Nina Kotova Plays Profoundly Beautiful Cello Music on Her Latest Release of J.S. Bach Suites

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Nina Kotova "J.S. Bach The Cello Suites" (2014) Review

When it comes to classical music, you most likely know the big names from the past. But did you know that there are a lot of contemporary players, soloists, conductors and more that are creating beautiful music? That’s what you get when you listen to Nina Kotova’s latest record of J.S. Bach Suites for Cello. I was completely stunned with this release as I didn’t expect it to be as transformative as it is. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best release I’ve heard all year, and that trumps nearly every single record I’ve reviewed to this day.

Broken Bells After The Disco

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Broken Bells “After The Disco” (2014) Review

I’ve been lost in a sea of freelance writing. No one tells you that being a freelancer will require you to work 10 – 14 hour days, 7 days a week. But the one thing about working for yourself, or rather on your own is that you can listen to music all day and night. It’s a dream, it’s a gift, but the work is a curse because it’s a far cry from what the 9 to 5 world gets paid. Fulfilling, yes, but that’s for another time. The latest release from Broken Bells is a mix of melancholy tunes and creative combinations that trumps their debut record by a huge leap, in my view. “After The Disco” was released recently and while pop radio is going to miss playing singles from this record, fans will once again tune into some of the more interesting music coming out of the musical landscape right now.

Esoteric and Stu Bangas: Machete Mode

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Esoteric and Stu Bangas “Machete Mode” (2013) Review

Artist: Esoteric and Stu Bangas

Album: “Machete Mode”

Release: 2013

Genre: Hip Hop/Rap

A lot of the best music isn’t heard, or even seen. If you read independent hip hop media, however, you may hear about some of the better options. However, while mainstream media talks about only the artists that are signed to big labels or friends and family of Dr. Dre, Eminem, or any number of established stars from the past, there are some that are just working hard to come together and create rhymes that are just eclectic to say the least.

Disclosure: An Introduction

For those of you were also too cautious or lazy to input your credit card information into Google Play, let me just say that it is completely worth it. I now introduce you to ‘Disclosure’, an up and coming Electronica artist that I am now listening to on repeat.

They made a few splashes in the UK since the sibling duo started in 2010, but garnered more attention with the release of the hit single "Latch" featuring the talented Sam Smith in 2012. Signed to PMR, they released two more singles which are included on their debut full length album titled "Settle" just released in June of 2013.

If you really want to get down with your bad self while jogging around the block or cleaning the house, take a listen to their album and when the person you’re sitting next to at a red light stares at you for party rocking in your car, just know that they are the ones missing out.

Especially check out the tracks: Defeated No More and January 

Check out their website: http://disclosureofficial.com/

Their single "Latch": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93ASUImTedo

KMD: Mr. Hood

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K.M.D “Mr. Hood” (1991) Review

Artist: K.M.D.

Album: “Mr. Hood”

Released: 1991

Genre: Hip Hop/ Rap

Living Sacrifice: Ghost Thief

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Living Sacrafice: Ghost Thief (Review)

Artist: Living Sacrifice

Album: “Ghost Thief”

Released: 2013

Label: Solid State Records

Genre: Metal/Melodic Hardcore

Slint: Spiderland

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Slint: Spiderland (Review)

Artist: Slint

Album: Spiderland

Recorded: August & October of 1990.

Released: March 27, 1991.

Label: Touch & Go

Genre: Post-Rock

Interpol: Turn On The Bright Lights

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Interpol “Turn On The Bright Lights” (2002) Review

Artist: Interpol

Album: Turn On The Bright Lights

Release Date: 2002

Label: Matador

Genre: Alternative/Post Punk

Rich Versus Roach, Review

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Rich Versus Roach, Review

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Artist: Max Roach & Buddy Rich

Album: Rich Versus Roach

Release Date: 1959

Label: Mercury

Genre: Jazz

Brother Ali: The Undisputed Truth

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Brother Ali: The Undisputed Truth (2007) Review

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Artist: Brother Ali

Album: The Undisputed Truth

Release Date: 2007

Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment

Genre: Hip Hop

Guns N’ Wankers: For Dancing and Listening

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Guns N’ Wankers: For Dancing and Listening (Review)

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Artist: Guns N’ Wankers

Album: For Dancing and Listening

Release Date: 1995

Label: Fat Wreck Chords

Genre: Punk, Pop Punk, UK, Alternative

For The Fan’s Guide To Alternative Christmas Records

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A Guide To Alternative Christmas Records

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The holidays are upon us and there is a ton of annoying music being played right now. Go anywhere in public and you will hear the choice songs that make everyone cringe. Not only that, they are usually bad renditions of them. How many times are we going to hear that Mariah Carrey song? Or worse than that, when will they stop playing Kenny G’s Christmas records? 

The short answer is, never.

So for those of you with smartphones, unlike myself, you may want to grab a handful of the following recordings. After a lot of listening, and yes, a LOT of listening, we narrowed down the top 5 alternative Christmas records worth a listen. These are all straying away from the traditional, even though “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on vinyl doesn’t get old. Heck, Sir Jorge even plays it in July. Granted, he’s usually alone and sad, but hey, wasn’t Charlie Brown always sad? We digress.

So here you go, 5 alternative Christmas records you’re going to absolutely want to put on instead of that lousy compilation your mom got you 2 Christmases ago from a Target end cap.

The Jesus and Mary Chain: Darklands

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The Jesus and Mary Chain: Darklands (review)

Artist: The Mary And Jesus Chain

Album: Darklands

Release Date: 1987

Label: Blanco y Negro

Genre: Post-Punk, Shoegaze, Indie, Alternative