Arms Akimbo - Dizzy [Review] October 09, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Indie Pop, Indie Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Life on the road is not easy for any band or touring act, and yet the allure and call is inescapable. LA Indie Rock band, Arms Akimbo, takes a dive into those aspects with their latest single, ‘Dizzy.’ A smooth melody and infectious lyrical build makes you almost feel the wheels rolling beneath you as you sit back and miss about everything back at home, while still mesmerized by the allure of that next stop on tour.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Maella - Melting Butter [Review] October 09, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Pop, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Coming at you with an alluring, almost sinister charm, Maella seduces the listener with a smooth vocal delivery that invites you in before the darker emotions grab your heart and squeeze. ’Melting Butter’ is a brooding track that for me conjured thoughts of a time in Rock music when grit and passion overshadowed glossy production and million dollar smiles.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Loudmouth Lisa - Ata Corina [Review] October 08, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Straight up rock guitar, like you rarely hear these days ,ushers in this track which offers a unique sound and delivery style to lay out the wryly sharp lyrics. You could call this metal for the jaded thinking man, or supercharged Rock and Roll for those unafraid to take a stimulating lyrical journey into the minds of the pissed off and the fed up. Maybe those are one and the same, but Loudmouth Lisa is clearly a band that doesn’t really give a shit what you call their message — long as you heed the words.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Zachary Kibbee - Somewhere To Put My Gold [Music Video Review] October 02, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Alternative, Commercial Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Take a little 70s Funk, toss in some old school Magnum P.I. vibesn and coat it all in straight up Rock and Roll and you have a good idea what is going on with Zachary Kibbee on his latest track, ‘Somewhere To Put My Gold.’ The video is straightforward, but adds to the retro feel with its credit style. This is a track that just lodges in your bones and allows you to straight up rock out. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Saint Chaos x Sam Tinnesz - Walk [Review] October 02, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “A motivational Rock Anthem that belongs on your workout, or simply your — get out of bed and kick ass, playlist. Saint Chaos delivers a a touch of Imagine Dragons to the sound, though ‘Walk’ offers its own unique edge for sure. The energy and determination shine through on the track and I dare you to listen without feeling a jolt of adrenaline come your way.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Cold Coke Hogan x Aras Davis - Why Am I Like This? [Review] October 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Commercial, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “A trippy modern track about the act of self-doubt and self-loathing. We all second guess ourselves, and often take that too far by getting deep inside our heads. There are hints of classic Rock and thread that will remind some of Biliie Eilish, but overall this track creates its own sound and mood that is captivating in a dark and brooding kind of way. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Blame My Youth - Fantastic [Music Video Review] September 26, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Alternative, Indie Rock, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “In a time when much of the music is about angst and tension, this track offers a nice contradiction. Although they are delivered with the edge and passion usually reserved for anger, the lyrics of this track are actually quite positive and it is refreshing to hear such a big bold declaration in pure Rock glory. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Love Ghost - Pillz (the sky is falling) [Music Video Review] September 25, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Hip-Hop, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “A brooding moody track with both lyrical grit, and a heavy emotional set of vocals. Blending a slow tempo Hip-Hop flow with an Alternative Rock sound, and a vocal delivery that gives the track a sharp edge, this performance brings enough variation within the arrangement to hold your intrigue through this heavy emotional track. Love Ghost is a hard band to pin down by genre, but the talent looms large in the dark shadows of this single.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Folkus - Blue [Review] September 23, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Folk Rating: 4 out of 5 “Coming with a threadbare and almost pained, brand of vocal delivery, Folkus unleashes the emotion behind ‘Blue’ with an intensity that is captivating. The melody and lyrics play perfect roles in the progression and build, but it is the vocal performance here that hooks you and refuses to let go.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
dezabel - Fade Away [Review] September 19, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Contemporary R&B, Electro Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “Combining the the talents of LA area singer and songwriter, Jazelle Paris, and Zurich based producer, Bilgi, ‘Fade Away’ is a mesmerizing track that I ironically expect to do anything but fade away. Paris not only supplied the vocals but also wrote the lyrics and melodies to the Electro Pop track that captures the fleeting thoughts and feelings of a high octane relationship slipping away into the night.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Nothing but a Nightmare - Problems Being Cool [Review] September 18, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Rock, Commercial, Alternative, Indie Rock, Pop Rating: 4 out of 5 “A pure Rock anthem for anyone that has ever had trouble playing it cool. Nothing but a Nightmare delivers an energetic true rock sound, and their latest single ‘Problems Being Cool’ defies the traditional cliches of the genre, to bring forth a track with both heart and grit. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Confetti - People Suck (2020 Remix) [Review] September 15, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Pop, Rock Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “True to their name, Confetti comes at you with a party song. ‘People Suck’ might not be a conventional party song, but then there hasn’t been a damn thing conventional about 2020, so perhaps this is the party song we all need right now. This track is easy to belt out and song along with, and despite the revelry in style, it comes with some serious observations and thoughts. Cue this up as a barroom anthem for the day we can all gather together and drink once again.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
VENMC x ALI - Bunker Bitch [Review] September 14, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Hip-Hop, Conscious, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Capturing the anger of both a generation and much of a nation, VENMC and ALI pull no lyrical punches while calling out Trump, as well as those who still support the Reality TV personality turned politician. ’Bunker Bitch’ takes on the cowardice and bigotry of the man and administration directly giving us a hard-edged track rife with passion and indignation.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Neon Dreams - Don't Go Hating Me Now [Review] September 12, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Pop, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Watching a friend fall and slip into a bad place is tough, but so is reaching out and helping them by speaking the truth. In those instances the friend can resent you and the help you are offering. Neon Dream offers a Pop Rock refrain of this phenomenon. ‘Don’t Go Haring Me Now’ is full of heart and hope and human kindness but also comes with emotion and talent and energy.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Rory D'Lasnow - An American Lie [Review] September 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative Rating: 4.5 out of 5 “Has the American Dream turned into ‘An American Lie?’ Rory D’Lasnow single, highlights the fact that for many, the ideals that landed this country the label of ... land of the free, and home of the brave, now feel are so badly tarnished that the dream feels more like a nightmare for many people. Of course this theme is very prevalent in music during these troubled times. And rightfully so. This track stood out for me for the clever wordplay of the writing, as well as the heartfelt delivery.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Drugstore Cowboy - Mexico [Review] September 01, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “The vocal tone of Drugstore Cowboy hooked me from the opening line. ‘Mexico’ is a single that instills a hopeful yearning brand of emotion that feels both nostalgic, and contemporary at the same time. The duo combine to create a sound that hints of Petty at times, and delivers the edge of Kings of Leon at others. This track is pure Indie Rock bliss.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Ali George - Melanie Brown [Review] August 21, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Alternative, Rock Rating: 4 out of 5 “Ali George gives us a solid Murder Ballad with the track “Melanie Brown.’ There is a Southern Rock sound to this track, though the Folk influence lurks there in the shadows as well. The lyrics tell the fictitious tale of a young man who falls in love with a hired girl and then becomes jealous of her exploits with others.” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
The Criticals - High Life Clinic [Review] August 21, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music, Indie Rock, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “The Criticals never fail to deliver energy and attitude in their music and the band’s latest single, ‘High Life Clinic’ once again brings that Rock and Roll spirit that many bands strive for, but often fail to reach. There is a hint of Punk in this track and a catchy hook to go along with the in-your-face delivery. This is Indie Rock as it should be!” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Rain Division - Drop Dead [Music Video Review] August 18, 2020 by Travis Erwin in Music Videos, Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Bitter much? That question pretty much sums up the lyrical make up of ‘Drop Dead.’ But sometimes bitterness is warranted after a bad breakup. Rain Division delivers a hard-edged Alternative Rock track taking on the emotions of emerging from a toxic relationship with the knowledge the other person is entirely at fault. The video adds to to IDGAF attitude of the track, making both the song and the overall project quite entertaining. ” — Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)
Alvie & the Breakfast Pigs -Tokyo [Review] August 14, 2020 by Kreadiv Kesh in Alternative Rating: 4 out of 5 “Cry Baby’ with Johnny Depp is my favorite movie. Alvie & the Breakfast Pigs new single ‘Tokyo’ reminds me of the songs from that movie. The drums are energetic even though the vocals have a low tone you can still feel the emotion in the artists vocals. He is revealing how it may not seen as if they know where they are going but they are going to get to that point. ” — Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger) Tokyo is symbolic for a journey that most of us find ourselves on, trying to find a place where you belong. Tokyo represents a journey through life learning about yourself and traveling to find where you best fit. Adventuring into the unknown.