Alpha Cat - Orbit Alternative/Alt. Rock, Indie Pop Rock, Americana New York, United States/span> Overall Impression: "Orbit" is a riveting new release from singer/songwriter Elizabeth McCullough, who records and performs under the name Alpha Cat. The third track on the long awaited album Venus Smile finds McCullough's captivating, folk-tinged vocals accompanied by Doug Pettibone's carefully arranged guitars, ranging from rootsy, jangling hooks to experimental ambient sounds. Industry veterans Reggie McBride (bass) and Jason Harrison Smith (drums) make ups the rhythm section here, providing a solid foundation on this mid tempo alt-rock number. McCullough's thoughtfully poetic lyrics conjure up wondrous cosmic imagery that's reflected in the music, employing clever astrophysical metaphors to convey the infinite sadness and spatial yearning that's sure to resonate with listeners on any number of levels. Alternative singer/songwriter and indie rock fans in particular should absolutely check out Alpha Cat's "Orbit" as well as the rest of Venus Smile, now available on all major streaming music platforms. Strongest Point(s): Outstanding production, excellent mix. Good tonal balance. Great intro and outro, frames the track nicely and sets the spacey atmosphere. Guitars sound fantastic, wonderful tonal variety and use of color. Drums and bass work together perfectly, great steady rock groove. Vocal sounds phenomenal, really shows off your range and control of your instrument with stirring dynamics. Brilliant songwriting; deep, heady prose that's somehow both joyous and maudlin, set to a truly compelling and unique melody. At almost six minutes, it's a very satisfying listening experience from top to bottom, should keep audiences engaged and will leave them with something to think about. All in all, it's a remarkable track, very well constructed and fully-realized. Stellar work by everyone involved! Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Post-Rock, Adult Alternative, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Pop/Rock Artist target suggestions: Aimee Mann, St. Vincent, Halsey, Pretenders, The Head and the Heart, Dido, Rilo Kelly, Lucinda Williams, Alanis Morissette, Heather Maloney, HAIM, Laura Veirs, Florence + the Machine, Heather Nova, Angel Olsen, Joan as Policewoman, Beth Orton, Kate Bush, Feist, Cat Power, Neko Case, Patti Smith, Fiona Apple, Joni Mitchell Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers
Wild Wisteria - Shadow Dancer Rock, Folk, Indie Pop Rock Adelaide , Australia Overall Impression: Jangling mandolin and buoyant bass give rise to Wild Wisteria's Folk-Country vocals as he sets a mysterious stage for his original tune, "Shadow Dancer"! Bright instrumental energies support Wild Wisteria's decidedly Australian imagery as he delivers enigmatic lyrics with a rollicking performative approach for a lively and engaging listening experience!
Strongest Point(s): There's a cohesive feel to the songcraft at work in "Shadow Dancer" - with instrumental performances that perfectly suit the genre and elevate the vocal performance. Wild Wisteria's knack for composing compelling melodic hooks shines through "Shadow Dancer" with distinctly gripping figures in the pre-chorus and following line "...the light of day". Additional instrumental expertise specifically expands the second round of hook work with a stellar guitar solo carrying strong energies into the final chorus. Wisteria's lyrics feel both very specific to the artist's experience as well as accessible to imaginative listeners, making for an intriguing and engaging original work! Target Audience Appeal: Fans of "Australiana" and Country-Folk artistry will find much to love in the music that Wild Wisteria has produced, and the artist's original and engaging vocal tones conspire with thoughtfully assembled melodies and enigmatic lyrics to make tunes like "Shadow Dancer" stand out from the pack! Listeners with an ear for exuberance and authenticity will resonate quickly with "Shadow Dancer" as well as the rest of Wild Wisteria's considerable discography! - Jon W. Artist target suggestions: Emerson Lake & Palmer, The Dreggs, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown Band, Brad Paisley, Kyle Lionhart, Jordy Maxwell, Jack Botts, Alexander Biggs, Angus & Julia Stone, Boy & Bear, Sons Of The East, Xavier Rudd, Michael Dunstan, Tay Oskee, Woodlock, The Paper Kites, Travis Tritt, Darius Rucker Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists across a wide range of genres.
KOVA KOVA - Nameless Pop, Indie Pop/Rock, Dark Pop Brno, Czechia Overall Impression: Bringing soulful vocals to a stylistically barren soundscape, KOVA KOVA delivers the original track "Nameless" - illuminating lyrics of passionate longing and deep devotion towards a love that's yet to be realized. Strongest Point(s): The contrast at work between the song's simplistic instrumental foundations and KOVA KOVA's magnetic vocal approach creates a rich emotional narrative before the lyrics even come into focus! Something about the sterility of the instrumental tones allows "Nameless" to feel mechanical and cold while, by comparison, the depth of color and performative richness of the lead vocals draw listeners fully into the space - almost chasing after the spark of humanity at its core. These creative contrasts serve to elevate the song's already relatable lyrics into an enigmatic and open listening experience with much room for listeners to project themselves onto the canvas that KOVA KOVA has crafted. Target Audience Appeal: The sound and style developing in KOVA KOVA's "Nameless" promise to strike a resonant chord among fans of darkly energized Indie Pop and powerfully emplyed vocal tones! The artist's approach to songwriting and mesmeric vocal talents stand to leave a lasting impression on first time listeners - turning eager ears towards whatever KOVA KOVA produces next! - Jon W. Artist target suggestions: Billie Eilish, Phoebe Bridgers, Japanese Breakfast, Billie Marten, No Rome, Sure Sure, Magic City Hippies, chloe moriondo, Hippo Campus, BENEE, Lorde, Blu DeTiger, Wallice, marinelli, Sjowgren, Orla Gartland, Emmy Meli, Cola Boyy, Dayglow, The Marías, half•alive, Sarah Kinsley, Generationals, Sylvan Esso, LAUREL, Barrie Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists across a wide range of genres.
Wild Wisteria - House of Many Faces Rock, Folk, Indie Pop Rock Adelaide, Australia Overall Impression: "House of Many Faces" is an enchanting release from the prolific Australian folk rock duo of Malcom Raedel and Matt Williams, better known as Wild Wisteria. Originally included on their 2013 album Crystal Tangerine, this exquisite track features a traditional folk melody, wistful lyrics and a gorgeous, fully realized arrangement that recalls the sound of the great singer/songwriter hits of the 1970s. Raedel delivers a confident and captivating vocal performance in his distinctive weathered tenor, and is backed by an absolutely first-class band on "House of Many Faces", making this tune an easy recommendation for any and all folk fans, particularly those who can appreciate meticulous song craft. Be sure to check out "House of Many Faces", as well as the rest of Wild Wisteria's impressive catalog, available wherever music is sold. Strongest Point(s): Excellent production, great mix. Fantastic arrangement, very engaging. Nice piano intro and outro that serves as a framing device. Plenty of impact, when the first chorus and full band kick in. Love the banjo and the strings, and I feel like I even heard a sitar in there (although it might just have been an illusion). The light rock drums and tambourine are perfect in the context of the song. Solid narrative lyrics, with plenty of vivid imagery. Outstanding vocal performance, really shows off your range. Vocal harmonies are soft and subtle, adding a nice layer of color. Overall, it's a very strong track that could stand alone with only a solo voice and instrument, which is the mark of a truly great folk song. Very nice job, once again! Target Audience Appeal: Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Folk Rock, Pop, Rock, Pop/Rock, Folk-Pop, Classic 70s Rock, Soft Rock Artist target suggestions: Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, Warren Zevon, Billy Bragg, Marcus Mumford, Mumford & Sons, Roy Bailey, Cat Stevens, Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, Don McClean, Elton John Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers
Wild Wisteria - Good Time Lovers and Friends Rock, Folk, Indie Pop Rock Adelaide, Australia Overall Impression: Led by singer/songwriter Malcolm Raedel and guitarist/producer Matt Williams, the Australian rock band Wild Wisteria takes a long hard look at life on the road, with the release of their single "Good Time Lovers and Friends." This straight ahead, uptempo song's sound is steeped in roots rock with its jangly guitars and prominent organ providing a wonderful backdrop for Raedel's remarkably dynamic vocal stylings and poetic lyrical prowess. In addition to his impressive guitar duties, Williams contributes captivating background harmonies throughout the choruses that really make this track shine. Rock audiences across the board should find a lot to like about Wild Wisteria's "Good Time Lovers and Friends", thanks to its polished production, clever writing, and classic sound. Strongest Point(s): Outstanding production, amazing mix. Great clarity and tonal balance. Excellent overall vibe, nice straight ahead groove with the organ stabs. The guitar tones and keyboard/organ sounds you used give it an almost retro 80s feeling. Fantastic job with the lyrics. Great sing along hook in the chorus, and some marvelous metaphor and imagery in the verses. Good vocal contrast there as well, your voice really takes on a different character in the upper register (not to mention those great falsetto hits). Vocal performance in general was very strong, excellent harmonies too. Solid ending, nice repetition. Incredible work on this track, excellent final product. Great job by everyone involved! Target Audience Appeal: Rock, Classic Rock, Folk Rock, Pop Rock, Americana, Country Rock Artist target suggestions: Dire Straits, The Wallflowers, The Cars, Warren Zevon, The Eagles, Richard Thompson, Crowded House, Traveling Wilburys, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Colin Hay Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers
Wild Wisteria - Going Home Rock, Folk, Indie Pop Rock Adelaide, Australia Overall Impression: Having had the good fortune of reviewing Wild Wisteria before, I had high expectations going into "Going Home, and a rather solid idea of the type of listening experience I was in for, and I'm glad to say, it did not disappoint! Solid performances combined with inspired songwriting result in a great folk-rocker that's both wonderfully uplifting and deftly produced. Strongest Point(s): Beginning with a beautiful chordal motif on the acoustic and electric guitar, and soon transitioning into a cheery folk laden verse section, "Going Home" wastes no time in letting its listeners know they're in for a thoroughly captivating time. As to be expected the performances are stellar, everyone is really firing on all cylinders, from the accomplished lead vocals to the marvelously detailed backing band that accompanies, there is a great sense of chemistry between each and every musician, and this sense of unity and shared vision really shines through the music. As with all Wild Wisteria songs, the production is superb. Boasting great clarity and detail in the mix, there is just the right amount of polish without sacrificing the individual characteristics of the performances, and when paired with the rich and varied instrumentation, "Going Home" is a magnificently textured track that is filled with warmth and personality. I also want to add that the slide guitar is a great addition, helping to add a subtle country flavor to the track that when combined with the song's predominately folk-inspired roots, helps create an interesting blend of styles. Target Audience Appeal: Lovers of folk-infused rock and pop will find a lot to love with "Going Home". Artist target suggestions: Jackson Browne, Jim Croce, Al Stewart, America, Paul Simon, Steve Winwood, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Dire Straits, Gentle Giant, The Moody Blues, Supertramp, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Genesis, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Manfred Mann's Earth Band Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.
Wild Wisteria - Unrequited Love Rock, Folk, Indie Pop Rock Adelaide, Australia Overall Impression: Led by Malcolm Raedel and Matt Williams, the Australian musical collective known as Wild Wisteria set out to create an authentic and timeless sound, steeped in the traditions of folk music and roots rock. They've certainly achieved this and more, with the release of "Unrequited Love", taken from their 2013 album Crystal Tangerine. This track opens with a baroque tinged classical guitar riff that's quickly joined by flute and piano, before Raedel's rich baritone vocal takes center stage on this modern take on Shakespeare's King Lear. A dynamic arrangement ensues, featuring impeccable musicianship and showcasing some truly inventive songwriting. Music fans across the board should find a lot to like about Wild Wisteria's "Unrequited Love", and should check out the group's other fine works, available for streaming or purchase on all major music platforms. Strongest Point(s): Outstanding production, nice balance to the mix. Great bit of song craft, both musically and lyrically. Excellent contrast between the different sections. The modulations at the end were definitely a nice touch. Fantastic vocal performance, great background harmonies also. Instruments sound amazing, good separation and clarity. Drum production is particularly impressive, excellent playing and arrangement there as well. Great ending, love the triple repeat on the refrain, and then the nice little organ hang. Superb track overall, wonderful work by all involved. Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Folk Rock, Rock, Classic Rock, Pop Rock, Baroque Pop, Contemporary Folk Artist target suggestions: Dire Straits, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg, Gordon Lightfoot, Richard Thompson, Warren Zevon, Leonard Cohen, The Decemberists Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers.
Wild Wisteria - Smokin' Annie's Place Rock, Folk, Indie Pop Rock Adelaide, Australia Overall Impression: A surprising yet stunning departure from the heavily folk-inspired sound of previous Wild Wisteria songs, "Smokin' Annies' Place" sees the group dip their toes into the unquestionably smooth and suave world of Jazz, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking. It takes a very particular balance of skill and confidence for a group to deviate from their usual sound and style, but Wild Wisteria strikes that balance perfectly and it really is a testament to just how well seasoned these musicians and performers are. Both harmonically and melodically sophisticated, "Smokin' Annies' Place" effortlessly glides from start to finish with the utmost grace and refinement, culminating in a smooth jazz piece that would feel right at home in one of New York's acclaimed jazz lounges with an obscenely large whiskey in hand! Great work! Strongest Point(s): Knowing of Wild Wisteria's previous work, this was an extremely pleasant surprise, from folk-rock to jazz is quite the musical leap, but it's done so confidently and effortlessly that it can be difficult to believe that this was the same group, but it just goes to show how well musically versed these musicians are, and more importantly, that they aren't afraid to explore new musical avenues, something which many bands both fear and fail to do. Filled with virtuoso sax flourishes, complex harmonic progressions, and a deeply mature sense of melody, there is a definite air of style about "Smokin' Annies' Place" that you can't help but find absorbing. One element of the track that particularly stands out is the subtle key changes that are interspersed throughout, modulation in jazz is a staple of the genre, but that doesn't make it any less impressive when it's heard done so well, as is the case here. Key changes occur so delicately that the flow of the song is never compromised, and the lead vocals do such a sterling job of navigating the complex chord changes that you can't help but tip your hat in both admiration and respect. In conclusion, another prime example of great songwriting and assured performances by Wild Wisteria, and I thoroughly look forward to hearing what they do next. Target Audience Appeal: Jazz lovers will certainly find themselves easily connecting with "Smokin' Annies' Place", it has the style, talent, and writing that the genre requires, and does a brilliant job of capturing the elegant nature of the style very well. Artist target suggestions: Harry Conick, Jr. Norman Brown, Bill Evans Trio, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Steve Tyrell, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr. Andy Williams Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer: Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.
