OverLOADed

Guys, I am very overloaded right now. I will try to get more reviews up when I can, but it will be a while.

KingBathmat
Son of a Nun
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Stylistically, I'd put this smack dab in the rock genre. There's plenty of thick, distorted humbucker guitars and live sounding drums here. A bit of electronic stuff ala Radiohead plays, too. This is a well produced CD from a solo artist in the UK. I personally prefer the slower electronic tinged songs, but you may groove on the hard rockers more. It's all pretty good.

Pat Ortman
The Wow Signal
Empty Street Music
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This is Pat's 2nd indie CD. As with his 2002 self titled release, this is almost a one man show. Impressive. The songs are extremely melodic and hooky, but not banal. I'd characterize Pat as a poet/rocker, in the same vein as David Gray or the band Coldplay. The words matter to Pat, and it shows. It's a smooth, often downtempo CD that also brings to mind bands like Travis and classic Peter Gabriel in some places. The CD title is based on a radio signal intercepted in 1977 at the Ohio State Radio Obersvatory, which evidently points to the possibility of intelligent alien life. Pat characterizes the CD as a "semi concept album", with the main theme being the search for one's place in life and the alienation of modern civilization. Pretty heavy, but he pulls it off. My favorite songs are "Victim", "It Begins", and "More". I think I'd also include the title track in there, which adds the squeaky electronic spacescapes of ambient artist Bill Whitehouse to the mix. This CD shines.

Aquarius Blue
R-U-Blue-2?
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Eric sent this CD without any presskit. That's OK, not like I'm Rolling Stone. I popped this disc into my player and was instantly surprised- the music rocks! It's very cleanly produced, but real deep. I'd characterize the sound as something between Tom Petty and Wilco. What really pops on the first listen are the amazingly well done guitars. Bravo! Good luck Eric, your music deserves success.

Los Diablos
It's a Long and Lonely Time Until the Train Will Bring You Home
Nine Mile Records
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John says that Los Diablos is a combination of the Pogues and early Tom Waits. I see some Waits in the growly vocals, and in the arrangements. And The Pogues influence is here as well. But the description doesn't let the listener know what a joyous, happy sound this CD has. If you like real instruments like mandolin, accordian, and more... this is for you. This CD is well produced, the songs are strong but not too complicated (what I mean by this is, you can quickly and easily get into the songs). This band obviously has paid it's dues with many live shows, and if you're lucky enough to live near these guys get out and give 'em a listen! If you're not, then at least buy the CD and imagine yourself in a crowded Irish pub with a great big pint of beer served by a beautiful blue eyed raven haired Irish lass.

Jeza

This European artist says this CD is his intention at remaking an album along the lines of Sgt Peppers, but in his own way. There's not much of a direct Beatle influence that I hear, but there is a common thread of instrumental and rhythmic daring that runs through both albums. Actually, I think a lot of these songs would sound good on The Beatle's "White Album". Jeza's main instrument is guitar and vocals, which he supplements with backing musicians in a very professional way. The band is loose, but tight... if that makes sense. Overall, I think artists like Sting and Steely Dan fit in well next to Jeza. There's a smoothness in Jeza that those other artists also have. One last thing- it sounds like Jeza and his pals had a blast recording this CD. More...

Frodo CPU

I received this CD a couple of weeks ago. Frode Holm is an artist from Norway, who has been transplanted to sunny Santa Barbara California. This CD reminds me of a cross between the artists Steely Dan and Kenny G... heavy on the Steely Dan. It's a middle of the road Adult Contemporary album, and Frode's done a great job of it. In some of the songs you can hear the gulls in Santa Barbara, and the gentle waves. As a fellow Southern Californian, I can attest that this would be a good CD to chill out to as you motor down the pacific coast highway. More...

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I choose a new CD to review each month, and generally only review the ones I like the best. Send me an email for submission address. No CDs will be returned. No calls, please- I have a day job too.

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Paging Raymond
I was just introduced to this band via a friend, and I love 'em! My favorite song is the first track on their cd, called "23 miles". These guys have a great pop sensibility, and rather than bore me with another rap or angry 20 year old white male limp bizkit rant these guys wrote a cd that can rightly be called an instant classic. When they compare themselves to bands like barenaked ladies and counting crows it's not just idle chatter. Check these guys out, support their music. More...

On Off On
If you've been in the California music scene for any length of time you'll probably have run across OnOffOn. They're a prog jazz ensemble based out of Hollywood. The guys put on quite a live show, with all sorts of midi things happening through a set of improvised jams on songs. The bassist of OnOffOn, Von, is himself the son of a very hot Hollywood jazz bassist (more about that here). You'd imagine a group with a pedigree like OnOffOn would be worth listening to, and you'd be right. The band blends their progressive jazz stylings with elements of psychedelic rock and a bit of improvised uncertainty. When it hits, it hits! I'd defnitely buy the CD, but see this band live too. They are amazing. More...

Nick Bischoff, 6 Feet Under The Radar
I like Nick Bischoff's music best driving along in Santa Monica, hometown of this folk stylist. Nick's a guy with a great sense of wry humor in his work, as evidenced by songs like "Sitting Alone In My Room With A View Of The Beach". This CD reminds me of what a guy with both artistic and literary sensibilities can do with alterna folk music. Nick is a guy who tirelessly gigs around the Los Angeles area, and I've seen him twice. I'm hoping to get a chance to listen to a new Nick Bischoff CD some time soon, I'll definitely buy one. By the way, Nick is also a painter and has a cool line of greeting cards available at his website. More...