Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

The opening lines from the track “Aces Up” reverberates for me a great deal . “If you push yourself away from everyone you know, how do you expect relationships to grow” , and it’s very true. I think about that right now as I type this because I’m going to get a divorce. There’s no happy ever after, there’s just a disaster that I’m facing off against. The song continues to remind us that life doesn’t just deal aces, and that we have to play the cards we are dealt. Mxpx released this song as part of their record, “Plans Within Plans” which was put out in 2012, and it’s one of the better tracks from that release. The band’s frenetic punk rock style comes through with melody, and the positivity that comes through is quite good, making your toes tap. As soon as I heard this track, I was hooked. Mxpx has a way of getting to the core of your punk rock ethos, and truly delivers with melody. The opening line, I kid you not, is often playing in my head as I battle depression and attempt...

Leon Bridges Coming Home Vinyl LP (click here) Leon Bridges has put out one of the most soulful albums I’ve heard in a long time. But it wasn’t until I paid attention to “River” that I truly fell in love with the ideas pushed on the record. It’s in this song, that the nature of love is captured. But not just emotional connections with someone, but rather a larger scope. Obviously, music means different things to different people, lyrics can mean something but end up painting something else. For me, it is the structure of “River” that gets me every time. A simple man’s song turns into a beautiful, soulful institution. It’s not just about love for someone else, if you think about it. You can think about it in terms of God, losing a loved one, church, sanctuary, or just home. I recall that in 2011 when I stepped off an airplane headed home, divorced, saddened, and lost, a song could bring me hope. Little did I know that the soundtrack for that memory would be this. It’s in the lyr...

2016 has been quite the year for music, and it’s just beginning. The Holstered is a band that I spoke about on this blog in the past . Well, they are back in action for 2016, and they have released their first rocking single from their upcoming album. The song “Outer Space” takes the psychedelic 1970s punk rock, garage sound and turns it to 11. It’s a catch song that brings about themes that are straight out of the garage punk era of the past. Fans of Iggy Pop, The Cramps, and Buzzcocks are going to be absolutely delighted with “Outer Space” as it has a definitive punk rock, retro feel. You’re going to be lost in the easy going guitar riffs, the soothing guitar solo elements, and of course the lyrical subject matter that will transport you back to a simpler time. This is a rocking track that continues The Holstered’s sound and yet improves on it in many ways. The band truly knows how to push that retro, punk, button, and it’s definitely something that you have to listen to right ...

Terrible title, aside, “Try” is the latest single from Electrets and guess what? It’s amazing. I’m not a fan of Caillat, but I am a fan of this punk rock cover that absolutely blows me away. I threw this on and immediately was floored by the semi sonic sound coming through my Marshall. (yeah I have a Marshall rig for my music) I don’t need to sell you on this do I? You have ears, so let them hear the magic of this cover. I truly think this band has something special. If I still had my record label, I’d sign them, and send them on the road to punk rock celebrity status. Listen to the track, and wake up from your music slumber. Check out more from this band by hitting their Sound Cloud page here . Also, remember I talked about them before Right HERE cause they're rad and that's that.

I previously reviewed a track from Shid Latta here , and was impressed with his delivery and lyricism. This time around he’s got a new record out, and a single that smashes together some incredible beats, in order to create a whole new track of epic proportions. This track, “High” produced by Hippie Sabotage drops serious lyrical elements. Shid Latta bounces through serious emotional heart felt lyrics about loss and the honesty is up front. It hits you hard with reality, and if you’ve ever loved and lost you know exactly what he’s talking about with this track. I’ve heard a lot of remixes and productions, but this is one that is done right. Right when you think you’ve figured out where this is going, Shid Latta comes through with a different take, a new verse, and rolls it into the beats with relative ease. It’s the craft that really works here, and promotes the right elements of hip hop with a far more diverse range of ideas than you would normally expect. By the time you hit th...

Raving Wild releases a track that not only encompasses what I hear on rock radio right now (106.7 KROQ L.A) but the kind of heart felt music that connects with you on a visceral level. With a mix of the 1980s introspective lyricism you’d except from The Cure and touches of folk like guys like Mumford and Sons, to a whole new spin on the genre, you get pushed into an anthem that will have you singing along in no time. In fact, I was very impressed with the way “Raving Wild” pushes you into the song with a good deal of focus on leading you down an adventure. From the first notes, through the chorus and guitar notes, you are given a sound that is eclectic, and very much honest. It’s catch, it’s fun, it has soul and that’s something that you don’t always get with these types of songs. There’s a certain urgency in this song, and you are going to tap your feet, and absolutely fall in love with the chorus. Overall, this is one hell of a single, and really does a lot to put a stamp on wh...

Shane Sebastian complete floored me with the track “LA LA”. I wasn’t really sure what to expect upon first hearing the track, and as soon as it got into gear, I was sold on the song. Within a minute, you’ll find yourself swimming in a world of emotion. It’s a lovely tune with some very introspective and eclectic moments. I loved hearing the balance here, moving through a strong vocal arrangement, and good sound amidst layered music. You will find that the song really comes alive around a minute, as things really come together in such a strong manner. You may find yourself thinking about David Bowie in how the vocals are dynamic on this tune. They elevate the song to another level, and definitely brings forth a great emotional connection. Acoustic guitar work, electronic elements, and powerful vocals lead through “LA LA”, and it’s hard to really put your finger on. So many pieces come together here and the song really shines. Shane Sebastian has a real winner here, and I am comple...

I was recently pointed in the direction of the latest single from Alize Levy and I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I sat down to listen, it started with a pop sound, and then her words came in and the voice over music really took me a new place. Upon closing my eyes, it seemed as though this incredible singer was singing just to me. It’s a visceral experience that you don’t always get with pop music, and specifically R and B music. It’s too easy to take shortcuts and make something fake, but that’s not what you get with “I Can Be” as it is definitely one of the better songs I’ve heard in a long time. I had to listen to the song on repeat for a while to truly get everything, as the song is that good. It’s a carefully crafted musical opus that features the vocal talents of Alize Levy and I for one am impressed. I love the sound, and love the lyrics. Her talent rises through the ranks and definitely presses the listener to take notice with a sultry emphasis that you’re not going to f...

I’m not always up on the latest singers, or hip hop acts, I’m behind at times, but it’s always refreshing to see new talent releasing music. One such artist that I just caught wind of is Mack Benton. Benton’s vocal style is nothing new, but the way he pushes the lyrics and sounds through a mix of hip hop beats and instrumentals rings true to something incredible. In fact, I had to put the track on repeat, because it was that catchy. The latest single from Mack Benton is titled “Secret (Banger!!!!)” and if you hear it, you’re going to swear that it’s the latest from a larger act, or it’s the next big thing, because it’s that solid. From the moment you hear the beat come in, to the point where Benton starts to sing, you’re sold. If you move forward through the chorus you’re swaying from side to side, and you are in complete R and B mode, because it’s a solid track. If you are a fan of rhythm and blues, hip hop, and modern music, this is going to be right up your alley. It’s one of ...