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 new releases by Dodgeball, John Gilman, Wiser Time, Tiny Ships, Sean Faust, Nick and the Leg Heavy Boys, Ali Zanders, and nobody anonymous. Plus a look back at "Start of Something Good" by The Extras, Inc.
Dodgeball - "missing pieces." Late 90's/early 00's power-pop-punk band Dodgeball reunite (sans drummer Terry Cook, who passed away in 2016) 25 years after first coming together at the New Jersey shore to record some fan favorites as well as 2 brand new songs. "missing pieces." is a blast! I hope this is not the last new music we'll hear from Dodgeball.
John Gilman - "Matchsticks". I was unfamiliar with John Gilman going into listening to his new album, "Matchsticks", (I have since found out he was a contestant on the Voice several years ago), so I did not know what to expect. What I got to hear is a wonderful collection of "rock" songs. I put "rock" in quotation marks, because John Gilman masterfully mines different styles from the past. There is a lot of catchy, upbeat, pop rock, but there is also some rockabilly, and classic country rock. Very enjoyable album.
Wiser Time - "All Fired Up". Any time there is new music from Wiser Time I am "All Fired Up" to hear it, so that is an appropriate title for this 7 song collection. You'd never know Carmen Sclafani (professionally known as Wiser Time) is from New Jersey from his music, as he is a master of Southern-Blues-Soul-Rock. The release kicks off with some rockers, before giving us some soulful balladry.
Tiny Ships - "PEEK". Modern Rock/Post-Hardcore band Tony Ships' debut release, "PEEK", is a powerful 7 song debut!
Sean Faust - "Status Quo Radio". Sean Faust fans may recognize the song "Status Quo Radio" as one he's been performing live for several years, but this new release marks the first studio recording of the song and it is a lovely lament. The title might make you think it is about the state of commercial radio, but Sean's Bandcamp page notes that this is "A look at society's addiction to social media, staring at screens, and familiarity."
Nick and the Leg Heavy Boys - "Stoned". The first new single from Nick and the Leg Heavy Boys in a while shows a more 70's hard rock sound than their previous music, and I freaking love it!
Ali Zanders - "earthquake". About halfway through Ali Zanders' new single, "earthquake", there is a vocal harmony breakdown that made the hairs on my arm stand up, it is just magical. The rest of the song is just as powerful, musically and lyrically... Ali describes the song as being about "when your emotions feels bigger than you."
nobody anonymous - "The Demos Part I". "The Demos Part I"... these are demos? The 2 "demos" on nobody anonymous' release are incredible pop rock songs!
Not New, But Memorable Corner
The Extras, Inc. - "Start of Something Good". When Dodgeball (see review above) originally broke up in the early 00's, bassist Pete Jager moved over to vocals and guitar and formed The Extras, Inc. The band put out several releases of punk rock, with pop & folk overtones. One of my favorite songs, from 2012's "The Long Way", is "Start of Something Good". I think Pete once introduced this song as being a sad song, and I strongly disagree. The song is a jangly, upbeat tune, whose chorus says, "It’s the end of the beginning, it’s the beginning of the end, All I know, it’s the start of something good.", which to me sounds like you're moving on from a bad time in your life, or situation, to "something good". Few people who know me would call me an optimist, but dammit, I think this song is optimistic. Listen for yourself and you be the judge.
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 be 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://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio
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