Kelly Sweet - Ashes Of My Paradise

Let me preface this with a little information about Kelly Sweet. I discovered her a few years back when she was singing some sweet soft vocal/pop songs and I was entranced by her voice, but times change and a artist has to change and grow as well. I remember a couple of years ago when Kelly first teased her new songs (I remember a in-studio clip where I heard "Sirens" and I was hooked) but time kept passing and still no release date...I could tell that Kelly was as frustrated as her fans about her record label (Razor & Tie) not releasing the album.

Now I'm not claiming to know the details about what occurred between Kelly and R&T but I do know that she left her label, and her album, "Ashes Of My Paradise" is about to be released in Japan on Victor Entertainment's label, unfortunately there is no current word about a North American release, but I dearly hope it happens. This album is special, It's hard for me to put into words the heart, soul and emotion that has been put into this album. Razor & Tie has made a serious error, "Ashes Of My Paradise" is a perfect album for the current market, it's got impeccable songwriting, great beats and heartfelt (and heartbreaking) vocals.

It's a little bit LIGHTS, a little bit Ellie Goulding, but mostly Kelly Sweet, and that's what makes it perfect.

My picks for standout tracks are the first single "My Amazing Grace" which is just simply one of the most gorgeous love songs I've ever heard, "Walking On Mars" is a perfect track for those of us who march to a different drummer and look to the stars, the aforementioned "Sirens" and "You And I", which if it doesn't tug at your heart when you hear it, you don't have one.

Right now the only way for us in North America to get the album (Japan release date, Aug 22) is by importing it (I'll post a link at the bottom) or purchasing a iTunes Japan gift card (for example, from this website.) Now I hope that success in Japan will mean a NA release, but it's certainly up in the air right now.

If you'd like to listen to some samples of the album you can do so on her Japanese label website or on iTunes Japan . You can import "Ashes Of My Paradise" here and please be sure to follow Kelly on Twitter and Facebook and listen to "My Amazing Grace" on her BandPage!

of Verona - The White Apple

I'm going to cut right to the chase, of Verona's debut full-length "The White Apple" is nothing short of a masterpiece, I say that without a shred of hyperbole. This album grabs you with the first track and takes you on a magical aural trip with singer Mandi Perkins' amazing voice as your tour guide.

As is my habit, I'm not going to do the expected track-by-track review, in this album's case it wouldn't do it justice anyway, it needs to be experienced as a whole, while the individual tracks do stand on their own, as a entire work, it's a joy.

of Verona isn't a household name...yet. With this album, I think that's a temporary state of affairs. If they don't make it huge, then I will have lost my faith in the music buying public. I know this is coming off as a bit of a hard sell, but really, they're that good. I can honestly say this is the best album I've heard this year.

The band is currently planning a tour, so if they hit your town, be sure to go. If their live show lives up to the album, then it's going to be an experience not to be missed.

Keep up with the band on their official site, Twitter, Facebook and be sure to buy "The White Apple" on Amazon or iTunes!

Aimee Francis

I haven't talked about Australian singer Aimee Francis since I was running this on my old Tumblr page, and she's way overdue to be covered here. Aimee epitomizes all the reasons I started this blog in the first place. She's a totally, fiercely independent female singer/songwriter, with undeniable talent and charisma, and one of the sexiest rock voices you could ask for.

Like most indie artists, she's still struggling to get her name and her music out there, even giving away batches of her CDs to people who had promised to give them out to friends/family/strangers. (I was one of the lucky souls who got a batch, and managed to give away all the originals + a few copies). I know for a fact that at least two people got back to me and said they loved her :)

So, her music...rock, with all the raw emotion that implies. I'm not going to get into a review of her album "Somethin' Like That". I'll let you decide what you think. For my own part, I adore it, there is something very pure about it, no overdone studio tricks, just a gorgeous voice, great lyrics and a fighting spirit. Hard to ask for anything more.

If you'd like to check out her music, head over to her official site also her music is up on Bandcamp and be sure to "Like" her Facebook page and if you really like her tunes, please go buy her music or at the very least, tell someone about her!!

Ally Burnett - So Close. So Far

Hey look!! He's back with a new post!! Wait, you're talking about Ally Burnett again??

Yes I am, so get over it! :P

Seriously though, Ally Burnett epitomizes what this blog is all about. She's about as independent as you can get. This isn't a hobby, sideline or part-time job for her, this is her life, and I'll support her as much as possible.
So, as you might or might not know, she recently released her latest EP "So Close. So Far"  and again I have to wonder why she hasn't gotten more attention. This EP has all the elements for a great summer album, from the unashamed love song "Wherever You Are" to the more complicated sides of romance in "Love/War" and "Give It Up" and the joy and hopefulness of "Anything" and the gorgeous, inspiring anti-bullying song "We're All The Same".

Please give this album a fair listen, Ally knows how to pull the heartstrings, and writes some very relateable lyrics, I think everyone has felt what she's put down in these songs.

"We make, we make the world go round
  We make the most beautiful sound
  We make the world a better place"

From "Anything" and yes you do Ally. Please keep doing it.

You can get "So Close. So Far" on iTunes and Amazon right now and be sure to follow Ally on Twitter and Facebook. She's always got something interesting to say...or at least pics of some amazing baked goods ;) 

Electric Valentine - Free music!

Electric Valentine is an amazing LA-based electropop band, and they've generously decided to give away their album "The Fuse" (which is damn good!). They're not asking for anything, not even your email, but if you like what you hear please follow them on their Facebook and Twitter to keep up with their latest projects, and spread the word - and the download link, which is right.....here!

New Ally Burnett single "Wherever You Are" + EP release date/samples

"Wherever You Are" (listen on Purevolume) is the sparkling first single from Ally Burnett's upcoming EP "So Close So Far" - It's a refreshing, unashamed, upbeat love song, and it's a *perfect* song for spring/summer. Go listen for yourself, and also check out Ally's teaser video for "So Close So Far" not only do we get to hear the release date for the EP (May 1st...YAY!!) but snippets from all the tracks.

From what I can hear, this is shaping up to be the best EP Ally has ever made. If you like what you hear, please spread the word. Without a big promotional budget, word of mouth is essential for indie artists like Ally, so listen, enjoy, tell your friends, and be sure to buy the EP!

Debra Arlyn - Heartbeat

I've been following Portland, Oregon based artist, Debra Arlyn's music career ever since her 2005 release "Thinking Out Loud" and, to be honest, her music always has a place on my iPod. Debra has such an amazing, moving, emotional voice, and her new release 'Heartbeat" carries on the tradition.

"Heartbeat" is another Kickstarter success story, which just makes this album all the more special, it exists because the fans wanted it to (disclaimer: I'm a proud donator).

I'm not good on track-by-track reviews, but more about the general "feel" of an album, and "Heartbeat" is such a sweet (without being cloying) uplifting album, that I defy you to maintain a bad mood after listening to it. You know, just from listening, that Debra poured her heart and soul in to it.
I will say, for me, the stand out tracks are the adorable first single "La La La" and....ok, I'm wrong, I can't single out any tracks, they're *all* that good! Debra's voice soars and just takes you along for the ride.

The official release date of "Heartbeat" is April 21st, so be sure to check it out, and if you're a Portland local be sure to go see her album release show at Jimmy Mak's (which reminds me, I need to make a reservation!)

If you love beautiful vocals, and heartfelt lyrics, I encourage you to buy "Heartbeat" and if you feel like picking up any of Debra's older releases, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Follow Debra Arlyn at DebraArlyn.com Facebook Twitter and buy her albums on iTunes and CDBaby