review

Posted January 11, 2010 at 1:00 pm | No comments

There are so many good things about the self-titled debut record from the band OHMphrey. First, just thinking about the incredible quality of musicianship that could come from taking three members from Chicago’s jam-band Umphrey’s McGee and two members from Chris Poland’s OHM and blending them into a musical compound is overwhelming and almost unbearable. All too often when members from various bands decide to get together to collaborate on a side project, regardless and sometimes adversely measurable by the individuals’ virtuosity, the outcome is mediocre at best. To remain politically correct, no examples of this will be given, however, one wouldn’t have to think too hard or even perhaps search their CD or MP3 stock to find several releases that fit into this category. This is absolutely not the case with OHMphrey.

Posted in: Instrumental Reviews, Jam Band, Prog Rock Reviews, Reviews

Paulinho Garcia “My Very Life” Review

Posted January 5, 2010 at 11:36 am | No comments

My Very Life is a collection of original compositions by Brazilian native Paulinho Garcia which reflect the wide-range of musical styles found in Brazil.

Posted in: Jazz, Jazz Reviews, Reviews

Brian Hulse “Pseudosynthesis” Review

Brian Hulse “Pseudosynthesis” Review

Posted January 4, 2010 at 11:50 am | No comments

Brian Hulse’s album Pseudosynthesis is a collection of original compositions for solo piano, guitar and violin duo, flute and piano duo, and small chamber ensemble. On this album there are moments of singing melody, flamenco rhythms, discontinuities, syncopated rhythms, virtuosity; borrowing both form the classical tradition and twentieth century, making this music some of the most interesting and fresh twenty-first century chamber music recently recorded.

Posted in: Classical, Classical Reviews, Reviews

Hot Club of Detroit “Night Town” Review

Hot Club of Detroit “Night Town” Review

Posted January 3, 2010 at 11:44 am | No comments

The Hot Club of Detroit’s album Night Town is a tour de force that is full of hard-swinging, toe-tapping arrangements of gypsy jazz standards and original compositions penned by members of the ensemble.

Posted in: Jazz, Jazz Reviews, Reviews

Richard Ralston’s Archtop Guitars Reviewed

Richard Ralston’s Archtop Guitars Reviewed

Posted December 31, 2009 at 11:26 am | No comments

New Zealand based luthier Richard Ralston has been building archtop guitars since 2004. We first became connected by email in early 2007 and began discussing his various projects. He is also teaching roughly 50 private guitar students per week.

Posted in: Gear Reviews, Guitars and Gear, Reviews

Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964-197 Tab Book Review

Rolling Stones Hot Rocks 1964-197 Tab Book Review

Posted December 22, 2009 at 4:08 pm | No comments

The Rolling Stones have been electrifying audiences with their live shows and numerous recordings since their debut in the early ’60s. The Stones are known for their crafty songwriting which draws from a wide variety of influences such as American blues, country, and folk music, giving them a truly original and recognizable sound. Not to mention the signature guitar riffs and styles of Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, which have inspired generations of guitarists, and will continue to inspire new players long into the future.

Posted in: Classic Rock, Instructional Book Reviews, Reviews

Lynch Mob “Smoke and Mirrors”

Lynch Mob “Smoke and Mirrors”

Posted December 16, 2009 at 3:21 pm | One comment

The long awaited, highly anticipated and well overdue follow up to Lynch Mob’s debut album Wicked Sensation is finally here, and Smoke and Mirrors is by far the bands best work to date. Lynch Mob has released several marginally successful albums since putting out their debut record back in 1990, but this is the first time since then that guitar virtuoso George Lynch and vocalist Oni Logan have released an album together. The outcome is pure magic.

Posted in: '80s Rock, Reviews, Rock Reviews

ZZ Top Double Down Live Review

Posted December 16, 2009 at 3:11 pm | No comments

Eagle Vision recently released“Double Down Live” by ZZ Top, a dual DVD set featuring two hard rockin’ shows, from 1980 and 2008.

Posted in: Classic Rock, Reviews, Rock Reviews

Berta Rojas “Terruno”

Berta Rojas “Terruno”

Posted December 7, 2009 at 9:12 am | No comments

Terruno, the latest recording by Paraguayan guitarist Berta Rojas is fresh, exciting, and truly an amazing recording. It contains some lesser known guitar music and transcriptions by South American composers Vincent Lindsey Clark, Quique Sinesi, and Egberto Gismonti.

Posted in: Classical, Classical Reviews, Reviews