Anla Courtis / Seiichi Yamamoto / Yoshimi - Live at Kanadian - CD

(Public Eyesore) 1 whole hour of squ@*^uueee$^*#ek $ squ$&# lchhhhh _ggnnnkkk runk*&kcck bL!@&$ooootTttt W(&hSH)(&#)(8@#&$^*&!! Knkkkkk performed live. No I don't think so.
-- Mite Mutant (2008)

Audiocrash - Time Sensitive Material - CD

(Audiocrash) Audiocrash is a two man team with a backup band to help them along. The overall feel of this release is that the songs are acoustical in nature, but given a rockin' makeover. The music in itself is good, but I'm still on the fence with the lyrics, and the vocals could use some improvement. They remind me of a cross between Lach and Neil Diamond for some reason, the only difference is that when Audiocrash starts to put emphasis on a line, ala Bruce Springsteen, you can hear the cracking in the vocals. It just doesn't sound good. This is a band I would go see, but wouldn't buy the CD.
-- Mite Mutant (2008)

Kirsten Price - Guts & Garbage - CD

(Kirsten Price) Kirsten has a nice blend of gritty R&B and soul melded with pop rock sensibilities. I get a sense of KT Tunstall, Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera mixed in with a shot of gin at an inner city bar. The songs are rough, sexy and sensual and you get a feeling that Kirsten is a force to be reckoned with. Her voice is extremely powerful and she is in complete control here. If you have been searching for something catchy and soulful that hasn't been distorted by the mainstream then Kirsten Price is yours to be found.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)

The Lions Rampant - Play Rock n Roll! - CD

(The Lions Rampant) This is good old straight garage rock going full bore. Lo-fi, gruff and full of energy. They are part grunge (Mudhoney, Tad) and part Jon Spencer Blues Explosion thrown into the late '00s. It's always great to have bands like this around that are just fun and pure energy. Nothing really magical, but it's always a great feeling.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)

Scott Alexander - Makes Friends - CD

(Scott Alexander Music) I really had hoped this would be better. It has some great elements. Scott has a voice like Adam & His Package, is quirky and actually includes a bassoon on one track. Usually, I would call this the ingredients for a successful release. However, songs don't really gel and while some of his lyrics are quirky, they can't go the distance and become clever. As Spinal Tap said there is a fine line between clever and stupid, and these songs are quite a bit behind that line.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)

Felicia Carter - Feather / Step Lightly - 2CD

(Alberta Records) I really had to look at the CD information to make sure this was fact a contemporary recording. This double CD set is like a time warp straight from the hey-day of cool jazz. Felicia Carter has an amazing voice that commands your attention and then melts your soul. Everything she sings is in that oh so sweet jazz style where you can feel the sensuality just below the surface. The band backing her up doesn't miss a beat and has such a classic sound you'd swear you were at a dance hall in the 30-40's. This one is going into my personal collection and will be getting quite a bit of play at parties and special occasions. If you want to hear true jazz at its best then get Felicia Carter and let her do the rest.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)

Elika - Trying Got Us Nowhere - CD

(Fiercely Indie) This is an interesting release that flows between light airy trance / electronica music to full out industrial within the same song. The vocalist, Evagelia, is well suited to the music, but her voice feels forced into the beats on the heavier parts. It's a shame, because I think she could add another layer if she flowed over the beats instead having her vocals chopped up to fit the underlying rhythm The overall feel of the band is excellent, kind of a cross between Halou, Ilya and Portishead. Some of the transitions from the softer trance bits to the heavy fury could be better executed, but overall the sound is excellent.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)