19 Jul 10

Hey, blogspot readers, Summer's definitely heating up with more hot CDs melting SouthSide's stereo system. She highly suggests checking out the following reviewed selections:


Whiskey Sin
www.whiskeysin.com
www.myspace.com/whiskeysin

Finally - this rockin' local band has debut with its first CD! And SouthSide suggests cranking up the volume full blast to enjoy all of its thundering guitar rock sound your ears (and neighbors) can possibly handle. This 13-track album is full of intense, head banging music fueled by Brian (front man on vocals) pumping the lyrics with angst/frustration while Colin (guitarist), Brian Evans (bassist) and Tony (drums and backing vocals) deliver that hard-hitting rock vibe. This group of musicians truly had this reviewer banging her head to the explosive rhythms and riffs found in songs such as Borrowed Time, Lounge Puppet and Demons. SouthSide suggests listening to Tear Down Your Idols (track 5), My Mistake (track 6) and Lounge Puppet (track &) which are fine examples of the dynamic power of Brian's voice as he not only pours himself into these songs but his emotions as well. She also suggests listening to Undone[You Are] (track 10) and Demons (track 11) for Whiskey Sin's head banging sound and the haunting guitar solo twittering during the instrumental bridge heard in Demons. This reviewer highly suggests snagging a copy of Whiskey Sin's debut album when it's released on August 28 or check out their websites to see when and where this band's rockin' the stage live.


Praise The Fallen
www.myspace.com/praisethefallenrock

First, SouthSide would like to apologize to the band for thinking it was a hardcore Christian rock band. She has nothing against those who "rock out for the Lord" however that's what this reviewer thought they were all about due to the name. They're totally the direct opposite, blogspot readers. This trio rocked out SouthSide's speakers with their hardcore guitar rock/pop sound. Throughout this six-track demo (received during MOB Fest), Fallen's music had a little a bit of something for everyone to enjoy. Plus this reviewer also noted how some of Fallen's songs reflected some type of personal experience and/or feelings as well as influences. She suggests listening to Shame (track 4) and Change The World (track 6). Hopefully, there will be a chance to give Praise The Fallen a full review in the near future.


Model Citizen
The Webelos
www.thewebelos.com
www.myspace.com/webelos

Another CD received during MOB Fest, SouthSide liked the pop/alternative sound (with some country flare) of The Webelos' Model Citizen CD. The fun and witty lyrics in most of the six songs are perfect for summertime music listening. This reviewer suggests Can't Look At You (track 2) for its lively pop groove, Oh Miki (track 3) featuring Gabriel Stutz on the steel pedal which gave this song its country sound and Lucky Roll (track 4) for its retro rock sound (and the toy paino rhythms in this fun ballad). Perhaps one day, there will be an On The Town review on The Webelos for you, blogspot readers.


Michael Riser
www.michaelriser.com
www.myspace.com/michaelriser

Though this was merely a two-song CD sampler (off his upcoming album Volcano), SouthSide still enjoyed the rockin' energy found in this singer/songwriter's modern pop sound. Within songs titled Ride and Everyone, this reviewer liked the heartfelt emotion from Michael's voice. Yet it wasn't enough - she wanted to hear more from this artist and his band. She cannot wait until the full album is released for a longer CD review on Michael Riser. In the meantime, check out his music on his websites.


Home for Home
Matt Otis
www.mattotis.com
www.myspace.com/mattotis

In this CD liner there's a question in which only you can answer: if you were to die right now, would you feel content? Now, if you answered "no", then SouthSide highly suggests listening to Matt Otis' Home For Home CD and rethink your answer as well as existence. This six-track album has a profound message waiting for you yet you need to have an open mind to hear it especially while listening to the title track, Home For Home (track 1). This is the first album in which this reviewer found herself doing some inner soul searching as she listened to songs like Revolution of Peace and 1984. She enjoyed the storytelling style (mixed with some religious and political references/tone) within the lyrics. It reflected a deep personal experience that fans can relate. You could say Matt Otis' singing (or telling) everyone's story about life, love, etc while searching for inner peace and happiness. SouthSide also enjoyed the wide range of music genres represented throughout this album such as Americana/folk and modern pop/rock. She suggests listening to 1984 (track 3) for its quick synopsis of George Orwell's famous novel but told in reverse - Matt's pov is taken from someone trying to escape the totalitarian domain and Padlocked Door (track 4) for that angst/emotions felt within Matt's voice and guitar riffs. Or listen to Unknown Truths (track 5) where you can seriously reflect and question your faith of yourself. As the CD closes with Existence The Myth, you should have that answer to the question, blogspot readers. Check out Matt Otis and his sites for when and where this artist is bringing his thought-provoking music live to a venue near you.


Violet Winter
www.violetwinter.com
www.myspace.com/vltwntr

SouthSide discovered this CD laying around the Elbo Room Friday night in which Matt (that lovable door/bouncer/bartender) challenged this reviewer to listen. Never backing down from a challenge, she did listen to this ten-track CD by Violet Winter and says - WOW! It wasn't what she was expecting with its rockin' combination of electronica/pop with some lyrical hiphop/rap (in the first half of the CD) and hardcore/emo/vampiric sound (in the latter half). This CD had plenty of sex appeal (especially during track 2 - Abuse Me which appealed to SouthSide's alternative lifestyle where pain equals pleasure and there's pleasure from pain) as well as explicit language/sexually/drug/alcohol references inside Violet's lyrics. So it's definitely no a CD for young kids and/or those who might be easily offended by the harsh content. Yet, this reviewer says it's a worthy listen and to rock out your next adult party with the club atmosphere music poppin' off this album. It also features other artists such as Shorty K on track 3 - Relapse and Malik Yusef on track 8 - Find A Way in which SouthSide suggests listening to for its pain and deep sorrow of regret exhibited in Violet's vocals ...plus the haunting violin rhythms were a wonderful touch for that dramatic effect. She also suggests listening to track 4 - Break (hardcore electronica/rock sound matching the angst and aggression heard in the vocals), track 6 - Part Of Me (vampiric in nature which his deep voice lured this reviewer deeper into his deadly web ...had to listen twice since this song plays fast) and track 9 - Soulful (shivers down SouthSide's spine while loving the Gregorian chant-like vocals with its dark electronica/rock sound - indeed it was soulful). Ending with track 10 - Becoming (a cool head banging instrumental piece full of vocal ranting/aggression), SouthSide suggests snagging a copy of this CD (if you can find it). Hopefully she gets a chance to rock out with Violet Winter live for a future On The Town review.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide