Song reviews


  On the Road to Haida Gwaii by Sheila K Cameron


On the Road to Haida Gwaii cover art


An original

As always one to set her own course, Sheila K Cameron takes her poetry – her words always seem more than mere lyrics – and unique style and uses both to drive “On the Road to Haida Gwaii” ever forward as if she wished her voice to be heard forever on the wind.


Review date: 
  www.sheilakcameron.com

  Blue Girl by Linda Em


Blue Girl cover art


Rootsy tootsy

A most worthy singer, Linda Em adds a healthy pinch of passion to her song “Blue Girl”. The song itself may be powered by ennui but her heart and soul are clearly far from finished.


Review date: 
  www.lindaem.co.uk

  Daphne by Grandmother Corn


Daphne cover art


Honest

“Daphne” is an honest slice of ear friendly blues rock that sounds like it was made in 1974. Time has moved on, of course, but Finnish band Grandmother Corn handle things with a style that belies their youth.


Review date: 
  www.facebook.com/grandmothercorn

  Twinkle by Christine Leaky


Twinkle cover art


Offbeat

Then along comes a song that seems to epitomise all that is offbeat in the big bad world of music. “Twinkle” is a strange song indeed veering between folky psychedelia and a show tune with Christine Leaky’s voice leading the assembled musicians on a journey to the carnival. It’s love but dangerous.


  Things Get Better by Joe Symes & The Loving Kind


Things Get Better cover art


Straightdown the line

Endearingly melodic, Joe Symes & the Loving Kind have an honest song in “Things Get Better”. The influences of the past drive the song onwards and, barring the lacklustre guitar solo, it will make your ears happy.


Review date: 
  goo.gl/sVb7Jm

  Sweat and Sulphur by Fizzy Blood


Sweat and Sulphur cover art


Energetic

Clearly willing to inject their indie rock inclinations with the wonder drug that is was and will always be surf guitar, Fizzy Blood take their song “Sweat and Sulphur” all the way from the street to the stadium. Anthemic!


Review date: 
  www.facebook.com/FIZZYBLOOD

  Attack by Officers


Attack cover art


Vigorous

An impressively manic slice of synth pop, “Attack” demonstrates that Officers can kick their way out of the dance floor and dominate the street. This is the kind of song that makes you want to smoke cigarettes, seek the company of women of low moral character and exceed every speed limit that has been set for your safety. This song is dead end and doesn’t care. Glorious!


Review date: 
  www.facebook.com/officersmusic

  Lights On by Lew


Lights On cover art


Intense

More downbeat electro pop from Scandinavia with Lew – aka Sara Lewis – roughing up the sequenced beats with edgy electric guitars and her intense vocals. It might well be cold outside but there is heat in her music.


Review date: 
  www.lew.nu

  Paradise by Animalia


Paradise cover art


To the max

Stripped of everything other than intensity, Animalia turns up the emotion and angst and takes her song “Paradise” off for a walk betwixt the twilight zone and sunrise. There’s art in her madness and that, dear friends, surely is the point.


Review date: 
  www.facebook.com/music.animalia

  1954 by Michaela May


1954 cover art


Streetwise

When you are entering the mainstream you have to be tough in all that you do and Canada’s Michaela May takes such a robust approach to her song “1954” that she very nearly obscures the sharper than you might expect lyrics. Her song may well be made of plastic but her heart and mind are clearly not.


Review date: 
  michaelamayofficial.com

  We Will Be Forgotten by Güney Hanedan


We Will Be Forgotten cover art


Extended

Not one for brevity, Güney Hanedan goes large on the robotic rhythmic repetition to take his song “We Will Be Forgotten” all the way from Turkey to the street where Vangelis used to live. The sequencer might well be holding the song together but it is the wandering guitar that gets it back on track.


  Lego My Ego by Jo Passed


Lego My Ego cover art


Guitar man

I like edgy guitar pop and was thus far from disappointed with Canada’s Jo Passed and their, or more likely his, song “Lego My Ego”. Melody has, fortunately, not been forgotten and the song has no problem finding the yellow brick road.


Review date: 
  www.facebook.com/jopassed


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