REVIEW: Lloyd MacHardy - 4 Door Hardtop

Canadian singer/songwriter Lloyd MacHardy has been performing his rare variety of humorous and charming folk songs for the past 28 years. Playing a variety of coffee houses, benefits and festivals around Nova Scotia, Lloyd has made a name for himself across Canada, The United States and much of Europe. His album 4 Door Hardtop is an eclectic collection of folk songs from Lloyd’s heart with a little goofy humor scattered in here and there.

The album starts out with And The Children Came, a traditional folk tune with a storyteller vibe. Lloyd’s voice and instrumentation in this songs gives rise to imagery of sitting next to a campfire with eager ears.

MacHardy goes on to detail his love of the sea and denounces the land in the catchy tune That Dirty Old River, a song about a dirty river that runs through town to the sea.

I Guess Nothing Stays the Same is a funny song where Lloyd jokes about nothing staying the same. With a catchy melody, he goes through the changes in life even including a sex change operation.

4 Door Hardtop continues on with more timeless folk tunes including I’m a Busy Beauracrat and Oh Those Union Dues. Lloyd MacHardy has a unique way of taking adjusting traditional folk music to his own perspective and bringing the genre up to date with modern times.

3 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Lloyd MacHardy at Sonicbids

REVIEW: Dan Rio - Listen to the Rain

Dan Rio is a perfect balance of singer/songwriter and guitar player. With his album Listen to the Rain, this is clearly evident through his thoughtful lyrics and spectacular guitar solos. Rio’s soulful voice and instrumental talents give rise to a plethora of emotions with music that really touches you on a personal level.

First and foremost, Dan Rio is a great songwriter. And with influences like James Taylor and Eric Clapton, you’d expect nothing less. Listen to the Rain is a great demonstration of Rio’s talents as a singer and songwriter with descriptive imagery and ambient vocals that will capture your attention and leave you dumbfounded.

Dan’s skills at singing and composing are only part of what makes this album great. Tucked in cleverly throughout the CD, you’ll find great lead guitar solos that rival Clapton at his best.

One track that sticks out in particular is the title track, Listen to the Rain. This is a killer song to say the least. This is the kind of song that you’d hear overplayed on the radio and not mind because it never gets old.

For fans of all genres, check out Dan Rio’s Listen to the Rain. Rio has proven, with this album, that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary soft rock.

4.5 stars out of 5

You can learn more about Dan Rio at www.danriomusic.com

REVIEW: Person X - Wreck the Flow

Person X, based out of Saint Louis, MO, brings highly energetic, politically-infused, genre re-defining hip hop to the the stage with their album Wreck The Flow. Person X, formed four years ago on the south side of St Louis, have captured audience with their intelligent lyrics and wild electronic soundscapes.

You can get a good feel for this group from the first track on Wreck The Flow, Mr. President (Chief Culture Thief) with their perspective on the current political zeitgeist.

Person X took a unique approach to a title track by splitting it into Wreck the Flow Parts 1 & 2. Wreck the Flow Part 1 gives you a glimpse more at the electronic side of the group while Wreck the Flow Parts 2 is more geared toward their hip hop side.

To the Gods We Serve is nothing less than an epic, emotional journey questioning faith and the status quo.

Wreck the Flow is jam-packed with thoughtful lyrics and strong opinions on the thoughts of the times. With well executed rhymes layered with electronic instrumentals, Person X has created a roller coaster ride throughout the entire album - never with a dull moment.

4 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Person X at www.myspace.com/personxmusic

REVIEW: Poland - Please Interstellar Policeman

Seattle band Poland’s music is like taking a magical journey back in time. With jaunting instrumentation and melodies and psychedelic tangents, Poland’s new album Please Interstellar Policeman is sure to earn its place as a classic album while Poland becomes a household name.

With numerous influences including The Beatles, Queen and The Kinks, Poland has created a unique art form with their genre-defying music. The layering on this album of guitars, violins, saxophone and percussion captures the listener’s conscious mind and takes you further down the rabbit hole.

Mundo Finé, is energetic and captivating. With a 60s-ish feel, this track entices the listener and will solidify that you are about top listen to a great CD. The next track Your Sunday Book has an almost bossa nova sort of feel with a hypnotizing tune with hints of The Shins. Terrapin Lane has a cheery vibe detailing a fantastical place akin to the type you’d find in a classic English rock song. Each song has a unique flavor and is blooming with creativity and musical flare.

More than just a great album, Please Interstellar Policeman is a portal into the psyche, entertaining, captivating and overall, a creation of genius.

5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Poland at www.myspace.com/polandmusic

REVIEW: Zac Mac Band - ...Don't Look Down

The Zac Mac Band of Massachusetts has created a collection of hits with their first full-length album, Don’t Look Down. With a sound resembling Snow Patrol, The Killers and at times Ben Folds, this CD is a classy soft rock collection with the edginess of the Talking Heads and the songwriting prowess of Duncan Sheik.

Highest Level, the opening track on Don’t Look Down, shows the well-roundedness of The Zac Mac Band with awesome harmonies akin to Collective Soul with a catchy melody and ambient guitars backing thought provoking lyrics about love.

MySpace Heartbreak is a lighter weight track about the social networking website, MySpace. Anyone who’s been online in the past 5 years and fallen victim to MySpace can relate to this funny tune about being deleted from someone’s friends list.

While all of you AC/DC fans probably won’t find your screaming, hard rock angst on this CD, The Zac Mac Band has proven talent and skill through every facet of their music. Don't Look Down is a great CD for the well-rounded listener with both excellent lyricism and epic instrumentation.

4.5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about The Zac Mac Band at www.zacmacband.com

REVIEW: Amie Penwell - King in a Temple

With an ethereal, resonant voice, Amie Penwell has talent oozing through her veins. Amie’s outstanding voice captivates and captures her audience with her unique style and intense emotion behind every word. Amie’s album, King in a Temple, is nothing short of a thought provoking emotional roller coaster through the many truths of life.

Show Me to the River is gospel style tune with all the soul you would expect from such a ballad. Penwell paints a picture through lyrical imagery and powerful, strong vocals with a beautiful tone that will touch your heart.

In Mercy, another great tune, Amie once again displays her truth and emotion with a chorus that will send chills up your spine. Amie also covers the Talking Head’s tune, Naive Melody, giving the song new depth and meaning and making it her own.

King in a Temple is an extremely moving album. Amie’s voice at times is reminiscent of Melissa Etheridge while maintaining her own unique flare. With such soul and powerful pipes paired with intellectually and emotionally transforming lyrics, King in a Temple is a relaxing reprieve from the norm while at the same time inspiring hope and truth.

4 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Amie Penwell at www.amiepenwell.net

REVIEW: Indofin - Self-Titled

Austin, TX indie rock/reggae band Indofin plundered their way into the Austin music scene in 2005 with their debut self-titled album, also referred to as The Orange Album. These guys go one step beyond parental advisory stickers giving listeners the first track of their album, Disclaimer. And quite appropriate the disclaimer is.

In the familiar style of Sublime, Indofin does a great job of producing songs that seem to come from extraordinary circumstances in life such as, but certainly not limited to, run-ins with law enforcement.

Combining reggae, hip-hop, rock, ska and a little punk styles, Indofin exhibits a unique style and perspective on popular music. Indofin’s songs are pretty complex in structure as well. On several tracks, the songs have tempo changes and instrumental sections that add depth to the album and show the band’s overall talent. They even throw some Cheech and Chong references and samples in with reggae rhythms and clever rhymes that will stick in your head all day.

This album is, no doubt, a feel good album. Upbeat songs about reckless actions can give a freeing feeling. Similar in overall vibe to Sublime’s 40oz to Freedom, this is a great album for the center of a party or just kicking back and letting your mind wander. These guys have got the attitude and skills to go far.

3.5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Indofin at www.indofinmusic.com