Band: Mammothor

CD: Self Titled

 Official URL: http://www.mammothor.com/

Over the years we’ve seen rock, pop, and even hard rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish and highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” and I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n’ Roll” into “Yoga, Vitamins and Nikelback” Of course millions of musical lemmings don’t know the difference and trust me when I say  not everyone is entertained. Talking to many music fans out there the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something fresh, something real. So across my desk slides the new EP by Mammothor a band that hails fromBoston,MA. Their recordings showcase the eclectic songwriting approach: from upbeat, musically-involved pieces to simple, minimalist moody tracks to unusual studio creations all contained therein, recent recordings presents an interesting, melodically-challenging, literate (even uniquely tasteful) collection of songs. It may not be the simplest collection to digest, but its rewards are manifold, and at the center of each piece and every arrangement is an effective, if often simple, melody. Theses recordings find a band like Mammothor channeling (rather than being inspired or influenced by) a wide array popular-music-history’s critically renowned underground heroes like Deftones, Black Label Society, Bush, Paw and Mastodon. What I heard put a smile on my face. It’s a nice easy flowing record that delivers solid songwriting with a nice rocking feel. Mammothor remind me of a modern day Black Sabbath with a classicSeattlegrunge Soundgarden,Alicein Chains aftertaste. You will also hear a side of Alternative Rock, and even straight up Hard Rock along the way. If you like the above bands you should definitely check out this EP. My favorite track is probably “Curse of time” and “The Birdman” This CD from Mammothor is invigorating. Invigorating in the sense that it will lift your spirits, and give you a sense of hope that real rock music is not officially dead yet. This EP is a solid release with many solid grooves with a guitar driven sound and entertaining vibe. Mammothor is a band that gives us a fresh glimpse of what Rock music is supposed to sound like and takes us back a few years – before everything started sounding like – well like everything else.

Joshua Beach edited by Mindy McCall. Approved and posted by Senior Edior Cyrus Rhodes

Review Comments: indiemindymccall@gmail.com

Pedrick, Bitts and Walker Trio – Three URL: http://www.davidpedrick.com/

To begin with I really liked this portion of Pedrick’s bio: This album is the result of an experiment to create a live and unrehearsed single work of collective improvisation that remains accessible on multiple levels for the listener. The unifying concept of the project relies on a minimal framework of designated meters, tempos and sonorities based upon the number three. The framework is at once intended to provide continuity and facilitate a free exchange of ideas between three musicians with equal roles. Each selection on this recording is a first take whose beginning, middle and end was unknown at the outset. Three is a masterful blend of Vintage Improvised Jazz, and Progressive Jazz yet delivers and accessible signature sound. Indeed intelligent rhythms, expensive chords and catchy melody lines are the heart of the David Pedrick’s formula. This amazing trio brings complex tunes, heartfelt rhythms and dynamic melodies: all the best in improvised performance together via a high-energy release that’s sure to provoke a positive reaction from every listener that gives them just a minute of their time. Three (2013) is in itself an exciting album full of music that can be listened to virtually in any situation or setting. The songs on the album are a mixture of elements that will encourage you to tap your foot, but also offer a mixture of dynamic and progressive musical landscapes that will keep you guessing or wondering what’s around the next corner. In case you missed it earlier in this write up: Each selection on this recording is a first take whose beginning, middle and end was unknown at the outset. From sonic-theatrical “One” to more intense “Six” and “Seven” some of their more impressive tracks, to the more mellow and relaxing “Three” to melodic “Five” virtually any music fan can find something they would enjoy within this delightful collection of songs. Three offers a unique opportunity to sit back and see where this amazing journey will take you via interesting and exciting sounds that will remind you of Glen Moore, Paul Bailey, Julian Bream, Bill Evans and Paul McCandless. David Pedrick is an artists worth checking out, or watching live as his therapeutic sound and dynamic feel can be appreciated by any fan of music, even those who typically may not enjoy this hardcore Improvised Jazz performances.

Buy Three @ I-TUNES; http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/davepedrick

Rating 9/10

by Kim Muncie edited by Markus Druery Review commentsmarktheshark972@gmail.com

Official URL: http://lauramariemusic.com

The Season (2013) was recorded with longtime friend and sideman Jake Owen, whose credits as a producer and sideman include The BoDeans, Goldspot, and Sahara Smith. The project was originally going to be an EP, but the process went so well they turned it into a 12 track full-length project. The Season brings home the truth that there is growth from struggle, and the theme of moving from darkness to light permeates the album. Laura Marie’s reminder throughout is that, “We are made to love….we collapse when we forget it’s about love. This is a connection everything shares…it applies globally all the way down to the cellular level.” The Season sings this message loud and clear both musically and lyrically; “I hope this album gives people excuses to love….what else are we made for?” The South Texas native grew up steeped in poetry and music, earning her degree in music education and paying her dues in bands in Central Texasand beyond. There have been awards and accolades since (she won the OurStage Texas Lilith Fair Competition in 2010 and was a Regional Finalist in the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest), and audiences are continually drawn in to Laura Marie’s performances because of her honesty and passion. David Crabb from the Austin Acoustical Cafe noted, “Laura Marie captured the hearts of our audience with her energy, and she warmed the stage and the room with her talented performance.” Straight away it’s clear an album like The Season is an imaginative return to classic AmericanaPop-drive melodies with the better musical touches of Soulful Singer/Songwriter. Marie reminds be of a cross between Natalie Merchant and Trisha Yearwood. Todays music has many people feeling of bit of soullessness – how appropriate I get a CD like this. The album begins in hooky fashion with the magnificent ‘Perfectly Clear’ which is a crisp raid on the senses, laden with hooks and impressive vocal delivery from Marie. The only surprise is that it wasn’t a single, as it is radio friendly of the highest order. ‘Dark Horse” follows and is a pleasant journey through a wise poppy-life lesson. The harmonies beautifying what could have been a stark number. ‘Everyone Gets Lonely” should be a single and is an exceptional Americana-Pop song showcasing superb song writing by Marie that will remind you of “Everybody Hurts by R.E.M with priceless  chorus and an heartfelt  vocal feel.  In the end Marie is a real breath of fresh air and a shock to everyday musical system presently in place. In summary “The Season”  delivers everything the rich title implies, and is in itself a great album. Out of the whole album, 8 songs are in the category of brilliant, 3 of them are good, and there are only 1 I’d find myself wanting to skip in rotation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marie’s popularity continues to grow as this Summer unwinds. 

Rating 8.5/10 Stars

by Clay Burton edited by Heather Savage

Review comments – heathresavage5@gmail.com

Artist: Zappien

CD: Zappien

Label: CAHZ Productions

URL:  www.zappien.com

Who doesn’t like music fromCanada? However I’d bet not all hands go up in the air. I mean, while one might think rock from Canada music might not be your first musical choice, most people can’t deny getting into a red hot Canadian band every now and then via well written and performed music from North of the border. You know bands like: Rush, Aldo Nova, Saga, Bryan Adams, Bare Naked Ladies, etc, etc. Well, keeping this in mind this new self titled release by Zappien (Montreal) is an exceptional 10 Track CD and is very multi-dimensional to say the least. It also however possesses a undeniable Alternative Rock core accessible by all listeners – even old school Progressive Rock fans. Does all of this sound a bit over the top to you? Just listen to marquee tracks like “Wake Up”, “Lemon Drops”, and “Bright” and you will see my perspective. I got hooked on Zappien right away after listening to the first few moments of “Lost Desire.” Melding a unique yet accessible blend of unearthly guitars, polyrhythmic beats, tasty groove-ridden bass lines and infectious vocal harmonies, the Zappien sound is a testament to how these guys approach music. This band bridges a diverse audience with its distinguishing sonic vision. What’s more the band: Carlos (keyboard/vocals/lead guitar/producer); Sevy (drums/synths/vocals); irish Ciaran Wynne (guest guitar); Mélanie Dion (guest alto sax and brass section leader) is spot on and delivers syncopated musical synergy that will blow you away. Kudos goes out to the amazing solo guitar work and off the hook vocal presence from Carlos. The rhythm section is also really a big part of their sound. It adds a sort of a classic rock stigma to the disc, I hate to pigeonhole but if you like The Wildflowers, Robbie Williams, They Might be Giant, Muse, and even Interpol you will like the music of Zappien. While the main focus of this particular genre of music is generally the instrumental work, that doesn’t mean that the vocals and lyrics fall to far behind. They never feel like an afterthought. Hence the vocal work and lyrical content from Carlos really bring it all together. These guys also manage to move between mellower sounds and more rocked out ones – all the while sounding undeniably progressive and hard. All in all it’s a powerful combination that puts a band like Zappien on the map for 2013. They should go a long way towards proving that good music is still alive and well up North.   

 Official Rating: 7/10

 Social Engineering Links:

www.facebook.com/zappienmusic
www.twitter.com/zappien
www.myspace.com/zappien

 Eli Gattis edited by Joshua Beach

Review Comments: joshuabeach9@gmail.com

Band – Mailman’s Children

Album – Supply and Demand

URL – http://www.themailmanschildren.com/

Let’s be honest for just a second shall we. I get a lot of albums sent my way for review and I mean a lot. Most of them don’t do anything for me. They don’t always get happily placed in the CD player, but the ones that do usually get a three song stay of execution and generally if they last past that they get my full unadulterated attention. Sometimes I’m hooked from the first track, and that’s precisely what happened when I put the latest release Supply and Demand in my CD player by Canadian based Mailman’s Children. The Album bursts to life with the fantastic rocked out sound and follows through with a wonderful sequence of songs, six of them to be exact. It twists and turns the way great albums should with a little bit of rock, a little bit of high octane driven soul and a lot of harmonic goodness. Mailman’s Children are: Joel Couture (Bass), Joel Perreault (Solo Guitar), Eddie Vesely (Drums), Eric LaBossiere (Vox, Rhythm Guitars). I really like to song line up – the way each song masterfully transitions through to the next creating much in the way of drama. So many bands and record labels get this basic skill so wrong. They fail to listen to the songs at their disposal and seemingly throw the album together without giving it any real thought. I’ve known people who work to formulas making sure that their best songs start and finish the album with the remaining tracks squeezed between in a slapdash fashion. That’s not the case with Supply and Demand in fact each track could probably survive on its own merits, but the album just flows so well. Mailman’s Children could easily heralded as classic sounding funk-jazz-rock but there is so much more to them. I hear Arcade Fire, Joy Division, Placebo, Barefoot Truth, and dash of Dave Matthews Band. Some pieces stand out like the more appealing to a mass audience “Do You Wanna’ Be Right, and “Undercover” but there is a deeper and sharper edge to songs like “Walls Have Ears’ and “Anger at its Best”. The strategic interweaving of systemic melody and impressive vocal performances from LaBossiere are a delight, but the solid rhythmical foundation of this band is essential to their artistic and commercial potential. The sound is that of the golden era of popular music in the Eighties and the Nineties when musicianship mattered! But the beauty of this record is the use of all mod-cons forcing Mailman’s Children strong relevance into the modern world. The band should achieve good support from radio and appear to be critical darlings of Manitoba, but I am left bemused how they are not yet a household name. It’s not a case of all the elements being present but the final product being missing as the songs, the musicianship, the production, and the performance all knit together beautifully-even brilliantly. Maybe I’m lucky enough to be in on the ground floor? Maybe things are just about to kick on for these guys? Whatever it is make sure you get hold of this album. Supply and Demand is a must have and in the class of all by itself.

Rating – 8.5/10

 FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mailmans-Children/154592624633123

Jennifer Hertzler edited by Michael Rand. Approved and Posted by Senior Editor Michael Rhodes

Send review comments to – therandbrand@gmail.com