CD Review: Live Hart's 'Honesty'

Live Hart
Honesty
Goin' Native Records

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Florida's Live Hart brings a fresh alternative soul and pop release with ten new songs loaded with heartfelt lyrics and smooth grooves. Honesty traverses the human soul with such acuity that is unparalleled in today's music. Live's candid expressions and emotive result shines through on every track. The first song, "I'm Gone," is a laid-back, soul-enveloping romp into a smooth jazz world of punchy bass, swishy percussion, and keyboard washes. "Lala" is a poignant guitar ballad with Live's solo and somewhat acrobatic vocals throughout. However, the vocals are quite tame and solid. "Release" is a neo-soul and pop tune with some electric guitar displays that set it apart from other tunes on the album. "Summer Love" is a lush, pop song with keyboards, guitars, percussion, and other effects that create a sort of dance-friendly result. "This Is Me" is another great pop tune with crystalline guitar notes, laid-back percussion, and clever lyrics. The same great elements, including back-up vocals, are present on "Please Don't Say It's Over." Overall, Live Hart's new release is more alternative soul and pop than urban or R&B. Every tune brings something new and fresh to the mix without resorting to any of the common traps of contemporary music. Honesty: It's the best! 5 Stars (out of 5) ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kicklighter's 'The Fantastic Thinking Machine'

Kicklighter
The Fantastic Thinking Machine
Self-Release

Kicklighter is formed by Everett Young, a guitarist, pianist, and political psychologist, that incorporates pop hooks, acoustic, easy listening, and folk-rock rhythms and melodies that explore various topics. The Tallahassee, Florida-based musician, takes a down-tempo and jazzy vein on "The Sultan Of Brunei." "Until You See The Sun" begins with a spacey and ambient wash that fuses contemporary percussion and new wave sounds in an engaging structure that is sure to satisfy. "Kid" is a folksy ballad with great vocals and a catchy, pop hook. "The Professor" takes an academic approach to songwriting and arranging with a laid-back composition and classic vocals with equally-fascinating instrumentation. Overall, the album spans eleven tracks around fifty-minutes. The vocals and some instrumentation is akin to Fractal Cat, The Gufs, Mysteries Of Life, and Owsley. The new wave, folk, ballad, and pop influences are rarely observed in today's music. The vocals are clear and appropriate throughout. The music is never rushed or contrived. Fans of great contemporary music with a historic edge will love Kicklighter's new release. 5 Stars (out of 5). ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Hip Abduction's Self-Titled Release

The Hip Abduction
The Hip Abduction
Single Fin Records

Formed in Florida and seasoned with the production credits of Easy Star Records' Michael Goldwasser, The Hip Abduction creates a groovy and reggae-infused concoction that is very catchy and memorable. The twelve tracks feature the musical talents of David New, Pat Klemawesch, Chris Powers, Matt Poynter, Paul Chlapowski, David Johnson, Kevin Clark, and Pat Hernly. The album contains your typical drums, keyboards, bass, guitars, sax, trumpet, and vocals. However, the real charm is in the rarer instruments not commonly associated with reggae albums, such as the kora, kamalengoni, kanjira, nyatiti, and kora. The vocal and instrumental catchiness starts right away with "Children Of The Sun" and "Live It Right," but "All Eyes," "Holiday," and "Walk Away." The instrumental, "La Resaca" and "Kalapani" combine a funky, reggae beat with African strings and experimental charm. While some tracks possess a reggae vibe, many other tracks contain a more rhythmic pop and world fusion presence. All in all, The Hip Abduction is hip and here to stay. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Bob Pressner's 'Looking Back'

Bob Pressner
Looking Back
Self-Release

The former New York commodities trader-turned singer/songwriter decided to move to Florida after the first attack on the World Trade Center in the early-1990s. With a slight facial resemblance to Bruce Springsteen and Sylvester Stallone, you know Bob means business with his music. The power-pop-punk of "iGirl" is a fitting song for today's technologically-savvy world. Bob's vocals seem to combine Douglas September and Five For Fighting, but not too far from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Jakob Dylan. The bluesy "Thinking Man" is slightly alternative country in tone with a good deal of folk-pop-roots music. "Too Old To Die Young" begins with an upbeat guitar and percussion set and a nice country-rock guitar chorus. "The Blue Has Left Your Eyes" is a poignant song on guitar that incorporates brushy percussion and raw folk power throughout. "Next Summer Never Came" is a power-pop ballad with glistening guitar strumming and full-on percussion brilliance that roots music can only provide. "Water Water" is a bluesy, rock song with reverberating B3, tambourine, drum-kit, and power-pop guitars. Bob's latest album is a perfect example of Southern rock, roots, folk, and contemporary adult music. Anyone with an interest in Springsteen, Dylan, Five For Fighting, and roots music will keep looking back to Bob Pressner as a pivotal figure in the world of contemporary music. ~ Matthew Forss