Musicgoat.com » Music CD Review

From Reviewer To Reviewed! Hear The Debut Album From Me, Corey Koehler

Corey Koehler — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:17:12 +0000

After years of reviewing and sharing other peoples music with you, I finally decided it was time to throw my hat in the ring by writing and recording some music of my own. Better yet, I am giving you the chance to listen to it and review it.

The name of my debut CD is “Never Too Late”. You can check out every song by stopping by the music page on my site PlanetCorey.com.

Better yet, can get 3 of my downloads, each with a personal introduction, for free by visiting my fanlist signup page now.

If you want to review it, all I ask is that you are completely honest. You can either put your thoughts in the comments below, on my artist site, your blog OR if you have a site or social media profile (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc), you could share and post it there.

Anyway, go grab your tunes now. I’m excited to hear what you think.

Music Review: Metal ala Deflagration and Acoustic Rock ala Rob Anthony

Corey Koehler — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:20:59 +0000

Well I have a few gems for you this week. I have a new metal band that I have been listening to for the past month (and should’ve told you about long before today). And an artist who was on a previous podast that has released a masterpiece of intimate and inspiring acoustic rock. Here ya go.

Deflagration “A Call To Arms” (Metal)

This stuff is damn heavy and breaks some new ground ta boot (I can’t quite pinpoint it but you’ll see what I mean). I’ve been listening before and during my workouts for over a month now and this stuff gets me really – and I mean REALLY – jacked up (which reminds me, try not to listen around your buddies that drink whiskey, unless you are looking to break up a fight).

Anyway, they kind of remind me of the band Pro-Pain (I think its the singing). Oh and don’t just take my word for it. I’ve shared their stuff with some of my live and bleed metal buddies and here are their comments;

Mark on Facebook – “Dude! I checked out Deflagration and it was awesome! Thanks!”

Bob on Facebook – “I like them. They sound different. I like the sound though. I might have to get the CD.”

My favorite tunes are “Split Wide” and “Color and Ash”. Bottom line, if you are a metal fan, you are gonna like these guys. These tunes will fit nicely in a playlist along side Slayer, Testament, Exodus, Metallica, Slipknot and many of the newer bands of that ilk. Check them out on MySpace or CDBaby.

Rob Anthony – “While the World Sleeps” (Acoustic Rock/Americana)

Speaking of metal, Rob Anthony is an ex-thrasher who has learned how to turn it up by turning it down. He has crafted a great acoustic album.

Even though I know it’s borderline heresy in the indie world, I’ve been listening a decent amount of top 40 rock, country and adult contemporary lately as part of my songwriting self-education. The stuff on this release could EASILY go toe to toe with almost anything on the pop charts. The top-notch songwriting is both timely and timeless.

His performance is very personal and very intimate. He will tap your psychy and bleed the emotion out of you on nearly every tune. There is really no way to pick a few favorites because I love pretty much every tune on the disc. And for all of you cover tune nuts, you will want to check out his take on the DePeche Mode tune “Personal Jesus”.

Bottom line, if you haven’t heard him, you are missing out. Check him out on the official Rob Anthony Site or on CDBaby. Then tell everyone you know because he deserve to be heard. Oh and be on the lookout for an interview with Rob in the near future. We’ve been in contact and are trying to find some time in our schedules.

Music Review: Jennifer Dixon, the Face of Alternative Country’s Uncompromising Future

treadmarkz — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:31:54 +0000

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Some Country music purists would probably say that anything that warrants the name “Alternative Country” is not really Country. But ultimately it is the domain of the fan to judge what an artist is or is not, to them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Jennifer Dixon.

A little country sensibility with a style that hovers along the cusp of blues, pop, jazz owing to a stint on Memphis’ legendary Beale Street, and nearly a decade in Nashville, her new CD, “2 Years” is the fruit of experience. She did not come out of nowhere.

Which makes it all the more uncanny that she has been labeled “un-Nashville.”

The intro to “A Little You For Me” sounds like a nod to “I Lie Around” by Paul McCartney and Wings. But this Norah Jones-like tune comes from the heart of a woman who has given all she can give to the world, yet she finds she’s got a little more left for her man if he’ll meet her halfway. Like “I Lie Around” it never really takes off. It threatens to, repeatedly. But when it comes down to it, it’s just right.

“Too Tired To Care” is Dixon, having been there, done that and not doing it again regarding love. When she starts to hear the same old lines, she is just that, too tired to care. It is a mellow funk romp with a lyric delivered in focused rapid fire, highlighted with some sultry vocal inflections.

“Easy Goodbye” seems to be a follow up on the same theme in that, having heard it all before, its easy to let go and move on. These two tracks are the most un-Nashville of the bunch. One can picture many of today’s top female vocalists flagrantly over-doing “Easy Goodbye”, robbing it of its symbolic ease. One of its greatest features is that the musicians, while doing some top-notch work, back off and let the vocals shine.

With these tracks what you get is a many-tiered cynical view of love. In that respect, “If You’re Looking For An Angel” is refreshing. Just when you are expecting something like “Strong Enough” by Cheryl Crow, it turns into something closer to “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt in its vulnerability. For instance, in the chorus, Dixon sings “If you’re looking for an angel…” Having heard a couple of these songs, one may be surprised to hear her continue with “here I am.” It’s sweet, its comforting, and it demonstrates that with a few gentle, sincere words, yes, women can make men, dare I say it, swoon.

Love Me Back” delivers the very subtlest hints of the smoky vocals of Natalie Merchant or Melissa Etheridge, yet tips the scales with those well-executed vocal inflections again.

Dixon finally brings the thunder with “I Need a Man.” It’s gritty, harkening back to Tanya Tucker, matching the vocal strength of Carrie Underwood. Here Dixon is laying it all out on the line as if to say “This is what I need, damn you!”

Four of these tracks can be heard on her homepage www.jenniferdixon.net, and one is featured in the indie film “Shattered”.

Music Review: The Talented Lubriphonic and Their “Soul Solution”

Corey Koehler — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:18:52 +0000

If you are anything like me, then you know that there is nothing like the feeling – a small buzz even – that you get when you pop in a new CD and realize immediately that you have stumbled onto to something that you just have to share with everyone. That is what happened to me today.

Early this morning, like any other morning lately, I reluctantly drug my ass out of a warm bed, shuffled my son through our pre-dawn sleepwalk and then headed out the door to what was looking like a long day at work.

I was tired, it was freakin cold and the snow was falling (again). I turned the key in the ignition, backed out of my driveway and this began to play…

Pssst…press play

Song is: Lubriphonic – “Walls”

…Out from the speakers came this mental massage and the feeling of “everything my friend…is gonna be alright.” That massage and that reassurance were provided by a band called, Lubriphonic on their release entitled “Soul Solution.” Like an old freind sitting next to me in the car, that CD hung out with me for the remainder of that day – and the next – and then made its way to these pages.

The band – based out of Chicago – is loaded with road tested musicians who have toured with the likes of Koko Taylor, Buddy Miles, The Ohio Players and Lenny Kravitz.

These pros have put together a disc that has a little bit of everything. If you dig soul, blues, classic rock, great guitar, a little bit of funk and a soaring horn section, you will lap this up.

Oh and I can’t forget to mention the soulful “i’ve been there” vocals, the ultra-nimble fingers that make the guitar and bass flow and groove, and man, the acoustic tunes on this disc are about as honest, as comfy and as real as it gets.

I like almost all of the tunes but make sure you check out “Rain Keep Falling”, “Walls”, “Chalk Talk, “Mexico City Blues”, and “Soul Solution.” I would also recommend ordering the CD so that you can hear the bonus live tunes. They are well worth the wait!

So there you have it, a music review for you and a great start to the day for me. Thanks Lubriphonic!

Now, do yourself a favor, go download ALL of the tunes on “Soul Solution.

Music Review: Hip Hop Atmosphere Style

Corey Koehler — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:22:21 +0000

Here’s some music you need to check out. The group is Atmosphere and they are an Indie Hip Hop duo from Minneapolis.

I’ve been trying to get permission – for a few months now – to play some of their stuff on the podcast but haven’t had any luck. Today I was soaking them in while riding in my car and figured it was time I said something via a quick post.

Their latest release “When Life Gives You Lemons, Paint That Shit Gold” offers up a little something for everyone and you can tell they’ve been at it for awhile (this is their fifth full length album). The sound quality is top notch, the rhymes are heartfelt and thought provoking. These dudes are seasoned pros.

Overall, the release deserves at least a listen from anyone with a wide music pallet. And if you are a hip hop diehard (Dubz!), just download “When Life Gives You Lemons” now….trust me.

Check it out and if you agree or disagree, let us know in the comments below. Oh, and if you are not sure where to start, give my favorites a listen; “Yesterday”, “Guarantees”, “Wild Wild Horses”, “The Waitress”, and “In Her Music Box.”

Check Out Cross Canadian Ragweed ASAP

Corey Koehler — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:47:17 +0000

I don’t have ton of time to give an entire review of the Cross Canadian Ragweed show I attended last night at the House of Rock in Eau Claire, WI but I just wanted to let you know that they were great. Great songs, great energy, great playing and just an all around great show. After seeing them live I am a believer and a big fan.

They seem like pretty cool guys and genuinely appreciative of everyone that came to the show. They reminded me of why I play music and why I need to get my ass out and play more.

So anyway, get your ass over to their website and – if at all possible – find a live show in your area and go check them out ASAP. Take your wife, girlfriend or both and grab a few buddies because you will have a good time. You just can’t beat live music.

In the meantime, grab a CD or download a few tunes. They have a pretty deep catalog but a good start would be there newest release “Mission California.” It doesn’t have a bad song on it.

P.S. I want to thank Jason from Mudstone Music for turning me on to these guys and for inviting me to the show.

Music Review: John Legend – Live at SOB’s

Corey Koehler — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:39:49 +0000

I have been seriously ignoring my eMusicaccount for sometime now. So the other night, I figured it was time to get back in there and take a look around. I found a ton of great music and today I am going to tell you about one artist in particular;.

You may have heard of Mr. Legend. He has won five Grammy’s, has a platinum record and has worked with superstars such as Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and Jay-Z. He has quite a resume’ and for good reason.

Before he hit the bigtime his name was John Stephens and he recorded a live album that I am excited to share with you. It is an indie release by the name of “Live at SOB’s.” This album is a treat.

For starters John Legend is truly gifted. He is all soul and a great vocalist. He sings each song with passion. He can improvise and riff without overdoing it like many other soul singers.

Every song on the album is above average. The songs you should start with are “Set It Off,” “Alright” and, my favorite, “Lifted.”

As far as the production goes, it is solid. Usually live albums are hit or miss but this one delivers. The highs are crisp, the lows right where they need to be for the groove heavy music. Plus, the live band in a live club setting really creates an a great ambiance.

Anyway, I don’t want to spend to much time trying to describe it because it must be heard to be truly appreciated. Go check out “Live at SOB’s” now while I go look around for some of his newer stuff.

Best served with… a relaxed, chipper mood. Listen as you get ready to out on the town, to start the night off when hosting a casual get together with friends or when you just need to lighten up a bit.

Serj is coming!

Brice — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:52:17 +0000

Thanks for the introduction CK. Iâ€™m glad to post for you, itâ€™s an honor. Ok, my first entry into the Goat, so here we go. I feel no pressure. (Yea, right.)

Now that yet another of my favorite bands has decided to â€œpursue individual interests,â€ Iâ€™m left again to wonder what the future holds for myself musically. I look to Serj Tankian (lead vocalist, System of A Down) to heighten my interest immediately.

Serj is unloading the bandsâ€™ first solo project on October 23rd, oddly titled, â€œElect The Dead.â€ He has been pushing his project almost overwhelmingly on Myspace.com.

Although only two singles have been released, itâ€™s obvious that this album will not sound much like System at all. Serj amuses with his unique banter of catchy phrases and vocal prowess that has made him into one of the top lead men in music today. Not only can Serj hang with the best of them vocally, he has an artistic advantage due to his experiences in the industry. He knows what sounds good and what people want to hear. He mixes his talents beautifully, all while speaking his ever so opinionated mind. A lot of people can â€œsing,â€ but itâ€™s those who can incorporate voice, rhythm, harmony, and the occasional scream that end up with a true masterpiece.

Although â€œThe Unthinking Majorityâ€ single was an immediate hit with fans and critics, it was leaked out by an unidentified source. Serj later played it off by saying, â€œI released this song due to the chaos of our world today. There are a lot of problems that we all must deal with immediately.â€ Serj always has an issue with something in our government. Although I love the guy like no other, it tends to piss me off a bit that he can never keep it shut. After all, Iâ€™m not interested in â€œDixie Chickâ€ opinions, I just want to rock!

The second and final single that was released is titled, â€œEmpty Walls.â€ It has a catchy feel to it from the start and it never loses its interest. It always makes me feel like Iâ€™ve heard it years ago, but yet I still find myself listening to it. Of the two singles, I feel this is the strongest. Although Serj has only given us a limited peek at his project, it sounds like itâ€™ll be a well-deserved Top 10 seller. Strong opinions aside, as we all have them, I look forward to the album more than I did before the release of the â€œIllusionsâ€ by GNR in 1991.

Two weeks ago Serj announced his plans for a small tour to promote his album and hopefully jumpstart his solo career. It all starts off here in good oldâ€™ Chi-town at the Vic Theatre on Friday, October 12th. Yes, I was online with Ticket master at the moment they went on sale! Serj does not plan on playing any System songs, but hopefully with a little heckling we can get a stellar version of â€œSugarâ€ rocking the small theatre into a madness that has yet to be seen.

After the Chicago show, Serj heads to Canada for a one night show in Toronto, then comes back to the states for 7 shows to fill up the October calendar. Starting November 3rd, he heads overseas, teaming up with the Foo Fighters for a total of 6 shows in Manchester, New Castle, Dublin, Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Manchester.

Finally, Serj wraps up his small tour in cities with larger arenas, such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Although Serj plans a larger scale tour in the near future, he has yet to release any of these dates. Iâ€™ve heard rumors it will consist of some pretty big names, but weâ€™ll just have to wait and see.

So mark your calendar for the 23rd of October. I guarantee an enjoyable album that will be listened to for years to come.

Some Great New Heavy Metal and a Very Metal Observation

Corey Koehler — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:57:31 +0000

As much as I love heavy metal music I really haven’t talked about it a whole lot on the Goat. Today, in the spirit of metal, I just wanted to share an observations, a cool new song from a legend and kick ass band you need to check out.

First, an observation. I don’t know what it is but I’ve noticed that the older I get the better Iron Maiden gets. The other day I was running and listening to my iPod. I was listening to a playlist I like to call Metal Stew when the “Flight of Icarus” came on. Great song and another example of Bruce Dickinson being an awesome singer. The guy has range and can hang on to a note forever.

Next, a cool new song. I’ve been down on Ozzy’s new stuff for, give or take, the last 10 years. And after watching him on his reality series I was a little turned off. However, the so”I Don’t Want to Stop” is just freakin contagious. I’ve been into it for a few months now but I finally downloaded it the other day and I can’t stop listening to it. A good old fashioned heavy metal riff, classic vocals and very inspiring lyrics.

Last but not least, kick ass band. Last spring I was surfing around on CDBaby and I found a band called the Robot Lords of Tokyo. These guys are the shit. I finally ordered the CD a few weeks ago and there hasn’t been another CD in my Alpine since.

They do a very cool version of Motley Crue’s “Knock’em Dead Kid.” I was a little skeptical when I saw the title of the song because lets face it, there is no one like Vince Niel and the song and I go waaaaay back. I’m alway leary of someone messing with a classic. However, they nail it. They make it there own and much more brutal. This version would’ve no doubt incited a few more fights back in the day.

Anyway, check them out the Robot Lords on CDBaby or stop by and visit them on MySpace. If you don’t you’ll be missing out because every song on the CD is excellent (there is no need to forward past any of them). It’s Best new CD I’ve heard since the last Stone Sour.

Nano Review 003 – A Jazzed Up Organ and Smooth as Silk R & B

Corey Koehler — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:07:06 +0000

When I decided to start this blog I had one thing in mind; share good music (regardless of genre) with you and everyone else I know. I wanted to thoroughly explore the world of music and let you come along for the ride. I knew starting this blog would give me the opportunity to do that and more.

With that said, let me tell you about some cool ass music that until recently was outside of my box (and maybe even yours). Here goes;

Dan Fogel (self described – Jazz, Swing)- Organs aren’t just for baseball stadiums, hockey arenas and churches anymore. Dan Fogel show’s you how damn cool an organ can sound in the hands of a pro.

I loaded his CD “15 West” my car stereo and ended up listening to it for a few days. This stuff is relaxing and yet upbeat. It may have even prevented a little road rage on the way to work the other day. It really puts me in a great mindset to start off the day (ending the day too).

I’m not much of a Jazz guru (it just sounds good to me), but if you want the opinion of one, here is a link to a review of his album “15 West” on the Jazz Times. You would be missing out if you didn’t give Dan Fogel a listen.

Best served with a good food, good conversation, maybe a good book and stressful commutes.

Donnie Williams (self described – R&B, Soul, Rap, Gospel ) – If you like smooth-relaxing-feel-like-makin-love Soul and R & B then Donnie Williams “Just Like Magic” will not disappoint. Donnie sings his stories with inspiring feeling and sincerity. He also has a great voice to go along with a ultra-smooth helping of R & B and soul backing tracks.

This guy was booted off of American Idol for getting a DUI (that he may have not have even gotten…I’m confused too). It was a tough break for him and, in my opinion, for them also.

For more information here’s another review of Donnie Williams in the Daily Republic. You can also check him out on CD Baby.

Best served with mellow evenings, moments requiring inspiration, wine, lingerie, and good lovin.

Make sure you check them out. Each of them can be what is missing from the “best served with” moments described above.

FYI – With the amount and variety of music coming in on a weekly basis there is no way I can really sit down and get to know the songs (and genres) good enough to give the artist a proper assessment. So what I am going to do from now on with these nano reviews is spend a little time to assess what music clicks with me (and/or my friends “in the know”) and then just pass my favorites along to you with a few obnservations.

One thing I won’t do is pretend I know a lot about the styles of music I am going to share with you. I am just going to tell you about a few artists that are making music to my ears and then provide you with a link to that music and reviews from their peers. As always, the Goat is here for you brotha’s and sista’s.