Gregory Alan Isakov - This Empty Northern Hemisphere

June 25, 2017

Gregory Alan Isakov - This Empty Northern Hemisphere

Gregory is one of those guys I would put in the category of "everyday music." What I mean by that is it's something I can listen to everyday. I have a playlist of folk/singer songwriter music it has close to 1.5 thousand songs on it, and every single song Gregory has released is on there. He has four albums I believe and I think that every one of them is amazing. I normally have a negative connotation about "easy listening" music. Music that is soft and easy to get in to. Gregory is different though at least to me. His music is easy listening yes, but it is also complex and deep when it comes to actual musical ability and lyrics. This album is no different. It is the fist album I heard from Gregory and some of my favorite songs of his reside on this album. Gregory has one of those very rare soothing voices. Mix that with the very relaxing and simple sounding guitar and a folk sound he is a perfect mix for almost any situation. Sure he doesn't seem to have any fast and upbeat songs. Let's be honest though most of the music I really really really like aren't fast, happy, and upbeat. I prefer sad, slow, and soft songs. That's what makes Gregory's music perfect for me. "Dandelion Wine, and That Moon Song" are some of the first songs on the album and they are fantastic songs. "Dandelion Wine" is the perfect start to the album. It kinda sets the tone and shows you what Gregory is about. It seems to set the feeling of sadness yet happiness all at once. "That Moon Song" is a sweet song about love or life and loneliness either way you interpret it. "Master And A Hound, and Idaho" fill out the middle of this album. "Master And A Hound" is a song about the light of someone else although I think it is hard to pick up on. That song seems to be every which way. Every lyric in music can be taken which ever way the listener wants to take it. It will all relate to what the listener is feeling, and experiencing. "Idaho" seems to be a nostalgic tune that is about having love, losing love, being kids, having the time of your life, and being free. only to find that it's all gone and things have changed. "Words, and If I Go I'm Goin" are probably the two most true and most heavy hearted songs on the album. "Words" essentially sings about everything I have preached in my adulthood. Music, art, words, and pretty much everything means more at night. Music especially. It just seems to hit you differently at night. Everything seems to be deeper, and more emotional. "If I Go I'm Goin" follows suit with the rest of the songs on this album, but is probably the best one on the album. The way that everything meshes on this song makes it one of the most relaxing songs to listen to. Like it was all meant to be put together. I really enjoy this album and I think you guys will too! I also really enjoy Gregory's music and will be doing many more reviews about him soon! I give this album 🌌🌌🌌🌌🌌 out of five! Extravagant! Also be sure to follow the blog on Twitter! @Tysmusicextrava

Favorite Tracks!

1. If I Go I'm Goin
2. Words
3. Master And A Hound

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Gregory Alan Isakov.

gregoryalanisakov.com

Daniel Romano - Come Cry With Me

June 18, 2017

Daniel Romano - Come Cry With Me

It took me a very long time to figure out what album I wanted to review today, but considering I have been in a Daniel Romano mood lately I figured I might as well do it on this album. I have been in love with a lot of Romano's old work. It really sounds old country styled. Stuff from before the modern/pop country pandemic. Not only does Romano have that old country sound he also has a fantastic ability to make simple yet complex songs. His songwriting is so unique it seems like he is a modern day Bob Dylan. Just like all the other albums I've heard from Romano he keeps up with the heartbreak theme. Heartbreak form many avenues. The first song "Middle Child" he sings about a mother leaving him (the middle child) and loving his older sister and younger brother, but not him. Just like in every other Romano album he has to have a clever "in your face" song I think. The song on this album that accomplishes that has to be "I'm Not Cryin Over You" he sings about crying and his past lover thinking it is about her, but he claims he has a part in a movie where he has to play a broken hearted man. "Chicken Bill" is a very unique song. It's more of a talk story than a song. It has a nice sound and a nice beat to it that makes you want to kinda just tap your toes. Although it is a different kinda silly song. "When I Was Abroad" is a nice song that I like very much.... Well after you get past the first twenty seconds or so. There is a weird monologue that just kinda gives me the heebie jeebies. "Just Before The Moment" is another song about pain. How he loves a woman so much yet she is loving someone else. Something I'm sure everyone has experienced at list a little bit of. I understand Romano is such a unique flavor that not everyone will be into it, but just give it a try. Try to listen to the marksmanship that is his musical prowess. I give this album 🐼🐼🐼🐼 out of five! Extravagant! 

Favorite Tracks!

1. I'm Not Crying Over You
2. Just Before The Moment
3. Middle Child

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Daniel Romano, and Normaltown Records.

www.danielromanomusic.com/

www.normaltownrecords.com/

Coheed and Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade

June 14, 2017

Coheed and Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade 

The debut album by Coheed and Cambria! This was the album! The first song I heard by Coheed and Cambria was "Devil In Jersey City" the song that started it all for me! I fell in love with that song and the band. Although "Second Stage Turbine Blade" wasn't the first album I bought by Coheed it was the one that introduced me to the band. We all know where I am at now with my love for the band so obviously they did something right! This album is a sound that was new and fresh to me. It had so much to offer to such young and impressionable ears like mine. Everything that Coheed is and what they would form into was in that album. There was so much in this album to get excited about and hopefully after this review if you hadn't heard this album yet you will want to! Like many other Coheed albums the first song is an instrumental. I use the term "instrumental" lightly, because its more just sound. That song leads into the real first song of the album "Time Consumer" a nice song that kicks off with pounding kick drum (no pun intended) that build the song up and gets you primed to listen! "Devil In Jersey City" is the next song which I have said before was the first song by Coheed I had ever heard so obviously I'm a little partial. I remember coming home from school and turning on Fuse TV and seeing the music video for this song. "Everything Evil" is the next song and one of my most favorite songs of theirs to date! I really came to love the song even more when I saw it preformed on Guitar Center Sessions and seeing how awesome the song was preformed. A lot of Coheed is like that, they put on such great shows you tend to love the live versions more. That's rare. The thing that tends to gravitate me towards this album is Josh. Josh Eppard is the drummer for Coheed and his drumming style gets me pumped and hyped every time. It's loud and in your face. Heavy on the toms. "33" is classic Coheed to me. "Punch and run" type of guitar with the spastic drums. You won't be able to find a more steady song in their repertoire. "Junesong Provision, Neverender, and God Send Conspirator" finish out the album and are also some of favorite Coheed songs of all time. I made a list a year or two back ranking all the Coheed songs, but I can't remember the order off the top of my head. Even this being their first official album you wouldn't be able to tell. The workmanship on this album is perfect and the sound of everything is all I've ever wanted from Coheed. It will never replace IKSSE3, but it is a close second! I give this album 🐝🐝 out of five.....

JUST KIDDING! I give this album 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇 out of five! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. Everything Evil
2. Junesong Provision 
3. Neverender 

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to Coheed and Cambria, and Equal Vision Records.

www.coheedandcambria.com/

www.equalvision.com/

The Lowest Pair - Fern Girl & Ice Man

June 14, 2017

The Lowest Pair - Fern Girl & Ice Man 

Before I really start this blog I want to describe or explain a few things. I am very picky when it comes to music. Yes I love a lot of music; all kinds of genres and styles. I love it all. One thing I am particular with is female vocalists. It's not a sexist thing or a misogyny thing I just tend to like the sound of male vocals more. That being said there are a handful of female vocalist I absolutely love in music. Soooooo when there are many many many female vocalists in my favorite genre of music(folk/americana) then I am even more picky. So you might be asking yourself  "why does this matter and why am I talking about it?" Well because The Lowest Pair is a folk/bluegrass/americana duo from Washington that features Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee. One female and one male. This is the only album I have heard from them since I just now found them tonight, but I really like what I am hearing. Kendl  has a very nice voice. I mean very nice. She may very well be my favorite female vocalist now. I dunno it's such a close battle between her and Yukimi Nagano(Little Dragon) but that's neither here nor there. Kendl has a very unique voice some may say it sucks, but they don't see the beauty in it. It's a very smooth and high pitched yodel sounding voice. It is normally backed and complimented with Lee's voice which is a deep mid croak that accompanies Kendl's so well. The instruments in this group are also phenomenal both wielding banjos every song has a nice pick and pluck sound that you can't help but love. The lyrics are well written and executed flawlessly with their music matching and supporting their sound. "The River Will" was the first song I heard from them and it in my opinion is a great introduction song. It has a nice mix of everything. Lee sings a lot on this song and so does Kendl. The pace of the song is faster and more upbeat. "Stranger" is a few songs later that has a fantastic sound, but is a little more specific. It starts with a nice harmonica tune that fades out as the guitar and vocals fade in. "When They Dance The Mountains Shake" is probably my favorite off the album its a nice little head bobbing diddy. A nice banjo groove mixed with the pocket delivery of Kndl's vocals with a nice walking bass in the background working with pitter patter of the drums. "Trick Candlelight" is a slow song that to me is a showcase of Kendl's voice. It's mainly her so you can really get to know her voice. The last song on the album "How can I roll?) is a nice slow instrumental start that quickly makes way for Kendl's voice. The lyrics match the tune of the instruments and the feel of the song. Regardless I think everyone should check out these guys and give them a shot! I know I am going to be listening to more of them soon! I give this album 🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄 out of five! Extravagant!

Favorite Tracks!

1. When They Dance The Mountains Shake
2. Stranger
3. Trick Candlelight

I do not own any of the pictures or songs associated with this review. All rights belong to The Lowest Pair, and Team Love Records.

https://www.thelowestpair.com/

http://www.team-love.com/