• Volume XIV

  • VOLUME XIV BY VARIOUS ARTISTS - OPEN GENRE

  • 1. Human Revival - Mark Baxter 3:29
    2. Animals - Zombie Garden Club 4:48
    3. Bad Girl - Annemarie Picerno 4:05
    4. Invincible - Lisa Coppola & Ray Powers 3:08
    5. Those Eyes - Kathryn Shipley 4:16
    6. Tears ( A Cappella) ft. Armand Hutton - Bruce Lev 3:05
    7. God Help Me - One Supernova 5:03
    8. No King Of Mine - Anthems For Autumn 3:13
    9. Pumped Up Kicks - SQUISH 3:07
    10. Make Music Not Money - Above The Sun 2:58
    11. Crush - Ricky Persaud Jr. 3:07
    12. Paradise - 1 Of Us 3:13
    13. This Time - Studeo 3:38
    14. Needle In The Mirror - the oOhz 3:12

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  • ALBUM REVIEWS AND PRESS

  • Volume XIV – Various Artists – Album Review

    Hej America!

    My friends at Bongo Boy contacted me today and asked me to give a listen to and share my thoughts about their most recent compilation album entitled Volume XIV which is scheduled for release on December 1, 2017. The first thing I have to say is that I really like the cover art; the quasi art Deco post-apocalyptic vide really grabs my attention. It looks like some monster high-heeled show, along with a pair of ruby red lips are ready to devour a 1950s era American Graffiti soda fountain. (Of course, I could be wrong the older I get the more I miss the full-sized album cover art of the old vinyl days. Yes, kids once upon a time you had to leave your house and go to a physical store to purchase music and that music came on huge vinyl discs.)

    1. Human Revival - Mark Baxter 3:29 – In the poll position on this album we have a track by Mark Baxter. I really like this song. Right from the start the band gets my attention. I swear I hear a prog/country vibe here. The funny thing is I really dislike a lot of prog music, but there is something about the bass that reminds me of Skunk Baxter. In all honestly, this track has more in common with the Black Crows than Steely Dan. The organ adds some old-school R&B while that bass carries the groove. Lest I forget Mark has a great voice for this kind of music and the background singers really warm my old Motor City heart.

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  • 11. Crush - Ricky Persaud Jr. 3:07 – Ricky is back and I, for one, am glad he is. Honestly, I have not heard anything by this young cat that I did not really like. This time around Rick tells us about a young man’s encounter with true love. (I vaguely remember that feeling.) All in all, excellent reggae jam!

    12.  - 1 Of Us 3:13 – This is an interesting song. I like the strings and almost choir sound of the music. I could see this song being played in a new age church. It is beautiful and haunting. I can’t say it is really rock and roll, but whatever genre it is, it does sound good and keeps my attention. Anyone who has read any of my reviews knows that I have an extremely short attention span, so well done guys.

    13. This Time - Studeo 3:38 – This is kind of a modern country song that uses orchestral strings in the background and some nice keys off to the side. The keys do step up for a couple of bars before my attention is pulled away by the drummer doing some nice snare work. Over everything, though is her voice which is beautiful and totally dominates the song. It is safe to say that without these vocals the song would be no where nearly as compelling.

    14. Needle in The Mirror - the oOhz - What an ominous title! His voice is just as ominous. The minimalist guitar only adds to the effect. Then the song takes what I think of as a Rocky Horror Picture Show turn. That is suddenly the band goes into a section that grooves and the listener discovers that the phrase Don’t Put the Needle in the Mirror is an earworm that will get into your head and stay there...for a long time. (Thanks for putting this track last Bongo Boy!)

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  • Mark Baxter taps into an eternal optimism on the gorgeous “Human Revival”. With an interesting nod to classic rock, the sound feels positively timeless. Vocals rest front and center, touching upon a joyous communal spirit.

    Expansive in scope, Zombie Garden Club’s “Animals” exists in a fantastic haze. Guitars soar off into the sky. Akin to exploring an otherworldly presence, the track possesses a keen psychedelic sheen.

    Annemarie Picerno goes for defiance on the electro-pop perfection of “Bad Girl”. Melodically rich, the piece builds up in a symphonic way. From the soothing synthesizers to the soulful vocals, everything simply works.

    Incredible muscle comes to define the rollicking rhythms of Lisa Coppola & Ray Powers’ “Invincible”. Featuring a great ear for storytelling everything rushes through with a sunny disposition, one that taps into an eternal optimism. Melodies shimmer and shine throughout the song.

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  • Bluesy to its very core Kathryn Shipley’s “Those Eyes” strips things to the absolute essentials. Her vocals have an incredible emotional impact as the story gradually unfurls. From the piano to the guitar riffs, the song is quite insistent upon rushing forward.

    Representing the best of a cappella is Bruce Lev’s “Tears” ft. Armand Hutton. Quite beautiful the song comes into bloom with such color. Warm and inviting the sound is full of love.

    “God Help Me” shows One Supernova tapping into early 90s indie rock vibes. From the stylish laid-back grooves to the dreamy vocals, it all works. Melodically rich One Supernova opts for a dreamy realm.

    Hyperactive to its very core, Anthems For Autumn’s “No King Of Mine” blasts forward. Nicely balancing hard rock’s raw passion with an industrial pop, the track demands attention. Volume deserves to be blasted for the sound is a rush.

    Minimalism defines the charming twee of SQUISH’s “Pumped Up Kicks”. By keeping things to the essentials SQUISH gives the song a true approachability. Attention to detail is remarkable for the piece allows pop and experimental to work in unison.

    Above The Sun crafts a shaggy dog story with “Make Music Not Money”. Highly creature Above The Sun plays with tempo and texture with incredible skill. With references to punk rock’s unruly spirit the song simply stuns.

    Ricky Persaud Jr. chooses a party spirit on “Crush”. A taut groove comes to let the track move forward with a clear-eyed presence. From the playful percussion to the easy-going riffs, the whole thing possesses such charm.

    Symphonic in scope 1 Of Us touch upon the Verve’s Britpop extravagance on “Paradise”. Beats hit hard while the piece revolves around a hypnotic rhythm. Layer upon layer of sound delves into a meditative message.

    A western country twang defines the journey of Studeo’s “This Time”. By far the true highlight comes from the spirited vocals. Quite sprawling the song feels fully lived in, with every note picked with care.

    The oOhz takes on a reverent style with their experimental folk musings of “Needle In A Mirror”. Playing with listener expectations, their clever wordplay allows the track to twist and turn with such great ease. Melodies feel warped as the oOhz go for a mood of wonder.

    By Rob Xavier for Skope Magazine

    Published