Single Review: C.K. Flach and the Rising Tide “Friends”

New York State-based singer-songwriter C.K. Flach continues to make a lot of noise, whether it’s playing drums for other people or it’s creating his own music. After releasing a solo album called Empty Mansions back about one year ago in 2017, the artist makes a return but this time, he brings along a few friends to help create the music. This time, Flach is joined by bassist Chris Brant, Danny Boudreau on violin and keys and his brother Wayne Flach on guitars. Together, the band known as C.K. and the Rising Tide are currently in the middle of creating their first album. However, the ensemble has released their first single off of the upcoming album as a way of promoting the release. The track is called “Friends”. Like the music that made up Flach’s 2017 album of Empty Mansions, “Friends” finds C.K. and the Rising Tide creating a track that falls into the Americana music genre. The track features a rather strong Country vibe to the music but also contains a strong Rock and Roll feel to go along with that Country approach. The Alt-Country feel of the track is matched up with a lyrical content with a rather strong political lean to it. The track’s lyrics deal with the fact that we humans, as a whole species, have different ways of looking at things. And while we may not agree with everything that everyone else has to say, we can, and should, find ways to survive with each other as we look for ways to live side-by-side instead of causing wars. With the current political climate of the nation being what it is, and with recent events in the country being cause for concern, the track’s message of unity through friendship is one we should all get behind. While the song “Friends” is only one track from C.K. and the Rising Tide, Flach’s 2017 solo release of Empty Mansions may be a good indicator of what is to come in the near future from the band.

To experience just a little of the new music from C.K. and the Rising Tide, check out the early release of the band’s song “Friends” by clicking on the link.   

For more information, check out the PR firm for C.K. and the Rising Tide, check out Whiplash PR. 

 

 

Single Review: Dru Cutler “Oceanside/Dance Me to the End of Love”

Tampa, Florida native Dru Cutler has been making a name for himself for the past few years aby assuming many different roles in the recording industry. Whether as a musician, songwriter or film composer, Cutler has been an omnipresent presence in the Brooklyn area as he creates his own music and helps others to bring their projects to life. Having already released one album of his own music entitled Familiar, Dru Cutler is currently in the middle of creating his newest release; an album entitled Bring Closer the Distance. While still in the process of bringing the project to a close, Cutler has released a two-song EP as a way of promoting the upcoming album. The new two-song EP from Dru Cutler consists of the songs “Oceanside” and the Leonard Cohen track “Dance Me to the End of Love”.

Dru Cutler’s new two-song EP begins with the track “Oceanside”. Cutler wrote the track as a way of dealing with the relationship of his parents. The letter that the track is based around was written during a long-distance relationship between his parents. The lyrics about one of the parties being on one side of the country while the other misses them have a definite sadness to them. That sadness is matched up well with the moderate pace of the track. That moderate pace and slightly laidback energy level to the pop-rock music in the song creates a track that would fit in on Hot Adult Contemporary radio formats.

The second track on the new EP from Dru Cutler is his take on the Leonard Cohen-penned song “Dance Me to the End of Love”. Just like other songs written by Leonard Cohen, and especially with his strangely popular song of “Hallelujah,” there is something more to the lyrics of the track of “Dance Me to the End of Love” than is evident in the recorded song. The deeply haunting lyrics about dancing to the music in order to try to mentally escape the atrocities going on around you make for a very powerful piece of poetry. When matched up with the original music from Cohen, the inclusion of the violin added a definite Jewish flavor to the track. Plus, the rather lengthy playtime of the tune allowed for a slow dance to occur when listening to the song. And the slow pace to the song allowed for the sadness within the meaning of the lyrics to shine through. When Dru Cutler did this newly-recorded version, he included the violin to the music to give the song a good deal of familiarity when comparing his and Cohen’s versions. However, the more upbeat feel of the song and quicker pace to the music took away some of the sting that was meant to exist in the words. But the more upbeat version by Dru Cutler of Leonard Cohen’s song has probably ensured a wider audience for the track.

The new two-song EP from Dru Cutler containing the tracks “Oceanside” and “Dance Me to the End of Love” gives the listener a good indication of Cutler’s ability as a songwriter as well as his abilities as song arranger. The two different sides to Cutler’s personality as a musician come through in a very strong way on this release. And since this EP is just a small sample of what is to come from Dru Cutler’s upcoming album entitled Bring Closer the Distance, the listener is left with the desire to hear more. Luckily, it won’t be long until that desire is fulfilled.

To check out the new two-song EP from Dru Cutler containing the tracks “Oceanside” and “Dance Me to the End of Love,” check out this link HERE.

For more information, check out Dru Cutler’s PR Firm, Whiplash PR.  

CD Review: The Söur Bruthers S/T

Growing up together helps to add a certain amount of familiarity to the way members in a band relate to each other. One band that is truly creating music with a definite “family” feel to their music is the band called The Söur Bruthers. And even though the members of the band grew up around each other, they all went their separate ways when joining up with previous musical projects. But those previous projects are what have helped to shape the music of The Söur Bruthers.

Chicago-based band The Söur Bruthers consist of band members: Tim Dlaregztif – Guitar/Vocals, Mike Argyrakis – Guitar Vocals, Bill Lloyd – Bass/Vocals and Tony Alunni – Drums/Drums. Each member of the group (or Bruther) drops their own last name when performing in the band and uses Sour as the band identity. Together, Tim, Mike, Bill and Tony Sour blend their various musical influences to create a sound in their band that can only be described as Americana because of the Retro-Pop, Blues, Hard Rock and Country vibes that flow through the songs of the group. What the band calls “SOURLICIOUS ROCK WITH A COUNTRY TWANG!” flows through the band’s debut self-titled EP.

“Sinkin’ Down” is the first track on the self-titled release from The Söur Bruthers. With this track, the band begins their EP with one of the hardest-hitting tracks. The Rock and Roll track contains a slight Country twang in the music. Moreover, the music of the band seems to recall the style of Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band. While the music is closer to Rock and Roll, the lyrics recall Country music a little more. The energy contained within the playing of the band on “Sinkin’ Down” made the choice for leading off the EP with the song a good one as the track hits and hits hard, giving the listener a good indication of what is to come.

In the short time that The Söur Bruthers have been a band, the group has already seen some positive reactions to the music. The band’s song “Better Days” was entered in the 2017 18^th Annual Great American Song Contest where it won the contest. “Better Days” contains a musical mix that actually closer to Southern Rock in the vein of a band like Molly Hatchet than it is to actual Country music. Because of the strong guitar-based foundation to the song, the track would belong more on an Album-Oriented Rock radio format rather than on a Country music format. The driving nature of the track’s music helps to create one of the more powerful moments on the release.

The six-song self-titled EP from The Söur Bruthers continues with the track “3A.M.” With this track, the band creates a sound that brings to mind another group, The Beat Farmers, as both bands have very similar blends of styles in their music, as well as the same sort of lyrical content in their words. The Country-Rock music in the song creates a track that would easily fit on any modern-day Country music format. “3A.M.” is easily one of the best tracks that make up the EP. The only thing is that the track should be a lot longer, as it currently doesn’t even hit the 3-minute mark.

The Söur Bruthers pick up the pace of the music on the next track of “Wash Me”. With this track, the band increases the energy level of their playing while stripping their sound of anything Country music-related. The resulting track finds the band creating a song that is straight-out Rock and Roll. Actually, the track would be easily categorized as being “Hard Rock”. That Hard Rock approach comes courtesy of powerful guitars that push the energy level of the song up a notch or two when compared to the band’s more Country-flavored tracks. “Wash Me” is one of the more energetic tracks on the band’s self-titled EP.

The self-titled EP from The Söur Bruthers comes to a close with the track “Release Me”. With the very first notes from the guitar and the piano on the track, it’s rather clear the track has an extremely commercial feel to the music. The track is mostly Rock and Roll with just a hint of Country to it. The song once again brings to mind acts like Bob Seger or other artists from the eighties as the song would easily fit in with the more rockin’ acts from the era. As the final track of the EP, “Release Me” hits hard from the first note and takes the release home on a very strong note.

With their new self-titled EP, Chicago’s The Söur Bruthers have created a release that makes good use of every musical influence that exists within the quartet. When the band wants to create a Country-flavored track, the result is a track that sounds very authentic and would be welcome on any Country radio format. And when the band goes in a more Rock and Roll direction, they create tracks that will satisfy any fan of the Rock and Roll genre. As you listen to the self-titled EP from this band of friends, it becomes very clear that long-time friends make the best bandmates as The Söur Bruthers are a very tight musical ensemble.

For a taste of the music from The Söur Bruthers, check out the band’s track “Better Days,” the song that helped the band win the 18^th Annual Great American Song Contest.

For more information, check out the band’s PR firm, Whiplash PR.

CD Review: Randy Steele “Songs from the Suck”

Performing one style of music for many years can make a musician crave something different from time to time; especially if that musician has an inner desire to stretch as an artist. Having spent much time as part of the band Slim Pickens Bluegrass, Randy Steele is one musician who is currently on a mission to create something different from the usual Bluegrass music associated with the band he has been with since 2008. And right now, Randy Steele is getting the chance to do just that as he is currently celebrating the release of a new solo album that features a lot more variety than just Bluegrass.

The resulting collection of new music from Randy Steele is a mix of Americana music that features a variety of sounds. Along with the Bluegrass music that has been a part of Randy Steele’s life for the decade or so, Steele’s solo material incorporates a mix of Country music along with other Roots music influences. Together, these musical influences help to shape the new release from Randy Steele that is entitled Songs from the Suck, a title that refers to Suck Creek, a river near where Steele currently lives.

Songs from the Suck from Randy Steele begins with the track “Northbound 29”. With this track, Randy Steele and his band of musicians create a track that is largely based in the Bluegrass genre. Like much Bluegrass music, the sound of the track features the banjo and the fiddle as the main instruments that help to bring the song to life. The track Of “Northbound 29” comes across as just as authentic as much older songs that have been created by bands like Slim Pickens Bluegrass for decades.

The album continues with the song “Angels with Halos”. Along with the musicians that help to back him up, Randy Steele creates a track that is a lot closer to Country music than Bluegrass. The track contains a much fuller sound as the music contains not only the guitar and fiddle, but also steel guitar and snare drum, creating a track that would be right at home on Country radio formats that feature a mix that incorporates the older styles of Country music. “Angels with Halos” is the perfect track for those listeners who are looking for the sounds of Country music’s past.

With the next song, Randy Steele creates an instrumental track entitled “Shove the Pig’s Foot a Little Closer to the Fire”. The feeling of a Bluegrass reel on the track creates a song that, once again, makes good use of Steele’s Bluegrass background.

Randy Steele continues his album with the track “Mobile Soon”. With this track, Steele returns to a Country state of mind in the music as he plays a slow-paced song that feels very much like an ode to the city. The use of guitar and fiddle make a solid yet simple combination in the music to create a track that feels timeless in nature. Whether today or twenty years ago, “Mobile Soon” could find a large audience on Country music radio stations. “Mobile Soon” is easily one of the tracks on Steele’s Songs from the Suck that stands out for all the right reasons.

One of the tracks on Songs from the Suck that stands out because of the more progressive feel of the music is “Hard Givin’”. Randy Steele and the rest of the band seem to seamlessly combine the Country and Bluegrass genres to create a hybrid sound in the song’s music. The track feels as if it has brought the Bluegrass genre into a more modern age. “Hard Givin’” is yet another track on the release that listeners will gravitate towards.

Taking the music back to an earlier time, Randy Steele and company create the track “1983,” a song that feels as if it had been influenced by the likes of Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt of Foggy Mountain Boys fame. The track features the banjo and fiddle as the track brings to mind the earlier days of recorded music. The track of “1983” even feels more authentic as the entire track falls under the two-minute play-time, which would have been perfect for a 78 RPM gramophone record.

The final track of “…To the New Perspective” features a simple banjo and vocal arrangement. The track of the release brings to mind the music of someone like Earl Scruggs as the track’s simplistic approach has a definite Old Timey feel to it. That retro feel to the music seems to have been the perfect way to bring the Songs from the Suck to a close as it recalls the early recordings of Bluegrass music.

There is much to love about the Songs from the Suck release from Randy Steele. Whether it is the classic Bluegrass approach or the more modern musical style, the album features songs that will fit nicely within any Country or Bluegrass lover’s music collection.

To check out the music of Randy Steele, listen to the song “Hard Givin’“.

For more information, check out Randy Steele’s PR firm Whiplash PR.

Single Review: Divining Rod “Hemlock Blues/Love Come Tumbling”

After Miyuki Furtado had spent time creating some Alternative Rock with the band called The Rogers Sisters, the band dissolved and went their separate ways. But having spent so much time as a musician, it wasn’t long before musician Miyuki Furtado was looking for the next phase in his musical career. Before long, Furtado hooked up with Patrick Harmon. Like Furtado, Harmon had a background in music that included Rock and Roll. In fact, the band that Harmon had last been a part of created a style referred to as Psych-pop.

You would figure with backgrounds in such strong Rock and Roll styles that the two musicians of Miyuki Furtado and Patrick Harmon would end up creating a band together that was rooted in Alternative Rock or another style of Rock and Roll that was equally as powerful. However, once they came together as a duo, the two musicians started exploring their other musical influences. For instance, with Furtado having been raised in Hawaii, the Hawaiian music was a major influence on him as was Country and Bluegrass. Together with Harmon’s influences, the duo started creating music to fit around the lyrics written by Furtado. Together, the duo started creating music under the moniker of Divining Rod.

As Divining Rod, the duo splits up the musical responsibilities. As the main singer-songwriter, Miyuki Furtado sings and plays the guitar, bass and drums for the duo. At the same time, Patrick Harmon helps to flesh out the music for the duo as he provides the lead guitar/acoustic guitar for each of the tracks that Divining Rod creates.

Having already put out several short releases which includes the 2012 self-titled EP, Diving Rod is currently working on a full-length album that will be entitled Return to Crystal Cove. But for right now, the duo is promoting a two-song single to help get the word out about the upcoming album. The new two-song single from Divining Rod features the tracks “Hemlock Blues” and “Love Come Tumbling”.

The “Hemlock Blues/Love Come Tumbling” single from Diving Rod begins with the track “Hemlock Blues”. The track features a sound that is based around both the acoustic guitar and the electric guitar at the same time. The combination of the two different guitars creates a full sound that seems equally balanced right from the start. The resulting musical combination gives the listener a track that would have been right at home back in the seventies and ends up feeling like something that would have come from some of the more Folk-like musicians from that era. The track also contains a slightly psychedelic feel to that same musical combination while at the same time, containing a very driving feel to the music. Ultimately, because of the folk feel of the song along with the style of the lyrics in the song, the track of “Hemlock Blues” sounds like something from the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young if they would have added a lot more energy to their music.

The new two-song release from Divining Rod continues with the second of the two tracks. The second song is entitled “Love Come Tumbling”. With this track, the duo of Miyuki Furtado and Patrick Harmon change the pace to the single by slowing the music down just a little. “Love Come Tumbling” features a style that is slightly retro in its nature as the duo creates a track that combines some elements of early Rock and Roll with more recent Indie Rock. The track begins with a rather simple guitar riff and an easy beat of the bass drum. The inclusion of the bass and the rest of the drumkit help to give the track that retro feel. The song moves along and includes an instrumental break that brings to mind songs from jambands like The Grateful Dead. After a while, the vocals from Miyuki Furtado return to help bring the song to a close. The song of “Love Come Tumbling” feels both fresh and retro at the same time.

The “Hemlock Blues/Love Come Tumbling” single features two tracks from Divining Rod that help to give the listener just a small indication of what is to come when the group finally puts out the Return to Crystal Cove album in the near future. With how strong the two tracks included in the single happen to be, the upcoming release promises to be worth the wait.

While the Return to Crystal Cove album from Divining Rod is still being created, their “Hemlock Blues/Love Come Tumbling” single will be released on November 11, 2017. Along with a digital version, you’ll also be able to purchase CD copies as well as actual record singles.

To check out the music of Divining Rod, click HERE for the Tiny Desk video to “Love Come Tumbling“.

For more information, check out the band’s PR Firm Whiplash PR. 

Single Review: Barbott “Cream”

The Barcelona, Spain-based band Barbott got their start as a band and has been creating music ever since 2012. Although the band has changed a few members over the years, the current lineup of the group consists of: Singer/Guitarist Guillem Sala, Bassist Marc Bertran, Guitarist Martí Rosselló, Drummer Josep Méndez and Keyboard player Albert Iribarne. Since coming together, this quintet has created two EPs of music as well as the 2016 full-length album entitled Curves. From this release, Barbott recently released the track “Cream” as a single. The song begins with both the keyboard and the guitar creating strong musical riffs that are both rather infectious. Together, the two riffs blend together to form the basis of the song. The combination of the two musical mindsets help to create a definite Indie Rock feel to the band’s sound. This creates an almost pop-like feel to the song. On this track, the vocals from singer/guitarist Guillem Sala contain a rather gentle quality to them. That gentle quality in the vocals mixes well with the instrumentation on the track. As the song progresses, the bass from Marc Bertran adds a rather strong bottom to the track adding a lot of energy to the song. Soon, the rest of the band joins in to create an upbeat track that features a strong guitar presence as well as a strong keyboard presence. Together, the pop approach of the song and the heavy bass line combine to create the band’s Indie Rock sound. “Cream” from Barbott is a strong track that contains pop, rock and even some psychedelic elements to the music. The track of “Cream” is only one song from Barbott’s full-length Curves release, but it is a great track to draw people over to the band’s music.

For the music of Barbott, check out the band’s BANDCAMP profile.

For more information, check out the band’s PR firm, Whiplash PR.