Reviews
From the Vinyl Vault: Neil Young’s Harvest
Monday, November 7th, 2011 by Kevin Chadwick
Canada gets ripped on a lot. But not very many people know that Canada is the birthplace to one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time. No, not Bryan Adams. I’m referring to the ever-changing, folk-rock/country genius that is Neil Young. I dived into the WLOY Vinyl Vault and searched for Young’s Canadian “heart of gold” on his album Harvest.
Released in 1972, Harvest was the fourth studio album released by Young on the Reprise Records label. The album consists of 10 tracks of the country rock and folk rock variety. Two of the tracks, “A Man Needs A Maid” and “There’s A Love,” feature the incredible backing of the London Symphony Orchestra. Arguably the most famous track on the album, “Heart of Gold,” became a number one single in the US that year. (more…)
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Graffiti6: Free EP
Thursday, October 27th, 2011 by Kevin Chadwick
The soulful sound of the English group, Graffiti6, formed two years ago when band mates, Jamie Scott and UK producer, TommyD, picked up their guitars and produced their first EP, Stone In My Heart. Since then the band has been picked up by Capitol Records and are said to have their first album, Colours, on its way toward release. Graffiti6’s Free EP serves as an inside look to what the public can expect to hear more of on Colours.
Free EP, although only seven tracks, is full of energy and soul. Driven strongly by acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies, Graffiti6 is reminiscent of early Fleet Foxes material. Much to my surprise, the second to last track is actually a cover of an earlier Fleet Foxes song, “Blue Ridge Mountains.” The band speeds up the tempo and definitely adds their soul and own flavor to the already beautifully written song. It ranks up there with First Aid Kit for “best Fleet Foxes cover.” (more…)
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From the Vinyl Vault: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 by Kevin Chadwick
When I was told that I would be reviewing albums every other week from WLOY’s extensive vinyl vault, I knew right away which musical masterpiece was going to be put under the review microscope first. Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon is widely accepted as an iconic piece of art that became a classic. Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by the English progressive rock band and was released in 1973. This is the album that launched band members, such as Roger Waters and Syd Barrett, to the status of legend. The band used some of the most advanced recording techniques at the time, such as tape loops and multi-track recording. (more…)
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The Good Natured: Skeleton EP
Monday, October 24th, 2011 by Kevin Chadwick
Up and coming band, The Good Natured, have been on the watch list of many music critics for their unique blend of keyboard driven melodies and thought-provoking lyrics into “dark electronic pop.” Having just been signed to the British label Parlophone, The Good Natured have released the seven track that make up their Skeleton EP. English lead singer and keyboardist, Sarah McIntosh, serves as the driving force behind the three-man band. Joined by her brother, Hamish, on bass and George Hinton, a friend from school, on drums, the trio formed The Good Natured and self-released their first EP in July of 2008. (more…)
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Twin Sister: In Heaven
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 by Kevin Chadwick
The colorful cover theme of Twin Sister’s new album In Heaven, released on Sept. 27th, serves as a window into the whirlwind of melodies that lay just inside. The Long Island band formed in 2008 when its five members wrote and recorded their first EP, Vampires Dreaming with Kids. Since then, they have released one other EP, entitled Color Your Life, and their first LP, In Heaven.
Twin Sister’s marriage of indie rock and “dream pop” creates intricate, yet still catchy, melodies that take you through a dream-like world. Unlike the music, the lyrics are very focused on the little aspects of life rather than life-altering events. Little events such as recommending a movie to a friend are sung about in Gene Ciampi. The mix of broad sounds and focused lyrics make for a very unique sound. (more…)
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