In case you’ve been living on some other distant planet, you know that in every shop you go there’s at least one record in the ‘must have’ section that involved Ritchie Blackmore. Whether it’s from Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmore’s night or any other project he’s been involved in, you know it’s a work of art. Still, you have to admit, the man’s taste for music has changed considerably along the years. Starting with hard rock…
There are billions of unsigned and indie artists to be found online. Some are worth a listen, others are interesting but not quite there, but the vast majority is trying too hard to find the elusive new sound and thus burying themselves into experimental oblivion. Songwriters are always a penny a dozen, even cheaper than guitarists or out-of-tune bass players. Nevertheless, effective songwriting is a question of angle and attitude. A good story needs not…
So some of you may not have heard of the name Brooke Fraser. Hailing from New Zealand, this humble and lovely songbird has already made quite a name for herself in the Pacific region. The album Albertine was released in the U.S not too long ago, and she’s currently on tour. I managed to speak to Brooke over the phone while she was preparing dinner for some friends to just have a chat about her…
Artist name: Tristan Prettyman Album name: Hello…x Label: Virgin Gender: Acoustic Rock Release date: April 15, 2008 ZMErating: 9/10 Website: www.tristanprettyman.com I have been dying to review this album because I am such a big fan and I’ve been waiting for this release for eons, so pardon me if this review gets slightly biased. Hello…x is Tristan’s 2nd studio album, following twentythree, which was released in 2005. When I got this album it’s not been…
Singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman had us dazzled by her beautiful acoustic guitar work from the very first notes that kindly graced our ears. Hear third album, Hello…x, is right around the corner, just a couple of week away and we couldn’t be more thrilled about its release, however till then we’ve got a treat prepared for Tristan fans and first-time listeners alike. Much to our surprise we found that she isn’t just a talented musical artist,…
Artist name: Counting Crows Album name: Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings Label: Geffen Gender: Folk Rock Release date: March 25, 2008 ZMErating: 10/10 Website: www.countingcrows.com Well boys ‘n’ girls it’s here! Don’t know if you were expecting it, but I certainly eagerly awaited their return. Without further ado, I’ll just get right into it and tell you about it. First of all, the name struck me; could it be related in any way with the…
The famous Canadian singer/songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, as expected, is set to soon head out on a tour this summer; his first tour in 15 years! The 73-year-old artist, who was inducted last night (March 10) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be backed on the road by Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals, music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals), Javier Mas (acoustic…
Artist name: The OaKs Album name: Songs For Waiting Label: Self-Released Gender: Indie/Folk Release date: March 3, 2008 ZMErating: 8/10 Website: www.theoaksband.com Passion and meaning have somewhat started to fade away in today’s music, particularly in the more lyrically prominent scenes like folk and indie. The Oaks however, a Florida based band founded by college mates Ryan Costello and Matthew Antolick, are a different story, with potent lyrics, that convey a powerful message, as well…
Artist name: Missy Higgins Album name: On a Clear Night Label: Eleven/Warner Reprise Gender: Acoustic Rock Release date: February 26, 2008 ZMErating: 9/10 Website: www.missyhiggins.com Missy Higgins is the kind of singer which you just have to love, for several reasons; she writes soulful music, without unnecessary sweets and flowers, her lyrics are actually very deep, without being fake or overly trying to impress but somehow manages to captivate you and take you into her…
Justin Vernon or Bon Iver, as he’s better known in the indie music community, made a lot of waves, towards the end of last year, with his independently released debut album “For Emma, Forever Ago.” The intense passion and soul of the album can be sensed from the very first listen, probably because it was truly an album centered around a man’s quest for finding himself. Isolation and sorrow are of the album’s themes, probably…
Andrei Mihai
Vitor Cunha
Kershia Wong
Tibi Puiu