Brand new traditional Newfoundland compilation, featuring artists such as RASA and the Punters!

It’s that time of year again! This is the fourteenth summer of amazing Homebrew releases. This years release includes tracks by The Flummies, a rare Labradorian trad group, plus other great artists!

Upon listening to the Black Bags self-titled CD, one is struck by a couple of key features. Firstly, Liz  Solo is still at the top of her game and continues to be the premier female rock vocalist in NL. 20 plus years and going strong. Secondly, Retro-Rules, the early/mid 1990’s in this case, and thirdly, Marcel Levandier’s development as the yin to Liz’s Yang as a lead vocalist.

The disc opens strong. “Kelowna Rocks” dives at you like a spirited invitation with Liz displaying Chrissie Hynde, Johnette Napolitano verve on lead vocal, followed by an invigorating lead from Marcel on “Worth Living” buffed by tasty back-up vocals.

“Raining Hammers” is an album hilight and shows off the band’s punk roots with a clink of the glass to early influence, Mike Wade, the song’s author.

Tracks 4-7 favorably harken back to classic Concrete Blonde, Buffalo Tom, and Lou Reed. “Held Down” with biting rhythm and lyrics, reeking of frustration and stress, “Secret” is beautiful and timeless in quality and “Horizon” rivals Tragically Hip for intensity while exhibiting more punk roots.

“Everything is Leaking” has a R.E.M. vibe, and “Lost and Learning”, the album’s closer, is a gorgeous, reflective dirge.

Recorded and mixed expertly by Jony Richardson and Grant King- one of 2013’s best NL releases.

Who doesn’t love a good mystery? We know very little about this CD by ‘Rising Sun’. Here’s what we do know about them; musician Michael Nicholle, from Corner Brook, NL, supported by vocalist Shane Nicholle, and drummer Paul Bradbury, deliver 11 tracks reminiscent of early Oasis, Sloan and House of Love. And it’s quite good – vibrant pop/rock n’roll with a good arrangement sensibility.

Lady Cove returns with a fantastic new choral album, accompanied by both percussion and cello. Features works by Stephan Hatfield, Sarah Quartel, James Rolfe, and many more!

Dust Radio is a veteran rock/roots band led by St. John’s native David Guy, it’s principle song writer and lead vocalist. Guy provided the guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and accordion parts for the seasoned bar band who will remind listeners of early ‘Blue Rodeo’ and the ‘Sadies’. The vocal harmonies strike up fond memories of classic ‘Buffalo Tom’, and Chrys Hogan delivers a sympathetic vocal on the bittersweet duet, ‘Every River’, a Kim Richey cover.

RDP member Craig Cole returns with a short collection of self-penned rock songs with a strong lyrical/emotional component.

Back with a new BEAST! St. John’s foremost mass-dance-inducing reggae/ska unit bring the noise on their newest, self-titled release.