The Bottom Line Gets Down To The Bare Essentials In Exclusive Interview!

                                             

Recently featured on my Towering Over London compilation, the lovely lads of The Bottom Line just did an interview with Critical Wave UK that turned some heads (including mine especially)! The interview was conducted in the bathtub by British comedian Andy Field, with the band members completely naked with only their legs sticking out of the bathtub in an extremely weird and compromising position for the band to be in. Luckily, no genitalia made a guest appearance in the shot, but it was an terrific way for the band to gain exposure both figuratively and literally, and the mag has conducted a score of interviews with artists in varying stages of undress that gives them an opportunity for everyone to see what they're really like flesh and bone. While I won't be conducting any naked interviews with bands anytime soon, I thought it was a cool way for the band to let loose and have some fun while putting it all out there for everyone to see.

To check out the full list of interviewee subjects along with their videos, head on over to Critical Wave UK's website right here and click on 'In The Tub' to feast yourself in some eye popping shots of up and coming Brit bands showing some skin and arousing some attention as well.

Jake Miller - Us Against Them

Weston FL's Jake Miller has arrived on the scene with his full length debut release titled Us Against Them. The rapper has slowly been making a name for himself with his cutting edge rhymes featuring insightful lyrics that are devoid of the traditional stereotypes associated with other hip-hop artists, but his music has a pop sensibility to it that will carry him a long way in this business.

Things get off to a rousing start on "Collide" a thick, upbeat track featuring a colorful array of beats and electronically guided effects that make this song a good way to start off the album and sets the stage for what's about to come later on in the effort. "Hollywood" is a party friendly track featuring standard issue rhyming schemes and Jake's insightful lyrical wisdom being the strong suit here as it represents a different blend of hip-hop that is vastly different from what we're accustomed to. "High Life" features the musical stylings of Jeremy Thurber, and features some neat acoustic guitar melodies that blend in together quite nicely with the beats and music images it instills in us after we're finished listening to the track. My favorite song off the album is the stripped down "Homeless", an intensely personal track about living without a roof over your head, and Jake completely hits it out of the park here and with this song reveals different facets of his personality and his musical mission coming to fruition on this well composed and musically deep track heard here.

The second half gets underway with "Carry On" a eclectic, uptempo track featuring an assortment of mid tempo beats that lean in a more pop direction this time around, and there is nothing wrong with that. "A Million Lives" touches on youth issues that are plaguing today's youth, from bullying to suicide attempts, this song deals with societal problems head on and puts a positive spin on all of it that makes their problems instantly disappear within the sound of his voice. The disc begins to conclude on "Puppet", a more darker and complex tune that deals with the squabbles that usually plague a musician and big wigs at major record labels who think they know what sells albums these days. The album concludes on "Number One Rule" a high velocity, breezy tune with Jake's lyrical skills once again providing ample opportunity for him to take center stage and shine among all the other similarly accentuated artists currently out there today. It's quite refreshing to hear a different breed of hip-hop that is slowly becoming extant right now as we speak. Other artists like Macklemore are ushering in an idea of social change and positivity that takes away the negative connotations that are traditionally associated with hip-hop, and puts pressing social issues into the forefront, whether it be bullying, gay marriage, or insecurities. Jake Miller has the passion, drive, and enthusiasm to have a positive impact on today's youth, and that's pretty much the main goal of any musician, regardless of genre.

Overall, a terrific and intriguing effort from Jake Miller, who is starting to make a name of himself in the rap game with his strong lyrical abilities that put him in a different class among all the others that will allow him to go the distance in this game.

                                                                                                                             Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Collide
2. Hollywood
3. Me and You
4. High Life (f/ Jeremy Thurber)
5. My Couch
6. Homeless
7. Carry On
8. Heaven
9. A Million Lives
10. Puppet
11. Number One Rule   

Arcade Fire - Reflektor

Montreal, Quebec, Canada's finest Arcade Fire have returned with their fourth studio release titled Reflektor. The follow up to 2010's Grammy winning Album of the Year opus The Suburbs finds our neighbors of the north continuing to bring their orchestral wave of indie rock back with a sharper and direct focus that will continue to expand their ever growing legion of fans, and attract some new ones in the process as well.

We start things out with the title track, a sprawling seven minute opus that reintroduces you to the lead vocals of Win Butler, who contributes a great deal to the band's style and charisma that is omnipresent on every Arcade Fire effort up until this point, and is represented well right here. "We Exist" is a full featured, melodic blast that is syncopated with rich musical delights and the lovely backup vocals of Regine Chassagne contribute a great deal to the band's style that is already well known to this point. "Here Comes The Night Time" features an neat piano arrangement coupled with a strong musical focus from Win and everyone involved to create a high energy and whimsical piece that will leave you spellbound before all is said and done. "Normal Person" features an array of distortion before settling into a straightforward rock groove that deviates slightly from their prior musical mission, but works to their advantage beautifully right here. My favorite song off the album is "You Already Know" an upbeat, jazzy tune featuring colorful musical arrangements and top notch instrumentation that makes you stand there in wonder of these musicians, and watch the magic unfold right before your eyes and ears, just an amazing track all around.

The second half begins with "Here Comes The Night Time II", complete with a vocal refrain sung in unison between Win and Regine that accurately portrays their musical relationship, and shows the capabilities of a group that work far behind the confines of the musical spectrum, and in another dimension as far as I'm concerned. "It's Never Over (Hey Orpheus)" finds the band delving into some light electronic instrumentation that works its way through the musical foundation, and trickles in ever so softly and eventually breaks through in a deluge of sharp instrumentation and a honed in focus that shows the band is in their element and at the top of their game as well. "Porno" features an array of instrumentation including fingersnaps and an eerie synth wave working its way in and shares some similar musical characteristics as the prior ones exhibited. "Supersymmetry" concludes our musical stay here with a 11 minute downtempo number that is markedly different than the other tracks, and features a certain level of ambiance that will make you appreciate the band that much more, and what they can do for you musically. Arcade Fire is a band that has quickly grown on me in recent years, and they have brought a new sense of musicality and ambition that I haven't seen from a musical act in quite some time, and it has made me extremely hopeful for the future of current musical acts out there looking to expand their musical horizons.

Overall, an extremely creative and ambitious effort from Arcade Fire who are continuing to spruce up their musical resume with a sea of musicality and unbridled musical syncopation between all musicians that will definitely impress you upon first listen.

                                                                                                                                Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

Disc 1

1. Reflektor
2. We Exist
3. Flashbulb Eyes
4. Here Comes The Night Time
5. Normal Person
6. You Already Know
7. Joan of Arc

Disc 2

1. Here Comes The Night Time II
2. Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice)
3. It's Never Over (Hey Orpheus)
4. Porno
5. Afterlife
6. Supersymmetry

Boston Manor/Throwing Stuff - Split EP

A wonderful new split EP has just made its way from a voyage across the Atlantic from merry old England courtesy of Throwing Stuff and Boston Manor. This raucous and ambitious new effort has a unheralded and youthful spirit attached to it that makes it unique and a wise music decision if you're looking to start your holiday shopping a bit early this year.

Throwing Stuff gets us started right away with "Five Pound Beers" a blasting, no stone unturned effort with piercing and shrieking vocals that put you on notice right away and gives you an idea of what to expect for the duration of your stay here. "Token Beef" features much of the same musical characteristics as the prior one exhibited, and may take some time getting used to but if you're a hardcore punk fan, you've found your calling and will feel right at home along with all the others gathered in the mosh pit.

Blackpool's own Boston Manor cool us down a bit with some pop-punk rhythms to get us into gear right off the bat. "July" is an amazing, musically adventurous track that takes me back to my high school years with some New Found Glory esque melodies and hooks that you have no choice but to surrender yourselves to right away. "Wolf" ends it all here with a fast paced, rigorous effort that totally encapsulates the band's sound perfectly, and does a great job of closing things out to give us a preview of the best of both worlds with these two bands and where they intend on going musically from here. You may remember Boston Manor from my recent Towering Over London Bandcamp compilation, and bassist Dan Cunniff was responsible for mixing, mastering, and recording this entire effort that has proven that he is an exceptionally talented musician with skills that run the gamut all over the map, and has given his band creedence as to having what it takes to be known beyond the confines of their home country and into the hearts of American music listeners.

Overall, a terrific split EP from Boston Manor and Throwing Stuff, who have sent out a warning call to us letting us know what amazing and thrilling music is heading onto our shores right now as we speak. Now available for streaming on Soundcloud right here.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Throwing Stuff - Five Pound Beers
2. Throwing Stuff - Token Beef
3. Boston Manor - July
4. Boston Manor - Wolf

Interview w/ Highly Suspect

Starting things out with a brand new interview to add to my ever growing collection! Today, we touch base with Brooklyn's own Highly Suspect. You may remember them from my Artist Spotlight post I did on them a few weeks back, and drummer Ryan Meyer was gracious enough to sit down and do an interview with the site that allows us to get to know the guys a little bit better up close and personal, and get a sense of where the influences of their music lie and gain a better perspective about them as regular people and musicians. Here is my transcript of the interview I just did with Ry:

Give us your names and what you guys do in the band?

Johnny Stevens - guitar, lead vocals

Rich Meyer - Bass, vocals

Ryan Meyer - Drums

How did you guys all meet and when did the band form?

Richie an I met in the womb and had to spoon for 9 months. You get to know a guys after that. We both knew Johnny from high school, but we didn't end up becoming friends till years later. Rich and Johnny met at a party, both had motorcycles and acoustic guitars and got along famously.  Johnny and I on the other hand had a rough start...and did not get along for a while. but in the end we got over it and we all moved in together about 8 years ago. We've all been roommates ever since, for the exception of a few years when i went of to school. The band formed in 2007-2008 ish.

How did the name Highly Suspect originate?

A band name generator. Johnny's dad said "Ya gotta have highly in the name".  so...Highly Suspect came up and stuck.

How would you describe the sound of the band to those who may not be familiar with you guys?

Rock n' Roll.

What were some bands that you listened to when you were younger that may have or not influenced your sound in some way?

Everything and everyone has been an influence. but the great British rock bands i.e. Zeppelin, Floyd, Beatles were huge. as well as Nirvana, Foo Fighters, 90's rock etc. Hip hop is a huge influence as well, especially for beats, tempos, and lyrical content.

Take us behind the recording process of your EP "Black Ocean" and what that whole process was like?

Black Ocean was made in a few different studios. "Bath Salts" and "The Go" were made entirely in Studio G (Brooklyn) with producer Joel Hamilton. Also originally from Cape Cod. Joel has worked with everyone, from Pretty Lights to Black Keys and Wu-Tang. He's the man.

"Fuck Me Up ", "Guess What", and "Lydia" were recorded for the most part in our apartment with producer Joe Duplanter (Gojira). Drums were tracked at Spin Recording Studios in Queens. These recording were much more intimate, not only did we record in our living room, but Joe is a close friend of ours and brought along his 1yr old girl for us to baby sit during the process. We also discovered click tracks just don't work for us, and ditched them completely.

How has your audience responded to your music and how big of a role do they play in your success?

Oh man without our fans we would still be playing music in a basement...they play a huge role in our career! They love us and we love them back!

For fun, what do you guys like to do for leisure away from making music and playing shows?

We all work. Johnny's a bartender, Richie builds custom furniture, and I'm a freelance front of house engineer. 

What's coming up next for you guys, any upcoming shows or such that we should be aware of?

A lot is happening here in New York we cant talk about just yet, but fans can look forward to a new music video/single coming up soon!

Lastly, why do you think people should check out your music?

Because.... its not Justin Bieber.

Thanks once again to Ryan for being so gracious with his time in his ever increasingly busy schedule to do this interview. I'm happy I stumbled across these guys randomly, as they have a special and unique talent that deserves to be shared with everyone and value the creative wisdom that each of they guys emanate constantly on a routine basis, and how hard working they are in providing for their fans. For more information on Highly Suspect, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter right here.

Covey Releases Music Video For "Comes and Goes"

British born singer songwriter Covey has just released his debut music video for "Comes and Goes". The exceptionally talented artist who currently goes to school here in the Boston area at Berklee College of Music has brought his exceptional talents from across the pond, and has adorned us with a thoughtful and inquisitive track that allows us to get a sense of who he is a person and what his music hopes to accomplish as well. I was impressed with what he brought to the table musically, and he is an immensely talented individual who is honing his talents into something that is truly special and one that people will instantly gravitate towards. Check out his brand new music video that came out yesterday to see the visual stimuli that he has put on top of this layered composition.

For more information on Covey, head on over to his Facebook page here and give him a well deserved 'Like' if you enjoy what you hear! You can follow him on Twitter from this location here and download his new single "Comes and Goes from his Soundcloud site at this spot right here.

Academy Releases New Song "Backyard Haze"

Originally from Rhode Island but splitting their time equally between Boston and LA, the duo known as Academy have just released their brand new single titled "Backyard Haze". The reggae infused track has an ethereal and easy going nature to it that I felt entranced by right from the get go. The easy going and melodic nature had me feeling calm and collected almost instantaneously, and has a real musical state of mind and knows what it wants to achieve, showing that Evan & Eli have a strong musical cohesion that results in these fine musical concoctions being whipped up. A terrific track that really makes you yearn for the days of summer while stuck in the cold.

To check out "Backyard Haze" for yourself, head on over to Academy's Soundcloud page right here and hear for yourself what they have recorded for your listening pleasure. 'Like' them on Facebook over here to receive an instant download of "Backyard Haze" and follow the boys on Twitter here to stay in touch with them on a direct basis.

Did The Kansas City Royals Inspire Lorde's Hit "Royals"?

Were the Kansas City Royals the inspiration behind Lorde's breakout smash "Royals"? Apparently it is, and it isn't about the hierarchy of kings and queens like we so thought. The song has been virtually inescapable this year, spending weeks on end at #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Hot Alternative Songs chart, and it seems that a certain Royals player inspired Lorde to write her breakout smash. In an interview she did with VH1 back in September, Lorde explained that she had seen a picture in National Geographic of a man signing baseballs wearing a jersey that said 'Royals' and she really gravitated towards that word and thought it would make for a fitting song title.

The man who she saw in the photo was none other than George Brett, who spent his entire 21 year career with the Royals and led the team to a 1985 World Series Championship over their in state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. I'm amazed that the song is actually about the baseball team as I'm a huge MLB fanatic, and I was actually rooting hard for the Kansas City Royals to make the playoffs this year since they haven't made it to the postseason in years and I constantly played the song as a way to subconsciously root for them to win. While they didn't make it to the postseason, I think the song is a fitting way to pay tribute to a team that has an underdog characteristic to them that is a huge quality that I admire about sports teams, and their constant undying quest to win and go against what is expected of them.

Wild Card Round Underway For MuzicNotez Battle Of The Bands

The wild card portion of the MuzicNotez Battle of The Bands just began last week, and features a slew of bands competing for the last spot remaining to head into the Championship round. The competitors hail from all across the globe, and are converging on this one stage to have a shot at competing for the grand prize. The artists that will be taking place in the Wild Card battle include: Haesemeyer, England's own Little Brother Eli (a former Artist Spotlight feature here on the site), J. Wellington, Boston's own 4 Point Restraints, Noah, Ariff AB, The Hook Up, and Sun. Masquerade.

For more information on each of these artists and to cast your vote, simply go on over to MuzicNotez's Wild Card Battle page located right here to make your voice heard as to who you think should go on and deserve this amazing opportunity!

2013 Artist Spotlight of The Year Nominees

Proud to finally unveil the nominees for my 4th Annual Artist Spotlight of the Year Awards! This yearly award is given to a band that has stood out among the pack of Artist Spotlight features here on the site in the past year. This year's crop of nominees runs the gamut from all throughout the local Boston music scene to give a wide representation of the depth of talent emanating from the Boston area, and runs the spectrum as well to give a host of different genres that accurately portrays the best local talent currently active out there today. And without further ado, the nominees are...

Red Star Super Giant

The Relevant Elephants

Last One Out

Friendly People

Abadabad

Voting for this contest begins right now and will continue until December 19th. Voting is limited to one vote per computer, but you can also vote from your mobile phone if you'd like to get a second vote in for your favorite artist. The winner will be announced on December 20th and will be bestowed upon with the prestigious Artist Spotlight of the Year award and will be featured prominently on the site and be given full bragging rights as a must see artist in the Boston area right now as we speak. Get your votes in for your favorite Artist Spotlight feature right now!

Interview w/ Mikey Ruth of Kansas Bible Company

Proud to bring you another edition in my ongoing series of interviews with recent Artist Spotlight subjects! Today, we sit down for a chat with Mikey Ruth of Kansas Bible Company. The Midwest based act was featured as an Artist Spotlight a few weeks back, and they have quickly grown on me due to their insatiable style and cutting edge rhythms that can't possible be confined to one genre, and jumps all over the map to get an exquisite musical taste that will whet your appetite almost instantaneously. Mikey was able to clue us all in as to their beginnings, life out on the road, and what inspires them to get up out of bed and play music each and every day. Here is the transcript from that interview:

Give us your names and roles in the band?

James - Trumpet, Vocals

Isaac - Bass Trombone

Mikey - Guitar, Bass

Nathan - Guitar, Bass

Jeff - Guitar

Cazz - Guitar, Vocals, 

Raffael - Keys

Charlie - Trumpet

Luke - Aux. Percussion, Drums

Klink - Drums

Yagu - Alto Saxophone

Jake - Tenor Saxophone

I think that's everyone.

How/where did you guys meet and when did the band form?

We met at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana. This huge version of the band formed in the fall of 2010. Cazz came back from a weird summer in New Mexico and dreamed up an 11-piece band. We practiced every day and moved to Nashville a year later.

Describe the sound of the group to those who may not be familiar with you guys?

Psychedelic, eclectic rock n' roll with a 5-piece horn section. A little bit like Terry Kath-era Chicago, but not much.

When did you first get interested in music and how has it helped shape or enrich your life up until this point?

That's a difficult question to answer as there are so many of us. I will say though that we have all grown up around music whether it be from choirs, school bands, church, or playing in other bands. As of the last few years I don't know if any of us truly believe that music would occupy our lives this seriously. It's pretty incredible to be so consumed and surrounded by music and I think that we all feel that.

Take us behind the recording process of your latest album "Hotel Chicamauga" and what that whole experience was like?

The whole process of making Hotel Chicamauga was an intense, lurid, beautiful experience for all of us. We moved to Nashville together as an 11-piece band into one house that we named the Hotel Chicamauga. The house is huge and was in terrible shape when we found it. We wrote and developed the songs in the house communally, usually after we would all eat together. We then tracked the entire album in the hotel, which provided an interesting feel for us as musicians. The album represents an incredible year of all of our lives that was ripe with hope, struggle, and close community. Being in this band has those elements still, we've just figured out how to deal with them.

How has your onstage presence evolved the years and how has your interaction with fans developed as well?

After extensive touring and playing repeatedly in the same city, I think we've just managed to latch onto what works and what doesn't. A lot of times now, we'll have themed shows where we all where something similar (sweaters, dresses, suits). We've also gotten better at attempting to cater to a given audience. If we're playing to a crowd that we know will interpret dissonance and improvisation, we love to play a set that's heavier on the weird. Other times we'll play weddings and big outdoor things that middle-aged women love. We try to be a chameleon like that. It doesn't always work. The horn section comes up with some pretty sick dance moves too. 

What is your favorite song that you guys have recorded and how does it speak to you personally?

Personally, I would say my favorite is "Jesus the Horse Thief." It's sort of become one of our biggest and best songs to play live and I think that the recording holds up really well. The whole song was written around this triumphant major melody, has no real hook, and then goes into a weird Steve Reich section in 7/8. I think it's maybe the most representative of what we are as a band.

What are some of your musical influences that have helped shape the overall sound of the group?

That is a really complicated question as we all write together. One of our biggest strengths is that we have 12 different sets of influences coming to any given thing that we write. Most of us listen to pretty different stuff. There's never been a moment where all 12 of us (or even like four of us) were like yeah we want the band to sound like so and so. We want people to draw a blank when they compare us to things. The one artist we completely can all agree on is Gorillaz and maybe Frank Ocean now. Others that have influenced us would be Pixies, Frank Zappa, The Beatles, Brian Eno, The Blues Brothers, Bowie, Hank Williams. We also realized much later in the game that probably the closest thing to us is early Chicago. None of us were really into them at all, then we all started getting into Chicago Transit Authority. Now we embrace the comparison. That shit is awesome.

For fun, what do you like to do in your spare time when not out on the road or making music?

Well a lot of us work on other music stuff when we're not too busy with KBC stuff. Some dudes get real into intramural soccer. Some of us are real into old Pokemon games. I spend too much money buying records and old synthesizers. Some of the dudes work on a cool sustainable farm. We all love to travel. Some of us take trips abroad when we can squeeze it in and afford it. We all love to party too.

Lastly, what can we expect next from you guys, any new music that we can look forward to sometime soon?

Yeah, we have a lot coming up here. A really cool new website called Feedbands is releasing an exclusive vinyl this month that is a compilation of our two records and EP. We've compiled enough live audio to make a live album that we'll probably be releasing in the coming months. We're hoping to release a new EP by spring / summer and a full-length after that. We're taking a little breather from the road right now, but things will definitely keep happening.

Thanks once again to Mikey of Kansas Bible Company for being so generous with his time to do this interview! While it would've been impossible to interview all 12 members of the band, I'm glad I got some insight as to what makes these guys so amazing and among one of the musical treasures you should be listening to right now, they are definitely a worthwhile listening experience for sure. Don't forget to pick up their latest album "Hotel Chicamauga" right now via their Bandcamp page located right here for your listening pleasure.

Artist Spotlight: Tyler Addison James

Rounding out the week of Artist Spotlight with a look at Los Angeles bred singer-songwriter Tyler Addison James. His music is an upbeat, melodic blend of roots rock with an obvious Jason Mraz influence embedded deep within the confines of his smooth vocal delivery that allows the songs to have a positive lifeforce to it that surrounds everything that it touches, including the listener wholeheartedly and gives them some perspective as to what to look for in the music that makes them feel so positive and full of zest and a craving for everything that life has to offer. I enjoyed Tyler's music immensely upon first listen, and really understood the gravitas as to what he was singing about and who he was singing it to, and that can leave the door open to interpretation as to how his music fits in your own personal life. An amazing singer-songwriter worthy of some notice here on the site. Some music for you to check out include "Beauty Queen" and "Good Night".

For more information on Tyler Addison James, head on over to his Facebook page right here and give it a well deserved 'Like' and see what amazing talent he has to offer you right before your eyes and ears! You can follow him on Twitter as well over here and find out when he'll be stopping by your local concert hall sometime soon. Visit his official website located here for more wide ranging information pertaining to his music, and check out his latest EP titled "Eastbound" now available for purchase and download via his exclusive Bandcamp page here.

Interview w/ Nolan and Patrick of The Wheeler Brothers

Presenting to you today an exclusive, sit down chat with one-half of the five piece band The Wheeler Brothers. Based out of Austin, TX this folk band has captivated and riveted audiences with their down home blend of folk rock designed to take listeners along with them on the ride as we take a musical journey through what makes them wholly unique and different among the plethora of other similar acts touring the country today. Two of the members Nolan and Patrick were nice enough to sit down and do an interview as we find out a little more about them and get to understand what inspires them to create music each and every day. Here is the transcript from that interview:

Give us your names and what you guys do in the band?

Nolan Wheeler-ukulele acoustic guitar glockenspiel keyboard vocals
Tyler Wheeler-bass
Pat Wheeler-drums
A.J. Molyneaux-lead guitar, lap steel, back up vocal
Nathan Rigney-lead guitar back up vocals

What is your earliest memory of being exposed to music, any artists that directly influenced you?

Nolan: Earliest memory would have to be cruising around with my father listening to Don McLean American Pie in his old pick up. I feel like the musical exploration started with classic rock then pit stopped in folk, alternative, soul and experimental.

Patrick: I think taking a lesson from the Galactic guys was probably my most memorable early music experience. We were young impressionable musicians and these guys were masters of their instruments. I honestly could not believe they were at our house teaching me and my brothers. The last time I had seen them, I was way in the back of a sold out Stubbs. Watching that Halloween show was a major catalyst for me deciding to go to LSU and certainly something that inspired me to make a career as a drummer.

What was life like growing up in Austin, TX, what kinds of activities did you do to pass the time?

Patrick: We had a pretty normal suburban upbringing. We had a creek in the back yard, a bb gun, played baseball and had a fascination with fire that lead to each of us being engulfed in flames at one point or another. When you grow up with brothers its pretty hard to get bored. Nolan was the funniest. He would do just about anything to prove how tough he was. I remember we got him to dress up in camo and then run around as we chased him with paintball guns. It definitely wasn't sporty but I'd say he passed the toughness test more than a few times. 

How has music affected or shaped your life up until this point, any memorable experiences that it has provided?

Nolan: It's all I think about. You either spend your time milling over melodies or writing experience to paper. There are so many different ways of approaching an experience or idea that lend themselves to lyric.

Patrick: Making music a full time gig has definitely been a change of lifestyle. Luckily I enjoy the sporadic schedule and late nights. I can't say it's done a whole lot to keep me shape but I have always loved traveling and that is pretty much half of what we do. Once you go these cities enough, you actually start to find your favorite places. Big and small, they all have their charms. 

How do you guys usually compose all of your recorded material, does one person usually handle the songwriting portion or is it all a collective process?

Nolan: At some point it always becomes a collective process. The easiest way to start is with the author who brings the idea however complete to the table. It can range from a simple melody or a completely written song. From there we add the instrumentation and structure.

What are some of your favorite tracks that you've recorded together and ones that your fans seem to gravitate towards as well?

Nolan: My personal favorite is "Cigarette Smoke". I like the loud simplicity that comes from the guitar/drums. It's also the only song I get to play electric guitar.

Patrick: As far as favorite tracks go, I've always liked "Focus". For me it's just fun to play I enjoy the link between Tyler and I.

In your spare time, what do you like to do for fun and leisure away from playing and recording music?

Nolan: I just put the final touches on a home studio in my spare bedroom. It's a great place for pre-production ideas. I've been spending most of our off time working ideas for the next album.

Patrick: The ever changing schedule also affords us random down time. Sometimes you get a whole month off like this last month and you get to pick up a quick hobby like skydiving.

What's coming up next for you guys, any further tour dates or new music happening down the road?

Nolan: We're going to take a two month break following our Thanksgiving date. I'm getting a polyp taken of my right vocal cord. However we'll be back on the road late February. It's always just a balance between touring/promoting the last album and writing/recording the next.

Lastly, any last words do you want to give to your fans who may be reading this?

Nolan: Thanks for all your support!

Patrick: To the readers all I can say is thanks for taking the time to listen to our music and learn a bit about our background.

Thanks once again to Nolan and Patrick for taking some time out of their ever busy tour schedule to do this interview. I know how hard they work touring the country exposing their sound to an ever increasing audience, and it was great chatting with them and getting to know them a little bit better as well. The band will be performing in Boston tonight @ Royale along with Houndmouth and The Ballroom Thieves. For more information, head on over to Royale's website located right here and buy tickets via Ticketmaster at this link here before they sell out in a hurry!

Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP 2

Detroit's most famous rapper Eminem is back at it again with his eighth studio album titled The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The follow up to 2010's Recovery finds the brilliant lyricist returning to his roots and picking up the storyline left off from Em's groundbreaking 2000 effort The Marshall Mathers LP, and allows us to see the rapper we fell in love with in his prime and ready to move on forward.

Starting things off with "Bad Guy" a grimy, realistic sounding track that features poignant lyricism that weaves its way into our collective consciousness right away and allows us to get an emotional glimpse inside Em and allows us to experience exactly what he is feeling at the same time the song is playing. "Rhyme or Reason" samples The Zombies "Time of The Season" into an inventive and cleverly mastered opus that shows the overflowing creativity emanating from inside of the mind of one of the most clever and inventive rappers of our generation. "Survival" is another mind blowing track that takes it to the next level with more complex musical arrangements finding its way to the forefront and puts the entire album in perspective for us and makes us wait with great fervor and anticipation for the rest of the album to follow. "Legacy" is a piano driven tune featuring delicate beats and a simple musical structure that cools it down just a bit and offer up a hint of diversity for the prospective music listener just tuning in. "Berzerk" is a jumbled, hot mess of a track featuring some rock influences a la Beastie Boys, and has a hand in production credits from none other than Rick Rubin, who contributes a great deal to the attitude and swagger of this track that is primed for your next house party. "Stronger Than I Was" enables to delve even deeper inside Em's persona, and allows us to come to the realization that his troubled past is finally behind him, and is ready to move on forward and leave his Slim Shady persona dead and buried with no regrets.

The second half starts off with my favorite track off the album "The Monster". Featuring the talents of Rihanna, the song has a uptempo, dazzling musicality to it with top notch rhythms and Em's engineered rhymes making things seem brighter and is the highlight of a nearly flawless studio effort heard here before you. "So Far..." is an amazing, jaw dropping track that has a surprisingly chirpy personality and upbeat musical tone that is something we haven't had the opportunity to experience with Em, and it works here to a great degree. "Headlights" features the talents of Nate Ruess from fun. who contributes a great deal to this downtempo track that does an excellent job of melding together the worlds of indie rock and hip-hop, two genres that I never expected to come together but it works well on this gutsy track. "Baby" is a methodically structured, standard issue hip-hop track with Em's trademark wiseguy rhymes making its way through on a comical level, and makes us wonder whether he's just playing around with us or is being serious. "Desperation" has that frenetic and jarring on the edge of your seat tone to it with a realistic sounding edge that shows off Em's emotion pouring itself out in one fell swoop right before your ears. We start to close things out with "Beautiful Pain" featuring Sia, and this track begins to close things out with downtempo rhythms and Sia's voice putting everything in perspective here and allows things to conclude much like the same way it began in the first place. "Wicked Ways" concludes matters here with a track that brings together all the musical elements we've heard in one way or another in succession, and gives us an encapsulated overview that shows how we got to this point in the first place, and also allows us to come to a conclusion of what this album was able to accomplish today. I've been a fan of Em ever since The Slim Shady LP came out in '99, and I really appreciated his lyrical abilities and his knack for crafting works of art that challenged the very concept of free speech, and immediately put everyone on edge that made me respect him that much more and understand how big of a role the city of Detroit played in his music, and his rocky relationship with his mother and ex-wife becoming verbal punchbags for him to vent and tell everyone exactly what he was feeling at that time.

In conclusion, another terrific effort from Eminem, who has made another quality effort that continues the evolution of Em into a more confident and open minded artist ready to face anything thrown in his direction, and his conviction and drive are nothing short of impeccable on this amazing effort. Highly recommended!

                                                                                                                           Album Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Bad Guy
2. Parking Lot (skit)
3. Rhyme Or Reason
4. So Much Better
5. Survival
6. Legacy
7. Asshole (f/Skylar Grey)
8. Berzerk
9. Rap God
10. Brainless
11. Stronger Than I Was
12. The Monster (f/Rihanna)
13. So Far...
14. Love Game (f/Kendrick Lamar)
15. Headlights (f/Nate Ruess)
16. Evil Twin
17. Baby
18. Desperation
19. Beautiful Pain (f/Sia)
20. Wicked Ways     

MusicBoxPete Presents: Towering Over London Now Available!

Proud to announce that my second Bandcamp compilation titled "Towering Over London" is now available for free download and streaming. I had alot of fun putting this compilation together, from contacting all the bands to gathering all of their material, the response proved to be overwhelmingly popular as I had all the bands for the disc lined up in less than a week. This 15 track collection prominently features some of Great Britain's most promising up and coming acts, and exposes them to the ears of American music listeners who may not have heard of these acts before, but are more than willing to take a listen and find out what they're all about.

Some terrific acts that are featured on this disc include Home Advantage, Nathan Detroit, Landmarks, Royal Fisticuffs, Maycomb, Lower Lands, Midday Committee, and Boston Manor. I want to take this opportunity and thank each and every one of the bands for allowing me to feature their tracks on this disc, and I greatly appreciate their enthusiasm as well for this compilation and I hope it allows them to increase their fanbase as well, especially among music listeners here in the U.S. For more information on the album, and to listen and/or download the disc, head on over to the site's official Bandcamp page located right here and see what immense talent is emanating from the other side of the pond.

Artist Spotlight: Highly Suspect

Heading off to Brooklyn for today's Artist Spotlight feature! Today, we explore the sounds of an emerging band by the name of Highly Suspect. The band consists of Ryan Meyer on drums and vocals, Rich Meyer on bass and vocals, and Johnny Stevens on guitar, vocals, and synths. The band's music is a mixture of grimy, down and dirty indie rock mixed in with a frenetic hard rock excitement that will definitely turn heads and have you moving along right until the very end. I had no idea what to expect from these gentlemen, but I'm so glad I came across them when I did because they have a sound that combines the best of both worlds between hard edged rhythms and a downtempo indie rock nature that shows off a wealth of diversity from these amazingly talented guys who have a definite knack for letting loose on stage and having their true personalities take center stage for everyone to marvel over and worship at the same time. A terrific band that is worthy of exploring their inner musical confines. Some tracks for you to check out include "Fuck Me Up" and "Guess What".

For more information on Highly Suspect, head on over to their Facebook page located over here and see what all the buzz is about emanating from the trio. You can follow them on Twitter as well from right here and find out when they'll be making their way into the New England area sometime soon with a concert appearance. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest EP titled "Black Ocean" now available for free streaming and download on their Bandcamp site over here and get into them right away. 

The Rebel Light Set To Release New Single "Jukebox Dream"

Los Angeles, CA based The Rebel Light is gearing up for the November 19th release of their brand new single, "Jukebox Dream". The song has that sun kissed spirit that is reminiscent of early era Beatles tracks, but with a more modern sensibility to touch and adds a air of genuineness and open mindedness to a band that has found their identity and is ready to bring it to the masses. I really enjoyed the laid-back California sensibility embedded within the melodies and even the lyrics, and they're definitely a band that you should be keeping an eye on sometime down the road.

For more information on The Rebel Light, 'Like' them on Facebook here, follow them on Twitter here, and visit their official website located over here. You can listen to "Jukebox Dream" free of charge over on their Soundcloud site right here for your listening pleasure. 

Artist Spotlight: Waking Elliot

Venturing into the long weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head on down to Meriden, CT and seek out the eclectic sounds of Waking Elliot. The band consists of Mary Carson on lead vocals, Allyson Brown on keys and backup vocals, Evan Forstrom on guitar, Kevin Bieler on bass, and Rob Jeffrey on drums. The band's music has a similar musical makeup to that of Paramore with Mary and Allyson's vocals leaving plenty to be desired and having the guys back them up on the instrumentation shows that they help each other out by staying on track with the musical path they intended while they were writing these songs in the studio. The songs each have a balanced musical component embedded within them that makes them a real treat to listen unfolding right before your ears. Some fresh tracks to check out from the collective include "Weak Minded Like Me" and "One-Two".

For more information on the guys in Waking Elliot, head on over to their Facebook page over here and find out everything that there is to know about these budding musicians. You can follow the guys on Twitter from right here and find out when they'll be making their way near your place of residence sometime with a concert appearance. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest EP titled "Weak Minded Like Me", now available on a host of select digital music platforms.

Artist Spotlight: The Ballroom Thieves

We keep on trucking with another new installment of Artist Spotlight for today! We stay put here in Boston and come across the folk infused sounds of The Ballroom Thieves. The band consists of Martin Earley on lead guitar and vocals, Devin Mauch on percussion and backup vocals, and Calin Peters on cello and vocals. The band's music is a bombastic, anthemic blast with harmonic vocals that reel you in hook, line, and sinker right away with a cutting edge blend of folk rhythms inspired by The Decemberists with their own unique music identity that shines through brightly in their music. I was enthused about them right from the get go, and I really enjoyed their musical outlook where the vocal abilities of everyone involved were the main attraction, and allowed everyone to marvel over the fact that we were in great musical company right here. An amazing, undiscovered local act that is totally worthy of a mention here on the site. Some tracks for you to discover from the trio include "Down By The River" and "Droves".

For more information on The Ballroom Thieves, head on over to their Facebook page located right here and see what all the buzz is about. The band can easily be followed on Twitter from this central location here and find out when they'll be stopping by your hometown area to grace you with their musical presence sometime. Head on over to their official website over here to get a at a glance look of the group with an extensive list of features, and check out their music now available on their Bandcamp site right over here where you can listen to their self-titled EP at your disposal.

Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band - Bubblegum

Kevin Devine has released the second of his two studio albums this year, this one with The Goddamn Band titled Bubblegum. The effort is a inventive, high energy mixture of indie rhythms conjured upon an extremely deep and personal lyrical framework that shines through brightly here and completely evokes Kevin's trademark charisma.

We start things off with "Nobel Prize" a distorted, loud rocker that shows off Kevin's trademark musical aesthetic hard at work here, providing a good idea of the solid musical foundation that he has built up over the years and has grown exponentially to the level where everyone knows who Kevin is just by the sound of his voice. My favorite song off the album is "Private First Class", a mostly acoustic based tune that will have your heart grow fonder for Kevin's emotionally cutting tunes that really make you marvel at the intensity and brilliance of his songcraft that is on marvelous display here and features outstanding guitar riffs that perfectly accentuate Kevin's musical message that is loud and clear for everyone to hear. "I Can't Believe You" features a more toned down mindset that allows us to view the diverse musical trajectories that are available in their arsenal, ready to use at their disposal at any given time and those extreme variances are the band's hallmark and one to identify the group by. "Bloodhound" is an all around perfectly produced track with laser precise guitar riffs and Kevin's charming vocal persona winning over your heart almost instantaneously and making us fawn for what's to come on the second half of the effort.

The second half starts off with the title track featuring Kevin's undeniable musical presence that is constantly growing deeper and more prevalent with each passing track, and the song's fast moving pace represents their constantly evolving musical blueprint that you can easily comprehend right away. "She Can See Me" is representative of their distorted nature that features escalating guitar riffs and piercing instrumentation that really makes you appreciate the brimming creativity that is emanating strongly from these gentlemen, and is well on their way to closing out the album in grand fashion. "Somewhere Unoccupied" begins to get us ready for the conclusion of the album with a subtle, toned down affair that allows us to feel at ease right before we hear the final song on this masterfully constructed effort here. We wrap things up with "I Don't Care About Your Band" a terrific, tough as nails track that features Kevin's masterfully created lyrics that speak to us so eloquently and are so poetic in nature, that Kevin knows what we're feeling and thinking at any given time, an amazing and rare ability for such a talented and gifted songwriter as Kevin himself. Kevin has grown on me heavily in recent months, and I have totally fallen in love with his ability to speak to me like an old friend wanting to get together for a beer at the neighborhood pub, and I feel that kinship and sincerity flowing out brilliantly and it has really changed my outlook on life substantially.

All in all, a terrific and musically cohesive effort from Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band, who have a real knack for connecting with listeners exclusively and solely for the purpose for talking with them and see what their perspective on life is.

                                                                                                                            Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Nobel Prize
2. Private First Class
3. Fiscal Cliff
4. I Can't Believe You
5. Redbird
6. Bloodhound
7. Bubblegum
8. Sick of Words
9. Capybara
10. She Can See Me
11. Somewhere Unoccupied
12. I Don't Care About Your Band        

Artist Spotlight: Await Rescue

Starting off the month of November with a brand new collection in my ongoing Artist Spotlight series! Today, we keep it local as always here in Boston with our own Await Rescue. The band consists of John Cutulle on lead vocals, Andrew Morse on guitar, Corey Fyfe on bass, and Matt Morse on drums. The band has a simple format, straightforward hard rock sound similar to that of Tool with their own musical identity to match that shows the band aren't just coping their idols musical blueprint word for word, but are constantly honing and developing their sound over time that makes them arch out prominently from the other Boston based bands in the scene, and shows off the individual musical talents that make them great and among one of the must see acts out there in the city. I had heard about them for quite some time, but never had the opportunity to discover their music until just now and I was impressed with how loud and fierce it was, and pleased that it didn't take any punches and just put all of their brimming musical creativity right out there for everyone to see and marvel over. A terrific live act that is definitely worth exploring when you get a chance. Some tracks for you to check from these guys include "Everyone You Know" and "Thanks, But No Thanks".

For more information on the gentlemen in Await Rescue, head on over to their Facebook page here and find out everything you need to know about the band. They're on Twitter as well from this central location here and find out when the group will be playing your hometown next. Visit their official website here for more in depth information concerning them, and check out their latest effort, "Everyone You Know" now available for free streaming and download on their Bandcamp site right here for your listening pleasure.

Artist Spotlight: Animal Talk

Starting off the month of November and heading into the weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we stay in the hometown of our World Champions the Boston Red Sox, and check in with the homegrown sounds of Animal Talk. The band consists of Steven, Rob, Ben, and Greg. Their music is a blend of electro pulse guided rhythms, inspired through an indie rock framework that shows off the band's groove and musicality that is taking center stage here and turning heads immediately upon first listen. I really enjoyed these guys the first time I listened to them, and they have a definite musical composure to them that I really took a shine to, and their rhythms are the clear star of the show here and put the band on a bigger platform than the other local Boston based acts, and have a chance to move on to the next level if the cards flip their way. A terrific sleeper act within the Beantown scene that is worth a listen. Some tracks for you to check out include "Mama Was A Teenage Rocker" and "Can't Dance With It".

For more information on the guys in Animal Talk, cruise on over to their Facebook page right here and unwrap what has been dormant all this time. You can follow the guys on Twitter over here and see when the group will be performing locally in the Boston area sometime soon. Visit the band's official website located here for more in depth information pertaining to the gentlemen, and check out their Bandcamp site at this spot here for their entire catalog of music up to this point free of charge.