album reviews

Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.

Brooke White Talks New Album 'Calico' Coming Out 10/4!
“I always told myself I’d get to Nashville,” Brooke White sings on the eponymous track off her upcoming album, Calico. The former American Idol alum had dreamed of moving to Nashville her entire career to make a “real” country album, but life had other plans. Those plans included becoming the mother of two, starting her own web series, The Girls With Glasses. It was through this journey, along with a little bit of opportunity coming her way, that Brooke embraced her Cali lifestyle, and incorporated it into her music.
By All’s Fair in Love & Writing6 years ago in Beat
Charli XCX - 'Charli': Worst to Best
Firstly, this website seems to have had a large update so we'll see how making this article goes. Secondly, I don't dislike or find any song on this album disinteresting (I don't think I do anyway, opinions change). Also, it's been fairly difficult to rank the lower half of this album, so even more than usual it doesn't mean much. I'm pretty certain about the top end though!
By Cronan Parry6 years ago in Beat
'Summer on Main St.': A Must Listen
When it comes down to creating some fabulous music, Royal might not be a name known—yet (although he has performed alongside artists such as Waka Flocka, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, YG, and Tory Lanez). This guy is a wizard who makes the words and tunes dance around in synchronization, making them a treat for the ears.
By mysoundMusic6 years ago in Beat
'Keystudio' - Take You There and Back Again
This particular album review is a bit of an odd one. Keystudio was released in 2001, but it's a compilation of material released years earlier. In 1995, Trevor Rabin and Tony Kaye left Yes. Vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White reunited with guitarist Steve Howe and keyboardist Rick Wakeman as what has been known as the "classic lineup," which had put out Tales from Topographic Oceans, Going for the One, and Tormato in the 1970s. In addition, Roger Dean returned to continue creating artwork for their albums.
By Steven Shinder6 years ago in Beat
'Talk' - Dancing in the New Design
After the Union tour, it was clear that Yes would not be able to continue as an eight-member lineup. Bill Bruford and Steve Howe departed, though they contributed to a 1993 orchestral album by the London Philharmonic Orchestra titled Symphonic Music of Yes. There were plans for Rick Wakeman to take part on the next Yes album, but scheduling conflicts prevented that from happening. And so it came down to the "Yes West" lineup of vocalist Jon Anderson, keyboardist Tony Kaye, guitarist Trevor Rabin, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White.
By Steven Shinder6 years ago in Beat
Teo Pasquale's Long-Awaited Debut Project 'New Habits' Is Here
Teo Pasquale has so much potential, not only as an emcee, I mean full fulfillment creativity, the way he intermediates sounds and picks the perfect production that matches well with the tone of his voice. He spoke on going through YouTube & Soundcloud and finding the unpopular type beats that still have a similar style that will match with his own. Just hearing that I felt the uniqueness; most upcoming artists at his stage will go to the most popular beats online and rap over it. With not being able to find the right producer to believe in him enough to locking himself in the studio and record all night, he went on his own time going through production online and with that found beauty. The way each track transitions into the next on Habits is lovely. It feels like he was comfortable with being uncomfortable. He went wherever the feeling took him, songs that slapped and songs after that brought 90s Biggie vibes. You can hear some of Teo's influences in each song, like Drake, Ye, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, J. Cole and even James Blake towards the end of the project. Only time will tell if this will be Teo's "Comeback Season" or "The Warm Up." The project varies with energy changing. He spoke on his mother passing last November, writing in the hospital, RV basement and his bedroom, and losing and regaining stronger friendships throughout the process. He even felt as though 2018 was a bad year for him, it made him a better artist/person all out and ended up remaking New Habits. With the cover art shot by Justin Williams, it connects so well with every song like "Nowadays" on moving forward, which is big on the project. So since we all like conspiracy theories, we will let you figure the double-headed panther in the middle, the spirit animal, and Doppelgänger boy out on your own time.
By Matt Kin6 years ago in Beat
Lana, You're All Grown Up
There are a few artists and bands that I have the privilege of saying that I grew up alongside. One of these artists is undoubtedly Lana Del Rey.
By Sara Al Mahdy6 years ago in Beat
'Union' - Another Game of Exploration
In 1988, following the Big Generator Tour, Yes vocalist Jon Anderson reunited with Yes alumni Bill Bruford (drums), Rick Wakeman (keyboard), and Steve Howe (guitar) to form Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. They recorded and released an album in 1989 and embarked on a tour. Yes fans came to know ABWH as "Yes East" and the lineup that made 90125 and Big Generator as "Yes West."
By Steven Shinder6 years ago in Beat
'Big Generator' - A New Story Now
In 1985, following a successful tour, Yes returned to the studio to record their follow-up to 90125. The lineup still consisted of vocalist Jon Anderson, keyboardist Tony Kaye, guitarist Trevor Rabin, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White. Funny enough, this repeated the pattern of the first five Yes albums: two albums by the same lineup (the second of which has eight songs and begins with a "T"), then another with six songs and a different lineup, and then two more (one of them having nine songs) by a different lineup.
By Steven Shinder6 years ago in Beat
Taylor Swift—'Lover': Album Review
It's always good to see a transformation of artists, it's like you're growing together, and it certainly makes you relate to them more. Taylor Swift's career is nothing but legendary. It's undeniable that she has become one of the most influential singer-songwriters of our generation. Her early success in the country music scene has solidified her as this talented storyteller that a lot of country music fans fell in love with. However, later in her career, she has struggled to stay loyal to her country roots and began getting criticised for it. Her career hasn't been the healthiest either. She even had an issue over her record deal with Scooter Brown whose intention was to own her past catalogue in his pocket recently.
By Luigi K.D.Cruz6 years ago in Beat
'90125'—Yes Moving Through Some Changes
After Yes' break-up and the failed attempt at forming XYZ (eX-Yes-Zeppelin) with Jimmy Page in 1981, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White were looking for a new project. Around this time, South African guitarist Trevor Rabin (formerly of Rabbit) recorded demos for a solo album. He was also considered for Asia, which ended up being a prog rock supergroup that included Yes alumni Geoff Downes and Steve Howe. (A recording of an early version of "Only Time Will Tell" with Rabin on lead vocals exists.)
By Steven Shinder6 years ago in Beat
Justine Skye’s 'Bare with Me' Review
Extremely talented R&B/soul singer and songwriter Justine Skye, who has worked with many artist from Musiq Soulchild to Diddy, has graced us with new music following the release of her 2018 album Ultraviolet. Since the album dropped, Skye has gone public with abuse allegations against her ex-boyfriend Sheck Wes and dropped a music video and single, “Build,” which serves as a reflection of her past situation. On August 30, 2019, Justine released her EP BARE WITH ME, proving her career and soothing vocals are nowhere near evanescent.
By Dakota Thomas6 years ago in Beat