Running Still Review

Artist: Running Still
Title: Running Still
Website: http://www.runningstillmusic.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/runningstillmusic
Style: Alternative/ Rock
Rating: 8.4 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

 

Running Still is the self-titled debut release from this Brooklyn, NY based alt. rock quartet, Asi Meskin (vocals, acoustic guitar, keys), Ben Zwerin (bass, back vocals), Chris Higginbottom (drums, back vocals) and Raed Khazen (guitars).

 

The band lists their musical influences as, Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Radiohead, The Beatles, U2, Tears for Fears, Damien Rice, Kings of Leon, David Bowie, and Paul Simon.

 

Running Still is filled with songs that have a heart. Asi Meskin's vocals reach out and either pull at your heart strings tenderly or crushes them with each new song. The lyrics are filled with anger, frustration and cynicism at the same time holding a hope out for the future.

 

If his hypnotic vocals don't grab your attention then the riveting guitar work will take control of you. The guitar work ranges from melodic acoustic to electric rockers.

 

The drum parts are like the rear driver on a ladder fire truck keeping everything going smoothly, but often going unnoticed. If there wasn't one their though like the truck that would sway wildly from side-to-side so would the music.

 

The band spent much of 2007 in the recording studio and is looking forward to playing live again. Over their short time the band has already built up a reputation as a must see live band.

 

Running Still offers up loads of good music that has a familiar sound yet with new elements added in that move their sound forward making it both fresh and unique.

 

Jon Augustine- Carry Me Home Review

 

Artist: Jon Augustine
Title: Carry Me Home
Website: http://www.jonaugustine.com
Style: Gospel Blues
Label: Confession Records
Rating: 8.8 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

 

Some older readers might remember Jon from his 1991 5-episode run on the TV talent show Star Search. Jon made it to the semi-finals and received accolades like, "one of the best discoveries of the year."

 

Then in 2004 he Won Ryan Seacrest's "Be A Star" Contest on L.A. Radio Station STAR 98.7 winning prizes like $10,000 in cash, a Volkswagen Beetle, and a demo produced by Hollywood Records.

 

Fast-forward to June 2007, Jon won the grand prize at the Ignition Showcase in Northern California.  The competition featured singers, songwriters, bands, hip-hop artists and various independent Christian artists from Central and Northern California.  As a result of winning Jon will be featured on a compilation style release along with several other grand prizewinners.

 

Jon is working on a new album due to come out sometime in late 2008 until then you can enjoy Jon's solo debut release Carry Me Home which was released in 2006. What you'll find on it is a blend of more traditional gospel songs along with some blues-pop rockers.

 

Jon collaborates with Northern California Christian blues veteran Will Derryberry who recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered the CD at his studio located in California.

 

Carry Me Home kicks-off with the piano rich traditional song, "What Is Fellowship" with Jon's soulful vocals taking full reign over the song.

 

My favorite songs found on this release tended to be the more upbeat ones that had my toes tapping and had the feel of an upbeat church service.

 

I also really enjoyed title track, "Carry Me Home." I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure that I've heard this song playing on my radio tuned to a Christian station several times. This soulful number talks about finding strength in sorrow and joy in the pain and concludes with a nice vocal harmony.

 

I really liked what I heard on Carry Me Home and look forward to hearing what musical golden nuggets his next release will offer up.

 

 

Garry Segal- Taking Notes Review

Artist: Garry Segal
Title: Taking Notes
Website: http://www.todyeforband.com
Style: Roots Rock / Americana 
Rating: 8.25 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

 

After 20 years of musical success recording and touring with his rock/blues band Garry and the Moodswingers, Garry has decided to embark on a solo career.

 

Taking Notes offers up a very interesting collection of musical styles on its 7-tracks of music.

 

The release starts-off with "Two Broken People" a root's rocker with acoustic guitar, piano and organ driving its steady beats.

 

Track-2 "Wrong Dogs"- is a dobro filled swamp music song that has campy-humor lyrics.

 

Track-3 "Without Rain" breaks out the soul of country music the pedal steel.  This melodic song also features nice sweet harmony vocals from Joan Schroeder that work well against Garry's vocals with their slightly grizzled edge.

 

Track-4 "I Keep Drinkin', " takes a trip down the jazzy-blues road with its smoky sax and jazzy guitar solo. The song also features both an interesting intro and outro of whistling.

 

Track-5 "Wind Will Blow," breaks out the mandolin and banjo for a visit to bluegrass music land. 

 

Track-6 "Cartwheels" is where Garry starts to let his stellar harmonica work come out in this melodic blues song.

 

Garry's harmonica playing has earned him an endorsement deal with the world renowned Hohner Harmonica.

 

The CD finishes up with track-7 "Everything's Jake" an instrumental track where each instrument takes its turn in the song's musical spotlight.

 

I liked all 7 songs found on Taking Notes with the wide variety of styles that worked together thanks to Garry's lyrics that are filled with talk of failed dreams, humor, and hope.

Rob Saffi and the Odd Breed- Review

Artist: Rob Saffi and the Odd Breed
Title:  Rob Saffi and the Odd Breed
Website: http://www.robsaffi.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/robsaffi
Style: Rock/ Blues
Rating: 9 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

 

Rob Saffi and the Odd Breed is, Rob Saffi (vocals, guitars), Stu Weinberg (bass), and Darrell Long (drums). Saffi began taking the stage in Providence, RI in 2003 garnering regional success before deciding in 2005 to move to New York City.

 

Once there he started playing on street corners and subway platforms before becoming a regular on the West Village's music scene headlining at local haunts like, The Bitter End, Kenny's Castaways, and The Lions Den.

 

Rob Saffi and the Odd Breed play a blend of rock n' roll with a blues side. The 9 songs found on this the self-titled debut release from the band feature really interesting guitar parts and song arrangements.

 

The lyrics are real life and deal with hope and false hopes that some people have dreamed up in their minds. Saffi's vocals are gritty and have a earned street cred to them.

 

When asked about the album, "Starting out," Saffi says, "I knew I wanted out of my hometown, and there was more to life than I saw there, but that was about as far as I thought it out.  So I moved (to New York), picked up odd jobs, played where I could, and wrote under streetlamps, trying to find my voice and where I fit.  This album is what I wrote under those streetlamps.  This album is that voice."

 

This isn't fancy music this is dirt under your fingernails style of music that's real and hits a home run.  Do yourself a big favor and get this release soon.