Browsing Tag

70s Rock

Maverick Smith walked with garage rock giants in ‘Holding On’

Posted on 17 October 2024

Maverick Smith’s seminal single ‘Holding On’ homages an epoch when rock ruled with a raucous yet refined hand while moving far beyond pastiche. Featured on the collaborative album ‘With Friends & Imperfections’, born between the synergy of 22 rock legends in their own right, the single synthesises elements of power pop and proto-punk, steeped in the nostalgic vibes of the 60s and 70s.

The keys dance with an uplifting tempo reminiscent of the 70s pop-rock scene, while the gritty guitar chords transport you to the nascent proto-punk streets of New York City as surf-pop harmonies swell in the background, bringing a taste of the Beach Boys with a sprinkle of Cheap Trick’s feel-good panache.

Emerging from a decade-long pause, Maverick Smith, steered by the renowned Sean Boynes, reinvented their approach to music creation. The album, recorded live in the Ohio Valley, harnesses an organic sound that modern digital productions can seldom mirror. This collection of tracks, brought to life by a cadre of Grammy laureates and indie rock veterans, is less about technical perfection and more about the palpable, unrefined energy of friends feeding off each other’s fervour. You couldn’t ask for a more potent rock-licked serotonin fix.

With Friends and Imperfections was officially released on October 1st. Stream the collaborative LP in full on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rearview Romantics delivered a new testament of rock n roll with ‘The Preacher’

Posted on 16 October 2024

Out of Philadelphia, the raw force known as Rearview Romantics slashed through the rock scene with their stormer of a single, ‘The Preacher’.

The unapologetic throwback to the 60s – 80s rock epochs erupts with crunchy, overdriven guitar riffs that could summon spirits from rock’s golden age. The vocals carve a niche between Metallica’s gritty resonance, the anthemics of New York Dolls and The Cramps’ punk eccentric ferocity, creating an uncompromising voice for the band. The production crackles with an electric fervour, each note and beat engineered to grip your soul and shake it awake.

The manifesto of rebellion dictates a relentless pace that dares listeners to keep up. As a rock anthem, the track ticks all the boxes, bridging the gap between classic sensibilities and potently explosive energy.

With their larger-than-life live shows marked by magnetic stage presence, Rearview Romantics are quickly becoming the act to watch. Coupled with a consistent stream of videos and tracks, the rock n roll reverent renegades are proving they’re destined for bigger stages.

The Preacher was officially released on September 26th; stream the single on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gregory Lee Pickard’s ‘Home’ is a reverent nod to roots and rebellion

Posted on 2 August 2024
Gregory Lee Pickard

In his seminal, soon-to-be-released, solo single, ‘Home‘, the illustriously revered Gregory Lee Pickard, whose career has spanned three decades and spawned countless accolades, distilled a soundscape with the culmination of his extensive experience and his ability to conjure more than sound through his panoramic vignettes.

The single melds country rock rhythms with gruff vocals, which will undoubtedly appeal strongly to fans of Dogs D’amour and The Quireboys. This cultivated ode to the concept of “home”—whatever that may signify for the listener—allows Pickard’s authenticity to shine iridescently.

The country twangs within the proto-punk-esque production allows Gregory Lee Pickard to soar above the mediocrity of artists who debase their discographies with assimilation; this is authenticity at its core. Just one hit of the single will leave you desperate to explore the treasure chest of rough-cut gems which throwback to the 70s NYC punk scene but firmly roots itself in contemporary resonance.

Gregory Lee Pickard, a storied songwriter, singer, and performer continues to lead and shape the sound of his current band, Not Las Vegas, while his foundational work with The Revelons has seen him headline venues from CBGB to the Bowery Ballroom. His broad discography spans influential releases and collaborations that touch everything from indie films to major motion pictures, cementing his place in the annals of music history.

For those who cherish musical integrity and the resonant tales of life’s wanderings, ‘Home’ by Gregory Lee Pickard offers more than just a listening experience—it invites a profound connection to the very essence of personal and musical exploration.

For more information about Gregory Lee Pickard, head to his official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Subterranean Deadbeats debauched Melbourne’s Garage Rock Scene with ‘Hang Me Out’

Posted on 8 July 2024
Spewing Voodoo by Subterranean Deadbeats

Subterranean Deadbeats AKA Melbourne’s answer to the Rolling Stones, with their latest single, Hang Me Out, captured the defiant swagger of 70s garage rock while also tapping into the raw, unfiltered energy of their bluesy, swamp-infused, and wickedly pornographic sound.

Frontman Chris Taranto, alongside his bandmates, has swiftly carved out a niche with their rhythmic revolt to the superficial banality that is choking the music industry; with their scorching guitars and Taranto’s versatile vocal delivery that oscillates between a piercing drawl and a melancholic lament, they’ve delivered what the rock scene has been crying out for.  After filtering through a debauched kaleidoscope of psychedelic grit and haze, their music seeps into the listener’s bones like a sonic contagion that refuses to be cleansed.

With two fingers up to polished pop and TikTok trends, the prodigal pack of renegades is instigating a garage rock insurrection.  Hang Me Out is an audacious call to arms, a dirty, delicious slice of rock that dares you to remain unmoved. With guitar solos that reach the heights of glorious filth and harmonies sweet enough to temper the raucous backbone of their tracks, Subterranean Deadbeats aren’t merely reviving the soul of rock and roll—they are imbuing it with sacrilegious vitality.

For anyone yearning for the days when music was a revolutionary act, not just background noise, Hang Me Out proves that the spirit of rock isn’t just alive; it’s kicking, screaming, and ready to convert the uninitiated. Listen, but be warned: the Subterranean Deadbeats might just make a believer out of you.

Stream and download Hang Me Out on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sebas De Varona Opened a Portal to the Psychedelic Soul of the 70s with ‘Preachers’

Posted on 30 May 2024

The gospel in Sebas De Varona’s latest single, Preachers, opens a portal to the psychedelic soul of the 70s; it’s a doorway into the mind of a visionary artist you’ll never want to close. As an architect of melodies you instantly melt into and a lyricist that captures your mind as much as your soul, there are few artists of this generation as affecting as Sebas De Varona,

Thankfully, with the impending release of his new EP, Dynamics in the Fourth Dimension, you’ll have plenty more opportunities to trip with Varona’s dynamically electric vocal timbre that rests easy in the rooted-in-emotion synthesis of genres which illustrates the singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer’s expansive bedrock of influences. Primed to soak fans of Tame Impala and Pink Floyd alike in celestial euphony, the EP will easily be one of the most cultivated releases of the year.

After hearing the Hendrix-esque fret wizardry which blazes through a divine connection to the soul of blues in Preachers you’ll want to flock to the Floridian artist’s live performances like a moth to an arcane flame.

Preachers was officially released on May 15; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Marcus Liuzzi is the last of the great romantics in ‘Right Whatever’s Wrong’

Posted on 22 May 2024

Marcus Liuzzi’s latest standout single, Right Whatever’s Wrong, teases the soul with flawless feel-good finesse by sprinkling layers of spacey Ziggy Stardust over kinetic drumbeats; the fluidity of the intricate laid-back grooves behind the nostalgia of the 80s synths are just as rhythmically compelling as the infectious beats in the Stone Roses signature sound. Paired with the soulful crooning vocal lines, Right Whatever’s Wrong efficaciously embodies the warmth of the sensation of finding perfection in someone that obliges you to never do them wrong or let them down.

Liuzzi, perhaps the last of the great romantics, crafted an atmosphere where the soaring 70s rock guitar riff tears through the euphony towards an ardent outro, giving the track another sweetly exhilarant dynamic. This colourful prism of a pop-rock hit ensures anyone who delves in will feel the full force of the earworm.

Influenced by the likes of the Beatles, ELO, Queen, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie, Liuzzi finds perpetual inspiration in themes of love, hope and peace; his latest single is a scintillatingly soulful amalgamation of his diverse influences, making Right Whatever’s Wrong a testament to his passion and artistry. Dive into this track and let it sweep you into its vibrant, nostalgic embrace.

Right Whatever’s Wrong hit the airwaves on May 10th, stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sun-Pinned Leaves shared the euphoria of being a rolling stone in their folk-rock reverie, See Y’all Again

Posted on 17 May 2024
Sun-Pinned Leaves

After winning the International Folk Duo of the Year award from the International Singer-Songwriters Association in 2023, the UK duo, Sun-Pinned Leaves are evidently still riding high, judging by the exuberant dreamland of nostalgia constructed within their latest single, See Y’all Again.

After the folksy piano keys have delivered their polyphonic euphoria, the rhythm section kicks in to deliver a rhythmically compelling beat that no 70s folk-rock fan will be able to resist. Even if you don’t know the joy of living on the road, you can live vicariously through this zestful vignette of how sweet it is to drift from coast to coast, where no goodbye is a definitive parting.

If Sun-Pinned Leaves aren’t on your radar yet, make room and stay tuned for their seventh LP, Seven Sins Aren’t Enough, which is set to become the sound of the summer when it releases in July.

See Y’all Again will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 15th. Find your preferred way to listen via the Sun-Pinned Leaves official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Out of Time ft Jojo Guo Elevated Phil Raskin to Audio Legend Status

Posted on 11 May 2024

The wall of sound that rushes right over you when you hit play on the standout single, Out of Time, from the three-track single, Fade, affirms that Phil Raskin has earned a place among the likes of Phil Spector, Tom Dowd, and George Martin in the audio engineer hall of fame.

The clarity, depth, and all-consuming intensity within the synthesis of pop, rock and soul make the production a phenomenon in its own right – not that the immensity of talent nestled within the performance can be understated. With guitar riffs that paralyse with their overdriven power, organ keys that transcend enough to escape material reality, and the 70s pop-rock piano melodies that intensify the emotion within Jojo Guo’s vocals and wash away the decades, Out of Time is a timelessly indomitable multisensory experience that is by far one of the most Grammy-worthy pieces I’ve heard in the past decade.

To hone his talent, the multinational engineer studied Music Production & Engineering, Film Scoring and Audio Post-Production at Berklee before relocating to LA where he became an integral part of Igloo Music Studios, working on projects for Netflix and Disney. Further into his career, he recorded a full choir session for the 2023 Super Bowl Pre-Show and was put in charge of Spatial Quality Control of Dolby Atmos deliverables for Camel City Sound. At this stage, if he had any more feathers in his cap, he’d need an aviary to contain them.

Stream Out of Time on Spotify or purchase the single via Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

James Sebastian electrified rock n roll reverence in ‘Looking for a Sign’

Posted on 10 May 2024
James Sebastian

James Sebastian’s latest single, Looking for a Sign, erupts with the fervour of rock’s golden age, packing an electrifying punch that makes it clear he’s owning the proverbial stage. As a prodigal son of rock ‘n’ roll, Sebastian channels the spirit of iconic acts from The New York Dolls to The Strokes to The Beach Boys, yet his sound remains unapologetically rebellious and tantalisingly original.

Looking for a Sign insists you get swept up in its compelling hooks and Sebastian’s natural frontman charisma, reminiscent of a cult leader’s magnetism. This track roars through speakers with an energy so raw and a production so slick, that it’s akin to witnessing the exhilarating James Sebastian live experience.

Rather than attempting to reinvent the rock ‘n’ roll wheel, Sebastian tunes into a deep reverence for the genre, projecting it through a release that radiates defiance to its core. The track exemplifies liberation, embracing the craziest facets of one’s character and running wild with them. It’s a celebration of individuality, crafted with a keen awareness of rock’s historical context but driven by a modern, fierce pulse.

Looking for a Sign captures the essence of Sebastian’s growth as an artist—confident and poised to deliver high-energy performances that resonate across generations. His journey from vibrant live shows across the UK, including iconic venues like The Cavern and The Macbeth, to a burgeoning streaming presence, underscores a trajectory filled with promise and rock ‘n’ roll heart.

Looking for a Sign will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 10th via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Emotional Chaos Unravels in the Melancholy of Magenta Wave’s Indie Rock Allegory, Why Am I In Love With You

Posted on 17 April 2024

Magenta Wave’s latest single, “Why Am I In Love With You,” vocally tears at the heartstrings with a fervency akin to Thom Yorke and Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchinson. This track is an atom bomb of melancholy that flips the usual narrative of romanticism upside down. It melodically implores listeners to explore the agony of falling in love when your relationship with yourself is on unsteady ground.

With the guitars sonically visualising the disorientation of losing control under another’s influence, and the rhythm section driving this tormented vignette forward, the vocals find an achingly affecting hallowed ground to project their agony over. The soaring, vintage-toned guitar solos resonate like a battle cry from a scarred soul, marking Magenta Wave’s unparalleled ability to shake up the indie rock scene with their ingenuity and sincerity.

This piece is the second single from their upcoming EP, “Sold My Soul,” mastered by Ed Brooks, known for his work with Pearl Jam and Death Cab for Cutie. It is an essential listen for anyone who still finds sanctuary in the candour and inhibition of indie rock.

Magenta Wave, having become legends in Bellingham, WA, before moving to Seattle, continues to blend alternative, indie, and psychedelic rock in their unique sound, making “Why Am I In Love With You” a poignant reflection on love and self-discovery

Why Am I In Love With You was officially released on April 12th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast