The Assembly Line - The Places We Leave Behind

Brooklyn's own The Assembly Line have released their latest EP titled The Places We Leave Behind. The effort is a rich and dynamic effort of straight forward rock rhythms mixed in with a sincere and upfront lyrical mindset that makes the band unique among their other contemporaries within the same genre.

We start things off with "Tonight (There's Only Us)", a downtempo, low key track that eloquently shows off the band's style and what they can bring to the musical table. Lead singer Thornfin Nguyen contributes a great deal to the band's musicality and sophistication that you can see and hear moving forward. "The Tide" has a terrific guitar melody brought forth by Chris Potter that represents a more upbeat and dynamic shift in musical tone that shows off a different facet of the band that we haven't experienced up until this point. "Photographs" is my favorite song off the album that features more shifting musical soundscapes and Thornfin's deep vocals contributing a great deal to this song that best evokes the musical qualities that represent this effort as a whole. We start to round things out with "Just Kids", an upbeat slice of pop-rock with a sunny disposition to it that brings about a wealth of diversity to a well rounded out album as we head into the disc's final track. "Empires" closes things out with a hard hitting song that shows off the band's wealth of diversity lying in their catalog, and you can see from the very first tune that there are varying degrees of tempos that strongly indicate the band are capable of handling anything thrown their way, and present it in a format that listeners can easily comprehend. I enjoyed the simplicity and straightforwardness that emanated so strongly from these guys, and I appreciated the way that they presented their musical works to the public without resorting to electronic methods of manipulation that would have otherwise distorted the clear musical assignment that these guys set on from the very beginning.

Overall, a great effort from The Assembly Line, who do things the right way here on an effort that shows their raw musical dexterity and truthfulness lyrically that will serve them well in the long run and make them stand out more from the other upstart bands currently out there today.

                                                                                                                             EP Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Tonight (There's Only Us)
2. The Tide
3. Photographs
4. Just Kids
5. Empires  

Ryan Harris Brown - Wave Goodbye Wave Hello

Nashville, Tennessee's own Ryan Harris Brown is back with his brand new EP titled Wave Goodbye Wave Hello. The follow up to 2011's The Trail EP finds the singer-songwriter in the prime of his comfort zone with an exhilarating collection of tunes that totally evokes the laid back, free wheeling style that he evoked so eloquently on his prior release, and is expressed to a greater degree on this effort here.

"Begin" is a breezy, fun filled tune with Ryan's vocals going together smoothly with the standard issue acoustic guitar melodies that are absolutely outstanding and have a crisp, refreshing dynamic to it that is breathtaking and just gets better and better after repeated listens. "Let It Go Easy" is a more downtempo musical frame of mind with toned down melodies and a more introspective sound that really cuts down to the emotional core that lies at the base of the song, and is represented at various other points throughout the effort, but the main portion of it lies within this well constructed track right here. "Waiting On You" has a country tinged feel to it, which happens to be the basis of how all these songs are written, and has a direct, passionate effect on the listener that will almost be immediately felt upon impact and will definitely have a lasting impression on the listener and one that many will remember the effort by.

The second half of the effort features "Forever Means For Good", my favorite track off the album that is one of the most beautiful, unadulterated tracks that I've heard in quite some time, and really represents the hidden emotional message that is embedded within this album that could be aimed at any particular person, and has that lasting effect that you'll hear and remember where you were while listening to this song, an outstanding song all around from beginning to end. We begin to close things out with "I Don't Love You Anymore" a dark, poignant ballad that shows off Ryan's abilities as a dazzling and confident musician who wears his heart on his sleeve and pours it all out there for everyone to see exactly what he is feeling at this very moment. "The Time That It Takes" ends our journey here with a relaxing and comforting tune that brings in all the musical soundscapes we've heard in succession after one another, and allows us to tie all the loose ends and connect back to where we started from as we map our journey here to the finish line. I was impressed with Ryan's debut EP when I first reviewed it here on the site 2 years ago, and I was amazed with all the skills that he amassed when he went to school here in Boston at Berklee College of Music. He has a clear and firm grasp of the type of music that he wants to play and has all the key components necessary to move forward in this ever changing industry, and I see great things for him moving forward.

In retrospect, an incredible and top notch effort from Ryan Harris Brown, who has created another outstanding effort here that shows a musician in the prime of his burgeoning career that is only getting started, but shows huge signs of promise and flourishing greatly moving forward.

                                                                                                                         EP Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Begin
2. Let It Go Easy
3. Waiting On You
4. Forever Means For Good
5. I Don't Love You Anymore
6. The Time That It Takes  

Artist Spotlight: twenty one pilots

Kicking off the month of October with a brand new installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head over to the Buckeye state of Ohio and head over to Columbus to come in contact with the emerging duo known as twenty one pilots. The group mainly consists of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, and their music is a electro tinged blend of alternative rock with a slight pop sensibility that will grab listeners of multiple genres in an effort to have all music lovers converge on one level and come to an equal appreciation and common ground on something that they both can enjoy equally. I had heard alot about these guys in recent weeks, and I finally checked them out to see what the buzz was all about, and they have a strong musical presence to them that will definitely excite fans and generate positive word of mouth about them that is already building and bubbling over at this very moment. A terrific up and coming act already well on their way to stardom. Some tracks for you to discover from them include the first single "Holding On To You" and "Car Radio".

For more information on twenty one pilots, head on over to their Facebook page located here and see what they're all about from a musical perspective. They're also on Twitter as well from this location here and find out when they'll be making their way through your hometown soon with a concert appearance. Visit their official website here for more in depth information concerning the duo, and check out their latest album "Vessel" now available on iTunes, Spotify, AmazonMP3, and a slew of other digital music outlets.

Sofar Sounds Brings A New Meaning To The Idea of Private Listening Rooms

Sofar Sounds just had their inaugural Boston show this past Thursday at an apartment complex in Allston, MA that brought a new concept into the burgeoning idea of private concerts attended by a exclusive group of people with a lineup that is shrouded in mystery until the day of the actual concert, and brings a sense of camaraderie and friendship between the musicians and the audience gathered there before them.

The acts that performed at Thursday's exclusive show were Vinnie Ferra from New York City, who came with an intriguing violin and cello combination that started the night off on the right foot and gave us an idea of what to expect moving forward. Watertown, MA's own Friendly People played a stripped down acoustic set there, with frontman Pat McCusker feeling right at home playing barefoot and being his usual energetic and charismatic self interacting with the audience in between songs. Isis Lune brought in a sleek and sophisticated jazz style, and performed a terrific Portishead cover that really grabbed my attention throughout the set, and was one of the highlights of the evening. Gene & Max closed out the set with a beat boxing set that almost brought the house down complete with a didgeridoo that completely shattered the musical walls, and presented a completely fresh air of originality and cleverness that I haven't seen in music for quite some time.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable music experience, and I had a great time there interacting with a few people there during the course of the night, and partaking in some cocktails with some attendees as well. For more information on Sofar Sounds and to inquire about having a private show at your own place of residence, click on their website here. 

MuzicNotez Rap Battle Participants Announced

The acts taking place in the Rap portion of the MuzicNotez Battle of the Bands have been announced. As you may know, LOKA won the Rock portion of the contest and will be among 4 acts taking place in the Championship battle, and now the Rap acts will get an opportunity to make their presence known among the music community. Here are the rappers that will be taking part in the contest:

A.V.

Lyrikill

Shawn Lyricz

D.K.

Supa

Flozel

To vote for the participants and listen to some of their tracks, head on over to MuzicNotez's website here to take a listen and make your vote count as to who will go on in the battle.

Artist Spotlight: Maybrick

Closing out the month of September with the last Artist Spotlight feature of the week! Today, we stay nearby and head over to North Reading, MA where we come in contact with our very own Maybrick. The band consists of Dennis Houle on lead guitars and vocals, Jimmy Corbett on guitar, Scott Angelini on drums, Cory Nitzsche on bass, and Matt Macaulay on backup vocals. The band has a high energy, hard rocking sound similar to that of Underoath and Avenged Sevenfold with their own unique spin put on it to get a better understanding of where they come from musically. It may surprise some, but I do enjoy some metal music although I tend to enjoy more metalcore acts like the aforementioned Underoath, Pierce The Veil, and Sleeping With Sirens, but something about Maybrick spoke to me with their own unique dynamic vision of what music should sound like that is representative of their own musical influences, and gives the prospective music listener an idea of what their basic musical makeup looks like. A promising local act definitely worthy of some additional exposure here on the site. Some recommended tracks for you to check out include "At Your Worst" and "An Honest Day".

For more information on Maybrick, head on over to their Facebook page located here at your convenience to see what they bring to the table musically. Check out their music now available for streaming on their ReverbNation page right here, and keep an eye out for their full length debut album slated for release hopefully sometime before the end of the year. 

Artist Spotlight: Bad Rabbits

Starting off your Thursday with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we keep it local in Boston and uncover the dynamic and groovy sounds of Bad Rabbits. The band consists of Dua Boakye on vocals, Sheel Davé on drums, Salim Akram on guitar, Graham Masser on bass, and Santi Araujo on guitar. The band has an eclectic, groove infected sound similar to that of Sly and The Family Stone mixed in with a contemporary rock aesthetic that is unlike any other musical combo out there today, and have a trademarked sound that fans can easily identify with. I've had the pleasure of seeing these guys perform in the past, and they have an indelible and authentic stage presence to them that I can't adequately compare to any other act in the scene today, and are a band that can't possibly be confined to one genre and have that ability to dabble in other genres that allows them to cater to audiences outside their musical radar, and they definitely brought with them the ability to dance and have fun, something which translates well with the listening audience who joins together with the band in the spirit of dance to let loose and have a little fun in the process. A terrific local band that is definitely well on their way to musical stardom. Some tracks for you to check out for your listening pleasure include "We Can Roll" and "Can't Fool Me".

For more information on the guys in Bad Rabbits, head on over to their Facebook page right here and see what all the fuss is about related to these collective gentlemen. You can follow them on Twitter as well over here and find out when they'll be performing in the Boston area again sometime soon. Visit their official website here for more wide ranging info pertaining to the band, and check out their latest album "American Love, now available for purchase on iTunes at this link located here. 

Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull

Nashville, Tennessee's own Kings of Leon make their long awaited return with their all new studio release titled Mechanical Bull. The follow up to 2010's Come Around Sundown finds the alt-rockers continuing to bring with them their Southern charm and fascination for all things country with their exclusive blend of rock that is representative of the area in which they grew up in and also expresses their earnest musical influences that has gotten them to the point where they are now.

We kick things off with the indelible first single "Supersoaker", a high energy, steady rocker that features the weathered lead vocals of Caleb Followill contributing a great deal to the band's melodic output and has been a hallmark of the band's sound ever since they first began more than 10 years ago. "Rock City" has a sleek, sophisticated classic rock influence to it that takes you back to the 70's and the guys definitely play the part wonderfully with their fashion style fitting in well and giving the album a retro flashback feel to it. "Beautiful War" has a decidedly more downtempo feel to it that features lush instrumental arrangements brought to you by Caleb's brothers Jared and Nathan, plus their cousin Matthew providing a focused and creative family dynamic that is wholly unique and unlike any other musical outlet currently out there today. "Temple" is probably my favorite track off the album with its upbeat musical nature and fast paced tempo providing the perfect balance between all the other tracks featured on the disc and gives the effort some much needed clout and musical structure to it.

The second half begins with "Family Tree" a bombastic, fun filled track with an amazing drum pattern from Nathan that is a real treat to listen unfold right before you, and presents the band right square dab in their comfort zone that has served them well in the past, and works to fruition right here also. "Tonight" has a darker edged tone to it that has a vastly different musical makeup than the other tracks, but fits in well with the intention of each track to provide a wealth of diversity to the listener and give them something different to look forward to each and every time. We start to close up shop with "Coming Back Again" a gritty, flapping rocker with sharp and precise guitar riffs getting straight to the point and showcasing the band's stage presence and musical influences that have been scattered all about on the disc. "On the Chin" concludes our stay here with a downtempo and homegrown track that brings in all the influences we've heard in some capacity, and brings us an encapsulated overview for those just tuning in catching them up on what they may have missed so far. I was never a big Kings of Leon fan when I first heard them back in 2003, but grew attached to them upon listening to Aha Shake Heartbreak and really began to appreciate their musical stylings, most notably the track "Taper Jean Girl" that completely encapsulates their Southern charm and musical appreciation for everything that was around them growing up.

To sum it all up, a well rehearsed and plotted out effort from Kings of Leon, who continue to bring their blend of Southern inspired rock to the masses and present a band expressing the environment around them growing up, and how it has made them the men they are today.

                                                                                                                          Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Supersoaker
2. Rock City
3. Don't Matter
4. Beautiful War
5. Temple
6. Wait for Me
7. Family Tree
8. Comeback Story
9. Tonight
10. Coming Back Again
11. On the Chin  

Call Me Anything - The Best Damn Time EP

Boston's own perennial rock stars Call Me Anything are back with their latest studio effort titled The Best Damn Time. The follow up to last year's Celebrity EP finds the group deviating somewhat from their prior electro charged effort, and heads towards a more generalized pop sound that caters to their specific demographic that is constantly clamoring for new material from the group, and has been incredibly supportive to the group from the very beginning.

We open things up with "Down Below", a breezy, sun kissed tune featuring the terrific lead vocals of Will Tenney who contributes a great deal to the band's musical dynamic that has evolved greatly from their debut single "Let's Talk". The first single "Try This Again" is my favorite track off the album that features a glossy guitar riff that completely evokes the carefree spirit that the band tries to evoke both on record and on stage, and Matt McNulty does a terrific job of providing guitar and backing vocals, and is definitely the envy of teenage girls abound and has sort of reached that heartthrob, teen idol status that some musicians have an aspiration of reaching, and these guys have certainly entered that upper echelon of teenage fandom. "Good Thing" starts out with a neat whistling combo, before settling into a laid back acoustic pattern that is more diverse than the other tracks, and tends to do multiple things at once that sometimes get lost in translation and is somewhat disconcerting for the listener. "Our City" is a little bit more downtempo than the preceding track, and injects some synth-happy melodies that provide the perfect balance between the rest of the songs on the disc, and allows us to look forward to what the last song on the disc has to offer to balance everything out on a harmonic scale. "Dream Car" concludes our stay here on this disc, and has a indelible vocal track from Will that ties up all the loose ends abound, and makes us envy for driving around Southern California in an Audi, taking in everything that the environment has to offer us. I've had the honor and privilege of knowing Will and Matt for almost 2 years now, and they have been nothing short of gracious and humble people who I'm proud and honored to call my friends, and have been huge supporters of my site from Day 1 and who also won the Artist Spotlight of the Year Award back in 2011 that they so rightfully deserved for their tireless musical efforts and their incessant work ethic that has gotten them to the point they are at today.

In closing, a diverse and terrific collection of tunes from Call Me Anything, who continue to build up their musical credibility with each effort they make, and clearly show that they aren't some chick band, but a musical collective able to reach listeners and fans from all genres.

                                                                                                                               EP Score: 3/5

Track Listing:

1. Down Below
2. Try This Again
3. Good Thing
4. Our City
5. Dream Car     

Artist Spotlight: Koji

Starting off another week of Artist Spotlight with a brand new installment! Today, we head down to Harrisburg, PA and check out the sounds of Koji. His music is a blend of indie-folk conjured upon a strong and sound lyrical framework that has a hidden social message embedded within the lyrics if you listen closely, and encourages you to take action after first listening to it that makes you feel empowered and ready to make a difference of the world at large. I was largely taken ahold of the sheer musical power and wisdom of the organic melodies, and the fact that his music has a social justice aspect to it really makes me have hope for the next generation of musicians currently making their way into the scene today. An immensely talented musician that is definitely deserving of exposure here on the site. Some recommended tracks for you to have a listen at include "Peacemaker" and "Biomusicology".

For more information on Koji, head on over to his Facebook page located here to see and listen firsthand what his music is all about. You can follow him on Twitter as well right here and have face to face interaction with him and find out when he'll be playing in the Boston area again. Visit his official Tumblr webpage over here for more wide ranging info pertaining to his musical agenda, and check out his latest release "Never Come Undone" on his Bandcamp site at this location here.

Japanese Band LOKA Wins MuzicNotez Rock Battle

The MuzicNotez Rock Battle of the Bands have just concluded, and Japan based band LOKA has come out on top above all the other bands competing in the contest. It was a long, hard fought battle between the other bands, but LOKA had too much going for them and their fanbase came through strong in the clutch to provide them with the boost that they needed to win. LOKA will be moving on to the Championship Battle to take on the next 3 winners.

For more information on LOKA, 'Like' them on Facebook here and follow them on Twitter here.

RÁJ Releases Music Video For "Ghost"

Up and coming musician RÁJ has released his brand new single and the video to accompany it called "Ghost". The video was shot on location in Budapest, Hungary and features stunning imagery to go along with it that is one of the most visually appealing clips I've seen in quite awhile, and it enhances the overall musical flavor of the track with thought provoking imagery and whimsical, out of this world sonic delights make you crave for more and puts your hand up asking for more. I was immediately sold when I first saw this clip, and I appreciate the song more for its visual artistic abilities and its desire to tell a story to the listening audience to make them feel like a part of the act. A terrific music video that is definitely one of the sleeper hits of the year.

View the video above to get a full sense of what it is I'm talking about, and get to know RÁJ better via his Twitter account from over here, his music is available on his Soundcloud page right here, and check out his Tumblr page as well from this location here.

Artist Spotlight: Receivers

Rounding out the week and heading into the weekend with a brand new edition of Artist Spotlight! Today, we head out to the western portion of Massachusetts, and come into contact with the sounds of our own Receivers. The band consists of Michael Mruk, Ryan Goff, and Tyler Ochs. The band's music is a downtempo, melodic blend of pop-punk influences similar to that of Saves The Day and Yellowcard with a strong musical state of mind and a simple lyrical framework that fans can easily comprehend and apply to events currently going on in their everyday lives. I was enthralled when I heard these guys upon first listen, and impressed with how musically compact each track was and managed to pack in a considerable amount of punch which is just enough for the average listener to marvel over and experience what they have got to say musically. A terrific local band that is looking to move ahead of all the others in the pack. Some tracks for you to enjoy from them include "Keep It Low" and "Saturday Song".

For more information on the guys in Receivers, head on over to their Facebook page located here and don't forget to 'Like' it as well while you're over there. The band's latest album "Haunts" is available for streaming on their Bandcamp page right here and on their Soundcloud site as well over here.

Artist Spotlight: Lions Lions

Starting off the final days of fall with a brand new installment of Artist Spotlight! Today, we have a hardcore band from right here in Boston that goes by the name of Lions Lions. The band consists of Joshua Herzer on lead vocals, Brandon Davis on guitar, Jon Kay on bass and backup vocals, Isaac Vigil on guitar, and Brian Cauti on drums. The band's sound is a mixture of melodic hardcore similar to that of Four Year Strong and Underoath with a strong lyrical framework and intense, in your face instrumentation that really hits you in the face the moment you first hear it, and immediately forces you to clamor out for more when the songs have concluded. I'm slowly starting to get into more hardcore music such as Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens, and this band has all the key musical components necessary to take it to the next level as they have established the type of music they want to play, and have started to cultivate an active fan following both in person and online that makes the group that much more visible to the naked eye. A terrific local band deserving of a shout out here on the site. Some tracks for you to check out from the guys include "Milestones" and "Undertow".

For more information on Lions Lions, head on over to their Facebook page here and get acquainted with the guys a little bit better upfront. Follow the band on Twitter from this location right here and find out when they'll be playing in the New England area again sometime soon. Visit their Tumblr page right here for more pertinent info related to the band, and check out their latest album "To Carve Our Names" on iTunes right here and where ever else fine digital music is sold.