Featured CD - R.S.-------- May Edition - Volume 2 - Issue 11

ELEPHANTBEAR / 'HIDE AND GO SEEK'

You know a CD is phenomenal when you start singing along...(hopefully no one was listening to my singing)...but the CD is well worth singing to!

Elephantbear is “A Rockin’ New Musical Monster,” from Plattsburgh, NY. They are Musical Geniuses with their Eclectic Pop-Rock sound, they’ve incorporated Funk, Punk, Jazz, Classic Rock, and Jam Rock influences into their music. Elephantbear plays up to their original combobulation of a name by mixing up their sounds on the CD. You have to hear the entire CD to get a real feel of what they are capable of doing with their music. Some songs are more Jazz and others more Pop Rock...but it’s all in what you hear...their style is unique and you might not realize it, but your going get wrapped up in it to the point you might just take a liking to new genre.

Elephantbear is a group of very multi-talented musicians, and you’ll agree after hearing their songs. “Eternally Incomplete” has a very upbeat tempo, Pop Rock/Classic Rock sound, an unforgettable song. “Hide and Go Seek” is Pop/Funk which changes up to a Jazzy sound...seamlessly, it also has an exceptional saxophone solo. “Stronger Me & Ghetto Barbie” are more of that Pop Rock/Classic Rock sound. “Between the Lines” starts off with an interesting and tantalizing drum beat in which the bass comes in to play along. A very unique sound that plays throughout the song before blending with a little softer, rounded sound. I had to listen to the song twice I was so hung up on the melody, it kept pulling me in to hear it again. “Make You Say Wow” definitely stands out, not only because it has that LIVE sound but because it has a Louisiana /Jazz feel to it. ”Green Canvas Box & Dark Route have that Funk, Techno sound to them twisted in a Pop Rock sound all its own. And then you hear “Improv” an instrumental song they recorded - ‘a Twisted/Blended Jam Rock all the way to the end - which truly rounds out the extent of these awesome musicians.

This is a CD that no matter what you prefer to listen to, this CD is a must to be listened too! I know you’ll find at least one song that will stay with you, long after you shut the music off. Definetly a keeper for my iTunes!!

To hear some of their music go to: www.myspace.com/elephantbear. ---

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CD Review - Brandon Mendelson-------- Mar Edition - Volume 2 - Issue 9

SUNDOG / 'FROM TRUE TO GONE'

I’ve been a long time fan of Phil Neisser’s work since his days with The Shpiel. To be perfectly honest with you, I was really sad to see that band breakup a while back. The Shpiel had such a unique presentation and sound that they really stood out as a noteworthy North Country band.

In the interest of full disclosure, you should know I had Dr. Neisser as a professor for several classes at SUNY Potsdam. Now that you’re filled in on the useless trivia, let me tell you how thoroughly impressed I am with Sundog. There are many bands out there in the North Country who have a great sound, but, for a variety of reasons, are not quite ready for “prime time.” But it can safely be said of Sundog that they’re ready to take that next step with the release of “From TRUE To Gone.” Any radio program director looking to add music that’ll keep their audience entertained will be well advised to put Sundog on their playlist.

From witty, to bluesy, to thought provoking, Sundog’s new album offers plenty of great listening material. In fact, I highly recommend it for long road trips or quiet down time as this CD can fill a musical void at any time. Go out and buy this album immediately. ---

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CD Review - Brandon Mendelson-------- Feb Edition - Volume 2 - Issue 8

DONNA JEAN and the TRICKSTERS

And here I am thinking nobody makes fun music anymore. Donna Jean (formerly of the Greatful Dead, among others), and the Tricktsers (the band formerly known as “The Zen Tricksters”) came together to make some wonderfully fun, catchy music that will please any Dead Head fan and people still going through Phish withdrawal. Even if jam music isn’t high on your preferred list, the soulful lyrics and outstanding vocal performances on HGR 129 will catch your interest and never let go.

Surprisingly, very few of the tracks are over five minutes long, making this album radio friendly and easily accessible for people not use to the two thousand minute groove downs that can occur when watching a jam band perform live. While it is entirely possible not to enjoy the tracks on this album, I can’t begin to emphasize how anyone could pick up it up and like the album for the music alone. Ok. The music and the wonderfully designed album art. The unique design should make this CD stand out among the pack of bland photographic covers that grace most modern CDs. Donna Jean & The Tricktsters comes highly recommended.

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CD Review - Divided 45 -------- Dec Edition - Volume 2 - Issue 6

SLOW NATIVES / 'weapon'

Comfortable grooves fill the air with this album. Weapon, by Slow Natives, is filled with the sweet sound of reggae with slight flavors of both cool jazz and latin. The lead vocals have a light, and soothing sound that are complimented by a beautiful female harmony. The music is a nice blend of spice reminiscent of Bob Marley and Jack Johnson. The tunes are very relaxing, disarming, and tends to draw one in close. The sound is a very on-the-beach feel, filling a variety of moods. The songs are great for grooving along with, or just relaxing to. The soulfulnes of the music will smooth out any mood and bring everyone closer together. Songs like ‘Waiting’ and ‘Boat’ give a very happy, upbeat groove, while songs such as ‘Gun’ and ‘Wasting It’ give a slightly darker feel, while still maintaining a cool groove. Overall, the album is definitely worth checking out, reggae fan or not. The comfortable grooves make any moment.

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CD Review - Reviewed By R.S. -------- Nov Edition - Volume 2 - Issue 5

EDISON / 'hello & fly'

Right off, the thing about this CD that grabs your attention, is just that, it grabs your attention!! It’s Rock/Alternative at its finest, with a musical creativity that’s blended with a hard-driving rock that most definitely sets itself apart from the rest. In essence “IT ROCKS!”
The singing is phenomenal and backed by the most extraordinarily professional musicians, new to the group are Potsdam natives, Joel and Devon Kelley.
“With Bullet Proof Wings We FLY...” from the song Fly, this has to be my favorite of the two song CD, though they are both exceptional songs. After hearing Fly only once I was tapping along and singing in, it’s absolutely a captivating song.
It should come with a warning label stating that, it will make you want to get up and be the band, and you won’t be able to help yourself.
“It’s vital, essential stuff from which hibernating fanatics might just be convinced to crawl back out of their burrows and restore rock-n-roll to its rightful place.”--Edison
Edison will be performing November 2 - 5 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with Survivor Ted Nugent.
Other songs to check out; To Die For and Ocean Waves, available for your listening pleasure on their MySpace.
For more about Edison go to: www.myspace.com/edisonnyc. The “hello & fly” CD is a Limited Edition, available at Northern Music & Video, Potsdam. ---

CD Review - Reviewed By R.S. -------- Sept Edition - Volume 2 - Issue 3

Chaz DePaolo / 'Flirtin with the Blues'

‘Flirtin with the Blues’ is an appropriate title for this exceptional CD. Besides the name of a song, it really refers to the music Chaz has created-a Hard Rockin Blues Fusion!

His overall tone is Blues, but among it all, you hear a little “Southern/Elvis/Jazz”.

There is an almost unmistakable “Southern” feel to his music, like a Southern/Cajan Rock. You can see the musicians playing in the streets of Louisiana. You can practically see and feel the locals dancing on their porches and in the streets, and hear the creaky wooden chairs, rocking back and forth, on a hot and sticky evening.

And then you hear the shy and unmistakable sounds of a true Elvis aficionado looking to enhance a couple of his songs, and yet, it quietly slips back into his song with out to much notice.

And just as you were thinking this can’t get any better, there is also a small hint of saxaphone jazz in a couple of the songs. A little extra sprinkled on top for your listening enjoyment.

Chaz has done an incredible thing with this CD, he has managed to take a Blues line and Teased it, Flirted with it, and than danced with a little Southern/Cajan, a little Elvis and a little Jazz, which is enough for me to say this is an awesome CD, worth listening to!

You’ve heard of Comfort Food, well this a Comfort Music. That feel good, good times, smells of good food in the air music. Where everyone gets up to have a good time and move to the music.---

For more about Chaz check out: www.chazdepaolo.com

CD Review - Reviewed By Divided45 -------- May Edition - Volume 1 - Issue 11

TYRADE "TAKE THIS"

To all those who love rock, metal, and all that falls in between, Tyrade is here for you. Tyrade’s CD “Take This” is a well-balanced blend of music that ranges from deep, heart-felt melodies, to screaming tracks that give the listener a swift kick to the you-know-what. Tracks, such as, Outburst and Satisfied draw the listener in with their disarming melodies while at the same time the powerful lyrics reveal moving stories. On the other end of the spectrum, there are tracks such as Go and Disorder. These songs favor the metal side and force-feed intense lyrics to all those who listen.

There is a definite sonic similarity between Tyrade and other bands of the genre. Ron’s vocal style is similar to that of Mudvanye’s. Overall they have a similar style to groups such as Mudvayne, Godsmack, and Breaking Benjamin. This is not to say that the music is generic and easily forgettable; quite the opposite.Their melodies and lyrics are inspiring and have great potential to become well-known both nationally and internationally. These songs are powerful, beautiful, inspirational, and most definitely worth listening to.

www.myspace.com/tyradetheband.com

CD Review - Reviewed By John Berbrich -------- April Edition - Volume 1 - Issue 10

A Fine Line by Bill Vitek & Dan Gagliardi

-----It’s always a pleasure to listen to music made by people who know what they are doing. When you hear the syncopated opening bar of A Fine Line stride into the familiar theme of “You Stepped Out of a Dream,” you know you are in good hands. This CD contains all the best elements of cool mellow jazz, and includes standards like Duke Ellington’s “In a Sentimental Mood” and Freddie Hubbard’s “Up Jumped Spring” played with a lot of spunk and surprise.
And right there, that’s the heart of jazz—spunk and surprise. You hear a melancholy jazz piano, like it’s a gray afternoon and your woman’s gone, or something like that—and here comes this bass hitting these high notes full of agony and hope, and the piano perks up, and suddenly—surprise!—the band is riding high in a tricked-out Buick towards the next town, expectant, and looking for adventure.
These guys, Vitek on the piano and Gagliardi on the bass, give each other plenty of room to maneuver and to improvise. They stay out of each other’s way. One leaves little spaces for the other to fill. They don’t compete. They complement each other.
This excellent CD, A Fine Line, was recorded in 2005 by Joel Hurd at North Country Digital Recording. The sound itself is clear and bright, with no fancy quackery or studio overdubbing. And when you hear the final subdued notes of “My One and Only Love,” you’ll again recognize that you’ve been treated to masterful work, located somewhere between genius and madness. And then you’ll play it again. Look for this CD in all the usual local outlets for fine art, books, and music.

CD Review - John Berbrich -------- February Edition - Volume 1 - Issue 8

Biscuit by Tas Cru

-----A dangerous blues man is loose in the North Country. His name is Tas Cru. With his long silver-dark ponytail and vaguely menacing aspect, Tas Cru resembles Rick Bates, the singer/songwriter/guitarist for the Conrad Story Blues Band. In fact, Tas Cru really is Rick Bates on his own, his solo blues avatar. Tas Cru means “raw potato” in slang French Canadian. There’s a story behind the name, but I’ll save it for another venue. Suffice it to say that Biscuit is serious Delta blues performed by a blues veteran.
-----Besides having written all the songs on this CD, Cru plays guitar (a wicked dobro) and harmonica, and he sings in his rich, growly blues voice, accompanied on the toe-tapping “Zydeco sister” by Gretchen Koehler on fiddle and Matt Bullwinkle on accordion. Some of these songs have the irresistible hooks and moody languor of classic blues—primarily “Biscuit,” “Hearin’ Every Word,” and “Sure Do Want to Fool Around.” It’s easy to imagine someone singing these tunes in the year 2037 and getting a favorable nod of recognition and a few whoops of joy from the audience. One of the best songs is “Black & Poor in New Orleans,” an acerbic comment on the lack of social justice displayed during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Tas is a master of the double-entendre, adding dark sparkle and lusty luster to every song. All in all this is a satisfying recording to listen to. The sound quality is clear and sharp, capturing faithfully every nuance of these songs that span the spectrum from stark tragedy to delighted hilarity.

For information regarding the purchase of this CD and other related factoids, visit Tas Cru at www.tascru.com.