We live in a time when many pursue life as a sprint - running in desperate haste to achieve, acquire, and ascend the material sphere of contemporary existence. This is especially true in the music business where youthful ambition and enthusiasm often overshadow a time best spent for development and true mastery of their craft. This is not the case with Nancy Ryan, she's lived through the marathon of life and has put together an anthology of her recordings that illustrate a personal perspecti...

CD REVIEW: EARTHMAN REMEMBER
originally published: 2011-05-31 14:53:00

By Colie Brice

In the Asbury Park music scene artistic alliances are often enthusiastically formed and then tumultously broken. Getting a group of people together to volunteer their time, talent, and committment to a common unified goal can often be elusive at best.

Yet often within the triumphs and tragedy of band politics, musicians start cross pollinating into side projects that often take root. Such is the case of Earthman.

Comprised primarily of members who are in or used to be in Capt. ...

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CD REVIEW: "STRANGE SITUATION" BY JON CASPI
originally published: 2010-12-17 16:59:19

By Gary Wien

by Gary Wien

*** (3 stars out of 4)

The latest release by Jon Caspi finds the Jersey artist veering in a slightly new direction. After two solid power-pop releases and a brilliant "rock novel", the new record leans more towards a faster rock/punk feel. Caspi has again penned a couple great songs although what I like most about this record took me quite a while to figure out.

The record sounds as close to a live concert as any studio recording I've ever heard. An...

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CD REVIEW: "DOWN WIRES" BY ANTHONY D'AMATO
originally published: 2010-10-08 11:34:48

By Gary Wien

CD REVIEW: "Down Wires" by Anthony D'Amato
4 Stars (out of 4)

One of the greatest compliments I can give an artist is to say that I believe they carry the spirit of John Lennon in their work. Anthony D'Amato carries that spirit. He's got that Lennonistic ability to be daring musically through different styles while offering provocative and insightful lyrics that can inspire or make one truly think. He's also got John's ability to tear down the wall...

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CD REVIEW: BEN ARNOLD "SIMPLIFY" (3 STARS)
originally published: 2010-09-21 17:07:12

By Gary Wien

Ben Arnold's latest solo album, "Simplify," reminds me of what you might have experienced during an early concert by Billy Joel when he was still experimenting with one musical style after another. Arnold weaves from New Orleans-based rock and roll to smoky piano-bar ballads to upbeat pop numbers with ease. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable and extremely catchy record.

Arnold has released several records on his own as well as records with the bands 4 Way Street and U.S. Ra...

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CD REVIEW: U.S. RAILS (4 STARS)
originally published: 2010-09-21 16:47:33

By Gary Wien

U.S. Rails is the new name for the former Philadelphia-based band 4 Way Street. Long-time fans will not be disappointed in the direction of the band as the debut by U.S. Rails may be even stronger than the lone record released by 4 Way Street. The "supergroup" of sorts continues to include Ben Arnold, Scott Bricklin, Joseph Parsons, and Matt Muir and now adds Tom Gilliam to replace Jim Boggia. The pairing brings together a mix of great songwriters who all have very distinct vocal styl...

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CD REVIEW: THE AMBOYS - "EVERYTHING BETWEEN THE MOON & THE SUN" (3 1/2 STARS)
originally published: 2010-09-21 16:17:36

By Gary Wien

The Amboys have been one of my favorite New Jersey-based bands ever since they first started kicking around the Asbury Park area a year ago. Their debut record, "Everything Between The Moon & The Sun" provides brilliant country-infused garage rock and roll that reminds me of Johnny Cash waking up on the wrong side of the bed after an all night binge, taking some speed, and heading out to the local punk rock bar to jam with whoever was on stage. It's got a true kick ass spirit to it...

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CD REVIEW: "THE LONG EVENING" BY KEITH MONACCHIO (4 STARS)
originally published: 2010-02-28 22:53:43

Review by Gary Wien

4 stars (out of 4)
"The Long Evening"
by Keith Monacchio

"Pop the champagne, come celebrate my independence from everything
it's been some time since I've been on my own
feels alright in this broken home
just my chair and my tv
my cigarettes, my stereo, and my DVDs
So, lend me your ears, I feel like grandstanding
'cause everyone I know is growing up...
me, I'm growing old"
-"The New Normal&#...

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CD REVIEW: "4TH AND BROADWAY" BY ERYN SHEWELL (3 1/2 STARS)
originally published: 2010-02-27 20:51:18

Review by Gary Wien

3 1/2 stars (out of 4)

"4th and Broadway"
by Eryn Shewell

Eryn Shewell's second CD, "4th and Broadway", takes me back to the days at my first radio station. One side of the station played solid gold oldies from the 60s to the 70s and the other side featured tunes from the 40s and 50s. Eryn's latest record is like a time machine that gracefully glides between these two worlds and creates an utterly timeless experience that...

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CD REVIEW: SHADES OF THE PRISON HOUSE BY ANTHONY D'AMATO
originally published: 2009-09-02 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

Rating 4 stars (out of 4)

I once read that no matter how old we are we will always write with the point of view that we had when we were 25. If that's true then Anthony D'Amato will have a long and amazing career because he gets the world better now than most people will ever know and he's not even close to 25 yet.

Anthony released the brilliant CD, "Shades of the Prison House" over the summer. This is truly the work of an artist coming into his own. Recorded i...

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REVIEW OF STEEL MILL "ALL MAN THE GUNS FOR AMERICA"
originally published: 2009-08-16 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

(rating 4 stars out of 4)

In some far off parallel world, Bruce Springsteen signed a record contract with Bill Graham for his band Steel Mill. Instead of saxophones, the sound was defined by soaring guitar licks, thundering drums, and pounding bass and the E Street Band was never formed. Steel Mill took their legions of fans in New Jersey and Virginia and became one of the major rock bands in the country playing music festival after festival. And judging by the tunes found on Steel Mill...

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RICK BARRY'S "THIS ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD"
originally published: 2009-02-07 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

Several years ago, I said that Rick Barry was the next Billy Bragg. I can still remember Steven Bumbera joking that I must have meant Rick would have a career filled with incredible songs that nobody would ever hear. Well, with the release of his latest EP, "This Antediluvian World", it's clear that he no longer wants to be just a big fish in the Asbury Park scene - he's ready for the world to hear him. And, he's ready to shed the Billy Bragg title once and for all.

I used to imagine...

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CD REVIEW --"STRAIGHT TO RED" BY MAYBE PETE
originally published: 2008-08-20 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

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4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

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There's really no better way to review a new CD by Maybe Pete than by popping open a bottle of cheap Merlot, so here goes...

"Straight to Red" is the second full-length disc by the North Jersey / Jersey Shore rock and roll band. Their first disc took several years and the songs were basically greatest hits for their fans by the time it was released, thankfully this one came out much sooner and fans will even find a few surprises in store for them....

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REVIEW OF DIRT WAFFLE BY THE COMMONS
originally published: 2005-09-05 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

The last album by The Commons (Come On Get Done) was a bit on the mellow side and filled with brilliant but depressing lyrics. This time around the band has evened things out with a record that has a mixture of mellow tunes, rockers, and off-beat numbers that dare you to categorize them. The end result is an interesting blend that features a bunch of songs which will grab you from the first time you hear them.

Upstage Radio has been playing a bunch of cuts from the first spin including...

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REVIEW OF WHATEVER PLANET BY THE DIPSOMANIACS
originally published: 2005-09-05 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

The Dipsomaniacs' followup to their brilliant Freakin' Eureka CD is called Whatever Planet. It's another strong effort from the band and there are plenty of songs which radio stations should be playing.

The Dipsos continue to make songs in the late 80s / early 90s "alternative music" vein... back when alternative actually meant something. We're talking hints of Elvis Costello, The Replacements, The Smithereens, Ben Folds, and the Beatles. And like I always say, ...

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CD REVIEW: DAVID STEELE
originally published: 2005-01-01 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

If you're looking for something a little different than the usual stuff being played on the radio, check out David Steele's "Underneath The Ice" on City Canyon Records.

Steele, an English songwriter, has come up with a CD reminiscient of classic bands from the 80s like U2, The Alarm and even The Police. In fact, much of the disc reminds me of the more experimental songs that U2 used to put out as B-sides to their singles.

There's a nice blend of straight up rock tracks and soft b...

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CD REVIEW: JPAT - "SMILE GOODBYE TO THE KINGS & CLOWNS"
originally published: 2004-12-01 00:00:00

By Gary Wien

JPAT is no longer a man of mystery, he's settled into the blues musician his voice has always beckoned him to be. Shortly before hopping on a plane to China, he recorded his first full-length CD of original blues tunes. The disc was recorded raw - usually in just a take or two - with just JPAT strumming guitar, blowing on his harp, and howling in the way nobody in Jersey has ever howled since Southside Johnny first hit the scene.

The seven tracks on the disc entitled, "Smile Goodbye T...

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