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 There’s some Kinks stylings in Blue Skies’ songs and it’s mixed in with old Zombies, more poppy Replacements influences and a certain something else. Jaunty, angly and at times slightly bluesy, Blue Skies For Black Hearts ultimately has its power pop melodies at the heart of its music. |
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 Portland’s The Dimes liken themselves to “a piece of peppermint candy you found in the pocket of an old sweater that’s been hiding in the back of your closet…initially you hesitate, but then you take a bite and suddenly your mouth is exploding with a cool, fresh, minty flavor that makes you feel like you just brushed your teeth.” |
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 Nice Jeff Buckley-like vocals and lots of great guitar-focused rock/pop. “Dirty Angels” bears the most rocking in the collection and “Think Happy” and “You” focuses on upbeat flowing melody and jangle. There’s a depth for this straightforward guitar pop that brings great mood and feel from the start. |
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 Maui based artist Micah emits such a warm, laid back relaxed feel, bringing to mind a perhaps shyer Ben Harper. Vocal purity and sincerity shines with a laid back groove and sweetness. |
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 The Zydepunk's name speaks for itself, bringing a sly edginess to traditional Cajun waltzes and energetic party music. Spot on musicianship and real flavor that stops just short at being over the top. The band brings the coolness factor to music that’s great to begin with. |
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 Aussie Dave Calandra’s finger-style open tuned guitar playing and warm vocal ease creates flowing, beautiful landscapes in the style of Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley, as well as Bruce Cockburn. There’s sentimentality in his writing, without being at all sickly sweet, just lovely in pure melodies that set mood through elegant acoustic guitar and melodic flow. |
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