Lucy Michelle – Album: “Attack of the Heart” – Review by: Kaleb Bronson

Review by: Kaleb Bronson

The elegant and angelic voice of Lucy Michelle shines bright on her new album “Attack of the Heart” that has removed the Velvet Lappelles but invited her solo sound to harmoniously caress the Minnesotan soul.

Carroll — “Needs” EP

Review by Christine Mlodzik

Carroll is a young indie-rock quartet from Minneapolis whose members include Brian Hurlow (keys/guitar/vocals), Max Kulicke (guitar), Charlie Rudoy (drums) and Charles McClung (bass/vocals).

Review – This is Daybreak – Influence/Coincidence

Review By Nigel Carleton

One is tempted to say that Minneapolis band This is Daybreak has a sense of humor. After all, their bandcamp page proudly proclaims that they are, “5 dudes who use star power to create new universes”. However, on their first full-length release, Influence/Coincidence, the band has ostensibly serious intentions of creating beautiful music that is unique, haunting, and growing. This is Daybreak has every possibility of becoming local big names, and they earn that right on their new album.

Review – The Broken Bicycles – Physics of Sound

By Kristine Volovsek

Minneapolis based indie-rock band The Broken Bicycles has greatly evolved and changed since their acoustic-duo inception in May of 2010. Currently, the band consists of Turkeyes Laffity (lead vocals, accordion), Thomas Maddux (vocals, guitar, ukulele, banjo), Kelsey Wefald (percussion, drums), and Jason McLaughlin (vocals, bass). Released on the Old Fashioned Records label, Physics of Sound is the band’s 4th album.

Review – The People Say Fox – Glowcap

By: Nick Habisch

In today’s oversaturated globe-encompassing music scene it is hard for a band/artist to break out of the ocean of music that exists because of the Internet. Duluth-based The People Say Fox are a band that is poised on the edge of breaking into the open, and their newest album Glowcap is a solid, if not spectacular effort by the four-piece.

Chicane Theory “Things Look Up Again”

Review by Christine Mlodzik

Chicane Theory describes themselves as a guitar-driven Midwest indie rock outfit. I don’t know why exactly, but that description seems too simple.

The Fairlead “Long Flight Home”

Review by Christine Mlodzik

“Long Flight Home” is the first full-length album by The Fairlead. Each of the 10 songs averages six to eight minutes long, yet organically ebb and flow into one another. The music is ambient, listenable and easily blends in with the listener’s background.

The first track, “Halestorm,” sets the tone, creating a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere. This album is predominantly instrumental; the first of the sparse vocals aren’t heard until the third track, “Head Heart Hands,” and then again only briefly afterwards. 

At the halfway mark, “Intermission” surprises with a short, yet tender, piano piece. “Solitude” will make your ears perk up as it’s more guitar-centric and more uptempo than the other tracks. “Reprise” ends the album, but begins where “Intermission” left off.

As we come to the end of dark and cold winter days, “Long Flight Home” is the soundtrack to usher in the light and warmth of spring.

http://thefairleadmusic.com/

Hart Lake Mystery EP

Review By Christine Mlodzik

Hart Lake Mystery’s Web site says their EP was recorded in two days in August 2012. The one thing it doesn’t say is how long these guys have either known each other or played together because just one song in and you can hear this is a tight, solid band.

At its core, this five-song EP is melodic with catchy pop hooks. When “Sunny All The Time” starts, it’s clear Hart Lake Mystery knows know to write smart and listenable songs. And while each is good, two stand out for different reasons.

First, “Wrote You Off” throws in a hint of country twang with extra attitude. It doesn’t turn the song into pop country, but it does make it even more fun.

Second, “Solace Seeker” sounds a whole lot like the ‘Mats. That’s not a comparison I’ve made before or will make lightly, and I’d be surprised if they don’t hear that hear it more often.

“Ice Cream Heaven” circles around for another country-tinged track as the EP finishes with “Key On A Chain.”

If this EP is Hart Lake Mystery’s way of sticking their toe into the local music scene’s waters, next time, just dive right in because we need to hear more.

http://hartlakemystery.bandcamp.com