Review of Cryptic Calling Debut EP

Review of Cryptic Calling Debut EP
By L. White

There has been a recent trend lately in the realm of hard rock music in the USA lately. That being that it has found it's way, and made a home in the capitol of country music. Yes, Nashville has seen a rise in great music, and banjo's have nothing to do with it. This is the case with hard rock band Cryptic Calling.
With the newly released debut EP by Cryptic Calling comes a refreshing sound from the home of country music. The self-titled EP is a long awaited release from fans of the hard rock band. Is it worth the wait? Let's find out.

The track "Otiose" draws you right in with the blazing guitar and lead vocals of James Robbins, driving percussion of Shea Shankle and beat driven bass of Clay Zimmerman. The metaphoric lyrics speaking on a family member who has constantly done wrong, with broken promises. To finally have the whole family turned against them. Amazing lyrics that are driven home with the emotion filled vocals of Robbins. Otiose being a rather old fashioned term for not serving any useful purpose. A great track indeed on so many different levels.

The track "Shattered Dreams" is more of a ballad, and a very good one at that. A song of a love that is in some sort of limbo. Whether it be from a death, or debilitating illness or injury is left up for interpretation by the listener. Robbins delivers on all levels helping you feel the anguish in his lyrics at the situation being sung about. The music accompanying just intensifies that with every crescendo and drop.

The same can be said about the other three tracks all dealing with lost love. Whether being friend, family or lover. All the tracks delivered with a strong emotion of loss on every level. With the music being just as emotionally charged as the lyrics, Cryptic Calling has delivered a concept EP that is masterfully produced and recorded. The long wait for fans was well worth it. Also sure to bring new fans from afar, as they put Nashville on the map once again in music for more than just country music.

Overall, the debut EP from Cryptic Calling is very enjoyable. Production value is superb and delivers a great sound that is sure to have old and new fans alike awaiting their next release with much anticipation. Also having many desire to see Cryptic Calling in a live setting playing these tracks. Already making a name for themselves in the local music scenes of Tennessee, watch for this band to rise in acclaim nationally and even internationally in the near future. Embodying that "It" factor that many strive for, but fall short of. Cryptic Calling has arrived.

Special thanks to 

Justin Sane of R.S.M Promotions

Overall Rating:

(4 of 5 Stars)

Enjoy music by Cryptic Calling

Cryptic Calling Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrypticCalling
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/crypticcalling
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Crypticcallingband
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/crypticcalling

Review of The X Discography - @LUCA_ASCARI

Review of The X Discography
By Gilbert Lachance

The X, an Italian duo formed in early 2011 by Luca Ascari and Stephanie Lapertosa. Even though The X is a recent project, both members of the band are not new to the music industry. Stephanie began as a soprano at school in 1988, then directed her attention to jazz, which shows in some of the songs that The X have composed. In 2010 she released her first solo album, ‘’Dreaming Is Also Fly’’. With The X, she brings a captivating voice which plunges the listener into a dreamy mood. Luca Ascari is the composer, arranger and musician of the band. His career in music began in the 1980’s, but really took off in the 1990’s when he began a project with a new band named Segura Coisa, by trying to merge the original spirit of tribal rhythms from African sounds with those of northeastern Brazilian. Around 2000, in turned his research with solo projects more oriented toward jungle, drum’n’bass, electro, etc., with a project called Khallàs, in which he was singing in Italian. Finally, The X began in 2011 with a first album called ``Marie: The Dark Age of Reason``.

I had only heard about The X recently, and didn’t take the time to really explore their music. So to complete a thorough review, I received 4 folders containing lots of music of varied styles. One, containing different collaborations with many artists. Two, the new album, "Transmutation". Another containing remixes made by Black Project. With the final containing tracks made in collaboration with Ul2raviolet. Already being familiar with Ul2raviolet through his collaboration with Delta Pavonis.

The first batch, the single tracks & collaborations, contains the most varied types of music. The jazz orientation of Stephanie shines in these songs, especially in "Boom Bop", "You’re So Light" and "Diamonds Ecstasy". The latter being one of the best of everything I have heard from The X. A song using snippets from the James Bond movies. Another great one is the remix by Black Project of "Six Feet Under". A track that is more dance floor oriented, but very effective. Where "Changing With a Little Shot" is a quiet song, perfect around a martini with Stephanie’s voice twirling around your senses.

Transmutation, as said earlier, is the most recent EP put forth by The X. The ambient sound of The X is very apparent in this album. All 6 Tracks from this EP are excellent. They made me think a bit about The Orb at times. Especially on the track "A Wrong Cluster of Truth". the track "Sonogram" and the fore-mentioned "A Wrong Cluster of Truth" are not to be missed. Shining as the best tracks on an already well received EP.

The Black Project remix tracks, are remixes of tracks from Transmutation. Black Project gave them the techno dance treatment. For some it works fine, but for others like "A Wrong Cluster of Truth (Hardstyle remix)", I would definitely prefer the original version. Really an ear of the beholder remix there. Then on the track "Russian Dolls", the remix works wonderfully and adds a new dimension to an already good track." The Womb Beat Refixx" is another example of this.

The last folder contains the album "Luminescence", made with Ul2raviolet. As Ul2raviolet does the same type of ambient music as The X, this collaboration is top notch. "The Womb Beat" is really sounding like the best of The Orb’s music, and it’s quite a compliment to say that with conviction. "Mechagism (Interstellar hypnosis)" is one of the best tracks. With another version of this track surfacing on the Square Peg in a Round Hole vol. 3 Compilation, just out a few weeks ago. "Solidarity" has separate versions, one ambient and the other a drum and bass track. Both done well in their own right. The best of this bunch, are by far "The Womb Beat" and "Sonogram", which is more rhythmic.

Enjoy music by The X Pleasure

All in all, The X are very varied in styles of music. Going from ambient jazz to techno to deep ambient. If you like to discover new bands this one is a must hear. If you take the time to have a listen, you’re in for quite a nice journey in sound.

Special thanks to 

Justin Sane of R.S.M Promotions

The X links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-X-official/163951336963545

ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/lucaascari#

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Cyboelectricaudio

Twitter: https://twitter.com/luca_ascari

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/thexpleasure

Gilbert Lachance is the on-air host

of From One Extreme To Another 

("D'un extrême à l'autre")

heard Monday nights at Midnight

here: http://chuo.fm/

Review of 3 Beers For Breakfast EP

Review of 3 Beers For Breakfast EP

By L. White

3 Beers For Breakfast

With more of a southern rock feel, the music of 3 Beers For Breakfast cannot just be classified as Indie Country. Having more of that rocker type rhythm and flow, as opposed to too much twang, 3 Beers music is one of those sounds that will make the breakthrough from just mainstream country music to get play on many a rock station as well. This 5 track EP offers a taste of many styles of music all centered around the southern rock/country realm, but even has a pop rock feel a bit in the second track "The Truth".


In the digital age of music, many bands have started making their way to delve into several genres to create new sounds. 3 Beers has done that with this EP, and done it to perfection. Bringing to mind some aspects of great classic southern rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, and even some newer pop rock like Nickelback.

On the first track, "Questions of Life", they blend some great lead guitar by Steve Emery around a campfire rhythm set by Jason Gilliam and Kurtis McKinney who also does the vocals for the band. Held together by the bass of Mike Womack and drums of Drew Klenczar. A sure lighter song at any live performance, this track has a feel good flow and shows off some really great guitar work on lead throughout.

As mentioned, the second track on the EP, "The Truth", has a more pop southern rock feel to it. More of a bleak song about the truth in a man beyond help. Heading down a road with many bumps and twists, but that still keeps on keeping on. Giving a glimpse into the truth of a man that doesn't any longer believe in any type of salvation for himself. The vocals of the song are more towards the country side of 3 Beers, while the music bends more towards the pop rock feel. All together very masterful in that it fits together perfectly.

On the third track, "The Woods", you get a bluesy country sound. A story of love between a woman and a country boy. That the woman's life is now transformed due to falling in love with this country boy. Not being able to return to the life she knew before, because she sees that this is real and true. A good love song, without the trappings of materialistic views and things. Sounding real bluesy, but not having any of the blue feelings. A great touch.

On the final track of the EP, "My Fathers' Son", 3 Beers offer more of the southern rock feel, with country body and lyrics. A song about the struggles of a man coming into his own in the shadow of his father, but feeling like he has eclipsed what his father has been to the world. Something any man can relate to, no matter what genre of music they tend to lean towards.

Overall, 3 Beers For Breakfast EP is very enjoyable. With a sound ranging from country to southern rock, with a touch of blues and pop rock, the band offers music for many different tastes. The EP was done very nicely, production and mastering done brilliantly, to give 3 Beers For Breakfast fans their sound to perfection. A great CD to have playing by a campfire, or for backyard barbecues, and even to sit with that significant other out watching the stars. 3 Beers For Breakfast are here to stay, and this EP only solidifies that.

Special thanks to 

Justin Sane of R.S.M Promotions

Overall Rating: 

(4 of 5 Stars)

3 Beers For Breakfast Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3beersforbreakfast

ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/3Beersforbreakfast