New Release Reviews: Albert Hammond, Matt Keating, Tickle Me Pink, Totimoshi
I’m actually caught up as far as promos are concerned, so in an effort to keep that going, here are some reviews.
Artist: Albert Hammond, Jr.
Album: Como Te Llama?
Recommended if you like: The Strokes or his first solo album
From their press kit:
From the heavy riffage of “The Boss Americana”, the woozy charm of lilting instrumental “Spooky Couch” to the bright, reggae-bounce of “Borrowed Time”, it’s clear that Como Te Llama? is perhaps the boldest, most eclectic and ambitious record of Albert’s career.
Standout Tracks: I’m gonna agree with the man himself:
“My favorite songs would be ‘Borrowed Time’, ‘Victory At Monterey’ and ‘You Won’t Be Fooled By This’” says Albert. “I love the whole record, but they change day by day, it’s like deciding what you want to eat.”
Worth a second listen?: I liked his first solo album but it was just so mellow. This is more upbeat and definitely good for sunny day listening.
More info: myspace
Listen: “GfC”
Artist: Matt Keating
Album: Quixotic
Recommended if you like: singer-songwriter dudes
From their press kit:
Matt Keating’s music is often labeled Americana, but it is in fact inspired by a broad range of influences; traditional country, old school punk and classic songwriters. He has established a distinctive sound that splits the difference between folk-rock and power pop, and favored words and music over angst and posture.
Standout Tracks: “Louisiana” “Mystified” from disc one, “Do You Want (To Not Be Lonely With Me)” from disc two
Worth a second listen?: This is a two disc set. So if you’ve got some time to mellow out, it’s not bad background music.
More info: official or myspace
Listen: “St. Cloud”
Artist: Tickle Me Pink
Album: Madeline
Recommended if you like: radio friendly rock
From their press kit:
With influences that recall the bombastic tension of At The Drive-In, the heart-on-the-sleeve approach of Brand New, the pop sensibilities of Third Eye Blind and the explosive energy of Rage Against The Machine, Madeline defies convention. With an onslaught of modern artists pigeonholed into singular sounds, Madeline is an eclectic offering that changes colors like a chameleon, yet never loses its heart or identity.
Standout Tracks: “Typical” “We Still Dance”
Worth a second listen?: I can really see this being popular with the kids. The same kind of kids that liked Fall Out Boy back in the day. Unfortunately, seeing that on the day of the album release (7/1), their bassist Johnny Schou was found dead, who knows what will shake out.
More info: myspace
Listen: “The Time Is Wrong”
Artist: Totimoshi
Album: Milagrosa
Recommended if you like: edgy (dare I say it?) hard rock
From their press kit:
Totimoshi’s combination of melody, heaviness and nod-inducing grooves has kept them from being safely tucked into any of metal or punk’s subgenres.”
- Alternative Press (100 Bands You Need to Know entry)
Standout Tracks: “El Emplazado”, “Last Refrain”
Worth a second listen?: I like a little more melody to my rock, but if you want to listen to some driving almost hard-rock type of stuff, this is all you.
More info: band page on Volcom
Listen: myspace
