Review: Steve Baskin - Naked

Steve Baskin - Naked
2009, Vanelle's Songs

Atlanta singer/songwriter Steve Baskin cut his teeth with bands such as Hugo A Gogo and The Hippycrickets as well as with Cindy Wilson (B52s). Along the way, Baskin has shared the stage with such greats as The Beach Boys, Percy Sledge, Don McLean, June Carter Cash, Edwin McCain and Mike Mills (REM). Baskin's sophomore solo effort, Naked, features nine original tunes and a cover of the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You" that should gain him some attention from pop radio.

Naked opens with "Catch Me If You Can", a catchy rocker with a candy-coated chorus you won't soon get out of your head. "Please Don't Leave" plays in much the same vein, a classic rock roll love song with a chorus that sticks with you. "Naked" and "A Day In My Shoes" shows Baskin's weaker side, musically. Both verge on sounding whiny and a bit out of focus. Baskin recovers nicely with "Float On Down", an energetic country rocker that's quirky in style and features some excellent guitar work. "Something Smells Fishy" is likely to be a fan favorite, particularly live; an upbeat yet dark blues tune that will have you hitting repeat. "I Think I Love You" is pure bubblegum, and doesn't seem to change much no matter who covers it. It might just be the perfect pop song and is therefore very hard to make a mess out of. Baskin gets it right with a solid rendition. "Worse Comes To Worst" is a decent enough tune about runaways and how good girls can end up on the wrong side of the tracks. The tune sounds a bit preachy but is otherwise a solid listen. Naked closes with "Lie", a seeming afterthought may have been better left for a b-side.

Naked is an uneven experience; At his best Steve Baskin is a solid songwriter and highly entertaining. Baskin is very capable of descending into a whiny, over-emotive sound vocally, and when he does things just don't work out well. Generally, Naked stays on the plus side of Baskins' voice, and the album is generally a solid effort throughout. The songs offered here suggest to the listener that they may fare better in a live setting, but if you've never heard of Baskin before, Naked is a decent introduction.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Steve Baskin at http://www.stevebaskin.com/ or www.myspace.com/stevebaskin. You can purchase Naked as either a CD or Download from Amazon.com or from CDBaby.com.

Review: MojoRising - Feel What You Feel EP

MojoRising - Feel What You Feel EP
2009, MojoRising

Australian duo MojoRising is mounting their own US invasions, crossing to the frothy shores of Los Angeles with the hope of taking the Indie music scene there by storm. With 150 gigs in the past three years Down Under, MojoRising felt they had gone as far as they could at home. With influences strongly wrapped up in The Doors and INXS, MojoRising delivers their quirky form of Dance/Rock with panache. MojoRising's debut EP, Feel What You Feel, is already making waves, with the single She Woke Up To Me already getting spins on the Undiscovered Radio Network.

She Woke Up To Me kicks things off with a vibrant Disco/Rock feel. The song is catchy but mild, taking listeners a bit by surprise. Touch leans toward a sense of urgency or need, with vocalist Jozsef James sounding a bit like Corey Hart. The song itself is a bit on the unremarkable side but the performance is compelling. Soothe Me And Use Me is catchy yet lyrically suspect. It's a decent tune but lacking any real polish. MojoRising wraps up with Maybe In Another Life, a mix of Edwin McCain and the aforementioned Corey Hart. This love song is likely to gain the band some listeners but doesn't have serious commercial punch.

MojoRising earns points for originality and seem to be fully into the performance experience, but may fare well in the long run by expanding to a fuller band. The songwriting is generally average, but MojoRising has enough personality to pull off the most mediocre of material. Feel What You Feel is an interesting start. I don't if it's enough to really get behind them yet, but it's certainly not enough to turn listeners away either. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about MojoRising at http://www.mojorisingband.com/ or www.myspace.com/mojorisingband. You can purchase a copy of Feel What You Feel from MojoRising’s webstore.

Review: Justin Trawick - Starting Over

Justin Trawick - Starting Over
2009, Justin Trawick

Washington DC based singer-songwriter Justin Trawick gets point for making lemonade. Trawick used the loss of his 9-5 job as impetus to pursue music full time. His brand of Rock/Folk/Americana has seen him gain a lot of attention on his local music scene and even garner high praise from such sources as The Washington Post and NPR's All Things Considered. Trawick's debut EP, Starting Over features 5 songs focused on transitions and the twists and turns that life sometimes throws our way. Trawick has already opened shows for groups such as Cowboy Mouth, Bob Schneider, Edwin McCain, The Gourds, Jill Sobule and Pat McGee; it's only a matter of time before he's headlining the same stages.

Starting Over gets going with Snow Angels, an Americana tune about a breakup that illuminates the pain against the happiness of past events. The song has great rhythm and movement; it sticks with you. French Fries And Gravy is a conversation; a search for new paths and a desire for familiar landmarks. I really like this song; it's a palpable story that makes sense without deeper thought, but there's also a lesson in here about the contrasting aspects of human nature that want the greener grass but also the comforts of home. The arrangement is perfect, almost lilting, and Trawick handles the vocal masterfully. Untitled details a relationship where the protagonist is not on equal romantic footing with his partner; the doomed relationship comes to the expected end while he still pines for a second chance. Moving On is my personal favorite track on the disc, a wild, barely staying on the rails bit of Folk and Rhythm And Blues about people's tendency to talk first and think later. The arrangement is well done with the same sense of reckless abandon implied by the subject. Trawick closes with Starting Over, which was written just days after Trawick lost his job. Trawick speaks candidly in the song about the twists and turns of life and his desire to get back on a path.

Justin Trawick is above all else a songwriter. He spins yarns in comfortable Folk/Americana arrangements that smooth the listener's path into the deeper meanings that lay behind his songs. Trawick's biggest influence is Bob Schneider, and it shows a bit in his songwriting style, but Trawick maintains his own voice throughout Starting Over. I expect big things to come from, and for, Justin Trawick.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Justin Trawick at www.myspace.com/justintrawick. You can purchase Starting Over as either a CD or MP3 at CDBaby.com.

Review: Tad Dreis - The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught)

Tad Dreis - The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught)
2009, Tad Dreis

Tad Dreis comes from vibrant Chapel Hill, North Carolina music scene that helped launch bands such as Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain to national prominence. Writing and performing quirky Folk/Pop tunes can be a tricky game, but Dreis has a real knack for finding the perfect hook or turn of phrase. Comparisons to Robyn Hitchcock and Loudon Wainwright III as they might have sounded jamming with the Beatles are apropos. Dreis releases his third album, The Reluctant Hook (and the day that caught it) drops on September 11, 2009. With Dreis' wide touring and acclamations in the past few years (including a 2006 nomination from APCA as Best Solo Artist), The Reluctant Hook might just be the album that breaks things wide open for him.

Dreis is a singer-songwriter with a focus on traditional style story songs that occasionally stray into uncharted territory. A prime example is the opening track, The Makeup Company; a tune about an experience with a call center with supernatural powers and a penchant for showing off. It's an amusing tale that seems almost plausible based on past experience. Button For You is pure Americana, stylistically similar to Blue Rodeo or Wilco. It's a song about being so caught up in the day-to-day that you can't enjoy the things that really matter. This is primo songwriting. My Backstory is all about the perils of becoming well-known, particularly all of the "truths" that become public knowledge without ever being checked for accuracy. The arrangement and even Dreis' voice call to mind fleetingly Canadian quartet Moxy Fruvous.

Blues For Werner is a lovely tune about the more melancholy aspects of being a truck driver. It's a gentle arrangement full of affection that stands out because of its pure honesty. Very often in life our basic comforts revolve around the most simple of material items, be it a pair of comfy jeans, or a blanket (ala Linus from Peanuts). The Rug That Swore is the story of a boy and his carpet. Yes, it's a bit odd but so sweetly done you'll find yourself getting into it. It's a great tune. Three Forms Of Media explores all the methods for hooking up in a modern age (phone, eMail and hand-written notes), and how those methods can be used to push things awry when someone isn't playing fair. It's a humorous tune with a sudden twist at the close. Advice For Ladies highlights the advantages of a woman having a "humorous gay friend". It's an amusing tune with more than a little truth to it. Dreis closes out with I'll Be There and Pear Blossoms, both decent tunes but perhaps lacking a bit of the mischievous glint that pervades the rest of the album.

Tad Dreis is a stellar singer-songwriter who happens to have a mildly twisted sense of humor. His approach is a classic one, able to appeal to a broad spectrum of fans. Intelligent lyrics with wicked turns and strong melodies make The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught) an outstanding listen, even if it things tail off a bit at the end.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Tad Dreis at http://www.taddreis.com/ or www.myspace.com/taddreis. You can purchase The Reluctant Hook (and the day that it caught) as either a CD or download through CDBaby.com.

Review: megaphone - Exit Silent Mode

megaphone - Exit Silent Mode
2009, megaphone

megaphone are the reigning princes of Orlando, Florida's Hard Rock scene, regularly outdrawing other local bands and even gaining opening spots for artists such as Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Everclear, Seven Mary Three and Edwin McCain. Their debut album, 2005's For Crying Out Loud had several tracks featured on MTV's Made and garnered radio play across Florida. While For Crying Out Loud was representative of the band, their latest album, Exit Silent Mode more accurately captures megaphone's live sound across 12 songs and a number of searing guitar solos.

Exit Silent Mode opens with Write It Down, sounding like a cross between 1980's Pop-Metal bands like Ratt and Poison mixed up with a bit of Modern Rock ala Three Doors Down. Big Hooks and a fat guitar sound over a driving beat make this a treat for the ears. Gravitate is manna for hard rock fans, kicking serious axe while holding tight to big Pop hooks that will send you spinning. This has become megaphone's biggest song live and is worth the price of admission. The Sin has a Jersey feel, reminiscent of Glen Burtnik's writing with Plinky. My Favorite Disaster finds megaphone reaching for the commercial lynchpin; this is Modern and Pop Rock radio fodder. It's not as dynamic as some of the heavier material, but proves megaphone can play on the big stage. What If is a big rock anthem with a chorus you won't be able to shake that challenges listeners to let go of petty concerns and grab on to what's real.

Whisper and Uncelebrated continue the migration to a more Pop sounding Hard Rock that enters the Bon Jovi of the late 1980's territory. We Were Young sticks with the mellow Hard Rock ethic before megaphone amps things up a bit with Making Sense, which may be the best tune on the CD. It's not a complicated tune, straightforward in composition with big hooks, good harmonies and a fast-driving rhythm that would play well to radio (Modern Rock and Pop). Exit Silent Mode closes out with The Last One, a dark and mildly ominous tune sketched in minor keys that reminds listeners that no matter how much time you think you might have the end could be right around the corner. The song challenges you to step up and "go for broke". It's an interesting composition, not really typical of the sound presented by megaphone thus far on Exit Silent Mode but not out of character with it either.

megaphone is an interesting band. Walking the line between 1980's glam and the current trend in Modern Rock isn't all that unusual, but megaphone has the panache of the former and the clean lines of the latter, which is the reverse of what many bands do today. The material on Exit Silent Mode is mixed with a lot of ups and downs, but megaphone has the personality and panache to carry the weaker songs. When everything is working, megaphone approaches greatness. How this plays out over time is anyone's guess, but suffice it to say you can't go wrong with megaphone or Exit Silent Mode.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about megaphone at http://www.megaphonemusic.net/, where you can purchase a copy of Exit Silent Mode. You can download the album through iTunes.

Review: Brandon Swift - Brandon Swift

Brandon Swift - Brandon Swift
2008, Backspace Records

Brandon Swift hit the reset button after a freak accident led to a re-evaluation of priorities. Deciding to embrace the concept of Carpe Diem, Swift focuses on the positive experience of life. This energy and optimism shines through on Brandon Swift, his debut CD. Swift is touring the United States in a converted van with living quarters and a solar panel to play for anyone who will listen and live each day as the gift it is.

Brandon Swift appears to have thoroughly absorbed the mid-1990's North Carolina scene that included artists such as Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain and added in a bit of Black Crowes southern blues flavoring. Shine sums up these influences in one wonderfully eclectic and instantly commercial tune that should be licensed from here to Nashville and back. Lonely touches on a sort of unrequited love in sharply melodic terms and serves as an appropriate lead-into Surrounded. Surrounded is one of those pop tunes that are instantly recognizable the first time you hear it. Swift shows the same sort of Pop/Rock songwriting flair as Rob Thomas on a song that's as well-written lyrically as it is musically.

Stay With You is a classic Rock N Roll love song, perfect for mix tapes, marriage proposals or dedications to that special someone. Swift accomplishes all of this without sounding like a walking cliché, which is an accomplishment in itself. This is a great tune. Walkin' is another winner, taking on a Blues/Americana/Country mix that's irresistible. You'll want to dance and sing along. Satellite has a great melody that will stick with you and leads into another classic Rock love song, Wandered All Around. Swift has a knack for quirky love songs that don't fit perfectly in the mold without sounding of the mold. Swift closes out with Start With Yourself, a song pull of positive thinking and a killer melody. The message, "If you want to change the world then start with yourself" follows one of the great paradigms of Gandhi's teachings (Be the change you wish to see in the world). It's a great tune; once again mixing truth and a positive attitude without falling into cliche.

Brandon Swift has the voice of a Rock N Roll front man, sounding just a tad like a cross between Edwin McCain and a young Jon Bon Jovi. His songwriting is outstanding; intelligent, tuneful and with a singular voice as a composer that will speak to people. Brandon Swift is a spectacular introduction to the man as an artist and he artist as a man. A positive future icon in the world of Rock N Roll has emerged.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Brandon Swift at www.myspace.com/brandonswift. You can purchase a copy of Brandon Swift at Backspace Records.

Review: The Public Good - No. 1

The Public Good - No. 1
2009, Lost Lyrics

Washington, D.C.'s The Public Good may look and sound a bit familiar to fans of the 1990's Chapel Hill, North Carolina scene that produced acts such as Hootie & The Blowfish and Edwin McCain. Another band from that much-celebrated scene was The Popes, featuring songwriters John Elderkin and Steve Ruppenthal, who now form the nucleus of The Public Good. Their debut album, No. 1, will be released on August 1, 2009. Produced by Brian Paulson (Wilco, Beck, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Superchunk), No. 1 features real life through the lens of classic singer/songwriter storytelling infused with wit, emotion and not just a little bit of charm.

No. 1 opens with Baby, Baby, Baby, a bit three-chord guitar pop at its finest. It's a very catchy tune about a husband/dad feeling left out once the baby arrives. This is a great pop arrangement with some Beach Boys style harmonies in the breadkown. (Imagine The Girlfriends I'd Have) If I Still Had Hair is a humorous what if song from an vocalist who sounds like he could be a third-cousin of Paul McCartney. There is a distinctive melodic sense to the songwriting even if the songs themselves range from brilliant pop ditties to aggressively mundane attempts at wit. The Only Way is a decent track with hints of The Tragically Hip woven in. Other highlights include Cigarette and Nightmare.

The Public Good may well turn out to be aptly named. The presentation on No. 1 is very rough, musically. There is some real story telling potential in the songs presented here, but there is also an innate awkwardness in the lyrical structure that needs to be worked out. Songs like Baby, Baby, Baby highlight that potential. In the right hands this could be a bit pop hit. For now, The Public Good is off to a good start. No. 1 is more than sufficient to help build a fan base.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about The Public Good at www.myspace.com/thepublicgood or http://www.thepublicgoodonline.com/, where you can purchase a copy of No. 1.

Review: Brent Jordan - Blue. Shout. Blind.

Brent Jordan – Blue. Shout. Blind.
2008, Brent Jordan

A boy is born, destined to play guitar. Influenced by the sand hills and sunshine of North Carolina and the sounds of Southern Blues, he eventually makes his way to San Francisco. With a voice that’s all heart and soul, and a songwriting style he learned from childhood palaver with the likes of Johnny Cash, James Taylor and Van Morrison, Brent Jordan offers up a sophomore album full of autobiographical songs, Blue. Shout. Blind.

Blue. Shout. Blind. opens with Pretty Little Thief, a gritty bit of Americana Folk/Pop. Jordan will remind listeners strongly of Darius Rucker. John's Song has one of those melodies that just stick in your brain, working in touches of Blues and Soul. The Prophet Song proves Jordan's Blues chops in an acoustic setting you won't forget. Jordan shows a bit more of his musical diversity on American Morning, a song that sounds like it was inspired by mid-career Billy Joel and finds Jordan sounding a touch like Marc Cohn on vocals. It's a great musical offering that might attract the ear of other artists as a song to cover. The best overall song on the disc, though, is On The Radio. Jordan built a Southern Rock N Blues sound with a lot of bounce to it. Be sure to check out the alternating waltz and 4/4 sections of Laugh In The Face Of It All and the classic folk sound of Across The World.

Brent Jordan is really good at what he does. The mix of Folk, Rock, Blues and Soul with singer/songwriter simplicity treats him well, and his voice is warm and distinctive enough to create a favorable impression. Blue. Shout. Blind. is a fitting introduction to the artist; familiar enough to grab onto and new and different enough to keep hold of. Fans of Carolina Rock (i.e. Hootie & The Blowfish, Edwin McCain, et. al) will love Brent Jordan, as well anyone with an ear for great pop music.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Brent Jordan at www.myspace.com/brentjordanmusic. You can purchase a copy of Blue. Shout. Blind. at www.cdbaby.com/brentjordan2.

Review: Honor By August - Found

Honor By August - Found
2009, Honor By August

Based out of Washington, D.C., Honor By August has culled a reputation as one of the last bastions of mainstream Rock N Roll. In a day and age when most bands are looking to enhance their genre hyphenation by incorporating disparate sounds into songs, Honor By August offers a refreshingly classic pop/rock sound based on melody, harmony and great hooks. These efforts have already garnered Honor By August significant attention, winning the Billboard World Song Contest, gaining exposure on ESPN and sharing the stage with artists such as Bon Jovi, Hootie & The Blowfish, Edwin McCain, Peter Frampton and Third Eye Blind. Honor By August's sophomore album, Found hits the streets today. Honor By August might really be the next big thing.

There's a certain knack to songwriting in an ensemble; some groups never have it, some develop it over time, and some just click. Honor By August seems to have a magical connection wrapped up in their creative process that turns hooks into phrases, phrases into songs and songs into gold. Similar to bands like Matchbox 20, Semisonic, Hootie & The Blowfish and Third Eye Blind, there is a distinct pop sense that runs through everything they touch. Listen to the soaring choruses, bright melodies, gorgeous harmonies, intelligent and heartfelt lyrics, or any other quality you want to choose and there's a bit of magic there. Opening with the title track, Found is pure pop rock right from the start. Even amid the high quality songwriting and performances on Found there are distinct high points. Johnny (Pass Me Another) explores barstool camaraderie in an intelligent and emotional story song that is miles above the usual pop fodder. There You Were is the sort of love song that melts hearts. It's not a sappy ballad, but a mid-tempo Pop/Rock tune with a soaring chorus that is bound to be on most every mix tape made in 2009.

Say That It's Over is a catchy plea to put an end to war, complete with a chorus reminiscent of Toad The Wet Sprocket on steroids. Hometown Heroes takes the pop sensibility to a new level on a song that will be new to listeners but is instantly recognizable nonetheless. It details one of the dreams of any performer: coming home a star. Awake & Alive, the closer, is a poignant and quiet moment of reflection on origins and identity before Honor By August says goodnight. Other highlights include Half A Day Away, See This Through and Love Lies Awake.

Honor By August has a distinct polish to them that belies their Indy status. Found is the sort of album that makes major labels come calling. With the right exposure and a lucky break or two Honor By August could be one of the most popular bands of 2009. Found leaves me very excited for the future of Honor By August, and wanting to track down their first release. Don't pass this one by.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Honor By August at www.myspace.com/honorbyaugust or http://www.honorbyaugust.com/. You can purchase Found at www.cdbaby.com/cd/honorbyaugust2.

Review: Daniel Park - These Illusions

Daniel Park – These Illusions
2007, Daniel Park Music

Long known to New Mexico music fans as part of regional favorites Live Bait and Kiss To Betray, Daniel Park has taken his violin and guitar and struck out on his own. Born in South Korea, Park was introduced to music through the violin at the age of seven. The violin has always made Park, the musician, integral to ensembles he’s played with, but there was always a yearning, a need, to break free and take the lead. With his debut album, These Illusions, Daniel Park moves firmly to the forefront in offering up his earliest musical visions in song for all to hear.

Paving the same musical path as artists such as Edwin McCain, Rob Thomas and Jeffrey Gaines, Daniel Park mixes his own sense of balladry with bare-bones rock crooner and intent and a mix of pleasant sounding pop/rock tunes. The end result is eleven songs that generally sound not entirely unlike a number of other artists you might hear on the radio these days. The album opens with What We Should Be, a wonderfully melodic first single. Pleasant, listenable and marketable; What We Should Be should be a successful song for Park without really challenging the listener or the performer. Park gives us an idea of what he’s really made of on Shipwrecked, with frenetic guitar and a wonderfully catchy melody. DTR carries some of the same energy in a catchy, commercial package. It’s another song that could be successful based on sound/style without being overly memorable. These Illusions, on the other hand, find park raising his game again. Park keeps the momentum going into Times Have Changed. The upbeat rocker is one of the high points of the album; both well-written and commercially viable. (My personal favorite is still Shipwrecked). Goodbye is a decent listen, and Beautiful closes out the album on a very bright, let’s get this on a mix-tape moment.

These illusions could not be more apropos. Daniel Park appears to have a significant talent for songwriting. He’s able to deliver a song in a personal and personable fashion that’s strong enough to come across even in the recorded medium of a CD. Park also sounds like he’s trying write for someone other than himself on much of the CD. He’s talented enough as a songwriter to get away with it, but the seams show at times throughout These Illusions. In songs such as Shipwrecked, when park sounds like he’s having fun, or Beautiful, where part is playing and singing from the heart, there is no doubt about the sincerity or “realness” of the musical moment. But much of the album comes across as if Park is still trying to find his voice. In the process he's sounding like a hybrid of himself and some of the acoustic pop icons who have dominated the radio in recent years. He’s neither the first nor last to start out this way, and most song writers over time grow into their own voice (or comfort with it). That’s what we hope for Daniel Park. In the meantime, this is a good start.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Daniel Park at http://www.danielparkmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/danielparkmusic, where you can order a copy of These Illusions.

Corey Crowder - Gold And The Sand

Corey Crowder - Gold And The Sand
2008, Tooth & Nail Records

Corey Crowder gets to the heart of the matter pretty quickly. Not one for guilded metaphors or shadowed imagery, Crowder breaks down the truth and beauty of small details in no uncertain terms, supported by melodies that make the ideas soar into you like light into the ground at the end of a rainbow. His latest CD, Gold And The Sand, is a raw, emotional affair that may shock listeners with it's unconstrained voice, but listeners will ultimately be glad they made the effort to listen.

Crowder sets the tone from the first notes of Southern Way with his big soulful voice. The song is a blues/rock/country hybrid with serious commercial potential and perhaps even that crossover chic that could place it both in modern rock and country circles. Love is a big anthem that’s part Edwin McCain and part Garth Brooks. Crowder seems to be able to center in on themes and sounds that have been done many times before; yet makes them his own rather than falling into cliché. Higher Ground is a dark bluegrass tune that is a first cousin to the blues and will rivet you.

Be sure to check out Leaving You, the sort of melancholy love song that has made Nashville what it is today. Likewise Helpless Heart, which is a big country/pop tune pull of good old fashioned pedal steel and some very modern layering to create a big, big sound. The song is full of soul and passion and is a must-listen. Crowder moves back into the blues/rock realm with Innocence, which has an almost 1970’s soul air to it. Other highlights include Changes, the honky-tonk Devils, I’ve Become Something and Lonesome Road.

Corey Crowder has this great, dynamic mix of sounds and styles that he’s interwoven into his own signature sound. The mix of soul, blues, country and rock creates the sort of giant cross-over potential that should have music marketers salivating into their giblets. Aside from being labeled as a product by the industry, Crowder can write and sing. Expect to hear a lot more of Crowder over the next decade or three. If there’s justice in the music business then this guy is really on his way to somewhere. Gold And The Sand is the sort of album that could launch him into the music world’s stratosphere.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Corey Crowder at http://www.coreycrowder.net/. You can pick up a copy of Gold And The Sand at Amazon.com or wherever music is sold!