In the late 80s, one of my favorite NJ bands was Red House which was led by Bruce Tunkel. This album returned him to the trademark sound of The Red House: jangling guitars, made popular in the ‘80s through bands like R.E.M and Dumptruck, along with Tunkel’s strong vocals which remind me of Mike Scott from The Waterboys. A few gorgeous ballads are included for good measure as well. All four guys from Red House reunited for the song “The Edge of Your Words” and various members would play on an additional five tracks. The result is a tremendous album that offers a glimpse as to how things might have turned out for the band. My favorite tracks includes "The Way I Feel", "Drift", "Remember Me", "After All", "Jimmy Harper", and “The Edge of Your Words”.
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 with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.
