Nelson Rudiak – Winnipegosis

Nelson Rudiak – Winnipegosis
If you are someone who savors instrumental music that displays both talent and a knack for producing catchy and even fun music, you need to check out this second CD by Nelson Rudiak. The multi-instrumentalist residing in Rome, New York whips up a veritable smorgasbord of jazz, blues, new age, rock and various world stylings into this highly enjoyable effort. Playing all the instruments on the disc, you go from the happy-go-luck jazz fusion of “BBQ Boogie” to the horn-fueled funkadelic “What’s The Catch”, the eccentric futuristic pop of “You Not You” and jam rock inspired “Thanks Buddy”. Rudiak proves to have excellent chops in every instrument he plays here, including some particularly wicked sax solos and explosive finger-style guitar picking. The production quality is excellent as well, giving the feel that there are a multitude of musicians jamming live rather then one guy layering the tracks. The music is vibrant and created with talent and a pure love of music, laced with strong, creative songwriting. – MW
www.nelsonrudiak.com

Vinyl Soup – The Beacon Within

Vinyl Soup – The Beacon Within
Creek Slide Records – CSR 1003
If anyone thinks psychedelic rock is passé, they have not experienced Vinyl Soup. The Nashville-based foursome has been around for about ten years and recently went through some personnel changes, but have come out on fire with their third release “The Beacon Within”. You can compare them somewhat to Phish in their heyday, as they have that sort of wide open jam feel backed by true musical prowess. Vinyl Soup has their own indelible style, however, with an often even-handed juxtaposition of rock, jazz and soul that creates an exuberant vibe. Everyone in the band has serious chops but they don’t flaunt them merely for flaunting’s sake. Everything is in place for a reason while still keeping an organic vibe. Check out the unbridled rocker “The World Stood Still”, the Caribbeanesque “The Roof” and the jazzy folk of “Corner Cafe”, and you will get a good broad spectrum of what these guys are capable of. The words have meaning, too, as they can make you think, laugh or cry with their honest and frank emotions. Vinyl Soup has proven to be a delicious musical stew that you will no doubt have you coming back for seconds. OK, I know that sounds cliché, but it is true, and one listen to “The Beacon Within” and I am sure you will agree. – MW
www.vinylsoup.com

Dave Armo – Poets On The Wall

Dave Armo – Poets On The Wall
“Singer-Songwriter” has become such a generic term these days, usually conjuring an aural vision of someone plucking an acoustic guitar and channeling James Taylor. If you want a different definition, check out this third release from SoCal residing Dave Armo. He is a singer, and a damn good one, with a sort of ethereal sweetness to his voice without being too sugary, and subtle emotion that seems to carry more power than those who over-emote when they sing. And he is a songwriter, with a quirky versatility adding elements ranging from alt and traditional folk to bits of rock, jazz and American that enthralls you throughout the twelve tracks. There are acoustic guitar fueled songs such as “This Time May Never End” and “Lovers On The Beach” that are anything but typified. “Every Night I Call Your Name” and the title track bring in delectable keyboard backdrops that add incredible flavor to the music. “It Has Been So Cold In California” turns up a crunchy alt rock vibe, the only somewhat “loud” song on the CD, but by no means the only powerful track. With the third element being the lyrics, Dave has proven to be an adept storyteller, with honest words emanating from several reaches of his soul, enticing you to take the journey with him. This will be a journey you will enjoy if you love music that is created with talent, passion and the right doses of innovation and eclectic influences. – MW

www.davearmo.com

Most Wanted – Revelation Station

Most Wanted – Revelation Station
Stone Alley Records
Most Wanted are a power trio from Detroit where the word “power” may just not be enough to describe them. You can feel a subtle influence from local hero Mitch Ryder, but also a bit of ACDC fueling the thundering vibe they create. They are edgier than just a typified trio though, with just the right twists and tweaks of the simplistic power cords, creating an iron clad chariot for the gritty vocal howlings of Mark Hiser. They also throttle back at just the right times, getting you into a good vibe before they come back and tear your head off with an incendiary riff. “Just Like A Girlfriend” is a mircocosmic song in that slant, while others like “Get To You” and “For The King” stay in your face throughout the song. Mitch, Ted Nugent, Grand Funk and others proved in the past that the city mostly known for Motown music knows how to rock as well. Most Wanted have shown that the rock notoriety of the Motor City is nowhere near dead, either. – MW
www.mostwantedrocks.com

Slow Burning Car – Assumption

Slow Burning Car – Assumption
Trifonic Records
The third CD from L.A. fivesome Slow Burning Car invites you to crank up the speakers from the first power cords and driving rhythms of lead track “The Ghetto And The Sea.” Kind of like STP on a Ramones trip with just the right touch of Alice Cooper-ish glam hooks, this is music that simply rocks…hard! However despite the influences, they craft the songs so it does not make you feel like you are hearing something that sounds like everyone else out there these days. Perhaps it is that unique combination of retro sounds with a modern feel; “Dimples” for example sounds like it could have been a hit in the late 80’s…or right now. “Carnaby Shuffle” makes you feel like you are dancing your butt off in a seedy waterfront dive, and having fun doing it. “Day Brightener” proves that they can also handle ballads, not the pretentious hair metal type, but the type with a true vibrance. Although as you go through the CD you realize these guys have serious chops, you get a highly enjoyable overview of their musical prowess with the prog-influenced instrumental “The Scorpio Complex.” Slow Burning Car is one of those bands that really deserves wider spread recognition, and perhaps “Assumption” will be the CD that makes that happen. – MW
www.slowburningcar.com

Thomas Corsaut – Forced Perspective

Thomas Corsaut – Forced Perspective
House Rules Music
Thomas Corsaut is the type of singer-songwriter that has that certain something you can’t quite put your finger on, but it works to wonderful effect. Maybe it is eclectic influences, running the gamut of a jazzier version of The Killers, to Buddy Holly-esque boogie, melding with alt-folk ala Billy Bragg. The rich tonal quality to the vocals, like Fred Schneider without the sprechgesang is augmented by a plethora of instruments ranging from acoustic guitar to horn sections to Island percussion; all in just the right doses. Thomas also proves an adept lyricist, weaving words from life experiences into the overall tapestry, creating music that feels more like art without being overbearing or pompous. You can’t find a song that is not infectious in some way or another, and Thomas pulls this off not with comforting hooks, but a knack for creating organic, subtly lively music that becomes, well, comforting of its own volition. – MW
www.houserulesmusic.net

Rooted Deep – Give Him Praise

Rooted Deep – Give Him Praise
Chance Music Group
There are so many Christian music acts out there these days, and while you want to appreciate the ideals behind their music, you have to still be objective when listening to the quality of the music. Rooted Deep makes this objectivity easy though, as their talents and songwriting capabilities match their faithful reverence. The title track has a gritty guitar power with potent vocal harmonies and funk edged rhythms. “Power” is aptly title, it makes you feel THE power and want to get up and rock out with your praise. The emotive “Far Enough” proves that they are adept at harmonic ballads as well. Simply put, the members of Rooted Deep have both the musical and songwriting talent to be noticed with popular contemporary Christian acts like David Crowder, Chris Tomlin and Sixpence None The Richer. They are obviously true to their faith and are happy to use their God-given talents to share it with the world with positivity and excellent songs. – MW

www.rooteddeepmusic.com

Chadwick Station – Waiting For a Sunny Day

Chadwick Station – Waiting For a Sunny Day
Englishwood Records – ER-84227
A British band based in Nashville? What do you expect? Well, what you get is something quite interesting and pleasant to listen to. Vestiges of Brit-pop influences slide in graciously helping create a sort of warm, friendly pop vibe that feels like it should have been written decades ago, but manages to work its charms in modern times. The harmonies are smooth and silky, the rhythms tight, and there is just enough guitar punch married to the catchy hooks to give the music a subtle kick of upbeat feelings. Probably not something for the “trendy” alt crowd, but sometimes you feel if this music had been created years ago, that it is the type of songs The Killers should have listened to in their formative years. It also does not hurt that the legendary Bill Cuomo (Steve Perry, Reo Speedwagon, Smokey Robinson, etc.) produced this enjoyable five song EP. – MW

http://www.chadwickstation.com

Kowtow Popof – Tastes Like Armaggedon

Kowtow Popof – Tastes Like Armaggedon
Wampus Multimedia
This latest effort from indie singer-songwriter Kowtow Popof could be classified as intellectual alt pop, if you wanted to pigeon hole it. That is hard to do however as there is some truly unique music created here – the type that can’t help but draw you into its subtly strange but compelling universe. Pulsing rhythms and seething synth backdrops harken to some midground between Marillion and Radiohead, with vocals that are reminiscent of a more tempered David Byrne, occasionally tilting to a Tom Petty-ish bluesy grit. The lyrics are intelligent but not pompous, drawing you in so you can really feel the thought-provoking stories with the music slithering around it like a harmonic nest of friendly snakes. With all the retro stylings, there is a fresh approach to what Kowtow does here, and the result is music that you can actually experience rather than just hear. – MW

http://www.kowtowpopof.com

Saxon – Sacrifice

Saxon – Sacrifice
UDR Records – UDR-0151
With Judas Priest and Iron Maiden supposedly “retiring”, Saxon is one of the few vestiges of the original New-Wave-of-British-Heavy-Metal left. Never as commercially successful as the aforementioned legends, Saxon nonetheless has amassed a tenaciously loyal following and one listen to their latest effort “Sacrifice” shows you why. They unabashedly stick to their roots, but still find ways to interject touches of uniqueness into their music, not merely rehashing something that was previously done. They are quite simply at their wall-shaking, head-banging best here, with plenty of blazing guitars, thunderstorm rhythms, potent vocals and grab-you-by-the-throat lyrics. As an extra “thank you” to their fans, they do include a bonus CD that has interesting reworkings of classic Saxon songs such as “Crusader” and “Just Let Me Rock”. With the new songs, there is nothing overly groundbreaking but it is damned enjoyable, reminding you of a time when metal was just no-nonsense loud guitar rock. Maybe with Maiden and Priest gone from the scene, Saxon can finally climb to the apex as kings of the NWOBHM mountain. And that will be a crowning they will have more then earned – with blood, sweat, broken strings and melted tube amps. – MW

http://www.saxon747.com