Matteo’s Music Reviews
Band: Awesome New Republic
Album: Hearts
Awesome New Republic combines Electronica, early R&B and Soul music for a unique style of music. Hailing from Miami, Florida, MJ and B-Rob started ANR in 2005. Hearts was critically acclaimed by Stereogum and was played on BBC and KCRW. Catchy synthesizer lines and up-tempo beats creates a dance vibe. ANR sounds like a mix between MGMT and Billy Ocean. Songs like “Whatever” and “Birthday” fit the description of a party song. ANR’s 2009 album “Hearts” is definitely something to look out for.
Songs To Listen To: Track #1,2,3,4,5,10
Band: Mastodon
Album: Crack The Skye
Mastodon is back with there 2009 album “Crack The Skye.” Coming full circle, Mastodon has completed its concept album saga of the four elements. “Crack The Skye” deals with the final element, Wind. Combination of deep lyrics and spacey guitar riffs creates the perfect ambiance for hard-rock listening. The vocal style of Brent Hinds and Troy Sanders are on opposite sides of the spectrum. This makes the Verse and Chorus seem like two completely different songs. Mastodon formed in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia. Mastodon is a Grammy Award nominated band and have songs throughout pop culture. Fusing classic rock and progressive metal, Mastodon creates a style of music that is unmatchable. Check out Mastodon on their second US tour for “Crack The Skye,” with Between The Buried And Me.
Songs To Listen To: The Whole Album.
Band: Scale The Summit
Album: Carving Desert Canyons
Scale The Summit is an all instrumental band formed in 2004. I recently saw them during their North American tour when they played along side Cynic, Devin Townsend Project, and Between The Buried And Me. Scale The Summit started in Houston Texas and released their first album Monument in 2007. Now they release “Carving Desert Canyons” which is one of the most amazing instrumental album’s I’ve ever heard. “The Great Plains” combines a smooth bass line with alternate picking which is literally a mind explosion. Scale The Summit brings together blues roots, experimental, and metal which is something remarkable. Scale The Summit is relatively new and I would look out for upcoming news on this band.
Songs To Listen To: Track # 1, 3, 5, 7, 8