ALONG FOR THE RIDE - 02-07-13
We get lots of music. For releases from new artists, we think the best spot to give a listen is in the car. Along for the Ride is a weekly focus on independent artists with some great songs-- artists who hit what they were aiming at in making an album.
Angela Perley and the Howlin’ Moons
Angela Perley tells you right away in the song “County Fair” when she fesses up that “good time music makes me let down all my hair”. You have been warned. She and her band, the Howlin’ Moons, light a match and set fire to the five tracks that make up the group’s E.P., Nowhere Is Now Here. “18 Feet Under” is gossip delivered with a bit of homicidal advice and “Tangled Up on the Kitchen Floor” finds the singer beaten to the ground by a song on the radio. “Brooklyn Girls” is a heartbreak tune from the one left behind that allows Angela Perley to fully crawl into the emotion. The pleas are tangible; the hurt physically seeps from the song.
Listen and buy music from Angela Perley and the Howlin' Moons HERE
Sol Driven Train
There are moments on the Sol Driven Train album where the band rises above canned music and deliver songs that can be immediately brought into day to day life. When they have the tune meter set on inspiration and fun, the message is loud and clear. Sol Driven Train has the perfect sound and instrumentation make-up to push through songs that, in other hands, might be considered novelty.Underdog, their latest album effort, opens with the title track, a song of support that is an audio hand on your shoulder set over choppy guitar chords and determined beats. “Guest List”, “One More Day” and “I Do Declare” keep the community, all-in-this-together feel going. When the band tries its hand at heartfelt and sincere in their songs, the attempts do not match the feel of the tracks that are set on fun.
Listen and buy music from Sol Driven Train HERE
Stinnerbom Stinnerbom Dube
Precision and passion come together in a sonic force on Beardo, the joining of Magnus Stinnerbom on 12-string guitar, mandola, viola d'amore and accordion, his wife Sophia Stinnerbom on viola and violin and Sebastian Dube on bass and fodtramp. The trio play with a united power on Beardo. There is a magical quality to the manner in which the instruments interact and involve with each other. From opener ”Annbjorg”, the three players jump in, Sophia’s violin leading the way with a snaking, seductive note pattern. The title track offers a solid rhythm foundation from Magnus’ guitar that once again gives Sophia’s bow and fingers plenty of room to roam. Beardo showcases artists with the confidence to stretch and perform their instrument mastery and the committment to become a part of a team that creates music as a combined unit that brings the playing to an even higher level.
Listen and buy music from Stinnerbom Stinnerbom Dube HERE
Diamond Jim Greene
Diamond Jim Greene keeps Surrounded stocked with all of the sounds available to singer/songwriters. The groove based tracks on Surrounded percolate with soul, funk, folk and blues. ”Big Legged Woman” walks a second line beat with horns pushing the beat around like a parade moving through The Quarter; ”Shake ’Em on Down” steps uptown for a night of Rock’n’Soul, and ”Take Time” nearly drips with the honeyed soul coming through the speakers. Diamond Jim Greene lets the songs travel their musical path and manages to move into each emotion with carefully placed steps.
Listen and buy music from Diamond Jim Greene HERE
No Justice
Rising from the ground in Stillwater, Oklahoma has allowed No Justice to spread their audio net over the great state of Texas and its live music scene. The band can measure the success of the decisions with the sale of over 100,000 copies of their first four albums, two #1 hits and eight Top 10 singles on the Texas Music Charts. America’s Son is the band’s most recent release and the production keeps the dials pushing the red lines on the board, stretching both levels and limits with a rock punch and country heart. No Justice punchs a hole in the sound barrier with full frontal rock attacks (”Shot in the Dark”, ”Life’s Too Short”, ”Run Away With Me”) and get as tender as cuddling on a cold night (”Give You A Ring”, ”Don’t Walk Away”).
Listen and buy music from No Justice HERE
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