Author: powerpopaholic

L.A. based alt-rock quartet The Whiskey Saints are an expressive band that delivers southern-influenced alternative rock with well-blended harmonies and raucous guitars. Brought together by David Bloomfield and David Sparrow, they rock loudly on “The Gift” with crashing drums and riffs. The impressive “Long Road” shows a solid blend of rock and pop, similar to Toad The Wet Sprocket but with heavier guitar chords. But they jump right to the raucous garage style of “Before My Time” and its a catchy treat sure to please.

The tracks are varied with arena-styled alt. rockers (“Eastbound”) and pretty guitar ballads (“Karianne”) with superior musicianship. With influences like Ryan Adams, My Morning Jacket, and Wilco it’s not hard to understand why The Whiskey Saints are popular around the LA music scene. More gems include “Building To Break” and “Curtains.” An enjoyable listen from a talented and experienced band.

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Together We Are Not Alone
Here is a collection of several artists, including our fave, Bleu sending out songs to support Japan in their time of need. All funds goes to the Japanese Red Cross Organization and the label takes no profit from this album. 100% royalty goes to the catastrophe victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami,accidents at nuclear power plants that hit Northern Japan. Explore and you’ll find this is a really cool compilation for a great cause. Just listen to The Sonic Executive Sessions shine with those stellar harmonies on “Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring.”

The Northstar Session “Late Bloomer”
The Northstar Session are a SoCal rock band where you hear echos of the past, but it doesn’t slavishly imitate them. Opening with the ear candy of the title track, it brings to mind The Autumn Defense but with a bit more polish. A great standout is the hook laden “In Time” with a great power chords between each verse as it reaches a crescendo.  And these guys still rock out a la Faces on “Turn You Around” with a simple backbeat, and blues guitar riff.

We get some nice group harmonies and jazzy licks on “Love Won’t Keep Them Apart,” and it’s a bit like The Black Crowes doing Van Morrison. Many of the tracks are slow moving mid-tempo soft rockers, like “Who You Were,” so fans of Wilco and The Fleet Foxes will enjoy this album for sure. Solid musicianship here as well. After all, you don’t get an appearance on NBC’s  “Parenthood” by slumming around.

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Justin Nault “It’s Just Me”
Justin Nault is an up and coming entertainer living in Nashville, TN. The bouncy piano opens things up on “I Would” and it proves Justin has the talent and vocal skills to make it. The songs melody line is a bit like The Rembrandts, but with a modern twist. “Addicted” follows through with a nice hook and smooth harmonies in the chorus. A signature tune here is the title track, a nicely written but sparely composed theme, with a sweet harmonic outro.

The albums second half is okay, but doesn’t distinguish itself as the guitar lead “Walk Away” sound pretty generic. “Puppet” brings back the piano lead, and Justin seems most comfortable here. Justin is also lead singer for the band Cougar Petting Zoo. Overall, an impressive debut from a young man with a bright future.