MAGNUS KARLSSON – Free Fall

FREEFALLSwedish guitarist Magnus Karlsson will be familiar to some rock fans as a collaborator on Jorn Lande and Russell Allen’s trilogy of albums, having lent some meaty musical chops to the works of those powerhouse vocalists.  ‘Free Fall’ – Karlsson’s solo debut – follows in the melodic power metal tradition, with a roll call of impressive vocal talents helping to breathe life into his material, as well as some killer lead guitar work throughout.

Continue reading

SKELETONS IN THE PIANO – Please Don’t Die

skeletons in the pianoSkeletons In The Piano are the stuff of your technicolour dreams and your darkest nightmares.  Billing themselves as falling somewhere between The Doors and Black Sabbath, this New York septet’s sound constantly pulls between extremes, often favouring moods lodged inside the dustiest corner of the imagination.

Continue reading

CRAZY & THE BRAINS – Let Me Go

letMeGo600x600In  2012, New Jersey anti-folk/punk outfit Crazy & The Brains released a handful of songs as part of a split EP with The Disconnects.  While C&tB’s xylophone heavy take on the Ramones’ ‘Oh Oh I Love Her So’ was their best track on that particular release, the band’s self-penned material had its own ragged charm, similar to ‘Don’t Need Snacks’, their own EP containing odes to Lindsay Lohan and Saturday Night Live.  2013’s ‘Let Me Go’ recycles a few numbers from those previous releases – including a couple of the band’s best – but the unheard tunes within the sixteen tracks certainly aren’t without their enjoyable moments.

Continue reading

JUSTIN KLINE – Doormat EP

justinklinedoormatJustin Kline’s first full length album ‘Cabin Fever Songs’ marked a departure from his earlier EPs, shifting from sun-filled power pop to introspective, mostly acoustic songs with a home recorded quality.  While the introspective songs undoubtedly helped exorcise a few demons, he received mixed reactions for the record.

Continue reading