The concept album has reached its zenith, unless maybe Dave and Adam have another one in them?

With its use of rock, jazz, ambient and orchestral sounds, along with outstanding vocalists and spoken pieces meant that I felt I was being taken on a truly musical magical mystery tour!!!

I highly recommend this album to all music lovers everywhere; this album proves that music can lift us into the spiritual realm.

I can’t praise enough Dave and Adam’s excellent creation. Congratulations to them both!

Reviewed: 20th January, 2009

www.ioearth.com

http://www.myspace.com/islasho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2IlmYXZIDg&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR71xgBmoVA&feature=player_embedded

“Back Home” is a great opening track, which gives you a flavour of what to expect. It has a danceable punk sound and the raunchy guitar makes the track memorable. The only cover on the album is the classic early 80’s Joe Jackson song “Different For Girls” which displays the bands ability to perform a well known melodic hit and yet make it into their own by giving it a rock ballad sound.

“Whenever” is a gentler song, but when it seems it’s over there is an unexpected rock refrain. I think this song more than any other defines what Joseph Swidenbank, the band are all about; this for me is typical of their sound. “Coming Up For Air” is a great and well written song and the passion of the vocal is outstanding and is one of my two favourite songs on the album.

“I’ve Just Got To” is a story song, so sad because of the girl’s need of rescue and yet so thrilling because of the willingness of the band to go and help her. It’s a song for the girls! It was at this point I realized that not only is this is a bloke’s band, but that the girls are going to love them too. Something for everyone, great music and good looking guys, no wonder their My Space has already attracted over 28,000 fans and well over 100,000 profile views!

“Silver Lining” is another different type of song, with the electronic sounding vocals further back in the mix, very bluesy. “The End” is an instrumental that displays the bands great musical ability, the guitar work on this track is amazing!

“Scattered” the title track is a bass led heavy progressive rock song, more reminiscent of the early 1970’s than the eighties, its the one for the guys! Took me back to the days when I first discovered Led Zepplin and Hawkwind, the towering vocals are wonderful! “Empty Handed” probably my favourite song on the album, displays the bands versatility as we return to melodic rock; lyrically outstanding!

“Avalanche” has excellent guitar work and vocals on it, whilst “Better On Your Own” brings the collection of songs to poignant close, the album has nothing missing!

Joseph Swidenbank the band, has created an album that shows off their musical capabilities and the sooner they are touring the UK and beyond promoting their new album the better. This is a wonderful collection of rock songs written by Joseph Swidenbank the singer, and performed by a musically tight band, congratulations to all involved.

Reviewed: April 16th, 2010

http://www.myspace.com/josephswidenbank

http://www.myspace.com/josephswidenbankfans

I found “Teysela” to be memorable, beautiful and atmospheric, a unique contribution to the aesthetic and creative nature of songwriting. “Bravest Girl on Earth” is filled with raw energy. I think the song reveals how much more “Domus” has to bring; it is seminal and the mêlée of sound is both passionate and dynamic!

“Fingertips” like other songs on the EP, uses the multi-tracking of vocals, not only to create a fuller sound but also to create sweet harmonies. My personal favourite track is “God Knows I’m You.” It is a wonderfully melodic song, the lyrics seem tongue in cheek and the assertion that God is female makes me smile each time I hear it.

The lack of a polished production does not detract from the ability of Domus to bring something new to the increasingly eclectic cornucopia of musical sounds that are being created in the early part of the 21st Century.

Domus has already a much deserved breakthrough on UK radio, which I believe to be a first for an Argentinean artist. Take the time to listen to them on their My Space page, love them or hate them I get the feeling that their creative talents will keep them writing and performing music for a long time to come.

EP Reviewed: April 2nd, 2010

http://www.myspace.com/domuspace

I have an eclectic taste in music, so with the “fair hearing” I give to each new collection of songs; I usually have something good to say about each album. So with this said, I must now tell you about “Something In My Soul” the CD by Chad Neaves, which I must have heard thirty times by now.

Chad Neaves funky album, “Something In My Soul” won me over the first time I heard it! The first song “Wonderful Day” is an upbeat positive and happy song that takes you immediately to a joyful summer place and before it finished the first time, I had already become a Chad Neaves fan!

There are some artists who seem to have the intention of writing songs in different genres of music, to show their versatility. Chad Neaves has found a genre of music that best suits his voice and I am so glad he has enough self belief to stick to it; it is without doubt a winning formula! You can feel Chad’s enjoyment in the performing of his songs!

The album is a collection of catchy, memorable and well constructed songs, lyrically strong, which are sung with soulful passion and clear diction. The three piece band with Chad on vocals and guitar, Joe Lonsdale on bass and Bobby F Davis on drums have created a tight funky syncopated sound which seems effortless and relaxed.

Chad reminds me vocally of Leo Sayer and he is a singer/songwriter to watch out for, his star has already begun to shine brightly!

So if you like acoustic soft rock, a soulful voice, and you’d love to have been the one who told your friends first about the one they love now; what are you waiting for?

At £5.99 including postage and packing this is a must have album! Although all the tracks are seven out of ten or above for me, my personal favourites are “Wonderful Day,” “I’ll Be Yours,” the title track “Something In My Soul” “Changing Everyone” and “You Mean More.” ***** (5 Stars)

Reviewed:  March 26th, 2010

http://www.chadneaves.com

http://www.myspace.com/chadneaves

http://www.aspiremusicstore.co.uk/CHADNEAVES.aspx

This is a quality product; with well established musicians Jack Dublin (guitars) and Robert Campbell (drums)  leading a larger group of musicians, along with Siobhan Mahon’s classically trained vocals, that sound like a cross between Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders) and Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac).

The opening track “A Little Realisation” is up tempo and full of the promise of good things to come on the album and the band don’t let us down! “Maybe” is a laid back country song with wonderful harmonies. The opening guitar riff to “Bending Seas” reminds me of OMD’s “Enola Gay” and shows off Siobhan’s amazing vocal range.

“The Waiting Game” is powerful, yet melancholic. “Feel You’re Lucky” has a funky driving rhythm, strong lead vocal, with great backing vocals. It’s a passionately presented, an almost in your face song, and is my personal favourite track. “One Life For Now” seems out of place on the album, it’s a dark reflective slow ballad which starkly contrasts with the previous track.

The title track “Really Kind Of Moving” is very well written atmospheric song which is the best of the slower songs on the album. It’s followed by “I Can’t Fly” my second favourite song with its sixties sounding guitar. “Been To Mars” is a lovely melodic song which is typical of this album and builds up to a wonderful crescendo.

As we come to the close of Audiokiss’s debut album the “Thunder Clouds” start to roll in with this drum and bass lead rock track. The song is raw edged with passionate vocals and great lead guitar. Finally “Baba Boom” closes the album with its dark, folk sound, and its orchestral string arrangement.

Audiokiss have shown their versatility in being able to write and perform songs from different genres of pop, there is every reason to expect the album to be very well received by all mainstream music lovers.

On a final note, the packaging of the CD impressed me, especially the inclusion of a book with the lyrics in, for those of us who want to sing along. In this day of downloads many artists don’t make the effort to have a product that feels good to look at and hold in your hand and looks good in your CD collection, call me old fashioned if you want to. 

Reviewed: March 19th, 2010

http://www.audiokissmusic.com

http://www.myspace.com/audiokissmusic

http://www.bebo.com/audiokissmusic

http://www.unotv.net/unotv/index_uno.cfm?sector=titoli&page=tl_listaTitoli&ordina=tlData%20desc,%20tlOra%20desc&linee=12

Juan is the mainstay of the Argentinean originated “Baby Scream” he is the singer songwriter who has fronted the group in its many formats since 2001. “Identity Theft” was released in America just before Christmas 2009, but will soon be made available at Amazon. It also showcases the talents of producer and fellow musician Muddy Stardust whose contribution to “Identity Theft” is to be highly applauded.

This extended EP sounds like a continuation of “Double Fantasy” and its posthumously released sequel “Milk and Honey” and with the inclusion of the little known Lennon cover “Mucho Mungo/Mt. Elga” which Lennon wrote with his long time buddy Harry Nilsson as the final track, any uncertainty of the connection must evaporate.

Juan’s eight year commitment and tenacity has paid off! In the tracks of this EP we find, a man at peace with his talents and his ability to contribute to the world of music. His assertion in the lyrics of the opening track to “Be yourself and no-one else,” and to “Give no excuse, you have nothing to loose!” confirms this! “Be” is a beautifully acoustic guitar lead, singer songwriter opener, with synthesizer backing.

“Dead Woman Walking” has a much fuller sound, and its musical darkness expresses the desperation and sadness of the loveless life its lyrics speak of. “Nicole” continues the theme of sadness, but in a less dark musical format; speaking of break up, loss and regret, something we have all experienced. The lyrics are poignantly heartfelt and full of apology, the melody is hauntingly memorable.

The mood lightens again with “Memories” which was written with Cristian Basualdo. Cristian plays lead and rhythm guitar on the track. If this were a Lennon album, it would be known as the Harrison track. This laid back bluegrass summer sound, reminds the listener of happier times in the past, but sadly just a memory.

The fifth and final Muddy Stardust produced track “Underground Blues” is more rock orientated, but finishes too soon. Maybe a longer version could be included on a future release?

My personal favourite, is the English version of the song “Ojos Orientales” (Oriental Eyes) written by Rinaldo Rafanelli who provides bass, 12 string guitar and backing vocals on the track. It’s a commercially sounding song of promised long time commitment and love of a man for a woman. It romantically praises the lady for her wisdom and the blessing that she is. This Japanese sounding song could be an unpublished love song of John’s, for Yoko.

This collection of songs ends with the Lennon/Nilsson cover “Mucho Mungo/Mt. Elga.” Another lovely laid back summer sounding song, this time with a sense of pure joy. The mini album seems to take us on a pathway from darkness to light. Maybe it mirrors the experiences in music of Juan Pablo Mazzola, from angst and longing to arrival and happiness?

Reviewed: March 12th, 2010

www.myspace.com/babyscream

www.facebook.com/pages/Baby-Scream/134179451410

It’s a professional played and well thought out bluespunk collection of 3 minute hot rock songs. This is the sound of now music, deep and dark like the world economy, but with the promise of excitement as we claw our way back from the edge of oblivion. The herald of the recovery has sounded!

From the roll of the drums and the crashing guitar opening of “Freak Em Out” with it’s memorable one line chorus (watch the video on My Space – http://www.myspace.com/maneatlikepig) to the bluesy “Pig Fluid” which brilliantly winds down this otherwise raw and sometimes menacing album, Maneatlikepig have captured the angst and passion of our time that will endear them to rock music lovers old and young.

My personal favourite is “Zephyrus” which is the crowning achievement of this Brit Rock Album that will in my opinion stand the test of time. “English Town” is the potentially punk sound for summer 2010 and should be played by radio stations all over the Blighty and beyond in the coming months.

“Pigdog” is a road song for those late night drives home from gigs and sounds like a song that may have been played in the background of “True Blood” the vampire TV Series. “Leonardo” is lyrically strong and vocally raw, edgy and amongst my three favourite tracks on the album.

The lead guitar work, especially on the dissonantly magical “Soakin My Mind” and the dark “Black Oil Blow” are in the mould of that late great northern lad Mick Ronson. The vocals throughout the album are reminiscent of Mick Jagger, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. The drums are faultless throughout.

“A Glorious Egg” is a musically tight blues punk sound that will be enjoyed by all rock lovers everywhere.

Reviewed: March 5th, 2010