CD Review: Chase Enriquez's ''Til The Flame Burns Out'

Chase Enriquez
'Til The Flame Burns Out
We Group

If you are seeking alternative hip/hop and rap music, Chase Enriquez should be at the top of your search list. Fortunately, one need not struggle to find the high points of this album. Every song seems to awaken the spirit with vibrant riffs, hooks, and licks. The more rock-driven, "Tell My Why," is more indicative of an alternative track over a hip-hop medley. "Night On Fire" opens with an electronic shower of sparks and synth medleys that delve right into a booming, bass-driven song with hot hip-hop lyrics and rap instrumentals. The richly-textured track contains gritty vocals that are uptempo, but not too fast they are indistinguishable. The sound is indicative of Sudan's Emmanuel Jal. Though, all the lyrics on 'Til The Flame Burns Out are in English. "In The Wind" starts with a few keyboard washes and tapping percussion sounds. The rap instrumentals back the edgy vocals and rock-like foundation. "All The Way" opens with a shout and symphonic string arrangements and loud, rock instrumental backing that is very cinematic, but in your face. This is rap and hip hop with attitude, but nothing that is too showy or overdone. It's nice to have some musical accompaniment with the vocals. Chase Enriquez is a talented performer and composer that should not be missed if you like urban, rap, and hip hop music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Scott Krokoff's 'Realizations & Declarations Vol. 1'

Scott Krokoff
Realizations & Declarations Vol. 1
Hypochondriac Records

New York lawyer and singer, Scott Krokoff, takes a lawful approach to upbeat folk rock/pop songs on his latest release, Realizations & Declarations Vol. 1. The folk music is pop-driven with catchy rhythms and melodies, and roots-driven with throbbing B3-type sounds. "What The Hell" starts out with a light guitar tune that is joined with drums, bass, and Scott's folksy vocals. The reverberating sounds are iconic and giddy. "Closed" contains a good, roots-driven tune with good rock progression and alt-folk goodness. "I Know Your Story" is an upbeat song with clear vocals and pop hooks that will grab you and never let go. "A Better Life" is a more acoustic-driven song early on, but the tune picks up a more rock vein with B3 sounds and an electric guitar. There are eight tracks in all, but "What The Hell" appears twice: as an acoustic and standard track. All of the songs emanate a sense of folk/rock with good clear vocals and infectious hooks. Think of The Gufs meets Venice and The Mysteries Of Life. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Greater Alexander's 'Positive Love'

Greater Alexander
Positive Love
Greater Records

New York-born, Greece-raised, and currently located in Michigan, Greater Alexander (Alexander Vlachos) brings us scintillating folk tunes with classy guitar stylings and various instruments that come together to form an engaging type of music. Greater Alexander's vocals are akin to Jack Johnson and Paul Simon. Moreover, the musical arrangements are not too unlike the aforementioned musicians. The sweeping folk guitar tune, "Baby Steps," contains a steady beat and wistful vocals that are free-flowing. "Feel Of Summer" is another breezy and sauntering tune on guitar. The acoustic guitar is refreshing and sparkles with folksy charm. Moreover, the whistle medley is another sign of folk-isms winning out. "Everlasting" incorporates a little piano accompaniment with backup vocals and wispy lead vocals that are soft and light throughout. "Let It Be Me" is another fun song with acoustic guitar-driven elements and vocals akin to Australia's Xavier Rudd. Twelve songs in all are included on the album and all of them fit a folksy vein. Part of the folksy fusion could be due to the global influences. Anyone familiar with Jack Johnson, Xavier Rudd, Paul Simon, and similar artists will love Greater Alexander. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jensen Reed's 'The Left Coast'

Jensen Reed
The Left Coast
Self-Release

Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter, Jensen Reed, weaves tight lyrical worldplay around an amped up hip-hop, alt-pop, and electronic background that propels the album in alternative directions with a fresh perspective. The symphonic and electronic-focused, "Throw You The Rope," is a magical song with keyboard embellishments and a hip-hop instrumental backbeat that mirrors a more conservative and lighter Linkin Park medley. "Left Coast" opens with a jingly beat and punchy rock melody with vocals that resemble Modern English and The Killers. The cinematic opening of "Rocketship" merges into a rock/rap medley that is not particularly fast, but the ambulating beat and keyboard washes add an element of alternative leanings indicative of pop, electronica, and dance. "Something Missing" features a few punchy piano beats and up-tempo vocals that are rather steady with background vocals. The music is rather reflective without hip-hop or rap lines. "The Countdown" contains some dark, brooding electronic embellishments with hip-hop instrumental backing. The vocals are slow at first, but the vocal delivery picks up mid-song in a rap display. The swishy percussive beats and punchy piano line creates a modern display of musical ingenuity. The entire album represents a wide breadth of musical creations that span several genres, but the musical variety is not too different to turn-off new listeners. Anyone with an interest in alternative hip-hop, rock, pop, and dance-inflected music should check out Jensen Reed's new work. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Keznamdi's 'Bridging The Gap'

Keznamdi
Bridging The Gap
Higher Intelligence

Jamaican-based Keznamdi brings us a reggae-inflected album of six new songs on his latest release, Bridging The Gap. There are spacious, pop hooks, and R&B-tinged tunes with some jazzy, urban beats that are still reggae-based, but there enough grooves and arrangements that span several genres. The music is interrelated and rather free-flowing overall. "Darkness" contains a little reggae, hip-hop, jazz, pop, and electronic elements that are engaging and memorable. "I Don't Wanna" opens with a little reggae guitar work and island vocals that are laid-back and enticing. "Is This Love" begins with a little shout-out and some hip-hop hooks with swishy percussion and back-up vocals. "Just Vibe" is a more urban tune with lush guitar hooks and typical reggae beats. The final track, "The Weekend Oohs," opens with some spacious washes and twinkling piano sounds with an electronica-based groove. Overall, Keznamdi succeeds with an intriguing and unforgettable set of songs that should satisfy reggae fans, as well as contemporary Jamaican music aficionados. ~ Matthew Forss

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: Myloe's 'Empty Out Your Mind'

Myloe
Empty Out Your Mind
Self-Release

The Boston-based alt-rock band, Myloe, is comprised of Fred Mubang on guitar, Alan Hokom on vocals/guitar, Tom Shani on bass, and Zach Mullings on drums. The new album is rather short with only six songs. However, the music is diverse with a solid repertoire of alt-rock vocals, lush guitar melodies, and punchy grooves that gritty, classic, and all-encompassing. There is a limited display of screaming guitar noises and vocals that are difficult to understand are nowhere to be found. "Empty Out Your Mind" is a punchy guitar song with a driving guitar melodies that are somewhat akin to the UK's McFly, but the vocals are more aligned with Incubus. "In Your Eyes" is a good rock tune with lush guitar sounds and vocal harmonies. "What Is Paradise" contains jingly guitar stylings and rock anthem-like choruses that are contemporary and guitar-driven. "Standstill City" opens with punchy bass, Latin-like percussion, powerful vocal lines, and giddy instrumental arrangements. There are punchy, classic, and melodic guitar arrangements that are difficult to describe with some Scandinavian or Celtic-like driven sounds. However, the rock guitar presence is still paramount here. Though, all in all, Myloe creates a short, but powerful release of guitar beauty, vocal prowess, and creative arrangements. ~ Matthew Forss