Faint On Call is a supergroup from the 90’s featuring Tobias Hawkins (ex-Counting Crows), Cristian Hernandez (ex-Onesidezero), Arthur McConnell and David Rodriguez and Harpoon is their second single, released on 28/10/2022.arpoon

Born during the pandemic lockdown, they play a mixture of 90’s alternative, shoeglaze post grunge and 80’s melodic driven rock and the result is outstanding.

With over 40 years of experience in the industry between them, this is a really professional outfit, and this shows in the production and arrangement of this track.

With the distinctive dirty guitars of 90’s alternative rock and the distortion on layered vocals this really is a nostalgic look backwards, while also looking forward with modern hooks and chunky layers.

The song is passionate and optimistic, punchy, and charismatic and this is shown by both the vocals and the musical arrangement. Fiddly guitar solos feature behind the mass of crunching guitars and crashing drums and the basslines are a prominent feature throughout the whole track.

Finishing with some awesome piano work this track really does have it all. I loved it and played it four, five, maybe six times in a row and each time it got better and better.

Faint On Call have only been around for a short while but I am hoping for bug things for them. I will certainly be keeping an ear out for any new music from them!

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There are not many artists or performers who shy away from social media these days, but Swiss singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Fabian Koerber, the brainchild behind Urban Walrus, is one such person. I, personally, don’t think this is a bad thing, as it gives the band a certain mystery to them.

A softy, smooth, laid-back track, August Rain is their latest single having been released on 20/08/2022.

Rich and bold, this track is old school soft rock but with a modern twist. An acoustic guitar leads most of the song, but this really kicks in with heavy guitar solos, treating us to hints of that classic 70’s rock sound.

The vocals are soft and gentle but strong and the slight accent in the singer’s voice gives the track a while unique sound. I’m not sure how many people know of the band Cosmograf, but the voices of both singers are very similar!

Self-described as “probably the most boring band in the world…boring because Urban Walrus is a lazy creature that loves to keep a low profile,” but boring is not a word I would use to describe them. Talented, mysterious, and fantastic yes but never boring!

There is a simple approach to the song, at times, just the vocals, quiet guitar strumming and laid-back drums the only sounds, but this all works really well as it is the poetic lyricism that really makes the song.

This track is easy to listen to and I would highly recommend you all check it out.

Fantastic job!

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Having already reviewed the band’s previous track Where It Begam, I was really excited to review the new one from Pullstring.

Pullstring are a five-piece alternative / indie band from Minneapolis and The Only Thing is their new single, released on 25/11/2022.

This is more of a ballad than their previous offering, showing just how versatile they are as a band, but it still contains the same grittiness and the classic indie sound of the 90’s.

Once again, there are dirty guitars throughout most of the track but once the solos kick in this is changed to clean, a contrast that works really well.

The vocals are again soft and melodic but have a certain passion in them that is strong and gritty, and the harmonizing backups are, once again, a great add.

Each verse leads up to big choruses when all of the instruments come in to their own and the changes of pace throughout the song means it is not bland or boring.

Once again, this is a great song from a great band and is highly recommended not only to fans of 90’s indie and alternative music, but to music fans everywhere!

I can see remarkable things for these guys so keep up the fantastic work!

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Passive Fix is a four-piece indie / alternative rock band from the UK and Red Lights is their latest song, released on 02/12/2022.

This is a super catchy tune that after just one or two play throughs will have you humming along to for the rest of the day.

The vocals are soft and melodic, and I absolutely love the swagger he has in his voice that gives off just enough attitude. He is backed up shouty vocals that are a stark contrast to his own but are also a good compliment to him and he, himself, finishes the track with some screams of his own.

The distorted guitars give the track a grungy feel and the drumming is laid back, while funky bass lines really shine through. There is the added joy of a saxophone in the background adding some jazz to an already genre straddling track.

Time changes throughout the track give it a very progressive feel and the change of pace between the choruses and verses is done really effectively.

Overall, this is a great track and one I think everyone should check out. You may agree with me, you may not, but it’s worth a listen, right?

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Luna Waves is Bedford-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rob Muir and he plays “dark, dreamy, ethereal and atmospheric psych rock / dream pop.”

He was raised on the likes of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden and The Smashing Pumpkins and considers himself a 90’s kid at heart but he also has influences from his musician father which include The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix, and is also inspired by a whole host of contemporary artists.

Bruised Gold is his third album after he released Seafoam Dream Pt 1 on 09/11/2018 and Blood Moon on 25/03/2022 and was released on 18/11/2022.

The album is yet another dreamy rock album and has a total of twelve songs with a running time of about 54 minutes.

The vocals are laid back, soft and gentle yet with a certain punch about them and vocal harmonies and choir sections give the tracks depth, making the songs catchy and memorable. Rob has a wide vocal range and would seem to be just at home singing a powerful ballad as he would belting out a classic rock hit.

The guitar riffs are heavy enough to take the album out of the pop genre yet soft enough to maintain the indie feel of the album. The drum and bass sections are tight and keep the album on track.

Pace changes throughout the album are kept to a minimum but have maximum effect and the listener is never left bored, always being kept engaged.

This is a fantastic album that has a great mellow vibe to it, leaving the listener chilled out and relaxed. All the elements of modern-day rock/pop are there and there is even a hint of nostalgia as he makes a nod back to the indie bands of the 90’s.

I would recommend this album to anyone who likes a bit of easy listening music, sitting in the garden (ok, not in this weather, but on a nice, hot summers day!) with a beer and just chilling out for an hour as you really can escape everyday life with this album.

Go check it out!

Track Listing:

1) Talisman

2) Lemondaze Slow Burn

3) Out Of Phase

4) Street Hawkers

5) Get Lazy

6) Send A Wish On The Shore

7) Golden Promise

8) Only Yesterday

9) Ready To Survive

10) It Meant Nothing At All

11) Nocturnal Teens

12) Sun Dappled Clouds

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Born and raised in Central New Jersey, Tony Lio grew up surrounded by a multitude of genres, ranging from rock and pop to soul and indie and it is this influence that makes it hard to pigeon-hole his own music.

With musical structures reminiscent of the likes of Soundgarden and Ghost and lyrical content in the vein of Hozier and James Bay, this guy does not want to be labelled in any one genre!

Mixing indie, post punk, new wave and alternative rock, this track is just phenomenal. Chilled and laid back, there is an almost psychedelic vibe to it.

The vocals are soft yet strong and full of passion and the drumming is mellow. The soft, acoustic guitar strumming is perfect for the track and when the electric guitar kicks in, it is slightly distorted to give the track an edgy feel. Strong bass lines also shine through.

There are changes of pace throughout the song keeping the listener interested and it ends beautifully with the sound of a guitar solo.

There is also a computer-generated video to accompany the song, and this adds to the psychedelia of the track.

If you like mellowness in your music, then go and check out this track. You will love it!

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Mumbo are a London based indie pop/rock band consisting of Doug Macgowan (acoustic and electric guitar, banjo and bass), Emma Semple (vocals, violin and viola) and the newly recruited Antonio Dale on drums and Rollin’ Over is their new track, released on 02/12/2022.

With influences from various genres, including rock, indie, pop, folk, blues and jazz, this track, about new beginnings and second starts, has a mellow and uplifting yet atmospheric ambience.

Says the band, “After so much darkness, fear and deep uncertainty in recent times, and despite the fact that the world is in a state of awful political megalomania and gunshot rhetoric, we just wanted to say something hopeful, something connective, something of light in the darkness. We hope we have done that both sonically and lyrically.” I personally think they have.

The vocals are warm and tender and really pull you in, Emma’s voice being strong yet compassionate at the same time.

The guitar work is superb, with inspiring guitar arpeggios all the way through, complimented perfectly by moving guitar solos. The trio are joined on this track by Martin Goodchild on the organ and he is a great addition to the band.

This is a great, laid back, warm song, full of emotion and feeling and I think that it will appeal to indie rock and pop fans alike.

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