Upcoming Releases (all dates subject to change):

UPCOMING ALBUM RELEASES 041924:

NOTES:
John Oates releases solo album, "Reunion" on 5/17!
Grateful Dead expand "From The Mars Hotel" for 50th Anniversary on 6/21!
Little Feat expand "Feats Don't Fail Me Now" on 6/14!
Jam and Style Council's legendary guitar player Paul Wellers to release "66" on 5/24!

NOW ON SALE:
Papercuts-Linkin Park (CD/ Cassette/ 2LP)
Ghost Stories-Blue Oyster Cult
All Of The Above-Ross Valory
Nickelback documentary "Hate To Love" begins streaming on Veeps for $9.99.
Ohio Players-The Black Keys
Only God Was Above Us-Vampire Weekend
All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade-The Libertines
American Primitive-Old 97's
Mood Swings-Marcus King
Vultures-Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign
Mirror In The Sky-Yes (blu-ray/ Dolby Atmos/ 5.1 Surround Sound/ Instrumental Mixes of the 2023 album)
Evolution-Sheryl Crow
Heaven :x: Hell-Sum 41 (farewell album)
Interplay-Ride
Piano Piano 2-Jeremiah Fraites (lumineers solo project)
Dark Encounters-The Prog Collective (steve stevens project)
The Hill-Aaron Lewis (staind singers solo country project)
Machine Head-Deep Purple (Super Deluxe Edition)
Final, Vol. #2-Enrique Iglesias
JPEG Raw-Gary Clark Jr.
Cinquanta-Maynard James Keenan (tool)
Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran-Shakira

RECENT RELEASES:
Cowboy Carter-Beyonce
Everything I Thought I Was-Justin Timberlake
Happiness Bastards-The Black Crowes
Blue Electric Light-Lenny Kravitz
Eternal Sunshine-Ariana Grande
Bleachers-Bleachers
Invincible Shield-Judas Priest
Glasgow Eyes-The Jesus And Mary Chain
The Collective-Kim Gordon (sonic youth)
Girlfriends-Dion
Live At The Wiltern-The Rolling Stones (CD/DVD/blue-ray/vinyl)
Billion Dollar Babies-Alice Cooper (3LP/ 2CD-Trillion Dollar" Deluxe Edition).
Metallica-Metallica (limited edition 180-gram marbled colored vinyl)
10,000 Volts-Ace Frehley
Mick Mars-The Other Side Of Mars (former motley crue)
I'd Like Off EP-Yonder Mountain String Band
Race The Night-Ash (expanded 20th anniversary edition)
Band On The Run-Paul McCartney & Wings (expanded 50th anniversary edition...And Justice For All-Metallica (limited edition 180-gram green colored vinyl)
...Master Of Puppets-Metallica (limited edition 180-gram battery brick colored vinyl)
G. Love & Special Sauce-G. Love & Special Sauce (expanded 30th Anniversary edition)

UPCOMING RELEASES:

4/19/24:____________________________________________________________________________________________
The Tortured Poets Department-Taylor Swift
Dark Matter-Pearl Jam
Tarantula Heart-Melvins
But I'll Wait For You-Local Natives
The Other Side-T-Bone Burnett
Dark Side Of The Moon-Pink Floyd (180-gram 2LP collector's edition on crystal clear vinyl w/ UV Prism Spectrum artwork printed on non-grooved side)
FU##IN' UP-Neil Young & Crazy Horse (vinyl version live album release date 4/20)
Defiance, Part 2: Fiction-Ian Hunter (vinyl/ CD/ digital) (lots of guests including the late Taylor Hawkins and the late Jeff Beck).
Cometh The Storm-High On Fire
Best Of Bruce Springsteen-Bruce Springsteen (18 track set on 2LP/ 1CD, 31 track digital set)

04/20/24: RECORD STORE DAY!!!!!!_______________________________________________________________________
Ace Frehley-10,000 Volts (LP Picture Disc)
Ann Wilson & Tripsitter-Ann Wilson & Tripsitter Live In Concert (2LP)
ATEEZ-The World EP. FIN: WILL (X version) (7-inch vinyl)
Beatles-She Loves You (3-inch vinyl)
Beatles-'Til There Was You (3-inch vinyl)
Beatles-I Want To Hold Your Hand (3-inch vinyl)
Beatles-I Saw Her Standing There (3-inch vinyl)
Bebe Rexha-All Your Fault: Pt. 1 & 2 (LP)
Black Crowes-Wanting and Waiting (7-inch vinyl)
Blessid Union Of Souls-Walking Off The Buzz (1LP)
Bobby Rush-99 & 1/2 Won't Do (7-inch vinyl 45rpm single)
blur-Parklife (30th anniversary zoetrope vinyl picture disc with 10" bonus disc)
Carol Douglas-Night Fever (LP)
Collective Soul-Dosage (25th anniversary edition) (1LP)
Cannonball Adderley-Burnin' In The Bordeaux: Live In France 1969 (2LP)
Cannonball Adderley-Poppin' In Paris: Live At L'Olympia 1972 (2LP)
Captain Beefheart-The Spotlight Kid (2LP)
Charlie Parker-Norman Granz' Jazz At The Philharmonic (limited edition 1LP)
Chase Atlantic-Chase Atlantic (1LP)
Cheech & Chong-Up In Smoke (LP)
Chris Isaak-Beyond The Sun (The Complete Collection 2LP set)
Corey Taylor-CMF2BA...or Not 2B (LP)
Cold War Kids-CWK EP (10" vinyl)
Daft Punk-Something About Us (12-inch vinyl single)
Damage-Recorded Live Off The Board at CBGB (1LP)
Danny Ocean-54+1 (LP)
David Bowie-Waiting In The Sky (Before The Starman Came To Earth) (1LP)
De La Soul-Live At Tramps NYC 1996 (LP or CD)
Dead Or Alive-The Pete Hammond Hi-Nrg Remixes (2LP)
Death Cab For Cutie-Live At The Shadow Box (2LP)
Def Leppard-One Night Only: Live At The Leadmill 2023 (2LP)
Dolores O'Riordan-Are You Listening? (2LP)
Donna Summer-Many States Of Independence (12-inch vinyl single)
Dio-Last In Line (40th Anniversary zoetrope picture disc) (1LP)
Dio-Last In Live (40 years of The Last In Line) (12-inch vinyl picture disc)
Dirty Heads-Midnight Control Deluxe: Collectors Edition (4LP)
Dirty Heads-Dessert (7-inch vinyl single)
Doctor Who-Doctor Who: The Edge Of Destruction (12-inch vinyl picture disc)
Dr. John-Gris Gris Gumbo Ya Ya: Singles 1968-1974 (2LP)
Duncan Sheik-Duncan Sheik (LP)
Elton John-Caribou (2LP 50th Anniversary Edition)
Emerson Lake & Palmer-Pictures At An Exhibition (LP Picture Disc)
English Beat-Wha'ppen? (2LP)
Eric Carr (kiss)-Unfinished Business (deluxe edition) (2LP/ CD)
Faces-The BBC Session Recordings (2LP)
Filter-The Very Best Things: 1995-2008 (2LP)
Fleet Foxes-Live On Boston Harbor (3LP)
Fleetwood Mac-Rumours (LP Picture Disc)
Frank Zappa-Zappa For President (2LP)
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons-The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette (LP)
Flying Burrito Brothers-Live In Amsterdam 1972 (2LP)
Foghat-Permission To Jam: Live In New Orleans 1973 (2LP)
Frank Turner-Girl From The Record Shop (7-inch 45 rpm vinyl single)
Fun Boy Three-Extended (2LP)
Garbage-Lie To Me (EP)
Gene Clark-The Lost Studio Sessions (1964-1982) (2LP)
Gene Clark-No Other Sessions (2LP)
George Harrison-Electronic Sound (Zoetrope Vinyl Picture Disc)
George Harrison-Wonderwall Music (LP Picture Disc)
Ghost Note-Mustard n' Onions (2LP)
G. Love & Special Sauce-G. Love & Special Sauce (30th Anniversary 2LP set)
Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson-Winter In America
Golden Earring-The Cut Sessions (2LP)
Gorillaz-Cracker Island (2LP Deluxe Vinyl Edition)
Grateful Dead-Nightfall Of Diamonds (4LP)
HIM-Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart (12" Picture Disc)
Howlin' Wolf-Love In Europe (Bremen, 1964) (1LP)
Ian Hunter-Defiance, Part 2: Fiction (limited edition 2LP vinyl edition with 3 bonus tracks)
Iggy & The Stooges-Live At Lokerse Feesten, 2005 (LP)
In This Moment-Star-Crossed Wasteland (LP)
Jeff Buckley & Bary Lucas-Ain't No Sunshine (2LP)
Jerry Garcia Band-Electric On The Eel (4LP)
Jim Croce-Live: The Final Tour (1LP)
Jimmy Cliff-In Concert: The Best Of Jimmy Cliff (1LP)
John Lennon-Mind Games (color or black EP)
Jorma Kaukonen & John Hurlbut-One More Lifetime (LP or CD)
Kate Nash-Back At School b/w Space Odyssey 2001 (LP)
Keane-Live At Paridiso 29.11.04 (2LP)
Kim Wilde-Cherry Red/ Cherry Pop (2LP)
Lamont Dozier-Love & Beauty (LP)
Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Upsetters-Skanking With The Upsetter (LP)
Lil Uzi Vert-Luv Is Rage (LP)
Lil Wayne-Sorry 4 The Wait (2LP)
Linda Ronstadt-The Asylum Albums (4LP set)
Linkin Park-Papercuts (limited edition color vinyl variants/ Zoetrope picture disc/ black vinyl)
Little Richard-Right Now! (LP)
Lowell George-Thanks, I'll Eat It Here (2LP Deluxe Edition)
Malfunkshun-Olympus Awaits (2LP)
Marc Bolan & T. Rex-Zinc Alloy (50th Anniversary edition) (1LP picture disc)
Mark Knopfler-The Boy (12" vinyl EP)
Mavis Staples-Have A Little Faith (deluxe edition 2LP)
Meat Puppets-Live In Montana (LP)
Monkees-The Bird The Bees & The Monkees (LP)
Motley Crue-Supersonic & Demonic Relics (2LP)
Motorhead-Remorse? No! (2LP)
Mr. Big-The Big Finish-Lean Into It Live (LP)
Mudhoney-Suck You Dry: The Reprise Years (5LP Box)
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult-Kooler Than Jesus (EP)
Nancy Sinatra-How Does That Grab You? (LP)
Nas-Illmatic: Remixes & Rarities (LP)
Nat King Cole-Live At The Blue Note Chicago (2LP or 2CD)
Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse-Fuckin' Up (2LP)
Nico-At The Live Inn, Tokyo '96 (LP)
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds-Magic Secrets No. 2 (7" vinyl)
Noah Kahan-I Was/ I Am (LP)
North Mississippi All-Stars-Shake Hands With Shorty (LP)
Notorious B.I.G.-Ready To Die: The Instrumentals (EP)
Olivia Rodrigo-Stick Season & Noah Kahan-Lacy (7-inch double A-side, vinyl 45 rpm single)
OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark)-Bauhaus Staircase (Instrumentals) (LP)
Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark-Junk Culture: Demos & Rarities (2LP)
Paramore-Re: This Is Why (2LP standard & remix set)
Paramore-Re: This Is Wny (single album standard)
Parliament-Osmium Deluxe Edition (2LP set)
Pearl Jam-Dark Matter (LP)
Pixies-Live From Red Rocks 2005 (2LP)
P.M. Down-Jesus Wept (2LP)(limited edition)
Public Enemy-Revolverlution Tour 2003 (3LP and/or 2CD)
Queen-Cool Cat (7-inch single)
Queen Latifah-Nature Of A Sistah (LP)
Ramones-The 1975 Sire Demos (LP)
RIngo Starr-Crooked Boy (EP)
Screaming Trees-Strange Things Happening-The Ellensburg Demos 1986-88 (LP)
Sevendust-Heavier Than Seven (LP)
Siousie & The Banshees-Nocturne (2LP)
Sleater-Kinney-This Time/ Here Today (7-inch 45rpm vinyl single)
Sonic Youth-Hits Are For Squares (2LP)
Sonny Rollins-Freedom Weaver: The 1959 European Tour Recordings (4LP set)
Sponge-Planet Girls (The Lost 1999 Album) (LP)
Steven Wilson-Harmonic Divergence (LP)
Sun Ra-Pink Elephants on Parade (LP)
Sun Ra-Sun Ra At The Showcase: Live In Chicago 1976-1977 (2LP)
Super Furry Animals-Fuzzy Logic (B-sides & Besides LP)
Supergrass-Kiss Of Life Is 20 (10-inch vinyl EP)
T. Rex-Zinc Alloy (50th Anniversary Zoetrope LP Picture Disc)
Talking Heads-Live At WCOZ 77 (2LP)
Television-Live At The Academy (2LP)
Tesla-Real To Reel, Vol. #1 (limited edition 2LP)
The 1975-The 1975 Live At Gorilla
The Alan Parsons Project-Pyramid 'Work In Progress'
The Cranberries-Bury The Hatchet (the complete sessions) (2LP)
The Cure-The Top (1LP picture disc)
The Dandy Warhols-Live At LEVITATION (LP)
The Dead Milkmen-Bucky Felini (1LP)
The Dirty Heads-Midnight Control (Deluxe Collectors Edition 4LP Box)
The Dixie Dregs-The Great Spectator (LP)
The Doors-Live At Konserthuset, Stockholm, September 20, 1968 (LP Box or 2CD set)
The Dream Syndicate-Sketches For The Days Of Wine and Roses (LP)
The Hives-Black And White Album (out of print album reissued)
The Hives-Lex Hives (black vinyl reissue of out of print album, plus pink vinyl live vinyl collection, "Midsummer Hives Dream" recorded at Terminal 5 in NYC in 2012)
The Hu-Live Glastonbury (LP)
The Infamous Stringdusters-Silver Sky (10th Anniversary LP)
The Offspring-Splinter (20th Anniversary LP Picture Disc)
The Replacements-Not Ready For Prime Time: Live At The Cabaret Metro (2LP)
The Rolling Stones-Live At Racket NYC (LP)
The Rolling Stones-The Rolling Stones (LP)
The Slits-In The Beginning (2LP)
The Tragically Hip-Live At CBGB's (LP)
The Weeknd-XO (3LP)
The Who-The Story Of The Who (2LP)
The Yardbirds-Five Live Yardbirds (LP)
The Yardbirds-Psycho Daisies-The Complete B-sides (LP)
Thin Lizzy-Live At The Hammersmith 16/11/1976 (2LP)
Todd Rundgren-Liars (2LP)
Todd Rundgren-Todd (2LP)
Tom Tom Club-Genius Of Love 2001 Remixes (LP)
Tom Verlaine-Souvenir From A Dream: The Tom Verlaine Albums 1979-1984 (4LP set)
Ty Segall-Three Bells
U2-Atomic City (Live At The Sphere, Las Vegas 10-inch vinyl single)
UB40-UB45 (LP)
Ultravox-Steven Wilson (extended remixes 12-inch vinyl single)
Various-The Power Of The Heart: A Tribute To Lou Reed (1LP/ 1CD/ digital and includes Keith Richards cover of "I'm Waiting For You.")
Wall Of Voodoo-Live 1979 (LP)
Wall Of Voodoo-Wall Of Voodoo (LP)
Wilco-The Whole Love Expanded (LP boxed set)
Willie Nelson-Phases & Stages (2LP)
WIllie Nelson & Various Artists-Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 (2LP)
Wiz Khalifa-Loud Pack (5x7")
Yes-Yale Bowl '71 (LP)

4/24/24_____________________________________________________________________________________________
mAntras-Alien Ant Farm

4/26/24:_____________________________________________________________________________________________
'Live at Morsefest 2022: The Absolute Whirlwind'-TRANSATLANTIC (Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas)(5CD + 2 blu-ray)
Light Verse-Iron & Wine
Nonetheless-Pet Shop Boys
All Born Screaming-St. Vincent
FU##IN' UP-Neil Young & Crazy Horse ( CD version live album)
Rebel Yell-Billy Idol (deluxe 40th anniversary edition on 2LP/ 2CD/ digital)
Pyromania 40-Def Leppard (4CD/1blu-ray box, 1LP half-speed master, 2LP black vinyl, 2LP colored vinyl, 2CD and digital)

5/3/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
Powertron-Bill Nelson (lost album from bebop deluxe member.)
Veritas-P.O.D.
Reasonable Woman-Sia

5/10/24:_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Child Within The Man-Sebastian Bach
Can We Please Have Fun-Kings Of Leon
Vows-Hot Water Music
Rise And Fall-Scotty McCreery
Hopes And Fears-Keane (20th anniversary remastered edition)
The Ox Box-John Entwhistle (6-CD boxed set of solo albums from the bass player of The Who)

5/17/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
Orgy Of The Damned-Slash (blues covers)
Neon Pill-Cage The Elephant
Reunion-John Oates (solo album from member of hall & oates)
On You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To-Knocked Loose
From Hell I Rise-Kerry King (slayer)
Lives Outgrown-Beth Gibbons (portishead singer)
Sam's Place-Little Feat (blues cover album)
Ooh La La-Guster
Still Kids-New Kids On The Block
Lady On The Cusp-Of Montreal
The Avett Brothers-The Avett Brothers
Clancy-twenty one pilots

5/24/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
Exodus (expanded edition)-Bob Marley
Frog In Boiling Water-Diiv
Every New Beginning-Kim Richey
Blue Electric Light-Lenny Kravitz
66-Paul Weller (legendary guitar player for The Jam and The Style Council.)
Drums Of Compassion-Michael Shrieve

5/31/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
Gravity Stairs-Crowded House

6/7/24:_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Forever-Bon Jovi
Eels Time!-Eels
Salvation-Quinn Sullivan

6/14/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again-The Decemberists
V-Black Country Communion
Hummingbird-Carly Pearce
POPtical Illusion-John Cale
Feats Don't Fail Me Now-Little Feat (expanded 50th Anniversary edition)

6/21/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
Good Together-Lake Street Dive
From The Mars Hotel-Grateful Dead (Deluxe 50th anniversary edition, with two bonus tracks. The 3CD set includes a 1974 concert on disc 2 & 3)
An Hour Before It's Dark: Live in Port Zelande 2023-Marillion (2CD digipak/ blu-ray digipak/ DVD/ 3LP vinyl)

7/5/24:_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Beauty In Your Wake-P!nk

7/12/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
Unprecedented Shit-Ani DiFranco
X's-Cigarettes After Sex

8/30/24:______________________________________________________________________________________________
Wild God-Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

10/22/24:_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Brothers-Alex Van Halen autobiography via Harper Collins (only 384 pages).

SUMMER 2024:_________________________________________________________________________________________
Panoramic View-AWOLNATION (due this summer)

History Of Local Releases from Binghamton Area Artists:

...got an album by a Binghamton area artist to add?  Please send your submission to: Info@Radio2Point0.com. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Nowhere But Down-Woodshed Prophets

---If The Woodshed Prophets self-titled debut was their shot at proving themselves to be a viable recording entity, and not just a cover band, then "Nowhere But Down," sees the band getting more comfortable with the place they've carved out. 

----They refer to their style as "Power Twang," so with that in mind this album is a little more twang and a little less power, while their first disc was a little more power.  That's not such a bad thing.  The songs are still strong, but while they rock a bit less, they are still celebratory.  This is closer to a good time party album.  It gets a bit mellow at the end, but what party doesn't? 

---"Nowhere But Down" opens with the raucous, party anthem "Moonshiners Ball," but from that high, descends into an almost happy, but not quite "let's get drunk to forget our broken hearts" ballad, that would make Jimmy Buffett proud.  Also, this song has something that you would think more of the "Prophets" songs would have had...steel guitar.

---"Dancing In The Kitchen" is sentimental, but not sappy, with a hook that radio and DJ's in particular should love.  It's an Alabama style ballad, with a little boogie at the end. Too bad it's corporate managers that make the decisions these days.  This has a chance to be a legitimate hit.

---"Can’t Take It" gives a bouyant voice to bubbling-under frustration.  This mid-to-uptempo melody, driving harmonica and vocal harmonies almost make frustration seem like a good thing, but the desperate vocals betray the songs good time feel, and echo it's true intent.

---"Jesus Saves" gives voice to beer-goggles mentality by putting us in a car with a stoned, cigarette smoking and drunk driver, more worried about being busted by the cops than dying in a car crash on the highway, because he knows he'll go to heaven in the crash.  The song doesn't mock this mindset, or attempt to judge it, but it is scary because most people know someone just like this guy.

---Musically "Sandy" brings together The Eagles and Bruce Springsteen-esque riffs that make for an excellent piece of working man's rock.  The opening alone melds an "Already Gone" style riff, with the E-Street Bands' signature chugging rhythm section's style, while paying tribute to a barmaid who stays cool. 

---"Bottle Of Whiskey" finds the band breaking out the steel guitar again, in a jamming piece of country rock during verses, that morphs into rockin' country during the chorus, it not only works, but it has one of the best sing-along choruses of the whole disc. 

---"Ladybug" isn't about a bug at all, but a woman who needs to "fly on home," 'cause her husbands out drinkin', messing around and her kids are alone, sung from the perspective of friend that maybe wants to be something more.  It's a bit sad, but lovely, too.

---"My Front Door," is an ode to those who can't stop their mind from racing, featuring Eagles-like harmonies.  It's a great hangover recovery song.

---"Two Steps Closer" is a rousing anthem for trailer trash in a bad relationship.

---"Lorraine" is little bit of Texas boogie and blues that sounds like it was written for Z.Z. Top.

---I suppose that a band that plays as many country bars as The Woodshed Prophets, had to record a song like the album's finale, "Land Of The Fourth Of July."  It is a smoldering, minimalistic piece...just keyboards, piano and two part harmony.  No percussion whatsoever, but doesn't the opening piano part remind you of "Strange Magic," by ELO? 

---"Nowhere But Down" shows the "Prophets" a little more mature, a little more comfortable, but still a lot of fun.  It's a great ride for country rockers of any age!

---Dr. Dave 10/12/13

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ALBUM REVIEW: Ten Metaphors For Love-Brenna Swanger:

---At age 15, most teenagers are trying to keep up with their homework, school sports or the latest trends on YouTube.  Not Brenna Swanger.  At age 15 she's  made an album, and surprise, it's a credible album.  Now let's put this in perspective...this is an album that features songs from the point-of-view of a teenage girl, by a teenage girl for teenage girls.  There are songs about love, losing at love, victimized by love, love fantasies, etc.  That being said, this is a well crafted pop album.  Swanger didn't overstep her abilities...she kept things simple.  Most songs feature her vocals (overdubs for harmony and/ or effect here and there.) either a keyboard or guitar, or both, and electronic drums, but she wrote all the lyrics, contributed on the music and of course sang on everything.  Some songs feature some violins and there are a few guest appearances, for example a smokin' guitar solo, by her guitar teacher and Rooster & the Roadhouse Horns guitarist, Paul Knapik on "It's You," and even a somewhat out of place verse of rap over the bridge of "A Million Lies," by Joey C.  Mary Falvo also plays lead guitar on "Victim Of Your Love." 

Overall, this album reminds me of Tiffany.  I know I'm dating myself, but this sounds like an album that Tiffany could have made back in the late '80's.  Maybe Brenna should start singing in malls.  That Swanger accomplished this at her age and contributed as much as she did is amazing.  It speaks to her abilities not just as a singer, but a songwriter, too.  Most artists at this level are performing songs by other artists.  That she already has ten originals on an album is nothing short of incredible.  Let's not sell her strong, clear vocals and decent vocal range short either.  

My favs on this album are the ballad, "Lullaby," followed by "Be There," "Invisible Love," anyone of which could be a single, but "Lullaby" in particular, is the most mature and broadly appealing song in this package.

Can't wait to hear how her abilities grow on her next album.

---Dr. Dave 9/28/13.

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CD REVIEW: Obscuriosity-Stephen Lawrenson

Lawrensons third album is another collection of smart, jangly alt-pop, that will remind you at times of ELO, or John Lennon's post-Beatles solo work.  The opening track, "Your Karma," is especially Jeff Lynne-esque with it's heavy reverb and harmonies.  The title track is bouncy and you'll find yourself amazed at how many words actually rhyme with "Obscuriosity."  "Edge Of The World" features a more laid back groove that owes a lot to The Beatles, as does "Words To Say," and "Small White House."  Lawrenson obviously wears his influences on his sleeve.

"2^nd Time Around" sees the production value and the reverb stripped back a bit revealing a sound closer to Toad The Wet Sprocket, than ELO and perhaps a lot closer to the real Stephen Lawrenson.  The songs remain irresistibly pop and extremely catchy.

On "Ordinary" the production value is upped a little on what is possibly the second best song on the album. 

"Forever And A Day" is a straight forward love song, which features some nice mandolin and/or banjo work.  The drumming is minimized with emphasis on picking and lyrics with harmonies for accent.  This could be a hit pop song.

The production value comes roaring back on "Thank You," and on the albums conclusion, "Pale Yellow," which reminds me of the way that ELO ended their landmark album, "Out Of The Blue"...with a soft yet bombastic goodbye. 

The songs are extremely catchy and excessive listening could lead to whistling, or even singing along.  Lawrenson is clearly one guy who can write a hook. 

Originally published: 9/21/13

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Album Review:

Band: Esquela

Album name: "Are We Rolling?" 

Release Date: 6/14/13

Esquela is a band that plays country rock...which always strikes me odd, because with a name like Esquela, it seems like they should be a mariachi band, but forget the name for a moment, forget that it's really just a nickname for the bands founder and get into their sound.  This is a country rock band, with a blistering female singer, who sounds like a cross between Dale Krantz Rossington and Linda Ronstadt, and musically the band is tight, with a sound that recalls some of Rolling Stones best country rockers, but the songs on "Are We Rolling?" seem written right out of a conservative right-wing playbook that would make Dick Cheney proud, denouncing welfare on "Free Bird," (which was replaced over a decade ago by President Clinton's workfare program), Union corruption (on "Too Far Left"--as if the left are the only ones capable of abusing power.), and the sin of laziness on "My Friend."  There are some songs on the album that strike a more broad appeal, like "Free Beer," which addresses religious intolerance..."Frozen Chosin" heralds Korean War vets..."Phone Home" gives a cheater the heave-ho..."Genesee Fever" references the Loomis Gang in the 1800's and is one of only two songs on the album that don't seem to have a political agenda...and the closing track (the other track that is not political) is the classic "Tossin' And Turnin' " originally made popular in the 60's by Bobby Lewis. 

This band was built to be a good time rockin' blues band, and the songs are uptempo and jangly, but the lyrics just appeal to a narrow audience.  It'll probably play well in small town conservative bars and pubs, but it may have a hard time finding a wider audience.  Too bad, because this band can play and given the right songs, they could break out nationally.  Singing about religion and politics usually doesn't help, in fact that's why the best songwriters try to write songs so that they're open to interpretation, so that they'll appeal to listeners across the country and around the world.  So, consider this album a lesson in writing lyrics.  I'm hoping that on the next album, the lyrics will live up to the band, because this band really can play...they just need songs that live up to the caliber of these fine musicians.  They need their own, "Honky Tonk Woman," for example.  Not that they need to cover that particular song, they just need a song that will do for them, what that song did for The Stones.  They just need songs that reflect the attitude that this band evokes...a good rockin' good drinkin' good time, and when they find those kinds of songs, I hope they'll let me review that album, too.  In fact, I'm looking forward to it. 

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