Upcoming Releases (all dates subject to change):
UPCOMING RELEASES:| NOTES: | 5 Seconds Of Summer set Fall release for "Everyone's A Star!' Rolling Stones give "Black And Blue" a 2025 expanded reissue on 11/14! GNR to unleash remastered 4LP set of "'Live Era '87-93" on 11/21! Ringo Starr gets Vinyl Reissues on 10/24! Super Furry Animals mark 20th Anniversary of "Love Kraft" on 10/24! Haim release deluxe edition of "I Quit" on 10/17! Carly Rae Jepsen celebrates 10th Anniversary of "Emotion!" Springsteen's expanded edition of "Nebraska" moved back to 10/24! Neil Young's "Tonights The Night" gets 50th Anniversary edition on 11/14! Fall Out Boys "From Under The Cork Tree" celebrates 20 years on 10/17! Cheap Trick's Zandar releases a new solo album, "Robin Taylor Zander" on 10/17! Simple Minds mark 40 years of "Once Upon A Time" on 10/17! Kate Bush's "Best Of The Other Sides" gets physical release date on 10/31! Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" gets a vinyl reissue on 10/31! Radiohead Live "Hail To The Thief" gets vinyl release on 10/31! New Hendrix box "Bold As Love" arrives on 11/5! Black Crowes give "Amorica" a deluxe reissue on 11/14! Circle Jerks reissue "Golden Shower Of HIts" on 11/14! Green Day celebrate 25 years of "Warning" on 11/14! The Doors drops "Live At The Aquarius Theatre: The First Performance" on 11/21! Pumpkins 30th Anniversary Edition of "Mellon Collie" arrives on 11/21! | 
| NOW ON SALE: | Box Of Magic-Foxy Shazam Better Days-Yellowcard Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe-Liminal After The Sun Goes Down-Khalid Infinite-Mobb Deep For The People-Dropkick Murphys (physical release) Ghost-John 5 The Speed Of Metal-Warrant Sammy Hagar-Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band Power To The People-John Lennon, Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band & Elephants Memory (Ultimate Edition) Crush-OMD (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Horses-Patti Smith (50th Anniversary edition) Mer de Noms (25th Anniversary Vinyl Reissue)-A Perfect Circle Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025-Public Enemy St. Paul & The Broken Bones-St. Paul & The Broken Bones Live At The Marquee-Sweet The Life Of A Showgirl-Taylor Swift Silver Bleeds The Black Sun-AFI Horizons/ West-Thrice Ancient Child-Matisyahu Sad-Mayday Parade Don't Sell Your Soul-Michael Schenker Group When The War Is Over (deluxe edition)-JOHNNYSWIM Something More Than Free (10th Anniversary Reissue)-Jason Isbell Farewell, Argentina-Joan Baez (vinyl reissue) X's For Eyes-The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Z (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)-My Morning Jacket (What's The Story) Morning Glory? (30th Anniversary Edition Deluxe Edition) Here For It All-Mariah Carey Vie-Doja Cat Kids Table-Bright Eyes Saving Grace-Robert Plant Twilight Override-Jeff Tweedy (wilco) Based On The Best Seller-Sloan Neon Gray Midnight Green-Neko Case UY Scuti-Young Thug The Farewell Tour-Cher Apple-Mother Love Bone Shine-Mother Love Bone bones-Rainbow Kitten Surprise From The First Sting-Scorpions On This Winters Night (volume #2)-Lady A Kaleidoscopic Visions-Tom Skinner Best Of The Other Sides-Kate Bush (digital release only) Bridging The Gap-Black Eyed Peas (25th Anniversary Edition) Odyssey & Oracle (mono remastered)-The Zombies About A Woman (deluxe)-Thomas Rhett One Size Fits All: 50th Anniversary Edition-Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention Am I The Drama?-Cardi B Stevie Nicks & Lindsey Buckingham-Buckingham/ Nicks Better Broken-Sarah McLachlan The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World-Motion City Soundtrack Bleeds-Wednesday Die About It (deluxe edition)-Bad Wolves Songs Of White Lion-Vol. III-Mike Tramp Tron: Ares (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)-Nine Inch Nails No Angel-Dido (25th Anniversary Edition) | 
| RECENT RELEASES: | Roll With Punches-Bryan Adams (1LP/ 1CD/ 2CD w/bonus disc Crime Of The Century-Supertramp (half-speed remaster) Crisis? What Crisis?-Supertramp (half-speed remaster) Play-Ed Sheeran All Night Days-Rob Thomas Breach-twenty one pilots Chosen-Glenn Hughes I Can't Give Everything Away-David Bowie (2002-2016) Tycoon-Ty Dolla $ign The End Continues-Spinal Tap Who Is The Sky-David Byrne Pantheon-Dance Gavin Dance Pink Moon-Silverstein International-Saint Etienne (finale) Man's Best Friend-Sabrina Carpenter No Hard Feelings-The Beaches The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives-The Hives The Clearing-Wolf Alice Once Upon A Time In California-Belinda Carlisle Summer Anthem-Goo Goo Dolls (EP) Alienation-Three Days Grace private music-The Deftones A Matter Of Time-Laufey Supreme Clientele 2-Ghostface Killah Kiara-Offset BIG MONEY-Jon Batiste Songs In The Key Of Yikes-Superchunk The Clearing-Wolf Alice Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years-John Fogerty Star Line-Chance The Rapper Love Is Like-Maroon 5 Ricochet-Rise Against Bright As Blasphemy-Chevelle Woody At Home-Woody Guthrie (Vol. 1+2) | 
| Date: | Title-Artist(s): | 
| 10/17/25: | All Is Love & Pain In The Mouse Parade-Of Monsters & Men Duets Special-Chrissie Hynde (the pretenders) From The First Sting-The Scorpions Once Upon A Time (40th Anniversary Edition)-Simple Minds Legends-Sabaton Deadbeat-Tame Impala Detour-Boz Scaggs Everyone's Talking-All Time Low E-MO-TION (10th Anniversary Edition)-Carly Rae Jepsen The Luck & Strange Concerts-David Gilmour From Under The Cork Tree (20th Anniversary Edition-Fall Out Boy Moanin' In The Moonlight-Howlin' Wolf (vinyl reissue) Greatest Hits-Kool & The Gang Tycoon-Ty Dolla $ign Eye To The Telescope-KT Tunstall The Luck & Strange Concerts-David Gilmour Greatest Hits-Kool & The Gang Robin Taylor Zandar-Robin Taylor Zander (cheap trick singer) Trouble In Paradise-Randy Newman (expanded edition) Best Of Muddy Waters-Muddy Waters (vinyl reissue) Moanin' In The Moonlight-Howlin' Wolf (vinyl reissue) Emotion-Carly Rae Jepsen (10th Anniversary Edition) Choice Of Weapon-The Cult (vinyl reissue) Hidden City-The Cult (vinyl reissue) I Quit-Haim (deluxe edition) A Night At The Opera-Queen (vinyl reissue) From Under The Cork Tree-Fall Out Boy (20th Anniversary edition) Hail To The Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009-Radiohead (vinyl release) Once Upon A Time-Simple Minds (40th Anniversary Edition) | 
| 10/24/25: | The End-Mammoth Breathe-The Chainsmokers (EP) Love Chant-Lemonheads Forever (Legendary Edition)-Bon Jovi Burning Bridges Into Dust (EP)-The Strumbellas Death & Love pt. 2-Circa Waves You Are Safe From God Here-The Acacia Strain Cornucopia-Bjork Backbone-Ronnie Romero It's Not That Deep-Demi Lovato PHOLKS-Leon Thomas After Night-Nitty Gritty Dirty Band (EP) A Hangover You Don't Deserve-Bowling For Soup (live) Returning To Myself-Brandi Carlile More Acoustic Junk-Cowboy Junkies The Rock N' Roll Philosopher-Dion Love & Hyperbole-Alessia Cara Creature In The Black Night-Dayseeker Nobody Wants This (season 2)-Soundtrack Let It Be-The Replacements (Deluxe Edition) The Last Record Album (Deluxe Edition)-Little Feat Rum, Sodomy & The Last-The Pogues (vinyl reissue) Covers, Collaborations & Collages-Serj Tankian (system of a down) Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy-Elton John (50th Anniversary Edition) Best Of -Volume 2-Five Finger Death Punch Love Kraft-Super Furry Animals (20th Anniversary Edition) Nebraska '82-Bruce Springsteen (expanded edition) Different Class-Pulp (30th Anniversary Edition) Beaucoup Of Blues-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) Goodnight Vienna-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) Ringo-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) Sentimental Journey-Ringo Starr (vinyl reissue) | 
| 10/31/25: | Better Days-Yellowcard Struck Dead EP-Trivium Thick, Rich & Delicious-Guided By Voices Everybody Scream-Florence + The Machine Sparkle & Fade-Everclear (30th Anniversary Remastered Deluxe Edition) No Exit-Blondie (Deluxe Edition) Through The Open Window: Bootleg Series Vol. #18-Bob Dylan Eye To The Telescope-KT Tunstall Lighthouse: Live From London-Duff McKagan (guns n' roses) Stankonia (25th Anniversary)-Outkast Hail To The Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009-Radiohead (vinyl reissue) Who Are You-The Who (7CD/ 1 blu-ray box or 4LP/ 2CD box, also colored vinyl & half-speed master editions available.) Kind Of Blue-Miles Davis (vinyl reissue) The Singles-Adam & The Ants Best Of The Other Sides-Kate Bush (physical release) The Art Of Falling Apart (deluxe reissue)-Soft Cell | 
| 11/7/25: | Small Talk-Whitney SHISH-Portugal. The Man Last Night On Earth-Finger Eleven 1985: The Miracle Year-Husker Du 1000: Live At The Electric Ballroom-Gary Numan Stardust-Danny Brown Sad And Beautiful World-Mavis Staples Brian Wilson: Live At The Roxy Theatre-Brian Wilson (reissue) Unplugged-The Cranberries Greatest Hits Christmas-LeeAnn Rimes Christmas Time Is Here-Herb Alpert Bitchin'-The Donna's (vinyl reissue) Spyboy-Emmylou Harris (reissue) Bold As Love-Jimi Hendrix Experience (boxed set) Live At The S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival-Slash Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle-Willie Nelson Wings (The Definitive Self-titled Collection)-Wings | 
| 11/14/25: | Everyone's A Star-5 Seconds Of Summer Another Miracle-Of Mice & Men All Washed Up-Cheap Trick Some Hearts (20th Anniversary Edition)-Carrie Underwood Flowers-The Devil Wears Prada Coming Home Live-The Scorpions The Definitive Decoration Day-Drive-By Truckers The Best Of Everything But The Girl-Everything But The Girl Psychocandy (40th Anniversary Edition)-The Jesus & Mary Chain Gala (35th Anniversary Edition)-Lush Hecklers Choice: Big Gums & Heavy Lifters-Pavement Pavements (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)-Pavement Black And Blue-The Rolling Stones (2025 expanded reissue) Songs From The Big Chair (40th Anniversary Edition)-Tears For Fears Amorica-The Black Crowes (deluxe edition) The Definitive Decoration Day-Drive-By Truckers All Right: The Worldwide Singles 1980-1988-Christopher Cross Warning-Green Day (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Familiar To Millions-Oasis (reissue) FYC40-Fine Young Cannibals Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness-Smashing Pumpkins (30th Anniversary Edition) Around The World In A Day-Prince (40th Anniversary Edition) | 
| 11/21/25: | One More Time EP-Aerosmith & Yungblud Live (vinyl reissue)-Alison Krauss & Union Station Leo Rising-Danko Jones Best Of Creed-Creed FYC40-Fine Young Cannibals Journeyman: Deluxe Edition-Eric Clapton (CD/LP, includes four new bonus tracks) Live Era: '87-'93-Guns N' Roses (Remastered 4LP box) Live At The Aquarius Theatre: The First Performance-The Doors See You On The Other Side-KoRn (vinyl reissue) | 
| 11/28/25: | PULSE EP-Benson Boone (vinyl release) Rum Sodomy & The Last-The Pogues (Deluxe Edition) Live From The Vic in Chicago-Cage The Elephant (vinyl release) Quarantieme: Live a Paris-Dream Theatre Don't Tease Me With A Good Time-Jessie J Tonights The Night-Neil Young (50th Anniversary Edition) Fly From Here (Return Trip)-Yes (1CD/ 2LP/ blu-ray) [Super Deluxe alternate version of 2011 album] The Live Anthology-From The Vaults, Vol. #1-Tom Petty Copper Blue-The Singles Collection-Sugar Around The World In A Day: The Singles-Prince and the Revolution Rewiring Genesis-A Tribute To The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway-Nick D'Virgilio Bedtime Stories: The Untold Chapter-Madonna Metal Machine Music: Power To Consume, Vol. 1-Lou Reed/ various artists Fleetwood Mac Live 1975-Fleetwood Mac (vinyl release) The Original Freewheelin' Bob Dylan-Bob Dylan Live From Long Island-Billy Joel (vinyl reissue) Sister Sweetly-Big Head Todd & the Monsters (vinyl reissue) Broadcasting The Blues: Live From Germany & Sweden-B.B. King Live At The Bayou-Bad Brains | 
| Black Friday Record Store Day 11/28/25: | Complete list here, just right click on this link: https://recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/12003 | 
| 12/3/25: | Cook-Lettuce | 
| 12/5/25: | Love & Fear-Zac Brown Band There Is Nothing In The Dark Which Isn't There In The Light-Tom Smith (the editors) Stories Of A Stranger (20th Anniversary Edition)-O.A.R. Live From Glastonbury (A BBC Recording)-Olivia Rodrigo Labcabincalifornia-The Pharcyde (30th Anniversary edition) The Last Ship-Sting (expanded edition) The Collection-Ultravox (deluxe edition) The Factory Singles-Happy Mondays | 
| 12/12/25: | The Great Escape (30th Anniversary Edition)-blur The Crown Jewels-Andy Bell (erasure) Wish You Were Here 50-Pink Floyd Wisconsin Death Trip (25th Anniversary Edition)-Static-X Live After Death-Iron Maiden (vinyl reissue) | 
| 1/9/26: | AB-Alter Bridge Selling A Vibe-The Cribs | 
| 1/23/26: | How Did I Get Here?-Louis Tomlinson Megadeth-Megadeth | 
| 1/30/26: | Wormslayer-Kula Shaker The Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel 1965-Miles Davis | 
| 2/6/26: | BRITPOP-Robbie Williams | 
| 2/13/26: | A.R.S.O.N.-Story Of The Year | 
| 2/20/26: | Listen Up!-New Found Glory | 
| 2/27/26: | Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs (20th 
				Anniversary Edition)-Andrew Bird Forever Yours: The Farewell Performance-Chuck Corea The Great Satan-Rob Zombie | 
| 3/6/26: | Whatever's Clever-Charlie Puth | 
| 3/20/26 | The Mountain-Gorillaz | 
		History Of Local 
Releases from Binghamton Area Artists:
| 
														
														
														Date: | 
														
														
														Title-Artist(s): | 
| 
														2014: | 
														Honest Company-Zarni 
														de Wet 
														My Story-Marv 
														Williams 
														Vertigo-Mobday 
														The Age Of Entitlement-Lo-Fi 
														Resistance 
														RevelationNow-RevelationNow 
														Ashley Lux-Ashley 
														Lux (EP) 
														The Art Of Feeling-Jilly 
														May 
														Castrofate-Castrofate 
														Do Bad Things-Peaches 
														And Crime 
														Looking Back: Our American Irish 
														Souls-The 
														Burns Sisters 
														Binghamton Music, Vol. #1-Various 
														Artists | 
| 
														2013: | 
														No More Dream-Chad 
														J. Dean 
														Are We Rollin'-Esquela 
														Obscuriosity-Stephen 
														Lawrenson 
														10 Metaphors For Love-Brenna 
														Swanger 
														Nowhere But Down-Woodshed 
														Prophets 
														Milkweed EP-Milkweed 
														Driftwood-Driftwood 
														Light Up The World-Lila Ignite | 
| 
														2012: | 
														Chalk Lines-Lo-Fi 
														Resistance 
														Zarni (ep)-Zarni 
														de Wet 
														Erratica-Anubis Spire 
														The Hills Of Ithaca-The Burns 
														Sisters 
														Inside (ep)-Red Spring 
														
														(randy mcstine & michael 
														wu side project) 
														Live At Black Bear Winery-Randy 
														McStine
														
														(Vol. #1 of the official 
														Randy McStine bootleg 
														series) | 
| 
														2011: | 
														The Woodshed Prophets-The 
														Woodshed Prophets 
														Go Dutch-The 
														Benjamin Raubinsons 
														Feel The Beat-Gary 
														Wilson 
														Forgotten Lovers-Gary 
														Wilson 
														(vinyl only version of 
														2003 CD) 
														Live At The Belmar-Yolk
														
														
														(live DVD from reunion 
														show) 
														Systematic Suicide-Castrofate | 
| 
														2010: | 
														Intelligent Design-Monkeys 
														Typing 
														A Deeper Breathe-Lo-Fi 
														Resistance 
														Friday Night Lights-Zarni 
														de Wet 
														The Beginning, Pt. II-Mobday 
														Diagonal-Lukus 
														Wells 
														Meridian Voice-Meridian 
														Voice (feat. Randy McStine) 
														Electric Endicott-Gary 
														Wilson | 
| 
														2009: | 
														Somewhere Else-Stephen 
														Lawrenson
														
														
														(formerly of "Beard of 
														Bees") 
														Graveyard Shift (ep)-try.fail.repeat 
														Mirror-Dena 
														The Owl Has Landed-Esquela 
														(not sure of exact 
														release date)? | 
| 
														2008: | 
														Beyond The Gray-Jared 
														Campbell 
														Lisa Wants To Talk To You-Gary 
														Wilson 
														Enough (ep) -Adri 
														Young 
														Lost Discoveries 1998-2008-Anubis 
														Spire | 
| 
														2007: | 
														Got A Good Thing Goin'-The 
														Blue J's | 
| 
														2006: | 
														The Way You Look At Me (ep)-Dena 
														Children Of A Foreign Faith-Anubis 
														Spire | 
| 
														2005: | 
														Hoboin'-Pinecone 
														Fletcher 
														Anderson And I-Jared 
														Campbell 
														(live) 
														Guitarizm-Randy McStine | 
| 
														2004: | 
														Rest Out-Jared 
														Campbell 
														Mary Had Brown Hair-Gary 
														Wilson 
														Back To Abydos-Anubis Spire | 
| 
														2003: | 
														Direction-Audrey's 
														Stone 
														Where It All Begins-Jared 
														Campbell 
														Forgotten Lovers-Gary 
														Wilson 
														Direction-Audrey’s Stone | 
| 
														2002: | 
														You Think You Really Know Me-Gary 
														Wilson
														
														
														(reissue) 
														Second Shot-Randy McStine | 
| 
														2001: | 
														Free Little Bird-Marie 
														Burns 
														Somewhere Near Itaska-Dirt 
														Farm | 
| 
														2000: | 
														
														
														OLD LIONS (in the world 
														of snarling sheep)-Anubis 
														Spire 
														(debut) | 
| 
														1999: | 
														Shredding Skin-Randy McStine 
														(?-not sure of correct 
														year)  | 
| 
														1998: | 
														Baby To Baby-Jimmyjohn 
														McCabe (yolk) | 
| 
														1997: | 
														Just What The Doctor Ordered-Frostbit 
														Blue 
														Individually Twisted-Yolk 
														In This World-The Burns Sisters | 
| 
														1996: | 
														Tradition: Holiday Songs Old And New-The 
														Burns Sisters | 
| 
														1995: | 
														Caution: Social Prescription May Cause 
														Side Effects-Yolk 
														Ice Breaker-Frostbit 
														Blue 
														Close To Home-The Burns Sisters | 
| 
														1993: | 
														Yolk-Yolk 
														Songs From The Heart-The Burns 
														Sisters | 
| 
														1989: | 
														Endangered Species-The 
														Burns Sisters | 
| 
														1986: | 
														The Burns Sisters-The 
														Burns Sisters | 
| 
														1977: | 
														You Think You Really Know Me-Gary 
														Wilson | 
...got an album by a Binghamton area artist to add? Please send your submission to: Info@Radio2Point0.com.
		----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALBUM REVIEW: Nowhere But Down-Woodshed Prophets
---If The Woodshed Prophets self-titled debut was their shot at proving themselves to be a viable recording entity, and not just a cover band, then "Nowhere But Down," sees the band getting more comfortable with the place they've carved out.
----They refer to their style as "Power Twang," so with that in mind this album is a little more twang and a little less power, while their first disc was a little more power. That's not such a bad thing. The songs are still strong, but while they rock a bit less, they are still celebratory. This is closer to a good time party album. It gets a bit mellow at the end, but what party doesn't?
---"Nowhere But Down" opens with the raucous, party anthem "Moonshiners Ball," but from that high, descends into an almost happy, but not quite "let's get drunk to forget our broken hearts" ballad, that would make Jimmy Buffett proud. Also, this song has something that you would think more of the "Prophets" songs would have had...steel guitar.
---"Dancing In The Kitchen" is sentimental, but not sappy, with a hook that radio and DJ's in particular should love. It's an Alabama style ballad, with a little boogie at the end. Too bad it's corporate managers that make the decisions these days. This has a chance to be a legitimate hit.
---"Can’t Take It" gives a bouyant voice to bubbling-under frustration. This mid-to-uptempo melody, driving harmonica and vocal harmonies almost make frustration seem like a good thing, but the desperate vocals betray the songs good time feel, and echo it's true intent.
---"Jesus Saves" gives voice to beer-goggles mentality by putting us in a car with a stoned, cigarette smoking and drunk driver, more worried about being busted by the cops than dying in a car crash on the highway, because he knows he'll go to heaven in the crash. The song doesn't mock this mindset, or attempt to judge it, but it is scary because most people know someone just like this guy.
---Musically "Sandy" brings together The Eagles and Bruce Springsteen-esque riffs that make for an excellent piece of working man's rock. The opening alone melds an "Already Gone" style riff, with the E-Street Bands' signature chugging rhythm section's style, while paying tribute to a barmaid who stays cool.
---"Bottle Of Whiskey" finds the band breaking out the steel guitar again, in a jamming piece of country rock during verses, that morphs into rockin' country during the chorus, it not only works, but it has one of the best sing-along choruses of the whole disc.
---"Ladybug" isn't about a bug at all, but a woman who needs to "fly on home," 'cause her husbands out drinkin', messing around and her kids are alone, sung from the perspective of friend that maybe wants to be something more. It's a bit sad, but lovely, too.
---"My Front Door," is an ode to those who can't stop their mind from racing, featuring Eagles-like harmonies. It's a great hangover recovery song.
---"Two Steps Closer" is a rousing anthem for trailer trash in a bad relationship.
---"Lorraine" is little bit of Texas boogie and blues that sounds like it was written for Z.Z. Top.
---I suppose that a band that plays as many country bars as The Woodshed Prophets, had to record a song like the album's finale, "Land Of The Fourth Of July." It is a smoldering, minimalistic piece...just keyboards, piano and two part harmony. No percussion whatsoever, but doesn't the opening piano part remind you of "Strange Magic," by ELO?
---"Nowhere But Down" shows the "Prophets" a little more mature, a little more comfortable, but still a lot of fun. It's a great ride for country rockers of any age!
---Dr. Dave 10/12/13
		----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALBUM REVIEW: Ten Metaphors For Love-Brenna Swanger:
---At age 15, most teenagers are trying to keep up with their homework, school sports or the latest trends on YouTube. Not Brenna Swanger. At age 15 she's made an album, and surprise, it's a credible album. Now let's put this in perspective...this is an album that features songs from the point-of-view of a teenage girl, by a teenage girl for teenage girls. There are songs about love, losing at love, victimized by love, love fantasies, etc. That being said, this is a well crafted pop album. Swanger didn't overstep her abilities...she kept things simple. Most songs feature her vocals (overdubs for harmony and/ or effect here and there.) either a keyboard or guitar, or both, and electronic drums, but she wrote all the lyrics, contributed on the music and of course sang on everything. Some songs feature some violins and there are a few guest appearances, for example a smokin' guitar solo, by her guitar teacher and Rooster & the Roadhouse Horns guitarist, Paul Knapik on "It's You," and even a somewhat out of place verse of rap over the bridge of "A Million Lies," by Joey C. Mary Falvo also plays lead guitar on "Victim Of Your Love."
Overall, this album reminds me of Tiffany. I know I'm dating myself, but this sounds like an album that Tiffany could have made back in the late '80's. Maybe Brenna should start singing in malls. That Swanger accomplished this at her age and contributed as much as she did is amazing. It speaks to her abilities not just as a singer, but a songwriter, too. Most artists at this level are performing songs by other artists. That she already has ten originals on an album is nothing short of incredible. Let's not sell her strong, clear vocals and decent vocal range short either.
My favs on this album are the ballad, "Lullaby," followed by "Be There," "Invisible Love," anyone of which could be a single, but "Lullaby" in particular, is the most mature and broadly appealing song in this package.
Can't wait to hear how her abilities grow on her next album.
---Dr. Dave 9/28/13.
		----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CD REVIEW: Obscuriosity-Stephen Lawrenson
Lawrensons third album is another collection of smart, jangly alt-pop, that will remind you at times of ELO, or John Lennon's post-Beatles solo work. The opening track, "Your Karma," is especially Jeff Lynne-esque with it's heavy reverb and harmonies. The title track is bouncy and you'll find yourself amazed at how many words actually rhyme with "Obscuriosity." "Edge Of The World" features a more laid back groove that owes a lot to The Beatles, as does "Words To Say," and "Small White House." Lawrenson obviously wears his influences on his sleeve.
"2nd Time Around" sees the production value and the reverb stripped back a bit revealing a sound closer to Toad The Wet Sprocket, than ELO and perhaps a lot closer to the real Stephen Lawrenson. The songs remain irresistibly pop and extremely catchy.
On "Ordinary" the production value is upped a little on what is possibly the second best song on the album.
"Forever And A Day" is a straight forward love song, which features some nice mandolin and/or banjo work. The drumming is minimized with emphasis on picking and lyrics with harmonies for accent. This could be a hit pop song.
The production value comes roaring back on "Thank You," and on the albums conclusion, "Pale Yellow," which reminds me of the way that ELO ended their landmark album, "Out Of The Blue"...with a soft yet bombastic goodbye.
The songs are extremely catchy and excessive listening could lead to whistling, or even singing along. Lawrenson is clearly one guy who can write a hook.
Originally published: 9/21/13
		----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
		Album Review: 
Band: 
		Esquela
Album name: "Are We Rolling?"
Release Date: 6/14/13
Esquela is a band that plays country rock...which always strikes me odd, because with a name like Esquela, it seems like they should be a mariachi band, but forget the name for a moment, forget that it's really just a nickname for the bands founder and get into their sound. This is a country rock band, with a blistering female singer, who sounds like a cross between Dale Krantz Rossington and Linda Ronstadt, and musically the band is tight, with a sound that recalls some of Rolling Stones best country rockers, but the songs on "Are We Rolling?" seem written right out of a conservative right-wing playbook that would make Dick Cheney proud, denouncing welfare on "Free Bird," (which was replaced over a decade ago by President Clinton's workfare program), Union corruption (on "Too Far Left"--as if the left are the only ones capable of abusing power.), and the sin of laziness on "My Friend." There are some songs on the album that strike a more broad appeal, like "Free Beer," which addresses religious intolerance..."Frozen Chosin" heralds Korean War vets..."Phone Home" gives a cheater the heave-ho..."Genesee Fever" references the Loomis Gang in the 1800's and is one of only two songs on the album that don't seem to have a political agenda...and the closing track (the other track that is not political) is the classic "Tossin' And Turnin' " originally made popular in the 60's by Bobby Lewis.
This band was built to be a good time rockin' blues band, and the songs are uptempo and jangly, but the lyrics just appeal to a narrow audience. It'll probably play well in small town conservative bars and pubs, but it may have a hard time finding a wider audience. Too bad, because this band can play and given the right songs, they could break out nationally. Singing about religion and politics usually doesn't help, in fact that's why the best songwriters try to write songs so that they're open to interpretation, so that they'll appeal to listeners across the country and around the world. So, consider this album a lesson in writing lyrics. I'm hoping that on the next album, the lyrics will live up to the band, because this band really can play...they just need songs that live up to the caliber of these fine musicians. They need their own, "Honky Tonk Woman," for example. Not that they need to cover that particular song, they just need a song that will do for them, what that song did for The Stones. They just need songs that reflect the attitude that this band evokes...a good rockin' good drinkin' good time, and when they find those kinds of songs, I hope they'll let me review that album, too. In fact, I'm looking forward to it.
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