Friday, January 23, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Solution with a GrIndie Award for the CD "This is a Test"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Solution with a GrIndie Award for the CD "This is a Test"

"This is a Test" is a six-track funk EP from Solution that fuses their underlying funk sound with rock, pop, reggae and jazz. Solution is a musically sound group and shows their range by innovating their sound with each track. The lead singer has a naturally soothing voice similar to Phish vocalist Trey Anastasio, but his range will remind the listener of such bands as Wilco, Murder by Death and Primus - depending on the track. The lyrics are socially conscious, as "No Surprise" reminds the listener that "Around the world people are hungry" and asks, "Will reality just simply fall away?" "This is a Test" is well-recorded, but pushes the envelope as far as conventionality is concerned. "Hide Away" begins with a gristly, raw piano and flows into a sharp, crisp sound soon thereafter, indicating that Solution made a conscious effort to do so. "Hot Sauce" nicely fuses Solution's funk sound with jazz by incorporating jazzy flute, piano and horns with an outstanding funky bass beat. "Dig" is a fast-paced song with an overall funky beat and fast lyrics of which Les Claypool would be proud. "This is a Test" is a fun album with impressive and broad musicianship, nice vocals, and meaningful lyrics. For anyone in search of a good new funk album, here's your Solution.

-Chris & the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Solution 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Thursday, January 22, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Bryan Austin with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Realizing the Dream"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Bryan Austin with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Realizing the Dream"

Bryan Austin's "Realizing the Dream" is a traditional gospel album from a talented singer with a tremendous amount of faith. Bryan's journey is a passionate one. Austin approaches every song differently and puts everything he has into his performance. He has an impressive vocal range and belts it out with passion, raw emotion, and intimacy to the likes of Aaron Neville and Luther Vandross. Austin bares himself to his audience hoping the audience will, in turn, bear witness to the spiritual presence of the Lord. The arrangements are simple and could all be intimated inside a house of the Lord since Austin treats each track like a soulful gospel hymn. It's all about good old fashioned praise. The recording quality of "Realizing the Dream" nicely matches the rawness of Austin's vocal performance and doesn't rely on any effects to be effective. Highlights include "The Anchor Holds," which gives you a first taste of Austin's talent as a vocalist and really kicks off the journey. "Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus" features some nice harmony and layering in the vocals and plays on a familiar song of patriotism. "Were You There" wraps things up with a nice guitar progression and beautiful female backing vocals. If you enjoy good ol' fashioned, soulful gospel, give "Realizing the Dream" a listen.

-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Bryan Austin's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Realign with a GrIndie Award for the CD"New Wine"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Realign with a GrIndie Award for the CD"New Wine"

"New Wine" is a progressive Christian hard rock album from Realign, a tight band with a cutting edge sound. The listener is immediately pulled in by Realign's awesome driving guitar sound that, combined with energetic yet sensitive vocals and a killer rhythm section, is a recipe for a winner. Realign has a great rock sound, with an overall vocal and musical performance similar to Rush, Incubus, and Christian hard rock band Chevelle. The production quality of "New Wine" is fantastic, mixed to really bring everything forward and electrify your ear drums. The quality of sound can also be attributed to a well-layered sound created by polished musicians. Highlights include the title track, "New Wine," which opens the album musically and establishes the spiritual and driven sound of the album. "Lapse in Judgement" opens with a haunting piano line and atmospheric synths, then erupts into a rocker. "Far From Yesterday" features a hot guitar riff, cool changes, and intricate drum work. With "New Wine," Realign has bridged the gap between secular and non-secular music with a great mainstream rock sound and Christianity-inspired lyrics. If you enjoy highly dynamic hard rock with a big sound and powerful vocals, check out Realign. http://www.radioindy.com/bands/4605/

-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Realign's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

RadioIndy is pleased to present Seventeenth Parallel with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Seventeenth Parallel"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Seventeenth Parallel with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Seventeenth Parallel"

Seventeenth Parallel shares their faith with you in the form of southern hard rock with this self-titled album. The power of this band is evident from the get go with a full sound, noteworthy lyrics, and an inspirational passion. The songs all have a great arena quality that makes you want to see the band live. The vocal performance is reminiscent of the southern alternative rock sound of the late '90s from the likes of 3 Doors Down and Creed. Musically, Seventeenth Parallel performs at a high skill level and the entire band is tight, so the arrangements are all solid, catchy, and immediately reel you in. The album is well mixed, putting the vocals right up front and allowing all the instruments to cut through the mix. Highlights include the opener, "Let me Run," which introduces Seventeenth Parallel as a spiritual southern rock band without delay and without question. The song has all the makings of a single. "Here I Am To Worship" is a powerful ballad of worship that features a piano-sounding guitar intro. "Shelter" opens with a thick bass line, with the track evolving into an intense rockin' journey. "Seventeenth Parallel" is a passionate and inspirational self-titled debut, and the experience is nothing short of a musical explosion. If you like powerful, spiritual southern hard rock, give Seventeenth Parallel a listen.

-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Seventeenth Parallel's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present B.B. Wolfe with a GrIndie Award for the CD"Heart Worn Sleeve"

RadioIndy is pleased to present B.B. Wolfe with a GrIndie Award for the CD"Heart Worn Sleeve"

"Heart Worn Sleeve" is an aptly titled, impressive blues/folk album from B.B. Wolfe. THe CD also showcases the Goldmine Pickers, who bring a slight country flavor to the album as well. The album is stripped down, relying solely on purely acoustic instruments – guitar, banjo, violin, and accordion – to back his sad, storytelling lyrics. Wolfe's lyrics portray a sense of longing, of lost love, of sorrow and sadness, and are the most defining quality of the album. His raspy vocals combined with his folk sound, reliance on acoustic instruments, and longing lyrics, should remind the listener of the classic Dylan album, "Another Side of Bob Dylan." The recording quality is very good as well. Wolfe longs for what could have been on the track "Something Tells Me It's Not True" when he sings, "I've been holding onto this old guitar/I should have been holding you." "In Three-Quarter Time" incorporates the accordion into Wolfe's musical styling, and the song title itself should imply that he knows what he's doing musically. "Heart Worn Sleeve" is an excellent album that displays B.B. Wolfe's powerful storytelling capabilities and should be looked into by anyone who enjoys a good blues/folk/country fusion.

-Chris and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out B.B. Wolfe's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Sir Bell Siqq with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Shame The Devil, Tell The Truth"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Sir Bell Siqq with a GrIndie Award for the CD"Shame The Devil, Tell The Truth"

"Shame The Devil, Tell The Truth" is a hardcore gangsta rap album featuring powerful beats and high energy, cleverly delivered vocals from Sir Bell Siqq. This album does not mess around, as Sir Bell Siqq brings you his long resume of street credibility in the form of music. The content is a true window into the gangsta lifestyle. What really stands out is Sir Bell Siqq's talent as an emcee and his impressive ability to twist words around his tongue and deliver a barrage of image-invoking verses. The arrangements behind him are appropriately subtle and succeed in creating a sound consistent with a harsh environment. "Shame The Devil, Tell The Truth" has a great recording quality, so every rhyme is clear and understood. Highlights include "Gun In The Hideaway" with its extremely controversial lyrics and wicked gunfire samples in the intro. "Who Am I" features a great hook and some nice vocal layering. "The Truth" is an anthem for the lifestyle at hand. If you enjoy hardcore, true-to-life rap with claps and big beats, check out Sir Bell Siqq.

-William and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Sir Bell Siqq's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jordan Biel with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Driven"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Jordan Biel with a GrIndie Award for the CD"Driven"

"Driven" by Jordan Biel is an upbeat Christian Rock album aimed at inspiring faith in Jesus Christ. The band features a healthy lineup of musicians that bring the sound to a great level of fullness. The melodies in the vocals definitely stand out, and the songs are very catchy and have a great sing-along quality. The arrangements vary nicely from track to track and offer a nice variance in song structure. Above all, the album creates an undeniable energy and displays a great amount of passion. The production value is also very good: All aspects of the sound are well represented. Highlights are "With You" which opens the album with a catchy guitar riff, fun vocal pacing and an addicting chorus. "Worthy Is The Lamb" features a delicate organ progression and intimate vocals. "Freedom To Worship" opens with a thick guitar riff and erupts into a powerful, driving song that is fit for an arena-sized venue. If you enjoy songs of praise and a big sound, you will enjoy this excellent CD.

-William
Check out Jordan Biel's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites