Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

Vileborn is an independent hard rock act that caught my attention recently. Their latest release “Vileated EP” is a complex mix of several genres, but in the end, it’s heavy. It moves fast through 4 songs, and pushes the boundaries of metal, rock, and even a little punk for the mix. There’s a lot to enjoy here, even in just 4 songs, as each one stands out as an anthem that will definitely find a home with many hard music fans. From the introduction of “Plague the Day” to the heavy handed “Terminal”, you get a lot to balance out. “Pick Your Poison” and “Bastard” close the EP out and you get a fully scale rock approach, but not without some incredible metallic crunch. The guitar work on the record is good, and the drums definitely find a home with the singing and screaming really well done as well. This is a band that has a bright future, especially if they continue to work within the balancing act of metal and hard rock, leaving nothing behind. Vileborn really comes through on thi...

For this post, I decided to take a break from the music reviews, to fill you in on a cool book that I've recently picked up. If you're a reader of this blog, then you already know that I blog on Scary Film Review, and am starting a book store called "Red Hearse Books". It's with that in mind, that I present this quick review of the book "The Witch's Revenge". I recommend it highly, and you may even want to listen to some records while reading this one. I sure did. There’s a lot of writers out there that try to mix spiritual writing and horror, and most of it falls flat. With the release of “The Witch’s Revenge”, I found myself amidst a very well-crafted world. One that mixes the two in such a unique manner. It’s a compelling read with a lot of character, not just gore and violence. The author, Danny Odato, has found a way to scare without being too complicated, or trying to explain so much that the fear is lost in translation. The set-up is nice...

Super Sumo comes through with an incredible electronic track that features MR KITO and it’s going to knock you out. The single “RRR” comes from an upcoming release through an affiliation with Presence Records and it’s a collaborating of artists coming together to create what may be the most unique sound in electronic music today. With the single “RRR” you get introduced to the composition of dance beats, electronic rhythms, drums, and so much more. It’s eclectic in the approach and rattles your head a bit to wake up and get your feet tapping and possibly dancing in your cubicle. I know my cats started wondering what was wrong with me as I started to do a little dance at my desk while listening to this track, that’s for sure. The experimental sound here is raw, but produced well, combining lots of elements and creating nuances that you are not going to hear anywhere else. Super Sumo does something grand on the single, and it is one of the better, pure electronic singles I’ve heard...

Electronic music is hit or miss with me, but there are some great artists that can mix rock, electronic sounds, and flush design. Randy Ichinose is one of those artists that can fuse genres and come out looking incredible. Listening to his latest release of music, you get two sonic booms of musical integrity. From the song structure, to the singing, every element is taken to the ultimate conclusion, posing incredible design overall. Iblīs starts things out first, and it starts out with a good vocal style and mix of guitars and percussion that leads into a powerful chorus and bridge. The song is very much like you would expect from some of the better alternative rock bands on radio today. The style is done very well, and I can definitely appreciate the modern twist on the rock sound. Vocally triumphant, this track rocks hard, with a softer opening and build to grandiose finishes. On the track So We Drowned, Randy pushes the elements giving the listener quite a mix. Electric, rock,...

Close your eyes and turn on the music that Thomas Brunkard has created, and you are going to be completely blown away. The opening of “1967” gives you a visualization of classic cinema, with guitarwork that is airy and poignant. From there, you are treated to a cinema-scale of sounds that are just incredible. Upon listening, you will be moving through time and space, literature, cinema, history, and so much more. The transitions are nice, differentiating each soundscape with a new presence. I could easily put some of these songs into my favorite books. For instance “Chain Gang Blues” immediately gave me that same feeling I received when I read “Deadwood” by Pete Dexter. It’s this transformative relationship that you get form the music to the thoughts you have in your mind that really make this a compelling listen. Brunkard is not satisfied with giving the audience just 1 genre, or one example of work, he pulls everything out of the instrument room and makes it stunning, beautiful...

Just when most people are putting the 90s to bed, more and more bands come out with a certain ethos that made that era of music so compelling. That’s what you get with the latest release from Sonnet to Sleep. Their release of “Affirmative: Say Nothing” sounds like something that should’ve received immense praise from music fans in the 90s, and today, sounds just as compelling as ever. In fact, it reminds me of early Tooth and Nail Records bands. Fans of Cool Hand Luke, Juliana Theory, Pedro the Lion, Starflyer 59, and Fielding will all find this album to be a perfect addition to their collection. It doesn’t start hard, in fact, it starts like a very well put together movie, one that fills the screen with emotional pull. You’ll find it hard not to like the opening track “Promises”, then the follow through with “Only For A Moment”, as there’s just so much here to explore. The guitar work pulls your heart on “So Beautiful” and the lyrical themes follow through so much that you’ll want...

Lavish may not be the right word, as this is a beautiful and compelling way of introducing the song. Lourdes Duque Baron sings with back up from AKNU, and completely blows me away. I hear a lot of cover songs throughout my writing, and days as a blogger but nothing compares to the way Baron moves through this song. It feels so new, fresh, and completely in tune with the emotional and vibrant connections that comes with soul musicianship. You will be hard pressed to dislike this, as I was taken back to a whole new world upon listening. From the opening lines of “Nobody stands in between me and my man…it’s me and Mr. Jones”, you immediately feel the presence of the iconic singer’s voice. She does something so well here, and it’s hard to pinpoint what makes it best, as it really does work well in so many different components. Andrew Lane’s production, AKNU’s backdrop, and the way it all pieces together is just astounding. What truly gets you is the way the music flows amidst her sultr...

Finding high quality uplifting music is tough to do, especially with so many artists getting more attention than others. John Blake comes through with an incredible song that uplifts the soul, body and mind into a new arena. It’s positive in tune, and features lyrics that make you think twice about what’s going on in your life. I always am fascinated by artists that can put together good music and rhymes that are positive in nature. The positivity resounds so much greatness here, and the lyric video is a good one. Blake’s delivery is reminiscent of Tupac, but with a little bit less influx on the last syllables. If you close your eyes and just listen to this song, you will definitely feel good, as it is meant to point you towards something better than to wallow in your misery, sadness, or troubles. Finding a light, even if you’re not religious can be so grand, and here is a positivity that hip hop is sorely missing. I love when artists can speak their mind without focusing on gangst...

I admit, I’m not the biggest blues fan, but when it’s done right, it’s amazing. I’ve heard a lot of bad blues acts in my life, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from the latest release from Whiskey N’ Rye, and then the first track hit. “Bootlegger” is the first song off of this record and it stunned me, it was like a jolt to my jaded system. Every element is in place to mold blues, rock, alternative, and roots sounds into one melodic song. The structure is very much what you’d expect coming out of the late 90s alternative rock explosion. The same spirit that made Hootie and the Blow Fish, Blues Traveler, and Counting Crows famous is found here. This is not to say that the band sounds like those acts, because they don’t, they tap into their own sound, and it’s evident from the first tracks power to the second track’s catchy chorus. The guys in this band know how to play well and you never feel that you’re listening to an independent release, you’re listening to something more. It’s th...

P.A.T. hit me like a ton of bricks. Not since the East coast Avengers and Esoteric were rhyming about killing Bill O’Reilly have I found a political powerhouse in the same regards. The record you and everyone you may know needs to listen to is none other than “P.A.T.M.A.N. (Powerful Artistic Truth, Misunderstood or America's Nightmare)”, which is a lyrical assassination of all things hidden. It’s like reading Adbusters or watching Disinfo, as it is more than just mainstream media and random rhymes about sex, alcohol, and gangster rap. The typical release today finds rappers talking about bravado, and that’s not what you get here. Sure P.A.T. has a few moments where he shines light on his own prowess, but not in a way that seems condescending or trying to say he’s better than everyone, but rather an illumination of the character and rapper that you’re not going to get with any other MC on the market right now. From the first utterances on “Tic Tac Toe”, you get a politically tun...

When you get hard hitting hip hop music and rap, you often times get gun violence and the traditional gangster rhymes. Then there are groups that talk about more than that, and they take it very seriously. With Dark Matter’s release of “Fur Fur My God” you get a taste of the darkness, but not in the same light as you may previously have heard from other artists. If you’re a fan of Necro, for instance, you may find yourself compelled to enjoy this one, as the lyricism seems to flow naturally into that violent world, but in a much more cohesive unit. The beats bring about some nuanced sounds, as you get into the open doorways of “awakened”, and then comes through a very harsh narrative, but one that is not too unlike “Planet Terror” in a way. It’s hard hitting, but with a poetic flare and laid back vocal delivery that you don’t always get with hip hop. It’s hard to find other artists that can progress so flawlessly through the hardest of emotions, especially that of satanic arts. T...

When it comes to independent music, it’s usually easy to categorize a lot of acts. Then there are some bands and artists that come in with an eclectic sound that is more than one genre, and definitely not what you’d expect from the underground today. With the release of “Suit & Tie” HoneyTrash embarks on making a name for themselves in a very unique, and respected route. The music found on this release is sincere, emotional, and definitely not defined by one category, although, alternative would be the way to go with it. When you first get to listen to the release, you immediately find a home for this record amongst some of the best from Starflyer 59, Pedro The Lion, and even Iron & Wine. The band knows how to tap into that emotional gridlock that other bands have found a niche in, and they bring it out in an incredible set of eerie moments. It’s a dichotomy really, as you want to just flow with the nuances from track one into track two, but you can’t, the songs stand a...

Jesse and The Rise will release their new ep “Mystic” on May 27th, and it’s already getting a bit of noise amongst bloggers such as myself. The music can easily be described as pop, but it’s too easy. I think it has more to offer the masses than just one genre, which is why I think it’s stellar, and full of life. It’s an acoustic album of sorts, but has production values that you’re not going to find with traditional pop, or indie bands. Upon listening to the tracks, you get a vibe that is similar to that of the first Pete Yorn major label record, which I found to be grand. The vocals aren’t the same as Yorn’s, so don’t get the message confused, it’s just the same kind of power in the sustained rock sound. It’s not heavy handed, as it features a light approach, and a very optimistic view through the lyrics. The EP will feature six tracks, and have a certain catchy tone to it all. The choruses will have you singing along, and the songs easily get trapped into your mind for repet...

The band Doon is one of the many bands trying to make a name for themselves in a crowded alternative rock world, and they do the genre justice quite well. From the opening notes of “The Rebirth” you get pulled into a creation of sonic sound that will definitely find a home for many people. I immediately thought of the Trustkill Records groups Openhand and Hopesfall without the heavy handed screaming. The vocals, the guitar work, and the percussion all work together here. It’s a sound that you may be familiar with amongst a lot of the independent rock bands coming out of Victory Records, from Taking Back Sunday to Thursday (I know they’ve moved to bigger labels), and it’s done in a new way. While there are moments where you swear they are a different band, they turn over and show you a much more carefully crafted approach. “The Rebirth” produces a special type of musical endeavor. The EP brings together melody, playful guitars, and strong rock tunes amidst vocals that fit the mood...

I don’t think certain genres of music get nearly as much attention, especially when it comes to classical options. Laith Al-Baiyaa has released the record “Reflections of Love” and it most certainly is a daring project, full of piano and other instrumentation, but the focal point is definitely on the piano, which is exquisitely played. I personally played piano for 7 years, before I moved to the bass guitar, and I can testify to the nuances that performers have, and this is a good example of talent above and beyond what you may hear. Contemporary classical artists are often times relegated to jazz release, or replaying the classics from hundreds of years ago, but this is not another rehashed record. Laith Al-Baiyaa puts together amazing music that fits the mood that you may have whenever you decide to mellow things out in your home, office, or on a train. If you close your eyes and listen to this record, you are transformed, taken to a new place, one with simplicity and love at the...

As soon as you hear the opening songs from Monks of Mellonwah, you will try to draw comparisons, and it’s tough. It’s equal parts independent rock and alternative, with so much more. You immediately think it’s a Switchfoot record or a Mutemath record, but it’s neither. This is a whole new creation, something that really is shocking, as they aren’t hitting the mainstream big time right now. I’m surprised these guys aren’t bigger than they are, as the record really feels powerful, and set to rise through the ranks fast. “Ghost Stories” opens up this record with a good sense of rock fusion and pop, then flows through outstanding tracks like “Vanity”, “Escaping Alcatraz”, and “Sailing Stones”. I’m always compelled to comment on whether or not a record can be listened to completely through without skipping around and these guys definitely do that with this recording. If you remember Noise Ratchet’s debut record, and how much play that got on indie radio, you may get a feeling for this, ...

The first thing that you hear on The Hubs is what can only be thought of as a garage. A group of musicians in a garage ready to record and then you get pummeled with guitars and percussion. The guitars are pronounced and vibrant, with drums that make the whole thing quite interesting. Dueling guitars midway through the song set up you up for what very well may be a grand alternative record, straight out of the mid 1990s, as it definitely doesn’t hold back. “Rocketship” is a good opener, and one that still is engraved in my psyche. On songs like “Plastic Heart”, “Come Closer”, Rut” and “Live Fast”, you get more of a sense of the what the band is doing and it’s pretty good. I liken some of the guitar work to “The Reunion Show” or early “Weezer”, with vocals that are a mix of 1980s alternative and late 1990s independent artists like The Get Up Kids. It’s definitely hard to pinpoint an exact replica, which is definitely a good thing. The recording has a lot of highs and lows when the v...