Without any edge or uniqueness, local band Ellsworth goes through the motions of creating another white suburban "rock" album. The debut five-track CD, "Axioms Aren't The Only Lonely," vaguely tackles mundane issues like driving in cars, watching television, writing letters and wondering why there isn't a choice to be born.
Keyshia Cole differentiates herself from the rest of the R&B pack with the release of "The Way It Is," which features stunning vocals from Cole and a little production help from Kanye West. Cole's R&B sound isn't that different than others in her genre, but it's her dominating voice that makes her CD stand out.
The nighttime scene in Lansing is no longer full of bars and clubs featuring only one kind of music - one club now features twice the variety of tunes. On Wednesday nights, Club Southtown, 1146 S.
"10 The Hard Way," The Bangkok Five (Aeronaut Records) With only five songs on "10 The Hard Way," The Bangkok Five makes sure all of its tracks are quality tunes that please the listener. The first song, "Black Noise," has a unique sound.
"Feel Good Tunes," Captain Bringdown and the Buzzkillers (Sock Hop Records) Captain Bringdown and the Buzzkillers have a name that certainly fits the type of music they play - depressing. The band deserves a "C" for effort and energy, but in the categories of vocals, lyrics, music and replay, they might want to try another genre.
Never really deciding what kind of music they play, the band Dredg comes at its listeners with many different genres in "Catch Without Arms," its latest release. The first track, "Ode to the Sun," is an interesting mix of hard and fast-paced music.
There are some individuals that are so consumed by darkness and violence that no matter how they try to express themselves, it will still sound like mindless gibberish.
Belgian DJ and producer, Fabrice Lig, didn't know what to expect when he was offered a chance to spin records at "Fuse-In: Detroit's Electronic Movement." "At first, I was surprised at the scene and this city," Lig said, after his hour-long performance Saturday.
Nerves and excitement beset Diviniti, a local female vocalist performing for the first time with a live band this weekend at Fuse-In, Detroit's Electronic Music Festival, or DEMF.
"Magnetic," Andi Camp The packaging for Andi Camp's "Magnetic" lives up to the name.
Hard rock and heavy metal lace all the tracks on Superkollider's new release, their second album, "Atomic Clock," out May 27. The CD may have a message to be heard about self identity and how we figure out who we are, but it's hard to understand with the overbearing sound of electric guitar and drums beating in your ears. From the first song to the last, the disc has 12 tracks that are virtually the same - with the exception of different lyrics that don't enhance the quality of the band's music. The listener is distracted by all the unnecessary musical elements added to the production.
It's Tuesday and you know what that means - brand new albums. There are plenty of goodies coming out today, including debuts by new artists and fresh material by old favorites.
Tony Trischka has spent a lifetime breaking rules. His weapon of choice? A banjo. Since the day he first picked up a banjo at the age of 14, the now 56-year-old Trischka has consistently pushed boundaries to redefine his instrument.
On first inspection, Glenn Brown's East Lansing recording studio looks fairly typical, as recording studios go.
Ladies - and gentlemen, too - will be rocking out this weekend at the fourth annual Ladyfest Lansing.
Local band El Presidente probably could write the book on how to put together a successful gigging band.
Calling all closet musicians: It's time to make those dreams of super stardom come true. OK, so you might not have the time, talent or moolah to move to a big city and get signed right away.
Don't let Decibully's name fool you. The band's music isn't nearly as mean as its moniker implies. Sure, this Milwaukee folk-rock septet has the "decibel" pun right: There are plenty of crank-it-up moments on "Sing Out America!" The "bully" part, however, is somewhat deceiving.
Some bands are known for their masterful studio albums. Others make names for themselves through their mind-blowing live performances.
Queens of the Stone Age seems, at times, to be more like a revolving door than a rock band. Musicians come in, musicians leave and the lineups change with every album.