| CD REVIEW TSM/ SLW Promotion special April 2011, Part One: 8-Is – Encore – Four Trips Ahead - Lachlan Horne – Kelly Padrick – Smell My Pillow |
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TSM/ SLW Promotion special April 2011, Part One: 8-Is – Encore – Four Trips Ahead - Lachlan Horne – Kelly Padrick – Smell My Pillow Attentive readers of this series on mostly unsigned bands might notice the return of some bands (in facto: 8-Is, Four Trips Ahead, Lachlan Horne, and Smell My Pillow...Encore and Kelly Padrick being the new bands/ artists) which recently enjoyed a review here, and that's because somehow they sent us their material again. The editor-in-chief, while landing a total of 14 new TSM/ SLW Promotion releases into my lap, said I'd just have to do a copy-paste job, but after some consideration I decided that would be somewhat confusing...as I intended to go on an Internet search to find out what change in or around the band might've prompted 'em to sent their (old) material again. So, I thought what I'd do is give you the reference to the original review, and then give you the additional info. ----------------------------------------------------- The most recent posted review (13/03/2011), and I can tell you that what changed is the fact that instead of having just the one song (“If You Turn Around”) posted at (www.) myspace.com/8is, they now have 7 out of the 10 on the album. Gives one a far better idea of what this Rome based band is like! Use the review as a reference when checking out the newly added material. Rating as before 89/100 ----------------------------------------------------- This Mansfield, Ohio (USA) based band is already making waves locally, mainly because at the time of this album's release (which is after all 3 quarters of a year ago) band members Chase and Riley Beaire were only 11 and 15 respectively! With a father also fronting bands, the two brothers have been around music all of their lives...frequently seeing and hearing their father at rehearsals and live shows. While Riley took for the guitar and vowed to himself to master the art of being a true musician whom plays from the heart and not the head, the younger Chase “styled” himself to his singing father...and eventually the two couldn't do anything else but start a band (I'm not sure when exactly that was, but the band's MySpace dates back to July 2008, so we can assume that the band's foundation was only shorty before). Third member in the band is the equally “underage” bass playing Paris Scott Stewart, whom also enjoys playing live with his own acoustic solo project. The guys apparently have a problem getting a steady drummer, and while they're currently playing gigs with one Trevor Baker...oh wait, that's one David Carmean now...they hired a guy named Scott Cain for the recording sessions of their 11-track debut full-length album. Since then, or probably even before, the youngsters have done professional support gigs for such renowned acts as Foreigner, The Godz, American Dog, The Last Vegas, Aranda, Steadlur XYZ, Bullet Boys, Lou Gramm, Mini Kiss, and many more...as well as headlining all local area's outdoors festivals (and some venues to boot). Influences cited including Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Spinal Tap (a joke, because Encore doés “go to 11”), AC/DC, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Van Halen, Guns 'N' Roses, Def Leppard, Motley Crüe...and more of that ilk, you might get the correct idea that this is primarily a Hard Rock band. But when listening to their music [all songs except the Bon Scott tribute “Bon Voyage” (a song which earned the band a spot at the Bon Scott Memorial show, played at Mansfield's Liebekranzin February of next year) can be heard at (www.) myspace.com/encorerocks) you'll understand that inspiration sources do not always come through in a band's own music! While Riley certainly plays a tight rhythm guitar and throws over some nice solos here and there (no way the band can perform that on stage, by the way), for the time being it's the non-pretentious showmanship and mature voice of Chase which steals the show (as notable in the several videos available). Another thing: the brothers didn't exactly get the same musical genes, because as a backing singer Chase's brother ain't always up to specs (neither is Paris, by the way). The boys have already decided that they will do their best to be successful in the music business, and at the moment there's certainly the members' youth as a “novelty”. At any rate, they have a good attitude towards everything, not stepping back from joining the audiences for a talk after shows. The question (or at least óne of the questions) will any real commercial success be forthcoming in these troublesome days? With US laws about under-age work, and the guys not even being allowed into many a venue (because alcoholic beverages are served), which major label would even start to venture signing this youthful band!? Personally, I feel there's still room for growth, because what the band's future songs need besides decent backing vocals and being fairly acceptable for musicians their age, is a higher degree of catchiness. Anyway, perhaps we'll be able to witness such progress on the band's second album, announced to “arrive soon”? 88/100 ----------------------------------------------------- The review of this NY City based band's mini-CD was posted on February 2nd of this year, and not a lot has changed for the band since, except that they've entered Spin Recording Studios in Long Island City at the end of March to record a coupe of new songs for a future release. We're told to expect big grooves, blaring guitars, rousing melodies, and pure Rock energy. Some of the songs were already tested on live audiences during the band's more recent shows...and given a really warm reception. I'm looking forward to hear the band's evolution, specially since I was already quite enthoused about this mini-album. 92/100 ----------------------------------------------------- The review for this album goes back the longest way, having been posted 15/11/2010! I'm not sure whether the video to the album's song “Be Like You” was already available at (www.) lachlanhorne.com back then. Somewhere last year Horne organised a special tribute gig to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix' death with his side band Hendrix Gets the Horne (a trio also including bassist Owen Feeney and drummer Anthony Bealing – both of whom collaborated to the above album), and that apparently got a flood a-goin' of requests for more of the same. The news in this case is mainly that several HGTH shows have already been planned to happen starting May 27 (nothing in the form of touring though). For the dates (all in the UK), check the website. 85/100 ----------------------------------------------------- Although this is the first time I hear about the delightful female singer/ songwriter/ musician, Kelly Padrick (surely, with a name like that there's Irish lineage, eh?) is hardly an unwritten page in music history! Originally from Rhode Island, where she performed in coffee houses, Kelly eventually made the wise decision to try her luck in New York City. Wise decision, because barely had she arrived there, and she got into the independent music scene, playing local clubs, and collaborating with several musicians in NY and Los Angeles. There's a bit of a controversy about when she self-released her debut album Haze, with the same source (Amazon) citing both 2000 and Jan. 2006 as the issue date. At any rate, the album's song “Pizza And Fairytales” was featured in the Fox Searchlight movie Trust the Man (a 2006 film featuring Julianna Moore, Ellen Barkin, and David Duchovny premiered in early August of that year – meaning the 2006 release date is at least very probable). Sophomore full-length Carmine Street (which saw video clips made for no less than 3 songs) followed in March 2008, and the 6-track EP The Brooklyn Hours came a year later. Off the EP, the title track and the song “Ties that Bind” were extensively used in the promos of the television series Desperate Housewives during the 2010 season. Talking video clips...for the new album's first video clip, Kelly collaborated for the 5th time with Patricia Chica (an award-wining director, producer and visual artist whom specializes in innovative drama and conceptual music videos) to make a clip for the title track. Talking music now...Kelly's music is dreamy, primarily keyboard-based, but not always devoid of some dreamy/ ethereal bit of guitar. Stylistically things go from Pop to Power Pop, to Dance-worthy stuff and ballads...and her voice fits in everywhere. Occasional reminiscences to Bjork and a calmer Gwen Stefani are certainly justified (Nicky Baldwin of Fireworks Magazine and also of TSM/ SLW also suggested some Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris), although overall Kelly has very much a style of her own (admittedly Baldwin's recurring comparison to Stevie Nicks holds the best)...which she may slightly alter anyway to put in a tasty acoustic guitar ballad. Kelly herself cites the likes of Parton, Melanie, Garbage, and The Beatles as her most important influences...but hey...don't take our words for gospel truth (ahum...just what exactly does that mean, eh?)! You can check most of Kelly's videos and 6 songs (one only off the latest album) at (www.) myspace.com/kellypadrick, so you make up your own mind! In my book, miss Padrick gets top scores, and I hereby catapult Hello My Love into my personal list of gotta-have albums (year-lists of 2010, of course)! 98/100 ---------------------------------------------------- This delectable album's review was posted December 2nd of last year. No changes are visible on the band's MySpace, except that they mentioned signing onto the TSM/SLW Promotion roster, a blog item which I didn't see at the moment of downloading the info needed for the article I wrote. 93/100 ----------------------------------------------------- Tony. |
