Nigel Egg – Big Bang Baby Boom

Nigel Egg who plays a mix of bluesy folk music, really hits his stride with what I think might be either his only CD release or at least the first one released in awhile.

What he has really accomplished, is to create something that usually sounds all the same and create his own outlook on it. Writing the blues about ordinary things and using humor to lighten it up.

Writing songs about Going To Home Depot, Kids staying out late and whether to tell your kids about your past drug use. “The Birds and The Bees and the Bud”. It’s all the day to day stuff we can relate to.

Since Egg usually plays his shows by himself with an acoustic guitar and his harmonica. I am glad he didn’t go too crazy on background music. It’s there, but it just serves as a background for his songs and his style.

This album might more appeal to an older crowd which I am quickly approaching, but if  you dig some lighthearted blues you should give it a listen.

$3.47 out of $5

www.nigelegg.com

Two Many Banjos – POW

There really has been a resurgence of Bluegrass music in the last few years. I wonder if that has equated into higher sales for banjos? I don’t know if you can call Two Many Banjos a pure Bluegrass band, but there are many clues pointing in that direction.

The banjos skills are definitely evident on this album, from fast picking to interesting strum patterns. The songs go from introspective to toe tapping, sometimes leaning to traditional Bluegrass.

I really enjoyed the banjo music on this and my favorite track was actually the instrumental track POW. I don’t really know if this makes sense, but I thought the vocals were almost too good for the music. The Bluegrass music I like, usually has vocals that don’t overpower the music as much.

I would really like to hear an instrumental CD from this group, the banjo skills displayed on this record prove they could pull it off. If you like Bluegrass and Banjo music you should really check it out, don’t let my criticism of the vocals dissuade you, you’ll probably dig it.

$3.25 out $5.oo

www.twomanybanjos.com

History Books – Love The Swimmer, Hate The Swim

There is some music out there, which I like to call low key pop. It’s catchy, solid, not cheesy and it’s actually interesting enough to listen to. History Books fit all of this criteria and more.

This reminds of another local indie pop band – Mighty Fairly, but History Books might have a more full sound with the keyboards and more of an electronic slant in the mix. What is very interesting as well is the really cool guitar parts which really comes out in the song Picture Bibles.

This album is well crafted, not too long or saddled with too many songs. It’s poppy, pretty clean and very well done. I think my fourteen old daughter might even like it. She digs stuff like Owl City and History Books is way better. Plus no auto tune or at least not used where you can hear it.

$4.50 out of $5.oo

www.myspace.com/historybooksband

The Foundation Of – Myspace review

This young band originally from Mexico and now in Chula Vista, CA plays a rock and metal infused style of music. The one track that is on their page has a great intro and lead into the vocals.

They also have a YouTube live video, but the sound quality makes it hard to know if the songs are good or bad.

I think this band has a great start instrumentally, but they need to reign in the vocals and get them closer to where they will sound better with the music. Luckily they seem young and eager to get to work as a band.

The potential is there, they just need to practice and play more live shows and I am sure The Foundation Of will be creating a buzz before you know it.

$2.50 out of $5

http://www.myspace.com/thefoundationof

The Sunny Era – The Darkness of Love

As much as you can dig an eastern European vibe, The Sunny Era will be there to hold your hand. As much as some of the songs can be emotional downer and have a sad tone, a few songs like El Segundo will have your leg tapping away.

Influenced by DeVotchka and maybe more according to another local blog, luckily I don’t get out much and never heard of them. So to me The Sunny Era could be completely their own deal. I guess though if you like DeVotchka you’ll like this band if you feel they are deriving their own creativity by inspiration.

I really enjoy the instrumentation which is accordion, guitar, percussion, violin and a few other instruments. The echo of the vocals haunt the entire album, sometimes in a great way and sometimes they don’t fit as well as they could.

If I find myself on a rainy day, on a porch with a cup of strong black coffee, a cigarette and I am contemplating my life these songs would be a perfect backdrop.

www.thesunnyera.com

$3.45 out of $5

Cosmoline – Give Me Back My Pride

Cosmoline is a really straightforward a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. You could also throw a bit of folk in there as well for good measure.

Their 11 song album bounces around from the rock/country type tunes to country/folk ballads which remind me of artists like Roy Orbison or a touch of Elvis.

There is no doubt with the right crowd or should I say older crowd this band would tear the place down. There would be dancing and partying with Cosmoline being perfect in the background.

This band won’t get any medals for being overly original or having their own sound, but I don’t think that is what they are trying to achieve. I am sure they are doing just fine and having fun for playing the music they really like.

$3 out of $5

http://www.myspace.com/cosmoline

The Serial MCs Volume 3

Ruthless, M.C. Rentz, Professor Fresh, ill E Gal and ill P.O.E. all contribute tracks to Serial MCs Volume 3. What it all means, is a pretty solid Hip-Hop/Rap compilation with more good tracks then bad.

Instead of dissecting each track piece by piece, it’s very likely some things you’ll dig more then others. “So Good” by ill E Gal stands out as a great track. Actually all the ill E Gal tracks stand out, probably because you don’t hear too many female hip-hop acts and also because the tracks were very good.

The spazzy “Free Agent Market” by M.C. Rentz I also really dug, because it’s rapid fire delivery and catchy rhymes are very cool.

A few tracks didn’t really dazzle me, which means I wouldn’t go back and listen again. There are however enough gems on this compilation that make it worth your while. With 19 tracks there will be plenty to pull over to a playlist on your Ipod and you won’t be disappointed.

$3.59 out of $5

www.loonatix.net