Author Archives: Ricky Stephens

About Ricky Stephens

Ricky Stephens is an independent musician and music reviewer from Tampa Florida.

[New] Beat Culture- Belong (ft. Steffaloo) + free download

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 15, 2012

Beat Culture’s latest track was released on the Dreams compilation for Lyfstyl Music Blog. “Belong” is a song with a winning 1-2 punch; employing the same crisp and intricate beat system we’ve come to love from Beat Culture while combining it with Steffaloo‘s dynamite vocal ability and catchy hooks.

The track starts off feeling really organic and textured from the rain effects and subtle guitar parts, that carry on the watery theme Sunik Kim established with Beat Culture’s last album Tokyo Dreamer.

Beat Culture- Belong (ft. Steffaloo)

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Tokyo Dreamer is available for free download HERE

Lifstyl’s Dreams compilation is available for free download HERE

Electronic

[Album Review] Band Of Skulls- Sweet Sour

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 14, 2012

On their latest release, Sweet And Sour, Band Of Skulls has found a precarious balance between their already established sound and a mature new direction. While the CD is full of heavy juggernauts, the band accents these harsh points with a new softer side that mixes both psychedelic and alternative grooves.

The new twist on Band of Skulls beloved sound provides an intricate framework for the CD to work around, moving in waves under the band’s beautiful male and female vocal harmonies while they alternate through musical dynamics.

Part of the reason for this change is that the band, being a three piece, is finding new ways to work together. They’ve mastered the art of heavy music with raw energy and lyrical complexity, as shown through the song “sweet sour” itself. This kind of track is prevalent on the album and will no doubt make Band Of Skulls followers feel at home. Stylistic changes come by way of softer songs like “Hometowns” which shows the band diving head first into the swells of deep pulsing bass drums and sultry bass lines.

Overall I think that Sweet Sour will satisfy the sweet tooth of novice listeners and Band of Skulls fanboys alike.

Alternative/Rock

[New] Bonobo – The Keeper (Banks Remix)

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 14, 2012

Bonobo‘s “The Keeper” was already a hit song before Banks got ahold of it, so there wasn’t a lot of tweaking that needed to be done. That being the case, Banks was able to have a little bit of fun with the track, which will be part of Bonobo’s rerelease of 2010’s Black Sands. The result is a work of art that is atmospheric and progressive, moving like a plane taking off. It starts off slow, like when you’re stowing your bags, but once everything gets sorted the right way it moves with precision and is a steady ride all the way through. The only thing missing is a flight attendant coming around to bring you free soda and peanuts.

Bonobo – The Keeper (Banks Remix)

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Follow Bonobo for updates HERE.

via HillyDilly

[New] The Ting Tings- Soul Killing

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 14, 2012

Manchester’s The Ting Tings have left the world in a four year waiting period for a followup to their smash hit We Started Nothing. Their sophomore album Songs From Nowheresville is finally making headlines as its release draws nearer… And I can’t help but wonder what the band has in store. What could the band have been up to during those recording sessions in Spain that took four years to accomplish?

The record’s second single, called “Soul Killing”, might be just the answer we’re looking for. The track takes the bands signature brand of indie pop and combines it with reggae and dub influences- resulting in a new sound that made my ears perk up and got me pretty excited about the new record.

Songs From Nowheresville is set for a March 13th release (US)

Alternative/Rock

[Folk] Nicole Miglis- Lark

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 11, 2012

Likened to artists like Norah Jones and Lisa Hannigan, Florida’s own Nicole Miglis offers a smooth jazz-folk blend of her own. As a performance artist she has taken the stage world wide and made big headway toward securing her place at the table of piano greats.

With her song “Lark”, from her solo EP, Nicole relies on the steadiness of her home instrument to build a foundation and let her vocals shine. Lyrically she spends much of her time comparing her life to the daily flight patterns of a bird; an idea that is delivered through quiet breathy melodies sounding as intimate as they do sincere. The lyrical themes are forwarded in imagery by orchestral string parts and when the instruments work together it creates an atmosphere the feels like you really might be flying.

Adjectives aside, “Lark” is just a really pretty song.

Folk

[Album Review] The White Album – The Album

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 10, 2012

Danish indie folk band The White Album make it difficult to do two things. One is to stop humming their catchy melodies, and the other is to google them. Seriously, you’ll wade through ten feet of Beatles references before you find them… But, like sifting for gold, it’s worth it when you find the treasure you’re looking for.

The Album has been getting the band a lot of attention, championing them over twenty thousand plays on their bandcamp in only seven months and earning them play on the UK’s Amazing Radio. In fact, they’ve stirred up such a buzz that The Album was listed as one of NPR’s 5 best albums of 2011.

The Album itself plays to the strengths of the three members of the band and never veers too far off of the beaten path in either direction, balancing a tight rope of what works for them and managing nineteen minutes of nonstop quality.

When the music does shift in style it’s because the lineup has changed roles and a different member is trying his hand at lead vocals. While “Guns and Ammunition” has taken the lead in the race for becoming a single, songs like “December” or “The Line” do just as well to showcase the ability of the band. Count on light percussion, banjo, acoustics, and lots of awesome harmonies to keep you coming back for more.

Folk

[Indie] Alice Jemima – Far From Here

Posted by Ricky Stephens - February 9, 2012

Newton abbot’s Alice Jemima has been making a name for herself lately with her new single “Far From Here”. The track is a testament to one big thing that is prevalent in the music industry today; the love of the music itself. Countless blogs are popping up, bands are more willing to give free downloads, and everyone wants to spread the word about good quality music. Hence Alice Jemima’s sudden popularity.

With “Far From Here”, Alice combines a sincere delivery with unique vocal lines, memorable hooks, and intimate guitar parts to offer the masses a look into her plans of escape- and an offer to take us with her. The success of the song shows that the world is once more able to embrace quality song writing (rather than caring too much about recording quality), as it was composed through Garage Band in true indie fashion. The vocal lines are repetitive and catchy, the melody will keep you tapping your toes, and the “oh” parts will be stuck in your head for days.

Folk