Vandalye - The Ride [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“No doubt about it ... Life will kick you square in the balls sometimes.

That is what this Rock song is about, or more accurately, it is about how you handle those defeats that will come your way. The vocal performance is quite engaging and the melody brings a nice acoustic rock ballad feel. The imagery of the video captures the spirit behind the single quite well, as the band takes a great deal of punishment in delivering their message.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

GRAN CAVALLO - No Matter [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We have all been in that position where we have to play something off as if we don’t really give a damn. Especially in matters of the heart, when we put ourselves out there only to get denied. Gran Cavallo has captured that mood with a nice Rock vibe. The staccato tempo brings out the emotion of the lyrics nicely here. Sort of an Anti Valentines vibe to this one that will no doubt speak to many people on this day, as well as many others.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

JP Saxe - Sad Corny Fuck [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track puts into words the vibe many a dude has been faced with after falling in love. None of us set out to become a ‘Sad Corny Fuck,’ but when those emotions stat to boil up and out of us, that is what happens.

This tracks was produced by recent GRAMMY darling FINNEAS, and it does carry the same emotional impact that his work with Billie Eilish, but JP SAXE’s masterful vocals carry the day here and I can’t wait to hear more music from SAXE.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Ryan Cassata - Extended Vacation [Music Video Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The attitude here is what is so captivating. The lyrics, written from the heart, are belted out without a care in the world, and the result simply feels like an artist having fun by saying exactly what is on their mind without regard to getting every note perfect, or creating a flawless performance. This is music from the heart and it spoke to mine.

Sound wise, it feels like the Country Rock that came out of California in the 70’s,. Something in in the vein of Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers with a modern flair.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Exits - Double Crosser [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Some bands just have that sound. The Exits are such a band.

What is that sound?

Well, its a blend of all those who have paved the way before, and a unique boldness that rings loud and true. It is the Rock and Roll spirit.

Rebellious and lively, and captivating. ‘Double Crosser’ brings that entire vibe to your ears with an energetic arrangement, and a set of lyrics that tell the story of a distrustful couple as their relationship implodes. The soaring vocals hint at Punk and Pop and the track is one that buzzes around your skull. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Freedom Fry - West Coast [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“Freedom Fry are one of my favorite discoveries since joining LA on Lock as a reviewer. They often surprise me and this track is no different.

’West Coast’ delivers nice harmonies over the top of a classic California sound, and lyrically the track is sharp and twisty, in the way that Freedom Fry’s lyrics usually are. As you listen, the emotion permeates the air and warms you like the golden rays of a setting sun. There is both hope and trepidation here, and that so perfectly captures the feelings of chasing a dream.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Mayblues - Modern Nocturne [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This track delivers that smooth, almost snakelike Alternative Rock rhythm that Nirvana made famous. here that vocal style comes slithering in over the top of a bluesy beat.

Lyrically, the song details a doomed relationship that was meant to be casual, in the friends with benefits kind of way, but those situations never last long, because invariably one party catches THE FEELS. And we all know once the feels come out, there will soon be a cosmic train wreck that derails what was only meant to be a steady hook up.

Call it commentary of today’s dating world if you must. But what matters here is the single has genuine heart and emotion along with a talented retro vibe. Check out this rock solid single from The Mayblues. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Grand Am - Five Days A Week And Twice On Sunday [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Inspired by a storytelling acquaintance in New Orleans, ‘Five Days A Week and Twice on Sunday’ is a bluesy Alternative Rock single about the power and definitive feelings love inspires in us all. The track captures the desperate need and want quite well all with a soulful groove that shines through the beat and melody.

Grand Am has given a track that pulls you in and hooks you with both emotion, and a hint of funk behind their Rock and Roll sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

COUNTERFEIT. - 11:44 [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jumping right in with the opening line ... ‘Raise your middle finger, gotta let them know,’ COUNTERFEIT. wastes no time bringing energy and passion to their latest single ‘11:44.’

The track came to me labeled as Indie Rock, but in a lot of ways it feels more Punk to me than anything else. The lyrics are calling for change and engagement with the world around us. This is a rocking political track full of energy and solid writing. A high-energy song urging action.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Beecher's Fault - Head On [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Like the title suggests, ‘Head On’ is a track that straight up faces what it is attempting to say, and expresses the emotions at hand without much subterfuge.

Smooth, soft vocals, that carry a hint of Folk in the tone, deliver an uplifting and encouraging set of lyrics that are affirmative and entertaining at the same time. The melody is not complex , and overall the song brings gentle, but meaningful message that is easy to connect and stay focused upon.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Dez Money - I Want Your Love [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The name Money is no stranger to the music world, and Dez Money carries on with the family tradition started by his father, Eddie. The family can be seen on AXS TV’s show Real Money. ‘I Want Your Love’ is a contemporary song that feels more like Coldplay than his father’s music. At least it does until that guitar rift around three minutes in, when suddenly the DNA seems to come home for just a bit. This is a smooth easy track that is easy to join in and sing along to.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Vacant Shapes - Cutting up My Knees [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“The track kicks off with velvety punk style vocals that pull you in and force you to focus on the lyrics. The guitar charged melody adds to the emotion of the words making this a fully immersive track.

An anthem for everyone that has also given just a little bit too much of themselves to another. The world will grind you down if you let it, and this single brings those feelings into the light with an emotional rock sound that scrapes away at the exterior layer of our emotions.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Jake Bugg - Kiss Like The Sun [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Jake Bugg is catching fire with ‘Kiss Like The Sun’ so pucker up and plant a wet one on this hard driving Rock song. Blues guitar riffs and a mesmerizing vocal delivery keep the heat turned up. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Replicants - Ghost In My Heart [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“Ghosts of the past haunt us all to varying degrees and this track is a nice rock ballad about those lingering memories. With a sound falling somewhere between classic Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams, The Replicants deliver a timeless melody and lyrics to match. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Cellophane Sam - "At War with the Present" [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“The complexity of the mind is a tough subject to tackle and come out the other side with anything resembling clarity. Cellophane Sam has done so here with a slightly melancholic ode to the internal dialogue we all have, as well as even deeper thoughts and motivations. I came away with an almost Neil Young kind of vibe with a more modern sound. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

Miles Horn - Floating In Space [Review]

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

“This is a well-written song, but what makes it shine is the vocal performance. There are glossier, more powerful voices than Miles Horn, but you will be hard-pressed to ever hear a song where the artist clearly believes the words they are singing more than Horn obviously does on ‘Floating In Space.’

It is that personal engagement that makes this track comes alive, and it is is that personal involvement that makes me feel just as invested in the track. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

The Lone Palms - Keen for the Holidays [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A fun indulgent look at yuletide cheer.

This rocking ode to living it up for Christmas, puts a different spin on the traditional Christmas song.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

All My Friends Hate Me - Stay Up [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“This track is about the silver lining of shitty times. That might sound depressing, but it shouldn’t, because this single is delivered with energy and sometimes it takes a rough patch to find out who you can count on in this world. What is more Rock and Roll than that? ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

No Time For Reason - Catfish [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“A Punk Pop anthem that delivers an energetic punch.

’Catfish’ is about exactly what you think it is, but that predictability is not a negative, because the band goes full throttle start to finish. ”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)

NØLN - Ghost [Review]

Rating: 4 out of 5

“We all have that ‘Ghost’ or two that haunts us, but few in this world have the vocal talent on display in this single. The rasp in the voice is perfect for a song that fits in between a true Rock ballad and the Pop melody behind the track.”

— Travis Erwin (LA on Lock Blogger)