All Entries in the "Around Hear" Category
Around Hear: May 2013
Local reviews from Sycosis, Tieken, and more.
Around Hear: April 2013
Helen Money and a dozen local demo reviews.
Around Hear: March 2013
Local reviews of Jess Godwin, Righteous Hillbillies, The Steakhouse Mints, and more
Around Hear: February 2013
Buddy Fambro, John Condron, Super Stolie, and more local reviews.
Around Hear: January 2013
Local releases reviewed.
Around Hear: December 2012
The self-titled debut from The Ex Senators is more mainstream than its name and the CD’s superhero cover art would suggest. The quintet offers a well-crafted, big rock sound built on guitars, keyboards, and singer/rhythm guitarist Dmac’s full-bodied vocals. Things get more confrontational on the politically charged tracks, “United Corporations Of America” and “Start A [...]
Around Hear: November 2012
Though the initial (and title) cut on Ride My Junk is only so-so, once Atomic Shop kicks into gear, John Kuczaj’s studio-only project hits a fun groove. From “Green Lantern,” a rollicking ode to the famed comic-book hero, to a forceful cover of Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah’s “Lake Shore Drive,” the 13 tunes – which range [...]
Around Hear: October 2012
Counterfeit I takes pride in being unconventional on A Glimpse, An Eclipse, right down to using titles like “. . .” and “(r)this.” The band opts for a harder guitar sound than on its first two releases, creating a sonic landscape marked with battlefields, industrial beats, shouted vocals, and abrupt tempo changes. The fast-paced “Smile” [...]
Around Hear: September 2012
The funk-infused rock on 3 In Counting’s full-length debut, At The Edge will likely appeal to people into the Dave Matthews Band. Singer/guitarist Mike Hayes, who writes all the group’s material, often uses a rapid-fire delivery for his evocative vocals, while Eric Csukor’s fluid keyboards work is consistently impressive. “Handshake,” is a slap at superficial [...]
Around Hear: August 2012
The journey from carpenter to musician only took Joe Pug four years, and it’s already proven to be the right career change. On his sophomore effort, Pug, surrounded by several great musicians, proves he can hang with the singer/songwriter stylings of Dylan and the folk sounds of Wilco.
Around Hear: July 2012
On Andrew D. Huber’s third solo release, Days Amidst The Dust, his acoustic folk rock with a Celtic twist is highly infectious. The 13 tracks are well-crafted, emotional, and memorable. His thought-engaging lyrics and heartfelt melodies
Around Hear: June 2012
With an acoustic guitar and a sweet, Midwestern croon, singer/songwriter Heather Styka sings her heart out on Lifeboats For Atlantis. Styka’s sincerity and a knack for vivid storytelling permeate the 14 tracks. Traces of Janis Joplin, Karen
Around Hear: May 2012
With equal influence from The Allman Brothers and Jeff Beck as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, The Flyin’ Ryan Brothers offer a plethora of dueling guitars throughout Under The Influence.
Around Hear: April 2012
NTD Records’ HiFi Superstar continue to refine their power-pop hooks on their third long-player, One Hit Wonder. Maturing as songwriters and as tight as a band that performs nearly 150 shows a year
Around Hear: March 2012
Local Band Reviews
Rich Ryan (a.k.a. Richie Rich) brought in some heavy hitters to record his debut album From The Streets with his Chi-Town Blues Band. Featuring Grammy-winning guitarist Billy Flynn, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, and pianist Barrelhouse Chuck and the Tommy Dorsey horn section,
