Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

Sulking Brood’s latest release “Blood Orange” is definitely one of the better independent release that I’ve heard recently. The duo puts together layered music in the vein of Tiny Victories, and does it well enough to easily match up with any duo that is producing music of this type. Not quite electric, not quite rock, not really pop, this mixed genre approach works on a lot of different levels and is exactly what many college radio stations are playing right now. You get hit with an immediate warmth with the track “Feeling New” then you start to roll through a variety of different tracks that bring together the concept of “Blood Orange” in a very eclectic way. Each track jumps from one end of the musical spectrum to the other and at the end of the 10 tracks, you are left with an iconic representation of independent spirit. There is no shortage of styles here, and each one is represented through the varying tracks, that will send you through a variety of spaces. Whether it’s the ...

From the first moments that you hear Jiggley Jones on "A Mountain, A Struggle, A Tunnel, A Light", you are taken to a look at the world through the lens of a real poet. Jones provides the music and ideas that you may not see otherwise into words and an eclectic blend of song writing that mixes rock, pop, and acoustic songwriting into a very easy to listen and enjoy package. The EP comes at you strong with “Early Morning Light” and moves across a solid tangent of music that will completely stop you in your tracks. Listening to the songs definitely felt like more than just musical presentation. There’s soul here, and you get the picture as you start to listen to the tracks on a closer level. With the tracks moving so well together, you will be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. “Hope in a Bottle”, “Look What I Found”, “Modern Day”, “Nothing So Natural” and “Walk on Me” all present a unifying blend of music that has many layers. It’s not just one man and a guitar, there are ot...

I was able to take a listen to the latest tracks from SweetEve and they definitely have a bright future ahead of them. They are a band that fuses together pop sensibilities with rocking tunes, and killer bass lines. Mixing the same type of rock that makes the Foo Fighters and Goo Goo Dolls (circa Boy Named Goo) great bands, this rock band is trying to tread new routes towards stardom. From the first notes on “Guilty Victim” you get a feel for the music, but it’s not until you hit the guitar solo that you really get a sense of urgency from the band. They build up to it and when it hits, it really gets your toes tapping. Lyrical strong, and overall a catchy tune, SweetEve is quality rock and roll done right. It’s still a bit raw on the recording, but that’s ok, they are up and coming and the tracks represent a good beginning to what very well may be one of the bands of the future. The opening track is definitely a good one, but it’s their second track “Kings and Queens” that really...

There’s no shortage of singers in the rhythm and blues section of the record store, but stand out talent that rises above the traditional is hard to find. When you hear it though, you are wide eyed and impressed, which describes how I feel about this tune. Eloni Yawn really does well on this song, “No Excuses” really pushes a good vibe, and it’s a mix of jazz, club music, and amazing vocals along the top. From the first moments that you hear the bass line, you know what that you are in for a good tune overall. I was impressed with the high quality mix, and then Eloni’s vocals come in and you’re really taken to a new place of musical integrity. I love the bounce of the music and enjoy the lyrics, as well as the catchy choruses. It’s a very unique track that mixes jazz, funk, and disco into a tangible element that is definitely not used often today. I like it, it’s a good song and one that represents the talents of Eloni Yawn’s voice. It’s eclectic, it’s talent driven, and it’s a s...

Traditional country sounds aren’t always booming through my speakers, but when an artist comes around that catches my attention, I don’t discriminate. Susto does something that few artists manage to do today, and that’s release a crossover album that is absolutely stunning. Susto’s self-titled album is one of the best things I’ve heard that mixes genres from rock to country in a very interesting manner. It reminds me of Hank III mixed with 238 and it’s a solid album that features some great sing along lyrics, and some interesting compositions. The first song captured my attention right away, and I was thrilled to hear the rest. “Black River Gospel” immediately became part of my daily rotation as it is by far one of the best opening songs on any release I’ve heard so far in 2014. I love the lyrics, I love the message, and I can envision the story that is presented through the song. It’s a catchy tune, it’s one of my favorite songs from Susto or any other artist thus far this year. ...

Race Against Time may be the moniker for singer/songwriter Vik Kapur, but it’s transcendent. It’s emotionally gripping, and the minute you start to listen to the music, you will be taken into an interesting landscape. The lyrical connections that are provided is definitely one of the most compelling resources that is found here. “Song For Each Day” opens strong, and the mix of instruments is grand, but it’s the lyrical moments, choruses, and snappy tunes that really make this work. You immediately get that feeling of Ted Leo’s work from the past on Jade Tree, which is a great vibe to have as an artist. While Ted Leo’s work differs from Race Against Time, it is in that vein that I find myself enjoying the songs featured on the latest session from this artist. With each song you hear from Race Against Time, you begin to get a full picture of the talent found with the music. It’s not just an independent rock record or anything like that, it has Indian instrumentation, with a pop feel,...

Opien immediately grabbed my attention with their layered digital music approach. The mix is not something that you will find emulated often, because it’s done in such a unique state. It’s on par with Tiny Victories, Kavinsky, Joy Electric, and even Postal Service, but it’s all different too. Guitar work, percussion, and different elements seem to filter through the mixes, including the ending of “Peace of Mind” which definitely feels transcendent for the style. I found myself lost in the way it flowed, and the lyrics which paired the various sounds into a nice package. Ton the latest release, “Atlanta”, the listener gets thrust back into the 1980s post punk world, and it’s very good. It’s not quite new wave, and it’s not quite electronic only, it’s something modern, and something enjoyable. It’s a serving of 10 tracks done in a unique manner, but with ethos that are on par with the alternative rock radio that you might have found in the past. This is on par with Richard Blade’s lu...

I’ve heard a lot of rap music in my day, and a lot of is contrived. When I hear from a good artist, I pay attention to how the put together words, how the production values work to showcase a message, and of course whether or not I will listen to it again. I’ve been fortunate enough to discover some great work from the world of underground hip hop, and this is another great one. Vero drops “Look What God Did” and it’s an incredible mixtape that features a great amount of honesty through the story telling that Vero pushes forward. It’s a combination of laid back rhymes, honest story telling and a lot of moments that pull at your mind’s eye. The mixtape has a lot of different elements to it, not giving the listener one style or rhyme scheme, and that’s where Vero really shines. He finds a way to incorporate all sorts of musical flavors to rhyme over, and the eclectic sounds makes this one of the stronger mixtapes that I’ve heard in a while. Just the jump from “Mr. Hyde-And-Seek” to “...

Plastic Barricades is a band that hit me out of the blue. I was listening to the new Echo and The Bunnymen when I switched over, and felt that Plastic Barricades is a nice transition for me from the latter. The release of their latest single, “Masterminds” harkens back to the 1980s alternative rock radio, and it’s a mix of different iconic elements, all rolled into one solid 5 minute track. It really is something that I wasn’t expecting, especially from the independent music scene. At moments you will find yourself wanting to compare this band to your favorite 1980s post punk groups, but they are beyond that. They get into different cycles through the track, and at one point you realize that this is new, it’s refreshing and it’s going to change the way your playlist is set up. I know that you will do this, because that’s what I did when I heard the song and it’s now a permanent fixture in my playlist. The track is compelling, and it’s unique, switching from straightforward indie al...

Every now and again a pop song will come around with a sincere heart and it will not show up on major music channels. You miss some of the sincerest and most beautiful songs when you’re not paying attention, but they are out there. That’s the case with Torrey Mercer’s single “I Believe In Me”, and it’s an incredible look at how a simple song can transcend the music and hit your heart strings with full force. Mercer creates an iconic song here, and it’s for anyone that has ever been bullied. A sense of hope springs up through the lyrics, and the song that really does play an incredible role for those that need an uplifting song. It’s not a self-serving, marketing heavy piece, it’s an honest to goodness song about beauty that springs forth when you believe in yourself. It’s the sincerity that fills the musical notes here, as the song really ramps up with an incredible message. “I Believe In Me” is a wonderful song, and it is truly inspirational in a lot of ways. You will find that ...

This morning I was excited, I finally got to hear the new Pennywise and the new Rise Against. I has all for it, and despite their releases, I didn’t get the same kind of emotional response I did with “Stitches”. I’m calling Atzec’s release that came out on July 11, as the best independent rock album of the year. 5 tracks and a tear in my right eye, this is iconic. To be fair, my tearing right eye is because I stabbed it with my finger on accident, but that’s ok, tear induced musical response reads better for print. (Not really print) Aztec’s release starts slow, reminding me of Jade Tree’s releases and even some Deep Elm artists that I recall, and is far better than Slow Coming Day’s constant droning that I hated on Tooth and Nail Records. They put together a nice track on “The Benefits of Being Alone”, which to me is an anthem that reminds me of how awesome it was to be back in Los Angeles after a divorce in 2011. It’s the kind of honesty and slow moving song that really captures ...

Daniell Nelson releases an interesting mix of hip hop and pop with a tangent of world music on this recording. The song “Tomorrow” really pushes a message, it shines light on the things that are going on with a lot of different people today, and it questions the future in comparison to this day. Speaking on the ills of life and trying to reach a new plateau of hope Nelson’s track produces the kind of thought provoking message that is worth paying close attention towards. The flow of this track features both melody and rap that is very solid. It bounces, and it definitely feels like a bigger track than it is. It’s repetition, and use of rhyme schemes to illustrate the overall message is definitely not lost here. I like how Nelson’s poetry shines throughout. It feels a lot like slam poetry, and free thinking or improvisational communication. Each word hits you with a focus on society today and it really pushes your mind to think about heavenly things. Daniell Nelson rises above the...

 Ed Roman’s record caught me off guard. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the release of “Letters From High Latitudes” and was pleasantly surprised with the record. The latest release from this talented singer/songwriter flows through a variety of moods as it pens out a mix of songs that can easily be tagged as country, folk, and even some alternative rock vibes. From the moment you hear the rattling of your speakers to “Better Day Blues” to the moment you finish the record at “World Keeps On Turning”, you will be completely bound as a fan of Ed Roman’s mix of songs. Roman’s lyrics make you think, and if you pay attention you will catch a lot of cool references. “Electric Beauty (Distant Gods)” has to be my favorite of the tracks, including a little nod to Nikola Tesla. The whole record, however, is accessible, triumphant and definitely something that I can see myself and others appreciating over and over again. I especially like how it all flows, and is mixed together. It’s a ...

I’ve heard a lot of hip hop in my day, and a lot of it seems forced, over produced, or lacks that certain intangible quality that makes things great. However, there are still artists and independent rappers that are trying to get noticed, and they are doing it without the push of major labels and without the over production of studios that can mire the essence of hip hop’s spirit. With the release of “Vanilla Sky” you’re going to get hit with an eclectic blend of beats, and sinister flow from Delyric Oracle. Delyric Oracle goes big on the release, and it’s an astonishing elemental fusion of hip hop’s best from the past and the present into one very laid back flow. It’s a calm flow, but it speeds up, slows down, and forces you to listen as the presentation of all sorts of ideas gets released into your veins. You’ll hear rhymes that you just can’t believe are put together, coupling words and ideas that are nothing short of incredible. From the first track of “Paper Beats”, you will g...

I recall going on a date once where a girl claimed she liked 1980s post punk and ska music. After asking a few questions, I realized that she didn’t know a thing about the genres and well, we never went out again. That has nothing to do with In Isolation, or their incredible single “Tears”, except for the fact that they are playing on my emotions with their vibrant creation of 1980s style post punk music. I swore I was being placed back in time to a place where rude boys ran the streets and the radio was iconic. Well, maybe that’s not exactly true, but this is one of the best tracks in that regards that I’ve heard by a modern act in a long time. Sure, there are a lot of mainstream bands that are trying to bring this sound back, but they fail to progress through the talent and production quality that is presented with this upcoming single. You’ll find that In Isolation fits directly next to The Cure and all your new wave favorites. They do so with seamless production, quality vocals...

I get tired of modern music. It’s evidenced by my playlists and constant search for new records to listen to. I like old and new, but a lot of the modern stuff is boring and well, overplayed. I’m always delighted by hearing people working on music that is inspired and creative, and that’s exactly what came across my desk today. The F5 Four has released a record that is downright one of the best appealing records I’ve heard in a long time. The band’s release “Tornado Breakdown” creates a perfect summer record to share with family friends, or to put on during the holiday weekends when you’re cooking out. The musical style here is what is called prairie jazz, mixing elements and creating a rich tapestry of sound. You have solid acoustic guitar work, incredible strings, and jazzy interludes that will fit with any jazz record you have heard. The vocals make this one stand out, as they are laid back and brought together with sheer balance. In fact, there is an incredible balance to this ...