Saturday, February 28, 2009

"A Heaping Helping Of Perspective" by The Conniption Fits (Pop Artist from Vermont(VT))

Boston rockers The Conniption Fits give a solid performance on their long awaited album of new material with "A Heaping Helping Of Perspective." Hailing from New England, they carry with them the rock sound that many Boston-based bands are known for (which is something mixed between The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Blink-182). Front man Steve Blanchard leads the band through rousing numbers such as "Now I Take My Leave" and "Grit Your Teeth." One of the tracks that stands out the most was "She Just Needs To Go Away," an obvious nod to the late 70's sounds of Cheap Trick. Blanchard has opened for many well-known acts like 3 Doors Down, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Blue Oyster Cult and it shows, as he and the band's maturity and knowledge really help make this album something special. The Conniption Fits' "A Heaping Helping Of Perspective" is a great addition to any fan that enjoys the work of Jimmy Eat World or the Boston music scene.

-Shaun H. and the radioindy.com reviewer team
Check out The Conniption Fits's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Thursday, February 26, 2009

"Under My Skin" by Carla Seidl (Folk Artist from New York(NY))

Accomplished solo female artist Carla Seidl has released her debut album "Under My Skin," exhibiting the musical style of folk with a touch of jazz. Seidl has a talent for writing heartfelt lyrics with emotional flair. Her vocals are sleek, and they shine through each single. On the title track "Under My Skin," her first original song, the lyrics reflects on one's inner being and bonding with others. As a switch from her original music, Seidl has spun her own twist on Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair" with style and grace. This album is performed with vocals and acoustic guitar, which give a soft and soothing quality to the entire collection. "Under My Skin" is an album well worth hearing and fans of folk music will want to experience the relaxing atmosphere of Seidl's creative songwriting and silky vocals.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Carla Seidl 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Maurice Mertoli with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Sunrise Forever"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Maurice Mertoli with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Sunrise Forever"

"Sunrise Forever" is an impressive country pop album from a talented singer/songwriter in Maurice Mertoli. With this album, Mertoli has crafted ten gems with great arrangements that utilize the piano and harmonica to perfection, and feature nice guitar solos and some great vocal layering. Mertoli authored all of the songs, pouring his heart out into these upbeat and melodic songs about love, life, joy and sorrow. Mertoli delivers with a pop country vocal performance reminiscent of Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson, though "I Found My Way to You" and "Life Is What You Make It" feature a great female vocal performance. "Sunrise Forever" is well-recorded and sounds professional and superb. "Running Free" has one of the better arrangements on the album with a great piano line leading the way, a great bass line, and nice guitar solos. Mertoli shines as he sings catchy, positive lyrics about "Running Free" forever with the love of your life. "The Way She Loves Me" is a song about loving someone the exact same way they love you and features a great piano and harmonica arrangement. With "Sunrise Forever," Maurice Mertoli has delivered a solid country album with original arrangements and modern vocals and lyrics. Fans of country pop, pick up this album before the sun goes down.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Review Team.
Check out Maurice Mertoli's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Felicia Punzo with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Felicia"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Felicia Punzo with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Felicia"

"Felicia" is the five-song electro pop debut EP from fifteen year old phenom Felicia Punzo. Prepare to hear about Felicia for years upon years to come, as her smooth and clean vocal performance puts her in the same vein as Miley Cyrus and early Madonna. Suffice to say, she has mainstream written all over her. This EP is filled with great electro and hip-hop beats that, even if dared, you couldn't sit still to. Felicia writes her own lyrics, which is more than you can say about most young pop sensations. She sings about love and lost love, including one particularly heartfelt song, "Angel," which is about a young friend of hers that passed on. The recording quality is excellent and ready for club play, or to be cranked up at a house dance party. "Do It Anyway You Wanna" has a nice electro beat and a great use of synthesizers, showing Felicia's minimalist side. "Love of a Lifetime" is a more lyrical track ready for radio play that is sure to make you marvel at Felicia's maturity level considering her age. Overall, "Felicia" is an impressive debut from a young new artist sure to consistently make her way to the radio waves. For fans of electro pop and the likes of Miley Cyrus, Felicia Punzo would make a worthy addition.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Review Team
Check out Felicia Punzo 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Ken Macy with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Three"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Ken Macy with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Three"

"Three" is a soulful blues-rock EP from talented multi-instrumentalist Ken Macy. Macy lays down the vocals and all of the guitar work on this EP and with the assistance of Kevin Haverty on drums, he has crafted some great blues-rock tracks. His pitch is that of a tenor, making for a unique and memorable vocal performance, though the soulfulness of his voice and the content of his songs are similar to Eric Clapton's style of blues. "Three" is filled with tender harmonies and songs about love and heartbreak, dreams and drinking. This EP was also self-produced by Macy, giving him the final say-so on the overall sound. The result is something to take pride in, both as a musician and as a producer. "Out Of My Life" is a song of heartbreak, of good times and bad times and putting a situation out of his hands. Look for a great rhythmic blues sound in this one in particular. "Queen-Bee" features Dave Kurdzionak on the saxophone, great metaphoric lyrics, and is a great collaboration of intermittent sax solos and the underlying blues arrangement. Overall, "Three" is a great EP with a unique, soulful vocal and an intense blues-rock feel that would make for an non-regrettable addition to any collection.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Review Team
Check out Ken Macy's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jill Shannon with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Beckon Me"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jill Shannon with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Beckon Me"

"Beckon Me" is a spiritual adult contemporary album with a folk undertone from singer/songwriter Jill Shannon. Jill's love for God is quite radiant, and these are works of extreme passion and faith. Jill pours her heart and soul into her vocal performances. There is a bit of an Irish feel to the sound, although Jill is of Jewish descent, as her beautiful tongue heavy delivery intertwined with complimentary fiddle make for a very Celtic impression. The overall sound of the album is full and airy, with delicate arrangements and a good mix of instrumentation throughout. "Beckon Me" is very well-recorded, as it brilliantly relates the instruments with the heavenly vocals. Highlights include the opener, "The Door Of Your Heart," which starts things off nicely with a wonderful vocal and beautiful piano progression, along with nice fiddle work. The title track, "Beckon Me," presents a more intimate approach, then booms into a very powerful number. "Im Ta'Amdu" has a bit of a world feel and goes back and forth nicely between the Hebrew and English languages. If you enjoy powerful and talented spiritual female singer/songwriters, Jill Shannon should be right up your alley.

-William
Check out Jill Shannon's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Stephen Johnson with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Crystalline"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Stephen Johnson with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Crystalline"

"Crystalline" is a world folk album from talented singer/songwriter Stephen Johnson. Johnson draws from a number of world genres with this album, including Irish and Brazilian music. His sound is unique and he incorporates several rare traditional instruments such as the balalaika, an acoustic instrument of Russian origin, throughout the album. Johnson's vocal performance is comparable to Peter Gabriel, Seal. and Sting. Although, the words he vocalizes is what makes him stand out. "Crystalline" is full of strong lyrics and Johnson delivers them in true storytelling fashion, in a musical narrative, about the issues and aspects of the world he finds most important. The arrangements are all solid as well and show Johnson's talent as a musician. The production quality is also very good, clean and professional sounding. "I Call You" has a nice vocal opening, a good simple arrangement, and captivating lyrics. "Essence of Nardo" closes the album out with a soulful number with a Latin flair, incorporation of the balalaika, and a spoken word vocal. With "Crytalline," Stephen Johnson delivers eight solid tracks with great world-inspired arrangements and a strong narrative lyrical style. Fans of world folk and strong singer/songwriters, give Stephen Johnson a listen.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Review Team
Check out Stephen Johnson's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Istan Blacks & The Sweets & Friends with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Universal Love"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Istan Blacks & The Sweets & Friends with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Universal Love"

"Universal Love" by Istan Black & The Sweets & Friends is a smooth R&B/reggae album full of wonderful performances from a healthy lineup of musicians. The album combines the optimistic idealism of reggae with the slick sweetness of R&B. The arrangements lean more toward the reggae end of things, but the R&B elements add a dimension that makes the sound truly unique. The songs have a big full sound, with lots of interesting musical layers and unique instrumentation. The diversity between tracks is also quite noteworthy as each song is a new adventure. The album is very well produced and these songs are definitely radio ready. Highlights include the opener "Universal Love 1," which kicks off the album with a bang and introduces all the elements of the sound, with great performances all around. "Good Feelings" is very stylistic and features a nice range in the lead vocal performance and a creatively quirky arrangement. "Family Ties" hits home right away with a memorable riff and a great message. If you enjoy reggae that has a lot of style put together by talented performers, give this great collection a try.

-William
Check out Istan Blacks & The Sweets & Friends 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Monday, February 2, 2009

"Love and Fire: The Dances" by Katya (Piano Artist from New York City, New York(NY))

Gifted classical pianist Katya has recently released her impressive album titled "Love and Fire: The Dances." As the title says it all, Katya displays her love of music with emotions that are set on fire. Feel her emotions as she glides across the keys with grace and style of these classic compositions. "Waltz in E Minor, BI 56" begins sweet and delicate. Listeners will be able to feel the dynamics become strong and loud as the theme changes. "Tango 'Balada Para Un Loco'" is amazing as Katya easily floats over the ivories while playing escalating scale passages. The sound quality is first rate as the piano is crisp and clean and every nuance is distinctly heard. Enjoy the relaxing ambiance of "Love and Fire: The Dances" as Katya has truly performed a superb collection of classical music from the classical masters Ravel, Chopin, and Piazzolla.

-Diane and The RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Katya's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites