Sell Out Records - A Music Review Blog

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

Wild Rossa and The ’88 take the best parts of music, all music, and throws it into a blender to create an absolute incredible mix. Their Self-Titled EP is a musical handbook. It’s like Ozomatli’s brother, because the band has found a voice that is like the latter, mixed, varied, and just astonishing in my view. There’s so much here, from the moment you get the bass booms of “Gasoline”, you know that you’re in for a real treat. The music is crafted so well, you are going to be lost in your senses, as you will not be able to nail down what it is you love about the music Wild Rossa and The ’88 brings to the table. There’s dancing elements, there’s serious lyrical thought processing, and there’s a beauty found in the tracks that transcends one label, which is why this is so great. Name a genre, any genre, and you may find a sound in the release that Wild Rossa and The ’88 to consider within it. From soul, ska, punk, to guitar picking, bass line dancing, to rock, swing and more, the b

I’m always impressed with new music. Soul Spear caught me off guard, however, as I didn’t know what to expect. The artwork for “Built With Girders” was really cool, but the sound on my computer didn’t come through very well at first. It was because I didn’t plug in my speakers, and that’s my fault. Once I got things working, I was really impressed with the layers of EDM that Soul Spear puts through on this release. It starts with an orchestral solution then moves into a deep entrancing rhythm and flow of sounds that you will absolutely get lost in. Just when you think that you have figured out what Soul Spear is doing with their tracks, they throw a wrench at you and switch up the electronic soundscapes. This record really puts on a showcase of musical prowess, but not without showcasing layers of traditional digital music. There are moments that you swear you heard something before, but right when you try to figure it out, things switch up and you get a new sound, and a new laye

Nick Driver is a very talented singer, songwriter, and he’s poised to get a lot of attention with the latest release that he has out, “Acoustic Mixtape EP”. Focusing on a stripped down, simple song structure, Nick Driver finds a way to create impressive layers of lyrical storytelling, and quality production. His work flows quite well, putting catchy elements with acoustic guitar and a little percussion here and there. From the opening track “Tip Jar” forward, you’re going to have this full EP stuck in your head. Often times when you get an acoustic record, you get a lot of soft, slow music. That’s not the case here. While this is not punk rock, it doesn’t need to be. Nick Driver finds a way to make the song structure catchy, without leaving you asleep amidst watered down acoustic traps. Driver really comes to life through the transition of tracks, from “Tip Jar” to “Baby Come Back To Me” to “Coffeehouse Hero”, you get a true sense for the emotional musings of Driver’s guitar work

King Saylee brought out two tracks of absolute fire with “Keep Going”, and “No Regrets”. These two tracks hit me like a ton of bricks, and they don’t let up. The lyrical elements of “Keep Going” alone are stuck in my head. King Saylee has found a way to bridge the gap between hip hop and rhythm and blues on these two tracks. First up, “Keep Going” gives a positive spin on the daily grind. The message of hope for a brighter future is definitely showcased here. The point is to keep on moving forward, and just don’t give up. No matter what comes your way, keep it moving, because you’ll get to the greater good that awaits ahead of you. “No Regrets” comes through with another slice of positivity, giving the listener a sense of empowerment. These tracks are not too unlike the positivity that artists like Bob Marley put out in his prime. You’re going to find that there are moments here that get you singing along with ease. Overall King Saylee’s two latest tracks truly give you a sense

Matt Tiller threw me one of the most interesting tracks I’ve heard in a long time. I didn’t know what to expect, as I heard the first track of his latest record. “Awkward EP” got me laughing, and singing along. Tiller has found a way to engage the comedy power of Flight of the Conchords and even a little Weird Al and douse it with a tinge of Ska and even Punk to give you a hilarious track. George Osborne gets absolutely skewered in this track, but in such a funny way, that you will absolutely find it amusing, and poignant all the same. Matt Tiller has a winning combination here, and if you can’t find yourself singing along to the standout single, then you’re dead inside. Seriously, what’s wrong with you? “We’re In This Together” is one of the best tracks I’ve heard in a long time, and it’s comedy gold, mixed with pop sensibilities that you will definitely love. Aside from this track, you’re going to find that “Awkward EP” is full of smartly tuned comedic elements. “Flat Packing

I have been a Matt Skiba fan for a long time. If I were to have one guitar player in my band, I would hire Matt Skiba, and that’s what Blink 182 did. Whatever the case is, this guy has so many musical outlets, it’s insane. What surprises me each time I hear about a new Skiba project is the fact that each one is tremendously well done. That’s what you’re going to get when you pick up “Kuts” , the latest release from Matt Skiba and the Sekrets. Holy crap, the guy can write a song, and the band is right on par with what you’d expect from their post punk, pop stylings. Not Alkaline Trio, But Close I’m not saying this in a bad way, but the record sounds a lot like you’d expect from The Alkaline Trio. However, the drumming and the guitar work is not as fast. This is not a fast paced, punk rock record like you’d expect from the trio. Instead, you get a more post rock, pop punk approach. That’s not a bad thing. The song writing is very well done, the bass tracks are layered in, and th

Jars of Clay "Much Afraid" - Available Here  Even though Jars of Clay received platinum certification for “Much Afraid” , and was at the eight spot on the Billboard charts when this came out, this album was seen as disappointing for a lot of fans. I wasn’t so quick to judge it. I was 14 years old when this came out, and I needed something to help me through a life in the suburbs. My family moved 40 miles north of Los Angeles to a place that I was unfamiliar with. The home was in shambles emotionally, with abuse running rampant, and this record had me comforted. We stopped going to church, but I held a spiritual element to my world, and the words of Jars of Clay seemed to fit holes in my proverbial bucket. It’s a softer record than their previous one, and while the singles that they put out had electric guitar, it was the lyrical and spiritual blends that made this one a stand out for me in my collection, at the time. A lot has changed since I first heard this record, but

Richard Cheese Silent Nightclub - Available Here Here we go, perhaps one of the coolest alternative Christmas records that you can play right now. You can play this with the whole family in place, and not scare your mom or dad. This is a lounge act from the past, but modernized. Richard Cheese is a singer that plays the hits kind of like Weird Al, but all lounge style. That being said, you can get an idea as to what you’re in for in this record. This is one of those records that has reworked classics, and then some personal touches on songs that you wouldn’t expect around Christmas. 15 tracks, and some incredible covers, and new renditions.

I just got a new speaker for my laptop. Previously, I was listening to music with headphones, but didn’t like it. I got tired of it overall, so I bought a new set up. I mention this because Nick Festari’s latest record “This is me..Slower and Faster” was the first record I heard with it on. I turned things up and boom, the semi sonic sounds of rock, pop and great melody came through immediately. “You Wanna Make Me Fly (I Know You Belong To A Dream)” is absolutely a hit opener. This is the kind of opener that you get from major label record debut albums. I was immediately impressed with the structure and balance of the record, and quality of the recording. From the vocals, to the style of guitar and keyboard elements, you get a feeling for the talent that Nick Festari has. It’s such a powerful song, and it goes through every emotional element that you’d expect from a veteran of the music industry. “This Is Me..Slower and Faster” is cultivated to showcase various genres, and within t

Jacko Poli’s latest release “Jagged Recollections” hit my desk today and I was floored by the balance and tone across the record. I’m a bass player, so whenever I hear bands really incorporate bass, I’m in love. On this record you first get hit with a strong bass line that really sets you up. “Because It Burns” is the perfect blend of strong vocals, trumpet sounds, drums, and of course bass heavy tuning. I love the tuning on the track and the vocals that layer through the wall of sound. This is a balancing act that is hard to pull off, but Jacko Poli has done that so well here on the opener. As you listen to the record, you start to get a feeling for the band’s pop sensibilities. There’s a lot to listen to here. The melodies are perfectly tuned, layered, and positioned for you to admire. If you’re a music fan, you can’t help but love the way the trumpet, piano, and guitars work so well on the tracks, alongside harder rocking elements. “Jagged Recollections” is by far one of the bes

Christian music can be laughable . Millions of people dismiss it. I don’t. I don’t dismiss anything, I love music, and if it’s defined as “Christian” so what? I want to hear whatever the musicians have to say, and play with. Plus, if they truly praise the “creator of music” wouldn’t they have some incredible tracks? Whatever the case is, I have always had a love and hate relationship with Jars of Clay. They put out some amazing records, then put out some things that didn’t really hit me as hard. The band put out one of the best records ever with “The Long Fall Back To Earth” . That thing is a stellar record that is deeper than the genre, and absolutely worth everyone’s attention. They really broke through with that, and have evolved as artists. With the “Closer EP” , they put out a taste of past and present, and really positioned themselves with a taste of their full length. Usually, when you get the EP ahead of the LP, you end up with 4 or 5 songs that are supposed to make you exc

There hasn’t been a lot of punk or even pop punk bands that have captured my attention quite as much as this band. Local Resident Failure first caught my eye because their drummer posts a lot of videos in which he drums full albums in various styles straight through. Well, the band has just put out one hell of a record and I don’t see a lot of people talking about it. “This Here’s The Hard Part” mixes everything that you could possibly like about punk and pop and throws into a blender of chaos. It’s a chaotic mix that is very well aware of how good music works. From the first track, “Around The World”, you get that angst, the honesty, and the incredible push forward of punk rock fury that you found when you first listened to Green Day’s “Dookie”. This record is by far the best testament of a lost 1990s or early 2000s record. You are going to listen to every single song over and over again like you did with Nofx’s “Punk in Drublic”. Mark my words, Local Resident Failure's "

It’s not often that you get a debut with such power. March To May has put together a set of songs that are nothing short of beautiful. The balance between instruments and vocals does a lot to create the mood for each track. As you listen, you will be ushered slowly into the presence of an acoustic, folk, pop record that draws you in slowly. The combination of sounds illustrate an emphasis on art, more than just getting through the songs. Sometimes, with debut records you have a feeling that the artist is trying too hard to flow through songs. That’s not the case here. You will find that there is a passion that signs off on each track. Every track is an emotionally complex ride. Listen to the words, close your eyes, and feel the impact of the music here. The creation of musical components really stands out on the tracks, and you truly get a feel for what March To May is capable of. The best Ep’s are able to give you a taste of what artists do best, without giving you too much, and t

Touted as being a real ghost that is singing songs of past, present, and future, The Ghost of Brooklyn will catch you off guard. The guitar driven music is pleasant, and mixes various genres. From a bit of pop to a little reggae and ska, you are going to be astonished by what you hear in the mix. While those genres may seem like stretches, all you need to hear is “One Love”, and you’ll understand the measure of the artists soulful tunes. It’s not just one track that will capture the soul of the musical experience of The Ghost of Brooklyn. Listening to the tracks that are available now, you are going to immediately feel a kinship with the artist. There’s something simple about the music, and the lyrics, which paint a picture for you. “Beautiful Day” for instance, takes you on a simple journey to enjoy things a bit more. A smile on your face will appear as you listen to the song and lyrics that illustrate a bit of joy. There’s a certain rock sensibility to the music pushed forward h

Bernie Journey is set to release one incredible track of music on December 30th 2014. The track entitled “Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?” is a dance, pop, electronic single that took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting the song to be so catchy, but by the mid-point I was singing along and really enjoying the music. It’s an ethereal mix of pop sensibilities with electronic music precision that is definitely going to get you moving a bit. The single is reminiscent of the 1980s for me, with clear vocals, sung over hypnotic electronic elements, and that classic dance pop sound. It just seems like it fits so well in the past, that you’ll be thinking this is a hit from another generation. However, it’s new, it’s well done, and presents a vibrant end to the year. The track itself is a compelling one, bringing together a collaborative musical process that is often missing with electronic music. If you’re a fan of pop music, this is definitely going to be hard to stop listening to. Be

J.P. Kallio’s fourth record is one of the most compelling things I’ve heard this year. The opening track alone is enough to hook even the most jaded of music fans, as the guitar work ushers you into a whole new world of music. It’s a good guitar ballad of sorts, and it begins a record that has incredible lyrical elements and emotion that you don’t always find in a lot of releases. There’s a certain honest that comes through from the beginning and flows through to evoke a fine mix of songs that you’ll have a hard time putting down. “Call Off The Angels” is one of the best songs on the record, but the movements forward produce even more for the listener. “On His Way To Hell”, “No Safe Bets”, “Watch The Rain”, and others filter through this record that produces a good sense for what J.P. Kallio has to offer. The acoustic, rock, and blues structure is felt throughout here, and there’s a lot of raw emotion that bleeds through the songs, making it a standard. It’s hard to find any misste

From the moment that the new Ahtanum Shore album starts, you are taken into a frenetically paced punk rock album that is going to wake up and never let you go. You’re not going to be able to sit still on this one as there are several elements at play here and while there’s definitely a pop punk tinge, there’s also melodic rock, and even tastes of hardcore sprinkled within the tracks. From the opening moments of “This Song’s From You”, to the powerful push forward on the rest of the record, you are taken on a ride of emotion and song writing ability that is not only going to propel the band into more headphones and radio, but could possibly give them a shot at the big time. The production here is good, tightly produced, and brings about a good sense of expertise on every single track. The riffs are solid, the percussion comes in strong, and the vocals are definitely on par with some of the best bands past and present. Fans of bands like Fall Out Boy and New Found Glory will definite

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

Ok, so I didn’t cry, but wow, what a voice. Thorne’s “The Parade” is one of the most incredible songs I’ve heard in a long time. It’s powerful, and it features incredible lyrical elements, amidst tracking that is nothing short of breath taking. At the chorus point I was completely enthralled with this track, and I could see it play through the moments of my life. I could see moments of happiness, sadness, and introspection come through as I listened to the beauty come through the speakers. I absolutely love the mix here, with passionate singing and percussion that comes through with acoustic guitar work. I am completely impressed by the ease of the musical landscape painted here, as it truly shines with such an easy going attitude. At the second minute, I found myself in a whole new world of music. “I want you to cry”, the lyrics come through and hit me hard. Thorne has a way of singing to me, as if I were the only one in the audience, and that’s the sign of an incredible artist. W