Review: Kings of Lowertown – 60 More Miles

Kings of Lowertown

1. Long Long While
2. Pembroke Murder Ballad
3. Shotgun Preacher
4. Ain’t No Mercy In This Cruel Old World (Gots Me A Blunt)

 Masters of ‘dirt blues’, KINGS OF LOWERTOWN is unleashing their album 60 More Miles this October. The first release from the album Shotgun Preacher is the perfect introduction to their four-track production. This two and a half minute production offers no more than pure low-down dirty blues which is complicated by distorted vocals – definitely a standout track.

The album continues to offer that good old gritty blues with that muzzled, distorted vocals with Ain’t No Mercy In This Cruel Old World (Gots Me A Blunt) – but this time, there is a very light, sweet and distorted presence of the harmonica. The distortedness is obviously the band’s trademark -which I must say is totally ingenious!

Long, Long While is a more racy gritty rock creation which perhaps has an infusion of THE DOORS and TOM WAITS, whereas Pembroke Murder Ballad features a very light, feel good summery melody with the gritty guitar raging in the background, giving it a slight bluesy edge to it.

These guys were named one of the best bands in Ottawa last year by the Big Beat Blog. When you listen to Shotgun Preacher, it won’t be hard to figure out why they are worthy of that title.

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Star Song: S.GOLD – Timeless (featuring Azon Blaze)

s gold the stormToday’s song is called Timeless by superfly rapper S.GOLD. This track is the fourth release from his latest much-talked-about album, The Storm. The Storm was named one of the top North/South Carolina releases of 2012.

No doubt the success of the album will continue with Timeless. Produced by South American duo The Columbians, Timeless features that smooth 1990’s inspired R&B/hip-hop/after hours tone – unlike the previous bass-bursting releases- Going Nowhere, Say Hey and Do Whatchu Do (which feature some dope cuts from JERMAINE JACKSON’s 80’s hit Do What You Do).

Watch the video for Timeless and listen to how this artist’s raps just groove into that after hours beat –wicked! If you’re liking this track (and I bet you will), you can head over S.GOLD’s Bandcamp page and check out the album.

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Star Song: Slim Kushy – Str8 To The Money

Kushy Slim

Hey guys do you remember me telling you about SLIM KUSHY‘s upcoming mixtape No Days Off?  For those who have the same memory span as a goldfish, you can check out the news item here. If you remember the good news, well I have a treat for you!  Here’s his first super dope track from the mixtape, Str8 To The Money.

No Days Off is coming out in November.

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Star Song: Secret Technique – Tez Pariah

Tez Pariah Special Technique

Today’s song is called Secret Technique from up and coming rapper TEZ PARIAH. The song is from his mixtape After School Special.  He thanks JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt and EMINEM’s Infinite, as these albums had a massive influence on his debut mixtape.

Born in North Carolina and now residing in Georgia, TEZ PARIAH– whose real name is Curtis Buckmire- has been rapping since the age of eight. He picked the stage name TEZ PARIAH, as “Tez” derives from his middle name “Cortez” and “pariah” means outcast (or should I say “Outkast”) – which is named after his favourite rap group. The teenager is also strongly influenced by MAN METHOD MAN, BIG L, and ANDRE 3000. When you get the chance, listen to the effortlessly cool and laid back track – and you can definitely hear the mixture of METHOD MAN and ANDRE 300 in Pariah’s rapping.

This undeniably talented rapper is no one-track pony: At the age of 17, he produces, engineers and directs. Man, is there no end to this guy’s talents! Oh well, some people have all the luck!

If you like Secret Techniques, look out for his mixtape After School Special coming out real soon!

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Review: Dayseam –Winds of Change

Dayseam logo

1. Borderline
2. Capture and Release
3. Disguise
4. Interstate
5. Projection
6. Razor Thin
7. Starts Again
8. The Minute
9. Two Flights
10. Winds of Change

In early 2008, Steve Mroozian (vocals and guitar), Ehsan Ahmad (lead guitar) and Sebastian Weiss (drums) came together, forming the alternative rock band DAYSEAM. Bringing their trademark sound of melodic rock to the table, the Philadelphia-based act made quite an impression – not just with true lovers of indie rock but also with music critics. Since they came into existence, it’s been full speed for the indie rockers: they’ve been booked up for live shows at well-known venues in Philadelphia, including The Hard Rock Café and The Northstar Bar. They even manage to find the time to make their Nature Sessions videos – this is where they put their own spin on chart-topping songs. The trio covered Rihanna’s Stay and more recently Justin Timberlake’s Mirrors – check it out!

Now they are on the verge of releasing their studio album, Winds of Change. The ten track album features some full on, high energy rock demonstrated in Borderline, Capture and Release and Interstate. These tracks didn’t leave a lasting impression and left me wondering whether this band has got what it takes to stand out from the crowd. Then there’s a softer and more mellow side to Winds Of Change,  featured in Disguise, Projection, Starts Again and Two Flights. In these tracks, the raging guitars meet that sweet and dreamy undertone, topped off by Mroozian’s pleasantly soothing vocals – simply stunning. In Projection and Two Flights, there are some amazing guitar fiddling well executed by Ahmad and Mroozian.  Listening to the soothing side of the album has firmly pushed away the thought that the trio are not some run-of-the-mill rock  band.

Overall Winds of Change is definitely an album to look out for as their signature sound makes interesting listening (imagine a softer PEARL JAM and maybe chuck in a little bit of KINGS OF LEON). These guys are widely regarded as a ‘hugely underrated band’ but with tracks like Disguise, Projection and Starts Again, this might be a breakthrough year for DAYSEAM.

Winds of Change is out in August.

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