nessymon.com

Category: Music Review

  • James O’Connor Out On A Limb Review

    outonalimb

    I did this for www.musicreviewunsigned.com

    Direct Link here.

    I think country is making a comeback… maybe its the recession and images of crying into beer.

    ‘Out on a limb’ is the new single from Laois’ James O’Connor and features Audrey Trainor on violin.

    The production on this track definitely gives it a country feel but the introduction of the violin certainly nods at the folk/trad field.

    Track 2 features what has now become the unusual decision to put an instrumental version in there… Hmm! Haven’t seen that in a while!

    Overall the song is not entirely my cup of tea, I would have liked to see more troughs and hills in the verse/chorus/verse production. I feel though that the one thing that may stop the track getting a decent amount of airplay in the length. I’d do a radio edit, at 4 minutes 30 seconds, I think its a little long.

    It’s a good start but I need to hear more before making a solid judgement.

    www.myspace.com/jamesoconnormusic

    4 out of 6

    Photo borrowed from www.myspace.com

  • Valentine Black Review

    valentine black-cover

    I did this for www.musicreviewunsigned.com
    Direct Link HERE.

    Fresh from a slot opening for the Waterboys recently, Valentine Black delivers a CD sampler of tracks from the forthcoming album due for release later this year.

    Valentine Black is the alter-ego and brainchild of Bright Light Fiasco singer and guitarist, Peco McLoughlin.

    The sampler fits nicely into the Acoustica/Alt-Country vein and opens with ‘September’s Friend’. It’s a song that hints at leaving the past where it should be left. It’s also nice to see a production where each instrument is given their own room to breathe. Subtle harmonies in the chorus lift the song without having it explode. Nice.

    ‘Return of the Lotus Eaters’ starts with just Valentine Black, a guitar, his vocals and a shaker. All we’re missing is a scorching day to accompany it. This song has a more memorable hook than the first with some nice guitar work.

    ‘Retrospect’ slowly builds up but is worth the wait. What strikes me is how the songs are allowed have their own lives and are not overproduced as so often happens. By this track its obvious Valentine Black has developed his own sound and style.

    The final track ‘The Curragh Calling’ is being pushed for radio and is currently available for download from www.downloadmusic.ie It’s an uptempo number definitely tipping its hat to the more country end of the genre. This could be a great live track. I dare you not to start tapping your foot!

    www.myspace.com/valentineback

    4.5 out of 6

  • Fox Avenue: Four For Four Review

    Fox Avenue: Four For Four Review

    I wrote this for musicreviewunsigned.com I’ll update with a direct link when I get it.

    A copy of Fox Avenue’s Four for Four EP, just happened to drop into this reviewers lap, honestly just fell. Not sure if this is getting a full release or a media only or fan only release but here goes. 🙂

    Fox Avenue have been together since September 2008 and already have played support to Elliot Minor and Metro Station. This is a solid debut produced by Niall Breslin. The band features Sean Maxx on drums and Patrick Rhatigan on vocals and piano and Spin 1038’s night time jock, Dara Quilty on vocals and guitar (which will do them no harm at all).

    ‘Four for Four’ starts off with ‘Chasing My Tail’ an uptempo pop/punk track with a catchy hook and at 2 minutes 25 seconds is a radio programmers dream!

    ‘Save your Dreaming’ seems a more mature track with well thought out structure. Although Fox Avenue may find themselves in the teen pop punk market their songs could sit happy in other genres with songs like ‘Tonight’.

    This reviewers favourite has to be the last track ‘Tell me’, nice drums and nice guitar lines, nice breakdowns.

    The guys have a great internet presence too and frequently do a YouTube video blog update for all their fans! Clever! If these guys play their cards right they could actually be huge.

    5 out of 6

    http://www.myspace.com/foxavenue
    http://www.youtube.com/foxavenue

    Photo ‘borrowed’ from http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=372374725&albumID=743009&imageID=20607908

  • The Hundred Flower Campaign EP Review

    TheHundredFlowerCampaign
    HundredFlowerCampaign

    I did this for www.musicreviewunsigned.com
    Direct link: www.musicreviewunsigned.com/61.html

    Arriving from different incarnations, The Hundred Flower Campaign came into existence in October 2008. it’s not suprising that the members have played together in different guises, the band are tight, cohesive and their individual sounds gel really well together.

    The Wexford quartet play funky rock, or rock with a groove. ‘Jazz Wolfe in the House of Orange’ has a distinct Chili Pepper feel (I really like the soundbites at the very start of the track).

    ‘Hi-Lo’ has a hook that will have you singing ‘Hi-Lo’ long after the track has finished. The funky ‘Feeline’ has a good vibe and ‘Tijuana’ starts with a catchy bass/drum combo but I feel these tracks would have been better if the lead vocal was slighter higher in the mix.

    The final instrumental track ‘Tapestry’ has an Indian feel to with, acoustic instruments and percussion is a nice suprise. The track is mixed really well, the production is good!

    Launched on July 4th 2009 this is a good introduction to The Hundred Flower Campaign looking forward to more of their funky vibes!

    www.thehundredflowercampaign.tk
    www.myspace.com/thehundredflowercampaign

    4.5 out of 6

    …nessy out!