SOULSHA “Rhythm’s in the Melody” 1 track This complex and high-energy track from Soulsha blends a range of instruments in a unique and pleasing way. Along with some upbeat vocals, the band adds the bagpipes, fiddle, drums, saxophone, and trumpet to create their self-described Afro-Celtic funk style. The smooth-bluesy style blends with traditional Celtic sounds from the bagpipe and adds a modern vibe with the fast-paced drumming. “Rhythm’s in the Melody” is aptly titled, as the song contains an excellent … Read More >>
Category Archives: CD Reviews
If you’d like your latest recordings reviewed, send hard copies to T Max/ The Noise, 40R Highland Ave, #219 Salem, MA 01970. … CORIN ASHLEY Broken Biscuits 12 tracks Following a stroke that left both his left hand and vocal chords paralyzed, Corin Ashley made his return with Broken Biscuits. No stranger to the music scene, Ashley has toured with many well-known musicians such as Frank Turner and Dave Davies of The Kinks. The album opens with “Little Crumbles” which … Read More >>
KIER BYRNES & FRIENDS Blarney: A Compilation of Irish Music 14 tracks Any lover of folk music has probably also cultivated an appreciation for traditional Irish tunes such as “The Irish Rover,” which opens this compilation. It is clear from the vocal gusto with which Byrnes attacks these numbers that he is a long-time aficionado of the form. “Star of the County Down” is notable for its traditional Irish percussion. “Jar of Porter” is a well-known Irish drinking song, here … Read More >>
BUTTERSCOTT Buttersville Records The Somewhat Disappointing Contractually Obligated Followup™ 30 tracks Instead of talking about this latest offering from the inimitable trio comprising the 21st century Butterscott, why don’t I instead inform you that the tradition of humor, at least in early rock, is strong. From the Lieber and Stoller songs written for the Coasters to “Chantilly Lace” and “Stranded in the Jungle”… No, wait. Maybe I had better talk about the record in depth, something which is sure to … Read More >>
If you are based in New England and would like your latest release reviewed, send a hard copy to The Noise/ T Max, 40R Highland Ave #219, Salem, MA 01970. … THE CHANDLER TRAVIS PHILHARMONIC Iddy Biddy Record Waving Kissyhead Vol. 1 4 tracks Waving Kissyhead Vol. 2 13 tracks Decades from now, local music historians will look back and see that Chandler Travis created his own genre, quirky pop. This two pronged, unevenly divided set of songs is his … Read More >>
If you are an artists based in New England and would like your recordings reviews, send hard copies to T Max/ The Noise, 28 Goodhue St. #406, Salem, MA. … DOUG MACDONALD BAND Lighting Head 9 tracks Like a rata-tat-tat machine gun, “Atomic Phunk” blasts out of the speakers as Patty Short’s extended drum roll meets Doug MacDonald’s Gretsch staccato low end notes. Doug (in character) belts out crazy man vocals listing everything wrong with his life, ending with, “They … Read More >>
If you are a band or act based in New England and would like to have your release reviewed in The Noise, send a hard copy to T Max/ The Noise, 28 Goodhue St #406, Salem, MA 01970 … CELEBRITY HANDSHAKE Eastern Prawn Records Celebrity Handshake EP 6 tracks This is an amazing EP by a band from Portland, Maine, consisting of A. M. Haines (vocal, keyboard), Jose Moreno (guitar), and Will Berdan II (drums). It is full of noise, … Read More >>
If you are an act based in New England and would like us to review your product, send a hard copy to T Max/ The Noise, 28 Goodhue St. #406, Salem, MA 01970. … THE FORZ Running From the Past 14 tracks The first three tracks on this collection are excellent. “Come to the Fore,” like a great many of these songs, is a certified throwback, sounding precisely like it came off of a Pebbles anthology; it’s a sharp-edged rocker … Read More >>