MUSIC REVIEWS

Poet and musician David Nigel Lloyd’s work has garnered a global audience without ever achieving mainstream prominence. It’s never been important. It’s the work, instead, that’s important. Lloyd’s obvious devotion to art and its possibilities are apparent throughout Of Service in Rosemary Lane’s ten tracks. It is never stated outright, but …

The level of detachment between pop singers and their material is honestly at an all-time high right now, at least from where I’m sitting as a professional music critic. Although pop isn’t completely devoid of connectivity between those who record and the messages they send, when we’re able to hear …

As its raw, dirty sizzle comes into focus for anyone within earshot of the speakers, the title track in The Empty Pockets’ new album Outside Spectrum makes it clear just how much heat we’re in for in this latest record from the acclaimed Americana quartet. The music has a blue-hued …

Like something stepping out of a time machine before our very ears, it doesn’t take long to recognize the sci-fi hue over the new single “Robot M 2052,” nor the creative influences Bobby and the Crew hold so personally in this performance. Although there’s something to be said for the …

Rhythm is an essential component of any intriguing song in pop, but in the new single from Lorenzo Gabanizza and Jeff Christie, “I Guess I Am the Only One,” it’s as much an agent of evocation as it is a foundation from which these players can build an entire story. …

Musician, performer, and instrument builder Nick Demopoulos’ project Smomid relies on instruments he’s designed and constructed for his interactive computer music. He’s taken the name of the project from an acronym of his main instrument “String Modeling Midi Device” and has produced three full-length albums driven by Smomid and Pyramidi …

Composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Pierre De Gagne began his recording career writing and releasing music under the moniker Dragon-Off. The project’s unique blending of light classical, soft rock, progressive rock, world fusion, and modern new age lead to three successful releases. De Gagne, however, learned later that a dragonoff was …

Whereas, Seattle was once known for its burgeoning Rock and Grunge scene, birthing many modern icons, it’s now a hotbed for Trap and Electronic music. Sugar Addikt is an act from the Seattle area, who has rooted their sound in Electronic Dance Music. Comprised of Vanessa Littrell and Mario Inchausi, …

The opening of Stromer Hills’ “if u like the way i walk” is worth the price of purchase alone. He knew FAST that the song’s chorus hook is its marquee element and pushing it to the front of the line in an effort to draw listeners into the song is …

Paul Hatem is a once-in-a-lifetime sort of songwriter. The simple comparisons to Cat Stevens or Neil Young are there, but Hatem’s latest album When I Get Old makes a great case for something far different. There’s a knack for humor and a distinct grasp on the small moments in life …