by trevorml | Dec 18, 2012 | Charts New
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Do you want to know about the downside of love? Listen to the eponymous debut album by Evan Brum and The Royal High. The New York City-based songwriter crafts nine brooding, dark and moody songs enhanced with his gritty vocals, most of which focus on different aspects of the negative side of relationships.
Evan talks about his inspiration and subject matter:
“Some of the songs like Radio and Black & Blue I drew inspiration through personal life experiences I was going through at the time…the heartbreak of Black & Blue…Radiowas more of an introspective look at the resignation of living alone and waiting for some sort of message.
Songs such as Shining Star and Here Comes the Sun show a more abstract approach to songwriting…I take a lot of inspiration from Van Morrison’s early work. I’ve always admired artists who can use the power of abstract imagery to evoke human emotion and to relate it to their personal experience. This is what I was going for on these songs.
There is also an element of old fashioned, straight ahead rock n’ roll in my songwriting, such as the no nonsense New Love—just telling it like it is. I invoked Bob Seger here.
One of my favorites on the album is Look Who’s Cryin’ with Bryan Smith’s wonderful Melotron sound.”
Evan grew up in small town Rhode Island surrounded by the sounds of classic American roots and blues music. He was influenced by artists such as Taj Mahal, Albert King, Richie Havens, Van Morrison, Bob Seger, and The Allman Brothers Band. Over the past few years, Evan and his band The Royal High have developed an eclectic mix of classic roots based music, combined with a modern rock edge. Evan’s raspy vocal delivery has been described as a “Tom Jones/Tom Waits sandwich.” Evan compliments his gritty vocal styling with percussive, rhythm based acoustic guitar playing.
In 2004, after several years as singer for a string of local bands in Rhode Island, Evan took up the guitar and began developing his songwriting. Now, his debut album showcases his songcrafting skills with nine stunning original compositions. The songs, though diverse and distinct, share a dark, moody feel and subject matter that is enhanced by his raw vocal style. In both the songs and the performances, you will hear hints of Springsteen, Mellencamp, Van Morrison and Bob Seger, but Evan is not an imitator—this is an exciting original talent.
The Royal High is Jon Shriver on lead guitar, multi-keyboardist Bryan Smith, drummer Matt Zebroski, and New Zealand native Mat Fieldes on bass.
http://www.evanbrum.com
by trevorml | Dec 18, 2012 | Charts New
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Desolator was founded in Olsztyn in 1989 by Marek “Kościej” Makosiej (g./voc.) and Arek “Jasiu” Jankowski (dr.) as a grindcore band. Soon after discovering Napalm Death’s “Scum”, they also discovered death metal bands such as Benediction, Bolt Thrower or Morbid Angel and started to move in that direction. After the 1st bass player, Wojtek “Wróbel” Orzeł, had left the band soon after forming, the band hired Tomek “Gruby” Ryżewski for this position. However, the most important changes were still to take place. And they did. Tomek “Orzełek” Orzeł was in to become the voice of Desolator, Gruby left, Orzełek became the bass player, too, and the band hired the second guitarist, Radek Lewandowski. It was the strongest and the most productive Desolator lineup. In 1992, they released their debut demo-tape “…without anaesthetization…”. Years 1990-1993 were the best in Desolator’s history. The band played many successful gigs with such giants of Polish metal underground as Vader, Slashing Death, Unborn, Christ Agony. In 1993-1994, the band started looking for the new fields of expression, which caused serious lineup changes that soon led to band’s split-up. After 20 years of releasing “…without anaesthetization…”, Desolator is back with the full-time debut album containing all songs (but one – the first Desolator death metal track ever – “Decay of Souls” – perhaps we will have the chance to publish it in the future) written and performed from 1989 to 1993.
http://www.facebook.com/desolatordeathmetal
by trevorml | Dec 13, 2012 | Charts New
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“The Certainty Of Being Found” is an instrumental CD that includes elements of dub/ambient reggae mixed with spanish guitar. The CD has 12 tracks (6 tracks of dub/ambient/spanish guitar and 6 guitar interludes).
“The Certainty Of Being Found” has Ian producing, playing guitar, keys, melodica, and mixing. Approaching the recording process as both a musician, and audio engineer, has led to an amazing result. “The Certainty Of Being Found” is a very deep and intense musical experience, and you can easily feel the emotion in each track.
David Vincola on drums and percussion, and Mat Fieldes on Bass help round out the sound on “The Certainty Of Being Found”.
“moody, engaging, multi-section composition draws the listener in like a movie, as if each section (including Spanish guitar, reggae melodic) is a character in a drama that’s unfolding” — Music Connection
Whether you are looking for great compositions, great playing, or music to relax you and lead you into deep thought, this CD is exactly what you are looking for.
“cool musical experience…deep emotions in every track…pure mind clearing music” — T.H.I.N. Magazine
“unexpected thematic twists…quite intriguing…something a bit different for the discerning listener” —Awareness Magazine
Website: http://www.sdmprecords.com
