A stunning collection, humble yet brilliant – precisely the kind of artist we should all be celebrating.
Americana
A far stretch away from the bells and over-production more commonly on display at this time of year. Joe The Bluesman leans towards the likes of The Pogues with this single, yet maintaining the opening acoustic purity throughout the entire lifespan of the beautifully thoughtful and appreciative Christmas With You.
Celebrating an impressive three decades on the live scene and thriving within the music world in general, New York’s White Collar Crime emerge with a stunning collection of songs under the title 30 Years In The New York Rain, and it’s a total pleasure to listen through.
Leading with a touch of that country twang, a blues or folk-like soundscape, a quietly uplifting shuffle of a rhythm, and an almost trip-hop-like aura on the whole, the song strands tall on the strength of its own concept, and Kris Angelis more than delivers.
The leading vocal is notably accessible, that boy-next-door tone intrigues during the verses, then peaks with superb passion and vibrancy for the chorus, and meanwhile the instrumentation continues to weave an upbeat and musically satisfying web around listeners.
Fresh from the top of the playlist that is the brand new album Fight Another Day, Promised Land kicks things off with a heavy folk-rock, Americana-soaked core, and a contrastingly delicate, soulful vocal that’s quickly inviting.
There is no question of a lead vocal performance being copied and pasted into position here, the variety of takes between the repeated patterns is as organic and fresh as you like, giving the song a living, beating heart to focus on. Smooth.
Americana in a reasonably gentle set of colours here (despite the subject matter), as Josef McManus’ White Owl Red sets out its stall with a careful political agenda: ‘Just tryin’ to make things a little better’. A rolling and tuneful backing track lends authentic support to the softly-sung thoughts about the undisputed horrors caused by … Continued
“Fans who see an artist live have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the music. It’s just that simple.”
At the same time as feeling like a classic hit, this also feels like a moment captured in time – a raw and unedited expression of intimate feelings and poetic observations.
Leading with a clear and consistent level of artistry, the sort that’s all at once emotive and captivating, the Final Reflections album from the Peter Ulrich Collaboration project makes for a uniquely creative and compelling experience.
Lost My Ticket is a fine introduction to the Kuwait based band, but more than this – it’s a short collection of original songs that genuinely breathe new life into the music world.