By JOHN DALY He has created a song called “Howard Jones,” and it’s an appropriate name for the musician Kicklighter, who actually sounds a little like Jones. The music off Kicklighter’s new album, Paper Planes Vol. 1 is that Howard Jones style: Upbeat, bouncy and full of life. There is a range of tracks and song styles, including favorites “Bittersweet,” “Do It Again” and “They … Continue reading Kicklighter Brings Upbeat Sound with ‘Paper Planes Vol. 1’

By DOTTIE PARIS Marty Thompson’s new album Romantic Stories started out with a little pink ukelele for his daughter on a European backpack trip. He never expected he would be writing an album on that ukelele, but after hearing the results maybe more people should try it too. The songs are not ukelele simple, there was obviously plenty of arranging done after the 2015 trip … Continue reading A Backpacking Trip and a Ukelele Yield ‘Romantic Stories’

By JOHN DALY The Blue Collar Army’s new album Norrland, has all the sounds of a society trapped inside its own misdoings. The Blue Collar Army, the Swedish doom-metal band thinks it’s time for an uprising. Check out the band’s new video:   It’s a thought-provoking Swedish group. The Blue Collar Army says it belongs to no genre, but instead it belongs only to anger, … Continue reading Blue Collar Army Releases ‘Norrland’

By JOHN DALY Halfwait from Sydney, Australia makes a foray into the U.S. territories with a cool new album, The Official. Halfwait from Australia was started by Jon Barca guitar-vocals and Chris Tallon on drums back in 2009. The guys were 20 years old. Barca and Tallon had been playing music together since they were 15 years old, playing original songs and covers of Silverchair … Continue reading Halfwait Makes it ‘Official’ With New Album

By DOTTIE PARIS Nocturnal Blonde is one of those bands that takes the popular shoegaze style and takes it to a new level with the debut album Smart Heart. But there’s a story to this beautifully haunting music. Ritchie Williams, who produces as well as plays guitar and sings, got into this because of the tragic overdose of his brother, Dave, who suffered significant neurological … Continue reading Nocturnal Blonde Sees Happier Days with ‘Smart Heart’

By JOHN DALY Husks created something beautiful out of the horrible. It was a tough time for the musician who suffered a breakup of both the band and a turbulent relationship. Husks is the brainchild of Connor Small, who is fully engaged in the new style talking-electric genre that blends avant garde with mellow hip hop style. It’s not something all listeners would image works, … Continue reading Husks Creates Beauty from Horror

By DOTTIE PARIS Can’t Stop Now is the seventh album from Suki Rae. It’s 10 tracks of spiritual songs that are mainly gospel-style blues and folk. “Can’t Stop Now” opens with two traditional sounding gospel songs, “Peace by Piece,” and “Can’t Stop Now,” which is a little reminiscent of Laura Nyro. Suki Rae ‘Can’t Stop Now’ Has Spiritual Style It’s clear that Suki Rae could … Continue reading ‘Can’t Stop Now’ Takes a Spiritual Approach to New Music

By DOTTIE PARIS For Aya Maguire, her debut album, The Sandcastle King, represents growth that won’t be washed away by an errant wave. The delicate music by the Boulder, Colo.-based musician is the expression of six years of developing as a writer and as a person. The Sandcastle King will be released on July 13. The track “There’s no such thing as a Portland Thunderstorm,” … Continue reading Aya Maguire Releases The Past with New Album ‘The Sandcastle King’