REVIEW: Mark Radcliffe - The Sea Before Us

For all you music lovers out there looking for a musician with catchy hooks, professional instrumentation, unforgettable lyrics and a voice to top it all off, look no further. Former English teacher Mark Radcliffe’s latest album The Sea Before Us is all this and more.

The Sea Before Us starts out with In the Sun. From this track on, the listener is bombarded with the highest level of poetry topping off an overall addictive tune.

The Other Side of the Pillow evokes a darker mood from Radcliffe. The lyrics in this song are reminiscent of a young Elton John while the music has more of a Chris Isaak feel.

Tumbleweed starts out with an awesome piano intro and morphs into another of Radcliffe’s epic choruses. The dynamics in this song are evident throughout the album and definitely a songwriting skill Mark possesses and worth mentioning.

A personal favorite, Blow it all Away is probably the most catchy song on the album. This song hints at flavors of Duncan Shiek and The Fray. Blow it All Away is just an awesome song and perfect for mainstream radio play. This is really the kind of tune you walk around singing all day long.

Miss Hard to Forget is probably one of the weaker tracks on the album, but still a jam-up song. That says a lot about Mark Radcliffe as a musician and songwriter - even the weakest track is still awesome!

Santa Monica Daze makes clever use of mandolin for a little island pop feel. The poetry in these lyrics fits perfectly with the style of the music. This is a song that demonstrates how Radcliffe understands how less can be way more.

One Foot Out the Door is full of imagery and emotion. This track once again demonstrates both Radcliffe’s vocal range and dynamics as the song builds up and then comes back down to the finale.

Falling Star is more of a ballad type song. Most songs on this album aren’t really upbeat, but Mark has a knack for emitting tons of energy without playing energetic songs - surely something to be experienced first hand.

Breaking Up the Band has a classic rock feel and uses acoustic guitar and piano to round off the sound of this laid-back epiphany.

Pick Up a Mirror is probably the most ambient track on The Sea Before Us. This is one of those songs that shows the diversity and well-roundedness of Mark Radcliffe’s songwriting.

No Time to Lose, the ending track on The Sea Before Us, is an acoustic track that fits perfectly to the finale of this collection. As a peaceful, thought-provoking send off, this track is the icing on the cake for an awesome work of art.

Overall, The Sea Before Us is an album of which everyone should own a copy. This masterpiece proves not only that Mark Radcliffe is a master of his craft, but also leaves no question that he has a reserved spot as a prominent musical icon of the twenty-first century.

5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Mark Radcliffe at www.markradcliffe.net

REVIEW: Sister Girl - Sister Girl

If the Dixie Chicks lived in Canada and added a man to their roster, you’d end up with Sister Girl. Sister Girl’s self-titled album is full of energy, soul and authenticity. The mix of country, bluegrass and even a little blues gives Sister Girl their signature sound.

One thing the listener is sure to notice right away is the awesome harmonies this group creates. These are the kind of vocals that can give you chills (in a good way, of course!).

I was also very impressed at the dynamics between songs on this album. No two songs sound just alike so this album has no problem catching and keeping your attention. The instrumentation used is perfect for each song. Sister Girl is very good at keeping energy levels up and, when they do fall, the void is filled in with boundless emotion.

Overall, this CD is great for all fans of country, bluegrass and folk. Sister Girl is very good at what they do and deserve all the attention they can get!

4.5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Sister Girl at www.sistergirlmusic.com

REVIEW: Daniel Guy Martin - Hollywood Flower

Daniel Guy Martin of Canada has created a wonderful instrumental collection of music with his CD Hollywood Flower. Daniel’s style is unique, especially in modern-day music. The eclectic and transient tones that make up this compilation of artistic expressions take the listener on a journey into the depths of the mind.

Daniel has a flare for taking classical guitar and making it beyond intriguing. With a little eastern influence thrown in the mix, Hollywood Flower is a dynamic roller coaster ride with new surprises around every corner.

One can tell after about thirty seconds into the album that Daniel Guy Martin knows his craft very well and is able to capture such emotion and versatility in his songwriting unlike most have ever heard.

Hollywood Flower is an instrumental masterpiece that should not go overlooked. Daniel Guy Martin is a true master of guitar and, paired with his heart and soul, a musician like no other.

5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Daniel Guy Martin at www.danielguymartin.com

REVIEW: Jeff Maddox - That's What Love Does

Mississippi singer/songwriter Jeff Maddox is a new and refreshing voice in the country music scene. Complete with a fiddle and a little southern twang, Jeff’s newest album That’s What Love Does is a treat for fans of more classic country music.

Taking a different direction than many other current-day acts in country music, Jeff Maddox has a textbook country signer voice with a more placid, almost reminiscent style. That’s What Love Does touches on influences of Johnny Cash, John Prine and I’d guess even a little Merle Haggard.

One quality of That’s What Love Does that stands out from the rest is Jeff’s songwriting skills. This album is not simply words written to music, but is full of emotional and heartfelt lyrics that fit so well with the style.

The listener is taken on a journey through these sixteen tracks through classic country, bluegrass even a little classic rock and told a tale of love gained and lost, prison time and even poses to ask The World’s Biggest Question.

That’s What Love Does is a great collection of music from Jeff Maddox. Overall, the album is very entertaining although I would have like to hear more tracks like Harmless Hyram to keep the energy level up.

4 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Jeff Maddox at www.jeffmaddoxmusic.com

REVIEW: Paul Grenier - Human

Canadian Paul Grenier is a songwriter and performer who brings to the stage a message of hope and honesty with his album Human. Human is a pop/synth album where Paul spills his guts with heartfelt lyrics and soft, rolling melodies.

I Belong, the first track is a love song and a great opener to the album. This song gives the listener an overall taste of Paul’s style and is very encompassing of other traits that he has to offer on this album.

Will You Be There has a little more of a motown feel, its a great song, I just would have like to hear a little more energy in the vocals here.

Rollercoaster has a similar feel to the two previous songs. With a name like Rollercoaster, I think this track could use a little more work on dynamics.

Human, the title track of the album, is probably the best song on the CD. With a vibe akin of Jason Mraz’s Human, this song has an awesome message. The catchy chorus sticks in your head.

Frightened is a piano ballad full of emotion. Although slow and drawn out, it sets you up well for the next track, Ghost of You which dynamically takes the energy just one step up.

Is There Something I Can Say, Fall For Me and Losing You all come straight in a row and I’ll admit I had a little trouble staying awake. Let Go, the last track on Human, Paul hits the nail on the head. I think this song should have come sooner as its got more energy than any other track.

This album definitely has a uniform feel to it, yet not that of a concept album. Grenier’s voice is great even though there are a couple of hiccups here and there. Human as a whole has a lot to offer and its easy to see Paul Grenier’s great potential as a musician, singer and songwriter. I think that his songwriting talents should definitely be noted as he has a great and unique perspective on life and the grace of a poet with his words.

3 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Paul Grenier at www.paulgrenier.com

REVIEW: Trick Bag - Hip Shot

Trick Bag, a funky jam band with a little New Orleans thrown in, has indeed pulled quite a creation out of the proverbial hat. With tight grooves that get your body moving and shaking, these guys never disappoint and never miss a beat on their album Hip Shot.

Hip Shot is a collection of grooves and tunes full of impressive syncopation and dynamics. Trick Bag is a band that knows music - well. Never, in my opinion, was there a band that could say so much almost without saying a word.

The eight tracks on Hip Shot include awesome originals by Trick Bag as well as some covers of The Meters, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers. Even though these guys include a few covers on their album, they deserve quite a big applause for making each of these tunes their own with a unique style and flare.

One thing that stands out throughout Hip Shot as a whole, is how each of these four aficionados of music alternate leading and following in each jam without over or under-doing anything. From fat bass lines, grooving guitar solos, jamming keys and multi-rhythmic drums to an all out auditory celebration, one thing is for sure - these guys are all about musical creativity and style.

5 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Trick Bag at www.trickbagmusic.com

REVIEW: Voice of Addiction - Re-evolution

Illinois band Voice of Addiction has encapsulated energy, poeticism and overall their clear and evident message to the masses with their album Re-evolution. This trio is made up of post-90s punk/ska poster children with a lot to say.

Broken Bones and Broken Homes is the opening track on Re-evolution. Its punk rhythms and highly energetic vocals give this song a Clash meets Sublime kind of vibe.

Got Your Number, the second track, is once again jam-packed with energy - this time Voice of Addiction throws in some 80s hair-metal guitar and dissonant harmonies.

The Walls is a highly politically-charged tune detailing corporate greed, taxes and government cover-ups. This song shouts in the face of government and process.

Right Now continues with a message of plastic buildings and the turmoils of living in a society spoon-fed by mass media and controlled by money.

Grease the Wheel is a much more laid back song. Kind of a breath of fresh air after such emotionally abundant tracks that came before. With a reggae back beat, this tune has a “why can’t we all just get along” message.

The final track, Martyr, polishes off this album with another reggae track that evolves into a dark rock tune and then back again.

At first listen, you wouldn’t expect Voice of Addiction to have such a "tree-hugger" message, but they do - and they pull it off great. For all you hippies out there who just can’t stand jam bands, check out Voice of Addiction and their album Re-evolution.

4 out of 5 stars

You can learn more about Voice of Addiction at www.voiceofaddiction.com