Author: Gabrielle DB

Review by Gabrielle DB Summer Bones is Hit The Lights fourth album, and it is fantastic! This Ohio five-piece have outdone themselves again with this one. The entire album is fist-pumping fun, and is pegged to be the soundtrack for summertime. “Fucked Up Kids” blasts the lid off of the album with an ultra catchy [youth] anthem. “We’re getting good at being bad,” is such a clever lyric phrase that will resonate with many. Vocalist Nick Thompson establishes his pop-punk vocal prominence early on, and this stays constant throughout Summer Bones. “The Real” follows up, and it’s a banger. “Life On The Bottom” is the…

Review by Gabrielle DB One-Eyed Doll shares a dark, yet, beautiful story through their concept album Witches. An intriguing and eerie history lesson on the Salem Witch Trials in the late 1600’s is delivered through personal accounts, lyrics derived from court documents, and possible theories on why the hysteria occurred. The two-piece from Austin, Texas, Kimberly Freeman (vocals, guitar) and “Junior” Jason Rufuss Sewell (drums) create a hard-hitting, and powerful dreamscape with supplemental instrumentation from, but not limited to, mandolin and banjo. “Ember” tears the album open with a tolling bell, punishing indictment, and a swirl of maddening screams and crashing…

Review by Gabrielle DB High Rise delivers a smashing EP in Tides Will Take You. A mixture and balance of highs and lows, darkness and light is inviting and relatable for listeners. The EP tears open with “Burden.” This track weaves aggression and melody seamlessly. “Memories” continues onward with the powerful, hard hitting guitars and percussion. The heartfelt clean vocals are much more gripping than the shouting screams. A genuine aching can almost be felt in the powerful delivery. The title track “Tides Will Take You” strips down acoustically to showcase musical diversity. The theme of overcoming obstacles against all odds…

Review by Gabrielle DB Concepts brings a refreshing sound to the scene with their EP Transitions. Theincredible blend of skillful clean vocals, gripping screams, and crushing musicality put this band on another level from the monotony that we have been stuck in. The production and layerings are fantastic, and supplement the whole experience that is Transitions. “Posthumous” rips open the EP with a harrowing grip. Continuing strongly, “Mirrors” opens with a beautiful piano bit. This track has the strongest lyrical content with vocals to boot. “Vultures” plays with vocal layerings, with an emphasis on the reaching clean vocals. The dynamic of clean vocals…

Review by Gabrielle DB Acoustic EP 2 is a super fun five-track EP by City Lights. The tales of hope, heartache, friendship, and self-reflection string wonderful tunes. An encouraging track about using doubt as fuel to overcome trials, “The Dark Side” opens this EP. “Truth Is” is the up-climb recovery from a heartbreak. The uptempo guitar work is comfort for such a troubling situation. Following up, “Cold And Grey” holds the same theme and flow as “Truth Is.” These tracks couple well to drive the point home. “So Much More To Give” presents a strong theme of self-reflection and the decisions to move…

Review by Gabrielle DB Bernie Marsden captures a Southern rocking, Blusey, groovy, Americana spirit in Shine. Marsden has previously released solo albums, but is most notably known for his work in the great Whitesnake. The opening track, “Linin’ Track,” sets the tone for what is to be a wild album, with flaring harmonica throughout, matching the intensity of the guitar. The story laden Blues-rock track “Wedding Day” keeps the listeners hooked. “Walk Away” introduces a catchy, pop-esque hit to the album; this track is sure to get stuck in your head. “Kinda Wish She Would” and “Ladyfriend” play back to back, and…

Review by Gabrielle DB Cumino has created instrumental excellence in Pockets. This album is a sea of instrumental beauty. “Atlas” opens the album setting the mysterious stage of what will follow throughout. “Her” delicately crawls all over you with its sensuality. “Fields” builds up and releases its tension repeatedly. This track remains busy and stimulating throughout. “Tangier” is a piquant track that employs various instruments and execution. The development is an adventure and is exciting to follow. The conclusion of this track is like suddenly pressing the breaks on an adrenaline ride. “Two Spheres” has a building softness that bursts out every once…

Review by Gabrielle DB It must be noted that Great Sale day has a line-up with current and ex-members of U.K. hardcore bands Basement, Breaking Point, Unholy Majesty, and Your Demise; but Wild & Chunky has a sound reminiscent of ’90s alternative rock. The album opens with the extremely catchy “Do Not Want To”. The pace picks up a bit in “Calm Down, Slow Down”, this track also had me doing breathing exercises to the lyrics “… calm down, slow down…” towards the end of the track. “Up In The Clouds” contains more storied lyrics of dreamers facing reality but still…

Review by Gabrielle DB As Blood Runs Black has released a powerful third studio album in Ground Zero. This album features incredible vocal versatility from Chris Bartholomew, as well as exceptional instrumentation from drummer Hector “Leche” De Santiago, bassist Nick Stewart, and guitarists Greg Kirkpatrick and Dan Sugarman. The album opens with a quick punch in the face that is “City Limits” and rolls into “Wasteland”, with a violin piece oddly fitting in towards the end of the track. The title track follows with the first of a few anthemic chants featured on the album. “Vision” is a track with prime…

Review by Gabrielle DB I’ll use BIG Something’s own lyrics from the title track of the album Truth Serum to describe their sound: “… if what I say don’t make no sense, I say, yeah, just groove with it…” This spectacular album is a well articulated dance party. Their sound is refreshing and unique. Electronic music fuses with the groovy electric guitars, fun rhythm of the drums and bass, smooth vocals, and domineering horn section seamlessly to create fifty-five minutes of pure perfection. “Megalodon” featuring DJ Logic opens the album smoothly. A fun transition into “Capt. D” leads listeners on a funky navigation ’round…