Tag Archives: Single Review

Single Review: Abigail Rose Clark – “Just a Story From America”

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Abigail Rose Clark – "Just a Story From America"

image courtesy of Leighton Media

Single Review of Abigail Rose Clark: “Just a Story From America” (Murphyland Records)

“Just a Story From America” was the classic title track from Elliott Murphy’s 1977 album. Abigail Rose Clark is a talented vocalist and the daughter of longtime John Mellencamp drummer Dane Clark. When Clark’s vocal talents are applied to Murphy’s classic song, the result is an engaging, updated version of the original, containing the same emotion but delivered with a more modern, timely sound. It’s a well-composed revival that could serve to introduce this thoughtfully-crafted song to a brand new audience.

Abigail Rose Clark

photo courtesy of Leighton Media

The pace and tempo of this recording is actually reminiscent of a John Cougar Mellencamp song – something I noted upon initial listen before reading the press material and learning of Clark’s Mellencamp connection. Abigail’s vocals are brash, forthright, and engagingly enunciated, with a delivery that’s sometimes direct, other times playful, as the instrumentation requires. It’ll have you rocking along, likely so much that you frequently forget to listen to the words, thus necessitating repeat plays. This is, indeed, an engaging rendition of a ’70s classic. If you’ve not yet heard it, you really should to give it a listen!

More Detail

Clark’s cover of “Just a Story From America” was released by Murphyland Records back on March 16th, 2023, on Elliott Murphy’s 74th birthday. You can read about the release here on Murphy’s website, and you can click through to this short “preview” video showing Murphy enjoying Clark’s version of the song.

Single Review: Red Sammy – “Some Days I Feel Crazy”

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Red Sammy

photo courtesy of Red Sammy

Single Review of Red Sammy: “Some Days I Feel Crazy”

Bandleader Adam Trice started Red Sammy back in 2007. In Red Sammy, Trice performs with a rotating cast of bandmates, ranging from four-piece string ensemble to full rock band. On “Some Days I Feel Crazy,” you’ll find Trice (acoustic guitar and vocals) supported by Bruce Elliott (electric guitar), Greg Humphreys (bass), and Kenneth Noble (drums and percussion).

Red Sammy – "Some Days I Feel Crazy"

image courtesy of Red Sammy

“Some Days I Feel Crazy” is quirky, folky-yet-rockin’ Americana, a song that falls so squarely into the Americana style that I don’t feel compelled to attempt to identify a sub-genre; I suppose I already have by dubbing it “folky,” but it also has a distinctly rock ‘n roll vibe, as both the vocals and guitars have some rockin’ rattle to them. Trice’s voice is a little grizzled, with a laid-back smirk sneaking through his delivery, but his voice mostly, on “Some Days I Feel Crazy,” conveys a relaxed disposition befitting the song.

The accompanying instruments and rhythm evoke a laid-back, island vacation vibe, like this is the sort of song you’d hear at a festival on the beach or blaring at an all-inclusive resort’s poolside bar. The lyrics supports this notion, as the chorus – and the song itself – ends with the phrase “baby, I’m feelin’ fine.”

Adam Trice of Red Sammy

photo courtesy of Red Sammy

Looking Ahead

The “Upcoming Shows” page of the band’s website lists several opportunities to catch a Red Sammy performance in the coming weeks and months. This soonest currently-booked gig is for December 30th at The Filling Station at El Rey in Arlington, VA. Other upcoming shows include a January 12th gig in Pennsylvania, a February 12th performance in Washington, DC, and several shows in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland in June and July 2024. Obviously, be sure to check the schedule periodically – or follow Red Sammy on Facebook or Instagram – to remain abreast of new shows as they’re added.

Single Review: Reach NYC – “Ride or Die”

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Reach NYC

photo courtesy of BJF Media

Single Review of Reach NYC: “Ride or Die” (AFM Records)

“Ride or Die” is an explosive, catchy, melodic, guitar and drum-driven hard rock song from Reach NYC that’ll grab you by the throat from note one and have you rocking and singing along soon after (initially to the “ah-ah, ah-ah” in the chorus until you learn more of the lyrics). The song kicks off with a drum and guitar frenzy before unveiling its song-long sidewinding hook, supporting lead singer Rene Mata’s smoothly powerful, broad-appeal vocals.

You’ll be forgiven if you mistakenly think “Stand by You” is the song title, as I initially did, since the phrase plays a prominent role in the chorus, as in “Everything we’ve been through, I’ll stand by you. I won’t let them hurt you, desert you…” Using that lyric as an example, beyond the catchy music, it’s wordplay like the almost sequential syllable repeats in back-to-back “hurt you, desert you” that magnify the yo-yoing recurring guitar hook and help embed this song into the listener’s brain.

Simply put, “Ride or Die” is outstanding, catchy hard rock song. If you like this kind of music, as I do, you’ll love this song!

More about Reach NYC

Reach NYC has a long background in the New York alt-metal scene dating back to the late ’90s/early ’00s, then as Reach 454. You can read about the band’s past and its 2019 return from a decade-and-a-half hiatus here, at Reach NYC’s AFM Records band bio web page.

 

Single Review: Debbie Hennessey – “Last Call”

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Debbie Hennessey

photo courtesy of Debbie Hennessey

Single Review of Debbie Hennessey: “Last Call”

You’ve read about Debbie Hennessey here at the Blog before. Four years ago, Eric Harabadian reviewed Debbie’s single “True Me.” A few years before that, I reviewed her album No Longer Broken. Well, this seasoned, dependably good California country singer is back – by “California country,” I mean both the style and, in the case of this LA-based artist, her location. Debbie’s newest single, “Last Call,” is slated to be the title track of an upcoming EP whose release date is yet-to-be-determined.

Debbie Hennessey – "Last Call"

image courtesy of Debbie Hennessey

“Last Call” is a slow-tempoed ballad, with a steady, twangy acoustic strum supporting Debbie’s emotional, deliberate vocals. Her vocals are smooth and textured, rising and falling in intensity as the lyrics demand, with a subtly distressed cry reserved for moments when the lyrics are painting a lonesome picture, leading up to lyrics of acceptance. Except, of course, at the end of the song; there, you’ll discover Debbie has saved her most anguished wail for the lyric “I just can’t believe the call was our last,” before settling down for the final notes, fading with the closing strum. It’s a well-written, impeccably-performed song, one that’ll gain Debbie some new fans and will please existing fans who’ve been waiting for a new release.

Looking Ahead

I don’t see any upcoming dates on the “Calendar” page of Debbie’s website, but check back periodically for new shows to be added. And, as you’re enjoying this single, keep an eye out for the eventual release date of the Last Call EP.

Single Review: Sister Hazel – “Coconut Trees”

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Sister Hazel

photo by Paul Privette; photo courtesy of Skye Media

Single Review of Sister Hazel: “Coconut Trees” (Rock Ridge Music)

You may recognize Sister Hazel from the band’s #11 hit back in 1997, its first single, “All For You.” Sister Hazel has recorded two top 50 albums, as well, most recently with the band’s 2009 release Release. All told, the alt-rock/country-ish band has had a nifty career, earning consistent critical praise and enjoying the support of a supportive fan base that turns out to fill decent-sized concert venues. So, yeah, in case you weren’t aware, Sister Hazel is doin’ well.

Sister Hazel – "Coconut Trees"

image courtesy of Skye Media

The band’s new single, “Coconut Trees,” is a pleasant, light, playful tropical number, replete with steel drums, if I’m not mistaken. The vocals are cheerful and breezy, culminating in “It’s just you and me, baby, in the coconut trees.” The song is catchy, fun, and carries the feeling of being on vacation. It’s a nice addition to Sister Hazel’s songbook, and it might be a useful replacement for whenever you tire of overplaying “Margaritaville,” though it’s been my experience that nobody who listens to “Margaritaville” ever tires of it. So maybe there isn’t a large market for another song like this. Sorry, Sister Hazel. But hey, at least I dig the song. Joking aside, “Coconut Trees” is a cool little number with a feel-good, laid-back, vacation-at-the-beach vibe.

Looking Ahead

We just missed Sister Hazel here in Boston – they were at City Winery in Boston last night while I was at the New England Music Awards ceremony in Foxborough – but the “Tour” page of the band’s website lists several upcoming shows over the next few weeks. On Saturday, November 18, you’ll find Sister Hazel at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center in Port St. Lucie, FL. Additional dates are listed from November 30th in Indianapolis to December 9th in Rocky Mount, NC, with stops in-between in Marion, IL; Chicago, IL; Winston-Salem, NC; and North Myrtle Beach, SC. Check the band’s website for more details and for new dates as they’re added.

Single Reviews: Lansdowne – “Safeword” and “Bury Me”

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Lansdowne

photo courtesy of BJF Media

Single Reviews of Lansdowne: “Safeword” and “Bury Me” (AFM Records)

Hot on the heels of the band’s successful February 2023 album release, Medicine, Boston-based heavy rockers Lansdowne released “Safeword” on September 15th and, a few weeks later, “Bury Me” on October 27th. Well into the band’s second decade on the scene, Lansdowne’s sound remains fresh, its rock ‘n roll fast and heavy.

Lansdowne – "Safeword"

image courtesy of BJF Media

“Safeword” kicks off with an opening solo vocal that’s crisp and slightly growly, an attention-grabbing technique reminiscent of Nickelback, quickly adding a heavy guitar strum. About a half-minute in, the song reaches a seductive “safeword” vocal and crashes into a lightly-instrumented style of heavy rock with vocals that are a combination of the powerful, clearly enunciated  hard rock vocals of Shinedown and a rough-edged delivery that hints at Theory of a Deadman. There’s also a little of that funky, not-quite-on-beat tempo that Bostonians will associate with Extreme, but it’s updated with almost a sidewinding, hip-hop inspired rhythm. In all, “Safeword” is a cool, enjoyable song that’ll stick with you.

It’s worth sharing the band’s quote from the “Safeword” promo material: “We wanted to give our fans that familiar sexy dirty rock sound they love from [Lansdowne’s 2011 album] Blue Collar Revolver, but bring it into 2023 with some modern production ‘Safeword’ is really about embracing who you are when it comes to sex.
Everyone is curious, everyone has their kink. Don’t be ashamed… embrace it!” Well, OK.

Lansdowne – "Bury Me"

image courtesy of BJF Media

The more recent single, “Bury Me,” is a great follow-up to “Safeword.” The two songs flow easily from one to the next in a playlist. “Bury Me” somehow retains the heaviness – amps it up, even, with a little more frequent heavy wall of sound backdrop – while adding some poppier elements, like a catchier rhythm, a funky twist to the title lyric, “you bury me,” and some soaring symphonic elements. Also, listen for the clever lyric “Building castles in the sky just to watch ’em decay.” There are too many cool little elements in “Bury Me” to fully catalog them.

For “Bury Me,” too, Lansdowne shared a worthwhile band in its promo: “So many of us find ourselves in toxic relationships. The saying is true, ‘Hurt people hurt people.’ Loving somebody shouldn’t be painful and should never make you second guess your worth. Know your value. Know that you’re worth loving. Leave and never look back. You deserve better.” See, worthwhile.

Lansdowne

photo courtesy of BJF Media

To sum up, the band has, just within the last couple of months, released two kickass, catchy hard rock songs and dispensed a little wisdom in the process. If you’re not familiar with Lansdowne, these two singles are a strong entry point for you. “Safeword” will hook you; “Bury Me” will real you in.

Looking Ahead

Landsowne will soon be on the road in Europe with another kickass band, Thundermother. The tour kicks off in Munich on November 24th and runs through December 3rd, hitting several cities in Germany, plus Bern, Switzerland; Paris, France; and Utrecht, Netherlands. See the “tour” page of Lansdowne’s website for details.

Single Review: Erin Gibney – “You Made Your Bed”

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Erin Gibney

photo by Margaret Anna Media; photo courtesy of Skye Media

Single Review of Erin Gibney: “You Made Your Bed” (Rock Ridge Music)

I can’t get this song out of my head! It’s tempting to compare Erin Gibney to Taylor Swift because “You Made Your Bed,” which Erin cowrote with Mike Fiorentino, is a sassy, self-assured, peppy pop-rock anthem with cleverly-phrased lyrics that are well worth paying attention to. But there’s some Jimmy Eat World in the song style and energy, especially the more noisy, rollicking guitar parts, and particularly toward the end, that most reminds me of “Pain.” And there’s a kind of light energy that suggests a hint of Carly Rae Jepsen – notably the terribly-overexposed but, you’ve gotta admit, catchy vibe of “Call Me Maybe.” Erin’s vocals are persistent and insistent, while her tone is kind of snarky, helping deliver a song that’s oh, so entertaining. And, by acknowledging that cleverly biting wit and attitude, I’ve brought the review full-circle, back to a Taylor Swift comparison.

Erin Gibney – "You Made Your Bed"

image courtesy of Skye Media

It’s apparent that if “You Made Your Bed” had been recorded by an already-well-known vocalist, this instant earworm would be on hourly rotation at your favorite pop radio station. Instead, you’re presented with an opportunity to get in early on an artist with the talent to be a big deal one day. (And even if that never happens, well, you’ll still dig her music.)

As for this particular song, I guarantee you’ll thank me for introducing you to an energetically hooky, catchy song like “You Made Your Bed.” But after a while, you’ll probably hate me, too, because you won’t be able to get it out of your head. Either way, this song is a must-hear!

More About Erin

“You Made Your Bed” is Erin’s fourth single release of 2023 – on Spotify, at least. Erin opened the year with a silky smooth, acoustic version of her song “Naive,” then dropped the pop-countrier flavored “Exit Signs” (featuring Kris Allen) and “Take Me Out of Him” before releasing “You Made Your Bed.”

The “Shows” page of Erin’s website doesn’t currently list any upcoming gigs, but that’s (maybe) where you’d find them.

Finally, you seriously need to see what Erin’s been up to on YouTube. Particularly, the three “Shorts” that are sped-up snippets of “You Made Your Bed,” during which Erin lip-syncs to chipmunk-speed recordings of her own music. I’m sure they’re not as funny as I think they are, but I don’t care. (You can also find those same three clips on Erin’s TikTok, but they’re mixed in with a lot more other content.)

Single Review: Entundra – “Falling Down”

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Entundra

photo by David B. Combs; photo courtesy of Spaur Metal Promotions

Single Review of Entundra: “Falling Down” (Sliptrick Records)

Entundra is a band out of Fargo, North Dakota whose music straddles that fine line between hard rock and metal. Formed on May 8th, 2021, by Michael Dee (drums) and Topher Bratland (vocals), Entundra cites influences that include Seether, Thrice, Shinedown, Rise Against, and Bring Me the Horizon. Dee and Bratland have been joined by a few different guitarists and bass players. Sam Babler (lead guitar) and Ryan Aarhus (bass) are listed on the press material for “Falling Down.” However, according to this September 28th Facebook post, Trai (bass) and Casey (guitar) are Entundra’s newest string section.

Entundra – "Falling Down"

iamge courtesy of Spaur Metal Promotions

Entundra’s “Falling Down” is a tuneful, hard-driving hard rock song that dances around the edges of both metal and alternative hard rock. The song kicks off with drums and guitars at autobahn speed and doesn’t slow down – with the exception of tempo-changing choruses that soar a bit more – until the very end. The vocals maintain an almost pop-punk rhythm in the verses, though with a hint of an edgy alt-rock vocal timbre and a hard rock/metal attitude. The vox stand out in that they’re almost tuneful; I get the sense Bratland could sing just about any style he wants, but I’m glad he chose this one. Shifting the attention from the vocals back to the music, the recurring, recycling, uptempo rhythmic guitar line and drum beat are the hook. They push the song forward while forcing their way into the listener’s brain as an enjoyably insidious earworm. In the end, I have a simple recommendation: Check out this song! “Falling Down” has ample speed for hard rock/metal fans, vocals that’ll reach listeners across a broader musical spectrum, and a sneaky-memorable hook that’ll leave you wanting more.

More Recently

Since the release of “Falling Down” on July 15th, Entundra has released two more singles – “Think” on September 8th and “Voices” just a couple weeks ago, on October 30th. “Think” is a heavy power ballad with a slow tempo and a lot of open space. “Voices,” meanwhile, has an edge that’s a bit heavier even than “Falling Down” – and includes a few screaming heavy metal vocals in spots – but it still ticks many of the same boxes as “Falling Down.” This trio of songs suggests the likelihood of a cohesive yet varied collection whenever Entundra drops its full-length album.

Entundra

photo by David B. Combs; photo courtesy of Spaur Metal Promotions

Looking Ahead

A 2023 album to be entitled My Only Sin was planned, at least at the time of the “Falling Down” single release, but it does not appear to have been released yet. The band has released ten singles in the last couple of years, so there’s plenty of Entundra music available on outlets like Spotify. In fact, if My Only Sin is released one of these days, I wonder if those are going to be the ten songs – if the album has already been released one song at a time – or if there’s more to come.

The best way to stay up-to-date with Entundra is via the band’s Facebook page. For those who would like to catch Entundra live, the “Events” tab of band’s Facebook page lists a Saturday, November 18th performance at the Midway Saloon in St. Paul, MN. Of course, follow the band on Facebook for more shows as they’re announced.

Single Review: David Martinez – “Fast and Hard”

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David Martinez – "Fast and Hard"

image courtesy of LadyLake Entertainment

Single Review of David Martinez: “Fast and Hard”

David Martinez is classic, radio-friendly guitar rocker in the vein of Rick Springfield, Bryan Adams, and/or Bruce Springsteen – a hard-rockin’ axeslinger with pop sensibility and the potential for broad appeal. The award-winning South Texan musician already has the accolades; now he delivers what would be a big-time, hooky hit single if it caught the attention of the right eyes and ears. It’s a song that has hints of .38 Special in the guitarwork and shades of Rick Springfield and even a bit of Jackson Browne in the delivery. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Martinez’s “Fast and Hard” comes out of the gates strong and energetic, drums and hand-claps leading to a quick-hit guitar riff, with vocals quickly following. It’s an ideal attention-grabbing opening, followed by a quick run through the opening verse that leads to the big payoff, the hooky first chorus. From there, the song continues to build. This lively, fun song about falling in love employs well-placed sax work – absolute catnip to the ears of a mid-tempo rock fan, when done right – including a soulfully rockin’ sax solo during its mid-song bridge. Some key lyrical ’80s rock callouts (the lyric “we were dancing in the dark, we were blinded by the light” and an actual reference to Springsteen) ensure throwback rockers will get that adrenaline boost from the sense of nostalgia. And at its conclusion, the song ends hot, with guitar, drums and sax going full-tilt right up ’til the last second, leaving fans wanting more.

“Fast and Hard” is the textbook hit single from the glory days of mid-tempo rock on the radio, but it’s not as easy to pull off as the phrase “textbook” might suggest. David Martinez nails it. I thoroughly enjoy this song, and if you like guitar-driven rock ‘n roll, you will, too!

I’ve long dug Martinez’s music, ever since catching his performance at a LadyLake Music showcase a few years ago, but this is perhaps his best single to date, at least in relation to its broad audience appeal and hit potential. I expect this to be a fan favorite for years to come – that song a big-stage artist would save for his encore, knowing it’ll draw screams of joy from his fans when they hear the first notes.

Looking Ahead

David Martinez just shared his November performance schedule here on Facebook (and also here on Instagram). He’s slated to perform tonight at the John Wesley Saloon in Corpus Christi, TX.  Indeed, the best way to keep up with David’s live performance would be by following his social media accounts, particularly Instagram and/or Facebook.

Single Review: Jennifer Tefft – “Love and War”

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Jennifer Tefft and The Strange

Jennifer Tefft and The Strange; photo courtesy of Jennifer Tefft

Single Review of Jennifer Tefft: “Love and War”

“Love and War” is Jennifer Tefft‘s current single, a full-on, full-band rock ‘n roll assault teasing the upcoming release of an album with her band, Jennifer Tefft & The Strange.

The song opens with one of those guitar lines that’s eerie like Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” and twangy like the bridge guitar solo in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “You Got Lucky.” Yeah, that’ll get your attention.

Jennifer Tefft – "Love & War"

image courtesy of Jennifer Tefft

After that brain-grabbing opening, the song unleashes an aggressive, rhythmic thumping in support of Jennifer’s vocals, revealing a song that’s equal parts Chrissie Hynde and Pat Benatar. In fact, Jenn’s vocals are simultaneously badass and soaring throughout “Love and War,” supported by some cool guitarwork that explores a variety of riffs, using a hint of psychedelia, a dash of rough-hewn static, and a driving forcefulness to – with the help of unrelenting, crashing, rhythmic drumming – create tension. Finally, the song ends with a quick little twang, like the bell that rings when entering or leaving a shop or a café, in this case relieving the tension and allowing the listener to exit the song unencumbered.

Much like “A Little More,” Jennifer’s 2021 single I reviewed earlier this year, “Love and War” is a must-hear. And if you’re any kind of rocker, it’s a must-have for your collection.

Looking Ahead

Obviously, first keep an eye and an ear – or, better yet, both ears – out for the expected full-length album release from Jennifer Tefft & The Strange. And, though no shows are currently listed, periodically check out the “Shows” page on Jennifer’s website for upcoming performances.