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The Muggs – Audio Gumshoe 145

Reviewed by Rich on Apr 24, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:37 — 23.6MB)

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Songs Played

- 6 to Midnite
- Born Ugly
- Blood Meridian
- Hats Off to Mr. Beardsley

“Like the Black Crowes, the Muggs make no apologies for their retro influences, but unlike Chris Robinson‘s crew this band has drawn inspiration from a number of sources and learned to fuse them into something that has a personality of its own…” — AllMusic.com

We last heard The Muggs on Audio Gumshoe 102 following the release of their album “On With The Show”. Their first appearance on Audio Gumshoe was back in October 2007 just as the band was competing on the Fox network show The Next Big American Band. Though they didn’t get past round 2, they were able to introduce themselves to new fans across the globe. The Muggs are one of the few bands that have been repeat feature artists on Audio Gumshoe. This band exhibits a style that matches many of the classic rock giants of the past.

The band is preparing their official launch of the their third LP “Born Ugly” on Friday, April 29, 2011. They will be holding a release party at one of their favorite venues, Magic Bag, in Ferndale, Michigan. You can buy tickets now for only $8. If you don’t get them online, tickets are $10 at the door.

“Born Ugly” will be available in CD, mp3 download, and vinyl. There are thirteen tracks sure to please the avid rock fan. Four selections are played on this episode of Audio Gumshoe. Be sure to visit their site to find out all the details about the new release and the details of the release party.

Be sure to visit the band’s official site to catch up to their news — and while you’re there check out the video clip from the July 20, 2010 episode of A&E’s Gene Simmon’s Family Values. The Muggs song “All Around You” was used as a background riff on the show.

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Artist Links

The Muggs Web Site
The Muggs at Facebook
The Muggs at MySpace

Associated Links

Association of Music Podcasting
Blubrry Podcast Network
Audio Gumshoe on Twitter
Audio Gumshoe on Facebook

The audio file for this work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Full Review

RAUSCH – Audio Gumshoe 144

Reviewed by Rich on Mar 27, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:39 — 24.6MB)

This episode brought to you by Audible.com. Visit audibletrial.com/audiogumshoe for a free audiobook download.

Songs Played

- No Fair
- Ode to Pain
- Minimalism
- It Happens

“RAUSCH caught his first compositional accolades when Jordan Rudess, keyboard wizard of Dream Theater, contacted him to perform in a special master-class known as KEYFEST”

I have enjoyed many varieties of progressive music through the years. I’ve not, however, focused an episode of Audio Gumshoe on a progressive artist in the six years of the show. I’m not sure why. When Doug Rausch wrote on the Audio Gumshoe Facebook Page wall I was curious enough to follow up. I found that he is one of the many CyberPR represented artists that have been learning how to promote their music.

RAUSCH is the self-titled debut album by classically-trained Dough Rausch. His determination to finish this project is well-realized. Being noticed by prominent industry leaders such as Jordan Rudess is no small feat (though it was an unreleased 11-minute epic track called “Flow” that sparked that attention). He has brought in a few key players, including guitarist Gary Wehrkamp, known best for his seemingly superhuman achievements in the progressive rock juggernaut, Shadow Gallery. Also involved is Spock’s Beard/Transatlantic mixing engineer Rich Mouser.

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I’ll be honest: I wasn’t impressed by Doug Rausch’s vocals at first. But that’s not the only quality that I use to determine what music will be featured on the show. I heard quality production, intense and well-trained composition, and an edge that made me want to continue to listen. I’ve truly enjoyed hearing his songs many times as they’ve rotated into my iPod playlist.

RAUSCH has a very interesting history that you may enjoy reading at his site DougRausch.com. Here’s an excerpt:

[Doug] has been studying, writing, practicing, performing, and otherwise living music relentlessly ever since the day his parents all but wrote him off. This obsession recently landed him a degree from the prestigious Ithaca College School of Music in New York, where he won recognition as concerto competition finalist with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. A diverse following began to build as his tireless vision of resuscitating rock and roll collided headfirst with his obligations to “serious music.” For the encore of an ambitious recital on the eve of his 21st birthday, his 13-piece band joined him in tribute to Guns N Roses. November Rain took a classical music school to tears.

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Artist Links

RAUSCH Web Site
RAUSCH at Facebook
RAUSCH at Twitter
RAUSCH at MySpace
RAUSCH at ReverbNation

Associated Links

Association of Music Podcasting
Blubrry Podcast Network
Audio Gumshoe on Twitter
Audio Gumshoe on Facebook

The audio file for this work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Full Review

The Lives of the Monster Dogs – Audio Gumshoe 134

Reviewed by Rich on Aug 6, 2010

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:24 — 19.7MB)

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The Lives of the Monster Dogs

Songs Played

- Cassandra
- Cottonmouth
- Full Moon
- Echo

“The Lives of the Monster Dogs is a rock band with a southern drawl. The Monster Dogs took their name from a modern day “Frankenstein” story (but with dogs) by Kirsten Bakis…”

All I can really say about The Lives of the Monster Dogs is, “Wow, this is some great music!” Okay, I can certainly say more, but this is what I thought when I first visited the band’s ReverbNation profile and listened to their tunes. Each tune I heard captured me fully. I often scan through the first few seconds of a band that I’m exploring before moving to the next track. I can guarantee that I listened straight through every song on this group’s profile.

Regarding the reference to Frankenstein above, the band is:

…much like the stitching together of many different parts to make “the monster”, this band’s creation is rock music interwoven with blues, country, and pop. With the “salt of the earth” appeal of Bruce Springsteen and CCR, along with the post “80′s”, introspective and sometimes moody song writing of bands like Radiohead, the Monster Dogs bring to life their own brand of music.

“The Lives of the Monster Dogs” is vocalist/guitarist Melinda Kingsley; Grace Buford on keyboard, guitar and backing vocals; drummer and percussionist Becky Dalke; and KT Bitner on bass.

They are in the studio at the time of this writing finishing the final tracks for theirnew self-titled CD. I can promise you, dear readers and listeners, that I will be moving to purchase this one as soon as it is available. I have long been a fan of one member of the band, Grace Buford. She has put her solo projects aside to concentrate on her involvement with The Lives of the Monster Dogs. I can surely understand why she would want to do so. The combination of talent in the band works. It works well.

Get the Music!

Artist Links

The Lives of the Monster Dogs at ReverbNation
The Lives of the Monster Dogs at MySpace

Associated Links

Association of Music Podcasting
Blubrry Podcast Network
Audio Gumshoe on Twitter
Audio Gumshoe on Facebook
Audio Gumshoe on MySpace

The audio file for this work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Full Review

This Modern Station – Audio Gumshoe 130

Reviewed by Rich on Jun 27, 2010

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:45 — 21.8MB)

10% discount for Audio Gumshoe Listeners at Resume Rabbit! Details on the show or click here.

This Modern Station

Songs Played

- Long Overdue
- Evangelina
- Just Another Heartache
- Next Best Thing
- Sunday Morning

“….upbeat, catchy-lyric, song in your head the rest of the day musical experience.” Reuters Television

I wanted to find something very cerebral to say about the band This Modern Station. The best thing I can really say, though, is that I really like this music. I’m easily caught up in their tight sound. The driving guitars, great riffs, solid hooks, and life-story vocals pulled me in quickly and easily. The resemblance to early Wilco, as mentioned by Absolute Powerpop (see below) is easily seen, but the band has provided us with a modern and highly polished style of American pop. Tell me if you don’t hear some Tom Petty nuances in the band’s style, as well.

Here’s what Absolute Powerpop had to say about This Modern Station:

“Nashville strikes again. The home of so many artists that have brought us quality releases in 2009 gives us This Modern Station, whose debut disc All We Leave Behind is a melodic breath of fresh air. They tread that fine line between power pop and Americana, sounding at times like an American Teenage Fanclub and at others like early Wilco.

The driving opener “Long Overdue” sets the tone, with hooks galore and a stomping beat that’s reminiscent of Being There-era Wilco tracks like “Outta Site (Outta Mind)” and “Monday”. “Next Best Thing” follows in the same vein, while the midtempo “Just Another Heartache” recalls The Favorites (who placed in our top 20 last year) and Red Guitar.

“Evangelina” is another driving number, reminiscent of Todd Herfindal and The Meadows, and “Sunday Morning” brings the rock. Kicking off the second half of the disc, “Ruby” finds the band into a bit of pop-noir, telling the story of a wayward woman to a moody melody not unlike The Smithereens’ “Blood & Roses”, while “Playing With Fire” proves the boys can handle the ballads as well.

Closing things out, “I Think I’m in Love Again” is another infectious rocker, and “The Highway Never Ends” is quality straight-up Americana. “Popicana” fans, and those who liked the later-day Gary Louris-led Jayhawks are going to flip for this one. With nary a duff track to be heard, this one’s a definite year-end Top 20 contender.”

The band was generous enough to provide Audio Gumshoe with five tracks from their 10 track album “All We Leave Behind.” Be sure to follow one of the links below to pick a copy of the album for yourself. It’s always great to share the music of players like these; be sure to support what they do so they will continue to provide more great music.

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The audio file for this work is licensed under a
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Full Review

Aaron English – Audio Gumshoe 128

Reviewed by Rich on Jun 6, 2010

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:46 — 31.9MB)

10% discount for Audio Gumshoe Listeners at Resume Rabbit! Details on the show or click here.

Aaron English

Songs Played

- Believe
- Doves
- Anthem
- God Bless You and Your Man

In an episode of the Fox TV drama Bones last year, a character made a mix of “the six greatest break-up songs” and gave it to a heart-broken colleague. The mix featured songs from alternative-pop stars such as Sia, Mazzy Star, José González, Antony and the Johnsons…and a lone unsigned artist by the name of Aaron English.

The song mentioned was “Lullaby of Loneliness.” It is a track from Aaron English’ 2002 release “All the Waters of This World.” I played several tracks from that album, as well as from “The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon” (2007), when I first introduced Audio Gumshoe listeners to Aaron English in July 2007.

Artwork for album american [fever] dream Since the time I last spoke with Aaron, his third national tour ended abruptly in a catastrophic accident on a Midwestern highway. His restaurant-grease-fueled tour bus and most of his musical equipment were destroyed, and English’s touring career was temporarily grounded.

All was not lost, however. His fans came to his aid to help finance the recording of Aaron’s third album “american [fever] dream.” According to his web site:

Produced by Geoff Stanfield (Sun Kil Moon, Black Lab) in a 150-year-old warehouse in Seattle during a record-breaking heat wave, the album is a document of English’s phoenix-like journey back from tragedy…and a testament to the resiliency of the creative spirit.

Creative spirit, indeed. Aaron’s music has been so inspiring that it earned mention not only on the TV drama Bones, it has had film and television placements on MTV, VH1, Google, the Rush HDTV series Nomads, and on Thrillbillies. Aaron has earned finalist slots in the Soul City Cafe’ New Music Quest and the Coca-Cola New Music Award. He has been named a Keyboard Magazine Unsigned Artist of the Month, as well. His albums have been named as album of the year by both JustPlainFolks.org and RyansSmashingLife.com (a Boston Music Blog).

Aaron English has conducted three U.S. tours and has shared the stage with artists such as Buckwheat Zydeco, Dropkick Murphys, Kan’nal and many more. And, not to end his successes in just the United States, Aaron’s music has been licensed to Emstream and is playing on modern adult contemporary stations nationwide in Australia.

I had the pleasure to interview Aaron English once again for this episode of Audio Gumshoe. Please enjoy learning more about this fine artist and please enjoy the music from his latest album “american [fever] dream.” I encourage you to pick up a copy of the album for yourself.

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AaronEnglish.com