Ce Ce Gable - Next Year's Song - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Next Year's Song, by Ce Ce Gable and it's a solid review of predominantly jazz vocal standards. Opening with original track, Next Year's Song, is a cool composition featuring Ce Ce Gable on vocal and really nice solo bass lead by Harvie S floating in lush piano work by Alan Broadbent, and Matt Wilson on drums. Henry Mancini's Two For The Road is smooth but Gable's vocals are crystal clear with complimentary guitar work by Roni Ben-Hur and light cymbal and snare work by Wilson. Latin salted, Like A Lover, has a great feel, Gable handling the lead vocal with deft finesse and crisp Latin guitar flavoring by Ben-Hur and the lightest of brush rhythm on drums by Wilson. I particularly like Gable's work on Moments Like This. Broadbent's piano holds the structure of the track and Gable's vocals carry the melody in fine view. Very nice. Broadbent penned, From Me To You, has a great Latin rhythm courtesy of Ben-Hur on guitar and again Gable carries the melody nicely. Solid closer for a cool release. 

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Dennis Johnson - Revelation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation, from Dennis Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down, Dennis Johnson on lead vocal and guitar digs on on a traditional arrangement backed by Anton Fig on drums and with a steady bass line by Jonathan Stoyanoff and cool piano soloing by Bob Fridzema gets the party going. Talk To You is a great, driving rocker with a straight drum and bass line, super slide work by Johnson and aggressive keys. Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues is up next and with a great rhythm really gets rockin. Dennis' adds super slide riffs to this already updated track for a totally contemporary feel. Very cool. Ramblin is a cool boogie with a power bass line and call and response between Johnson on vocal and slide. With Elmore James based riffs, this track hits a real nice groove. Wrapping the release is Don't Owe You A Thing with a terrific driving drum line. Johnson on vocal and slide guitar really gets a Hill Country feel and over a pounding bass line by Stoyanoff, Fig's drum swats add a really cool accent. This is a great closer for a solid release. 

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EW Music artist: Emma Wilson - Wish Her Well - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wish Her Well, from Emma Wilson and it's a tight blend of blues, rock, soul and pop. Opening with title track,  Wish Her Well, a cool, stripped down blues track, Emma Wilson shows her cool, aloof, singing  style that works nicely with Mat Hector on drums. Contemporary soul infused pop track, Little Love Bite has a cool melody and nicely blended instrumentation by Hector on drums, Mark Neary on bass and keys, Adam Chetwood on guitars making it s solid radio track. Blossom Like Snow is an interesting blend of blues, soul and pop with a really nice melody and light instrumentation with a firm drum rhythm and rhythm guitar supporting the strong vocal of Wilson. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is slightly funky She Isn't You. Wilson's vocals, and a strong bass line by Neary gives this track a lot of wind in it's sails. Very cool. Driving rocker, Not Paying really stretches with a potent vocal delivery and a pumped drum rhythm and the addition of Alessandro Brunetta on harmonica. Another soulful track, Back On The Road showcases Wilson's vocal warmth and with the addition of some southern soul style guitar riffs by Chetwood puts me in mind of the Muscle Shoals sound. Wrapping the release is Then I'm Gone, a soulful pop track with a heavy kick drum and Neary on bass and keys, supporting Wilson's vocals. This is a cool release with a little bit of everything. 

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Provogue artist: Robin Trower - No More Worlds To Conquer - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, No More Worlds To Conquer, from Robin Trower and I like it! Opening with Ball of Fire, Trower on guitar (and bass), joined by Richard Watts on vocal and Chris Taggart on drums set a solid foundation. Maintaining a trace of early Trower styling, this music sounds fresh and new with rock roots and blues influence. Trower's riffs show power that I rarely see in contemporary rock or blues and his runs are fluid and firm. Very cool. Title track, No More Worlds To Conquer, has rhythmic roots in that early Trower/Hendrix dialog but the track is all original. I like how Trower takes a basic concept and with only a trace of history makes a new and completely independent new track which has excellent strength. With only a bass line and drums to guide to concept, Trower crafts the new melody and solo line on guitar, giving Watts the pathway for the vocals. Excellent! Birdsong is one of my favorite tracks on the release with what I'd call very Troweresque phrasing. Watts vocals really work nicely in the slot and Trower's soulful guitar lead is nicely executed spelling out the blues in Trower's own language. Very nice! Wither On The Vine is another really strong track delivered in more of a ballad style but of course in a Trower manner. Watts really is an ideal singer for Trower's band with just the right feel and Trower's guitar phrasing on this track works so nicely that it could easily carry the release alone. The most flamboyant track on the release is The Razor's Edge with a slow, strutting rhythm and searing guitar lead. Trading call and response with Watts and with the firm bottom by Taggart, this is an excellent rocker. Wrapping the release is I Will Always Be Your Shelter, a quiet ballad for Trower but a cool showcase for Watts and an opportunity for Trower to play solo guitarist instead of lead guitarist. A nicely composed and executed track, a solid closer. 

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Shameful Records artist: Red Hot Shame - My Satellite - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, My Satellite, from Red Hot Shame, and it's an interesting indie rocker. Opening with Liftoff, Red Hot Shame, led by Xeff Scolari on vocal and acoustic guitar has a cool power rocker feel not unlike the Pixies or the Breeders. Joined by Ryan Wilson on electric guitar, Spencer Kennedy on bass, keys and percussion, Steven Pitsenbarger on backing vocal, horns and percussion, James Terris on keys and bass and Rick Fugate on drums. Title track, My Satellite is a cool rocker with a spacy feel. With a flabby guitar rhythm and excellent vocal blending, as well as some cool keyboard effects, this is one of my favorite tracks on the release. Solitude is an interesting ballad with a really strong melody. Again Scolari and Pitsenbarger blended vocals really work nicely and the guitar work of Wilson really sets the track off nicely. Another solid rocker is Stranded with it's gritty guitar rake and catchy melody. It's loosely structured guitar soloing over it's tight guitar rhythm and rock style vocals really work well for the most radio style track on the release. Wrapping the release is Little Moon a moody track with a solid melody. Scolari is a strong songwriter with definite hooks in the past. Nice job. 

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Brubeck Editions: The Dave Brubeck Trio - Live From Vienna 1967 - New Release review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Live From Vienna 1967 from The Dave Bruebeck Trio and it's terrific. This is the only recording of this setup playing as a trio as sax player Paul Desmond missed the flight from Hamburg. This arrangement gave this innovative trio a lot more room to move and they really took advantage of the opportunity. Opening with St. Louis Blues, Dave Brubeck on piano really digs in. With an up tempo boogie style, supported by an excellent bass line by Eugene Wright, and light upper end but tight kick drum accents by Joe Morello, this band really flies. Wright steps up with a great lead bass solo with Brubeck and Morello keeping only the lightest of rhythm on piano and drums. Morello shows clean timing and perfect footwork on his own solo wrapping the track. Excellent! On La Paloma Azul, Brubeck plays beautifully, holding the composition in the palm of his hands. Lightly expressing his phrasing and with Wright playing in balance, this track just floats. Increasing his power through the middle of the passage gives nice contrast as he backs off on the back side and eases into the summary. Very nice. On Someday My Prince Will Come, Brubeck really starts out with tempo and power. Once establishing the initial phrase he backs off and lets the improvisation flow. In jazz, this track gets some of the most colorful explorations that I have heard, I think primarily because everyone knows the melody so well that it can be easily expressed by Wright (in this case) with only key notes on bass. Brubeck breaks into a waltz phrase, followed by Wright but Morello holds the original rhythm for a time, then breaking rhythm and consolidating with Brubeck and Wright for the final phrase. Powerful. Closing the release is an energetic cover of Take The A Train with a driving bass line by Wright and quick, fluid phrasing by Brubeck. Excellent closer for a really strong release! 

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Bananafish - Boston Bananafish - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Boston Bananafish by Bananafish and it's a cool jam rocker. Opening with What's Been Going On?, Bananafish, led by vocalist, guitarist songwriter Fordham Murdy, (also known as Reverend Freakchild) begins this two cd release with a pop rocker with contemporary rock and country roots. Joined by Dan Simone on keys, Ben Chen and Ry Cavanaugh on bas and Joe Bulkin on drums. Casey And Hayes is a cool rocker with a spry beat. With it's story line flowing and it's hi low vocal Murdy and Simone) blending and piano lead, this is one of my favorites. Belpre at Night is a cool, blues based track with a vocal prominent beginning, developing into a solid guitar led guitar jam. Very cool. An interesting, folk like rework of Lennon and McCartney's With A Little Help From My Friends is pretty creative in itself with only traces of the original melody or arrangement. The second cd of this release contains all instrumental tracks. Planet Garbonzo is a loose rocker with Murdy working with Simone in tandem guitar and keyboard lines around a central rocking theme. Crazy Karma is short but effective. With heavy fuzz on the guitar Murdy lays down a central rock theme with guitar on a tight drum rhythm. Simone answers his call with electric piano ... almost Zappa like. This is an interesting composition over 2 cds with very short and longer concepts. 

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Little Village Foundation artist: Mighty Mike Schermer - Just Gettin' Good - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Just Gettin' Good, by Mighty Mike Schermer, and I really like it. Opening with title track, Just Gettin' Good, this release is off to a hot start. With Mighty Mike and Ms. Kimmy Pickens on lead vocal and the stinging guitar work of Mike out front, this track struts. With the fat bari sax work of Aaron Lington, and joined by Dmar on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Eric Spaulding on tenor, Jeff Lewis on trumpet and Mike Rinta on trombone, this track is smokin'. On slow, soulful This Is Where My Love Is, Schermer sings a solid ballad and keeps the instrumentation to a minimum with Paul Revelli on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass and Austin DeLone on organ.  On island track, The Hungry Dog, Schermer gets a calypso rhythm and the guys really get into the swing. June Core on drums, Kid Andersen on bass and vocal, Chris Burns on piano, Kimmy on percussion and Wally Pickins on vocal, this track is a lot of fun. Funky blues, Tired of Travellin', is one of my favorite tracks on the release. With Mike throwing down some great riffs, with Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on organ, Andersen on rhythm guitar and heavy horns by Jack Sanford on sax and John Halbleib on trumpet. Super. Another blues track with a funky bottom is Cook Up A Little Love. With Kimmy and Mike trading off lead vocal, Ehrmann on bass, Tony Snead on keys and D'mar on drums this track and Mikes grip on the guitar, another cool track. Rocker, Kimmy Kimmy Gimmee Gimmee has a early rocking feel with a lot of spunk. Wrapping the release is ska track, It's Not Me, It's You. With Revelli on drums, Ehrmann on bass, Austin DeLone on organ, Andersen on acoustic guitar, John Nemeth on vocal, Uncle Bernie on sax, Mike Kobin on trumpet and James Cody Arnholt on trombone, and with Mike taking a stylized guitar solo this is a fun party closer. 

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Gulf Coast Records artist: Bennett Matteo Band - Shake The Roots - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Shake The Roots, by Bennett Matteo Band and it's a funky, blues rocker. Opening with Doesn't Really Matter, a funky rocker, Jade Bennett on lead vocal is in charge. With Gino Matteo and Kid Andersen on guitar they are heavily armed and with Michael Burnham on funky bass, Carson Ford on drums, Jim Pugh and Kid Andersen on keys, Nic Clark on harmonica, Dmar on drums and with Lisa Leuschner, The Sons of the Soul Revivers and Kid Andersen on backing vocals, this is a great opener. Up tempo pop rocker, You're Nothing is a great showcase for Bennett,  Burnham really gets the bottom moving and Matteo's guitar solo is a ripper. Soulful, Paid & Broke is one of my favorites on the release with Bennett digging in deep vocally. With Pugh and Andersen on piano and organ, and perfectly placed guitar accents, this track has that warm Muscle Shoals feel. With it's drone bass line by Burnham and response vocals to Bennett's lead vocal, this track has a lot of grit. Instrumental tension under the vocals really plays nicely on this spiritually blues inspired track and a physical scream accenting the guitar soloing really hits hard. Very cool. Another soul inspired blues, Table For Two is a solid opportunity for Bennett to show her vocal chops. This really is a great demo and with strong vocal backing, hot bass lines by Burnham and excellent drumming by Dmar, the pressure is really mounting. Wrapping the release is pop fused When I Close My Eyes, with a definite radio melody and tight rhythm. Nic Clark on harmonica adds some solid riffs and the keyboard work keeps the pop feel anchored. 

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Horton Records artist: Brad Absher and the Superials - Tulsa Tea - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Tulsa Tea, from Brad Absher and the Superials and it's a blend of R&B, country, rock, and blues giving it familiar feel. Opening with Be The Love, an R&B flavored rocker, Brad Absher on vocal and guitar leads the way with Matt Martin on drums, Dylan Layton on bass, Jake Hemphill on guitar, EZ Mireless on keys, and Danny Timms on Wurlitzer and Hammond. Goodbye for Now has real radio potential with the warm feeling of Dobie Gray's Slip away. Rocker, As Hard As I Can, has a mix of country and R&B giving it a cool flavor. I particularly like the slide guitar solo on this track giving it just a little taste of country over the organ work of  Timms. Funky, Should Be Prayin' is a cool blues with a great beat. Absher's vocals on this track are my favorite on the release, working nicely with Timms on organ and backing vocals by Charlie Redd & Briana Wright. Wrapping the release is another solid radio track, Turn It Up, with solid vocals by Absher with great backing by Wright and Timms' Hammons really pumps up the feel for a solid closer. 

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Ryan Lee Crosby - Winter Hill Blues - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Winter Hill Blues, from Ryan Lee Crosby and I like it. Opening with I'm Leaving, Crosby captures the Hill Country sound accompanying himself on guitar and backed by George Sluppick on drums and Mark Edgar Stuart on bass.   Title track, Winter Hill Blues is a really cool track showing Crosby's inclination to sing with a falsetto not unlike Skip James, his own natural voice actually being quite smooth. Crosby accompanies himself on guitar only and his guitar playing shows distinct Mali influence. Very nice. Going To Bentonia is another track that specifically caught my attention with particularly clean guitar playing, harmonic guitar tones and  falsetto vocals over a Hill Country style. Wrapping the release is Rev Robert Wilkins' Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down with Crosby on slide resonator and his natural voice. This is a really clean acoustic blues and a solid closer. 

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Endless Blues Records artist: Lew Jetton & 61 South - Deja Hoodoo - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Deja Hoodoo, by Lew Jetton & 61 South and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Two Lane Road, band leader Lew Jetton's vocals have grit and swagger and his guitar lead is notable. With another solid guitar player in Sam Moore, Dan Bell on keys, guitar and bass, Erik Eicholtz on drums and Greg Walker on bass this band has a strong flavor of Skynyrd without any of the stale after taste of 1980. Waffle House Woman is a clever rag style blues with an easy delivery. With country blues style picking and light percussion, and the addition of Bob Lohr on keys this is surely a crowd favorite. JD Wilkes on harmonica opens Betcha, a romping boogie with a great driving beat. I can just see my pal Stilladog whistling this one and increasing the tempo as he goes with blazing slide guitar and Fred Hoover on keys. Really nice. Swampy, I Been Cheated, has the great feel of a CCR track and Jetton's vocals hard work on guitar really pay off on this, one of my favorites on the release. Move On Yvonne is another great rocker with the addition of some terrific vocals by Miranda Louise. I love the harmonica work of Wilkes on this track and the overall groove is really strong. Sandy Lee digs in deep with the feeling of old school blues. Jetton's vocals, coupled with Wilkes on harmonica, James Sullivan on bass, and some real nice piano riffs by J Solon Smith on piano give this track a feel of authenticity. Easy shuffle, State Line Blues and a cool swinging pace and Jetton's vocals fall right into the groove. With Hoover on keys, Wilkes on harmonica and cool guitar riffs, this is another memorable track. Slow blues, Drinking Again is sure to hit home with a number of listeners with it's warm guitar chords and some of  Jetton's most soulful vocals on the release. Straight forward, melodic guitar lead, a cool bass line by Walker and tight rhythm by Eicholtz make this track another favorite. Wrapping the release is rocking boogie, Will I Go To Hell, with a simple bass line and drums. Jetton leads the drive on vocal and rhythm guitar and Wilkes adds tension on harmonica. This is a strong endless boogie in the flavor of John Lee Hooker and a great closer for a very enjoyable release. 

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LeVee Town - Trying To Keep My Head Above Water - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Trying To Keep My Head Above Water, from Levee Town and it's a lot of fun. Opening with The Music Martyr, Levee Town, led by Brandon Hudspeth on vocal and guitar shows a bit of country influence but still rooted in the blues and rock. With Jacque Garoutte on bass and vocal and Adam Hagerman on drums, this is a solid, energetic opener. Little Milton's Lookin For My Baby has a traditional blues shuffle feel and Hudspeth's guitar work really rolls in the groove. Outside Child is a great blend of Bob Wills, Dan Hicks and Freddie King. With it's up tempo swing feel, lively vocals and fluid guitar riffs, this is one of my favorites on the release. Tarantino is a surf tune giving Hudspeth a wide range to lay in a lot of really nice stylized riffs. His naming the track Tarantino has to be a nod to QT's use of surf tracks in his movies and Levee Town really does an excellent job of spicing up this release. another strong track is She Might Kill You with cool vocal work by Hudspeth and Garoutte and really excellent guitar flash by Hudspeth. Stiff bottom accents by Hagerman and cool bass riffs by Garqotte really carry the track. Wrapping the release is Freddie King's classic The Stumble with unadorned King style riffs. This really is a cool release with a bit for everyone. 

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Many Hats Records artist: Michael Rubin - I'll Worry If I Wanna - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, I'll Worry If I Wanna, from Michael Rubin and I really like it. Opening with Little Rabbit, a cool shuffle. With an intro that parrots the Bunny Hop, Michael Rubin on lead vocal and harmonica sets a cool stage. Rubin has a great combination with his full harmonica voice and his own voice adds to the texture. Mike Keller on slide really does a great job backed by Michael Archer on bass, Mark Hays on drums and Emily Gimble on keys. Great opener. Go Milk Your Own Cow is a clever track with a zydeco feel. Rubin's vocal and harmonica is front and center but super adds by Dr. Sick on fiddle and Keller on guitar really make this track shine. With a rumba beat, Can We Break Up Again, is a really cool track with cool lyrical twists. Hays' drums pave the way but it's Rubin's wacky vocals and harmonica riffs that set this track out. Very cool. Blues jam and title track, I'll Worry If I Wanna really has a driving shuffle beat, lead by Keller on guitar, a great walking bass line by Archer and leading into a great harmonica blast by Rubin. Excellent! Slow blues, Chain Letter Blues has a much more serious approach, underpinned by Gimble on keys and Hays on drums. Rubin on lead vocal delivers the word and Keller takes a real nice guitar solo, leading into a nicely phrased solo by Rubin as well. Very nice. Wrapping the release is shuffle, Fourth Coast, which gives Rubin one last chance to blow the harmonica out. Rubin has a real nice hand at harmonica with fat tone, great harmonicas and interesting phrasing (and a sense of humor). Loved this release. Check it out! 

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Gritbiscuit Records artist: Christopher Lockett - At The Station - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, At The Station, from Christopher Lockett and it's a cool blend of country, folk, rock and blues. Opening with The Reckoning, Christopher Lockett hits square on with military like precision. His vocals are strong and rugged and his electric guitar playing is crisp and bluesy. Joined by Fernando Perdomo on bass and drums and Kitten Kuroi on backing vocals this is a solid opener. Rocker, Bring Your Love On Home To Me is a solid radio style alt rock track. It really puts me in mind of Frank Black with a strong melody, country sensitivity, with Perdomo on keys and drums and understated guitar lead. Very nice. Kicking the country up another notch Wet A Line with Scarlet Rivera on violin and the addition of Kuroi on vocal harmony is a cool, country 2 stepper. Blues For Deford Bailey is a super track with Lockett on harmonica commemorating Bailey, the Grand Old Opry standout harmonica player. With solid train style harmonica playing and loose drumming by Perdomo this track fits perfectly. Country rocker, E Pluribus Unum is as straight forward as it gets with a great rhythm and melody and some flashy country style riffs. Closing with a Bo Diddley beat, Sweat Work features Lockett on vocal and harmonica,  Korey Simone on slide dobro and Perdomo on bass and drums. With a taste of Stones, solid closer for a really interesting release. 

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Gearbox Records artist: Binker Golding - Dream Like A Dogwood Wild Boy - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release (June 17, 2022), Dream Like A Dogwood Wild Boy, from Binker Golding and it's a blend of rural blues and city jazz. Opening with (Take Me To The) Wide Open Lows with it's delta blues national steel guitar sounds by Billy Adamson, moving quickly to contemporary jazz with Sarah Tandy on piano, Sam Jones on drums, Daniel Casimir on bass and featuring Binker Golding on tenor sax. This track has many faces after switching from the purity of the delta to the slickest of the city soft jazz and finally to some really nice improvisational lines by Golding and Tandy. Love Me Like A Woman is a real interesting fusion with blues bones. Although Golding has the framing of contemporary riffs, his sensitivity runs to blues phrasing and terrific sax runs. Adamson steps up with some gritty blues phrasing of his own on guitar and with aggressive drum work by Jones, this is my favorite track on the release.  Some of the titles on this release have quite a bit of thought...take " Howling and drinking in god's own country". With Adamson on slide dobro and snappy New Orleans drumming by Jones this track really takes off. Golding has a real feel for improvisation. I don't always dig his central theme phrasing, but when he breaks away...watch out. Tandy pushes driving phrases on piano making this yet another really fine track. Wrapping the release is a more quiet and deliberate, All out of fairy tales with solid sax and piano melody lines. Cool steel guitar accompaniment work by Adamson and always exceptional drumming by Jones spices the work nicely. Solid closer to a curiously cool release.  

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Alice Austin - Goodnight Euphoria - New Release Review

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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Goodnight Euphoria, from Alice Austin and it's quite good. Austin, who fronts Black Sabbitch and has Zola Turn and The Lavas in her history brings a lot of talent to this new release. Opening with No Such Thing, a really solid track with a memorable melody, and classic alt rock rhythm this track gets my attention immediately. Featuring Austin on vocals and a good number of the instruments, and paired with David Drouin on vocal, guitar and bass this is a strong opener featuring catchy guitar riffs, power chords and nicely blended vocal harmonies. On title track, Goodnight Euphoria, Austin blends a driving acoustic guitar rhythm and drums with 60-70's style vocal exploration. Multilayered instrumentation reminds me quite a bit of Beatles sensitivity but adding in a stronger rock rhythm and sympathetic slide guitar. Very nice. Loveless Waste is another really cool track with it's Pixiesque driving rock sound and really nicely blended vocal harmonies. What's not to like about a surf track and we got one here in The Neighborhood. With reverb soaked guitar by Drouin who also adds considerably on vocal, Austin's tracks shows clever lyrics and an ever open door of musical influences. With Seth Campbell on mellotron as well and a cool, structured surf guitar solo by Drouin, this track rocks. Never Occurred To Me hits right down the middle with a George Harrison feel. Austin and Drouin's voices are so well matched and the selection of backing orchestration is perfect. Wrapping the release is quiet ballad, Saving My Tears with Austin's gripping lyrics and voice. Balanced with Campbell on keys, this is a super closer for a very cool release. 

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