Fortune 500- Fly to the Sun
Posted on Sat, 10 May 2008 21:32:53 by CW Ross
 Artist: Fortune 500
Title: Fly to the Sun
Website: http://www.fortune500music.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/f500music
Style: Rock/Power Pop
Rating: 9.4 out of 10
The band Fortune 500 got their start in 2005 in Washington State. It's members (Matt Lessley- lead vocals/ guitar/harmonica, Andy Brown- bass/ vocals and Scott Storie- drums/vocals) had sharpened their music skills playing in other bands in the area like Killision, The Swerving Birds, Hindu Grass, Bluegreen, and Pavlov Jones.
The band lists some of their musical influences as, Green Day, Weezer, Rufus and The Who. While describing their sound as, "Pete Townshend introducing Green Day to Weezer."
Fly to the Sun is the band's debut release. This release is filled with music that will rock your socks off. The songs are filled with guitar hooks sharp enough to go shark fishing with while the drum beats shake the ground all this is topped off with strong vocals that take command of each song.
This release has so many positives found in it that it's hard to no where to start. This band's music is really tight and when they let it hang out like in the songs, "I Don't Know," "Say It If You Want To," and the one live track found on this release, "Save Your Life" it will make the hairs on your arms stand up.
Several of the songs also have a bit of a retro feel to them. "Drenched" has a 60's pop rock feel along with the band's take on the John Denver song, "Leaving on a Jet Plane" ("Leavin' On a Jetplane") that was made famous when Peter, Paul and Mary released it as a single in 1969.
As I listened to the band's music I kept thinking to myself why haven't I heard of this band before? Music sounding this good needs to be heard.
If anyone is reading this from a major record label you need to get to one of the band's shows soon. For the rest of you put Fortune 500's Fly to the Sun on your music-shopping list.
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Under the Black Sails- Under the Black Sails EP
Posted on Wed, 07 May 2008 21:27:42 by CW Ross
 Artist: Under the Black Sails
Title: Under the Black Sails EP
Website: http://www.myspace.com/blacksails
Style: Punk Rock
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
If you're looking for hard driving, f*** the world, type of punk rock music then Under the Black Sails is your band. This band has been making a name for themselves in the Kansas City, Missouri area including winning the 2007 Kansas City Punk Wars Championship.
This band trio of, Marcus (guitar), Derek (vocals/bass) and Pedro (drums) are filled with raw energy that comes across on the six songs found on this EP.
From the first over driven guitar chord and rapid drumbeats the songs grab you by the throat and don't let go. The vocals boom out from the speakers as they rail again politics, society and life.
You can catch the band live now on their, 'No Flags, No Patriots' tour. In May and June they'll be hitting, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Checkout their MySpace site for exact dates.
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Worth Dying For- Worth Dying For
Posted on Tue, 06 May 2008 19:51:57 by CW Ross
 Artist: Worth Dying For
Title: Worth Dying For
Website: http://www.worthdyingfor.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/worthdyingformusic
Style: Rock Worship
Label: Integrity Music Group
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
This is the band's first nationally distributed release. On it you'll find fifteen tracks of music that last for a whopping 64 minutes.
This band is about one thing, using their music to awaken the sleeping giant that is found in youth culture today and recruit them to stand up and take action for their faith, to take their words and put them into real actions. With this band the music is secondary to that message.
This five band members (Christy Johnson- vocals, keytar, Sean Loche- vocals, bass, Nathan Parrish -guitar, Micah Berteau -guitar, and Josh O'Haire- drums ) come out of the Phenomenon Ministries, youth ministry of the Calvary Temple of Modesto, California.
Band members Christy Johnson and Sean Loche take turns handling the lead vocal duty. This adds a nice change with the mix of male and female lead vocals.
The bands musical style is a blend of upbeat rockers, worship anthems, and several ballads. Almost all of the songs are guitar lead and the vocals found on this release are some of the most passionate that I've ever heard.
This band isn't just singing words to a song they are expressing the feelings that are flowing from their heart to music.
Appropriately the first song found on this release is titled, "Revolution." This upbeat rocker's lyrics talk about starting to really live your life for the Lord. To take a stand for your faith and not being willing to back down or compromise on your principals.
Next up is, "Let It Out" an upbeat rock meets dance number praising the Lord. "Unite" is a rock anthem that calls for all believers to take a stand for their faith. "Crazy" is a play on how some people thing that if you worship God you must be crazy. The song takes that misguided thought and uses it for a positive.
Tracks 5-7 ("Die to Live", "Holy" and "Consume Me Now") all flow together in a meld of melodic praise and worship songs. Track-8 "All We," is another rock anthem that deals with salvation and its freeing powers. Track-9 "At Your Cross" is a very passionate ballad that starts softly with a steady drumbeat and builds up in tempo.
Next up is "Me Only Me" a pop rock song that talks about the fact that there is really only one thing that you need in your life- God. "Take Me," is another ballad that starts softly and builds into a power ballad that talks about being broken and laying it all at the foot of the cross.
Track-12 "Lose Myself" talks about living a life with your eyes more on God and less on the world. Followed by "The Change," a song dealing with this generation taking a stand and not being willing to live an unholy life. Calling for God's Spirit to guide them.
Track-14 "Unafraid" starts off as a soft piano ballad and ends as a power ballad. It's about letting go of the past and moving forward. It all wraps up with track-15, "Infiltrate." It starts out with hip-hop like lyrics that have a bit of an angry tone that talks about their faith not being able to be compromised, taking a stand, and finally declaring that, 'I am a disciple of Jesus!'
This release will take your breath away. The songs are so powerful and passionate. If ever music could pull people to their feet and unite them to start a faith revolution this release is the one.
Whether you need to come to the Lord or just get a good jumpstart on your stalled faith life then you need to get this wonderful release from Worth Dying For.
The highest compliment I think that I could give this band is simply, this CD is filled with music that ministers.
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Joshua Eagle- Truthful Beginnings
Posted on Sun, 04 May 2008 20:03:00 by CW Ross
 Artist: Joshua Eagle
Title: Truthful Beginnings
Website: http://www.myspace.com/joshuameagle
Style: Acoustic/ Folk Rock
Label: Indicity Records
Rating: 8.3 out of 10
Truthful Beginnings is Joshua's debut release on the upstart label Indicity Records. Joshua Eagle's style can best be described as a blend of acoustic, folk and singer-songwriter.
One of Joshua's main musical influences is Neil Young and that shows in his music. The songs found on Truthful Beginnings are infused with heavy fingerpicked acoustic guitar notes layered with large doses of harmonica. While Joshua's vocals methodically tell each song's story.
Truthful Beginnings has a nice flow that invites you to sit down with your favorite beverage, prop up your feet, set back and listen to all that it has to offer up.
If you're a fan of artists like, Neil Young, Nick Drake, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello then Joshua Eagle's music is for you.
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Holly Long- Leaving Kansas
Posted on Sun, 04 May 2008 00:54:29 by CW Ross
 Artist: Holly Long
Title: Leaving Kansas
Website: http://www.hollylong.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hollylongmusic
Style: Singer- Songwriter
Label: Skim Milk Productions
Rating: 8.2 out of 10
Leaving Kansas is Holly's third full-length release. Her two previous full-length releases were, City Girl (2000) and Every Little Seam (2004).
To get the real feel for this latest release from Holly I have to give you a little bit of background information on her. Holly suffered a severe heart infection known as Endocarditis that left her in a coma for one week and made her have to relearn the simplest of day-to-day task like walking.
Set against that backdrop the songs found on Leaving Kansas are powerful and from the heart. Holly wrote all of the songs found on the album so each one tells a little story about her life. Instead of becoming bitter she uses her past problems to offer up an album of enduring and overcoming whatever life throws your way.
As I listened to the songs found on Leaving Kansas it had the feel almost like reading Holly's diary. Holly's soft vocals make you feel like your listening to a friend share their life stories with you.
Holly's musical influences are wide ranging including, Elton John, Carole King, Paul McCartney, Ron Sexsmith, Ryan Adams, Jeff Buckley, John Lennon, Aimee Mann, Neil Finn, Crowded House, Beatles, John Hiatt, Stevie Wonder, Jim Croce, America, CSNY, Pink Floyd, Simon & Garfunkel, Bill Withers, Tracy Chapman, Tori Amos, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Keith Jarrett, and Prince.
Holly's music is like her musical influences and vary from song-to-song. On Leaving Kansas you'll find singer-songwriter, folk, country and even touches of a funky sound found on track-7, "Pain and Glory."
It's lucky for us that Holly is an over comer and has used her life experiences to create an honest and uplifting album like Leaving Kansas for us to enjoy.
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The Boroughs- The Boroughs
Posted on Thu, 01 May 2008 23:11:41 by CW Ross
 Artist: The Boroughs
Title: The Boroughs
Website: http://www.theboroughs.net
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theboroughs
Style: Punk/ Garage Rock
Rating: 7.8 out of 10
The Boroughs got their start back in late 2003. Their lineup is, Ryan Dwork (guitar, lead vocals), Justin Farrell (bass, backing vocals), and Grady Feldgus (drums).
The band has release two previous musical projects ( 3-Song Demo- 2004,Ostritch EP- 2005) but this self-titled release is the band's first full-length (LP) release.
This CD lives up to the full part with its 13-tracks of music lasting over 53 minutes. Unlike the usual punk quick hitters the average length of the songs found on this release are just over 4 minutes each, with track-9 "Spine" lasting a whopping 6:49.
The first four tracks of music are straight ahead all out punk rock with their wailing guitars, pounding drum beats, and powerful vocals.
From track-5 through 9 the band takes a few side trips down the garage rock, EMO, and even the folk musical style roads.
Track-10 and 11 pick back up with a post punk style while the last two tracks, 12 goes more for a classic rock mood and it all wraps up with a ballad, track-13, "Say What Ya Want."
The first half of this release really nails it with the rough edges left in and not polished up in production end sound. When the band decides to take a few side-trips though on the second half it just didn't work as well for me.
There's no doubt that this band has talent, if they can keep true to their punk roots this band should have a long future, if not they could find themselves falling back into the pack of so-so bands.
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Rosey- Luckiest Girl
Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:23:39 by CW Ross
 Artist: Rosey
Title: Luckiest Girl
Website: http://www.roseymusic.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rosey
Style: Jazz
Label: Quango Music Group
Rating: 7.9 out of 10
With this new release Rosey has really shifted musical gears from her 2002 pop/rock debut release, Dirty Child. Rosey has always had a desire to put out a jazz album but it wasn't until recently that all of the necessary parts of the puzzle fell into place for that to happen and the result is her latest release, Luckiest Girl.
"I always dreamed of making timeless music, plus people have always told me my voice was well-suited to jazz and that I should try it," says Rosey. "So I hooked up with (longtime friend and legendary session player) Hugh McCracken to record a bunch of standards. A few days into those sessions, we starting writing a song I called "The Old Fashioned Way," which really set the pace for the record. With everybody and their mom putting out a standards album, I knew I had to go full steam and write my own jazzy repertoire. I am a songwriter after all, so it just made more sense to do it that way. I do enjoy a good challenge, and musically, this one was massive."
Luckiest Girl manages to mix old style jazz, ala Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James, with the modern smoky sexiness of Rosey's vocals.
Listening to Rosey's music brought a very vivid picture to mind of being in a little jazz club located slightly off-the-beaten path on the wrong side of the town's tracks.
As you open the door to enter a small wisp of smoke escapes. You enter the dimly lit room to see a sultry Rosey perched in the corner of the room leaning against a piano as a small spotlight located behind her emits a glow that outline her silhouette.
Rosey's inviting vocals ring out cutting through the smoky air to light up the room as they're accompanied by sweet piano notes, along with muted saxophone, trumpet, guitar, and drum parts.
To me any music that can paint that clear of a picture for me has to be doing something right.
With such a change in musical style from her previous music Rosey might loose some of her fan base. But those that are willing to take the leap to hear her jazz sound are in for a pleasant surprise.
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Aaron Greer Band- Agents of Change
Posted on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:23:55 by CW Ross
 Artist: Aaron Greer Band
Title: Agents of Change
Website: http://www.aarongreerband.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/aarongreerband
Label: Small Towne Records/ Infinity Distribution
Style: Pop/ Rock/ Worship
Rating: 8.9 out of 10
This band is based in the small Pennsylvania town of Brookville and got its start back in 2005. Agents of Change is the title of the band's debut release and has nationwide distribution thanks to Infinity Music Distribution.
Their lineup is band namesake, Aaron Greer (vocals, guitar), along with C. Scott Gilbert (bass, vocals) and Clarence Grant (drums, percussion).
The band's moniker is. 'Three guys, two guitars, one message.' The message part comes through loud and clear in the songs found on this release.
"We place an emphasis on the theme that we, as God's people, need to be agents in impacting and changing our society in the name, and love, of Jesus," says band member C. Scott Gilbert.
The songs found on Agents of Change have a pop/rock vibe with a worship edge to them.
One of my favorite tracks was number 5, "I Will Follow." The up rocker has a sound that reminded me a lot of the band Delirious? and features some nice guitar work.
The band does a nice job of mixing the up tempo songs with more melodic ones and ballads to create a nice flow to the release.
I've never had the privilege of seeing this band live but from reading their press material it sounds like they put on an exciting show. Several of the band's members have extensive experience in; graphics, web art, and sound design that they use to add a technological side to their multi-media based shows.
The Aaron Greer band is all about ministry with a big part of it being their music- the end result is a wonderful thing.
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Peter Bloom Band- Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind)
Posted on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:16:01 by CW Ross
 Artist: Peter Bloom Band
Title: Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind)
Website: http://www.peterbloom.ca
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/peterbloommusic
Style: Singer Songwriter / Pop-Rock
Rating: 9 out of 10
Peter Bloom is an artist that has a story to tell and lucky for us he's done just that with his debut release, Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind).
Peter has had to overcome a lot in his life including a chronic voice disorder known as MTD (Muscle Tension Dysphonia) that only after visiting with several different doctors was he able to find one who treated the condition successfully.
That would have been enough to discourage most people but Peter also had to deal with a rare condition known as Alopecia Universalis that caused him to lose all of his head, face, and body hair.
Coming from that perspective you might think that this release would be filled with a collection of bitter songs. The exact opposite is true Peter puts out the message of overcoming and hope in the songs in a very real life honest way.
The band list, The Beatles, U2, Queen, Verve, Oasis, Stereophonics, Keane, Travis, Roy Orbison, Bruce Springsteen, and Led Zeppelin as their musical influences.
One other name I might throw into that list is Elton John. On track-5, "Helping Hand," you'll find a sound that really has a vintage Elton John vibe to it.
The music found on Random Thoughts (from a paralyzed mind) is a collection of very well done songs that range from the ballad, "Haven't Hit The Floor Yet," that deals with living with Alzheimer's, which Peter's best friend's dad is living with. Songs like, "Letting Go" have a pop feel and deals with not holding on to baggage from the past and letting go so that you can truly enjoy your life, to the rock edged song, "Careful."
Peter really likes to connect with his audiences and enjoys playing live shows. Here's a little bit about that taken from his press material,
"... I'm all for digital downloads of great songs, but there's still no replacement for the vibe that happens when musicians perform their material live. The best bands to me are those who don't simply reproduce their songs in concert but offer a different take that's equally valid, emotional and powerful, yet altogether original. I strive for that kind of connection, and there's no greater feeling, no better rush than to connect with people through the songs I have written. It's a great honor to bring the same kind of joy and inspiration to people as my musical idols, from Lennon and McCartney to Bono have done for me."
One thing that you can't help but take away from this release is the fact that Peter is an over comer and has a message to get out there. He's a very talented person and has surrounded himself with some very talented fellow musicians that make this release well worth buying.
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