American Sixgun - Gypsy Circus & The Southern Wind, Vol. I & II

American Sixgun - Gypsy Circus & The Southern Wind, Vol. I & II
2010, Masquerade Recordings/Warner Music Group

American Sixgun continues their serendipitous rise through the musical ranks with the release of the double EP Gypsy Circus & The Southern Wind, Vol. I & II. Formed in the spring of 2009, American Sixgun signed with Eulogy Recordings (RED/SONY) just six weeks later and released their debut album, Bayside in the fall of 2009. Not ones to rest on their laurels, American Sixgun is back already with twelve new songs, showing off their hard rocking side as well as their bluesy southern rock persona.

American Sixgun opens with "America Is Burning", a classic punk protest song that does the forefathers of punk proud. "America Is Burning" defends America the country for its ideals and takes to task all those who would run her down for their own ends; referencing the BP Oil spill and corporate/political raiders in general terms while bemoaning the loss of liberty we face. "When The Spirit Moves" expresses discomfort with the classical concepts of heaven and hell as put forth in Christian theology in angry and vibrant terms. There's a real classic 80's metal feel to the tune that's enjoyable. "Dirty Sweet" is all it implies, a hard rock song of lust that's entertaining but not likely to be played during a NOW convention.

"Somebody Like You" shows a softer side to American Sixgun, an alt-rock power ballad built around solid vocal harmonies and a near-wall of sound arrangement. "Prophet For Profit" takes to task dollar-based evangelicals who sometimes appear to be more business than faith in a catchy rock arrangement that's a great listen. "You Kill The Things You Love" is the true highlight of the double EP, sounding like a classic rock gem that's been updated for today. American Sixgun gets the perfect blend here. American Sixgun closes with "Say A Prayer", an anthem from the perspective of one who is trying to put his life back together after running away for too long. The song is well written and reflects a mature perspective that bodes well for the band.

American Sixgun has the energy and vitality to last a longtime in the rock game, and shows songwriting elements on Gypsy Circus & The Southern Wind, Vol. I & II that suggest they will be more than just a flavor of the moment. While well-molded with a sound that fits nicely into an active rock programming niche, American Sixgun doesn't conceal a heavier side that earns credibility from fans of rock n roll as well. Gypsy Circus & The Southern Wind, Vol. I & II may well be a breakout album from American Sixgun.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about American Sixgun at http://www.americansixgun.com/ or www.myspace.com/americansixgun.  Gypsy Circus & The Southern Wind, Vol. I & Vol. II is available from Amazon.com or iTunes as a digital download.

The Everyday Motive - Seven Song EP

The Everyday Motive - Seven Song EP
2010, The Everyday Motive

Milwaukee quartet The Everyday Motive spent a whole lot of time listening to alternative music during the 1990’s, a fact that is apparent when listening to their Seven Song EP. Influenced by bands such as the Foo Fighters, Weezer, Nirvana, Green Day and Stone Temple Pilots, the band also features high pop aesthetics woven into each song.

Everyday Motive’s Seven Song EP opens with "Anything Done Differently", an appealing modern rock tune with stripped-down sound. Solid vocals and a big pop hook help to create a high-energy, danceable rock tune. The song explores each of our own worst enemies while staying positive. "Lock It Up" is highly melodic and catchy; a bit of the low-key side for commercial radio but which might just turn into a hit single anyway. "From What I Can Remember" is pure pop/rock gold with a chorus that is likely to take over your skull and set up checkpoints. The angular style of the song mixed with The Everyday Motive's sense of dynamics and harmony vocals make this a potential breakout hit. "You're No Good" finds The Everyday Motive sounding more than a bit like Cowboy Mouth with a slightly heavier rock sound. It's a strong tune that's perfect for modern rock formats. The Everyday Motive closes with "Waste Away", a somewhat cookie-cutter tune that retains optimum sound.

The Everyday Motive has the potential to be huge. Breaks aside, The Everyday Motive appear to be in a good position to maintain and sustain a career of making music. Their Seven Song EP is an apt introduction, certain to inspire people to want to learn more about the band. Make sure you check out The Everyday Motive. You won't be sorry you did.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about The Everyday Motive at www.myspace.com/everydaymotive. Seven Song EP is available as either a CD or Download from CDBaby.com.

Review: Sons Of The Addicted - Fractal World

Sons Of The Addicted - Fractal World
2008, Phantasma Music

Ridgway, Colorado (pop. 750) is home to Sons Of The Addicted, a ready-for-primetime Modern Rock Act with a distinctive sound and a drive to succeed. Their debut album, Fractal World was released in 2008 and hits all of the right notes for Modern Rock radio. Led by writer/singer/lead guitarist Stosch Dembitsky, Sons Of The Addicted are carving out their own piece of the angst-driven hard rock pie.

Influences of or similarities to bands such as Incubus, Primus, Tool, Joe Satriani, Queensryche and Stone Temple Pilots are apparent through Fractal World, but Dembitsky's creative guitar styling and distinctive voice keep Sons Of The Addicted from falling into a sonic rut. The disc opens with guitar rocker Hold Onto Me, featuring Dembitsky's frantic guitar and vocal style. Lyrically dense, the song is almost a melodic rap tune. State Of The Union sounds like a laid back Queensryche tune, with Dembitsky even getting the same vocal intonation as Geoff Tate. Heroes Of Time hits on an Living Color style guitar riff and builds into an epic story song with its roots in Progressive Rock.

Your New Deal shows off the compositional and guitar-style choices that are somewhat unique to Dembitsky and Sons Of The Addicted. There's almost always something interesting going on in the guitar lines of each song on Fractal World. On this tune in particular Sons Of The Addicted remind me somewhat of the ill-fated collaboration of Les Claypool and Alex Liefson, Victor. Other highlights include Cheaters, Never Again, Grey Matter and Fractal World.

Sons Of The Addicted has a sound that is highly commercial yet musically challenging and unusual. Fractal World is a good start, although perhaps a bit uneven at times. Stosch Dembitsky is an unusual talent who is likely to be a fixture on the Indie music scene for years to come. Fractal World is a strong intro to Sons Of The Addicted.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Sons Of The Addicted at http://www.sonsoftheaddicted.com/. You can purchase a copy of Fractal World through Amazon.com.

Review: Under Your Bed - Under Your Bed

Under Your Bed – Under Your Bed
2008, Under Your Bed

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Under Your Bed was born in a coffee-house open mic night in 2005, when guitarist Jim Marchione saw vocalist Elissa Sapp perform with “an acoustic guitar that was bigger than she was”. The voice and charisma that poured out of that tiny little vocalist impressed Marchione, and the seeds for Under Your Bed were born. Adding Brayne Jennings (bass), Zach Brown (drums) and Jon Rossi (rhythm guitar) over a period of time helped to flesh out both the sound and the creative process of Under Your Bed. The culmination (thus far), is the CD Under Your Bed (self-titled), released in 2008. Compared to bands like No Doubt, David Bowie and Stone Temple Pilots, Under Your Bed also works in a little bit of old school punk attitude and energy.

Under Your Bed opens with Unmanageable, with lead vocalist Elissa Sapp sounding like a cross between Gwen Stefani (in her No Doubt days) and Courtney Love. Unmanageable is a perfect introduction to Sapp and the rest of Under Your Bed. The song is anthemic for a lost generation and completely in the spirit of the classic punk bands of the 1970’s without sounding dated. Sapp revs up the adrenaline with Leave The Lights On, a great Rock N Roll come on song. Shut Your Trap shows the band in full frenzy with Sapp like a tigress on the prowl. This is a classic song and likely to be a concert favorite. My favorite song on the disc is Inertia, which is built around one of the nastiest guitar licks you’ll find. Full of great hooks and a sing-a-long chorus, Inertia would have real commercial potential. Be sure to check out Piss On My Parade and S.F.I. (So F### It) for your fill of classic punk attitude.

Under Your Bed could be many things to many people. They are a punk band, an alt-rock band. A melodic hard rock band or Modern Rock band. Vocalist Sapp is a charismatic front woman with a voice that grabs your attention, but Jim Marchione really drives the sound here; an excellent guitar player with some highly creative tendencies in song construction. Under Your Bed is a fun listen and mostly hits the right notes on their debut, Under Your Bed. It’s definitely worth checking out.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Under Your Bed at www.underyourbedmusic.com or www.myspace.com/underyourbedcpr. You can purchase a copy of Under Your Bed at www.cdbaby.com/cd/underyourbed.