Christopher Zoukis's Blog, page 19
February 16, 2015
CD Review: Good Boy by Nate Paladino
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Album: Good Boy
Artist: Nate Paladino
Style: Nick Cave, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Leonard Cohen
Released: November 7, 2014
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
Nate Paladino is a relic of a different decade. It's almost as if he climbed into a time machine, traveled back to the 1950s and then returned to the contemporary world. While in the past, he was thoroughly inculcated with the musical culture and spirit of Buddy Holly, Elvis and the Big Bopper.
This spirit of bygone...
February 13, 2015
CD Review: Involuntary Memories
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Album: Involuntary Memories
Aritst: Plastic Handgun
Style: Indie Rock, Experimental Rock, Dream Pop, Psych Rock
Released: January 11, 2015
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
The name of the band is Plastic Handgun, and Plastic Handgun has just one member: Mark Di Giovanni, who hails from Toronto, Canada. Di Giovanni just released his first full-length (digital) album of experimental rock/electronic music. For some audiophiles, the term "experimental rock" is a red...
February 11, 2015
CD Review: Sir Cadian Rhythm
Image courtesy www.canthisevenbecalledmusic.com
Album: Sir Cadian Rhythm
Artist: Sir Cadian Rhythm
Style: Alternative, Rock, Jazz, Pop
Scheduled for Release: February 7, 2015
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
In March 2014, five musicians got together on Long Island, New York and decided to form a band. Christening the band "Sir Cadian Rhythm," a play on the circadian rhythms of the human body, the name presages the band's goal of instilling musical rhythm into the hearts and souls of their listene...
February 6, 2015
CD Review: Reviver by The Torn Images
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Album: Reviver
Arist: The Torn Images
Style: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock
Released: November 19, 2014
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
The Torn Images recently released their first full-length album, Reviver, and is the follow-up to two previous extended play offerings. Formed circa 2012 in Fountain Valley, California, the band comprises Briand Arabaca, who performs lead vocals and guitar, Tyler De Young on drums, and session musicians Andy Hernandez and Jonathan...
February 4, 2015
CD Review: "I Am Love" by I Am Love
Album: I Am Love
Artist: I Am Love
Style: Folk, Psychedelic Rock, Indie Rock
Released: January 20, 2015
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
I Am Love just released a self-titled album which reflects their personal tastes in music: the psychedelic; the Vaudevillian; a little Seattle grunge; and what, for lack of a better term, is called theatrical rock. At the present juncture, the band comprises, fronted by Joshua Christopher on vocals, guitars and chorded zither (AKA guitar-zither). Vaguely reminisce...
February 2, 2015
CD Review: The Great Escape
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Album: The Great Escape
Artist: The Great Escape
Style: Alternative, Pop
Released: October 17, 2014
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
In today's world, most bands attempt to search for, and lay claim to, a sound that is original and singularly their own - something unique that makes them stand out from the zillions of other bands. Correctly or not, they figure it's the most likely way to achieve renown. But as The Great Escape proves with their recentl...
February 1, 2015
CD Review: Heartbeat Serenade by CommonUnion59
What makes Heartbeat Serenade so great is Malasig's voice. It's not what we'd think of as a "strong female voice," but it doesn't have to be. There's a entrancing quality to it; it's the kind of voice that's comfortable to your ears, but just distinctive enough to make you want to know find out who she is. Malasig's voice harks to Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt and even Art Garfunkel, with its tantalizing wisps of familiarity.
The first track on the album sets listeners up for aural enjoyment. "It's Alright" has the feel and sound of 1960s Southern California soft rock' it's happy and peppy, rejoicing in the simple miracle of being alive. It's a simple song with a curious feel of suppressed energy and Malasig's voice is rich, it's exquisite lilting always under control.
One of the album's highlights is "Not Dead Inside." Here, Malasig's voice, affable and intent, moves to the motion of the music -- or does the motion of her voice generate the music? It's difficult to tell. But it doesn't matter because her voice creates an images in the mind. Simplicity itself, "Not Dead Inside" begins with only a piano and Malasig's melodic tones; then the song begins to assert itself, adding guitar and drums. As the song ramps up, Malasig's passionate voice drives home the point: she's not dead inside.
McKenzie of course, is always there supporting. He contributes back-up vocals, and his voice is the perfect complement to Malasig's. On three of the tracks -- "Heartbeat Serenade," "Today," and "Catch the Wind" -- McKenzie performs lead vocals. His voice is sensitive and pleasing, but not as unique as his counterpart's. But there is no denying his talent on the guitar and banjo, where, along with drummer Kevin Hayes and bassist Jake Leckie, the band showcases its musicianship.
The songs on Heartbeat Serenade cover the spectrum of human emotions: love, happiness, our hopes and dreams, heartbreak, and always, the sheer delight of being alive. The arrangements are simple, eschewing complexity for the modest. The result is a stellar album. Heartbeat Serenade is one of those special albums that doesn't appear often enough
January 30, 2015
CD Review: Heartbeat Serenade by CommonUnion59
Image courtesy huffingtonpost.com / Pinterest
CommonUnion59 is made up of two people: Steve McKenzie and Laura Malasig. Their latest offering, Heartbeat Serenade, is slated for release shortly and boy, is it a doozy!
What makes Heartbeat Serenade so great is Malasig's voice. It's not what we'd think of as a "strong female voice," but it doesn't have to be. There's a entrancing quality to it; it's the kind of voice that's comfortable to your ears, but just distinctive enou...
January 28, 2015
CD Review: Be Yourself by Dimestore Prophets
Artist: Dimestore Prophets
Album: Be Yourself
Style: Groove, Reggae, Rock, Pop, Acoustic
Release Date: April 5, 2014
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
Dimestore Prophets (not to be confused with "Dime Store Prophets," a Christian rock band that dissolved in the late '90s and known for a song called "Hitler's Girlfriend") bills itself as a three-piece groove, rock, and reggae band -- they may be Christians, too, for all I know! What I do know is they hail from central Washington State and have been...
January 26, 2015
CD Review: Arisen Upon Oblivion
Artist: Unfathomed Abyss
Album: Arisen Upon Oblivion
Released: October 2014
Reviewed by: Christopher Zoukis
Black metal music is usually grouped under the umbrella heading of heavy metal music, with the caveat that black metal is a "radical" subdivision of the genre. It is characterized by wailing guitars, screaming vocals, and rapid cadence. Heavy make-up, also known as "corpse paint," is favored by practitioners of black metal. It's sometimes referred to as "Gothic death metal." For those never...
