Author: Shannon Shumaker

Review by Shannon Shumaker The best thing about Dream Ritual’s debut self-titled EP is its ability to appeal to a wide audience. As the first track, “Green World” begins, the first thing that stands out are the grungy guitar as sludgy bass tones. The quality of this music is thick and rich, but what really sells me on this track are the vocals. I wasn’t sure what I had been expecting, but when the Balance And Composure-esque clean vocals come in, I’m both surprised and excited. Dream Ritual is a band that doesn’t necessarily fall into a single category, and the…

Deleasa does a little bit of everything, and that’s what makes his music connect with so many people. With influences ranging from pop to soul to funk, his sound is not only unique, but incredibly catchy. We got the chance to chat with him recently about his new tracks, writing new music and his plans for 2015. Check out Deleasa’s new single, “Kisses Blow” below! For our readers who haven’t had the chance to listen to you yet, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your music?  Well music has always been a real passion of mine…

Review by Shannon Shumaker If People On Vacation’s new album, The Chronicles Of Tim Powers is anything, it’s real. Though it’s definitely easy to enjoy The Chronicles Of Tim Powers! on a strictly musical basis, the honest songwriting and personal yet relatable lyrics on this album are what makes it one of the strongest releases of 2014. It’s easy to get lost in the catchy melodies, hooks and fun choruses, but the real strength in The Chronicles Of Tim Powers is in its amazing, honest lyricism. The first track on the album, “Don’t Ask The Question,” starts off slow but picks up…

Review by Shannon Shumaker For being only four songs in length, Choir Vandals’ new EP, At Night is an incredibly strong record. Every instrument does its part on this EP – the guitar, bass and drums are all on point along with the vocals, and they all work together to create something beautiful. The vocal work on this EP is one of its strongest aspects. From the beginning of the first track, “Monsters,” it’s apparent how versatile the vocals on this record are. Soft coos transition perfectly into rougher, gowling yells without even making the listener think twice, and they…

Review by Shannon Shumaker It’s always great when an album surprises me, and that’s definitely what has happened with We Are The Finale’s new EP, The Magic Show Act II: The Turn. The interlude beginning track flows straight into the second song on the EP, “Well Enough Alone,” which starts of with a pretty piano part, but eventually transitions into catchy guitar hooks and incredible vocals that pull me in almost immediately. “Well Enough Alone” just builds and builds as it progresses into an anthematic chorus, and by the the time the song is over, I’m absolutely impressed. The vocals, while on…

Review by Shannon Shumaker If nothing else, Buffalo Killers’ new record, Fireball Of Sulk is unique. From the beginning of the first track on the album, “Blankets on the Sun,” the band is taking risks. The track starts off with a lone bass line, which is a risk in itself. Most bands will start a record off fast or loud to get the listener’s attention, but Buffalo Killers don’t need to do that with this track. The bass tone is incredible and when the vocals come in, the soothing tone matches the bass work perfectly. “Blankets on the Sun” is relaxing…

Review by Shannon Shumaker While the pop-punk scene is definitely on the rise again with new bands emerging nearly every day, it can be difficult to find a band that stands apart from the pack and sounds different from everyone else. Chumped, however, definitely manages to do that with their new album, Teenage Retirement. The first thing that stands out about Teenage Retirement is the gorgeous vocals in the chorus of the first track, “December Is The Longest Month.” The lyrics on this song are also relatable – the first word that comes to mind is human. On top of…

Review by Shannon Shumaker Dreamers’ self-titled EP is the perfect mix of 70’s punk with an indie flair that sets them apart from the pack. The grungy, dirty guitar work throughout this album coupled with incredibly soulful clean vocals make these four songs an absolute standout and make Dreamers a band to keep an eye on. The lead guitar part on the first track “No Love,” brings the EP in strong, and when the drums and vocals eventually come in alongside it, they just add to the fast paced energy of the song. The chorus of “No Love” is incredibly…

First off, thanks for taking the time to chat with us! For anyone who hasn’t listened to BIG Something before, how would you describe your sound? The sound is difficult for us to describe because we are the ones making it…  sort of like trying to describe the sound of your own voice. But I think of Big Something as a song-oriented band with diverse instrumentals. We mix electronic sounds, guitars, and horns into rock and funk grooves to create structured songs, which are often platforms for solos and improvisation. Your new album, Truth Serum just came out – can you…

Photos & Review: Yellowcard Featuring: Yellowcard, Memphis May Fire & Emarosa Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO. 11/11/14 Photos and Review by: Shannon Shumaker Despite the cold, fans of all ages braved the first snowfall of the season and lined up early outside of Summit Music Hall for Yellowcard’s headlining show in support of their new album, Lift A Sail. Before the doors even opened, the show promised to be an interesting one, if nothing else, as the lineup was simply unheard of. Never before would I have imagined a bill consisting of Yellowcard, Memphis May Fire, and Emarosa, but somehow, all three bands…