Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at releases by Ziggy Grover, Torment Of Giants, Sean Tobin, Pat Veil, and Chitinous Mandible. Plus a look back at "Cut You Out" by Hero Pattern.
Ziggy Grover - "Jetlag Loveletter". Few people sing like Ziggy Grover does. The emotion conveyed in their vocals gives me chills. The latest single, "Jetlag Loveletter", is a beautiful piece, with some lovely guzheng (Chinese plucked zither) courtesy of Yang Ling.
Torment Of Giants - "Darker Colors". "Darker Colors" is the first single off of Torment of Giants second studio album, "Lion Heart & Paper Tiger". If this song is indictive of the new album, then expect more kick-ass hard rock/punk rock!
Sean Tobin - "Song for the End of the World". Sean Tobin's latest single, "Song for the End of the World", may not be the most optimistic song lyrically, but it is a high energy folk rock song making the end of the world sound pleasant.
Pat Veil - "Hell". If there is a "Hell" it is not Pat Veil's latest album, which deftly masks some not so happy/optimistic lyrics within some earworms of hook laden new wave rock music.
Chitinous Mandible - "Chitinous Mandible". Chitinous Mandible is the new project from Tom Herman Jr. (formerly Old Smile). The self-titled debut is a marvelous collection of chill-psychedelic rock. And make sure you check out the trippy videos for each song on their YouTube page.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Hero Pattern - "Cut You Out" (2003). From 2001-2010 Hero Pattern was an incredible modern rock band with killer hooks and incredible harmonies. I have so many fond memories of this band and their music, but one that stands out and speaks to their harmonies was in 2007 when the all too short lived Wave Gathering was happening in Asbury Park, I was walking over to Asbury Lanes where they were scheduled to play and started hearing them singing the 4 part harmony chorus to one of their songs (if memory serves correctly it was "Not This Time"), and it was echoing of the all the buildings in the the then quiet city (this was just before Asbury park became a popular destination again). I ran towards the Lanes thinking I was missing the show, but as it turns out they were just warming up their voices outside before their set. I just stood there listening to them harmonizing and realizing how outstanding they were. Check out their 2003 debut album, "Cut You Out". Highlights include the aforementioned "Not This Time", "What Do You Have To Say", and "Not This Time".
That's all for this week.
Remember BlowUpRadio.com, plays these and many other New Jersey based artists on our internet radio station, so please check us out. #SupportGoodMusic - If you like any of the above artists, please purchase their music from their site. And if you would like to part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon at https://mstdn.social/@BlowUpRadio
