Let Me Introduce: Manic Bloom

Straight outta Nashville, Tennessee, Manic Bloom is a progressive rock band with a stupidly low number of likes on Facebook (2,876). I love Manic Bloom ever since I heard their tracks in the Dude Perfect basketball shot montages and they are just awesome. I could literally listen to this band all day and if I had the time, I would. Everything off of their EP, "Manic Bloom EP" is just gold to me. They also have a semi-newish album out called "In Loving Memory." Go check them out, but I've said enough, let their music speak for them.

First song off the first EP and I just love it. Worth listening and I dunno why, but I love the piano in it. I normally am not a big fan of piano in rock (besides Queen and a few others), but they make it work and it is just rocking.

"Running From The Scene" was the song that made me fall in love with these guys.

This song is beautiful and it just shows all talented these guys are to go from hard rock to soft rock. And for the final song...

The final song off of "Manic Bloom EP" and it is a great way to end the EP. Sadly "Manic Bloom EP" is only 5 tracks long, but it is worth listening to as well as "In Loving Memory." Fingers crossed that they come to Dallas, big fan of them. Also, check out their blog Manic Bloom Website and check the dudes out, buy the EPs, get a shirt. Support the hell out of these guys, these guys deserve it for how talented they are. Hope you dudes and gals like this, until next time. Peace.

Let Me Introduce: Madeira

Hailing from across the United States, but stationed in Florida, Madeira is a small un-signed rock band that deserves to be more widely known. Because they seem to only be touring locally, and I live in New York, I had to find them out on Purevolume's Top Unsigned Bands, months ago. They should've place #1. 

Since hearing them, even though they only have a hand-full of songs and not a lot of press, they quickly became one of my favorite bands, and a staple on my "25 most played" on my Ipod. Not an easy task...if you're not Jonny Craig.

Anyway, their lyrics are usually above average and express what I love about this band. "I've been waiting for so long for someone to sing a new song. We're trying to silence the sound of repition instead of borrowing the noises made by false ambition." And they succeed. Though, one of the singers sounds like Brendon Urie (Panic! At The Disco), their sound is all their own.

Basically, they have great instrumentals matched with great vocals. I can't wait to hear more, especially in a full CD format.

They have a great future ahead of them if they keep being as good as they currently are. I'm not entirely sure why they haven't been signed; I would've signed them in a heartbeat.

And they've seemed to have gone through some line-up changes, but I'm not entirely sure. So, don't quote me.

Alright, so they don't have many videos on youtube, but its ok because one of their bests is on there:

Stay with Me

EDIT- I just found another video:

Good Evening, London

So, there may be more videos and what nots on youtube, and I'm just oblivious.

If you're interested in hearing more, 5/6 of their songs are available for free: Madeira on PureVolume. The 6th song ("Enemies") is available for dowload via iTunes. And like them on facebook: Madeira on Facebook.They could use as much support as they can get at this point.

"Good Evening, London" is probably my favorite track, but they are all solid. You won't be disappointed.

p.s. They are generally hard to find in a search unless you know that you are looking for them.

Keep an eye out for them in the future.

Music Review: "EP" by Childish Gambino

I know what you're thinking, Childish Gambino again? Really Hunter? Well, yes really. This 5 track album from Gambino is all kinds of sexy. If you read my "Let Me Introduce: Childish Gambino" you'll understand that I really enjoy Childish Gambino. Here is the link to the post in question: Here!  This album was released on March 8th, 2011 and has a total length of 20:13, pretty short. Short and sweet. With all this and that being said, let's get this review started.

Track One - "Be Alone"
The track starts with Gambino singing "I don't wanna be alone" with some heavy drums behind him. The song then gets real quiet and Gambino lets it all out. Gambino's flow throughout the first verse is smooth and is just great over all. CG continues to rock the mic and by the time the 3rd hook kicks in, it gets heavier, but slows once again. The song was good, but not the best on the album in my opinion.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Track Two - "Freaks and Geeks"
This one is known to be a standout on the album and you can tell why. Gambino spits out his raps with a sick beat and violin combo in the background. This song contains no hooks or bridges, so no catchy part, but that's what makes this song great. Not a whole lot to be said about this song as it just rocks and the lyrics are worth looking up. Also, this song title is a reference to the 90s show, "Freaks and Geeks." Now you know.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Track Three - "My Shine"
People say "Freaks and Geeks" and "Lights Turned On" are the best tracks on here, but "My Shine" is just awesome. The beat is hard and the hook is really catchy. Once again, the lyrics are worth checking out on the track because they are just great. The first verse is really solid with the great beat behind it, but the second verse isn't as good, it doesn't seem to flow with the rest of the track.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Track Four - "Lights Turned On"
The song starts slow and lets Gambino express himself, but the song picks up the speed with Gambino's flow. The hook is pretty damn catchy as well and the second verse keeps the fast pace with a sick synth in the background. The second hook changes, but is still very catchy. Very club dancey song and the outro is where  it is all very rave type and you light stick out of the song.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Track Five - "Not Going Back"
Starting off with some soft, nice piano and Gambino letting it all out. This song, sadly, isn't up to par with the rest of the album, and isn't really memorable, except to hardcore Gambino fans. The lyrics however, are very good and just crazy, because Gambino is crazy. The outro features a lovely vocal track by Beldina Malaika and Gambino soon comes in with the back-up vocals. Nice outro.
Rating: 3 out of 5

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
This album is pretty much near perfect, each song is really solid and enjoyable. Gambino is truly a lyrical genius and he puts effort into songs and it shows. You have to give it credit to Donald for all of his hard work. Stand-up comedian, television star, rapper, and he runs his own site where he promotes his stuff and other rappers/artists/comedians. Needless to say, the life of Donald is hard. Anyways, if you want to download the EP, you can find it: Here! If you do download it, enjoy, and if you don't, well. Okay. Uh...awkward. Okay review time over, catch ya next time.

Let Me Introduce: Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino is rapper straight out of Comp-Edwards Air Force Base, California. You may also know Gambino as Donald Glover who plays Troy Barnes on Community. Yeah, he raps. Much like Driftless Pony Club, Gambino came to Dallas and I missed him, but that was before I knew who he was. I only recently got into his music and I must say, I'm not disappointed with it at all. Donald, not related to Danny Glover, is just a mastermind. He makes sick beats and lays down killer verses, then on Community he is just plain funny. Hell, he even wrote for 30 Rock for about 2 years and he is only 27, there is a future for Childish Gambino and it is a bright one. Now, I'm going to share with you, some of my personal favorite songs from Gambino, these will be the ones that got me hooked into it, and may get you hooked into it. Also, this "Let Me Introduce" will most likely become a series of me showcasing Indie talent, while Gambino may be known to quite a lot, I don't think he gets as much credit as he should. I should mention that all of these Childish Gambino tracks are NSFW, mainly because he curses like a sailor.

So let's start off with the first track that I just replayed over and over again.

I have no idea what "My hoodie on glow," means, but it is awesome. This next one is another great one that I recently got addicted to, check it out...

And here is a sample of another upcoming star...

And finally..

Here is a little bonus, I'll usually just do four, but I really like Gambino.

Hope you guys enjoy these sick beats and check out all of the "Let Me Introduce" series that is soon to come. Peace.

Music Review: "Buckminster" by Driftless Pony Club

Driftless Pony Club is easily one of my favorite bands of all time. They recently did a East Coast tour and came to Texas, sadly I was unable to attend them. I could have seen both shows, but I wasn't able to. Which made me incredibly sad, so I did the next best thing. I wore my DPC shirt and listened to "Buckminster" for about two weeks. I listened to the album for two weeks, not wore the shirt for two weeks. Anyways, onto the review.

Track One - "When We Live in Circles and Eat on Merry-Go-Rounds"

Catchy song overall, even now the chorus of the song runs wild in my mind. Takes forever to get it out of your head. Good opener for the album, I was really expecting something a little more rocky for the opening and I would be lying to say I wasn't a little disappointed. Personal preference aside, this is a good, solid opener.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Track Two - "House of 1982 Built Like a Ship"

Another great beat from DPC and the chorus is just amazing. The drummer, Nathan, really shines in this song and Craig's vocals just make this song for me. Once you hear the beat, it is just near impossible to get it out of your head. If I had to chose, this would be my favorite song of the album. Really upbeat and really rocking.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Track Three -  "He Plans Houses Like Trees"

Great chorus once again. This song is near flawless, but the only thing that takes away from the song, and I hate to admit it, is Craig's vocals just don't seem to meet up with the rest of the song, his voice is almost drowned out in the middle of the song. The beat was still rocking and it is just a great song vocals aside.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Track Four - "Inspectors of Inspectors"

This song is just awesome. Craig's vocals really make this song what it is. Every band member seemed to be on their A-game with this song. The opening guitar rift is just solid and the drums throughout the song are just amazing. Not to mention the synth is great as well. Big props to Craig on this song.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Track Five - "We're Cheap Already"

The guitar opening on this song is once again great. Although it does seem to get toned down right after it, but that doesn't matter because when the drums kick in, you would completely forget. Another great piece by Nate. It is easy to pick up on the indie influences in these songs and they just flow perfectly with the entire album. Anyways, the chorus on this song and breakdown near the end are really sweet. Although, this song just feels somewhat out of place to me and doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the album.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Track Six - "A Letter to Michael"

A weird song, but really, all of the songs on this album are weird. I don't really like this song as much as I want to, it is a good song overall, but the vocals are just kinda meh. It's not even that long of a song of course, but still. It seems more like filler than anything else.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Track Seven - "El Cid III"

A nice relief from the last two songs, one with a really solid guitar rift, and sweet drums in the background. Catchy chorus and infectious beat throughout the entire song. Another highlight of the album by far. The vocals one this one aren't at the level I've grown to love, but they aren't bad in any way, shape, or form. The little breakdown after the halfway mark is just really good, then it kicks right back into the chorus. Good stuff.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Track Eight - "Dymaxion Chronofile"

Awesome guitar at the start? Check. An awesome beat? Check. Craig kicking ass on the vocals? Check. Sam, Matt, and Nate kicking ass altogether? Check. I just can't seem to stop talking about the choruses, but I have to, they are so catchy I can't get them out of my head. This song is easily the hardcore rocker of the album and it keeps the same tone throughout the song. Sam's bass really allows me to enjoy this song to the fullest. I'd say this is my second favorite track.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Track Nine - "American Princes"

A nice, slow opening with some sweet bass from Sam, then following into a great delivery of guitar by Matt. The early vocals remind me very much of Kurt Cobain and it seems to be following into that tone, then out of nowhere the tempo picks up, and the cymbals start crashing. Craig's vocals on this song are a mix for me, I love them in parts of it, and I hate them in other parts. The guitar in the middle gets boring, but picks up afterwards. Nice breakdown about 3/4th of the way in to the end.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Track Ten - "Safe as Houses"

A solid closer that just makes me feel warm inside. Really upbeat and somewhat poppy, Craig's vocals in this short song make the song of course. The acoustic guitar gives it that really warm sound that would remind someone of a better time. I can't really say too much more about the song as it just seems to really focus on Craig's voice and the acoustic guitar I assume is played by Matt. The drums aren't up to standard, but they are still great.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5

This rating may seem a little bias and in some parts it is, but I just truly love Driftless Pony Club and this album is overall just great. Mostly all the songs off the album were hits with me, just two misses. Great stuff and I applaud each and every band mate for this wonderful album. I look forward to whatever else you guys release, I'll be there to pre-order it as soon as possible. Keep up the great work guys. And overall, sorry if this review is a little rough around the edges, it is my first in a super long time.