Review – Page 45 – The Cosmic Clash

Album Review: The synth vibes of new Dena Hope record In Transit

January 31, 2020 Mike Cosmic Cota 1606 Views album review, Austin, Dena Hope, electronic music, new music, pop music, synth music

The local electronic music scene has expanded rapidly with a raft of female powered acts dotting the landscape. Synth-popster Dena Hope is one of the latest artists to hit the Austin scene. Joining local acts who have already adopted the expanding genre, Hope brings her own artistic vision with likes of Austin acts Primo the Alien, Flora and Fawna, and Dossey. Her latest endeavor the “In Transit” EP set to release on January 31

Album Brian Hillsman Review

Album review: Cosmic Chaos “Eye Can See” release show set for Feb 5

January 14, 2020 Brian Hillsman 2132 Views album, album release, Austin, Cheer Up Charlie's, Cosmic Chaos, new music, psych-rock

Psych rockers Cosmic Chaos have been a prominent fixture on show rosters around Austin recently. Those lucky enough have seen them live understand the intense energy they bring to the stage. The band is steeped in the local music scene, hosting a series of regularly-scheduled showcases themed The Acid Test. In addition to their live music efforts, Cosmic Chaos has been busy recording their first full-length album, Eye Can See which will see its release February 5 at Cheer Up Charlies.

Greg Ackerman Review

Best Austin Albums of 2019

December 18, 2019 Greg Ackerman 1782 Views Albums, Austin, best albums, Black Pumas, Gary Clark Jr, Jackie Venson, Megafauna, Moving Panoramas, Music, records, Sun June, Superfonicos, The Bright Light Social Hour, The Vapor Caves, top albums, Townes Van Zandt, vinyl

Two years ago, over 400 albums were released by Austin artists according to Kevin Curtin at
The Austin Chronicle. Curtin then released a list of Austin’s top 200 records. His point? The musical bar is set so high in Austin that half of that momentous number of releases were deserving of some kind of mention in a year-end list. While we applaud him for the effort in producing a massive list of worthy albums, we’re keeping it simple with a more manageable collection of best Austin albums we loved listening to in the past year.

Review Scott Rollins

Album review: Reina del Cid’s Morse Code record is a lesson in songwriting

December 12, 2019 Greg Ackerman 4762 Views album, Americana, folk music, folk rock, new music, Reina del Cid, Review, singer, songrwriter

Reina Del Cid has released a new album, Morse Code and it is nothing less than an impressive and intellectual exercise of masterful songwriting and musicianship. The record actually dropped back on October 4 with a release show in Minneapolis and I’m finally able to file an album review. Been chomping at the bit to share it with you.

Brian Hillsman Review

Album review: Austin hip hop artist Pat G’s album Whatever It Takes deserves attention

December 10, 2019 Brian Hillsman 1732 Views Austin, Hip Hop, new music, old school, Pat G, rap, Review

The Austin hip-hop scene is loaded with untapped talent. For some reason, the industry machine overlooks the many adept artists who need only to be heard. However, if Austin artist, Pat G’s new (it dropped in April) sophomore album Whatever It Takes is an indicator of what’s to come for the Capitol City, the hip-hop world may soon take serious notice.

Album Brian Hillsman Review

Album review: Bali Yaaah “Make Belief” EP debuted at Electric Church last week

December 3, 2019 Brian Hillsman 2056 Views album, Austin, Bali Yaaah, drone, EP, new music, psych-rock, psychedelic rock, Review

Bali Yaaah puts on quite the performance spectacle. For almost a decade, the band has commanded Austin stages, formulating their own soundtrack fortified with the unique blend of 80’s synth, 90’s grunge and 60’psych-rock, merging various genres of world music throughout.

“Make Belief,” the band’s new EP released by The Sound Barrier Records, is now available on all streaming platforms, including Bandcamp and was debuted at The Electric Church on November 22.

Brian Hillsman Review

Album review: New EP “Tonight” from Austin singer Christine Renner

December 2, 2019 Brian Hillsman 2165 Views album, Austin, Christine Renner, EP release, Music, new album, pop, Review, rock n roll, singer

Austin-based, indie-pop artist Christine Renner teamed up with established music production legend Chris “Frenchie” Smith, delivering an EP that transmits a modern-yet-familiar twist on Austin music. The record dropped Friday, November 22 after an EP release show at Mohawk on November 21.

Album Review Scott Rollins

Album review: Vince Gill’s Okie is a pleasant surprise

November 26, 2019 Scott Rollins 4172 Views album review, country music, Guy Clark, Merle Haggard, Okie, record review, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill

I received a text from my good friend, musical soul mate, and partner in crime, who told me to listen to new Vince Gill record “Okie”. I was about to embark on a ten-hour car ride, so I downloaded it to the old iPhone like I’d just cracked the technology that morning and listened. What I heard truly from the record that dropped back in late August of this year impressed me.

Brian Hillsman Live Review

Live music review: David Byrne’s American Utopia

November 21, 2019 Brian Hillsman 1916 Views American Utopia, Broadway, David Byrne, Hudson Theatre, live music, Review, Talking Heads

Last Saturday (November 16), we were blessed with an opportunity to attend one of the hottest musical performances of this year. If you were lucky enough to see David Byrne at Austin City Limits Festival in 2018, you were got a little taste of what now resonates through the walls of The Hudson Theatre on 44th Street in Manhattan, David Byrne’s Broadway production of American Utopia.

Album Daniel Salas Review

Album review: Amigo the Devil Bridge City Sessions (Live) EP

November 13, 2019 Daniel Salas 2002 Views acoustic music, album, Amigo the Devil, Danny Salas, DB Salas, EP, new music, Review, singer songwriter

Stripped down with just an acoustic, a banjo and an aching soul, Spicewood, Texas singer / songwriter, Amigo the Devil bestows the haunting and earnest songs for his latest EP Bridge City Sessions (Live). The record dropped last week. With a re-imagined take on the classic sounds of folk and country, Amigo the Devil pulls emotions in different directions.

Mike Cosmic Review

New music review: Cowboy Diplomacy drops Bad Man

November 8, 2019 Mike Cosmic Cota 1414 Views Austin, Cowboy Diplomacy, Ian Cochran, indie rock, Mike Cosmic, new music, new record, new release, pop, Review, Single, Sound Dessert

Austin’s Cowboy Diplomacy dropped their second track, “Bad Man” October 25. The song is from the group’s upcoming debut album, Burn Down The Road which was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Chris “Frenchie” Smith.

“Bad Man” explores the self-indulgence of one’s dark side, focusing too much on imperfections while searching for salvation is a recipe for hurt and turmoil. According to lead vocalist, Ian Cochran, “Bad Man” is a sort of self-manifested alter-ego of sorts.