CD Review: Harmonic Blue's 'Villa Borghese'

Harmonic Blue
Villa Borghese
Self-Release

The Maryland-based quartet, Harmonic Blue, is an alt-pop, rock, folk, and classical group that is refreshing and amazing in the same vein. Lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist, Zach Field, is joined by Anthony Ajluni on guitars, Gabe Bustos on bass, keyboard, and harmonica, and Sam Balcom on drums and percussion. The breezy, "Silver Spoon," is slightly jazzy overall, but not too far removed from alt-pop and folk. Jake Balcom's trumpet solo at the end of the song finishes it off nicely. The jaunty, ambulating "Subreality" is anything but fiction. The lilting guitar and wavering harmonica tones set the stage for an alt-folk composition that opens up into a quasi-rock medley mid-song. "Villa Borghese" opens with a rumbling guitar tune and light percussion that would make Xavier Rudd jealous. The tune finishes with a nice trumpet display. The seven-track release is a heavenly rompy through the world of alt-folk, pop, and rock with a raw, organic performative nature. This is a very fine recording that will please the college crowd, as well as the refined audiophile. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Gift Of Tongues' 'Songs Of My People'

Gift Of Tongues
Songs Of My People
Self-Release

The theatrical and performative antics of electronica and dark music magnate, Gift Of Tongues, is not your usual music group. There are a mix of gruesome anthems with comedic, ironic, and thought-provoking lyrics about some of America's most provocative killers, including Manson and Dahmer. That is only one aspect of the recording, as the rest of the tracks contain darkly-brooding electronica with metallic and industrial beats, noises, and sounds that are rather light overall. The vocals are rather robotic, but the melodies are particularly catching, including the piano-based, Chopsticks-like portion of "Dahmeresque," as well as "What's Mommy Getting Up To," "Long Way Home," and "Home." More techno-focused tunes, such as "Big Bad Wolf," "Glory Hole," and "I Am A Large Man" showcase some poetic wordplay and blurby percussion. There are swishy sounds, blurby electronics, static vocals, robotic vocals, and piano melodies that meld the past with the future. There are enought sounds to evoke an enthusiastic response of enjoyment. There is a dark sense of humanity that permeates each song, but that is not a bad thing. When poetic lyrics, enticing rhythms and melodies, and theatrical displays of sound come together unabashed, Songs Of My People results. Think of Enigma crossed with Rob Zombie and Squonk Opera. Simply amazing. ~ Matthew Forss     

CD Review: Vintage Blue's 'Strike The Mics'

Vintage Blue
Strike The Mics

The Chicago-based band, Vintage Blue, was formerly known as Tanglewood. Now the name is shed, but the tunes are better than ever. The ska-influenced, "Set You Free," is a mix of roots and rock music with luscious vocals and reverberating sax. The more rock-driven "Unchained" is partly influenced by Creed, but on a much lighter, vocal scale. The wailing guitars are not too loud or unnecessary. The folksy, ballad, "California Road," contains a good folk rock beat with reverberating B-3 and the horns give the song a little retro-class. "Sleep On This" is strikingly-similar (at least vocally and structurally) to circa-2000 Ed Kowalczyk from the band, Live. The folksy-rock ballad contains backup vocals, horns, and B-3 charisma. The Southern-rock-style piece, "Here To Stay," is a post-grunge anthem with vocals and guitar arrangements reminiscent of Stroke 9. "Against Time" is another song seemingly inspired by Stroke 9. The opening lines of "Just Breathe" beckons the spirit of the band Filter. The most divergent song is the classical, ballad-esque, "Great Divide." Throughout, Vintage Blue delves into various rock, ska, pop, and ballad-driven hooks with intelligent lyrics and classy grooves. Anyone interested in folk-rock, roots, post-grunge, and classy music with style and swagger, than look no further. ~ Matthew Forss