Mon, 01/28/2013 - 5:51 pm

In this overly saturated genera/market with a plethora of artists coming out of the woodwork, armed with nothing more than a PC, Microphone, a guitar and a crappy sounding CD – it’s nice to know there are a few bands that can still rock out. These artists I speak of manage push their music out to the world and much of it do I dare say is substandard to say the least. So what do bands like Tool and Stone Temple Pilots and Korn got that 4 piece Alternative Rock band Inch of Dark don’t? Not much if you ask me save the multi million dollars promotional machines and major record label support. Inch of Dark smash the mold with their powerhouse sound and delivers invigorating music that has a deep seeded alternative hard rock feel to it. The band is red hot and the production value is rock solid for an independent artist. Musical overtones that will remind you of acts from The Kills, Foxboro Hot Tubs, Offspring, and even Wolfsmother. Right now after hearing their music and checking out a few of their live clips – I can honestly say this is what we’ve been waiting for. I don’t say stuff like that often. All in all a well rounded EP - apparently there are still a few bands out there believe in melting your face and making your ears bleed the right way.Inch of Dark stands out from other Indie-Alt artists in a good way within this very saturated market. Their answer: is to deliver something unique with a breath of fresh air, a rumble tumble signature sound and a powerful messages to call their own. The strong suit of Inch of Dark is the fact that I believe every word these guys is singing is 100% true and real. Not to mention their ability to write you a powerful piece of music via solid musicianship and deep messages that speak to the tormented heart, mind and soul.

Sat, 05/24/2014 - 5:15 pm

It's easy to know how to categorize an artist like Christina Rubino. Self-described as “a Female Johnny Cash” Alive from the Scrapheap’ is one of the more dark releases I’ve heard this year. It’s not so dark and apocalyptic steeped in the fog of shock mind you, but rather extremely truthful and honest. It’s got sold melodies and impressive musicianship – which is a rarity in today music. Not only is Rubino and impressive singer/songwriter, all players are excellent musicians and their contributions to the writing and arrangement of the songs have been of paramount importance-which is to say nothing of the pervasive and contagious chemistry Rubino has behind the guitar and microphone. There’s also nothing really experimental about these songs – just straight forward Acoustic Folk. It’s a bit moody and serious; and to be quite honest this CD may be too potent for some.The CD bursts to life with Track 1: “The Gateway” which is a crisp drum lead in yielding a superlative number. It’s a great rock revival that others (like myself) will lobby hard for. Rubino has a voice recalling the higher-registries well. The band has a solid look and sound that reminds me of K.D. Lang, Jill Sobule, Indigo Girls and yes Johnny Cash.. Tack 2 “Pending the Last Soul” starts with a driven intro leading well into an amazing and compelling chorus. ”Nothing to Gain” we see the mood of the album slowly begin to trend downward towards more moody atmosphere. Many pieces develop well into top flight melodic phrasing and thickly laced harmonies. Some tracks are more pop-inflected, all however are rock driven rather than the typical synth-pop posturing we’ve all come to expect on the radio. This is vintage Americana Folk with soul stirring melodies reminiscent of Singer/Songwriter. All of this plays into Rubino’s unique sensibility that can jar even the most staunch of listeners. While it’s easy enough to imagine how gripping some pieces truly are on the CD Alive from the Scrapheap is really something you’ll have to hear to believe via this link: http://www.christinarubino.com/#!music/c2zlIt’s safe to say much of today’s Rock is made up entirely of yawning ambient beats, sparse musicianship and superficial vocals. Some of these intangibles reflect the artists themselves and the state of the music industry itself. Much of it is built of a house of cards that has become the quintessential pop persona. Where am I going with all this? None of the above applies to Christina Rubino who has the courage to write and sing about songs she believes in – and lets the chips fall where they may. This is indeed the premise of greatness - because with Artists like Rubino hat you see is what you get. No smoke and mirrors, just music straight from a voice a guitar and a heart

Mon, 06/16/2014 - 11:20 am

You can tell by listening to real rock music by the impression it makes on the world and by the footprint it leaves behind. Sometimes it can come out in a passionate vocal line, a social movement, or a song that is sung with emotional bewilderment. The new EP/album that bears the same name as the band is a non-stop presentation of all-out rock n’ roll as described above. Making use of every rock trick in the book, it’s hard not to find something you’ll like on this 5 track collection. Provided you have a reasonable tolerance for the nitty gritty genre these 4 core members: Marshal Jaeger (vocals), Chan Ly (drums), Nathan Clark (bass), and Clemens Beck (guitar) deliver stand up rock tracks with full throttle guitar action and flowing vocals that will remind you of a cross between Stone Temple Pilots and Jane’s Addiction.The first 3 tracks “3AM”, “Find a Way” and “Freddy” get the party started right full of hard hitting power chords and riffs that really keep the essence of the music loud and reckless. Sometimes you don`t need too much to create something high quality and powerful. I’ve often heard the term “Keep it Simple Stupid”. Keeping this in mind there’s no over the top musical theatrics here besides the grinding guitar attack, deep drums, and meandering, well timed vocal deliveries. My ears pricked up to the vocal style right away. Probably not the most common tongue and cheek stringing style but when sung in the right manner it can become almost intoxicating. Add in mysterious lyrics and some dangerous subject matter expressed with eloquently, emotion and conviction and you will come to understand why this is. The vocal style from Jeager defiantly flows like a ship lost at sea very much like Perry Ferrel (Jane’s Addiction) and Chris Cornell but with a vocal timbre of Scott Wieland (Stone Temple Pilots). I’ve only heard a handful of singer execute this style well – and Miss Grizzly is no exception.Lyrics have an emotional impact and these two writes music like they’ve seen it all. All songs have messages worthy of your attention but you listen more than once to pick up on it. A loud yet creative album, there are parts that seem to be perfect and sudden. The mission here is: show something imperfect turn into something unique. “Go” and “Roudhouse” are 2 more standout tracks with musical psychedelics and a distinctive voice for the masses to consume. Most songs are about themes of fear, love, death, transformation, resurrection, fear, life and fear of the unknown. Swaying between hard rock, and at times a live bar band sound these 4 kick out the jams with things move worryingly close to Hard Blues but never cross the line into that territory. The mix presents low and moody frequencies adding a huge helping of guitar/snare/kick/and vocals in the forefront. Musical flavor reminiscent of many bands in the late 90’s hard rock movement."Miss Grizzly" has all the explosive components necessary for a popular rock album. Miss Grizzly no doubt has a solid live presentation – a big component necessary to be a popular rock act. All of above make them stand out in their own terms of musical rebelliousness, power and marketability.